They are Definitely Related!

*in my haste, this was actually posted on my other blog...whoops...I moved it here though!

Both the boys are very expressive. Willard uses lots of words and motion, and he can't stand still-it isn't possible. Maynard uses emphasis and big gestures and big eyes.

If you ask Willard what he dreams about, be prepared:

I woke up and I felt the ground shake (shaking his head back and forth)...I looked outside and it was a Tyrannosaurus Rex! But it was a different Tyrannosaurus Rex...it had a sail on his back. And then I went in the basement-we didn't live in this house-and I started to shiver (he shakes) and it wrecked right through the kitchen. In the morning, everyone was killed, except our neighbors (they just moved in, and he is pumped about that), and not Trace (a friend of his). Then I helped everyone build their houses back up.

Then, Maynard comes running out of the bathroom, arms spread out as wide as they can go, eyes big:

We saw a MASSIVE pider! So we TILLED it (slapping hand down), PITD (picked)it up, put it IN THE TOIWET (making a dropping motion), and FWUSHED it down!

Looks Innocent, Right?

Wrong.

We only have 1 bathroom. We have a rule where, if someone is in the bathroom, and you can't hold it...then you can pee outside. This is a rare occasion, but it works...I mean...worked. They are supposed to pee next to the garage.

Earlier, Willard was going poop. Maynard went in there and told him he had to pee. I overheard and told him to go pee outside. He gets his shoes on, and walks to the door. The door opens. It stays open. Closing doors isn't common around here, and it seems around 30 times a day I have to bark at someone about shutting the door. I glance up and bark...Shut the door!

Then I hear liquid. On concrete.

After a second, I realized he was peeing on the sidewalk. I hopped up to find him standing in the doorway of our back door, peeing. My camera was laying on the counter, and I snapped two pics.



I asked him why he didn't go out next to the garage. He said, "It's too hot out 'dere."



At least he missed the Welcome Mat!

One Tough Cookie

Maynard is a climber. Before he turned two, he was climbing up obstacles at the park. He is no stranger to falling, bumping, and tripping. He is also the younger brother, so he gets his fair share of "tough love" from Willard.

Knowing this inherited trait would manifest itself in many ways, when we decided to get "bunk" beds for the boys, we knew that the tall ones just wouldn't work. We opted for the loft-style, where the top bunk is less than 5 feet off the floor.

Willard sleeps on the top bunk. Maynard sleeps on a mattress underneath, since he is always moving-even in his sleep! Many mornings we (I use this term loosely, since, well, I sure like my sleep!) have found him sprawled out in the middle of the floor, snoozing away.

Maynard is also very stubborn. He has to be the one who decides what is going to occur in his little world. Something as simple as, do you want the green bowl or the yellow bowl has turned into a nightmare, so, I just set out a couple and have him pick without saying a word...I've got to pick my battles!

He has been asked not to go on the top bunk, but being the strong-willed boy he is, he is determined to be up there. He manages to bring all sorts of toys, sticks, blankets, up there too. And shoes.

Before he went to bed last night, a crash is heard from the other room. Not just a thud sort of crash, but a ting-tang, walla-walla-bing-bang crash. It sounded as if he bounced back and forth between the wall, the door, the ladder, and the floor.

I rushed to their room, almost before all his limbs were on the floor. He is behind their closed door, so I had to push him over to get in. I hunched down by him and he just laid there screaming. I asked him to lay still and show me where it hurt. He pointed to his forehead, and then crawled into my lap, and slowly, his crying slowed. I sat quietly, and rocked him for a couple minutes. Then he whimpered, "Tan you pwease det me oudda here?"

I picked us up, and went to the living room. I sat on the couch, and he, still in my lap, nestled up to me and peered into my eyes.

All the emotions and memories of him as a young child came flooding back to me-instantly. We had cuddled hundreds of times before last night, but because he is a ball of energy, the cuddles are but moments, wriggly, loud moments.

Still and Quiet, (two words I don't think I have ever used to describe him) he laid there, looking at me.

