Singing

Mom:  Logan, please stop yelling.

Logan (with wrinkled eyebrow look):  “Mo-om, I’m not yelling.  I’m SINGING!”

Oops.

Be Grateful

Character trait for this week:

“….give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I  Thessalonians

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Eli picked the character trait for this week (having no idea what grateful meant) because he was the winner of last week’s character trait (be patient).  I always explain the verse and then we look up the word in the dictionary, followed by more verses on whatever the trait is.

Eli had a hurt arm on Monday and he was really bummed about it because he had to rest and was not able to participate in basketball.  When we talked about gratefulness and being thankful in ALL circumstances, he said, “My arm hurting is nothing to be thankful about.  I can’t play basketball.” 

“Oh, but you are so wrong, Eli.  You can be grateful that nothing is broken.  Grateful that nothing is even sprained.  Yes, it’s bruised badly and it hurts and you’re bummed because you can’t play basketball.  But after a few days, it will heal and you’ll be back to your normal self.  Be oh-so-thankful that you didn’t break it or need surgery to fix it.  God was surely looking out for you.”

These are the things we try to focus on through the week with each character trait.  It’s not always easy.  I could have really used more patience last week with that trait, but it’s something to strive for.

Russian speaking

Apparently someone has been teaching Camden Russian because when you ask him a question, he answers yes in Russian. 

“Camden, do you want some more?”

“Da.”

“Camden, do you want to take a bath?”

“Da.”

Dmitri did pray over him when he was younger in Russian.  I think this is having some effect on him.  :)

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Camden is also having the same obsession with cows as Logan did (or does).

He sees the cows in the field and screams, “Cow!”  with a strong emphasis on the “ow” part.

My Quick Takes

1.  Two weeks until Easter. 

I’m dressing the boys alike this Easter.  I usually color coordinate them, but this year I’m going a little bit farther.  Camden and Logan do not mind at all.  Logan is happy about dressing like his little brother.  Eli immediately asked what color he was wearing and then said, “Let me see what I’m wearing.”  After I showed him, he was okay with dressing alike.   However, I am not getting a good reaction from Isaac.  Usually he’s okay with what I dress him in, especially for church, because he knows he has no option.  I do not care what they wear day to day around the house.   If they want to wear a T-shirt that has food all over it, fine.  If they want to wear the same basketball shorts day after day, fine.  We’re at home.  But on the days when we have to go out, and especially the days where we go to church, they have to wear what I pick out.  No ifs, ands or buts.  This has been a rule in our home for quite some time.  I pick out the clothes for church. 

But this year for Easter, Isaac has let me know he is not happy at all about dressing like his brothers.  Funny thing is I haven’t even gotten his Easter shirt yet.  The store where I bought the other little boys’ outfits didn’t have Isaac’s big size, so I have to look elsewhere.  He just doesn’t want to be in the same colors as the other three.  **sigh***  Another sign that he’s growing up before my very eyes.

2.  Logan is no longer taking naps—most days.  This happened about two weeks ago, and it is a very sad thing for me.  It’s sad for the obvious reason, that I don’t get my break from him during the day anymore.  But it’s also sad because it’s yet another reminder that he’s getting bigger. 

The other night Isaac had his Cousin C overnight.  At about 8:00ish they were asking to watch a movie.  This was also the same time I was trying to put Logan to bed.  Logan heard “movie” and immediately started asking if he could watch the movie too.  I tried to explain to him that the other boys are big boys and when he’s bigger, he can stay up  later too.  But now he needs to go to bed.  He just cried and cried and yelled to me from his bed, “I AM A BIG BOY NOW!  I AM BIGGER!  MOM, PLEASE!  I WANT TO WATCH THE MOVIE!  I AM BIG!” 

Josh looked at me and said, “He is big, you know.”  I laughed and replied, “Ah, yeah, a whole three years old!”

