My Brother

I can honestly say, that over the past month or two, these two boys have become the best of friends. Now, don't get me wrong. They will take each other down in a heartbeat if given the chance. However, they will also stick up for each other till the end. But, let's talk about taking each other down, shall we? Nate is still in pull ups at night. His body is just not ready to be done with them yet. We were at a store to buy some and he was helping me unload the cart. As he put them on the belt to be rung up, he looked at the cashier, smiled and said, "these are for my big bruder Yex!" and then started laughing! Ah, yes, I see many fights in their future. All his Dad and I could do is laugh and call him a stinker. I mean really, to rat out his brother?! And, Lex did find humor in it also. :)

Must be doing something right...

My kids have been totally awesome lately. Well, I mean, they are always awesome, but there's that "oh dear Lord, if I don't get some time away from you soon we may be all in trouble" type days. Right? It's not just me? Anyways.... When the boys decide that they are brothers (meaning they get along) they are awesome to each other. They play. They laugh. They have a totally great time together. This is exactly why I wanted two so close together. Now, on the opposite end of the spectrum, when they are like this with each other...I am the outsider. It's on odd place for me to be. I've always been there for them. I'm always here for them. I've been the one they turn to when they want help, snuggles, etc. But now, more and more, they are turning to each other. I get that little gut-feeling that I'm left out, but yet, it's also a great feeling because of the bond they have. I know they are going to fight, yell, hit, etc. (yea, a daily occurance here) but I also know that in the end, they will be there for each other. I've seen it happen and continue to watch it. I sound so cheesey, but I am so lucky to have the opportunity to be their mother. On another note, I think they are both seriously developing relationships with God! This makes my heart burst with joy!!!! The other day I caught Nate "reading" and he was saying, "I am the Lord your God, Jesus, and I will come back to your Earth one day to save you." Today, while waiting for my glasses, Nate was dancing in the hallway. The lady asked him where he learned his moves and he told her, "Heaven." She looked at me kind of funny and I shrugged my shoulders with an I don't know look. She asked him when he had been to Heaven and he told her, "when my Mommy was a little girl I was up there." I asked him who taught him to dance and he said, "Jesus." So, in case you are all wondering...Jesus has some moves! Lex has been having some bad dreams and he will make a special trip downstairs at night to pray with Erik or I to help them go away. In church on Sunday, during the worship songs, I looked over and caught Lex, with his eyes closes, his head up, smiling and his hand outstreched!! I love watching my boys grow...physically, mentally and spiritually!

Getting married

Well, I like to think we are doing something right with our kids. They don't talk about "when they have a girlfriend" they talk about "when they are married." Nate is continuously talking about marrying Alannah (and she is all about it too!). He has told me that I need to help him find matching rings for them, when they get a house, etc. The boys attended a wedding with the Hammill's this weekend and had a blast. Nate was a bit tired so he didn't dance as much as he normally does. Lex, however, was apprently the life of the party. He was a dancing fool and even caught the garter (which he was wearing on his head the next day). He also told us about the guy "with two cameras! It was like the paparazzi was there!" Oh, to see life through their eys....

First day of first grade and super hero powers

Yesterday was Lex's first day of first grade. I absolutely cannot believe he is in first grade! As I expected, he did not want me to walk with him. We went to Open House the night before and he finally started to get excited. He just looked like such a big kid sitting at his desk! *sigh* My little boy is growing up... As Lex left for his day of school, Nate informed me that he had superpowers (he did have a blanket cape on!) and he would take care of me. As I was painting later, I found out what his superpowers were: Mom, I see your butt. Excuse me? I see your butt! I have pants on, Nate. Yep, that's my super power. I can see peoples' butts. Oh dear...

Awwwness and guns, yeppers...

Last night we were driving home from Jamestown. Bailey had chosen to go to Friendly's for her birthday dinner (so hard to believe she's 11 already!). As were leaving Jamestown, there were a few deer in somebody's backyard that Erik pointed out to the kids. Three of the kids in the car said, "Awww, look at the deer!!" Lex, on the other hand said, "Dad! We should have brought our guns! Look how close those deer were! We could have shot them! Man, I knew we shoulda brought them!" I'm thinking I have a hunter on my hands...

The past three months...

