Catching Up

We've been a bit MIA on the blog so before I get to the big news, I will update some happenings from the last month or so: Jack is still loving kindergarten at Crossings! He comes home every day with news of exciting things that he is doing and learning at school. He has made lots of new friends and is just thriving! I am amazed by how much he has already learned and not only by the content, but also the passion in which he relays the new information to us. He is obviously being taught by some very loving teachers who know how to inspire kids. Graham is equally thrilled about being in music school. He comes home and tells us of all the songs he has sung, what he ate for lunch, how he quacked like a duck, said the pledge of allegiance, etc. He is practicing lots of new songs when he is home and entertaining all of us with his dance moves and animated expressions while he sings. He loves taking a show and tell and so far has liked taking blankie, the ABC school bus, his new Thomas book, and his little BB car. We finally decorated for fall. The boys are so excited about the pumpkin decorations and Halloween toys! They think they want to be Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker for Halloween this year. We bought a minivan! It is not new or even close but will do the trick. I feel like such a mom driving it! The boys are extremely impressed by the size and the doors that open on their own. They think it is the coolest car in the entire world. That won't last long but I'm glad they are excited! Jack learned to ride his bike without training wheels! He is such a determined little guy. He just decided one day that he wanted to do it and by the next day, he was cruising! Daddy helped of course, but Jack likes to do things mostly on his own so after a bit of instruction, it was trial and error until it all came together. We are so proud of him. I am especially proud because even after taking a very big fall and busting his lip, he got back out there and isn't scared a bit. He is so big and brave! Daniel, Adrienne, and Brooklyn came to visit a couple of weeks ago! Brooklyn is getting so big and is even thinking about crawling. She got a kick out of watching her cousins play outside and they just love loving on her and teaching her new things. Here is a picture overload:

Brothers

Just watching my boys play together today was the biggest blessing. It hasn't been the best week (or month really) for us or for many family and friends of ours, so I've been feeling a bit weary and discouraged. Both boys have been sick in some way recently and Jack was so feverish this week that we were stuck at home for two full days, which is about 46 hours longer than I like to be at home at one time during the day! We've all been a bit cranky with each other and stir crazy. Anyway, finally today everyone was well and we had a pretty normal routine of snuggling, playing, breakfast, gym, snack, etc. Then we headed for Unpluggits so the boys could play without being out in the heat. And just watching them brought me back to reality, to the realization of how amazing they are, how blessed I am, and how precious this time is that I have with them. I also realized how blessed THEY are to have each other. So many days throughout this pregnancy as I've been sick and my energy has lagged, I've questioned whether having three kids was the right decision for us, us meaning me and Randy. It was a very well thought out decision but happened quicker than we thought it would so even though this was the plan, it honestly took me by surprise. I've nostalgically remembered the days of having one small toddler who went to bed at 7pm, leaving Randy and I plenty of time to be together, and plenty of money to spend. I've thought how easy it would have been to stick with one or two kids and just focus on them, how hard our schedule will be next year, how much money we'll spend (private school for three, aughhh!), how many things we're sacrificing for me to stay at home, etc. But as I watched Jack and Graham play together and heard their joyful squeals and sweet voices yelling out, "Graham, come on, follow me!" and "Wait for me, Brubber!" I realized how much we have blessed these sweet boys by giving them each other. Even at a full three years apart, Jack and Graham are like two peas in a pod. Jack has a built in buddy for life and Graham looks up to Jack and learns so much from him. Jack protects Graham. Graham makes Jack laugh. Jack helps Graham reach things. Graham lets Jack choose what game to play and then joins in happily. Jack tickles Graham. Graham tackles Jack. They are such good friends and I can't imagine either of them without the other in his life. At night, Jack always prays for Graham. It is so precious. I usually have to remind him that there are others who need prayer as well and encourage him to include them but even when he does pray for others, he never leaves his brother out. The other morning when I woke Jack up, the first thing he said to me was, "I want to play with Graham!" and when I woke Graham he said, "I want Jack!" I pray that my sweet boys will always love each other this much. Even though they fight and argue like all brothers, they have a deep love for each other that is different from the love they have for Mommy and Daddy. It is special. And I can't wait for them to meet baby brother and discover a new bond and a new best friend in him! I know there will be many days that are hard and when they're not getting along (or when they are but it's because they're ganging up on me!) and many more sacrifices to come, but honestly I don't think life is worth living without people you are willing to sacrifice for and who bring you the kind of joy in one short moment that could make any tough day, month, or year worthwhile. Randy and I are so thankful for each other and for our three boys. We are blessed beyond belief. We can imagine an easier life for sure, but we can't imagine a better one!