Superheros

Titus has been really into superheros for the past few months. Lately he has been Spiderman and Batman the most often but occasionally Ironman too (that's the role he most often gives to his dad). We think the actually videos or even cartoons of superheros are much too violent for someone his age so he's never seen anything to do with superheros.

The other day he was running around being Ironman and saying something along the lines of how Ironman saves the day and I realized how unbelievably trusting a child's heart is. All we had to do is say Ironman is a superhero and superheros are good and he wants to be one. I understand now truly why God tells us to have faith like a child. To trust and love without inhibition is an amazing thing. We talk ourselves out of it as we get bogged down by the world but there it is.

I'm thankful God cares for us as His children. It is my joy to run after Him and trust unceasingly.

Lack of sleep

Titus has been going through a phase where he has a hard time going to sleep. He calls for mom and dad constantly. The past two nights he even woke up a bunch in the middle of the night. Right now we're  not sure what to do. Obviously getting angry or frustrated doesn't help. It's easiest to want to be a hard ass and just let him scream (which also doesn't work either). The most difficult thing is to keep going in, giving him hugs and kisses, being patient and loving on him.

What I'm thankful for is this-Gabe pointed out to me that we are not unlike this with God. We scream and cry out and forget to trust, forget that we do not need to be afraid and we can rest in His peace. Does God leave us to scream? Does He push us away? Does He think selfishly of Himself and what He is missing out on? No. He holds us, loves us, is never ending-ly patient with us. What a Father we have!

So we will follow His example with our own children and pray the phase ends quickly. If not, we will follow 1 Corinthians 13.

spending time with my kids

You know, sometimes it's ok just to sit and hold my boys and just watch them. Titus playing baseball and running the bases while squackers cheers. Lincoln laying on his stomach and kicking his feet, "hiding" in the baby coat and dodging balls, Jack sleeping so peacefully in my arms. Wonderful. Plus, I have coffee.

Titus

Oh boy this kid has the power to frustrate me more than I thought possible. There are times I about want to scream. It's so easy to forget everything is temporary and he'll grow out of it. That also means he'll grow up...and not sit on my lap, not hug me so tight it hurts, not call his dad Ironman, not organize his cars by color and type, not sing all the wrong lyrics in his little voice, not cry when Lincoln doesn't want to give him all the toys, not climb on the counter to help stir cookie dough and eat all the chocolate chips, not choose carrots over fruit snacks, not ride his bike like a maniac, not trust us implicitly. That will happen all to soon. I think I'll savor the quiet moments and every little joy for as long as I can.

Lincoln's curly hair

It's not simply that it's nice to see something of myself echoed on my son so much as that the curly hair fits Lincoln. The ringlets curl backwards towards the back of his head. My dad wants me to let it grow out which cracks me up because he doesn't care much for long hair on boys (nor do I for that matter). That's just a testment to how freaking cute it is. Something fun to enjoy. :)
Really, it's wonderful to have the boys be so similar and yet different. I still can't believe Jack got brown eyes. I fully expected him to have blue. They each have something different. God is awesome in the creative way he takes the parents genes and mixes them together to make these beautiful children.

Gabe

I've been meaning to post this for over a week. Thank you Lord God Almighty, gracious and loving Lord, for the gift of my husband. Everyday he grows more in you and it shows. he is less selfish, more patient, loving and attentive by the day. He loves and provides for our children, but also spends his free time playing with them. Plus, he adores me and takes care of me and honestly finds me attractive (even on my grubby days). I could go on for quite awhile. He's not perfect, but he's perfect for us.

Grandparents

My grandparents were super influential in my life (hense naming our son jack) and I'm so glad both my parents and gabe's mom & step dad are so involved in our kids lives. Titus has been going to class with grandma every thursday since before jack was born and it's so good for him to have this time. Plus, it's wonderful to be blessed with Christian parents on both sides. Makes a world of difference.

Lincoln

Linc turns two today. Man, his labor sucked. I was in a ton of pain- crazy back labor. I sat on a ball rocking back and forth for most of the time. We didn't know the gender so although I was excited to find out, I was so exhausted I just wanted it to stop. Gabe was great, as always. I was induced at 6 am and lincoln was born after 1.
The most amazing part  was when they handed him to me...and didn't take him away. Then he was hungry, and I fed him. He was healthy, he was strong, he was ours.
Thank you God for the miracle of a second boy to love and hold and watch grow into a man. Thank you for this toddler with his curly hair and sparkling blue eyes. Thank you for a boy who absolutely loves his brothers and antagonizes the heck out of them. My boy who loves to play and give hugs and eat off everyone else's plate, who laughs and giggles and listens selectively. :)
Lincoln, I cannot wait to see who you become. Your dad and I love you more than you can know.

Little sleep

Last night was one of those nights where between the boys I was up at least every two hours. So I'm a wee bit tired today. But being woken up so often means a few things:
1: I have three wonderful, amazing little boys-all who are under age 4 right now
2: these boys have a mother and father who are more than willing to get up and comfort them in the night, irregardless of personal comfort
3: gabe takes turns getting up with me so I never face it alone, even though he has to go to work
4: I get extra time to give hugs and kisses and see my boys sleep
5: my littlest nurses so well and peacefully and goes right back to sleep

My conclusion? I'm spoiled.