Nathanael is 7!

Birthday Interview:

What is your favorite food? Pizza
What do you wish you never had to eat again? Spinach
What is your favorite thing about school? Gym
What makes you the happiest? Mom
Where in the world would you like to go? To a Nerf gun factory
What is your favorite sport? Football
What is your favorite thing to do? Shoot the bb gun
What do you like most about our family? Everything we do.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Nerf gun tester.
Who is your best friend? Joshua
What is your favorite color? Orange
What do you and Dad do together? Shoot the bb gun
What do you and Mom do together? Do puzzles
What are you good at? Shooting bb gun
What are you scared of? Zombies, mummies, and boogie man
What is your favorite animal? Cat


I recently happened upon a picture of Nathanael from when he was about 1. The caption said something about how his favorite thing was anything that resembled a stick. He hasn't changed much since then. He is such a wild, crazy, into-everything boy. He loves being outside, digging in the dirt, riding a bike, scooter, 4-wheeler or anything else that moves, hunting, pretending to hunt, looking at bugs, or anything else that is adventurous and dirty. He is unaware of making messes and breaks lots of things in the name of curiosity and exploration.
This year has been a bit of a challenge with Nathanael. He is so rambunctious, I truly believe he has a hard time containing and controlling his energy and his actions. This causes a bit more than a little frustration for his fastidious parents. From birth, always our caring, thoughtful, compassionate child, during this school year we have noticed a bit of a change in his personality. Has he been affected by constantly being fussed at? By the unkindness shown to him by his brother? By a particular bad influence at school? I don't know, but it makes me sad. Once so quick to befriend the child who would probably be chosen last by everyone else, Nathanael has, instead, seemed more concerned about being accepted by the bully boy who seems to toy with Nathanael's feelings. I'm hopeful that as the school year ends, we will see the return of our Nathanael.
One thing that I love about Nathanael is that he is so unique and he doesn't care about hiding it. He loves dressing head-to-toe in camouflage. He doesn't care who sees him still drink from a sippy cup. He's not embarrassed to still wrap up in his puppy blanket, go outside in his underwear, or pretend to be a kitty cat with his baby sister. Though, all too often, this attitude of not caring what others think about him is what gets him in trouble at home (disregard for what Mom and Dad think or request), I hope he always is bold enough to be himself in the face of those who may not think it's cool or may outright oppose his ideas. I hope, though, that he continues to follow that instinct of seeking out the lonely instead of falling into the trap of befriending the loud, negative ones.

I have always loved how Nathanael doesn't discriminate when choosing friends. As has been exhibited this year with some of the negative influences he has happened upon, unfortunately that isn't always for the best. However, I love that he doesn't look down on others if they don't look like everyone else, don't talk like everyone else, don't think like everyone else. I believe he just doesn't even notice that. All Nathanael notices is whether or not someone is fun. Nathanael has a kind and gentle soul. He is always looking to make a friend. He plays equally well with girls as boys, with children his own age or several years older or younger, with all skin colors and varying personalities. If someone needs a friend, Nathanael is happy to be a friend.

He has a tender heart. If he sees someone who doesn't have something that he has, he doesn't think twice before sharing. He is very generous. He has always loved making little notes or handmade trinkets for others. He recently made a little note for me, attached some of his own candy to it, and left it under my pillow. And, though the other kids had nothing to do with the idea or the action, he included Claire's and Sam's names on the note. He is fiercely loyal. Though Sam doesn't deserve his adoration, I know he longs for the friendship of his brother. And, boy, are the moments when they laugh together and genuinely enjoy each other pure gifts from Heaven! One evening, as I was reading scriptures with them at bedtime, as they laid in my bed, Nathanael reached out and touched Sam's hand, and by some sweet miracle Sam let him hold onto his hand. Those moments. Those moments feel so hopeful.

He's a funny kid. He can feel the tiniest lump in his sock and his whole body will be uncomfortable. He complains that every single pair of shoes is too tight. Every single shirt with buttons and every single pair of pants or shorts that are not made for athletics are uncomfortable. Lately, finding it difficult to employ an effective punishment method on him, I have resorted to taking away all "comfortable" clothes from his closet and leaving only polo shirts and shorts with buttons. When his attitude adjusts, he gets to wear comfortable clothes again. He BEGS for the return of his clothing.
This boy loves bacon and sausage, eats fruit by the gallon, sneaks candy when no one is watching, and still refuses to eat at the table with the rest of the family because he can't stand the sound of Sam chewing. He whines from sun up until sun down, cries at the drop of the hat, makes the most random and annoying noises to fill all moments of silence, and convinces his baby sister to accompany him upstairs (or downstairs) when no one else is there because he's too scared to go alone.
He is wild. He is crazy. He is loud. He is, lately, rebellious. He is thoughtful. He is caring. He is sensitive. He is a worrier. He loves to be busy. He is a lover of nature and animals. He is 7 years old. He is ours. And we love him more than words can say.