My Life Would Suck Without You

That's right, suck. And how do I know that? Because I spent Jan-July basically without you.  You had to go off and earn a living for us, coming home about every other weekend, or when you could.  We got to visit you a couple of times, but no offense, Buttonwillow, CA is no good. I bet you never thought when you said you would move to California that you were going to spend half a year in a stinky (literally) Motel 6 that sat next to a McDonald's, Starbucks, 3 or 4 truck stops, and a bunch of cow pastures. So as hard as it was to be at home with 3 kids, I did learn some things while you were gone.

1. You CANNOT divorce me. We've never even mentioned the word and I don't foresee us mentioning it, but I'm just putting that out there right now. I can't do life without you. Ok, maybe can't isn't the right word. Afterall, I did take care of, a 5 yr old, 3 yr old, and newborn 24/7, I had a patio cover put up, screen door installed, took out trash, got tires and brakes put on my car, grocery shopped, did laundry, worked out (sometimes), went to tball games/practices and gymnastics classes, took the kids to the desert, Disneyland, and VBS. So I did it. But it wasn't pretty. And it wasn't near as much fun as if you would've been with me. So I CAN do life without you, but I surely don't WANT to.

2. I love our kids now more than I ever have. I think spending that much time with other people, no matter who they are, you either grow a strong dislike or a love. Thank goodness with them, it was a love ;) Of course, I will always love them, no matter what, they're my kids. But now I think I appreciate them and understand them more than I ever would have. 

3. I have so much more respect for wives/moms whose husbands are deployed. I've always respected them and prayed for them. But now, having gone through just a little taste, I am in awe. I'm in awe of how they can just do it. Just switch into that mode that says, "I have no choice, so I need to do the best I can". And I had it easy. I got to see you every once in awhile. I didn't have to go to bed every night wondering what dangerous position you might be in. I didn't have to get nervous everytime the phone rang because it might be bad news. I didn't have to wait for you to call me. I could text or call you whenever I wanted. We were in the same time zone. I didn't have to talk to you late at night or early in the morning. So for all those women out there, thank you. Yes, your husbands are doing great, grand, and wonderful things for us too. But you are just as strong and courageous as they are.

4. I've heard the phrase, "my friends are my family". And I've never fully understood that until now. Because you had to be gone for so long, I know more than ever that I have that here. So thank you for giving me that time to grow my friendships.  To my "A-MA-ZING" friend, you will always be my family. Just to have that person that you know will be there no matter what time of day, or what the situation, is inexplicable. My family has to love me no matter what, but friends don't. You do. You saw me ugly cry, you held the baby when I just couldn't anymore, you took the 2 big kids away for the weekend so I could de-stress a little, you yelled at me when I was sick and didn't ask for help, you invited me over- not because you wanted my company necessarily, but because you knew I needed yours :). So thank you. And I'm sure Mike thanks you too!

So I know you're probably going to remember this post always and rub it in my face whenever I'm mad at you. But that is NOT what this is for ;) You work so hard and commute a ridiculous distance everyday just so I can stay home like I've always wanted. It's not what I "dreamed" it would be. It's soo different and soo much better than I thought! It may not always seem like I love my life and that I love what I'm doing, but I do. So for those times that I don't show you or tell you how much you mean to me, just remember that I do!!

Life in the Fast Lane

Aunt Andi, we know you have a big, huge, ginormous race coming up this weekend.  I asked the kids what they thought you should do to get ready for it.  So we decided to make a video to cheer you on and wish you good luck!! All the responses in here are strictly from Brooks and Lucy. I tried to post this on facebook, but it said I couldn't because of copyright laws or some garbage like that! So let's see if this will work. We hope you enjoy :)

It Won't Be Like This for Long

I like to hurry.  I rush through breakfast, so I can move on to what I want to do next. I rush kids putting their shoes on so we won't be late. I rush to fix lunch and then rush them through eating it so they can take their naps. While I have a little silence in the house, I rush through chores that are easier to get done without kids around. Hurry, hurry, hurry, all day long. I tell them, "No story tonight, it's past your bedtime", or "just let me tie your shoes for you, it'll go faster".  