Eventually I gave in (after 20 minutes of this), which I know wasn’t a very good parenting move on my part, but I had a weak moment.  We let him get up, have a bowl of popcorn (while sitting right smack in the middle of the big boys and loving every minute of it) and then it was back to bed for him.  I mean, the movie of choice was Indiana Jones.  Not exactly a good choice for a three year old.

3.  Camden is still up crying most nights.  I think we’ll up the chiro treatments for a while until he improves.  He has a number of things contributing to his reflux flare ups, none of them amounting to any big thing but enough to trigger the reflux.  I always appreciate prayers for him.

4.  Spring is here and while most are excited for it, some of us are not.  Springtime means I become a single parent until summer so I have mixed feelings about it.  It looks like Josh will be starting piers this week, so it’s time for me to keep busy with lots of play dates and field trips.  The days are L.O.N.G. when he leaves before the sun is up and is home after the kids are in bed.  My sanity could use your prayers.

5.  I am on day 17 of my 30-day shred.  I have been suffering from shin splints so I’m doing the low impact most of the time.  Shin splints are awful!  They hurt so bad.

6.  I am currently reading How to Tuck in a Superhero.  It arrived last Wednesday and I am almost done.  I haven’t been able to put it down.  At some points I am literally laughing out loud.  This is a lady whose blog I have been following for years and recently she wrote a book on the musings of raising all boys.  I can relate all to well to this mom of five lively boys.  I am also feeling some relief knowing that I’m not the only mom of boys who wonders when they’ll ever learn or care about things like hygiene and wearing clean clothes.

7.  I became aware recently that in our 11 years of marriage, I have never been alone with my husband for longer than one night.  This is something that came up when I was out with friends recently and also something I had never even thought about before.  I mean, yes, I knew Josh and I were due for an adult-only vacation, but I never realized we had never done this in our 11 years together—not even for a weekend.  Isn’t that crazy?  Springtime is the worst time to get away, but it is something I am thinking about.  Of course, who would want four boys for a few days and nights, especially when one doesn’t sleep all too well?!?!?!?  I don’t even know if Grandpa and Grandma could handle that!  I do admit I have a problem asking others to watch our kids (I always feel like I’m inconveniencing others), so that probably explains why we’ve never “gotten away.”

Any woo, have a blessed week.

My lil' Superhero

Isaac spent the afternoon making this superhero mask and cape for Logan. It was leftover from material he had been using on an art project. Logan was, of course, thrilled! He was outside for hours pretending to be the "bad guy." I think he said he was Darth Vader and his only weakness was pigs.

11-year Tribute

Dear Isaac,

You are officially 11 years old.  As I was thinking back on where I was 11 years ago, I was remembering some of my feelings about having my first baby.  I remember the great amount of responsibility I felt.  God had blessed us with you and you were  ours, our very own to teach, to raise, to nurture.  I remember feeling very overwhelmed at the big picture of responsibility. 

And now, look at you.  At 11 years old, I am proud of who you are becoming.  Every day you seem to give me a glimpse of who you will grow up to be.  I see a boy growing into a young man.  You are growing up so fast!

You are such a huge help to me with your younger brothers.  I know I can always count on you, even when you’d rather run off and do your own thing.  You always first stop and address whatever need there is. 

Looking back at your 11 years thus far, I am both saddened and anxious.  I am sad when I think of how fast these 11 years have gone.  I have enjoyed every moment of watching you become who you are today.  Yes, even all those sleepless nights at the beginning.  :)  I am anxious for what God has in store for you.  I see how you’re growing up and some days I’m anxious to see  you in a few years.  But then I remember to just enjoy every moment now.  Because those days will all come way too fast.

For your 11th birthday I caught little glimpses of the fact that you’re growing up.  It was the first birthday where you didn’t ask for a particular type of birthday.  In years past, part of the excitement of your birthday approaching was choosing the type of birthday you were going to have (your first birthday was Veggie Tales; second was sports; one was Star Wars; another one was Thomas the Train).  This year I never heard you ask for a “type” of birthday.  We didn’t buy any special character plates or table cloth.  This was a sign that you’re growing up.

