The Wood Family Adventures: Beautiful

I came across this blog, and she put my thoughts and feelings into this great list I had to share.

25 Things I want my Son to know:

1. When I look at you I see my heart.

I never imagined I had this much love to give until I had a baby. I never thought I could possibly have any more to give until I had you. You have taught me that my heart and my capacity to love is not fixed, it grows and grows and grows.

2. It’s okay to let go of your penis. It’s not going anywhere.

Since we finished potty training in our house, I’ve noticed that you hold your penis constantly. I just want you to know that it will be there forever and you have your whole life ahead of you to play with it.

3. I will be happy to buy you a pink ball, a pink balloon, or a pink toothbrush if you so choose.

I understand that through your eyes the color pink is just that, a color. It really makes no difference to you – and therefore should make no difference to me whether you want to wear a pink superhero cape or wings.

4. Your nose is NOT an appropriate place for the following items: crayons, beads, marbles, cheerios, pasta, peas, carrots, french fries, legos, q-tips, or your finger. Period.

5. Play. Draw. Paint. Create.

Creating art should be a constant in your life. It lends great insight to an ever-moving journey and encourages individuality and expression. If you’re doing it right – I expect to see fingerprints on walls, paint on floors, mud on the carpet and even in your hair. Go ahead, experiment!

6. On the other hand, there are rules that need to obeyed when you are in a home. You need to respect others and their possessions. I know boys will be boys, but this is not at all what I have in mind when it comes to creating art or playful fun. In fact, this is a lesson in doing it all WRONG! I would not be happy.

I would be so pissed.

7. Take your time summoning your inner genius.

There is a competitiveness that seems to have taken hold of every elementary school and playground in America. The pressure to learn more – faster, quicker, better than your peers. Never mind that mumbo jumbo. Learning takes time and everyone does it differently.

8. Explore the outdoors.

Get outside as much as possible. Breathe the fresh air. Play tag. Ride bikes. Skip. Hop. Jump. Run. Climb. NOW.

9. Accept others for who they are.

In an age where bullying has taken precedence amongst our youth, I hope I have taught you to see the value in differences. Preps, Emo, Punk, Popular, Nerds, Drama, Jocks – bottom line: It doesn’t matter. Power lies in friendship.

10. Always keep moving forward.

There will be times in your life when you feel stuck. It’s up to YOU to decide where you’ll go. Keep on trekking. Go, go, go kid. You’ll move mountains.

Oh the Places You’ll Go!

11. You are Superman.

To me – you really do have superhuman strength and speed, the ability to defy the laws of gravity, and immunity to almost all forms of harm. How else would you be able to move the desk into the hallway, climb on top of it, “fly” off it – smack right into the wall and get up and walk away unscathed? Answer: You are Superman. Case closed.

12. Love letters are legacies.

In such a fast-paced world, we often overlook the simplest yet sweetest gestures in regards to love. A love letter written from the heart is a welcome treasure amidst the sea of endless emails and texts that consume us daily. They are refreshing, candid, and romantic. Ask your father to teach you, he’s a pro.

13. It’s okay to cry.

Crying is a natural emotional response to feelings. We all do it. Men cry. Women cry. Children cry.

14. Always be proud of who YOU are.

You may not be the quarterback of the football team, the homecoming king, or the lead singer in the band – but really now, who cares? As long as you stay true to who you are, everything else will fall into place. Checkmate.

15. No respectable girl wants to see your penis.

Since you will be growing up in the technological age of iPhone and texting, you’ll inevitably come to learn the term “sexting.” Let me tell you now that sexting is a big, big, BIG mistake. Never ever, ever, ever, ever send a picture of a private body part to anyone. Ever.

16. I hope I teach you well enough from a young age how to properly put on pants. One leg in, then the other, pull ‘em up at least to your hips, zip, button, buckle. Done.

17. Think before you ink.

Tattoos are permanent. Please think before you ink.

18. Be an apprentice.

Before you leave for college, you must acquire some skill at performing the following tasks: laundry (separating, washing, drying, folding), making the beds, dusting, washing the floor, cooking, cleaning the toilets, grocery shopping for the week, vacuuming, emptying the dishwasher, sweeping the floor, cleaning the bedroom, watering the plants, feeding the pet. Your future wife will thank me.

19. Be a responsible traveler.

I have no problem with you hitting the open road and taking the old Volvo on a cross country adventure. In fact, I will applaud your independence and desire to see the country from sea to shining sea – but please don’t make me have to book a 3:00am flight to God knows where to visit you in the hospital.

20. Find your passion.

Keep looking and searching. Never stop.

21. You will be my son forever.

There is an old adage that starts, “A son is a son till he takes a wife…” As you grow, I pray our bond stays strong enough to break any truth this saying might hold.

22. Love your Mother Earth.

Recycle, reduce, reuse. Going green isn’t just a trend, it’s a way of life we should all be adopting. You need to be aware of how you live, shop, and consume. An eco-friendly lifestyle will positively impact your health, your community, and your world. Got that? Now go hug a tree.

