The Lately

It has been refreshing on many different levels.

We got to spend some quality time with my dear friend and her boy....and we kicked back while all of our boys ran around, playing with sticks, turning over trampolines to be used as a slide and launch pad, and doing what little boys do best.

There were only a few swings and scuffles, but mostly it was so much fun to be able to chat while watching our boys enjoy life.

Davis rolled over. I missed it, but Cole didn't. Cole had just demonstrated to him how to roll over. I  turned my back for two seconds to clean up some toys. Then Cole started yelling praises and yelling at me that baby rolled over. He looked like such a proud big brother as he got to witness such a big milestone.

He then stood up in a super-hero-like stance and yelled, "I'm going to teach him everything I know!" 

That proud big brother has also proven to me over and over again how much of a heart of gold he truly has. I know that deep down he wants to please, he wants to obey, and he wants to make Jesus smile. He has truly been working hard on controlling his out of control emotions when I tell him "no". He has been choosing to say "OK mom" instead. As I was tucking him in for his nap today, I hugged him and couldn't help but tell him how proud I was of him and what a great big brother role model he was being. I could see his little eyes beaming even in the darkness of his room.

I will never forget when he sat down next to me, wrapped his arms around my neck, leaned in and said "mama, I love everything about you." 

It doesn't get much more refreshing than that. A mama's joy, found in the heart of her boys.

Bennett's joy was found in sneaking off with a whole tub of chocolate ovaltine (or cocoa) and helping himself. He sat in a pile of it and had a merry little time. He just smiled his chocolate coated grin, and I...tried to hide my laughter.

 Or when I stepped out of the room for two seconds-- TWO SECONDS! And I returned to Bennett "drinking" my almond butter out of the jar. He had an almond butter ring covering most of his face.

That boy. Oh the stories I will be able to tell.

You tell him "no" he says, "yes". You say "one bite" he says "two bites". You say "just a little bit" he says "a lot mom". 

But he more than makes up for his mischievous ways as he says, "Mama, I wub you" a million times throughout the day. Or "hold me mom". And he has a way when he cups my chin in his hands and lays a big ole smooch on my lips.

But oh, how that boys needs to be watched at all times. He's a sneaky one.

I found a tire gauge gun looking thing in my cereal box tonight. Compliments of guess who.

I've had more super heroes running around my couch than I know what to do with.

They point at me and make a "shwooooo" sound, kind of like spider man (only they've never seen spider man) and then yell, "mom, your frozen!"

I have had bins and laundry baskets full of clothes dumped out, clothes everywhere....because, "mom, it's my spaceship".

Of course, of course.

I tried to teach them "What time is it Mr. Fox" I realized I had completely lost them when it turned into a game called Fox and Camel and the whole goal of the game was for the fox to bite the "buns buns" of the camel. I was the camel. And Bennett had no problem sinking his chops into the so called "buns buns".....

They helped daddy wash the car, thanks to mommy running it into the side of the garage door...

Bennett simply cannot handle not drenching himself if the hose or water is around.

I've had endless smiles from this guy.

The last couple nights he has slept really well. But I'm not going to say how well, because the moment I do....well, it's bound to change.

Bennett thought it would be a great idea today to pull out every last wipe and pile them up all over Davis.

That was the look Bennett got from me.

But Davis just keeps on keepin' on.

And we all just keep on trying to figure out how to squeeze as much happiness out of each day as possible.

Lately, we have been doing pretty well. Some days more than others. And some days.....well, I may just want to grab that jar of almond butter and drink some myself.

P.S. I'm not going to tell you how long it has taken me to write this blog post....