They Take The Edge Off
I know part of my job as a parent is leading and teaching my children. I hope I do a fair job at that, but I’m often reminded they teach me a lot as well.
The biggest lesson my three boys are teaching me these days is “don’t take life so seriously.” They are literally teaching me how to be a kid again. When I’m around them…
I laugh more
I worry less.
I ask more questions
I try new things
I allow my imagination to run wild
If you’ve been following my schedule lately you know I’ve been out of town a lot over the past month, but believe it or not, I’m a home body. While I like to travel and meet new people my preference is always to find a way to get home at night.
I don’t care how difficult a day I’ve had when I come home to their smiles, laughs, and care free attitudes it brings everything else to a screeching halt. I need the balance and escape they bring my life.
On Monday morning before I left out of town again, I had the opportunity to run Jett to school (today is his last day of 1st grade). While I was gone Gage apparently got a hold of my flip camera and shot a video all by himself.
I’ve probably watched this video a dozen times in the past few days while I was out. It helped with my homesick feelings.
Enjoy Gage’s first movie. He’s going to show you how to play Hungry Hungry Hippo, introduce you to his mom (I knew she was on the computer the whole time I was gone) and show you a few items around the house. Watch out Ryan Seacrest because here’s comes Gage Wilson.
What’s one lesson you’re learning from you kids these days?
Gage’s Film from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.
Where’s the video? Nevertheless, I’m praying that you are getting lots of homecooked food and Hungry, Hungry Hippo in the coming weeks.
I’m learning from my kids to stop burning today away chasing down tomorrow. To try and just be present in the moment. It feels like getting my skin peeled off, but I’m trying to be still.
Oh, and all their questions these days are reminding me why we all had an Encyclopedia Britannica growing up. Yeesh. Is there a kid-safe wikipedia? Anyway…
Sailor Scott’s last blog post..The Forgotten Pocket.
@Sailor, Ha! Good catch. Just added it.
I am learning alot from my children of all ages….
Not taking myself (or others) so seriously.
Stop and smell the roses. (or lilacs in my daughter’s case)
Believe that nothing is unobtainable…..dream HUGE.
….you should check out my post today with my oldest son’s new tattoo(s). I have a warrior who is on fire for Christ and he teaches me everyday.
*~Michelle~*’s last blog post..Three Things This Thursday
Since my kids are 12 and 17, I am learning how to negotiate compromise. LOL Becoming an instant mom to a 13 year old a few years back was a real leap of faith!
BTW, I love your table and chairs!
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Dee
Dee’s last blog post..A Recovering Addict
“This is all my fault.” could possibly be the cutest line ever.
Oh my! That is seriously the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time! I love how he opens with ‘Okay’ just like his dad does.
Carolyn’s last blog post..Travel Tuesday – Nashville.
Well…since my girls are 34 & 30 I am not learning anything directly from them. I do learn on a pretty consistent basis that they love me and their mom & I did a pretty good job raising them. I am learning tons from my grandson though. He gets so excited when he hears my voice on the speakerphone. Embrace the time with them Pete. You, nor Brandi, will ever regret that. I sure don’t.
bill (cycleguy)’s last blog post..The Right Recovery
i wasn’t on the computer the whole time… i mean who do you think got out the hungry, hungry hippo game and set it up???
and should i remind you that i just parented 18 days alone… 
love you and welcome home!
brandiandboys’s last blog post..Top Spot….
Okay, now i saw it. And my favorite thing BY FAR is all the clips of little feet padding around the house and Brewer’s tiny toes tucked on that chair! :0)
Sailor Scott’s last blog post..The Forgotten Pocket.
Pete,
I am learning a ton from my 6 year old. Sadly, I think I have learned mostly an unchallenged love for God. I watch her just love God. No matter what the case, a positive outlook which when we become adults we tend to forget and get critical at times.
joseph’s last blog post..planned abandonment
“Hungwy, hungwy hippo” – can’t believe that game’s still around after all of these years. Mad camera skillz – I’ll bet he’d be awesome with a tripod!
The very best part about being away is learning over and over again how awesome it is to come home. That never gets old.