I realized I haven't written in a while. I'm thinking that's a good thing as we've been so busy enjoying our summer! This has probably been the best summer we've had in a long time! Until this week, I could count on one hand the number of times its rained. Also, until this week, it's been super warm. We've been able to enjoy, literally, every single day since school got out. A lot of families try to jam pack each day with stuff and well, we just don't. Don't get wrong, sometimes we do, but for the most part, we really just try to enjoy life. We chill out with each other in the morning and snuggle on the couch. We go for walks, bike rides, to the pool, trampoline, etc. There is nothing better on this Earth than listening to the sound of laughter during the day and hugs and kisses at night. Nate started riding his bike with no training wheels this month. I should say, flying, not riding as he is not slow in the slightest! Lex has two loose teeth on the bottom and he's waiting for them to fall out. Bailey has shot up and will be taller than me by Christmastime. We got another dog this summer and have been having fun watching Charlie and him get along and play. We've had lots of sleepovers and daytime playdates. I can honestly say that family comes before cleaning and that is obvious! Eh, dust will always be here but we may not. Time to enjoy each other while we can. :)

Nate is definitely my child, or, wait, Lex is!?

When Lex was born (like the second the doctor pulled him out) I remember people in the operating room saying how much he looked like Erik. Okay, I admit I was a bit out of it then (wayyy too much medicine!) but I remember thinking, "aw, how cute." Well, he hasn't changed. At. All. I mean, I love that he looks so much like his dad, but come on! He was in my belly for 40 weeks! Couldn't some part of him be from me? His hair is. He's got my hair now. It's getting much thicker and starting to curl up slightly. Oh, I'm pretty sure he's going to be on the shorter side of the male average. And, this week, I have noticed one more thing he got from me.... a love for infomercials! Yep. He will sit in amazement through them and then be like, "Mom! Did you see that? We have GOT to get that! It will do XXX!" That's my boy! Nate, on the other hand, didn't really look like either of us. I could definitely see some of Erik in him and Erik's Dad. But, not me. Until recently. A cousin posted a picture of me when I was about four sleeping at the dinner table and it looks just like Nate with a wig on! Yes! I have a child who looks like me! He's also a bit of a stinkerbutt, which, in some ways, could be like me.... As the boys and I were watching television the other night, there was a commericial of a boy going down a waterslide on a cruise ship. Lex got very excited and said, "Man, that looks like fun. But, I need to learn how to swim underwater first." My serious smart-ass son Nate says, "Yes, and you need a boat." I will say, I love watching us come out in them. But, not so much when it's the stuff that drives me batty. Then, I just tell myself...the teen years are not that far away. I will soon get revenge! :)

A year older

Well, the Leamon gang has had this year's round of two week birthday bashes. The four of us are now a year older. I cannot believe I have a four and six year old. It just seems surreal. Although, I wouldn't agree on most days in the middle of chaos, life really does fly by fast. I can remember finding out I was pregnant with them, remember them kicking me from in the inside and I remember holding them for the first time wondering how in heck I was supposed to be responsible for another human being?? It's been pure amazement to watch them take on personality and character traits from both Erik and I and then also watching them add in their own. Life really is a miracle.

Words that our kids say

Last night, as I lay awake, I was thinking of how the kids say words that are wrong and for some reason it cracked me up. Here are a few: Although I didn't know Bailey at the time, Erik says that she called applesause da-do-da. Yogurt was googun. I don't get those two at all! And, up until a year or two ago, she used to call Skittles-taste the rainbow. Cracked us up! Nate and Lex both call bananas-beyanas and M&Ms-nemee ems. I'm sure I'll think of some more later, but I wanted to get this down before my memory fails me.

Getting ready for some birthdays

April is birthday month in our house. Well, it's actually only a two week span starting with Erik on the 17th of April, then Nate and my grandmother share the 25th, I am on the 28th, Lex is May 1st and my step-dad is May 2nd. Yep, that's a lot of birthdays! So, as much as each of the boys have their "own" birthday, we have always had combined parties for them. So far, so good with that. I just booked the skating rink for their party this year. I AM GOING TO HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD AND A SIX YEAR OLD!! Where have these years gone?? I mean, everyone told me how fast these years will fly by, but I didn't really believe them! I mean, when I'm in the middle of diapers, sippy cups, tantrums, wrestling fights, preschools, playing and just plain living life...who has time to stop and think how fast it's going by? Geesh, somebody shoulda warned me! :) But, I can honestly say that I"ve truly enjoyed my boys. Have their been times where I've lost my ever-loving mind? Um, yea, without a doubt. But, there have also been tons of times where I have laughed so hard it hurt to breath and I had tears streaming down my fast. I think I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. I feel good about it. No, I feel great about it. And, I pray, that my kids feel the same way too.

Mom, do not come in here.

These are the words that both scare me and crack me up. My office is in the nook next to the kitchen. The living room is on the other side of the house. My kids are extremely independent. *Slight digression....The first time I realized this Bailey was 6 and Lex was 18 months old (give or take). Our house in Las Vegas was a ranch style type house. I was in the living room, which was in the middle of the house, with the kids. Bailey decided she was done and wanted to be alone so she got up and went into her room at one end of the house. Lex must have decided he wanted to be alone too because at the same time, he got up and toddled down the hall to the other side of the house to his room. Both of them shut their doors at the same time. I literally just sat there in awe. Nothing's really changed since then. Back to the current... Kids are STILL independent and spend a lot of time by themselves or with each other. I'm not really needed/wanted (that's a whole 'nother post). Sometimes Nate will come in to my office, hold his hand up to me and say, "Mom, do not come in the living room! I need a towel." I am sooo happy that he is independent enough to clean up his own messes for the most part and mature enough to do it and tell me. Part of me is scared to death as to what I might find. Guess that adds the element of surprise to our day, huh?