23. Be a brother. Be a friend. Be a protector.

24. Take the road less traveled.

May you always try to make the right choices, not the easiest ones. Have the courage to lead, not follow. And to dream bigger than most others think is possible.

25. Wherever you are in life, you can come home. I will be here – always.

♥ mommy

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25 Things I want my daughter to know:

I love my kids so much. There isn’t one thing in this world I will not do for them. I will kiss their boo boo’s and wipe their tears. I will help them get dressed, teach them to do their chores, and feed them healthy foods. Lay with them at night, read to them, and sing silly songs. I will protect them and fight for them and give up my life for them. As they grow, I know it will only get harder to keep them inside my cozy little rainbow-filled bubble of happiness.

1. Enjoy the innocence of your childhood.

In a world full of superficial values, peer pressure, and bullying, as well as a pop culture that pushes materialism and consumerism – you are being leapfrogged through your childhood. There is a constant pressure for you to grow up way too fast. I mean, when did 5 become the new 10, anyway?

Grow slowly.

2. Smart is the new cool.

Never be ashamed of being smart or nerdy, having freckles or glasses, or loving science and math. Smart never goes out of style, it stays with you as you grow, and it will lead you down the most successful paths.

3. No matter how many times you hear it, “Diamonds are NOT a girl’s best friend.”

Friends are invaluable. They are trusting and loyal. They stick with you through good times and bad, happy or sad. Some will come and go, but your true friends will be with you always.

Friends forever, through whatever.

4. Go for it, get dirty! It’s good for you.

Besides the fact that getting dirty actually does help support your immunity, it’s also a great way to express creativity! Sculpt, draw, and stomp. Better yet, go “classic” and make some mud pies.

5. Beat the boys at their own games.

Football, baseball, hockey or golf, never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something because you’re a girl. So go ahead, build the tallest tower of legos, kick butt on Xbox, and bust out your light saber.

Flippin’ awesome.

6. Be spiritual.

Find the desire to understand the universe and your place in it. Take the time to notice the earth and all of its beauty. Give thanks to God.

7. See the world.

Experience new cultures, religions, people, and places. Open your heart and mind to the tremendous benefits of studying and visiting domestic and foreign lands.

Bon Voyage

8. A strong hand shake leaves a lasting impression.

It represents self confidence and ambition. A strong hand shake and eye contact exemplifies a mutual respect for one another and is a sign that you are friendly, trustworthy, and honest.

9. Even though you are only 5, I am so glad that right now you have absolutely no idea who Hannah Montanna is.

10. Or this teeny bopper, for that matter.

11. When it comes to wearing make-up, there’s a general rule of thumb that applies-LESS is MORE.

13. Please, please, please do not allow yourself to become someone else’s property. Why this is trendy, I will never figure out. If you want to make a statement about yourself on clothing, at least let it describe an aspect of who YOU are.

I just don’t get it.

14. Speaking of trends, I hope that by the time you are allowed to date, guys don’t wear their pants hanging half way down their ass like they do now. I really feel like this has been pretty popular for quite some time and I am praying that it finally goes away by 2022. Also, I will flip my lid if you become this guy’s property! (see #13)

15. This is not what GOD or the Bible has in mind when it teaches about angels.

16. Since you’re growing up in the technological age of iPad, iPod, iPhone, and texting, I have to address the horrendous lack of writing skills being used by today’s youth. This phenomenon of truant letters may very well be the Death of English (LOL). Bottom line, don’t use text lingo in your thesis.

What does this even say?

17. Speaking of text lingo, verbal slang is just as unprofessional. Calling all valley girls! Reminds me of Alicia Silverstone from Clueless. OMG, ROFL, BFF, TMI,FYI, IDK….As If.

18. I pray to G-O-D that you don’t ask me for any Monster High dolls. These are apparently the newest tween role models out on the market. They’re everywhere. Mattel claims they embrace imperfections and encourage individuality. Personally, I think they are over-sexualized – with their thigh high skirts, platform shoes, belly showing shirts, and heavy make-up. And I thought Barbie was bad – at least she had a career.

19. I hope no one has to explain to you why this picture is NOT appropriate for a high school yearbook.

20. Don’t let pop culture define you.

I don’t know why, but today we let pop culture manipulate our youth and it’s killing them emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. From the early on fascination with princesses, to the ‘need’ for a boyfriend and big boobs, popularity, teen moms, and all the other garbage being thrown in their face – be confident going against the grain or you’ll risk selling yourself out (see #19).

21. Mainstream your health.

It’s life’s greatest asset. A positive approach to health encompasses physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual well being. Healthy lifestyle choices in your youth will help lay a strong foundation for continued wellness throughout your adult life. Diet, exercise, stress management, chiropractic, self motivation, positiveness, and meditation, as well as a number of other approaches are guaranteed to make a huge impact on your quality of life, health, and happiness.

22. Be a sister. Be a friend. Be a protector.

23. Love with all your heart.

For where there is love there is life. Love is universal and felt by all living things. So strong is the feeling of love that it is said it makes the world go round.