Catch me if you can…

We have have now entered a new phase in the attempt to stay one step ahead of our precious boy…keeping him in the house and from dashing out the door and down the street. In the span of a few days…Matthew 5 – family 0…We have thwarted a few of his attempts with the rattle of the gate at the top of the stairs giving away his lack of stealth.

Kevin retrieving Matthew from his visit to the neighbor across the street

This past weekend I was enjoying a morning of catching up on some reading with my only task along with a short “honey do” list was to spend the day with Matthew while Theresa and Sarah Anne were retrieving the older siblings from their visit to Detroit. I failed early…10:00 am.

I heard the rattle of the gate, his patter down the stairs and the click of the dead-bolt. By the time I opened the gate and reached the open door Matthew was almost halfway across the neighbors yard at a full run. I started my sprint and, not to brag, but this big frame was able to catch him a few doors down near the corner from us. As I stood there with a firm grip on Matthew’s jammie collar (his collar, not his neck) I took a moment to catch my wind and to breathe in the sweet air of victory after the chase…It was then I noticed my neighbors loading their children into a stroller to enjoy a leisurley walk in our quiet neighborhood. They were posed  in a frozen position with a slight drop to their jaw. I wondered if the gaze was in awe of my prowess and my gazelle like speed…no, not a chance…as Matthew stood their in his Iron Man jammies, I stood their in a t-shirt and my boxers. I gave my neighbors a quick wave of the hand, did an about-face and proceeded with my walk of shame to the cave. Matthew was giggling and doing his “happy slap” with his right hand to his left hand with a bent knuckle in his mouth…my iron hand firmly on his Iron Man shirt.

“A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, he can counterfeit hope and all the other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit humility.”  D. L. Moody

There is nothing that puts life into perspective more that a slice of humility. Just when we think we have all of the answers life has a way of giving us another book to read about the subject. We have learned that the best way to deal with the challenges that parenting Matthew brings us is to first cry, then laugh. As a family we have endured many trials and tense moments…There are two things that have brought us through this journey…A strong faith and laughter.

“You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything — even poverty — you can survive it.”  Bill Cosby

After some diligent research and looking at options that would allow ingress and egress without the security clearance of the Pentagon we have gone high-tech…I am talking biometrics, fingerprint scanning on the front door knob. The only thing different about ours…it is mounted in reverse and in order to exit, your fingerprint must be approved or have a PIN code.

So, in review for those who are visiting our home: You will be greeted and informed of locked interior door guidelines, no beverages on low horizontal surfaces, we are not painting or redecorating (there are no decorations for a reason), yes those are beaver looking teethmarks on the entertainment center, you will be informed on which television set we will be watching the game and/or race on (there are two side by side), lights may go on and off as Matthew decides our lighting needs for the evening and Matthew may decide at anytime that he wants to sit on your lap.

Oh, you will be given an access code to exit our home…if you are long-time friends we would love to scan your index finger.

Many have asked if it is okay to share this blog about our Lessons from Matthew…not only is okay, but we emphatically ask that you would. We welcome any chance to show how good God is and how he is working through the power of prayer.