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.