The End to Another Blessed Year

Well, the boys and I are anxiously awaiting Christmas.  Luke especially, is so excited.  He wakes up almost every day saying, "Is today Cwismas?"  He loves everything about Christmas and I don't think the gifts are the #1 priority, he loves the tree, the lights, talking about Jesus' birth.  He doesn't seem to fall for the whole Santa thing though.  He never acts interested in seeing him or talking about him.  It's like the whole idea is a little too far-fetched for his smart brain.  When I ask him what he wants he either says "I don't know, I want to be surprised" or he's very specific "a race car with smooth wheels or an old truck where the front wheels don't move."  He can be such a sweet, helpful little boy.
Drew is almost 2!  I can't believe that one.  He's at that perfect age where he can't get any cuter.  We just sit around and watch and listen to him.  He's so sweet and caring to animals and his family.  He's polite and says "tanks" when you give him something and the best thing ever is when he says "I wuf you too....Mommy."  He likes Christmas too but the thought of Santa is scary.  Today we video taped him saying, "Santa Claus is scary."  Sometimes it's the "Grinch scary."  We've even caught him singing "You're a mean one, Santa Claus." Only picture all this with the sweetest, softest, most innocent voice in the world.
People say I need to write these things down that they say so I need to do a better job of that.  We were remembering a few of them yesterday:
Luke:  "Can I have a ta ta to lay down with?  I'll show you which one."
Drew:  "EE hot, EE burn, EE finger."
Luke:  "Bunny Rabbit get you."
Drew: "Lukie toot, Trevor toot, Mater the greater toot."
Luke: "I don't need to pee anymore but maybe if I get out in the cold it will spice up my dingy."
Drew:  "Eat waffles, please...Mommy"
Again, you have to picture these with slight speech impediments and cute little voices.

Back to School...but not for us!

I've been looking on facebook of all the back to school comments from parents and teachers.  When I saw the comments from teachers about Open House and meeting the the parents and students I almost missed teaching a little bit.  It's such an exciting time with new faces and new beginnings and the feeling of a fresh start and not the monotonous grind it tends to turn into.  Then I saw the posts from parents whose children are going to to kindergarten or middle school or high school.  I quickly began realizing how glad I was that I don't have to go to work right now and my boys aren't going to school just yet.  The day will come when I can't spend every day with them because they'll be in school, the evenings will be full of homework, dinner, and bedtime, and the weekends will be busy.  Eventually I'll have to return to work too and then I won't have as much time.  So as much as I think time is flying now I think it's only going to go faster and these lazy days when the 3 of us are home are the times I should cherish.

A Heavy, Yet Thankful, Heart

While at school subbing today, I came across a blog of a little 18 month old boy diagnosed with a brain tumor.  The little boy was beautiful and as I continued through the site I came saw his obituary.  He only lived to be 2 years old.  He died this past January.  I then went back and read the posts of the days and months leading up to that day.  In early January they received news that there was nothing left to be done and Hospice was to come in.  The mother spent her days holding him and reading to him as he didn't have the strength to do anything else.  They had faith in the Lord and we happy he was with Jesus and free from cancer forever.  One thing that stuck out in my mind was that they said to cherish being a parent and each day with your children.  Hold them, cuddle them, talk to them, and have couch days.  I think of these things often and totally love being the mother of my boys.  But I often find myself wanting to get things done and not taking time to just sit with them, which is all Luke ever really wants.  I am so thankful they are healthy and pray it continues but it just takes one trip to the doctor and a piece of news that could change all that forever.  I ache for this family as the past few months they've been living without their little, sweet son.  How they must miss him.
Also while subbing I began looking through some yearbooks.  The back page were pictures of the seniors along with notes from their parents and baby pictures.  I remember when some of these kids were babies and toddlers, just like my two boys.  How quickly time will go.  I'm sure I'll love every minute of their lives growing up but they are so sweet and cute right now and soon they'll be off to school and our time together will be cut short.  I also look around at some of these high school students who do not having the loving parents as my boys or I did.  It's so sad that they've grown up on their own with no baby picture of them or loving note in the yearbook.  My family has it so good right now.  I do not know what is around the corner but I pray that we continue to love each other in trust in the Lord's will.

