Touch a Truck

We have had a week of sitting still and resting. After Daniel's concussion on Tuesday, he was limited to no television or outside playing for 48 hours. I knew we needed to do something fun after so much stillness, but it had to be small and not involve much movement.

The boys and I attended a local park's Fun Friday event, which happened to be Touch a Truck this week. We have gone in the past, but the really enjoyed it yesterday especially since it wasn't crowded and it rained for 10 minutes! The rain cooled us down quite a bit.

Touch a Truck is an event where all the city's service vehicles are in one place. The children are allowed to climb to into the vehicles and explore each one! They get to talk with the drivers/community helpers. It is both educational, fun, and free!

Elias Escapades

He really is quite the child. He has turned out to be the most rambunctious, energetic, and hilarious of our three sons, and not a day goes by that he doesn't drive me crazy. However, he can make me laugh more than anyone in the world.  

Just recently, for instance, this little bit:

* decided to pour a gallon of water all over the bathroom floor.

* has taken a liking to dressing himself in the most fascinating ways. Clothes are often inside out, socks are gloves, coats are acceptable in the spring, and anything goes.

* shovels food in his mouth.

* thinks he can avoid bedtime if he's pretending to potty train, which he clearly isn't interested in attempting or accomplishing yet.

* likes pretending to be the bad "die", which is guy, and runs at us with a water gun.

* figured out how to unbuckle his car seat, get really quiet, then fall asleep while we're on the interstate. Oh, yes, he did.

* ate both of his brothers' leftover pieces of birthday cake. Both of theirs.

* likes to have crazy hair... at his sleep study, they put this gel on the electrodes to keep them on his head. When they came off, his hair was everywhere, but he just laughed!

Lunch Lines

Lunch with three boys is... well,  entertaining. Here are just a few things I overheard today while trying to enjoy my leftovers:

Underpants!

Do not put it in the macaroni water.
(Referring to the chicken and dressing touching the macaroni and cheese)

What if a dinosaur burped really loud?

After a certain toddler was told not to stand in his chair:
What if he fell through the window?
Birds would fly in.
Oh, bears would get in too!
We could stack blankets over the window to stay warm.
What about rain?
That would be bad!

He just spit in his plate.
I don't even want to eat with him anymore!

How Do You Do It?

I have been asked this question three times in the last twenty-four hours, and I've given three different answers.  However, the truth is that why and how I do it is all of grace.

You see, I've been the recipient of grace more times than I recount.  I received grace from my little sister when I repeatedly stole the spotlight.  I got grace from my momma when I wasn't willing to clean my room, fold my laundry, or do anything in a timely manner.  I found grace in the sight of my daddy when I came home late almost every single night.  I was given grace as a ten-year-old girl by my Lord and Savior when I begged Him to save me from my sins.  I found grace 14 months after I had miscarried our first child and held our first born son in my arms.  I am completely familiar with what grace is.

It is how I live each day being the mother of three small boys.  It is grace that gets me through our crazy breakfast routine which consists of making three different meals.  It is grace that reminds me that the messes they make are temporary.  It is grace that beckons me when I've reached my patience limit at only 9 o'clock.  It is grace that helps me tie every shoe, wipe every nose, change every diaper, clean every spill, correct every disobedient heart, prepare every specific meal, fight for every minute of nap time, spank for every sinful action, and wash every single load of laundry.  Grace is how I do it.

But, there are moments when, in my sin-filled, human heart, grace doesn't seem to be enough, and I throw my own little fits.  You see, I'm imperfect.  I don't always "grin and bear it."  I tend to play the part that I have it altogether, but I don't.  I'm as flawed as they come.  I once cried out to God to bless me with children, and now I'm blessed with three of them and still begging God for help.  I expected my children to be exactly as I had envisioned them...  obedient, quiet, clean, mild-mannered, and perfect.  I wanted their clothes to match, their mouths to be filled with kind words, their manners to be inherent, their hair to lay flat and always be brushed, their hearts to be full of love for those around them, and all of these other things that were dreams I thought needed to be fulfilled when I had each of them.

