It takes a village

As my kids get older, I am starting to learn the value in the statement "it takes a village to raise a child" We are blessed to have active family members being a part of our boys life, whether they are local, states away, or around the world. They still all play their unique role in helping to shape/mold our children. While Adam and I are very active parents in our children's life (which if you listen to the news is a rarity in society), we know that there are others outside of our lives who also have a great impact to make on our children, in helping to mold them into the best boys/young men they can be.

They have their TT, that they get to see everyday, and learn from, play with, and exploit... Avery loves to ask TT to "go see kitty" now he wants nothing to do with the kitty, but he knows its his way to get downstairs and play with her down there... he also loves to "spend the night with TT".

They have their "Maw-Gra" Avery's very own created word. He loves going to visit, I think partially because he knows he gets away with more...lol. He loves "presents" and talking on the phone with Maw-Gra and lately all he can talk about is wanting to fly and go see her (we stopped telling him because he he wants to go right then).

They has their Uncles: Steve and Chase, and his Aunts "Ria" and Monica "pronouced "ma-Onica" Avery LOVES to mess with his Aunt Ria, and always ask for "uncle chase" and act like he can't be bother with her... then he just laughs.

They has their cousins, Charles, Ty, Rachael.. as well as other cousins..

They have our close Friends the Caleb's and their son Cameron. Miss Michele.. who Avery just loves to play shy around, and then try to knock her over.. and that is just 2 of our close friends.

I could go on and own, about all of the people close to us, who have an influence in our child's life.

I was talking with a co-worker today at work, and we were talking about schools, and she was asking about the schools we looked at, and we both commented about how as parents we have to communicate with other parents if we want to be able to provide the best for our children... that is when it hit me. Of course if you want to be one of those "do it all myself" types your children will come out great, but there is soo much more in life, that we can't provide for our children, just the experiences, the life lessons that someone else maybe able to share with our kids.

We want our children to come into a room, and everybody want to hold, hug/give kisses to them.. we want them to be loved by others, and not just cling to us.

We are so glad that are boys are loved by sooo many people, and that so many have taken the time to invest in our kids. We are for ever indepted to you. While we know we make the strongest impression on our children as their parents, we also know that all of those closest to us also leave their mark in our kids lives and their hearts.