Connected by Love

It’s nice to be Mimi and Mark instead of Pris and Mark at times. We say, “What happens at Mimi’s stays at Mimi’s.”  And that is the rule.  The other day Paige joined us for the evening and dinner.  While playing a game of Monopoly, she and Hayden devoured two bowls of Gold Fish each.  I thought this would ruin their dinner but it did not.  Hayden ate his macaroni and cheese and Paige ate two helpings of chicken, rice and peas and all of Hayden’s turkey.  She was hungry.  Although they are almost four years apart, they are able to find a happy medium where each can express themselves and be their own person.  They are each a piece of their fathers, funny, quick-witted, kind, gentle, and sweet. And not to just each other but to all they meet.  Hayden and Paige’s love for each other is so darling.  Each could not wait to see the other and together they shared a great afternoon of imagination, fun, games, dancing, videos, and computer games.  They played outside on the newly cut grass chasing each other, laughing with joy and just enjoying each other’s company. Not unlike Jason and his siblings did growing up.

Three Generations of Shartle Men

This week Hayden’s father celebrates his38th birthday.  I can’t begin to express how delighted his father and I are to be a part of Jason’s life and how proud we are of him.  Being able to visit him and his beautiful wife in Marietta and share in their precious son’s life is such a joy.    He was the first of our four children to spend more time on a computer than outside playing when growing up, and so it makes sense now that he’s the one the family calls on when we have a computer question. I look back on the little boy with those long eyelashes and ability to put anything together just by looking at the directions even before he could read and I am not amazed at how he is today.  His love for his two brothers and sister shows in his generosity of time and talents. Pictured is Jason, Mark and Hayden sitting at the barber shop waiting for Hayden's haircut.  It says it all.  Connected by a love for each other and for family, I’m not surprised that he is happiest when the family is together for a Shartle family event.  Happy birthday Jason!  Have a great day!  We love you! ~ Pris (a.k.a. Mom)