The Blessing of Family: Aaron-the-Joshua-Whisperer

You know, you don't really have control over who your children marry...unless you lived, like, in the 1800's...or in some country where arranged marriages are considered the acceptable way to do things.

I think used to think arranged marriages sounded like a great idea.

As time goes on, I've found that God's ways are way better than my ways...in every area.

Holly and Aaron started dating when Holly was 14 or 15 years old...I think she was in the 9th grade. And, no, they could not date-date...until she was 16. They came over to our house, or they went over to his house...all the while with close parental supervision. Aaron couldn't drive, so he and his MOTHER would come pick her up and they would go hang out over at his house.

But who am I kidding? They mostly hung out at our house.

And Joshua was in love. He has idolized Aaron from Day 1. And Aaron has been really good with him.

As much as I talk about how sweet Joshua is...and he is very sweet and very precious and I love him half-to-death...he doesn't always make things easy.

He's got him some moods.

Aaron takes it pretty well, because Joshua is honest to a fault. Like, "you need to watch what you eat, Aaron," or "I've made you a work-out plan, Aaron." Or, "you eat too fast, Aaron."

He calls Aaron his "add-on brother."

Like, "maybe me and Holly and the add-on "bruh" can go to dinner while you're gone."

Joshua likes to make his own choices and he likes his routine, so pushing him too hard will not go well. Even if it's something he wants to do, if we put too much pressure on him, he won't do it. Swimming, playing catch, watching a football game...all things Joshua likes to do with Aaron. All things Aaron will ask Joshua to do. All things Joshua will fight Aaron on on any given day.

And, the thing is, he ALWAYS ends up having a good time after it's all said and done.

Stubborn.as.a.mule. But...he comes by it honestly.

My Grandma Ellen...she used to complain about this or that, or wish for this or that...and we (mainly my Mom) would bend over backwards to figure out a way to get it done for her, and then she would not do it or not go to it or whatever. She used to say it "didn't suit" her.

And she would kind of sniff when she said it, like, (sniff) "It didn't suit me."

Well, alrighty then. Just sit in your house alone.

I call Aaron the Joshua-whisperer because he works and works until he finds a way to reach Joshua...and he usually does. This is saying something because the same technique doesn't usually work twice.

We are thankful to have Aaron in our family. He has the patience of Job. We are also thankful to have Morgan in our family. We don't see Logan and Morgan as much, since they don't live here, but Joshua is over the moon for Morgan...and we ALL know it!

And Faith, Clark's girlfriend...she is very "hands-on" with Joshua. She is used to being around kids and adults with special needs. She is not afraid to get in there and do things with him, or talk to him on his level about the things that interest him.

Very thankful tonight for my family.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16