I learned quickly that my visions of perfection weren't going to come true.  Perfect isn't possible in this life, and yet I pushed it on each of our boys.  I push hard.  I cry.  I act like a child.  I yell.  I criticize.  And, when I finally have their attention and my own way, I realize how ridiculously sinful I have been.

It's through these precious boys that I have seen my sinful actions and faults, and I'm constantly running to my Father and begging for just a little bit more of HIS grace.  What I do isn't easy.  I don't always have it together.  I get really stressed and frustrated, and I usually take it out on my children.  But, I don't ever want them to think that grace isn't enough.  Because it is.  I'm learning that it's okay to apologize to a four-year-old for not trusting him (when I assumed he'd climbed the counter for another snack when he hadn't).  I'm seeing that it's necessary to ask my three-year-old for forgiveness when I've yelled a little too loudly.  I'm teaching my sixteen-month-old to say "sorry" by saying it to him when my frustration peaks at his need for being right under my feet.

If I don't teach these boys what grace is by showing it to them, I'm afraid they'll never know what God meant when He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)."  Year from now, when they wonder how their mom did it, I want them to know the answer.  Grace, God's glorious, unmerited favor, freely given to me.

How do I do it, friends?  It's only by HIS grace...  and these sweet faces are worth it.

Post-bath crazy hair

Toasting their ice cream cups

Playing in baby brother's crib

Proudly wearing his mommy's Alaska shirt

Full bath of boys = Full heart for Mom

Cheesy grin

Mischievous smirk

Happy boy

Eating "curly" chips at Taco Bell

Smitten with Taco Bell's rice

Just Some Things About the Boys...

Lately, the boys have really come to life in different ways.  I just cannot believe how different three little boys can be from one another, but in our home, it's truly a testament to God's amazing handiwork!

Recently:

Daniel (4 years and 5 months old):

• is beginning to recognize letters. 
• can write his own name...  finally!
• is really into his bunny rabbit he was given by Gran-Ju at a baby shower before he was born.
• holds onto random things.  Pennies, rocks, shells...  you name it, he's got something in his pocket.
• asks a thousand questions.  Why?  What?  How?  Tell me again.
• dresses himself.  WOOHOO!
• is raising money (coins to be exact) for a little girl in our community battling leukemia.  If he sees you any time soon, you'll get hit up for some pennies.  I'm just warning you!  He's the cutest little fundraiser I've seen!
• loves to play baseball in the backyard.  He's crazy good.  Like he's-only-four-how-does-he-hit-so-hard good!

Samuel (3 years and 4 months old):

• is recognizing letters.  A LOT of them.  He picks up more than I thought he could.
• is beginning to write his name.
• tries to dress himself.  
• sings all of the time.  He sings questions to me, pretends to direct the choir, and is teaching Elias to do the same.  Just this morning, he is singing, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "Jesus Loves Me," and he just finished asking for chocolate milk to the tune of "Baby Bumble Bee."
• really likes preachers and going to church.
• still cries when we take him somewhere, like the nursery, Mother's Day Out, or classes at church.

Elias (1 year and 4 months):

• says da-da and mom all the time.  He also has added ball, look, and WHOA! to his list of words.
• is running all the time.  
• is really curious.  He opens, climbs, eats everything. 
• has two favorite foods...  strawberries and veggie straws.  
• may possibly have a milk allergy.  YUCK.  He's drinking only almond milk at this time.
• points at everything he wants.  Even if it's something he can't have, he stands and points until you acknowledge his want.

Manners, or the Lack Thereof

After asking to be excused from the table, Samuel leaves the kitchen, returns, and boldly proclaims, "I don't wanna be excused. I just wanna sit here. I want to eat... and no laughing!"

Meanwhile, from the living room, we overhear Daniel, exclaiming, "Peanut mustache!"...  for no good reason at all.

(Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Mimi's house)

The Week of P

As a former Kindergarten teacher, I love everything about school.  I love that our children attend a Mother's Day Out program that incorporates Christ into learning, and what's great is that my boys love to learn!  Last week was "P Week" at MDO, and on Tuesday the boys got to wear their pajamas to school.  Samuel was so anxious to wear his Elmo jammies and Toy Story house shoes that he woke up at 6:30 that morning asking, "Is it school day?  Can I go see Ms. Rochelle yet?"  

Might I add that Samuel has NEVER,

not ONCE wore his house shoes before...

that is, until Pajama day at MDO!

Daniel was decked out 

in his Thomas Pajama gear!

Thomas pjs, house shoes, lunch box, 

and even a Thomas nap mat.

Later that week, the boys Pretended to be

what they call "cookers."

Samuel also proved himself to be

the perfectionist we know him to be

by sitting and eating every last piece 

of rice leftover from his Mexican dinner.

(Excuse my face in this one.  I was SO surprised!)

And, last but not least, our littlest one (8 1/2 months)

isn't a big eater.  In fact, he's not eating anything yet at all.

He's still breastfed and healthy, 23 lbs healthy, 

wearing 18 month clothes healthy, but he's not into food.

That is, until his brothers got popsicles.

He actually wanted it!

We ended this week with seeing the pediatrician...  All three boys had sinus infections, and Daniel had an ear infection.  Antibiotics for all!  Then, Mommy got sick with bronchitis, sinus infection, and an ear infection too.  Would we all be puny on Valentine's Day?!

February Snow Fall

As a January baby, I have always expected snow at the beginning of every year, just so as to ruin my birthday parties.  However, not this year.  I celebrated my 30th birthday on January 22nd, and it was fantastic without a hint of snow!  

BUT, with three little boys, I can't help but want some snow.  Like a few inches for them to run and play in for about 10 minutes, and then I'll be over it.  When February rolled around this year, the boys were so excited to find snow in their backyard.  It wasn't much, but it was enough to get them so ecstatic I couldn't calm them down!  The temperature was in the twenties, so I didn't let them go outside...  

but that didn't stop a certain, determined Daniel.

Footprints in the sand snow.

Elias' first boo-boo happened that day as well.

A can of corn fell onto his finger

as he was using it as leverage to stand up.

Even though it was too cold to go outside,

I knew I could take their minds off of the snow

by making our very own ICE CREAM!

They were so excited to mix the ingredients

in their ziploc bags and find that REAL

ice cream came out.

Daniel showing his off.

Elias' banged up knees from crawling!

Isn't he the cutest?!

Daniel even found a "snowman" in his ice cream.

Do you see it?

Watching the snow fall in February!

Before I Forget...

• Elias weighed 10 lbs. 10 oz. at 4 weeks old.  This is the 94th percentile.  He is huge for his age!
• Our fence is almost complete!  We just need a latch for the gate.
• Samuel needs a riding toy like Daniel's John Deere...  Grandpa needs to get to it!
• After two weeks of congestion, it was determined on Thursday (4 wks. old) that Elias has pneumonia in his left lung.  X-rays weren't as bad as I expected, but the pricks and swabbing were awful (for me).
• Simple is best.  I do not need a fancy, decorated house to be happy.  My children love making messes, running through our halls, and breaking anything in sight.  It's okay NOT to overdo it.
• Brian now has a smartphone.  Wow. 
• The best part about the combination of the fence and rainy days?  The mud pit it leaves in the center of the yard.  Daniel spent an hour in it.  He slept a FULL 10 hours that night!
• My favorite verse right now is Psalm 30:5, For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.  I don't know what I like about it, but it keeps coming to mind.
• I'm ready to start "teaching" my boys.  I mean, really teaching them.  Crafts, alphabet, numbers, and all... 

Thoughts on Three

Today, I'm on my own.  With three little boys.  Did I mention that I am by myself?!

