Look What We Can Do!

"I can peddle all by myself without someone pushing me!"

"And I can jump off the diving board and the water is twelve feet deep!"

Just the Four of Us

This week marks the last days of school. Unlike when Matt finished kindergarten, I am a bit down. Last year I wasn't too sad kissing those half day classes goodbye. Picking Matt up at 10:40am every.single.day got old real fast.

But this year is different. His 1st grade experience is over and while it excites me watching both my boys grow into the beings God created them to be, it saddens me at the same time that its moments never to grasp again. And to think Mark will be in full-day kindergarten in just two years...well...don't get me started on that one.

Now I won't leave you depressed thinking, "Gee, Lori really knows how to make my day! What a downer!" I am sooo looking forward to summer break. Even though June is jammed packed with swimming lessons, Matt's baseball season coming to and end and Steve taking a summer class that calls for tons of reading and typing, we purposely made July a month of less commitments in order to allow time to do family things -- whatever they may be.

I feel such completeness when I look at my family. Mark is out of diapers and in a regular bed -- the last two toddler mountains to overcome in my book. And while I whimpered a little taking down the crib a few weeks ago, contentment came in like a flood. To put these two to rest actually felt good. I can't explain it, but at this moment it feels good to move on and flow with time. And when July comes we can plan little family activities and not worry about packing diapers and getting that nap time in. Even though Mark still naps 2-3 hours every afternoon (thank God), he is able to last a bit longer without having a melt down.

Here's to summer break! Oh the possibilities.....

Sleep Walking

"Mommy!"

That call. At 3:30am. The first one I hear I think it's part of my dream and ignore it. The second call I realize it really is one of the boys yelling for me. I ask Steve which one he thinks it is and we guess Mark.

I stumble into Mark's room half asleep and ask, "What's wrong little man?" No response. "Are you ok? What's wrong?" Nothing. I put my hand on his little head.

"Mommy!"

Oh, it's Matt!

Off to Matt's room I go after I reassure Mark to go back to sleep. Actually, I don't think I woke him up to begin with.

I open Matt's door hoping I don't smell vomit in the air. "What's wrong?" (I detect no smell, thank God above!)

He then goes on about a dream he had. He was on some ship and it was sinking and filling up with water....blah....blah....blah.... I was too tired to make heads or tails about what he was saying! I hugged him and reminded him, "It's only a dream. You're fine. Go back to sleep."

Back to bed I went and I am lucky I didn't walk into any walls, but I did step on a Magna Doodle pad. Thankfully it's flat.

Gosh, I Love My Kids...sillies and all!

Realizations

In a few weeks Mark will turn three. Three. THREE!

School ends June 4th and I anticipate my mornings not being ruled by a bus stop time -- 7:30am thank you very much!

My daily blog visits have decreased. With the weather warming up we are outside more than in. Talk about a cure for the winter blues. Blame my daily exercise routine on my new found desire to be more active and spend less time sitting in front of my computer's monitor.

Gas is $4.09/gallon here. I am beginning to become pessimistic. It's never going down. Ever.

Mascara is a tired mom's best friend. Use an eye lash curler and let me tell ya, I am W I D E awake!

Matt is half way through his baseball season. That went by fast!

Don't try to swipe the sides of the mixer's bowl while the machine is beating. It can be lethal!

Matt can add faster than me. Actually, this doesn't come as a surprise. I could never do math in my head let alone figure out tip.

A towel can pick up spills way better than paper towels. Trust me, I know!

My Men

I come from a male dominated family. I grew up with two brothers and my five cousins are, you guessed it, male. At our big family gatherings while the guys were playing sports, tackling each other or playing Dungeons & Dragons, I usually found my outlet in playing dress up and pretending with my Barbies. I was forced to protect them from being decapitated from my crazy brothers. They were always threating to pull her arms and legs off too. And my poor salon head Barbie took a beating. She needed a makeover and I wasn't helping!

My Grandma allowed me to dip into her stash of makeup which consisted of frosted blue eyeshadow and bright red lipstick. On some occasions I looked more like a hooker than a princess, but hey, I thought I was beautiful and all grown up. And if there was a twirling dress, boy could I twirl it!

I enjoyed baking with my mom and licking my fingers while I was supposed to be dropping the dough in teaspoonfuls. My favorite: snickerdoodles She passed on her love to cook for her family onto me and I know my hubby is thankful for that.

In the midst of my girlness there was a part of me that wanted to be included. I would watch my dad play wiffle ball with my brothers and if I wanted to be included, I had to get involved. I have fond memories of basketball games on our driveway: Dad and me against my two brothers. And I can repeat a good football play if need be. Wiffle ball? Give me a curve ball and I'll whack it! Even though I dreamt of being the next Mary Lou Retton and marrying prince charming (or possibly Corey Haim), I am thankful for these moments with my dad, brothers and cousins.