Save and catalog that video – you’ll want it for his wedding reception in just a few years. We had such a blast(and lots of tears) putting together 32 years of pictures and videos for our son’s wedding.
Candy’s last blog post..In only a moment: About a boy and his bride
@Joseph, that’s a big one. My kids have taught me that one over and over and over. What an important lesson.
Daggum… {southern speak, I understand, that means this is really bad news}
I can’t see the video from this network. That is just sad so I will have to wait until this evening to view the debut.
God gave us kids as constant reminders of what his kingdom can be like.
Tony York’s last blog post..Feeling a Song – Times by Tenth Avenue North
“It’s all my fawt”. I love his little voice.
Loved the video.
My adventuresome grown sons teach me to continue to try something new, try to learn something that I think I can’t learn, and always be forgiving.
I’ve learned much more from them than they ever learned from me.
They have become my mentors.
sherri’s last blog post..How to Stay Young…and Happy
He is so precious! I love that.
Kids teach me patience by testing mine.
I am a big time homebody. If I am really upset or I have had a bad day, I will just spend some time with my little sister. The simplicity she lives by makes me happy. Kids are so sweet.
Kayla Grace’s last blog post..I <3 NK
That video was kind of like riding a rollercoaster. LOL. It is funny that he starts off with “okay” like you do! And I love how he thinks the camera sees what he is seeing even when it is completely zoomed into a picture showing only the chin! Very cute! Glad to have you back for a while Pete!
That is perhaps your best video yet! Like Jessica, I love how he started with “okay” – no wonder where he got that from!
So sweet!
My kids have taught me that the love I feel for them, is only a fraction of the love that God has for each and every one of us. It is hard to imagine, but I know it to be true, yet I don’t think I will ever understand how or why we can all receive his unconditional love and grace.
holly’s last blog post..It’s official!
A film maker in the making… loved it.. although it made me a little dizzy… what am I saying? I’ always a little dizzy…
That was the sweetest thing I have ever seen! Gage is so multi-talented!
Rachel’s last blog post..I’m back… again…
Kids are great!
Need to add a warning for viewers: take a motion sickness pill before viewing.
Ha! Ha!
Starwoodgal’s last blog post..Recipe: Salad Dressing Mix
Brilliant. Even if I am a bit dizzy right now…
katdish’s last blog post..Best Funeral Ever.
adorable, as always
Lisa’s last blog post..“Going Green” with art contest extended!
I loved it! I have to say I was feeling just a bit motion sick by the end, but his commentary was outstanding!!!
Anna’s last blog post..nose.
Sorry about the motion sickness. We’re going to have to get him a tripod.
Thanks Jessica. It’s good to be back. Really good.
My son is teaching me that I still have A LOT to learn, that everything valuable and true can withstand tough questions, and that intimacy is a process.
Your son reminded me today that life can be a dizzying ride, that it’s good to acknowledge our contribution to a bad situation, and that I need to grab the “happily ever after TODAY.”
Thanks for sharing.
My little ones have taught me that they need much more of my love than they need trains and leggos. My oldest son has taught me recently that he really has been listening too me all these years.
Melissa Irwin’s last blog post..Living In The Land of "I Never"
LOL! Love this video. Gage is adorable.
Tiffany’s last blog post..Show Choir anyone?
Hug first, ask questions later.
i am sooo nauseous right now…but i want to give him a job
he needs to be matt’s apprentice! here are some of my favorite quotes:
“this is all my fault, i knew i shouldnt do this”
“and here is my mom, brandi wilson”
“and these are my brothers…happily ever after”
you have done a great job of instilling love and peace in your home — he knows he’s safe and knows his brothers will be by him forever. and knows he can be anything he wants to be even a filmmaker
(i wonder where he figured out how to make videos and what to say dad;) )
that was a great video! thanks for sharing! he’s adorable!
Dude… that was so worth the motion sickness. All your boys are ridiculously sweet, but that Gage just melts my heart every stinkin time. That Brewer is going to keep his big brother on his toes
I don’t have kids, but what I’ve learned from my nieces and nephews is that you don’t have to be able to do great things or give great things, you just have to be truly present in their moments. I literally spent two hours on skype the other night reading and telling stories with my nephew … and soaking in his joy. They just want time, and they teach me that it’s the little things that mean the most.
gitz’s last blog post..The Hawk
I love it when my kids decide to play with my camera. I find the best stuff on there. Like my latest Wordless Wednesday picture.