I asked him if his fall scared him. He nodded, still peering. I said, "You must have been really scared." He nodded again.

He kept looking. Then I realized something.

He trusted me.

This little boy, who earlier in the day, told me he hated me cause I wouldn't make him some toast before dinner, trusted me...The mother who makes him brush his teeth. The mother who isn't a big fan of mud or mud puddles.

I haven't felt that "feeling" in over 2 years. I stopped nursing him almost 2 years ago, and I guess I forgot what that feeling was like--the one where they look to you as their only sense of hope in their lives.

We stared at each other, quiet and still, for a couple more minutes. I kept an eye on his forehead for a mark, and his eyes...were they dilating correctly? Slowly, his gaze shifted from my eyes to my neck. He started asking what "dis" was, as he pulled on my neck, and "what's dis?" as he poked my collar bone. Although, I felt 10 years older, I proceeded to tell him why my neck is the way it is.

Now that he is ready to talk I asked him, "Are you going to be okay?"

He sorta whined and said, "Yeah."

I said, "You know, you are one tough cookie."

He groaned, almost like he was giving in to a repeated demand..."OHHHHHTAAAAAY, I'll haf a tootie." (Said like cookie, but with the "t" sound.)

I chuckled a bit, partially because he thought I actually offered him a cookie. (Which is another reason why he hates me, since I don't feed him a constant supply of tooties, especially right before bed!), but mostly because of the tone of his voice.

I then tried to explain what the phrase "tough cookie" meant. I think he really tried to understand, especially when I likened it to when you drop a cookie and it doesn't break. Fortunately, he wasn't all that bummed about not getting this cookie, probably cause he wasn't in the mood to say, BUT MOooOOOmmMMMM...

And as fast as he fell, he sat up, kissed me on the cheek (complete with smooch sound!), and jumped off my lap and went about his night.

He sure is one tough cookie.

Raising Sailors...

After commenting about this on another blog, I thought I would post this here, since it is quite comical.



We try hard not to curse in front of the boys. We are not perfect parents, and it happens. In fact, the more we tell ourselves to stop cursing, the more we do it. The general rule for the boys is, if you are going to say "those" words, you can say them in their room so we cannot hear them.

The other day, Willard and Maynard were cleaning their room. I got the vacuum out for them and Willard did half the room, and Maynard was vacuuming the other half. There was a backpack on the floor, and Maynard asked Willard to..."move that son-of-a-B*#^%".

We were sitting in the living room, looked at each other and just giggled. He was, indeed, in his room. (Although, he was yelling because the vacuum was loud.)

Then we told ourselves we NEED to stop swearing, etc...but the vicious circle continues!

These two...

They are a handful.
They got new haircuts today.
They are too cute.
They are making that face because of the tickle monster.

The tiniest things...

Imagine it is a beautiful Spring day. A rain storm just passed over, and off in the distance you see the remnants of the storm. You keep staring and suddenly there is a ray of light coming out of the clouds, illuminating the air. Beautiful sight. Have you ever seen that same effect when a curtain is opened slightly and the sun is beaming in through the little crack? Sometimes, if it's in the afternoon, and the sun is beating on the same spot on the floor, I want to lay down on it like a cat, bellyup, not a care in the world. Ahhhh....OK, back to reality.

The two boys are constantly fighting over the tiniest things, mostly toys. I never thought that it would be something as funny as this. This morning, before we took off for the day, our boys were in the livingroom. I was on the phone with my loving husband, and I started to hear yelling and screaming from the livingroom.

I walk in the livingroom loudly (well, loudly with my voice HA! "What's going on?!"), they both look up at me...I look at them and am confused, since they were both playing with nothing. Though, there was a beautiful stream of sun coming in the room from the crack in the curtain. Ahhhhh....

I turn around to leave the room, and they start fighting again. (No, I want to! No, It's my turn!) What in the world?

So I ask, "What are you two fighting over?"

I look over, and they are shoving each other. I walk up to them, and ask, "What seems to be the problem?"