I guess God was preparing me for my relationship with my sons. Matt and I play football catch a lot. It's a perfect time to talk and share. He seems more open when he's doing something he likes. Mark comes in with stained knees from digging in the dirt and I am not surprised because that's what my brothers did. My boys climb on top of me and want to wrestle and I gladly return the favor. And on the sidelines I actually understand the sport Matt is playing and cheer loudly. I get it.

This is my life. With boys. And I would never ever trade it for anything!

Weekly Recap

• A girls' night out Tuesday for coffee and dessert. (Actually I had bruschetta, but it's sweet candy to my taste buds; not my breath, unfortunately).


• Chaperoning Matt's class to a nature hike. I figured if I can handle 100+ teenagers, I can handle a group 7-year olds.


• Making fresh salsa. My favorite! Mine consists of black beans, corn, jalapeno pepper, red onion, tomato and a colorful bell pepper. And what would salsa be without fresh cilantro? I can dip corn chips in this or even top it over brown rice. Yummo!


• Flag football/baseball practice. Our laptop computer has been a godsent for DVD watching. Mark and I have designated our van's far back bench seat as our second family room area.



• And on the topic of sports, my time in the laundry room has increased due to grass stained baseball pants and a muddy football jersey.


• Friday @ MOPS! How I love my group of Purple Patience gals! I'm gonna miss you throughout the summer. Trying not to tear up. We are already planning a few days with the kids during our 3-month long break.


• Today marks my third week straight of keeping with my workout schedule. I am proud of myself and more than that, it's healthy for me. When I am outside with my boys, I can actually play with them instead of sitting on my folding chair reading a magazine. YAY FOR ME!

Off Me

This has been a whirlwind of a week. First Matt's illness and then Mark needed to see the doctor because his right ear was hurting. Since he has tubes, I needed to make sure they were still in place and working properly. Yes, he has an ear infection and, yes, the tubes are there just the right one was clogged with wax. Ah! Case solved.

So another birthday for me came and went. No surprises or major presents. Just another day. Steve has been busy like a beaver tackling projects. I admit feeling a bit sorry for myself lately. Most of our plans have failed because of my dad's recovery, my boys' health and/or Steve's work schedule This morning was MOPS and I missed it to take Mark to the doctor. I am learning once again about sacrifice. That this life doesn't always center around my needs, but others'. Not only is that ok, but necessary in order to put my focus where it should be and get what matters straight. I thought again and found blessings in other areas:

• My boys slept thru the night despite sore ears and cough spasms.


• Last night we ate dinner at Culvers as my day-after birthday present. I didn't need a candlelight dinner or some fancy place to dine. As long as I don't have to cook or clean up, I'm happy.


• I am thankful my boys do well in public. Sometimes they get wound up, but overall, they sit down, eat and wipe their own faces. Mark is so curtious that he waves good-bye to everyone and says, "Thank you!"


• We aren't knee-deep in rain water or snowed in. The weather is so abnormal this season, isn't it?


• Mark loves, and mean loves, going to the doctor. When Matt went earlier this week, Mark got all bent outta shape not because he was being checked, but because he wasn't. This is coming from a 2 1/2 year-old! Go figure, but I'll take it!


• Target is directly across from our pediatrician's office and I never wait over 20 minutes for a prescription unlike a famous pharmacy chain I know. And I do flips over their liquid medicine's dispenser: a syringe!


• This Saturday Matt and I are going to our town's mother/son bowling party. It's a date I anticipate every year during this "heart month". Next year I'll have two Valentines to take. Double the pleasure, double the fun!


• Walmart's generic coffee is as good as any expensive brand -- even Starbuck and Seattle's Best! That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.


• That we own a minivan. Those automatic doors are so helpful.


• Halls Breezers make my throat feel oh, so good.


• Foaming hand soap and sanitizer make washing little hands, and mine, fast and easy!

There ya have it. I feel better just typing this. Have a great weekend!

Movin' Right Along

I am dragging today. Mark and I are venturing out to Target in order to refill his nebulizer Rx. He had croup last night, which I anticipated could happen after Matt got over a chest cold last week. Mark took his breathing treatments with ease and went back to sleep singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes". He's a breeze! Thankfully I have a Target $10 gift card coupon with an Rx - BONUS!

I spoke with my dad last night. His bowels are in motion (gross, I know, but a huge praise report). His spirits are better and we hope he is released sometime after Wednesday. I don't know how individuals deal with trauma without God and the Body of Christ praying and supporting!

Matt brought his report card home yesterday. He's doing well. No surprises. No troubles. No worries. That made me smile.

I guess I better get back to commenting on a gazillion blogs; entering Rocks In My Dryer's Bloggy Giveaways. Some serious rockin' stuff to win!