With 7 kids ranging from 20-7yrs and 2 teenage girls in-between, I’m learning my step-dad was right. He would always tell me, “when your children are little, their problems are little.”
Pokinatcha’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
I love the video. It has kind of an edgy, CSI kinda thing going on. You have great guys there to take care of mom while you are away, that’s for sure.
I remember when Jason, my now almost 29 year old son, and I would play with the hippos. Problem for us was we would play it so hard that the balls would sometimes go flying all over the room. I hadn’t thought of that in a long time. Thanks for reminding me.
Harold’s last blog post..A Couple Making The Difference
I LOVED Hungry Hungry Hippos!!!! Classic Game. Your sons demonstration of how to play was just precious. He is a crack up with the tour.
@Jewel, brilliant idea. I’m going to go ask Matt right now.
What I’m learning these days? Well, I just was talking to a friend about this. As there are 7 years between my youngest bio kid and my newly adopted daughter, I often feel as if the Lord is giving me a great chance to “do over” stuff. I worry less about the condition of the house, the bedtime, other little details, etc. I find myself spending more time enjoying the “moments” that happen unscripted and unscheduled. More time playing on the floor, singing silly songs and reading funny books. Dancing with Elmo and snuggling when the dishes pile up. I’m so much more relaxed this time around. And ever so much more grateful for it, too!
The Gang’s Momma’s last blog post..A Refresher
That is freaking awesome.
I don’t have my own kids but I hang out with my friends and familys kids while they are at work, 10-12 of them ages 1-10, four of which live with me. The four that live with me have been thru more in their short lives then any person should but they handle it well, better then me most days. Anyways, they all teach me things daily but mostly that things aren’t always as bad as they seem. They always have a way of making your worse day worth it.
Oh yea, the video is adorable. I was sure i had said that but was distracted by my 5yr old nephew who found a worm outside that was split in half and he felt the need to bring it in to show me and ask if we could bury it. I LOVE BOYS!!! lol
Pete. All I can say is Like Father like Son. Your entire family are off the charts. Thank you Gage for sharing how to play hungry hippo. I love you all
So very precious!!!
I learn so much from my 4 year old son every day! Today I learned how to share the gospel with our cat:)
Super Awesome! I loved it – he sounds so cute.
Love it! Two thumbs up for Gage’s first movie! About our kids, they teach Hollye and I so much on a daily basis. One BIG lesson that always challenges me is their “child-like” faith in God…some other lessons right now…Bri is now 12 (going on 13)…she is teaching me not to like Middle School boys (I told her she could date whenever she is 30…I think that would be a good age)and Little Man is 6…right now he is schooling me on how to play Lego Batman…Love having children…I think they keep us young! Pete, glad you are back home!
Tracey Smith’s last blog post..Ultimate “Idol” Upset…
hahaha. yeah, lil motion sickness here too.
Too sweet!!! But I gotta say that floor is way too clean for 3 boys and a dog…Brandi has NOT been on the computer the whole time!
Well, after my oldest just finished paying for her Columbia trip, I am learning that I can truly trust God to care for the little things in my life! I love my girls and cannot imagine the oldest will be walking to Pomp and Circumstance in 15 SHORT days!
Precious! What a sweet family.
Amy Storms’s last blog post..New School, Faithful God
That is precious!
I miss my little one being that age. It’s so much fun!
Casey’s last blog post..I Heart Etsy
Kids are so great! My daughter who is three is always changing my perspective…I always tell her she should be thankful for the things that she has…so the other night when saying her prayers she listed literally everything in her room…and I felt myself wanting to rush her at first…like “Ok thank God and hurry it up” but then I listened…thankyou God for my fan, for my light, for my bed, for my picture, for my clock, for my door, for my blanket….when I think about how many people don’t have these things maybe I should be more like my daughter when it comes to talking to God…she reminds me not to take things for granted!!
@Tracey, the boys are all over “lego star wars” right now. You’ll have to introduce us to Batman sometime.
