Eleven years ago today I walked down an aisle surrounded on both sides by all the people in the world who loved me and kissed my dad's cheek as he placed my hand in Deans.
Best decision I ever made.
Best person I have ever known.
Best love I could ever hope for.
Best partner to go into battle with.
Best dad anyone could ask for.
Best years of my life.
Best. Husband. Ever. And he is all mine. Thank you, God.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
eureka
I read something profound recently, like as in this morning because I can't sleep and I don't feel like working or working out. I read a letter from a mom to her son as he began a new school year, telling him that she didn't want him to try to be "the best" at anything but, rather, she wanted him to go into the new year working each day on being "brave and kind." YES. That is totally my desire too. Brave. Kind. That sums it up. That is all I really wish, in the end of the day, for my boys. A life filled with brave acts and kindness to others and themselves. I would like them to be happy along the way but you can't really appreciate happiness without a little saddness thrown in so I get that and I will be here to hold them and comfort them when the sad days come and I know they will come. I feel very brave now but I hope I am as brave when the sad days are here.
I love my boys so much. I worry sometimes that I don't say it enough. I worry about Ben's cockiness and am annoyed by Joey's loudness. I focus waaay too much on their faults and not enough on their brillant gifts.
Ben is a fiercly loyal friend. He truly loves his best friends like they are family, like they are an extension of himself. I have never seen a kid more supportive of his teamates when playing sports, either. He is always the first to offer a high-five or a pat on the back. Ben is so kind to little kids. He thrives in a caretaker position and loves to set a good example for little watchful eyes. Ben has a huge, silly, fun-loving personality and really I can say that about Joe too. Both boys love to sing and dance and bring out the fun in everyone and every situation. Life is more fun with laughter. They totally get that and I love that about them.
Joe is a gracious and kind friend. He likes to make sure everyone is included in activities and has refreshments to enjoy as well!! Joe will suggest things to do but is often the first to back down and change direction if his friend wants to do something else. Joe is very flexible and I admire that about him and try to learn from him how to master this trait. Joe is a super determined kid. When Joey sets his mind to something, there is nothing stopping him. A perfect example is how he would sink like a rock this spring at swim lessons but is now swimming all over the pool and DIVING off the diving board (he taught himself how to do that too). Now I know most kids, eventually, master how to go from sinking to swimming but it was awesome to watch Joey literally do it in a day. He decided he was done wearing a vest and that was that.
I am so very blessed to be able to know, love, and spend time with these two crazies. My best gifts ever. My brave, kind, awesome boys.
I love my boys so much. I worry sometimes that I don't say it enough. I worry about Ben's cockiness and am annoyed by Joey's loudness. I focus waaay too much on their faults and not enough on their brillant gifts.
Ben is a fiercly loyal friend. He truly loves his best friends like they are family, like they are an extension of himself. I have never seen a kid more supportive of his teamates when playing sports, either. He is always the first to offer a high-five or a pat on the back. Ben is so kind to little kids. He thrives in a caretaker position and loves to set a good example for little watchful eyes. Ben has a huge, silly, fun-loving personality and really I can say that about Joe too. Both boys love to sing and dance and bring out the fun in everyone and every situation. Life is more fun with laughter. They totally get that and I love that about them.
Joe is a gracious and kind friend. He likes to make sure everyone is included in activities and has refreshments to enjoy as well!! Joe will suggest things to do but is often the first to back down and change direction if his friend wants to do something else. Joe is very flexible and I admire that about him and try to learn from him how to master this trait. Joe is a super determined kid. When Joey sets his mind to something, there is nothing stopping him. A perfect example is how he would sink like a rock this spring at swim lessons but is now swimming all over the pool and DIVING off the diving board (he taught himself how to do that too). Now I know most kids, eventually, master how to go from sinking to swimming but it was awesome to watch Joey literally do it in a day. He decided he was done wearing a vest and that was that.
I am so very blessed to be able to know, love, and spend time with these two crazies. My best gifts ever. My brave, kind, awesome boys.
