Men

I am heading off to dreamland last night and I hear giggling. Our three boys share the basement bedrooms and we often hear talking - which I love. I love it that they are close - they enjoy being together - that is so special to me. But last night - I am hearing giggling. (Which I love too, by the way) But what really grabbed my attention is the different kinds of laughter - I have one that still laughs very much like a giggle - a high-pitched, fun laugh. I have another that is just bordering on leaving the high-pitched giggle behind and heading into the more "manly" laugh. And the last one is full-man laugh now. His laugh is deep - his voice is deep - you can see the changes almost daily. While I was smiling at their antics, I was also saddened - where does the time go?? I remember being told when I was pushing a double stroller with a toddler walking beside to not rush it - to enjoy every minute as it would go so fast. I didn't believe those well-meaning elderly ladies - I DO NOW - it goes WAY TOO fast. My tiny boys are turning into men before my eyes. And although that is the plan, this momma wants her babies back. I didn't enjoy them enough - I was too crazy busy. So now I'm trying to enjoy this time - I know it's the teen years, but you know what?? I'm liking it - it's a new stage - they are fun to talk with and laugh with - I do like it. I'll just sit back and try to enjoy it - it's going WAY TOO fast!!

The Phone Call

You all asked what happend after the phone call -well - I got home and the boys were all playing with Chloe - yes, let me repeat that, playing CANDYLAND (or some kiddie game) with Chloe. I daresay I have the sweetest boys on the face of the Earth. They are so good to her!!! She owes them!!! When I told them how impressed I was - they told me that it's easier to play with her and keep her busy than to let her loose to get into trouble!!! I could be convinced to share them out for hire - they work for video games!!! :)

Favorite Photo Friday

LOVE THIS ONE !! My boys at their best!!

**Update #1 - yes, I am feeling rather unpopular with the comments but I do know that it is blogger - I've been in touch with them and they are working on it - mine is not the only one - if there's comfort in that!! So keep trying to post - it will work eventually! Thanks for all of the nice emails though - I still felt loved!

**Update #2 - sick update - well fevers are down now to 102 - that's good for us - Caleb got over 105 today and Micah was right behind him - scary!! Aaron and Chloe, Dad and Mom are still "holding their own"!! Say a prayer - this is yucky and WE DON'T WANT IT!!!

**Guess what we won't be doing this weekend?!?!? HOCKEY!! (Don't say this too loudly but I may even miss it!!)

Potty Time

You know - as I've lamented before - we are working on potty training at our house - have been for MONTHS - yes, we are trained - Chloe is not!!! I ask her - she says "No" - I take her - she goes. That's always the routine - so I just have to remember to take her and all is well. A week or so ago the boys were with her for just a bit when Joe and I ran out and Chloe had to go - not just the usual pee either!! So we get a call from Micah saying that Chloe had to go - THE BIG STUFF - and what should he do?? We told him that he would need to wipe her - after he picked his jaw up off the floor, we gave him instructions as to how to do that (sad, but the boys have not had to do this yet - or maybe that's a good thing!!). He agreed he could handle it BUT he was still a little hesitant so Dad (rich man that he is) offered him a dollar. That clinched it - he could do it!!! Well tonight I get another phone call - Chloe has gone potty again and what should they do??? (What is up anyway- she never tells me she has to go potty?!?!!?) I explained to Aaron that he would need to wipe her (it was the normal stuff this time so no big deal!!). He paused and I heard, "SO - do I get a dollar???" The jury is still out on that one!

Growing Up

Here it comes - I'm going to admit a weakness here -

Our basement is finished!! Well - finished enough for the boys to move down now anyway. After endless hours of manpower my husband conquered!! I am so proud of that guy!! (It was ALMOST worth the trip to Menard's - see a previous post for that story!!) Anyway - we spent many hours last night moving our boys down to their new rooms - all three are sharing two rooms now instead of one! They are thrilled - couldn't be more excited - it was so fun! But, here comes the weakness - I was trying to get to sleep last night lying there in my bed with tears streaming down my face - good grief!!! They are only in the basement - what am I going to do when they leave for college for Heaven's sake?!?!? I just can't believe they are really old enough to be alone downstairs and then LIKE it!!! Wasn't it just yesterday that I had three babies 3 and under and felt like I may not even make it out of that mess?!!??! God is good - He gets us through it and even makes us want to do it all again!!

The good side?? When I went down this morning - they all had their beds made - completely picked up their rooms and said, "Mom, we want to keep it this neat FOREVER!!!!" I'll take it!!!

Muscles

My boys called me a couple of times the other night while I was at work to ask a few questions - each time they called the other librarian answered and the boys were amazed that he knew their voice each time. When I picked up the call the boys asked me how the other librarian knew it was them every time - I told them that he probably just heard a kid's voice and since they were asking for me - he knew it was them. There was a slight pause and then one of them said, "Oh, so we need to talk more muscular????" I love it!!!

My New Purchase

I was in the Hallmark store the other day, found this cute mug, had a coupon, so I bought it. Little did I know it would cause such a stir....I thought it was funny - my boys obviously did not. You have to picture three boys - ages almost 9, 10, and 11 gathered around this mug - I'm in the other room with Chloe just listening in......Here is their conversation - as best I remember it:

"Did you see Mom's new coffee cup?"
"Yes, I don't think that's right."
"What do you mean?"
"You shouldn't call ladies Babes."
"I think you're right - I think it's a bad word for ladies."
"I think it has something to do with sexy."
"Yeah, why did mom buy that cup?"
"Don't hurt her feelings and ask her."
"Yeah, I wonder if Dad bought it for her?"
"Should we tell him that's not a nice word to call ladies?"

There - I gave you a chuckle for your day!!