Joel's Hospitality

A few weeks ago, Joel got the opportunity to skype with his buddy Cody in the Philippines. He was super excited to see him, but didn't quite get the concept of talking through a computer. Case and point: Cody kept saying "Hi Joel" and talking with him. Joel (who doesn't really talk yet...especially on command), looked at Cody and wanted to play with him. So, he did what any hospitable boy would do. He ran to the front door, and opened it to let his buddy in to play. When Cody wasn't at the door, he ran back to the computer. Cody was still chatting away, and Joel looked at him, as if to say "where are you?" You could see the wheels turning, as he ran back to the front door, opening it to try and find Cody. We had to explain that Cody was only on the computer because he lives so far away. Joel looked so sad after we explained this to him. But he returned to the computer to "talk" with Cody anyway.

The other day, I was in the kitchen with Joel and asked him what he wanted for snack. He looked up at the fridge and said, "Daaaa, Daaaa!"  I opened the fridge and he got mad. He pointed to the freezer (where we keep the nuts) and said, "Daaaa, Daaaa!" I lifted him up, so he could help me get them out and when I began to open the door, he shut it on me. He pointed at the picture of Darnell and Christina, and said, "Daaaa, Daaaa!" I asked him, "Do you want to eat Darnell?"  To which Joel replied, "Yes please" and ran to sit in his chair. I'm not sure if he wanted to eat Darnell or eat WITH Darnell, but regardless, I told him that he couldn't have Darnell for a snack. He cried.

A few days ago, we invited Chris, Katrina and Asher for dinner. When I told Joel that Asher was coming over, he ran to the front door, opened it and seeing no one exclaimed, "Uh Oh!" I had to explain that Asher wasn't here yet, but he would be there in a little while. For the next hour and a half, he periodically went to the door, opening it and saying, "Uh Oh!" Joel was sad that his friend wasn't there yet. I think I'm gonna have to learn to not tell him things in advance!

Joel loves his friends! When we were talking to Greg and Karmen on Skype, he kept pointing at them, trying to say their names (aka: "Daaaa, Daaaa") He desperately tried to say Karmen, but only managed "Car."

On our prayer wall, we have family pictures next to the map of the world. When Joel comes into our room, he will periodically point out families and ask us to say their names, mostly because "daaa, daaa" is how he says most people's names. He loves his friends and he makes sure they are not forgotten. But when you are present, he will be sure to love you and force you to read books to him! (eh Chris!?)