Watching You

I have to admit that when we had Ayden, all I could think about was the baby part. The cute little boy that smelled like lavender. He was someone to cuddle and kiss and adore. I wasn't thinking past the toddler stage...to teaching Ayden the difference between right and wrong. I wasn't thinking of the struggles or frustrations that were ahead for us. It is our job as parents to mold our children, to guide them through life so that hopefully one day they'll know how to make positive decisions. And I think it even goes one step further with boys...we have to teach them how to be men. Good, honest men. Wow! When you think about it, what an awesome gift that we've been blessed with.

Because of our boys, I believe that Jason and I have become better people ourselves. We know that our actions and words directly influence our children. We want to not only provide love for our boys, but also provide guidance, direction and inspiration. I realize that no matter how great you parent your children, they will still make their own decisions...good and bad. Ayden and Jameson are such wonderful little boys, so full of personality. I can't wait to see the fabulous men they some day become.

This totally reminds me of the lyrics from "Watching You". I love this song. I'm far from perfect and still have a lot of learning to do myself but hopefully at the end of the day I can tell myself I gave my children the best of me.

Watching You - Rodney Atkins.

Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
Green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my breaks and mumbled under my breath
His fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now now where did you learn to talk like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's scooby doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to god like he was talking to a friend
And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
He said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do

Cause I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
By then I'll be as strong as superman
We'll be just alike, hey won't we dad
When I can do everything you do
Cause I've been watching you