Willard and Maynard both look at me funny again. Then Willard says, "But Mom, it's my turn to play with the dust!"

I about peed.

My boys were fighting over dust. Yes. Dust. They figured out that when the sun shines in, and they get on the furniture, little pieces of dust fly up and you can see them in the sunlight!

And since they truly do fight over the tiniest things, it was inevitable that this would happen!

Yoga moves...Bunk Beds...

Yes it is late. Way past my bedtime. Oh well, I am not all that tired anyhow.

I was reading a friend's blog and she mentioned the Pioneer Woman, and so I was intrigued and I decided to read the love story she was blogging about. So, after I put the boys to bed, I plopped down on my now not-so-comfy couch and started reading, and reading, and reading. It has surely renewed fun, old feelings of Randy and my early relationship. She has only written 25 "mini chapters" so far-dating him (her Marlboro Man) for less than 2 months! I cant wait to read more on how their relationship grows and comb my brain for those long forgotten memories. Oh, remembering the little things...I miss my babe. He is coming home soon.

My day was busy yet fun. Ever since we went away on vacation, Maynard has been sleeping quite poorly, requiring many trips to his bed, especially now that we are home. Last night, he was up probably 3 times, all before 2am, and he ended up crawling into bed with me about 3:50. I had 3 alarms set for this morning, as I was heading to the MOPS meeting. I snoozed them all, somewhat unknowingly, since I had gotten little rest anyway. Willard woke up and came into our room and I looked at the time, and I was running late. Not super late, but later than I should have been. So, I got the boys their bananas, got them dressed, got their "breakfast of choice" ready. For Willard, cereal in a cup, and Maynard wanted rice crackers. Since they both had eaten their banana already, I didn't mind too much, since it is rare we eat breakfast on the road. Maynard was in MMM-Major Meltdown Mode for the majority of the morning, though he was calm in the childcare room. But after MOPS, when I needed to clean up, he continued the meltdown from earlier.

MOPS was great. Although I forgot to eat since it was craft day and I am so anal about those things that I spent the majority of the time doing the craft. I did enjoy it though, but there is a reason why crafts and me are only mixed in small doses. I drive myself crazy. I did win a door prize, including 2 books for me and a DVD for the kiddos and that was a nice surprise.

While the boys took naps, I checked my email quick, then lay down for a nap, but I couldn't get comfortable, so I started reading the "Christian Fiction Romance Novel" that was in the door prize. I haven't really read Fiction since High School, let alone a "romance" novel, and though it isn't my first choice, it was there, and I started reading it. I have to laugh now, because I found myself using accents in my head (one of the main characters has an English accent) and I also had turned on the tele (or should I say pore magnifier) to a recording of Beyond Tomorrow, which has an English accented host. Entertaining at least, for me to "read" in an English accent. I haven't gotten too far into the book, since the boys woke up early from their nap, and wanted to watch a video. I may have to continue tomorrow, since I want to know if she gets to open her shop or not. (Its a romance novel, of course she gets the guy!)

Then earlier tonight, I went to Yoga (3rd time!) at the Y, and the kids got to go play whilst I relaxed and enjoyed myself. Other than the occasional mention of spiritual things, the class is fantastic at relaxing me and helps strengthen my muscles and helps with balance. I sure can be unstable! One of the poses helped me though tonight.

Maynard has been up about 4 times, and because they share a room, I don't want him screaming, waking up Willard. I be-bop into the room and half lay on the bed, half kneel on the floor. One thing about Maynard's bed is that it is quite noisy when I try to remove my large limbs from it. I have to lift just my leg off the bed, without grunting, pulling a muscle, or falling over into a pile of toys that I let them keep out. My new yoga moves came in handy, a little shaky, but I still managed to do it with minimal noise. I am glad to know that when he wakes up and asks "duhdoh me" (Cuddle me), I have a great way to get off the bed without disturbing him too much. That, and hiding behind his stuffed monkey, Hector, so that if he wakes up he sees him...