Friday, August 24, 2012
seriously?
so I volunteered at Ben's school today for about an hour and a half and here is what I learned:
little girl: Yes. I like to play my leapster explorer.
me: Ok. That does sound fun. Do you know what month it is?
little girl: Yes. My favorite move is Rush Hour 3 staring Chris Rock.
me: Oh. Um. Does August sound familiar? The date is August 24. Do you know what year it is?
little girl: Yes. Friday.
me: That is the day of the week, the year is actually 2012.
little girl: Oh, I knew that. I like cats.
me: What?!?
I also found out during my maybe 20 minutes with this particular little girl that her mom works at mcdonalds, her favorite color is yellow, her favorite cartoon is tom and jerry, she knows my son, my son is down the hall, and I am sure many other facts but my brain was hurting so I think I shut down a little bit. Mind you, I was trying to help her write a letter home about her 2nd week in 2nd grade and not one of the statements above was a result of a question being asked by me. She just offered up random facts. It was interesting.
And the last things I learned today...
- Approximately 7 out of 10 (might be a low estimate) 2nd graders could be diagnosed with ADD. My conversation with one little girl included the following:
little girl: Yes. I like to play my leapster explorer.
me: Ok. That does sound fun. Do you know what month it is?
little girl: Yes. My favorite move is Rush Hour 3 staring Chris Rock.
me: Oh. Um. Does August sound familiar? The date is August 24. Do you know what year it is?
little girl: Yes. Friday.
me: That is the day of the week, the year is actually 2012.
little girl: Oh, I knew that. I like cats.
me: What?!?
I also found out during my maybe 20 minutes with this particular little girl that her mom works at mcdonalds, her favorite color is yellow, her favorite cartoon is tom and jerry, she knows my son, my son is down the hall, and I am sure many other facts but my brain was hurting so I think I shut down a little bit. Mind you, I was trying to help her write a letter home about her 2nd week in 2nd grade and not one of the statements above was a result of a question being asked by me. She just offered up random facts. It was interesting.
And the last things I learned today...
- Ben is a genius.
- Teachers are saints.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Second Grade!
He makes his fan club proud!
The afterschool playdates have also begun with Nathan and Grace coming home with us on Wednesday.
Joey doesn't seem to miss big brother too terribly so far. Our days have been much more peaceful this week but we did manage to squeeze in some excitement today with a trip to the museum with Drew and Madelynn!
Deep Thoughts
Benny got himself super worked up last night. He was exhausted (the first week of school coupled with two soccer practices and play dates with friends after school will do that) and he got a bad thought in his head and allowed it to spiral out of control. He was sobbing uncontrollably and I was laying on his bed next to him telling him to relax and trying to figure out where the tears came from...they were originally precipitated by the fact that we told him it was bed time but I strongly suspected that was not what was causing him to shake with saddness on top of his covers.
Ben finally admitted that he was worried about Dean. He thought he was going to have a heart attack. I really have no idea where this came from but I do know what it feels like to get a thought in your head and have it fester and grow until it is all consuming and feels eminent. Ben is just a bit dramatic, just like his momma.
Ben was crying and whispering how much he loved Dean and that he didn't want anything to happen to him. I said all the usual comforting things about how he didn't need to worry about Dean, that his heart was fine, yadda, yadda, yadda. I finally turned to the only thing that makes me feel better when I am truly inconsolable. Ben and I "gave it to God."
I shared one of my favorite scriptures with Ben, Phillipians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgivig, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Ben and I broke this piece of scripture down word by word into something we could understand and apply to our particular conversation. When we were done, Ben's paraphrase went something like this: "Celebrate God. Be good and kind so that people see God inside you. Don't worry about anything but pray to God and let go of your fear. God will let you be peaceful and not worry then."
Amen.