Tattoos

The parental units in this house each have two of them. It's actually been a bit funny when the boys realized that we didn't draw on ourselves and it doesn't come off. We have explained, lots, that they are permanent and they are not to be taken lightly. I didn't get my first one until I was 30 and Erik got his when he was 32. They are actually matching and we got them in Hawaii on the last day of our honeymoom. I love them. There are so many memories with them and I'm so glad we got them together. A few years ago, I got the kids' names in a scrolling anklet with cherry blossoms in between. I love it. I thought long and hard about what I wanted. I have absolutely no regrets. I'm close to being ready for my third one. I want a cross on the inside of my right wrist with Isaih 41:13 somehow put on it (For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you). I read this a while ago and it has stuck with me. God is calling me to be his servant, to be a better mother, wife and person. I hope if my kids choose to get tattoos, that they really consider it long and hard before they do. I hope that we have a great enough relationship with each other that they trust me to talk with me. I hope that I have listening ears and an open heart.

Pulling A Leamon

I've been told by many people that I should write a book about REAL parenting. Maybe one day I will. I've been told by many people that we should have our own tv show. Um, besides my family, nobody should see me in my pjs that much so that one is out. My family has coined a new phrase, "A Leamon." To the "outside" world, my kids may look hyper, may look wild, may look out of control. To those that know us, know my kids are happy, love life, love people, love exploring and love laughing and being on the go constantly. And yes, they are respectful (most of the time-they're still young). I am not joking when I say they are moving non-stop from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. I'm okay with that! Really, I am. There has been moments when I wasn't and I had to get past that. There have been close calls with my kids and they have come sooooo close to getting hurt, but they didn't and they didn't stop either. That, my friends, is pulling A Leamon. It's sort of a joke with the family now. If somethings gets knocked over, they pulled A Leamon. Someone almost got hurt, they pulled A Leamon. You get the picture. At first, it was a bit hurtful to my heart, but I don't think it was meant that way, so I had to push those feelings aside. I'm not a hover-type parent. I want my kids to explore. I want my kids to get hurt. No, not badly. I want them to see what they did wrong and how they could do it differently the next time. I don't want them to give up and they don't! They are persistent little buggers. As more memories come to me, I want to write them down so the kids can read about them. And, so when I embarrass them as teenagers, they'll know why. :) I want my kids to know that, as much as they will not believe me at times, I really did try to focus on the fun, positive stuff. I wasn't always a crankly lady who needed more coffee.

The best of friends and the worst

I have realized that it is possible for these boys to be both the best of friends and the worst at the same time. They have been playing with each other wonderfully for weeks now. But, when they decide they are done. They are D.O.N.E. and everyone can tell. They have also been sleeping in each other's rooms with each other every night for over a month now. They are awake for an extra hour fighting and then laughing, but I don't stop them. I absolutely LOVE hearing them belly laugh at night. It is pure joy to me.

A wee-wee

A conversation I had with Lex the other day. Lex: Mom, I want to do a wee-wee. Me: A what?? Lex: A wee-wee. Me: Use it in a sentence. Lex: I want to do a wee-wee. Me: Um, that's not exactly helping me. Say it slower. Lex: A weee-weee. Me:(trying not to laugh) Sorry, bud, I'm not getting it. Lex: On my bike! I want to do a wee-wee on my bike. Me: A wheely!!! Lex: Yes, that's what I said!

I hope...

I hope my kids: *remember the good times and not the bad. *have fun with their lives. *do what their heart and God tell them to do. *always believe. *always pray. *remember that we may have had a messy house but we had a fun house. *that we spent time talking every day. *that we ate dinner together as a family daily. *that we did things together has a family. *that we were non-judgemental. *are non-judgement. *have peace in their lives. *count their blessings. *give blessings. *enjoy life to the fullest!

A happy mouth

I try to drink a healthy smoothie everyday for breakfast. Today Nate helped me make mine and after a few minutes he aksed for a sip of mine. He decided he loved it but wanted to make his own. So, he got out three strawberries and broke up a banana and whirled it up! He drank a few sips of it and said, "Wow! I had three sips and my mouth is so happy now!" Man, I love this kid!