So I want to get bunk beds. I have a whopping 5 dollars invested into their current beds (other than Maynard's mattress) and I am pumped to start looking for one. I know it will probably be a year, but I don't mind planning ahead. I must save up for it anyway!

I am going to hit the sack. Night.

Dashing Through the Snow, a novel...part two.

The rest of the trip was great as well. I got to play Jeopardy with my folks on Thursday night. My mom got the game for my dad, with little buzzers and all, and it was such a blast!

I went out with my sister and a few cousins on Friday night, including a great karaoke performance from a cousin's boyfriend. If you have ever watched the movie Fargo, you would laugh to try to imagine the accent from that movie, sang to Jimmy Buffet's Cheeseburger in Paradice...not Paradise...ParadICE. It was so funny, and Johnny-if you are out there...you were awesome!

Willard and I went to a birthday party for a cousin's daughter on Saturday, first sledding at the golf course...FUN!!!



Willard enjoyed every minute of it! Although I may have had more fun than he did. When I was younger, we always went to the neighbors to go sliding, or get pulled behind the snowmobile. I forgot how much fun it is, but it brought back many great memories. I can't wait till Maynard is un-crabby enough to go with us. (He got so crabby when I put him on the sled in my folk's yard, I just left him with Grandma-thanks M-A!) If only it would snow more than a half inch out here!

The boys on the sleds in my folk's yard-Mr. Crabby Pants and Mr. Go Faster:



After sliding we went back to my cousin's house. I managed to over eat on some not-so-healthy food, and ended up being crabby the rest of the night. I had every intention on staying at one of my sister's house that night but I was just too crabby. Blah!

Sunday, a few of us went to one of our Aunt's house to play 10,000-a fun dice game, and boggle. After a while, I brought the boys back to my folks, put Maynard down for bed, and Willard stayed up to watch Grandpa clean the crappies he caught that day. My mom got some great pictures of the boys laughing at the fish jumping on the table! I went back and visited with them, learning new words like dramalama and finding out definitions for mexican heartburn and others. I was also called "Random" by one of my cousins because I have many different things that I do, that seem contradictory. Too funny. I guess I really never thought of my self as Random, but I suppose I am.

In this picture, Maynard got spooked because a fish jumped (you can see the tail on the bottom):



New Year's Eve we went to church for a while, then went over to another cousin's house to play games all night. (I love games, but I don't get to play too much in SD!) One of my sisters was there, her husband, my cousin and his wife, and one of his friends were there, plus all of our kids. We played Moods(FUN!), Taboo, Cranium (Girls against Guys...we won!), Scattergories, among others. All the kids seemed to fall asleep at their own pace, Maynard waited until 4 am to finally crash (he had some artificial colors earlier at the church--gets him wired). I spent the night there, but didn't get to bed until 5:30! We had champagne to celebrate the New Year as well.

Tuesday, I stayed at their house, doing an impromptu bible study with my cousin, and then went back to my folk's later. The boys got to take a bubble bath.

This is Maynard from BEFORE Willard squeezed about a 1/4 cup of body wash (yummy Raspberry Winter from Giovanni) into the jacuzzi tub:



Here are some more...notice how many bubbles...oops! My parents just laughed though, and handed me the camera again!







Wednesday, we pretty much stayed home, getting ready to leave the next day. We intended on going to town to visit, but we just stayed home. I had an impromptu study with my uncle and his daughter that evening as well.

Thursday, we got ready to leave, and meant to leave about 1:30 pm, but then decided to wait until one sister came over and my dad came home...so then it changed to 4:30, but we ended up getting on the road about 6:30, after visiting my best friend at her house, and trying to catch my other sister and my brother at home.

The trip home was pretty good. I tried to nap when the boys were sleeping, but Maynard woke up and started crying. Even after I took him and had him lay with me in the front seat he wouldn't stop crying. He calmed down after he realized that CARS was on the DVD player, but I still only got about a half hour of rest. So I was tired the rest of the way. My MP3 player took over 5 hours to charge since it had to be connected to my laptop, so I had to listen to the studies on my laptop, and it doesn't get very loud. I tried to nap a couple more times along the way, but woke up to the boys waking up. One of them was "Mom, I have to Poop!"

