Anything Like Me

For our son...

Lyrics to Brad Paisley's song "Anything Like Me"

I remember saying I don't care either way

Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok

Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen

And said "You see that thing right there well you know what that means"

And I started wondering who he was going to be

And I thought heave help us if he is anything like me

He'll probably climb a tree too tall and ride his bike to fast

End up every summer wearing something in a cast

He's gonna throw a ball and break some glass

in a window down the street

He's gonna get in trouble oh he's gonna get in fights

I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep

It's safe to say that

I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

I can see him right now knees all skinned up

With a magnifying glass trying to melt a Tonka truck

Won't he be a sight with his football helmet on

That'll be his first love til his first love comes along

He'll get his heart broke by the time he's in his teens

And heaven help him if he's anything like me

He'll probably stay out too late and drive his car too fast

Get a speeding ticket he'll pay for mowing grass

He's gonna get caught skipping class and be grounded for a week

He's gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights

I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep

It's safe to say that I'm gonna get my payback if he's anything like me

He's gonna love me and hate me along the way

Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day

He's gonna hug his momma, he's gonna shake my hand

He's gonna act like he cant wait to leave

But as he drives out he'll cry his eyes out If he's anything like me

There's worse folks to be like Aw he'll be alright if he's anything like me

Eli,

When Daddy and Mommy first heard this song a few months ago we couldn't help but laugh! And we laughed hard because it described you to a T! After the song was over Mommy of course started crying while Daddy was still smirking! Now every time it comes on while we are in the car, Daddy turns up the volume and we smile! There are certain parts to the song that we already see happening! When we were picking out the the rock to put into the backyard we ended up going with Pea gravel (The smallest rocks we could find) because the first thing Daddy and I thought of when looking at the bigger rock was Can't you see this ending up through a window? It's a good thing we did go with the smaller rock because we were correct you LOVE to toss rocks at everything and anything even the neighbors cat! You are ALL boy and are constantly climbing on things, over things just because you can, you try and run too fast, faster than your little body can go right now and end up face planting the floor, you have bruises all over and already have two scars from skinning your knee and elbow! When you were a bit younger we took you into the doctor and her words to us when we were leaving were "We will see you back here in a couple of years for broken bones and stitches!... He is going to be one of those boys"!!! Yup, she actually said that to us, that she could already tell, and from what we have seen already with you, we have a feeling she was right in her words! But the part of the song that gets me every single time is this one here;

"I can see him right now knees all skinned up

With a magnifying glass trying to melt a Tonka Truck"

We have been wanting to get you a nice Tonka Truck... however all of the ones we have seen are plastic! We want a nice metal one for you because just like the song, I have a very clear picture of our future with you... Daddy and I can already see you out in the backyard, covered in dirt and just like the song says, your poor little knees all skinned up "playing" with that Tonka Truck. We sure have our work cut out with you kiddo. We know it already. We know there are many frustrations and tears to come as you already test us in every way possible! We know there will be many trial and error methods to our parenting style with you and we will eventually get it :) We have definitely lost sleep already trying to think of the "right" way to handle some of your behavior's but I guess there really isn't a right way, we will just have to work together, eventually you will get to a point where we can reason with you and you will understand. These last two weeks have definitely been the hardest on us but know that we love you Eli and we would not have you any other way because then it would just not be you! You are definitely one of a kind! And as excited as we are to see every single chapter in your life, like getting your license and such I already dread the day that you will leave. I have a very hard time listening to the end of the song because I just can't. We love you Eli and thank you for being you!

Love,

Daddy & Mommy