New Wave

Ok, I am sensing a recurring theme here: NEWNESS!

This morning while my boys inhaled their "breakfast tacos", which are basically small pancakes wrapped around a sausage link (by the way, Pamela's Baking/Pancake Mix makes the best gluten free pancakes that even Steve and I eat them), Howard Jones' "New Song" came on our satellite's radio.

Now unless you had your head in the sand during the 80's, you should know some of Howard Jones' singles such as "Everlasting Love" and "No One Is to Blame". Not that I am an 80's techno-music fan (well, maybe I was), but this one spoke volumes after I declared my renewal:

"Don’t crack up, bend your brain, see both sides, throw off your mental chains......"

And in the midst of our meal my boys decided to break out dancing. Point well taken, guys!

First Snow Fall

This morning at 6am I woke up to Matt tapping my side.

"Mom, can I go out and help Dad shovel snow?"

"Sure, if it's ok with him," I replied half awake and also thinking he was half nuts to want to go out that early. Off he went anxious to help out and earn a few dollars, not to mention spending time with Daddy out before Steve headed to work. As for me, I rolled over and slept a little more.

I have never understood my son's sleeping habits. Out of the womb he was an early bird and to this day he still wakes around 6am. Even if we tuck the boys in well past 10pm, Matt is still up at his usual time while Mark catches up on ZZZZ's. Other moms say this will change. I'll believe it when I see it!

But I had to rethink this morning. I was proud that my boy was so willing to help his dad out. Talk about early signs of showing a good work ethic!!! And when he came in to get ready for school he found $3 on the table. Trust me, I looked out the window and witnessed Matt shoveling a quarter of the driveway by himself and then some. JOB WELL DONE, SON!

And to celebrate this first snow fall of the year, I started laundry, lit my favorite holiday candle, listened to Mark belly laugh while tickling his feet and now during Mark's nap I will fold clothes while watching "Scrooge". Oh, and I almost forgot, make a cup of coffee!

Parents' Party @ 8pm

I have said over and over again that my boys' early bedtime saves this mommy's sanity and I know my marriage benefits from it as well. In our home that time is 8 o'clock, which leaves a few hours to watch TV/movie, make a late night DQ run (shhh, don't tell our boys) or read some magazines while Steve is engrossed with "American Chopper". Peace and quiet -- a really good thing!

Today I am thankful for my boys' bedtime......and the humor they put into it!

A New Day

In the past few days many things proved to be true:

• You can't plan everything accordingly.


• Worrying can really make you sick.


• My parents are the best ever.


• Sleep is healing.

I never mentioned that last week on Friday night Matt came down with the horrible stomach flu. To me that is the worst sickness ever. It spreads and breeds and is so messy to clean up when it happens in a child's bed. Days passed and I thought all of us were in the clear.

Steve was out of town at a school saftey workshop and on his way back Tuesday that dreaded virus hit him. He was able to hold off until he walked in the door. Then Mark complained about his tummy that afternoon. He never threw up, but I was changing lots of diapers if you catch my drift.

So while everyone was dropping like flies in my home, I started to worry about myself. I had to bake brownies for Matt's class party. I was the room mother for Wednesday. Matt was so excited to have him mommy in class and I feared I wouldn't be there. And since my parents' nieghborhood lacks small children, they usually come over Halloween day for a meal and help pass out candy. I had all these plans and my tummy was sick with anxiety that all wasn't going to work out.

I was up all night before Halloween worrying about Steve. Worrying about Mark. Worrying that I could possibly be knocked down sick. Mark slept all night and Steve was fine. I was in knots for no reason! I think I slept a couple hours and woke up with a headache.

My parents arrived so I could leave for Matt's party. That was medicine for my soul. I helped with costumes, organized games and passed out gluten free frosted brownies which the class all agreed were the "best brownies ever." That compliment totally made my day. I needed that! And Matt was prouder than ever to introduce me as his mom.

I arrived back home and in a couple hours it was trick or treating time. Since a few people in this home weren't ready for my menu of meatloaf and tator tot casserole, everyone made their own sandwich. While Steve relaxed with my parents handing out candy, I took the boys out and Mark caught on quickly. You don't have to train a child to take candy, right? After walking around our main street I met up with some neighborhood friends and Matt was off with his buddies while I took Mark home. This mommy was ready to crash herself!

In a nutshell: Matt came back home, the boys took their baths, went to bed at their usual time of 8pm and Steve and I did the same. This morning I feel refreshed and normal again. Mark is eating French toast and I had my morning coffee. It's a new day and all is well again. Throughout this ordeal God reminded me:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

By the way Matt was Anakin Skywalker with the wise counsel of Yoda on the side.