Ben and I lay in his bed for about 45 minutes dissecting the scripture, talking about his fears and letting go and releasing our worries to God. I admitted that I worried about Ben and Joe so much that if I had to carry my fears around with me every day, it would be more than I could handle and I wouldn't even be able to function. I told him that it gave me tremendous peace to be able to hand my fears over to God and ask him to help me keep an eye on my boys...especially when I wasn't with them to literally watch them. I encouraged Ben to do the same, to trust God with all of his heart, the good and the bad, the praises and the heartbreaks.
It is both awesome and truthfully terrifying to be able to advance beyond Bible picture books and rhyming prayers to real, deep, spiritual conversation with my oldest son. I know God was leading our conversation last night and I pray that he continues to put the words in my heart that need to be shared with Ben.
Ben finally admitted that he was worried about Dean. He thought he was going to have a heart attack. I really have no idea where this came from but I do know what it feels like to get a thought in your head and have it fester and grow until it is all consuming and feels eminent. Ben is just a bit dramatic, just like his momma.
Ben was crying and whispering how much he loved Dean and that he didn't want anything to happen to him. I said all the usual comforting things about how he didn't need to worry about Dean, that his heart was fine, yadda, yadda, yadda. I finally turned to the only thing that makes me feel better when I am truly inconsolable. Ben and I "gave it to God."
I shared one of my favorite scriptures with Ben, Phillipians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgivig, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Ben and I broke this piece of scripture down word by word into something we could understand and apply to our particular conversation. When we were done, Ben's paraphrase went something like this: "Celebrate God. Be good and kind so that people see God inside you. Don't worry about anything but pray to God and let go of your fear. God will let you be peaceful and not worry then."
Amen.
Ben and I lay in his bed for about 45 minutes dissecting the scripture, talking about his fears and letting go and releasing our worries to God. I admitted that I worried about Ben and Joe so much that if I had to carry my fears around with me every day, it would be more than I could handle and I wouldn't even be able to function. I told him that it gave me tremendous peace to be able to hand my fears over to God and ask him to help me keep an eye on my boys...especially when I wasn't with them to literally watch them. I encouraged Ben to do the same, to trust God with all of his heart, the good and the bad, the praises and the heartbreaks.
It is both awesome and truthfully terrifying to be able to advance beyond Bible picture books and rhyming prayers to real, deep, spiritual conversation with my oldest son. I know God was leading our conversation last night and I pray that he continues to put the words in my heart that need to be shared with Ben.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
splish splash
We are blessed to have several friends with swimming pools and have been able to take full advantage of that fact all summer. I would guess that we have spent on average 3 days a week swimming. Spoiled. Rotten.
I have not really taken pictures of these outings but last week we took Brookie and Landon swimming at our neighbors house and the Matelics joined us. I couldn't resist snapping a few pics of some of my favorite fishies.
I have not really taken pictures of these outings but last week we took Brookie and Landon swimming at our neighbors house and the Matelics joined us. I couldn't resist snapping a few pics of some of my favorite fishies.
That's What Friends Are For
I feel extremely blessed that I not only approve of my son's friends. I love them. Truly. The boys friends bring out the best in them. I enjoy having them over to our house and love listening to them talk, laugh and play with my boys. I have been blessed with amazing friendships over the years and I am so grateful that my boys have found true friends at such a young age. I pray that their friendships remain strong in the years to come. Thank God for good friends!
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| Jackson, Nathan and Ben |
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| Jackson, Alex, Ben, Zoey and Nathan |
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| Ty, Joey, Macy and Drewby |
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| Macy, Joey, Firehawk, Nathan and Benny |
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| Macy, Trey, Joey, Tommy and Drew |
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| Kalissa, Brooke, Devon, Ben, Drew, Nathan, Kaden, Drew and Joey |
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| The Chaplins! |
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| Cousins make the BEST friends |
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Ben and Kirin |
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Just Breathe
I am a control freak. I guarantee my sister, my husband, my mom, my closest friends, really anyone who has ever spent any amount of time with me just rolled their eyes, nodded their head and said "duh." It's a pretty well known fact.