We got home, and since the boys have had naps, I got the van unloaded while the boys played outside, and then went and washed and vacuumed the van out at the "scrubbly bubbly" car wash (from a book that the boys LOVE!). After a few more errands, we came home and and they took a nap. They slept late, so we all didn't get to bed until late. I am hoping to get them back on track this coming week, since Randy hopes to be back at the end of the week. He and his friend (they team-truck together) are in Albuquerque over the weekend. They do have a friend down there, so they got to hang out with him for a while tonight.

We get to go to church tomorrow, and then I hope to come home and put the boys down for a nap, so I can take one too! Then I have to tackle this house, again. It was pretty tidy when I got home, but I had to unload the van into it, and there are still a few things to put away. (I did get my new shower curtain put up though!) I also have to dust the living room, since Randy had a new door installed, along with a corner stand for his new TV. High definition just isn't all that flattering on some people...who knew one could count pores?

On that note...I am off to bed!

The Race is On...

Today was a fantastic day. Minus the banana peel and the wooden train track that Maynard flushed down the toilet.

I got to put the kids down for a nap while cleaning the house (new construction one) and thankfully, my dear husband bought me an mp3 player for Christmas (well, actually called him and asked if he would buy it for me, and I picked it out and bought it, but I say it is from him!). I have been listening to Bible studies while cleaning. It doesn't even feel like I am "working" since I am able to catch up on studies that I have missed or wanted to hear.

I am about finished with the house. I have a few more hours tomorrow that I get to do but it will be easy work...shining mirrors and windows, sweeping and mopping. They boys were having so much fun on the way home, it was quite comical. It is amazing how much happiness they bring to my life. I am so thankful to God for them.

Willard was so funny tonight. Usually, there is a battle for me to get him into his pajamas, but I started a little competition a few weeks ago between Willard and Maynard that involved racing to get their pajamas on. The winner gets to brush their teeth first. I help Maynard get his jammies on (and keep things fair and down to the wire!), and Willard gets to do it all by himself (including changing skivvies and socks, and putting the day's clothes in their basket).

Willard is such a sore loser though. A couple nights ago, Willard won and Maynard was clapping and yelling for him. I mentioned to Maynard that it was nice for him to be happy for Willard that he won. I also asked Willard if it is nice for brother to be happy for him, and he said yes.

So, last night, Maynard won, and Willard had a meltdown. He flopped on the bed, crying. I let him throw his fit, then I reminded him of how good it felt when Maynard was clapping for him. He still was upset. He kept saying how sad he was. I was still showing Maynard that I was proud because he let me dress him (he is a runner), and that he gets to brush his teeth first. Willard reluctantly followed us into the bathroom, and filled Maynard's glass (this is what they each do for each other anyway) so he could rinse and "bit" (as Maynard would say spit). Then it was Willard's turn, and Maynard got to fill the glass for brother. I again reminded Willard that it would be nice if he congratulated Maynard for winning...nope.

Tonight, before we started the big race, I asked Willard if he won, would Maynard be happy for him or sad. Willard agreed that Maynard would be happy for him. I then asked Willard if Maynard won, would he be happy for him or sad because he didn't win. Willard said he would be sad. So I told him that we wouldn't have the race then. He was bummed, so I let him know that he needed to change his attitude, and he said he would and the race started.

Maynard didn't want to lay down for his diaper change, and Willard didn't want to change his nascar (though he has never watched nascar...he just likes the cars on them) skivvies. I reminded him that he needed to and he started taking them off. I finally got a diaper rounded up for Maynard and Willard was putting on undies. Then he started with his jammy bottoms, but his undies were on inside out. I let him know that they needed to be right side out, so I helped him turn them the right way, and he put them on again. We were giggling about it.

