We knew a toddler bed would be in our future when we first saw Charlie scale a stack of chairs and crawl into a window in 2.1 seconds flat at the orphanage. As I watched him pull himself up into the window like a monkey, I thought of the beautiful crib in his room. It does turn into a really nice full sized bed, but he looked so small to be in such a big bed. So when we returned we started looking at an inexpensive option to just get him by for a year or so until he was ready for a big bed. We couldn't find anything to our liking. We searched for HOURS. We wanted a robot bed. We found trains, cars, and even a pirate ship. No robots. So Chad said "I think I'll just make him a bed" My husband, the youth pastor and apparently, part time carpenter. I just gave one comment "It needs to be safe, sturdy, no visible nails." Then I turned him loose at Lowe's. For weeks he gathered materials. He worked on it for days out in the garage. His head (red cube pictured) is going to be a toy box. His feet, a little place to sit. I would peek in every now and then and see the work in progress. Occasionally, Chad would pop in and say "I need some more_______, gotta go back to the store." But other than that, this really wasn't my project. So imagine my surprise when Chad called me to the garage to show me the frame. I was shocked! He said "you didn't think I could do it, did you? I sheepishly said "well no....." He said "it's OK, I didn't think I could either." We laughed. I took down Charlie's crib and cried. Chad moved the finished robot into his room and cried. Our boy is outgrowing his things and he doesn't even know it.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. I really think this was Chad's way of staying connected with his son. I buy things to shower him with, Chad builds him a bed that will be the beginning of sweet dreams, night time prayers, and bedtime stories. What a precious gift. What a great dad. Just wait till you see the finished bed! I am saving it for the next post. Sweet dreams Charlie.....
Hi! My name is Summer Sims. My husband Lance (who is also a youth pastor- in TX) and I are adopting from Penza, Russia. I got very excited when I stumbled across your blog today, because we just received some information about a little girl that quite possibly might be our referral. They are awaiting her official release for international adoption, which will hopefully come in the next week or two. But the really neat thing is, her birhtday is March 23, 2008- very close to your little boy's birthday! How neat! I would love to talk with you more about your adoption journey. We have not yet gone on our first trip, but are very hopeful that we will be traveling to meet our little girl within the next month. Please be praying for us, as we will you and your son! Paka! Summer Sims
ReplyDeleteEmail: Lancesims@wcbcdiana.org
Love it!! Charlie is so blessed to have such wonderful parents!! Praying for you guys!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Chad!!! Pops will be proud of you! I can't wait to see the finished product. Charlie will love his little robot bed, custom made by his DADDY! Blessing will surround this little guy right from the start, he is already loved so much by so many. I know Chad will be a great Daddy, he is already a great "son of my heart".
ReplyDeleteI'm thoroughly convinced that our children bring out a side of our spouses that we never knew existed. Can't wait to see the finished product!!
ReplyDeleteThat is really neat....the things our husbands can do that surprise us.....cant wait to see the finished product!! Charlie will be home before you know it having sweet dreams in his new bed made by Daddy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post and what a great husband you have! I'm sure it is an amazing bed and that Charlie will soon be home to snuggle in it and have sweet dreams. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! Nothing better than a home-made masterpiece made just for him by Dad! Good job!
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