Both Brian and my mom had taken two weeks off of work when Elias was born, and here we are, two weeks later, and I am on my own.  I feared the worst, to be honest.  Last night, I was so overwhelmed with the day ahead that I could barely sleep.  However, despite the fact that it's only 2:00 in the afternoon, the boys and I have already had showers, arrived ON TIME to the pediatrician's office, took a trip to the grocery, and ate lunch and a snack.  Currently, not a single child is crying.  The older boys are playing together in their room, and Elias is napping.  What did I have to fear?!  Sure, there have been moments today when I almost lost it...  for starters, how in the world did I forget wipes when packing the diaper bag?!  Why did I not have an extra shirt for MYSELF in the van?!  AND, what was I thinking when I thought going to get four gallons of milk with three kids in tow was a good idea?! 

I'm learning a lot about parenting, motherhood, children, and myself during this precious time.  People said we were going to have our hands full when they learned we were pregnant with Elias.  People also said that three under three was insane.  They mentioned that we'd go crazy, go nowhere, and get very little sleep.  While some of that may be true, my thoughts on having three are a bit different than those given to me prior to Elias' arrival and the transition from two children to three under three. 

Here are just a few:

• It takes at least 10 minutes to load the van, 20 minutes to change diapers and potty, and 30 minutes to pack to go anywhere. 
• Even with a mini-van, there is not enough room for us all.  Our car seats, extra clothing and diapers, and collection of strollers take up more space than should be allowed. 
• Diapers/Pull-ups/Overnites for three children are more expensive than gas.  I'm so thankful for the stockpile I've created in my garage.
• There is no diaper bag big enough to carry everything we need when we're all together, and sometimes, each child needs a bag of their own. 
• 30+ pounds aren't that heavy until you bring home an 8 pound baby.  My toddlers are breaking my back on a daily basis.
• Forget not having enough hands...  I don't have enough eyes or ears to keep up with the boys!
• Lack of sleep never is easy.  Even if you are used to it.  Going to bed early is key.
• Hand-me-downs are amazing.  Dressing our children would be impossible without them.  This is why I have yet to consign ANYTHING of ours.
• Lunch is the hardest hour of the day.  The older two cry if they don't get what they want, the baby is screaming for what he wants, and I am doing my best to hold it together!  :)
• If I can manage getting them in it, riding in the van with all three boys is my favorite thing.  They are all happy and contained.
• Doctor visits are nuts.  I really don't know any other way to explain it.
• Sickness spreads like wildfire.
• It's not as bad as I thought.  Really, it isn't.
• One-on-one with each child is super important.  I can tell my older ones crave my attention, and I love giving it to them.  
• Going is easier than staying.  Believe it or not, as difficult as loading them up is, we are all content when we get out of the house...  if only for a few minutes.
• Grocery carts aren't convenient for parents.  They just aren't roomy enough.  Where am I supposed to put my groceries once I get my kids in the cart?!
• I feel humbled.  I notice people looking at me as if I'm insane to have so many kids, but I realize that God is the giver of life and He has given me three little ones to care for.  I'm seriously honored to have this hectic, crazy life.  

Things I'm Getting Good at Repeating

• Lord, if this baby could just come today...
• It is so hot in here.
• Did you turn off the air?
• Daniel, stay out of the refrigerator.
• You cannot have another snack.  You've already had 4.
• Daniel, where does pee-pee go?  
• Son, please hurry up.
• We are late, that's why.
• Because I said so, that's why.
• Come here.
• Stay out of the closet!
• This is your warning, Daniel.  
• Samuel, a bowl is the same as a (ziploc) bag.  Just eat your snack.
• You are not eating anymore _____.  Your belly is going to be sick!
• Whoa, be easy!
• Get OFF of him!
• Keep your hands to yourself.
• Take your shoes off.  We aren't going anywhere.
• Baby, I'm sorry.  We cannot go shopping at Target today.
• I'm sorry, sweetie.  I can't take you to Chicken Lay again today.
• You are NOT sick.  You do NOT need to go to the doctor.
• A sucker is the last thing you need.
• Those are Samuel's shorts.  Why are YOU wearing them?
• Mommy's sorry for being too tired for Play-doh.
• Please do NOT make a mess with that.
• I can't take you outside right now.  Maybe when Mommy's not so big...
• Three boys?  Lord, how in the world?!

