His Mom is a Nurse...

Tiny white pants, filled with pads are covering his perfect tiny booty. A football jersey, 1 size too big, goes down to his knees. As he stands side by side with 17 other boys on his team, you can spot Lil' Monster, even in this lineup of backsides.

The football field somehow becomes a magnifying glass for these little personalities. Often, the personality shines through so fiercely, you can literally pick out their parents from the sideline to match them.

Lil' Monster's personality reveals who his Mom is:

He is tough. Despite numerous tackles he falls victim to, he is quick to jump back up & endure to the end. During repetitive, exhausting drills of this, he still runs back to the starting line just as ready as the first time.

Despite his tough exterior, he is the most sensitive kid on the team. The other boys tackle and walk away after a play. Lil' Monster tackles, then runs over to the boys still on the ground after each play is over, and helps them back up to their feet. He does this every time, without coaching from anyone to do so. It is his little heart's desire to help others.

His Mom is a Nurse...


She's the one on the sidelines with tears of pride in her eyes.

- Mrs. Akers

The Runt

My heart races as panic sets in. I swallow hard, staring at my little boy geared up in his shoulder pads, padded pants, and helmet. This equipment weighs half as much as he does, and he's sporting if for good reason... This is TACKLE football.

At 6 years old, he stands tall at 47" & weighs in at 52 pounds. He's the runt on the team. Yet, he puffs out his chest real big (with the help of his shoulder pads), and marches onto that field as if those boys a head taller than him don't phase him at all.



When did my shy boy become so brave? I'm so proud of his courage, but inside I'm weeping. This sport magnifies a fact I've been trying to ignore for the last year: I can't protect my little boy from everything anymore.

I am Mom. Although I may be unable to stop that 2nd grade linebacker from crushing him, or his peer from hurting his feelings at school, I am his safe harbor to rest in when it's over. While it may exhaust me to be THE privileged parent who always gets picked over Dad to help with homework, baths, teeth brushing, etc., I'm also blessed to be THE one who can concur owies with a single kiss, scare away nightmares, and combat tears. I wouldn't trade being Mom, for anything.

Tackle football is my tough lesson in parenting for the month. I'm convinced, if I can make it through this, surely Im prepared for the rest of his life. A Mom can hope, right?

So, are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!

- Mrs. Akers

Who's your Mommy?

There's something extraordinary about being the Mommy to a little boy who is so much like me. Every day I learn more about myself from being his Mom. At times the lessons are painful. As much as I'd like to deny the likeness in our personalities, there's times it's so evident that I must confess he didn't get that way on his own.

I helped him...

In many ways...

We can both get quite psychotic whether we're loaded up on sugar or not:


((Disneyland - May 2011))

We both lose our temper over small things like losing at video games, uninvited changes in our routine, being told no, and especially being misunderstood. We try really hard not to scream, but somedays we're both guilty of losing our cool:


((Car tantrum - January 2011))

We both love bubble baths, but please don't tell us to get out of them:


((Home -Spring 2010))

Both of us despise homework. We'd much rather procrastinate and stress ourselves out last minute than get it done when we should:


((Kindergarten - Spring 2011))

We both love our sleep, AKA we are NOT morning people:


((Monkey Room - Fall 2010))

We're both painfully shy and can get nervous when lots of people are around:


((May 2010))

We both love to indulge in sweets, specifically ice-cream, even though we know it's not a healthy choice:


((Fall 2009))

I wish I could save the world from some of my less than wonderful personality flaws as they're being passed down to my son. Yet, I'm convinced God has made him in my likeness to serve as my daily devotional. Each day I see pieces of me in him, and it serves as a reminder to be more gentle, more patient, more compassionate, and smile more often.

These are difficult lessons to learn, but who better to teach JD & I than each other: a Mother & Son who love one another unconditionally?


((California - May 2010))

- Mrs. Akers