We celebrated by going to the Discovery Museum with some friends and Grandma.  You opened your gifts from us in the morning and from Joy.  You received Legos (surprise!) and Joy got your tons of football cards.  As we were pulling out of the driveway and you and Eli were in the back trading cards already, you said, “This already is my best birthday every!”  That made me smile.

In the evening we had a party and favorite Cousin C spent the night.  You watched your first Indiana Jones movie (to which I kept thinking it was way too violent and scary), but I had to  let go and realize you are growing up. 

Isaac, as always, I am looking forward to this year ahead.  11 years.  What will it bring us?  What new challenges will we face?  What obstacles will we overcome?  What things will be celebrate?  What special memories will be made?  I do not know, but I welcome them and look forward to them.

I remember being upset with Dad 11 years ago because he had to watch March Madness while I was in labor with you at the hospital.  Now, 11 years later, you are the one who is asking to turn on March Madness and following your bracket.  You are the one telling Dad who’s winning and who’s losing.   It’s ironic how life changes and as it does, our roles change.

I love you, Isaac.  Your name means laughter and you have brought us so much laughter over the years.  Just today you had your nose buried in a book (which is common for you) and I asked you to put it down and play with Cousin C because he would be leaving soon and you could read when he was gone.  You told me you were still playing while you were reading.  I said, “But you’ll finish that  book while he’s here and have nothing to do when he’s gone.”  To which you replied, “Then I’ll just reread the book.”

Happy Birthday, Son!

Isaac at the Discovery Museum.  He was using his arm strength to pull the rope which made the chair go up then.

 

Logan pulling himself up.

 

Camden wondering why he’s stuck in the stroller the whole time. 

 

Isaac helping Logan ring the bell on the ship.

 

Eli and David loved running on this wheel like hamsters a little too much.

 

Isaac, Logan and Mom stuck in a bubble.

 

Isaac’s request for cake was his favorite Oreo Cookie Cake.

 

Camden enjoying his “special” cake.

 

Opening gifts.  Cousin E dressed up in her party outfit for the occasion.  Doesn’t she look nice?!?!?

F.R.U.S.T.R.A.T.E.D!

If you’re looking for uplifting or encouragement from this blog, read no further.  This is my blog and I’m going to vent here.

I have had sleepless nights with Camden all week.  I assumed it started because he stole some food he was allergic to at a birthday party Sunday.  (Yes, stole it—lil’ stinker!)  I noticed he started refluxing that night and I even predicted a bad night.  After three bad nights I knew he needed the chiro.  Once that reflux acts up, it throws him out of whack, and he’s not better until he gets an adjustment.  I guess that’s where a lot of my frustration comes from.  I took him yesterday to see Dr. E.  Yes, he was “off.”  She adjusted him and I really expected to have a good night.   And we did….until 4 a.m.  So back to that recliner, which I used to love but I’m not loving it so much these days.  Dr. E even told me that I need to come in for an adjustment after spending so much time sleeping in that chair.  Yes, someday.

So what’s bothering Camden?  Who knows.  His reflux should be well-controlled with the adjustment, but he’s been having ear issues.  Dr. E said his lymph nodes were still swollen and tender in his neck.  His ears have been oozing again, turning bright red and he’s been pulling on them too.  He also sounded quite congested when he was up two hours ago, which literally brought me to tears.  I mean, seriously, another cold?!!?  It can’t be.  He just got over a terrible sickness.  Hence why I am so f.r.u.s.t.r.a.t.e.d!!!!!!!  I’m going to lock the boy in a bubble soon.  No joke.

Dr. E promises me, encourages me, tries to lift  me up by telling me that once he gets a little bit older we can start using more vitamins and supplements with him to help him with his low immunity, leaky gut issues, yeast issues and reflux issues.  I hate to say that I wish he’d get older sooner (because  my other low this week has been the fact that he’s not a baby baby anymore), but I really cannot wait to start that. 

So pray for me today and in the next few days.  I need it.  And as always, I feel God holding me during these trials with Camden and I know it’s the prayers of my loved ones.