It's quite obvious from my most-used phrases lately that life is a bit hectic and overwhelming.  It could be that I am nine months pregnant and hormonal, but I am beginning to realize that there are only a few days left before this baby comes and I'll no longer be a mother of two.  It's hard to imagine how life could change any more than it already does on a constant basis, but I know that God has great plans for our family.  I'm excited to see what's in store.  While my current position is challenging at times, I don't want to take one crazy, frustrated, wild moment for granted.  I am so blessed.  I really, really am.

Daniel-isms

Okay, life with a two-year-old is tough at times...  You know with the temper tantrums and potty training and the rough hits and determination of an ox?!  Well, maybe that's just our two-year-old, and he is teaching us all about the "terrible twos."  However, there are times when this kid literally makes us laugh so hard and love so much that we forget how awful the moments before actually were. 

Case(s) and point(s):

• While riding in his car seat on the way home from church, Daniel kept dropping his sippy cup onto the floor.  We'd bend back, pick it up, and give it to him for him to repeat the process.  He was thoroughly amused; we weren't as much.  In between tosses, he really was thirsty and was gulping down fruit punch.  So, it came as no surprise when I heard the first hiccup...  and another...  then the next...  and on and on until Daniel became quite frustrated with them.  He clearly stated, "Mommy, I chokin'."  I said, "No, you're not, honey; you've got hiccups."  To which he replied, "Mommy, I chokin'."  As the hiccups got stronger, his patience was thinning, and he was very upset and yelled, "Mommy, no hiccup.  I CHOKIN'!"
• Daniel's story-telling skills are really picking up as of lately.  Why, just Tuesday while the boys were at Mother's Day Out, and Samuel took a pretty rough fall.  How do I know this?  Well, it's a whopping five days later, and upon seeing any one he knows, Daniel STILL begins with this, "Uh, Samuel fall down on the ground at school, and....."  I promise, he has told that same "story" over a hundred times in five days, and it seems brand new to him every single time.  And for the record, Samuel didn't cry when he fell at school; in fact, he doesn't even have a scratch!
• Daniel has become quite the boss around here.  Or at least he believes he has.  We hear these a lot:  "Be quiet, Mommy."  "Daddy, stop it."  "Watch Thomas, Mommy."  "Samuel, be quiet.  Stop it.  Shhhh." 
• Daniel speaks in first person right now.  It is hard to take him seriously when he talks as if he's someone else because it is SO hilarious.  Last night as we ate dinner at Chick fil A, the "carnival" was in town right beside the parking lot.  Daniel was very intrigued by the ferris wheel and its amazing lights.  He watched from the restaurant doors, saying, "Daniel ride that.  Daniel sit on it.  Daniel go to it.  Daniel want to ride it now." 
• Daniel is beginning to potty train.  While we haven't yet forced it, he has just started showing interest and going on his own...  in the potty...  without help from any one.  Anyway, we've tried to get Daniel excited about the process with "big boy" underwear and Pull-ups, but let's face it, they equal big messes that make HIM laugh so we've opted for the cheap brand of diapers for him until we move on...  Let's just say, they do not work. Just Tuesday night as we were out shoppng as a family, Daniel rode on my back in the Beco, and discovering some awesome clearance buys in the kids' section, I suddenly felt moisture running down my back.  He had peed right through those Pull-ups!  As I took Daniel to clean up the mess, I kept asking him, "Where does pee go?  Why is Mommy wet?"  He answered, "In the potty.  Not Mommy."  Here I was in a public place with my child's pee ALL DOWN MY BACK and PANTS.  Worse part, I didn't have any extra clothes for Daniel OR myself, so with a pantless Daniel strapped again onto my wet back, he and I finished shopping and headed to the checkout! 
• HOWEVER, this was not our only encounter with pee this week.  Tonight at church during singing practice, Daniel sat cheerfully on Daddy's lap while we sang.  It wasn't very long into the service when Brian looked over at me with the deer in headlights look...  He mouthed, "He's peeing on me!"  I thought he was kidding, that is, until I noticed Brian's suit's pant leg was soaking wet.  It looked as though it was BRIAN who'd had the accident.  He sat there with that look on his face for what seemed like hours, as he tried to figure out what to do next.  Daniel hadn't moved.  He was just fine now that he'd released that burden.  :)  I too hadn't moved.  I was laughing so hard I didn't think to move or help.  When I came around to noticing Brian needed my help, I picked up Daniel and headed to the nursery.  Every step of the way, Daniel reminded me, "I pee on Daddy."  Brian thankfully had an extra set of clothes in the car (which, by the way, was a t-shirt, khaki shorts, and Crocs) but when we got to the car, Daniel made certain we hadn't forgotten what had happened in church, laughing and saying, "Daddy, I pee-pee. I pee on Daddy."

