My Boy Nate

This is Nate (on the right) and his best friend, Parker Swainston, a few Sunday's back walking home from church. I just wanted to take a few moments to talk about Nate and what impresses me so much about him. Where you could look at this picture and see two boys who look like church-going angels, it is probably no surprise to hear that they have "another" side to their personalities. It's true - they are "all boy" as Nate often reminds me (usually when he's covered in dirt and about to sit down to dinner having not washed his hands). They play pretty hard and make a lot of noise to say the least. This picture, though, really does depict how good Nate is... he's obedient and sensitive, and (truthfully) spiritual beyond measure. I'm often touched by his acts of service, his detailed nighttime prayers, his patience, and his work-ethic. I don't know where he came from, but it's probably a combination of Matt doing a really REALLY good job as a single parent for so long, and also that something special that Nate just brought with him innately. On top of that, he's so dang FUN. I love this kid. From the way he answers the phone when he sees that it's me calling ("Maaammmaaaa Maaammmaaa... a.k.a. ma-ma... ma-ma"... those who've heard it know exactly what I'm trying to spell out here in his funny voice. Who told him what "a.k.a." means?), to the way he climbs on me to give me the biggest, strongest hugs. It is an honor to be his mother and to learn from him as he grows. He's popular and doesn't know it (or doesn't care about it) and he's smart and doesn't brag about it. I'm just impressed with him and proud of him in every way. Now if I could just get him to pick up his socks/shoes/toys/dirty clothes... PS - his friend, Parker, is pretty fantastic, too.