Making the List

This morning on the way to work the DJ's on 104.3 were talking about a list (recently published in some magazine) of things that every MAN needs to know how to do. Carve a turkey. Jump start a car. Put a dying animal out of its misery. Change a tire.

Check, check, check (although I can not think of an example), check.
My man can do all that!
However, they left one off: Build a swing set!!

CHECK!!

Ashley built the twins the most wonderful swing set for their third birthday. It boasts a yellow slide, three swings (one for each boy), a fort, a ladder/climbing wall combo, and a mini picnic table. Ashley spent 20+ hours working on it and I have never seen the boys more excited about any present in their lives. But they were not the only ones who were excited. My heart swells with emotion every time I think about the masterpiece sitting in our backyard.

This was my dream of parenthood: Ashley. Me. Our kids. All outside smiling and laughing together playing on a swing set. So far away from the tubes and monitors that defined our experience as parents just three years ago. It's amazing how far they have come. It is also amazing to me how blessed I am to not only have three healthy sons in my life, but to also have a man who cares enough to build them a swing set...making all of our dreams come true.