Maynard was almost dressed, just needed the pants, and I realize that Willard's clean undies were on the floor, and he put on the ones he just took off. I wasn't paying attention until I noticed the clean ones on the floor. Willard and I giggled about how silly he was about not putting the clean skivvies on and we giggled some more while he was trying to take them off really fast.

Willard noticed that Maynard was just about dressed and I reminded him again of how he needed to be excited for brother, and with that, I finished getting Maynard dressed. I started clapping for Maynard and I could tell that Willard wanted to throw a fit, but he actually started clapping and laughing along. He did want to go into full meltdown mode, but he could see how Maynard was happy because Willard was happy for him so he held off.

I just love it when they encourage each other. It reminds me that that just like I need to teach my children how to edify each other, I also need to be edifying others, so that I can be an example for others.

I better head off to bed. I get to go to church in the morning, and then off to clean some more!

What a day for a daydream...

What is up with the song references? I just start typing and a song comes to me. The weird thing is, I don't even listen to music that much these days, and I still have many ingrained in my head!

It's only early evening, and I am daydreaming of a time where the boys don't fight. Where they each act kindly toward each other. All is calm.

Yeah Right.

Today has been one big war. I know what caused some of it, (we ate a bad lunch) but I am worn out! It started out pretty good. I was up early, getting ready to go clean a new construction house. We went to the library to get a couple videos for the boys to watch while I cleaned. Then we went out to the house. It is so beautiful. I hope whoever buys it can appreciate and be in awe of His creation.

Maybe one day we will live on 40 acres and a panoramic view of the hills like that home. I can have my own garden to grow food with the boys and I can raise yaks, cows and chickens. Yum. Just thinking about it makes me hungry. I sure love chicken... But really, I do like it here in our "cozy" little home. Where the kids are never too far away, and I can step to the center of our home and glance in any room. Where our heat bill last month was only like 25 dollars! That is awesome!

I finished my craft projects. I would post a picture, but since my sisters may view my blog, I don't want to ruin the surprise (I love you two!). Everything is still on my coffee table, with finished projects on top. I must clean this off tonight, since it seems as though I won't be getting out to clean again tonight, due to the war going on. They are actually playing dinosaurs right now, and getting along, but as soon as they realize they can play together nicely, I suppose the peace will end.

After being encouraged by one of the blogs the other day, I did get my computer desk moved to where it needed to be, and the computer is all set up. I now have to clean off my craft table and figure out how to rearrange the other half of the room. I have come to accept the fact that I will not get my room painted anywhere in the near future. I really should allow God's peace to reign in my life. A moment by moment thing I suppose. I am such a hypocrite when it comes to that. I can tell myself that I need to let it happen, but do I...NO. I just keep trying, instead of trusting. Hmm, sounds like my own little war.

I have other things to do anyway than to paint and such. The boys and I leave in 8 days for Minnesota, and my wonderful husband may even be home for a little bit early next week. (YEAH!) I get to clean the new construction house by Sunday, the floor mats in the truck get to be rinsed off, I get to go pick up the van from The Repair Shop (I highly recommend Dennis from there. He really knows his stuff!)! Amazing!

One thing at a time I suppose!

Do all things without murmurings and disputings! hmmm....

...Keeps the Home Fires Burnin'

Wednesday night is an important night. Yes, it is bible study night at church, and next year, even Willard will get to go to the children's ministry at our church. But second to God, is fellowship with others-including family. My husband and our oldest son get to play video games after our youngest falls asleep. It is special daddy-son bonding time, since our youngest demands a lot of our time. Eventually Maynard will get his own night as well, but since he is young, he has to wait a bit longer!

Since Randy changed jobs, the bonding still happens, but not necessarily on Wednesday nights. All week, Willard has been asking if it is "Wensday" night, and I show him the calendar or tell him the day and he tries to figure out how many days until Wednesday. Tonight he said, "Mom, it is "Wensday" night." I explained to him that when dad got home, he would spend that special time with him then. He seemed to be content with my answer.

Tonight, after I got the boys in bed, I set out to read the blogs I had mentioned earlier. I was done with one-again-inspired to blog- and was viewing the other's myspace page, and I hear tapping on the floor. I asked quietly, "Willard...Why are you out of bed?" He said, "Maynard is asleep and it's "Wensday" night."

