Lucky Boys

Last week when we were staying in a hotel in Seattle ( a couple posts down) I cuddled with Charlie until he drifted off to sleep. During that time I tried to absorb all the wonderful feelings I have about mothering this precious child. Moments before Charlie let sleep over take him, he slipped his precious little hand into mine. I couldn't help but think how innocent and delicate his little hands were (are). As I was holding his hand, baby brother jumped and flipped around inside me. I pondered on how I want to raise my sons. I pondered on how Charlie's hands compare to his dad's hands which are sensitive and delicate yet strong and let me know with a simple grasp that they will do anything to protect me and our family. They are hands of humble respect. I feel an absolute privilege when I think of parenting my children with Max. I know my boys are so lucky to have an amazing example of a tender, respectful, confident, and strong man. They probably wont even realize it most of their lives, but Charlie is already learning from Max's example and modeling some of his most beautiful traits. Max and I are two very imperfect people but I like to think that we have a lot to offer to our children. My sons will not be exactly like their dad, nor should they be, they are their own people and will make their own contributions to this life. I hope that they can learn that they don't have to always be tough to be a "real man." I hope they can learn that respecting everyone for who they are takes you far in life. I want them to learn that the delicate moments in life are just as important as the moments where strength is needed. I know this is somewhat of a rambling post, and I don't even know if I clearly wrote what I'm thinking but it felt important to me that I document it and share it with my boys as they get older.  

Max, in his extreme patience, let Charlie help him with a project that used real tools. Charlie was SOOO happy.