Three kids, four soccer games, seventeen library books, six donuts, four Slurpees . . . such is the first equation that best describes the math of our Autumn Saturday.
Between soccer games, we all ended up in the kitchen. With a bottle of water in one hand, I leaned against the countertop, watching as my husband ate a “Muffeletta” sandwich we’d bought yesterday from The Italian Store in Arlington, Virginia.
Our middle child, Travis James Farris, Jr., or “Jim,” sat facing my husband. “Dad, when I write ‘Junior’ after my name, it makes me proud to have your name.” Jim’s voice, still high pitched, echoed against the red walls in our kitchen, and I smiled.
Before I could say anything, my husband set his Muffeletta down and wiped his hands on his paper towel. “Well, son, I’m very proud to share my name with such a great kid. I don’t think I’ve told you today just how awesome you are.”
I glanced at Travis, who was once again grasping his “manwich,” and nodded at the clock. He sighed; I sighed; and we started to check shin pads, cleats, water bottles and soccer balls. Fifteen arguments, three Facebook status updates, four missed calls and an entire box of obliterated Munchkin donuts later, I sat in my husband’s big, striped fabric chair in the kitchen, typing up some research notes about angels on my silver Macbook Pro. My youngest child whizzed around me, and we played our “I love you game.”
I started. “I love you more than all the leaves in the backyard.”
Ben’e eyes lit up as I spoke. Before I finished, he danced in front of me. “I love you more than all the trees in America.”
“Sun, moon, stars.”
He grinned, all dimples showing, and yelled, “Mom I love you more than anything, even God.”
I smiled back at him, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Not more than God. You must love Him most.” I paused mid-negotiation long enough to mix a smile into my sober response. “How about except God?”
“Oh, okay, except God.” He hopped around again. “And I won’t let anyone hurt you.” My six-year old, 48-pound boy grinned at me while he sipped his Slurpee. “And if anyone tries to hurt you, I will protect you. If someone comes at you with a knife, I will hit them, or cut their head off!”
“Um . . .”
Ben jumped up and added, “Look at the picture I drew for you, Mom! It has pink hearts on it, and me, and you.”
I glanced over at the drawing of two blue-colored people holding hands on a scrap of wrinkled white paper. Admittedly, I was a little relieved to see that there were no weapons mixed in with the pink hearts that circled the blue-colored sketch of mother and son. I knew, just as my husband knew–just as my entire family knows–what it means to feel loved, and my soul rang out with laughter and with light.
I see that you are carb loading! Your kids are great! Run like the wind tomorrow, in the rain, which you like, but be safe and sane! Love you! Xoxoxo
Good morning Annie! Thank you so much re my kids! We got lucky–no rain during the run, and I was reasonable safe AND sane!! xoxo
always such a delight to look in your window… but not in the creepy way.
Thank you so much my friend!!
These are the best times ever, right? What memories…
Enjoy!
Yes–these really are the best times ever!! Thank you so much!!
I use to play this game, I wonder if we all do.
I love you more than infinity X Pie
It’s my favorite game, Val!! It combines humor, literature and lots of love! xoxo
You and your husband are passing down such a rich legacy to your children. A legacy of love. Whirling, twirling, playing, and slurping your way to each person’s heart.
Awww that made me grin, my friend–thank you so much!!!
“I love you more than all the leaves in the backyard.” – what a nice thing to have them remember hearing you say. Really well done El.
Thank you so much Renee!!!
How very sweet! Thank you for sharing those tender moments amidst the otherwise craziness we call weekends during soccer season.
Aw thanks so much my friend!!!
You are a super parent and I bet your secret power is your family’s love. My son have 2 more soccer games to finish before rapping up the Fall season. We have a great game last Saturday. My son score 3 goals for the first time and looking all so proud and happy. Even our schedule seems crazy, moments like these make us do it all over again. Great post. Best wishes to your family.
Gosh, you’re a super parent too!! I love reading about your families’ weekend escapades!! Congrats to your son on his hat trick!! That sounds wonderful!! What does he do in the winter? My kids are going to do martial arts, I think . . . and I will swim and run. And yes, for sure our schedule seems crazy, but it’s so very worth it for us as well. Best wishes to you and to your family as well!
Like, Like, and LIKE! I had a precious-kid moment, too, this past weekend. At the end of a very long and busy (like yours) weekend that included a sleepover with her BFF, I had to lead worship for a praise night at my church. We haven’t been to church in a couple of months-at least-and it’s been wearing on me. I looked out and saw Maycee singing along with me in her pew, and at the end of the service I broke down in ever-so-tired tears, and I just felt God wrapping Himself around me. People prayed for me, too. Afterwards there were many hugs. As we were leaving, Maycee said to me, “I love hearing you sing, Mom. And, I think we need to get back to church for sure.” Total melt-my-heart stuff. We are so blessed by our kids, huh?Hope you are safe and not in the nasty storm’s path, El. Much love! XOXO-SWM
Oh my gosh–I KNOW I responded to this comment dear SWM!!! It must have gotten swallowed up by the WordPress gremlins!! I smiled when I read this the first time, and I’m smiling reading it now. My children love it when we take them to church (not just Sunday School). They love to witness us worship. I don’t know why . . . and the thing is, church is one of the few places I can show my tears.
And yes, yes, my gosh, we are so blessed by our kids–as they are by us, dear friend!!
Much love to you!!!
Aw what lovely family moments.
Thanks for sharing them with us El!
Awww thank you so much for reading and sharing with me Kourtney!!!