Pete,
I need you to transfer to metro schools so Gage can be in my class when he’s in first grade! He is adorable.
Like I tried to tell you on Sunday (as I stumbled over my words) I love that you have faith like a child. Even though I teach kids all day long, they teach me in return. They teach me to dream big and not let anyone shoot down your dream. It is yours and you are allowed to dream as big as you want to dream. They teach me to enjoy today, because it might be all we have. They are always making me laugh and look at life through different eyes. I do what I do because of kids.
Pete, After 2 Meclizine tablets, I want you to know that you are creating some wonderful memories. Gage is that middle child who will always come up with something new and different to make sure he leaves his mark. What a treasure. It’s sometimes hard to see Jesus so vividly in small kids…not with yours. They are delicious. My kids, although adults, continue to teach me that God is control and I am not. They also remind me that I did something right in raising them because they are great kids. Thank you Jesus! And thank you Pete for being willing to share your “sunshine” with us. Blessings, Bon
I love this blog like a fat kid loves cake!
@Megan, You crack me up.
I have to agree that my daughters teach me the love of Jesus more through their little eyes everyday!!! To stop and relax, something we forget to do as we grow up. I teach my daughters that they need to love themselves it is a God thing (a devotional book we read for girls). My youngest once heard me say somthing I didnt like about my body..she said,”Mom you have to love everything about you, remember it is a God thing! He made you just the way He thought would be best.” Thank you my dear daughter!! They listen to me! My oldest one in school has problems dealing with the way science speaks about the way the world was created. Her friend & her asked the teacher about it during the class! Praise God that there are children that stand up for God!!! You are so right our children are a gift from God! I think he takes after you! You can see that God is in your home!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Rachel Way’s last blog post..TGIF =) =) =)
Pete and Brandi you rock as parents! I love seeing the adventures with your boys.
Hey… I was going to email you both this morning. Our church will learn this weekend something very devastating I would ask for your prayers. Our little church in Idaho of about 600 families will really need the prescence of God. Thanks!
Kristi Ottmar’s last blog post..do you want to make this?
@Kristi, You got it! Praying right now.
Precious, precious video, Pete! Was watching it a little like the ski-lift/gondola ride in India, an interesting view yet a little wobbly with a side order of “Hang on for dear life”?
)
I’ve always loved how you end each post with a question.
What are my children teaching me? Lately, they’ve been teaching me how much more intensely crucial it is for Christian teens to have Christian peers and good, solid, moral role models in their lives, because it’s a really impressionable age (my two oldest are 10 and 12, both boys). The “outside” influences lately have been horrible (13 y.o. boy in the neighborhood addicted to porn, 13 y.o. boy boy at school dating and “making out”, the list goes on), and I’m finding myself digging deeper and deeper into God’s Word to anchor them to what God wants for their lives. It’s a daily battle.
God has been such a wonderful Father to me, it’s my prayer that my husband and I will do our best to honor what He’s done in our lives by doing our best to raise our three children in His ways.
BTW, even though I’m way up here in little ol’ eastern Canada, one of my friends of almost ten years lives in your neck of the woods, I think she might go to your church. Her name is Julie Persinger (husband is Greg), I love her to bits — she has been such a great role model in my Christian walk. If you ever see her, tell her thank you in person for me!!
)
Great post Pete… Today my oldest son turned 17. He has taught me forgiveness. He is, my “reverse mentor”. My 11 year old teaches me how to smile at life. (God, I wish I could do that more!!) In essence, my kids are my “favorite teacher”. Thanks Pete
Randy Wood’s last blog post.."Rain"
i love that!
jamie willow’s last blog post..serves me right
To not give up. Just when I get discouraged about something with my kids, one of them amazes me with a moment of clarity that shows me they have been listening and that God is working in their lives.
It’s important to never give up.
jan owen’s last blog post..We’re So Proud of You Daniel!
Love the video, so precious!
I’m learning the time we have together is less so enjoy every minute of it. I loved Gage’s comment—this is my Mom and this is her puter. Adorable!
To encourage them more and discourage them less.
Des’s last blog post..Me in Captivity.
@Gina Tynes, You are so right!