The other day I saw a friend post a picture on Facebook of donkeys in her pantry. That’s right, donkeys. Of course, they were about an inch tall and hard plastic, but still yet donkeys. Which directly sent me to Memory Lane, doesn’t the thought of donkeys send you to memory lane?
Specifically, it quickly transported me to the manager scene at Christmas time. We have this really nice (at least in my opinion) manger scene. I found the figurines at an after Christmas sale at Target one year and my mom gave me the manger which has a light and serves as a great nightlight for us during the Christmas season. Each Christmas since Jayden could walk Baby Jesus has been visited by Choo-Choo Trains, dinosaurs, and even visitors from a far, away land…a.k.a. Star Wars characters.
The other night he was hopping through the house saying, “hot lava on the floor…hot lava on the floor”. He is also mastering blowing a bubble with bubble gum, as well as getting a high score on how many times he can jump up and touch the ceiling fan chain in a row. I know important feats and they are all happening right under my roof. I may have to sell tickets! Finally, Jayden’s choice of library books this week were about building a fort (if only he could convince his dad) and learning to draw. Jayden has so much he wants to do. He wants to learn to sing, play a guitar, and even be a salesman.
I know...those are some pretty high goals, especially the salesman part. Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with being a salesman, it certainly pays bills and puts food on the table, but when he wants to sale used hubcaps and other junk, I think “Ohhhhhh….Elizabeth!! I am coming!!” Yes, my mind is a weird place to be, it is a good thing I keep my mouth shut (for the most part) in public places, and especially in work meetings.
Do you remember Sanford & Son? The sitcom that starred Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford? He was a junk collector and ran a junk collection business out of his home. His son Lamont lived with him and every time his son would threaten to move, Fred would fake a heart ache and call out his deceased wife’s name holding his chest? Remember?
Jayden loves exploring the creek behind our house. Darryl allows it, I cringe at it. I am thinking of all those nasty disease I am sure he is going to get from being down there and touching something, then touching his eyes, nose or mouth – it sends shivers up my spine and makes my stomach feel ill at the thought. Saturday was a Creek Exploration day and he brought home two or parts of two hubcaps and an old cracked bowling ball with the name Willie on it. When we asked what his plans were, he said he was going to sell them! Ohhhhh…..Elizabeth!!! I am coming!!
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Update: The boy's mother in the middle must feel the same way, because he was
told not to go in the creek anymore and guess where he went?
Yup! The creek. So now he is grounded. According to Jayden,...for life! |
So I encouraged him to go set up business with a For Sale sign and desk in the front yard and see if anyone stops and buys them. To my horror he said, no, I have to get more! Apparently they need a variety to choose from, I didn’t realize hubcaps were equal to shoes. He is already throwing the idea of removing ours from our cars to increase his sales! So in our garage sits a Mitsubishi and part of a Chevrolet hubcap, plus a bowling ball inscribed Willie if you are interested in purchasing, I am pretty sure he will make you a great deal! Or if you lost one about five years ago, I am guessing that is how long it would have taken to travel down the creek to our house, then you can just come pick it up!
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| A close up just in case you're interested. |
So as of November 2011, this is life with Jayden. I am thankful for the son God gave me, the beauty of feeling him grow inside me and then the privilege to watch him grow on the outside. May we as his parents not hinder him in achieving his goals, even if it is to be a salesman; but most importantly I hope he knows he is greatly loved by God and us. In the short time we have left with Jayden at this tender age I pray that God would allow us to fully grasp how fast this time will pass and that we will make the most of the things that truly matter, not just in parenting but in eternity as we attempt to train Jayden and our other children in the way they should go.
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| One of my favorite pictures of my little guy! Oh how time flies! |
Finally, I wonder if this year there will be any visitors to the manger, or not. I hope so! As the years pass those inanimate objects are slowing being replaced by digitalized video games. The days of having Jayden in the house playing are being replaced with him out exploring. So, yes, I am having a bit of melancholy, because he is growing up way too fast, becoming a young man before my eyes, but as I have told him no matter his age or height, he will always be my baby boy.
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