Michael Donovan

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November, 2008

Michael's 3! How did the time fly by so quickly? He's still a ying-yang of sweetness and "boy" energy. I love to see him light up about things that excite him, and it reminds me of how the girls were at his age - aspects you tend to forget when they've grown out of it. The Disney trip was so fun for him. It was his first time experiencing such a place of magic, and he loves to talk about it still. He keeps asking to go back to the Lego store. And I heard him, the other night, talking to his Woody doll, "You're my best friend, Buddy." (He calls Woody, Buddy.)

At his birthday, several of his classmate came to the party, and I've never had the chance to see him interact with kids his own age, in a group like that. He ran after them the entire time. They ran around and played together like a group of best friends. He showed a great connection with them and comfort in his group of friends. They all seemed happy to be with Michael, too. It was a different sight than watching him try to make a place for himself with the girls, which is more competition at times than actual playing.

As we enter the many discussions (now and to come) of what boys do or don't do in contrast with the girls, it's becoming so clear how much we need God's help in securing what to teach our children. From a young age, they learn their roles in society, in God's family, in their own family. And what we begin training them now is what they'll form their beliefs around when their older. It's not something to wait for. When he's 15 and questioning something, that's too late (in some respects) to begin teaching what's right or wrong. I've come to realize that even issues I'm "gray" on, I need to decide a more firm black/white stand in order to impart God's guidelines for life to my children. As they learn, they's searching for a definitive answer. Life will challenge them along the way, but I know we need to be their firm answer of strength to fall back on until they can stand strong on their own.