Sonya and I have been discussing lately how well Josh has adapted to public school.  I must admit I was nervous how he would handle it, but he has made a good transition from homeschool to public school. 

In a new school it is tough to be new and Christian, but Josh is unashamed of either fact.  This morning, he made sure he got to school early enough for See You At The Pole.  For a student that is a public expression of his faith.  Also, today he had a public presentation in speech class and one of the things he had to address is the one thing that he could not be swayed in and Josh declared that he could not be swayed in his Christianity. 

These are proud moments as a parent, but also a reminder to undergird him in prayer that he always remains steadfast no matter what.

Saturday, we were slumming around the house (or at least I was, Sonya’s always working around the house).  I was in MY chair when I heard a couple of blood-curdling screams.  Hannah is screaming and Sonya chimes in with, “Danny! Danny! there’s a huge snake in the laundry room.”

Now being the man of the house I had a crucial decision to make.  Should I get up out of MY chair?  After all , it was a snake.  Perhaps if I procrastinated long enough it would go away.  But then the thought ran across my mind, “or perhaps it could have babies.”  I got up from MY chair bracing myself for a 6 foot water moccasin or if I evaluated the screams right, I might be facing a 30 foot anaconda:) 

When I entered the room, there it was a HUGE one foot (12 inch) garter snake.  I wrestled it for a few moments before I conquered it and threw it outside.  I could tell by the look in my special ladies eyes that I was their hero. 

Josh then went outside to make sure it was dead.  I know there are good snakes and bad snakes (kind of like cats right?).  Well the only good snake is a dead snake.

Hannah woke up at the crack of dawn this morning, so I took her with me to take Josh to school.  She was in a good mood and we had a little chat on the way home.

Hannah: “Daddy, are you going to stay at the house when we get home?”

Me: “No I have to go to work.”

Hannah: “No!”

Me: “Well I have to go to work honey.”

Hannah: “No, you have to sit down for a little well, so we can talk about it.”

Me: “Okay, we can talk about it.”

At three years old, Hannah is teaching me the longing she has for a little extra time with me.  In her own way she wants to have one on one time to “talk about it”. 

As parents do we value time with our kids as much as they value time with us?  Just sitting around and shooting the bull is more than just chit chat when it comes to our kids.  Chit Chat is valuable time that let’s our kids know we care about them and their lives.