Dad Bears

Fathers do not always get the reassurance they deserve. Because mothers bear their children, and thus stake hold on bearing their problems, culture neglects to see that our fathers are silently bearing the weight of the world for their whole family. Unfortunately, we have almost forced our men into early retirement with the "super mom" multi-tasking, Proverbs 31 woman walking around as if she is more capable of bearing fruit than her counter part. Poking fun at Dad's delight in sports and the coveted remote only fuels the fire for dressing down the heads of our clans. "Mama bears" might have a knack for nourishment and protecting their cubs, but think for a moment with me of the juggling acts that Papa bears perform on a daily basis.
Mothers are expert hat changers (nurse, maid, chauffeur, coach, therapist, teacher, etc.), but dad's are expected to know the silent thoughts, wishes, and expectations under those hats, while immediately exchanging their money-making helmets for home-building ones, simultaneously disciplining and discipling their children as they walk through the door. Moms have special insight into those cubs they carried, understanding their needs like no other, yet fathers have to walk into dens without the same experience or manual needed to guide their little runners on the trail. Thus, a sort of silent trail of tears ensues, forcing men into a role that was not originally designed for them. Moms can become martyrs or angry bears who resent the imperfect and sullied help, deciding that it's easier done alone.
Similarly, my children's help cleaning isn't always helpful, but if I never let them try, they'd never excel at it. I'm not suggesting that men are incompetent children, nor am I assuming all women stay at home while their husbands work. Instead, I mean to point out a flaw in my own personality that is prevalent in many women in our world.
Mama bears need only to pray for the paternal leadership in their families.  As hard as it is to tame our tongues, it's a lesson we want our children to emulate because our words leave lasting scars. Sticks and stones still have the power to hurt those tiny bones. Thus, we in the "strong woman" era need to learn the strength of meekness, while tapping into the power of omnipotent strength. Our husbands won't have the opportunity to grow as leaders and protectors if we are always vying for the position.
As I look at four more potential fathers under my own roof, I see the weight my husband carries modeling manhood for these boys. He is enduring an increasingly difficult balance beam. Like a bear walking a tight rope, there is a delicate tension needed to be a strong, yet gentle father.
They need to see a dad who dares to disregard his wife's ability to keep the ship afloat with her own two hands. He ignores her passivity and pushes her to leave even if leaving is harder than staying. They need a dad who knows how to be gentle with that fairer sex while encouraging her strengths. They need a dad who can be present, engaging, and thoughtful even when his outside world has his thoughts preoccupied. They need a dad who can be both stern and scary when it comes to sin, but compassionate and humble in his own imperfections. They need a dad who never stops growing with them, who not only takes care for his home, but his heart. The papa bear they need, is not always available. It's a tall order for little cubs to pursue. That is why I'm so thankful that our perfect Father sent his only son to bear every grievous and heinous sin to every thoughtless and careless imperfection. He bore it all, so that the pressure of a large bear on a tiny rope would simply become a narrow, yet brightly lit trail. One that leads to an eternal cave with our perfect dad.

Thank you to all the dads out there pointing their kids to the perfect Father, instead of themselves. Seeking to lead in service and graciously fight  against the pendulum that has pushed you in a corner. Thank God for His perfect son that modeled this balance act beautifully!

We had some fun outings in between doctors appointments the past two weeks.

One of our favorite attractions at the Chattahoochee Nature Center 

Tellus Museum was a blast too! Luca loved meeting his first Dino. 

Fossil digging at its finest

Panning for gems, or small rocks is always a hit.

As I've continued to avoid the pool to be sure Roman's tummy can make it, I resurfaced past science projects. 

Squirty chalk only lasted for a little bit, but it was quite popular

Luca's stance during playtime

Roman is still a two-year old. Even without eating much, he still wants to "play" anything with trains, tracks, or rocks in water.

With daddy out of town most of the week, I pulled out the big guns... fort  building

And DIY ski ball!

This is a strange angle of my little man, but it shows why my heart was happy that he was prescribed pediasure, and he likes it. With all his tests coming back clear, yet still symptomatic, Roman is scheduled for a routine colonoscopy and endoscopy next Friday. The prep work will be much harder than the actual procedure, but I pray we either have a miracle before then, or helpful insight afterwards. As I suspected, our GI doc, and our ENT, must need an extra dose of encouragement these days. Hopefully I can be a little light in their dark dens.
Luca ended up with a blocked ear tube that needed to be opened by our ENT at his last appointment. He's a little better now, and he passed his hearing test. We will head back in three months to recheck the blood clot in his throat. In the meantime, I'm just praying for a little less fuss and a little more hibernation this summer with my baby bears and their daddy.

~Bear Buster