Lent

So, I'm, uh, a bit behind on writing things down. I try to remember, but we are so busy living that sometimes I don't get to write as much as I would love to. So, I try. Anyways, a few weeks ago Lent began. At WINK (Wednesday Is the Night for Kids) at church, we had a really great discussion about Lent, the meaning, etc. I loved listening to the kids talk about it and deciding if they were going to give something up or not. Nate didn't quite "get" it and I didn't expect him to fully understand it or give anything up. Lex, well, he told me he would give up playing with Nate. Not quite the answer I expected. So, we talked about it some more and I just don't think he fully gets it yet either. I, on the other hand, gave up Facebook. The first few days were HARD! I mean really, really, really hard. But now, i seem to be okay with it. I have realized that I spend way too much time on there. I've been a lot less frazzled with the boys and that's an awesome thing for me to realize. I still spend tons of time online because of work (a full 40 hours) but I am definitely relearning how to enjoy life with my kids again. As I write this I am on my laptop on the couch, with some yarn in my lap while watching the boys race each other on the Wii. I can't race as it makes me sick to my stomach, but I'm with them and that's what counts...for all of us.

Wow! What a large bowling pin!

The boys and I had to go to Erie the other day and we drove past the large water town by the Millcreek Mall. I had to stifle my laughter and Nate exclaimed, "Wow! What a large bowling pin! That person would have to be really big to knock that down!" Ah, to view the world like this again...

Coffee

I like coffee. A lot. I drink a pot day by myself. I normally have two to three cups in the morning and then save the last cup for my afternoon pick-me up. I didn't realize that the boys paid attention to this. Until they started wanting their drinks in coffee cups. They like to drink out of mugs and say, "mmmm, this is some goooood coffee." These two definitely take in everything that we do in this house. It's a good thing we set some good examples for them...most of the time. The random dessert before dinner is good, right??

Oh Boy!

Um, yea. These two are total boys. Lex has decided lately that everything that is super cool is now, "off the hook!!" He's becoming so grown up lately. I"m sure he'll hate reading that I typed this up when he's older, but besides me helping him with his hair, he showers himself now. He's just finished up his first wrestling season. He's not the, um, most agressive person...at all! He laughs continuously throughout the whole match. At least he's having a good time. He'll be starting a short basketball camp soon and then he just got signed up for soccer in the late summer months. He's still not much into girls, which is fine by me! He has one particular one that he says he's going to marry and his reasoning is, "she told me no." This is obviously something that we will need to work on later... Nate, on the other hand, is a total schmoozer with the ladies. He's pretty much going to marry every one he comes into contact with. He's been having playdates with friends from pre-school and really wants to have someone over for a sleepover. I have to try to remind him that not all 3 year olds like to spend the night away from home. It's amazing how much more grown up he seems to be at 3 than Lex was. I guess that's what happens when you learn from your older brother. I am amazed every day that God has given me these two boys to love and nurture. There are days when I want to absolutely crazy and freak out but I have to remind myself just how short this time is with them. I love and cherish the time I have with them. I want to teach them but also have fun at the same time. I am very blessed.

Sleepover with Grandma Florida

My Grandma called last night and wanted the boys for a sleepover. They have never spent the night at her house before. I was a tad bit worried. Not that they would miss me or anything, but that they would tire her out in, oh, say five minutes! They were sooooo excited to go there! When we dropped them off, they barely kissed us good bye and were shoving us out the door. This morning they are making cookies with her. I bet she takes a nice long nap today and I bet they all had an awesome time!

Nate and his zippered pajamas

Ah, my little Naterator. Do I have some pictures to blackmail you with when you are older. Your latest obsession is body parts. You love to put a ball under your shirt or in your jammies and pretend you have a "baby in my belly" and it cracks me up every time you do it. The other day, you walked into my office and had two balls (of the same size) and you had given yourself a set of boobs. Let's just say your father was not too impressed when I sent him that pic, but I laughed for a long time! Heck, I"m still laughing. Later that day, you had stuck the balls on your hind end and given yourself quite a round bottom. You amaze me and crack me up daily.

been a while

I talked with some friends recently and realized I have not written in here in a while. Things got a bit crazy with the holiday season. Lex is now wrestling twice a week and absolutely loves it. He went to his first tournament two weeks ago and had a blast. He has a trophy and it is his pride and joy right now! Nate is excited to start karate when he turns 4. They are both getting so big and so grown up on a daily basis. We went through sort of a rough patch (okay, maybe I did) and things got sort of bad around here. I stopped enjoying them and started yelling. A lot. I didn't like who I was becoming/became so things had to change, and they have. I have realized my kids are freaking awesome! I don't care what anyone else thinks. They are God-loving, family-loving and fun-loving kids and I wouldn't have it any other way. Are they "perfect?" Well, what's the definition of perfect? To me, as long as they are the three things I mentioned above, they seem to be pretty darned perfect right now as that's what I consider important for young kids. I can't wait to see what's in store for us!