Our Bug Boy

Mason, with his bug board. Poppy thought that three was an excellent age to start one. Mason agrees.

Last week a woman from our new ward came and visited us. She wanted to interview me for the Relief Society newsletter so that the ward could have a better idea who the new girl was. As I am always game to talk about myself, I was more than willing to answer her questions. She was so nice and somehow made me feel like the life of a stay-at-home mom was incredibly interesting. At one point she asked me what our little family likes to do together for fun. I rattled off the various things we Siegs enjoy: Hiking, fishing, going on Sunday drives, etc. And then without thinking, I said, "...and catching bugs." For a split second I felt embarrassed, as I have never heard that listed on an adults list of favorite activities. But then I shook it off since it was true. Mason LOVES bugs. All shapes and sizes of those wiggly friends. And because he is so fond of them, everywhere we go, we cart around a bug net in hopes of catching an interesting bug to warm little Mason's heart.

When we first got married, James told me how he and his Dad used to be really into fishing and went on special fishing trips together. Then, while James was away on his mission, his dad abandoned fishing and he and James' brother got really into shooting. After Bryce left, he sort of stopped doing that, too. Even though his dad was always game to do these sports with his boys, James wondered why his dad no longer fished on his own when it so obviously brought him joy?

A little while back, James told me that he thought he finally understood. Though his dad probably really did enjoy fishing and shooting, he didn't do it for that reason. He did it because he loved his boys and loved being with them. He was being a present and supportive father. Happily for me, his example rubbed off on his son.

A Hobo Spider!!!! That bad boy was HUGE!

Right now, when Mason finds a bug, after looking it over, he offers it to me or his pops and asks, "You want to hold it?!" The excitement in his voice makes it clear that he is thrilled and thinks that we are too! The funny thing is, for the most part, we are. Even though I never before found certain things interesting, I catch myself noticing every little bug, train, or truck that goes by. Every one of them makes me think of my little man and makes my heart go pitter-pat. Love sure does strange things to you.

So let it be known: We Siegs are weird and we like bugs. ....let's just hope Charlie never gets into rodents.....