I was quite shocked, and I didn't quite know what to say. My stomach dropped a bit. I don't have a clue how to race that video game, and I don't want to take over the important night that my son longs for. Normally, they muscle the love seat over, grab the controllers, and sit and race for 30 minutes or so, and just hang out, naming cars and spending time together.

What is a mom to do? I was out of my comfort level. This isn't my way of bonding! So, instead of moving the heavy love seat, I had him grab a couple camping chairs that we had leaning in the corner. He grabbed "daddy's" and had me sit in mine. He did seem to enjoy me fiddling with the controllers and trying to figure out how to choose the Camaro.

He did a great job racing, and knew more of the buttons than I did. When he was all done, he asked me to carry him to bed, so I did, ending the night a second time with another big kiss. It was well worth the time, but I ached inside because this night was Father-Son night.

I don't know if Willard understands what he is feeling. It must be a bit tough to not have Dad home, but other than a few behavioral issues, he seems to do great. I am not sure how Maynard is doing, but he does point out things that belong to Randy and say, "daddy's". When they ask where he is, I make sure to let them know that he loves them very much and that he is working hard to provide for our family. They get excited to talk with him on the phone, and they know that postcards are on the way as well.

I miss him. It is hard to fall asleep alone, and I miss talking to him. I miss the closeness and the fellowship. I miss the guidance and advice, even the little arguments. I miss him because I know how much he misses the boys. He is such a great husband and father. He loves those boys more than I do, and I love them so much. I know it is tough on him-being away from us. But I know that it is my responsibility to keep the home...to hold down the fort, keep the home fires burnin' (Candles actually, since we don't have a fireplace!) I love that he has enough confidence in me to do all the home stuff while he is away. (Which reminds me...Friday is garbage day and I get to put the trash cans out.) He is such a great man, and I thank God that I am able to share my life with him. We are looking forward to the day when we can just "be" a family, no deadlines, stupid debt, etc. Just being together, growing in God's Word, loving each other, and serving each other.

Tonight was such a great end to a long day (after the boys woke up from their naps, things went downhill fast!). While the boys were napping, I was listening to a Bible study, and the pastor was talking about the will of God. In summary, it isn't the will of God that "this thing happened at this time, or this thing didn't happen." It is God's will that regardless of what happens, it is who we lean on, praise, and thank. He wants us to rejoice in him always, give thanks to him always, no matter what the circumstance. Boy I sure didn't have the right attitude many times tonight.

Knowing and obeying are 2 different things. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day. A chance for renewal-2 Cor. 4:16

Time for bed I suppose. Though, I might check the blogs from yesterday just to make sure I didn't miss any new posts!

Children...

I LOVE being a mom. Especially on days like this:

I sat my boys down in the kitchen to eat breakfast. I get cereal, bananas, etc. all ready for them. They are both eating great. I run to my room to get dressed for the day, and Willard decided to scream bloody murder. No words, just a scream. Now, he normally doesnt do this, so I have to break into sprint mode, with my pants unbuttoned, a gate and a queen size bed in my way. I yell, as I am running, what is it honey? I get to the kitchen and he is standing on his chair and he yells I HAVE TO GO POO POO! I about fell over. Here I am thinking he cut himself or something crazy!

99% of the time, this kid comes up to me or my hubby and says, "I have to go poo poo" and goes into the bathroom and yells when he is done. He has been doing this since around his first birthday, so to hear him scream like that was so scary, yet hilarious because it was though he had to announce it to everyone on the block!

So, another cute thing that he does, since I am on the subject of my oldest going poo poo...a year or so ago, he OD'd on cheese and got a little constipated. So I tried explaining that he cant have too much cheese to eat, or he will have a hard time going. So, this particular time, along with many others, he will say that he is done, and then try to go a little more and then he will say, I have cheese in my bu tt. Too funny.

Ok, my stomach hurts from laughing about this.