Blessings, not burdens!

Every time I go somewhere with my three boys, a minimum of two strangers stop me to make some comment. "Wow, you've definitely got your hands full!" or "Wow!  Three boys and you're running errands?  You're crazy!"  As if it's unheard of to take three kids under the age of four to a mall or grocery store by myself.  I politely smile and nod, "Yup, three boys!"  Often times I hear a response such as "Are you going to try for a girl?"  "Were you disappointed you didn't have a daughter?"  Let me just say, before these treasured tots joined my world, I'd always dreamed of a mini me, who I'd dress in pink frilly ensembles to match my own.  These past four years I've learned just how much fun little boys can be.  I mean, who wants a Polly Pocket if you can have a monster truck instead?  I wouldn't trade my boys for a million pink ruffles.

Another one I get a lot, "So, do you stay home full time?"  These strangers, who feel they need to question/comment on my life choices are either delighted for me (I don't know you!), or they will gasp and scold, "Why?  I don't know what I'd do if I'd have to stay home with mine all day!  Thank God for my nanny!"  I bite my tongue.  Don't get me wrong, I completely understand and support working moms, especially when they don't have the option during this economy.  I have been completely blessed to have a husband with a job that supports my first priority and most important title.  Mom.  I definitely need my breaks, mommy time, and girls nights out, but I rush home within a few hours, dreadfully missing their little faces.

In no way is this post intended to insinuate that my working mom friends aren't making their kids a priority.  Providing for your family is a HUGE priority and I am amazed how you can juggle it all.  I am mainly surprised at the mom's who hire nannies to raise their kids while they sit at the spa or go on shopping sprees.  I mean, why have kids if you don't want to raise them?  The most rewarding (and yes, often quite frustrating) thing I have found, is shaping these boys into the men they will become.  Every night I pray they will grow into honorable men of God with wisdom and integrity.  That they will have strong work ethics and always know their worth.  Not in man's eyes but in God's.  These next 14-18 years are vital, then they're off to take on this world and begin their independent lives.  I don't wanna miss any of the ride.

I would hate missing out on things like Lincoln informing me, "Mom, I just wish my name was Sparky."  Boone wanting to "Nuggle you for just a wittle bit wonger."  Little moments like these melt my heart and on the roughest day, they remind me just how blessed I am.

Wrestling and practicing gymnastics during a "Party Dance."

"Wook, Mommy!  I'n doing hiccups!" - Boone.

Lincoln's Decision

Last week in the car, during Link's frequent game of 100+ questions, I was pleased to find the questions of a much deeper manner.  I will attempt to quote verbatim.

"Mom, did you know Satan doesn't want us to pray to God?  He wants us to pray to the king but we won't, and that makes God very happy that we pray only to Him."  (We had recently read about Daniel in the lion's den, hence the context.)  "I don't wanna do what Satan wants.  I don't wanna be near him.  I wanna be near God, cause He protects me...from...um...monsters."  I told him that we have the ability to ask God to live in our hearts, and the closest he can be is in us.  I saw his eyes widen in the rearview mirror.  "MOM!  I wanna have God in MY heart!  Dear God, please be in me right...NOW!!!"  My heart was filled with joy, and my eyes with tears.  I've often wondered how the conversation would come up with my kids.  I will always remember the night I asked God into my heart around his age while my dad was tucking me into my bed.  I love how organically this happened.

Tonight we had Uncle Scott stop by to join us for dinner.  The kids find it a real treat to dine with a policeman in uniform.  During dinner, Lincoln was elated to inform his uncle that God was inside of him!  He's been telling everyone whenever he gets the chance.  (Definitely a decision to celebrate!)  Later during the meal, this almost 4 year old, recalled the entire story of Moses, from baby in a basket to the parting of the Red Sea.  To my amazement, he listed all 10 of the plagues.  He only needed help remembering locusts.  This kid amazes me with his ability to retain information.

After speedily rambling on about Moses, the pineapple on his plate, the praying mantis in a jar just outside the door, how Boone threw a toy gun at his face and that's why he has a huge red bump on his cheek bone, he finally took a large sigh and paused, "...Ohhh.  This is my fa-vo-rite song." ('My Romance' by Carmen McRea.)   Never a dull moment at our dinner table.

Oh, our dinner music tonight was Pandora Station: Madeleine Peyroux.

Making Memories

Making memorable moments with each child individually is so important. Johnny and I got home from date night about an hour ago to find Lincoln awake in his bed asking sweetly for a snuggle before bed. Quietly, I snuck him out of the room he shares with his two smaller, sleeping siblings. He and I then convinced daddy to let us stay up late, snuggle in bed with oodles of pillows and blankets in our jammies and watch a movie. Lincoln carefully flipped through the DVD case and after much deliberation, picked out Wall-E. I truly hope he always remembers what a fun spontaneous late night treat this is. We don't often get uninterrupted one on one time with him. I know I will treasure this moment for along time.

Lincoln Arms

There is a sign on Clayton Road in front of an apartment building reading "Lincoln Arms." We pass by this sign often. The first time I told Lincoln about "his" sign was maybe about a year ago and he thought it was pretty cool to have his own sign. The next time we drove by it, several weeks later, he shouted, "Hey! Look, it's my sign! LINCOLN...hmm...finger. No, that's not right. Oh, yeah LINCOLN ARMS!"

Everytime we've driven past since, he exclaims (sometime mid sentence), "Oh! There's my sign." Boone has recently begun echoing, "There's MY sign!" (You know that 90's movie Sandlot?  Remember the brothers Timmy and Tommy Timmons and how Tommy repeats everything Timmy says? Well, that's who they are.)

Last week, we were about to pass said sign again, and as we approached, Lincoln pointed out that we need to find Boone his own sign. "Mom, maybe we can find a sign that says, hmm...'Boone HEAD!', okay?"

We're approaching Lincoln Arms. Lincoln: "THERE IT IS! My sign." A minute goes by in silence, we've long passed the sign. Suddenly, Boone squeals and points to a random street sign, "BOONE HEAD!!! BOONE HEAD!! There's my sign! Hee hee hee."

Today's Party Dance

The boys frequently request a "Party Dance."  It was introduced to them as a "Dance Party."  Personally, I prefer their phraseology.  Today's iTunes mix was particularly groovy.  If you are some of the rare few who've been blessed to directly witness these occurrences, you will concur it's quite a treat for the eyes.  As a former dancer, I thoroughly appreciate the creativity and execution of their custom choreographed steps.  We have staccato isolations, finger pointing, high kicks, fast feet, lunge thrusts, shark slide on the floor (complete with dorsal fin hand), fancy floor poses...to name a few. Have I mentioned that all movements are done with entirely no smiling?  Facial expressions are limited strictly to eyebrow raises on the beat and puckered lips.  If only a camera could be recording constantly.  You're trying to do the face right now aren't you?

Today's iTunes playlist included:

Down (feat. Lil Wayne) - Jay Sean (Boone's current favorite)
The Final Countdown - Europe
Love Lockdown - Kanye West
She's A Bad Mama Jamma - Carl Carlton
We Speak No Americano - Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP (Link's favorite)
Closer - Ne-Yo
Sugar Town - Zooey Deschanel
Whatcha Say - Jason Derülo
Don't Worry Be Happy - Bobby Mcferrin
Forget You - Cee Lo Green
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon
Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Baby - Justin Bieber (of course Ludacris is their favorite part to break it down to)

It's Raining!!

We have flashlights!  (But no pants.)