The Ups & Downs

I know the old cliche phrase "life is full of ups and downs," but with children, especially mine, that is becoming so true.  We can have so many "downs."  Like yesterday I took the boys to Target, Luke disappeared, the store went on a Code Yellow, blocked the doors, and every employee was in search for my son only to find him sitting within range to hear us eating animal crackers!  I was so frustrated with him for not responding when we called his name.  Shortly after he ran out in the parking lot ready to get himself killed.  Then there is the potty training that is still going on after months and months.  After sitting on the potty several times he managed to poop his pants and not seem to be bothered by it at all.  Then there's Drew.  Between his climbing on everything and also trying to get himself killed and the sleeping issues in which he wakes up about 3-4 times a night I make being a mom sound like a total drag.  But then there are the "ups."  Like when we are outside on the swings and the boys are so happy and laughing together.  Or when Luke says things so politely and takes care of Drew.  Or when he wakes up looking for our new puppy so it will chase him.  Or every time Drew sees me he gets a smile all over his body and runs into my arms.  Or when I pick up a book to read and they both crawl into my lap.  Or when we go to the pond and they could throw rocks in the water forever.  And listening to Drew say "Whoa" every time a rock hits the water.  And when Luke says that my pancakes are the best.  Or when every time I pick up Drew he lays his head on my shoulder.  Yes, I do love all these "ups."  And they always outweigh the "downs."

Terrible Twos??? What about Threes???

It's been a trying winter with Luke.  I love the little guy to death but he's been very defiant and difficult lately.  Not to mention the potty training.  I'm pretty sure we've been working on pooping in the potty for over 6 months.  It definitely didn't take a week like some of my friends.  And it's so frustrating, he has no shame nor does he seem to care.  That part has gotten a little bit better, he doesn't need to go every half hour like before.  And with Drew around, that was a nightmare!  But lately he's gotten bad about the backtalking and bossing.  I try to keep some consistency with time-outs but they don't seem to faze him.  Spanking doesn't seem to faze him either.  However, my dad did seem to have an effect on him.  He got onto him yesterday for backtalking my mom.  Mom said he just stood there and wanted to cry but didn't.  Today he was a little sweeter.  He said "no thank you" when I asked if he wanted something to drink.  And he said "thank you for saying thank you."  But he's so hyper too, he's always moving or jumping and I feel like I'm always nagging him to stop doing something. I hate being a nag.  It's got me questioning my parenting skills and praying constantly.  One thing keeps running through my head though, a speech from a woman at a MOPS meeting last year..."I may not be perfect, but I am the perfect parent for my children."

Birthday Bash

We had Drew's big birthday party a couple days ago.  It was a farm theme.  Everything turned out so cute.  Drew seems to enjoy animals.  He likes the dogs, cats, and horses and animal books.  It wasn't too extravagent, not like Luke's have been.  There weren't a lot of people, just grandparents, Mark and Tina, and Miranda and Bob, and the kids.  Drew was happy and liked his cake but couldn't care less about the presents.  I had to open them all.  He got a lot of clothes and some toys.  Luke plays with all the toys and doesn't like to share them with Drew a whole lot.  It was a fun day though.  Drew is so funny.  He thinks everything is funny and carries on a conversation saying nothing more than "uh duu" several times in different tones and speeds.  I remember thinking Luke was the cutest kid ever, now I think Drew is!  It is just a fun stage.

Birthday Cupcakes

Today Luke helped me make cupcakes for Drew's birthday.  Sounds sweet and fun but he sure isn't a "help."  He wanted to crack the eggs which got all over the place and eggshells in everything and he wanted to dump in the ingredients and mix the batter.  After that I'm pretty sure he drank about a half cup of the batter while I was dealing with Drew!  He was so proud of himself though.  After making them though they just aren't too appetizing to me!

Hard to Believe

Well, I put my baby to bed tonight for the last time as a 'baby.'  Tomorrow he will be one year old!  He will still be my baby but it's a bittersweet feeling to know that this first year is the first of many that will fly by before my eyes.  He has been the sweetest baby ever and I don't ever want to forget how he so many times lays his little head on my shoulder.  Tonight I sat on the floor, as always, and the 3 of us (Luke, Drew, and I) read books.  Then I said "ok Drew, Night Night."  He crawled up on my lap and laid his head on my shoulder.  Then I sang to him Jesus Loves Me and a few others like always and laid him in his crib where he stuck his bottom in the air and didn't make another sound. I am happy he is so healthy and growing strong but I'm trying so hard to cherish these moments that will soon be gone.