I Can't Handle It

Tonight we walked in on Eli trying to pee while Zeke was on the toilet (going #2). Seriously....this is what boys do?

The words of a child

Our school family experienced terribly sad news. One of our elementary teachers had a stillborn baby last week. It is impossible to even begin to wrap our hearts and minds around their loss. Every adult was at a loss for words. As our hearts are breaking, I share this email we received from Eli's first grade teacher: 

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I wanted to tell you both something that will fill your heart!

As you both know this morning has been a rough day at the elementary. When Michelle and Stephanie came in and told the kids what happened we had many tears in our room. After Michelle and Stephanie left the room we started to talk about the whole thing. The students obviously were sad and even some of them were crying. THEN Eli said, "You know what though? The baby gets to go to heaven. And... that's the best place for a baby who doesn't have their mommy yet... " 

I COULD barley hold it together... How do young children know sometimes the most perfect thing to say, when we don't!?!?!

I LOVE your son! He's pretty awesome (which you both already know).

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She's right...sometimes children have the perfect thing to say when we don't have the words. 

Good Morning!

The morning will go one of two ways...if Zeke wakes up smiling, we have a great morning. On the other days, when he wakes up, slams his door and stomps through the house...we know how the morning will be. Until his door opens, it truly is a mystery. 

Hulk

We know how the day is going to go as soon as Zeke wakes up. There are mornings he wakes up smiling and happy....then there are days that he stomps out of his room, slams the door and is down right impossible. There is no in between - we get one or the other. 

One year

How ironic that the day I decide to make this blog a priority...it is exactly one year since my last post. It is impossible to catch up on all that I have neglected to document. All I can do is go forward and start with life where I am now....

It is crazy and chaotic. Not much has changed. Boys are a year older. A year bigger and we are a year busier. Life is different than before. In some ways a bit easier. In other ways, pretty hard! We have entered the years of junior high sports. The little boys are troopers to say the least. They are drug from here to there....attending Evan's athletic events. We no longer have a "baby" (as much as I have a hard time accepting that, it is true). It is easier to get in the car and go. Harder because everyone is going in different directions.

There have been weeks this winter that Isaac has been at basketball practice, little boys at wrestling practice, Evan at a junior high wrestling meet and Ben at a high school meet...and me in the white mini van that I have considered painting yellow on many occasions.

Life is busy. But life is good.

This is us...one year later....

Thankful - picking my battles

We have a fight every morning over what Zeke will wear. He will only wear black athletic socks, certain shirts and only working boots. When I say only I mean ONLY. Like big big fits if I make him wear anything else. I'm thankful he's the fourth child and I have learned to pick my battles. I've chosen to buy more black socks so we have enough all week, let him wear the same three shirts and allow him to wear working boots everyday. 

Thankful

Somehow time got away from me again . Today I'm thankful that it was warm enough to send the kids outside after school...after a long stretch of below zero temps, 20degrees felt pretty good tonight! I love that the days are longer and maybe spring will come soon!