Anywho. I am pretty disciplined and very regimented when it comes to my day and my schedule. I love a to do list and I love knowing what my day is going to look like before I even lift my head from my pillow.
Which means, when my alarm goes off at 5 a.m. and harshly tears me from a sweet dream, I am me and I don't allow myself to linger but decide it is time to get up and get moving even though there is a warm snuggly little body curled up around me (Joey) and another evidently brown bear snoring on the floor (Ben. Allergy problems). Dean is out of town, FYI, in case you were wondering where his sleeping body lay (it's in Orlando).
Now, my usual morning routine is to sit at the computer for 30 minutes or so and type and then go to the gym. There would be no gym going today since Dean is gone and the boys frown upon being left at home with no adults. I was excited, however, to get my typing done early. There has been an extremely limited amount of work available lately (I won't bore you with the details but it has been brutal and I have felt held hostage by my typing job every day for the past couple weeks) and I was hopeful that I could get a big dent in my line count done this morning.
Wrong. No work. None. Not one dictated word available to type. This angers me. This especially angers me when I shut down my work at 5:10 to head downstairs to work out and hear Joey whisper "mooooom? I want you to come back to bed and lay with me." My immediate reaction, honestly? "Joey! Go back to bed. It is way too early." Said in a very mean, irritated voice. He whines, I sigh and threaten and then, shockingly, relent. Fine, Joe. Let's go back to bed. What?!
So, I snuggled into my still warm bed with my little bug and the snoring bear still on the floor and just lay still for a bit. About 45 minutes to be precise. I listened to my little boys breathe in and out. Seriously, Ben sounds like an 85-year-old man. But it was awesome just laying in the dark with my boys and listening to them. They are very noisy, busy sleepers (much like how they are during wakeful hours). I love them so much and even though my morning did not begin as I anticipated (which drives me CRAZY), I know today is going to be a good day. I also know there are no mistakes and no coincidences and God told me to slow down this morning, relax and just go with it. I apprecite the peace and quiet and the willingness to just breathe this morning.
Anywho. I am pretty disciplined and very regimented when it comes to my day and my schedule. I love a to do list and I love knowing what my day is going to look like before I even lift my head from my pillow.
Which means, when my alarm goes off at 5 a.m. and harshly tears me from a sweet dream, I am me and I don't allow myself to linger but decide it is time to get up and get moving even though there is a warm snuggly little body curled up around me (Joey) and another evidently brown bear snoring on the floor (Ben. Allergy problems). Dean is out of town, FYI, in case you were wondering where his sleeping body lay (it's in Orlando).
Now, my usual morning routine is to sit at the computer for 30 minutes or so and type and then go to the gym. There would be no gym going today since Dean is gone and the boys frown upon being left at home with no adults. I was excited, however, to get my typing done early. There has been an extremely limited amount of work available lately (I won't bore you with the details but it has been brutal and I have felt held hostage by my typing job every day for the past couple weeks) and I was hopeful that I could get a big dent in my line count done this morning.
Wrong. No work. None. Not one dictated word available to type. This angers me. This especially angers me when I shut down my work at 5:10 to head downstairs to work out and hear Joey whisper "mooooom? I want you to come back to bed and lay with me." My immediate reaction, honestly? "Joey! Go back to bed. It is way too early." Said in a very mean, irritated voice. He whines, I sigh and threaten and then, shockingly, relent. Fine, Joe. Let's go back to bed. What?!
So, I snuggled into my still warm bed with my little bug and the snoring bear still on the floor and just lay still for a bit. About 45 minutes to be precise. I listened to my little boys breathe in and out. Seriously, Ben sounds like an 85-year-old man. But it was awesome just laying in the dark with my boys and listening to them. They are very noisy, busy sleepers (much like how they are during wakeful hours). I love them so much and even though my morning did not begin as I anticipated (which drives me CRAZY), I know today is going to be a good day. I also know there are no mistakes and no coincidences and God told me to slow down this morning, relax and just go with it. I apprecite the peace and quiet and the willingness to just breathe this morning.
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