time flies

I was thinking that I am very lucky to have the kids that I do. They are so uniquely funny and wonderful. So I thought I'd post about them. I think of all the little quirks that they have, and how they drive me nuts sometimes, and then invariably I remember something else that they did that was cute or endearing. They are growing up so fast that I get choked up just thinking about it. "I need more time!!!" I keep telling God. And just when I'm sure He has other things to concern Himself about, like world peace and people starving in Africa, He grants me a pocket of time that seems to stand still and I get to savor my children for a bit.
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on C... The other night we had C to ourselves. What a rare treat. We actually did try to ship him off to a friends house, because ...good grief - the other two were gone and we needed a little "us" time! Then we stopped and thought for a moment that he's 13 in two months. THIRTEEN!!! Soon he won't want to spend an evening with his parents, so we knocked ourselves on the head and quickly stopped trying to make plans, and took him out for the evening. We had a super time watching him inhale his food and just chat with him. It's so wonderfully difficult to watch him on his journey to becoming a man. He's at the age of enjoying adult company and conversation and trying it on for size. Right now those are pretty big boots for him and I have to force myself to let him put them on and fall down and stumble around in them until they fit. I so badly want him to succeed and be secure and sure of himself, but I am very afraid that I squash his budding sense of self-security more often than I nurture it. And being the oldest, he's the only one that can blaze this path that we are on. Thank goodness he has the easygoing nature that he does...definitely from his Father!
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on M... She is sooooo much like me that I have to laugh out loud sometimes. The other day we were talking about books. She was reading a sad book, and it made her cry. I suggested she take out a happier book next time, and she said, "Oh no! I like books that make me cry!" I had to laugh because...so did I! Then a couple of days later we were trying to sort out some issues that she had, and I had to remind her to quit wallowing in her sad/mad mood. She didn't understand what I was talking about because she "Did Not" like being frustrated! Her love of sad, tragic books was a great teachable moment. I tried to explain that, just as she sometimes likes reading books that make her sad, she also likes - sometimes - to stay in those sad/mad moments at home and just stew in them. She thought for a bit, and then grudgingly agreed that maybe that was what she was doing. But I could tell she really was wanting to go back into her martyr role. She showed remarkable maturity, however, restrained herself from having a meltdown, and the rest of the day went fairly well. She has no idea that at this stage in the game I can read her mind like an open book...for now anyway.
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On J... What would life be without J? Funny how the one you didn't plan on, often is the one that brings such a uniqueness to your family. That's not to say each one isn't unique...but I guess because we came close to not having him, it's just a bit more poignant. He has decided to make up his own language. Sometimes as he's brushing his teeth, or like on Sunday just because he has an audience, he'll switch into his "other" language ...Sometimes I play along, but other times I just tell him to Cut It Out...usually in the morning before school. He then gets a silly grin and darts off to something else. He is also a very dependable hugger/kisser. If ever I get hurt he's the first one to comfort with hugs and kisses. I have been using his pillow, because the feathers started escaping out of mine...and he's been very gracious and has allowed me to use his. The other day he was sitting at the top of the stairs and I was sitting a bit further down so we were eye level. He said to me "Mom, when are you going to get your own pillow?" I told him he could gladly have his back. Then he said, "But, mom, I love you! You can keep my pillow," and he held my face between his hands and kissed me. Such unexpected displays of affection come often and easily from him. He's my baby, and I'm afraid he's going to be spoiled terribly. Well, maybe admitting to the problem will help us in that area :)
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There are some days that I really feel that I'm doing okay and won't have to foot too many therapy bills later on. Other days, I really think I should be saving up BIG time! Those days I pray that God'll help my kids to be forgiving and understanding, and just be better at this whole parenting thing than I am! Here's to the next generation...