New Rule

If you whine or answer back with a whine, your answer is an automatic "no".

(Advice the moms got at MOPS Friday and it's working wonders here!!)

A Sneak Peek

Today we received our new digital camera: Canon PowerShot Elph Our old camera was a high-tech, bulky Canon PowerShot and I prefer something I can fit in my pocket. I already carry too much as is!

For my Blogger video debut I decided to reveal a glimpse of the boys having their bedtime snack. It shows how truly different they are. One is quiet and calm, while the other is a true performer -- and sometimes a little too loud as you see here. (Please ignore Steve in the background. He was taking a call from work.)

And if you haven't done so, please share how you make healthy food choices for your family. So far everyone is leaving wonderful feedback and ideas. Go back now and browse through all the comments. Thanks, everyone, you rock!

Meet Kevin

On what was probably our last warm night of the year (boo hoo), Matt and Mark found a bunny hopping in our backyard. Matt asked if we could keep it for a pet and then I explained how wild animals often carry germs and rabies. In other words, "Don't touch!" So we decided to give the bunny a name. Matt said he wanted the bunny to be a boy and declared him Kevin. (Where he came up with Kevin I will never know.)

Mark chased him into a bush and here he stands with a bat which he then used to smack the bush repeatedly in order to scare the poor rabbit out. Needless to say, Kevin stayed safe in that bush!

Nicole: Matt is wearing his baseball glove. It's not a boulder! (hee hee)

Take A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Check out Steph's blog to view some memorable photos. Yes there is one of me and a few others from my blogroll.

Today I am busy gathering baby items for a family in need. My sister-in-law from Southern Indiana is due over any minute to grab everything for parents that just had twin preemies. After we comb through the house ridding everything meant for babies, we'll dive into lunch and chat. I'm sure I will wipe a small tear as they are driven away, but unless the sky parts and God strikes a lightening bolt declaring I am with child, it's not happening again. We are content with our two boys. With that now out in the open, I am rejoicing that these items will bless another family and not be tossed out.

UPDATE: Erin called me after delivering the items to the family last night. They were SO grateful and everything will be put to use. I think we cleared out my whole basement! I feel great!

Counting the Days

One more week until the first day of school. Matt visited his grandparents for a few days this summer and I had a taste of what my life will be like with only one child in the house on a daily basis. It was kinda nice!

I enjoyed focusing more on Mark and his interests for a change. Since birth he's been toted here and there. Going to softball games. Matt's baseball games. Practices for this and that. School events. Now I can actually take Mark to story hour at our local library and it's all for him. Or visit a park with other moms and not worry about Matt and his friends colliding into poor Mark who is trying to keep up as best he can. Mark can develop his own circle of preschool friends now.

It's all bittersweet, you know. Watching my boys grow up. Letting go of precious moments from the past. Knowing I can't turn back the clock. Growing more independent day by day...hum....then again, I gain more freedom too!

"Your son is so tall for his age!"

We hear this practically everywhere we go with Matt. During playdates. At the doctor's office. At the grocery store. People are surprised when they ask, "Are you going in 3rd grade?" and he answers, "No, first." I go on to explain that my father's family all average 6+ feet tall as well as my brothers, so it's in my blood. Is it true Matt is half the size of Shaq? Crazy but possible!

"Your son is only two," I hear about Mark, "he's as tall as my three year old!" I guess when the nurse says he's in the 90th percentile in height at wellness check-ups, she's not kidding.

I've always wanted sons that end up taller than me one day. I look forward to taking a high school graduation snapshot with my head reaching as high their chest. That feeling of protection as my sons guard their precious mom. My arms around these future men of God. Now we are off to register Matt for 1st grade....

Feelin' HOT HOT HOT

The temps sky-rocketed this weekend! Mid-90's and humid. We brought out our Slip 'n' Slide (for the first time this season if you can believe it) and quickly our backyard became the "in" place to be. Matt's neighborhood buddies came over for most of Saturday and part of Sunday. I was on filling-the-water-balloons duty and I think I filled that Gladware container so many times I lost count. Mark camped out by the Slip 'n' Slide filling cups of water and dumping them. Toddlers are so easily amused!

What do you think happened next? You guessed right -- they turned on me! I was drenched several times! (No photo of that -- sorry everyone!)

So overall I think we went through 10 CapriSuns, two large bowls of popcorn and a gallon of floor cleaner!

Also, Saturday night I was surprised when Baseballs and Bows randomly selected me to receive a copy of Holy Discontent. I believe all things happen for a reason and I anticipate how God speaks through this. (Thanks, Lauren!!)

REMEMBER: Coming soon....."The Family Table"!! Where does your family frequently eat their meals? Is it a regular table? An island w. barstools? The living room couch? Get your cameras ready and snap a shot of your "family table". I can't wait to see and share!!