Sent this email to Josh Downs a couple weeks back while he was over in Klamath at Guard Duty, but it's been on my mind a lot lately for some reason:
"You are raising up a man that I could not have raised on my own...
- Last night while we were watching TV, he hopped up really quickly and ran to the front door. When I asked him what he was doing, he said that he heard a click at the front door and wanted to make sure no one was trying to get in.
- Today when we left the house to go running, I noticed him playing with something in his pocket - then I noticed it was his pocket-knife (which he apparently brought in case anything unsafe happened on our run.)
- Then while we were running on the sidewalk, he was a few steps ahead of me and before entering the road, he slowed down, put both of his hands back (as if to keep me where I was to make sure I was safe,) looked both ways, and then waved to me once he decided it was ok for me to enter the road.
I know our approach to parenting is sometime different and that I use more words, while you use more actions, but thank you for teaching him by example, things I could have never taught him with words."


ahhh! So sweet! :)
Posted by: Rachelle Sims | March 04, 2013 at 09:02 AM
I'm impressed - my son only wants to flip me over the back of the couch, although he is now older and house hunting - he was looking at a house with a downstairs bedroom that we could live in eventually and be closer to my brother (not sure why on that one!).
Posted by: Doris | March 04, 2013 at 10:22 AM
That is beautiful and a testament to your faith and parenting. May the Lord continue to bless your family!
Posted by: Jenn Bergamini | March 04, 2013 at 11:06 AM
Lovely words! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: EBPItcher | March 04, 2013 at 11:23 AM
You are so incredibly lucky to have two amazing men in your life who love, care, and protect you.
Posted by: Nicole B | March 04, 2013 at 11:26 AM
So sweet !
Posted by: Nicole Prather | March 04, 2013 at 11:59 AM
I think you both are great parents!! You have two fabulous boys, Karen.
Posted by: Michelle | March 04, 2013 at 12:58 PM
Ahh! Love it.
Posted by: janel | March 04, 2013 at 01:40 PM
This made me tear up!
My son only wants to learn how to scare me from a safe distance so that I don't punch him. I usually think he's a zombie and automatically punch who ever is in arm's reach.
Posted by: Kelli | March 04, 2013 at 03:55 PM
LOVE this!! I tell my husband that our boys will remember his actions much more than his words, and I hope that when they are Coley's age they start showing these same actions!
Posted by: Lacey | March 04, 2013 at 04:38 PM
Oh so beautiful! The sweetness of your son, the kindness to share with your husband, and of course, your awesome husband! :)
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 04, 2013 at 04:54 PM
Love! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kristina | March 04, 2013 at 07:23 PM
I love hearing stuff like this! Kids will definitely learn from their parents whether it be good or bad and what they learn will be modeled in their lives down the road. That thought should be on the forefront of parents' minds at all times before doing anything or saying something. Children emulate what they see and hear.
Posted by: Mary Jo Griego | March 04, 2013 at 08:09 PM
Wonderful! Good parents, both of you.
Posted by: Linda Atkins | March 04, 2013 at 08:34 PM
Your little boy is growing up to be a little man, protecting you and the rest of his family. Actions speak louder than words and you guys are doing a great job setting an example.
Posted by: Mannie | March 04, 2013 at 09:24 PM
He is going to be a fine man...a product of two wonderful parents. I have to add, that you are doing an amazing job being a wife as well. Marriage is not always easy but it is always better when a spouse can let the other spouse know how great thy are doing!
Posted by: Corrine | March 05, 2013 at 04:47 AM
Oh my gosh that makes me cry. You two are such good parents!
Posted by: Katie J | March 05, 2013 at 04:55 AM
You are so unbelievably blessed Karen! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kelly | March 05, 2013 at 06:48 AM
He's becoming the man I would wish for my daughters Karen...wishing I had a couple here! But with 3 sons...I want them all to be the hero in some lady's life...and Josh is being a perfect role model. You are all a little blessed.
Posted by: Julie in Aust. | March 05, 2013 at 07:24 AM
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. <3
Posted by: Valerie | March 07, 2013 at 02:47 PM
Awwww...I'm finally catching up on all your blog posts and this one melted my heart. He's a keeper!
Posted by: Jules | March 12, 2013 at 02:50 PM
love. pass the tissue please. sigh
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | March 14, 2013 at 10:18 AM
You look so beautiful!
Posted by: Monica | March 14, 2013 at 06:04 PM
Bár volna előnyös, ha bement egy kicsit részletesebben, még mindig megvan a lényeg, hogy mit akarsz mondani. Egyetértek vele. Lehet, hogy nem lesz népszerű ötlet, de van értelme. Biztosan jön vissza többé e. Great work.Good munka, csodálatos blog ... igazán élvezni, és hozzáadta az én szociális könyvjelzőket. Csak így tovább a jó munkát..
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