The other night, Beau was a little fussy before he went to sleep.  I held him close and rocked him in his daddy's chair to soothe him. As I was holding and rocking him, I had flashbacks of rocking the other 2 when they were his size.  I thought about them walking for the first time, them playing with baby toys on the floor, them chewing on their board books and then eventually pointing and naming pictures in them.  I remembered all kinds of accomplishments, smiley faces, fun days we spent together.  And then I thought about it... what are they going to remember about their childhood? Will they remember the fun places they got to see? The sports they were involved in? Will they remember the nights I DO read them a story? or the times I stop and teach HOW to tie a shoe, instead of doing it myself? Or are they going to remember the times I say, "I'll come out and play in a minute, right now I'm doing the dishes"- and then that "minute" never comes?

Since I've been a "stay at home mom" my perspective has changed.  I want more than ever  for my kids to have a full, meaningful childhood where they are nurtured and respected. Where their opinion counts, and they feel like they're heard. Where they know what discipline is and what consequences are.  Where we don't mindlessly go through every day just like the day before.  Life happened so fast for us when the older two were little.  I missed so much of those little things that I needed to see. Not because I was working. I absolutely think you can be a full time working mom and still have fullness with your kids.  I missed it because I wasn't aware of it. I wasn't aware that those cute little things they did that made them unique were so important.  That they really DO remember so much more than you think they do.  Being at home with them makes me want to slow the clock.  Knowing (God-willing :)) that this is our last wants me to slow the clock even more.  So even though the clock won't slow and life is still chaotic and busy, I want to fill every bit of those busy moments with fullness.  Am I successful at "slowing down", "smelling the roses", "finding the gifts in every moment"?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! To tell you the truth, I suck at it! But that's why I'm thankful for grace!! Every day I have a chance to start over. Better than that, every hour I have a chance to start over!! 

I don't know if you've noticed, but almost all of my titles for my posts are lyrics in songs or song titles. And if I were more computer-smart I would learn how to link the song to the post. (p.s. if anyone wants to teach me that, that would be awesome!) Anyway, this song is by Darius Rucker. I know, Hootie turned country is just wrong, but I love this song! Everytime I hear it, it reminds me of the moments I'm missing out on everyday because I don't choose to see them. So if you have kids, notice them. Make eye contact with them. Teach them something new. Do something with them they've never done before. Act stupid in front of them (they love that!). But don't hurry.  Limit the number of times you use the word "hurry" to them. Because they won't be like this for long.

School's Out for Summer...

So, since I haven't posted in a loooong time (of course), I thought I would catch up the whole 2 people that read this. Since my last post, just a few things have happened. T-ball, gymnastics, Kindergarten graduation, and, oh yeah, we had a baby!!!! Beau is now almost 5 months old! He's rolling over, smiling all the time, has started eating rice cereal from a spoon, and sleeps through the night (sort of). He has been a happy baby from the beginning.  God knew what he was doing when He gave Beau to us. If I had a fussy baby, who knows what rock I would be hiding under right now. And for those of you thinking about having a third child, all those people who say, "it's harder to move from 1 to 2 than 2 to 3" or "after 2, it's easy to add 1 or 2 more" are liars!!! 3 is alot harder for me. I wouldn't change him for anything, of course, but that doesn't make it easier.

Brooks played on a spring t-ball league starting in February. Or March. I'm not sure. Those months kinda all ran together for me :)  This league was so much better than the league he played on in the fall. The coaches were awesome and he learned so much. Halfway through the season, they switched to coach's pitch, and he loved it!

 sliding into home

 playing first base

up to bat

Meanwhile, Lucy started a new gymnastics class. This one is only gymnastics, no dance. We gave her choice and that is what she picked. She loves going every Friday, and has fun swinging on the rings, doing forward rolls, "climbing" the rope, and walking on the balance beam. One day she had a Gymnastics Exhibition and got her first trophy! She was so excited and loved standing on the first place box

At the end of May, Brooks finished Kindergarten. He ended the year with a great report card.  His handwriting improved throughout the year, he made lots of friends, he can add and subtract, and he is reading above his grade level!! He had a graduation ceremony, complete with cap! Brooks is so excited to start first grade. We'll see how he feels in the fall when he has to go all day instead of just half day!

Now that school's out, we're going to have a big summer!! It'll be full of swimming lessons, water playdates, storytime at the library, hopefully some beach days, and a trip to Baton Rouge!! We hope yall have a fun-filled summer, too, and hopefully, I'll be able to post a little more often ;)