A few favorite memories from when you were here:
On our way walking to Bluegrass park, when I told the boys to grab their buddies' hands, Levi grabbed yours. You pulled out your ear bud to ask, "why is your hand wet?", and Levi replied, "It was sticky so I licked it." You looked up with a cringe, but kindly held his hand anyway, God bless you.
When Isaac was too afraid to jump in the lake, you tried to bribe him, and when nothing else worked you finally relented, "Come on Isaac, if you do I'll let you sniff my arm the rest of the time I'm here."
You were never ashamed to be seen with my little guys. No matter who was looking, 15-year old you was never too good for 4-and 6-and 8-year old them.
At the roller rink you held their hands, giving up your own time to help them learn to skate.
At the lake you worried over Deacon when he caught a mouth full of water that scared him and made him cry, then you held him tight and swam him all the way back to the boat.
At the park you let each of the boys join in on soccer or catch, even though it made it far less challenging for you.
Every night you shared your room with one of the boys, as they excitedly took turns and fought over who got to have that other bed.
You listened patiently as they showed you all 38 of their Star Wars action figures, and told them jokes and made them laugh, and even kindly listened to their jokes too (as they tried very hard to be as funny as you).
One day you even skipped alongside Levi, taking no notice of passing cars.
You probably had no idea I was watching all of that, but I was, and much more. You brought back a lot of memories to my mind of what our big brother Jarom was like. He never cared who was watching either, was never too good for the younger kids in our neighborhood and always included them in play.
I know one day my boys will understand that, and it will mean a lot. You are such a great example. Thank you.
And thanks for all the rest of the fun memories in the sunshine, on the water slide, with the trampoline & sprinkler, playing board games, watching movies, you and your mondo amounts of mountain dew, ice cream, Super Smash, Star Wars, Schweitzer, tubing, campfires, all the huckleberries you helped us pick, and for helping around the house, and eating every meal I made with a smile, soy sausage and all.
Don't know how I timed this just right, haha, looks like Isaac and Deacon are holding up a giant Levi.
The kids were excited to see Grandma, Grandpa, & Rascal.... but not so excited that they were taking you with them. ;)
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