Just Like Dad (Joshua)

Jim had to go out-of-town for 3 days this week. Whenever he has to be gone, Joshua goes into hyper protective man-of-the-house role.

He is checking the doors to see if they're locked and feeding the dog (without telling me, so let's just say that Maggie has been eating like a Queen this week!). He's been bringing in the newspapers each morning, and taking out the trash.

Okay...he takes out the trash a lot already, but he's even more conscientious about it when Jim is gone.

Joshua has always emulated Jim. People comment all the time about how their mannerisms are the same. It's all Joshua. Some of it he may have been born with, but most things Joshua does just because it's what Jim does.

I've written about some of Jim's crazy unrealistic maddening infuriating helpful energy-saving suggestions here. Joshua does these same things. I will come into the kitchen and he will be sitting at the table in the dark with the blinds open for light...eating his breakfast. If Jim eats with Joshua, he will turn on the light. Joshua gets so mad and will mutter, "it's wasting electricity. Dad should know this and LEARN TO ENJOY THE LIGHT OF OUTSIDE."

Joshua shuts doors, and turns off lights and fans like a maniac. I can be in the kitchen cooking, and all of a sudden *CLICK* the light will go off and I'm standing there in the dark.

Momma is not a fan of cooking in the dark.

Joshua also doesn't run the water while he brushes his teeth, and fusses at me if I leave the water in the kitchen sink running for too long. He will sing this song, "are YOU a waster-woo?" I think it's a song from Sesame Street from 20+ years ago...about not being a waster-water-woo. Whatever that is. He has remembered that song all these years later.

And it's just precious. (eye roll)

Except when you've spent half-the-day cooking a big family meal that took your people less than 10 minutes to devour...and you have a stack of dishes and you've told everyone that you don't need any help because you want to serve them and want them to relax and visit with each other and EXCUSE ME FOR RUNNING THE WATER, JOSHUA.

Joshua's eyes do this thing...there's a name for it but I'm not smart enough to remember what it is...where they quickly dart back and forth. Getting a family picture for our Christmas card is always a challenge. I always tell the photographer that if they can get a good one of everyone else, I won't stress over the fact that 9 people are smiling and facing the camera...and Joshua's eyes are looking to the right (or left) like there's something really interesting going on in a field somewhere.

I am convinced that because of his eye-thing, he is able to notice more details. Out of all 4 of our kids, he can tell by looking at my face if I'm sad or mad or sick. He notices when I get my hair cut or colored...if I change my lipstick color...if I get new earrings. When I am talking to him (when anyone is talking to him) he is looking intently at my face.

And when he says something that he knows is inappropriate or something that we won't like...or something he thinks is really funny...he will stare at your face to see your reaction.

He likes to wear clothes that match Jim's. He tucks his shirt in and fixes his hair just like Jim does. Except for the days when Joshua spikes his hair up to Jesus. Jim does NOT do that (he doesn't have that much hair! Ha!). Joshua sits like Jim. He watches how Jim folds his hands...how he crosses his legs, folds his arms across his chest, how he stands...and he does it the exact same way.

Joshua wants to work for ENTERGY like Jim. He wants to get married and have 4 children. He wants a car and a home and to be a deacon in the church. Just like Jim.

Joshua eats the same type of food that Jim does. Jim loves to eat healthy things that the rest of our family wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole: vegetables, fruit, Greek yogurt. Jim takes a vitamin every day. Joshua takes a vitamin every day. Jim likes to go to the gym, so naturally Joshua likes to go as well. Jim started running a couple of years ago, so Joshua started running. Now, I am not a runner, but I can WALK as fast or faster than Joshua can run...but he gives it his all and he thinks he is doing great! And he is!

If you notice, a lot of people with Down Syndrome are overweight. A lot of times, it is because they have difficulties that make it challenging to get a good cardio work-out: heart issues, stamina issues, thyroid issues, transportation difficulties, slow metabolism, hip issues, balance problems. And it may be hard to know all about healthy foods. They are usually dependent on someone else's help with shopping and preparing food. It's hard. But Joshua is physically able to walk and run and lift-weights. He loves it, and it is something that he and Jim can do together, so it works out great!

On Wednesdays when I'm at choir, Jim has started making dinner for him and Joshua. Clark is usually at Youth and not in on the fun. They usually have fish tacos and Joshua thinks it's the best thing ever. He just loves being with his dad.

The other night, I told the boys that we would go out to dinner since their Dad was gone...and that they could pick the restaurant. Since they had chosen Chicken Express the night before, I was wanting a really good salad. I suggested several places, but gave them the final choice. They chose IHOP. Seriously?

The waitress came to take our order. Clark got chicken and waffles. I got plain pancakes...no syrup, no nuthin'. Joshua ordered the 2x2x2, because that's what he and Jim always order. It comes with 2 pancakes, bacon or sausage, and eggs.

The waitress said, "how do you want your eggs?" Joshua said, "scrambled." She said, "bacon or sausage?" I totally predicted he would say "bacon." He said, "sausage." I looked over at him, surprised.

He grinned as he shut his menu and said, "just like Dad."

"Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4