Marshmallow Warriors-- Isaac Turns 13

Isaac turned 13 on August 22. It makes it official now—I have 2 teenage boys. Isaac asked if he could have a few—8--friends over—like a party. I like parties, I even love parties, but the thought of have 8 which became 10 because Jacob also invited a friend over only sounds like wild and loud to me. We talked about all the options and settled on pizza, a movie and a marshmallow war. We bought ½” pvc pipe and added a few elbows, tees and end caps. Glue it together, load with a small marshmallow put in in the hands of a 13 or 14 year old and you have a marshmallow fighting machine. Needless to say “the war” had zero casualties. You can’t really get hurt although you’d be surprised at how hard and fast you can shoot a marshmallow. You can only load one marshmallow at a time and so it requires strategy and timing to win. It makes you wonder what the world would be like if all wars were fought with marshmallow guns. I now have a hundreds and hundreds of little marshmallows all over my back yard—a feast for the birds I am hoping. Can you imagine having marshmallow bullets--we'd wipe out all world hunger. The warriors came inside when it got dark and are now watching “Water Boy” on our 11’ screen. I am at the complete opposite side of the house and I can still hear every word. I am wondering if the movie is better if it’s louder? Anyway, watching Isaac today has made me reflect back on Aug 22, 1994. How did I know I could love a little boy so much. I love that he has always been a hugger and a lover—even as a baby. I love that he has a quiet way about him but he can be totally funny and entertaining. I love that he has such a strong sense of right and wrong and is very sensitive about how others feel. I love that he loves the piano and that he can play it so well. I love hearing him play—and could you please play that just one more time for me. I love it that he keeps his room fairly clean without prompting. He also is a bit of a clean freak and so showers daily without ever being reminded. I love that Isaac is a morning person and is always ready for the new day to start. I love it that he loves school and learning and wants to do well—he stays on top of his homework on his own. I love watching him pass the sacrament on Sundays. I love sewing his merit badges on his sash—it reminds me that I will soon have an Eagle Scout. I used to tell Ernie when the boys were still in elementary school that these are the easy years. I looked at Isaac today and thought I may be at the noisy and wild years but I am still loving every day. Happy Birthday Isaac!