Mother's First Day Out

The boys' first day of Mother's Day Out has come and gone, and tomorrow they'll embark on their second day.  My prayer has been that this will not only relieve me but help each of them to grow.  I feared that Samuel would cry hysterically and hang onto my shirt with every ounce of being within him, and I worried that Daniel would be rough on the other children and be his typical, energetic, can't-slow-down self. 

While I'm certain the latter took place, I can assure myself that Day 1 was better than even I expected.  The boys slept well Monday night; in fact, I had to WAKE Daniel up to get ready just in time.  Samuel woke just like always, cheerful and happy to start the day.  While I'm not sure he was ready for what he had coming, he grinned with his big, busted lips (he, of course, had to have his first major fall the night before). 

(Samuel on the night before his first day of MDO.)

I had their bags packed and ready; I should say that I had their bags, lunchboxes, and nap mats perfectly monogrammed and embroidered (we all know me that well). 

Lunchbox Tags I made for each boy!

Their bags and mats

Daniel's things (lunchbox, cups, and mat) are Cars themed.

Samuel's things are all his buddy, Elmo.

It really wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be getting out the door...  until I realized we must have pictures!

Samuel cannot be old enough to attend MDO.

He just CANNOT.

While this is blurry, Daniel was so ready to get out the door.

He knew he was going to school.

He kept saying, "School.  Let's go, Mommy."

Realizing I really wanted a picture of the two of them,

Daniel grabbed Samuel's face and kept repeating,

"Say cheese, Samuel."

We made the two minute drive to the church where MDO is held, and I kept telling the boys how much fun they would have.  I just knew they'd begin crying as soon as I walked them to their classroom, but much to my surprise, Daniel let go of my hand and walked confidently into his room.  He didn't cry or seem upset at all...  Maybe because two of his buddies were crying and he was patting them and worrying over them, saying, "You okay, buddy?!" 

Samuel had a tight grip on my shirt.  I feared the worst at this point, but that's when their sweet teacher pulled out goldfish and vanilla wafers.  Miss Brooke is genius in my book already, simply for this random act!  Samuel mustered up some confidence and walked right over to the table for his own snack.  I think I was actually upset that he wasn't upset! 

Eating the first snack of the morning...

Okay, is this not so sweet?! 

My boys actually sat together.  :)

I left with such peace.  Do you know how good that was?!  To know that my children were in good hands and they were happy...  Nothing makes a mother feel better than that! 

So, I guess you're wondering what I did with my day?!

I worked on and finished these for my dear friend.  I know I was supposed to be OUT, but honestly, it was refreshing to just sit quietly IN.