Thursday, August 29, 2013

"Not happy, Bob. Not happy."

Life.

Pbthbbbbthththth.

Here's some things to be happy about.

Shirley Temples (the drink) made at home. Baby toys. Water balloons. Forgiving children. We've only had sniffles or low fevers (knock on wood) in the last couple months- hooray for relatively healthy boys! Baby food. Friends. Adventures. Grocery stores. Wearing a skirt just because. Flip flops. Vacuums. Clorox wipes. Green grass. Our wonderful backyard. The company of people I love. Solitude. Warm summer nights.  Thunderstorms. Frozen pizza (I need to put some in my freezer). Missionaries. Old books. Little boy imaginations. Anticipation (It's almost FALL!). Color. Music. Sleep. Soap. Pillows.

What are you thankful for today?

Friday, August 23, 2013

Well whaddayaknow? Yesterday was Thursday

Absolutely every single day I think, "What have I gotten myself into?...Four kids!?...Why did I think I could take care of FOUR human beings?  I can't do this.  I shouldn't be doing this!"

Absolutely every single day I think, "This is the awesomest thing in the world.  I want four more."

Contradiction seems to be motherhood in a nutshell.  At least in my corner of the world.

It's the most unnatural-natural thing I've ever done.

It's the most joyful-depressing thing I've ever experienced.

I was never so at peace and apoplectic.

Yessir, one big contradiction:)

I may be at my wit's end more often than I would wish, but I wouldn't trade the wonder it is to intimately experience the spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth of four amazing souls for anything.  Not for anything at all.

It's a privilege, an honor, and a joy to be Mommy to each of these four boys.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for-

patience
reason
friends
smartphones
automobiles
formula
disposable diapers
my beautiful, beautiful house
sunshine streaming through my kitchen windows
Bret
my boys
faith

and Jesus.  Being what he needs me to be is not easy.  But I'm trying.
"God be thanked for the matchless gift of his divine Son." -The Living Christ

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Reasonable Rules for Dating my Son

I've seen many, many memes and posts along the lines of rules/applications for dating someone's daughter.

They've got their wit and humor, to be sure.

As a mother of boys, I look at them with a different perspective.  Honestly, I don't like them.

This morning, I decided to see if anyone has responded with a rules/application for dating someone's son.

Thank you, Google, for making that search easy.

AND...I didn't like what I found for dating sons, either.

There's too much undertone of cruelty and anger running through these things:

"I will make you go away."

"Understand I don't like you."

"Don't dress like a stripper."

"She's not your conquest."

"Get a lawyer."

"I brought him into this world.  He's mine until there's a ring on your finger.  Then I will be your mother-in-law."

Sheeeeeesh.

So I made my own.

Presenting Lindsey's 10 Rules for Dating my Son:

1. Speak kindly to him.  He's been raised to speak respectfully, please give him the same courtesy- especially when you two disagree about something.
2. Smile at him.  It lets him know you enjoy his company.
3. You've been blessed with a beautiful body.  Please keep it covered.  Don't make him spend all his time spent with you trying to keep his mind in a good place.  Yes, he is responsible for his own thoughts and actions.  But could you give the guy a break?  Dress in a manner that makes it easier for him to concentrate on who you are and not what you are.  You'll both have more fun this way.
4. Respect his body and his space.
5. He is not allowed to hit you.  Do not take advantage of that.
6. He has been taught to pay on dates.  Do not take advantage of that.  He does not have unlimited funds.
7. I know what you two are writing and saying to each other.  Keep your communications clean and respectful and you'll never hear from me about it.
8. Please be honest and straightforward with him.  He's grown up with brothers and we just don't do mind games and emotional tomfoolery around here.  Don't lie to him, don't lead him on.  Just tell it like it is.
9. Be a lady.  Don't be crass and don't be crude.  He needs you to add something softer and gentler to his life.
10. The Golden Rule.  It's as easy as that.

And just to be fair, here is a sample of Dating Rules I will Teach my Sons:

1. Speak kindly to her.  Always.  Even and especially when she gets snippy.  Sometimes, girls just get catty against their better judgement.  You need to be rock solid respectful always.  She'll appreciate your strength.  But if she's always snippy, it's time to rethink what kind of girls you want to date.
2. Smile at her.  It lets her know you like to be around her.  And it lights up your eyes.  You have such handsome eyes.
3. Date girls who show respect for their bodies, and for you, by covering up.  Always keep a hoodie in your car.  That way, if you pick up a date who is not properly attired you can say, "You should have told me today was laundry day!  I would have waited to take you out until you had enough clean clothes.  Here, take my hoodie so you won't be cold."  If she doesn't think that's funny then puts on the hoodie or changes her clothes...chalk that one up to a bad match and try again next weekend with someone else.
4. Respect her body and her space.
5. If you ever push her around or hit her, you will find yourself in massive trouble with your parents and hers.  Punching and wrestling only works to solve problems between you and your brothers.  You have to talk to girls.  There will be much talking.  Don't let that frustrate you; enjoy this new facet of your life!
6. You asked her out, you pay the way for both of you.  Maybe she asked you out, or maybe she wants to pay her share.  If that is the case, you be polite and at least offer to pay.  Whatever the situation, never go out on a date unless you are prepared to pay for it.
7. I monitor all lines of communication.  The more you complain about that, the more often I will have surprise inspections.
8. You will not play dating games.  If you like her, date her.  If you don't think it's working out, tell her and stop dating her.  There will be no leading on.  Mind games are for sissies.  Around here, we mock sissies; you know that.
9. Open doors for her.  Not because she can't do it, but because it shows her you think more about her than yourself.  Be a gentleman.  If she doesn't appreciate that, then Son, you're dating the wrong type of girl for you.
10. The Golden Rule.  It's as easy as that.

So...there you go.  It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway- This is only a very small piece of what I will teach my boys about dating.  We may be a way off from dating age, but it's never to early to start preparing, eh?:)

Thursday, August 8, 2013

We meet again

It's Thursday.

And I just don't have it in me to blog today.

I figure I should say something, though, since I didn't blog last Thursday.

Soooo, here I am to give it a shot.

Today has been another ordinary day, made different by a visit from my brother and his family.  That was lovely!

My life has been full of lots of ordinary days lately.  Or, as ordinary as they get these days when everything is simultaneously in upheaval and limbo.

We're back at school.  Now with three boys instead of one.

It's a busy schedule and I'm feeling like I've achieved a new level of "legit" in motherhood.

I spent lots of time yesterday reveling in the little voices (that's little. But don't let it fool you; they're very loud little voices:)) narrating quite the imaginative scenes and sweet faces with round cheeks quietly intent on superhero books.  These things won't last long and I will miss them.

I will welcome and love each stage, to be sure.  But that doesn't mean I won't miss the little voices, the daily imagined adventures, the giggles, the constant light in their eyes put there by the constant wonder they are experiencing, the spontaneous singing without inhibition, the hugs, the kisses, and being their favorite person in the world.

Just last week I hugged Jonz after school and he pushed away and said, "Awww, Moooom."

All I could think was, "*sigh* It begins."

Then I grabbed his face and planted a big kiss on his cheek.  I can only get away with tricks like that for so long, you know.

I am thankful for this time of life.  It sure is fun.

What are you thankful for today?