We've had a sicky...

Logan had been so sick. He had thrown up, had a runny nose, had a caugh. He wouldn't eat. It was making me crazy. We had our trip to Moab planned and he wasn't getting any better. We didn't want to miss it. He took some antibiotics. They didn't help. So we knew we were in for the long haul with a virus. He lost a couple of pounds. For him this is huge. He is skin and bones. He is our tiny guy. He got down to 33 pounds. But, like a miracle from heaven...an answer to prayers...he woke up on the Monday before we left all better. It was like a switch flipped. It was long 10 days but we were so glad to have his funny quirky self all better!

 Look at those sick eyes...

Nothing makes a little boy feel good like a lick of shaving cream! Gross Luke! Funny baby!

Sometimes magic happens...

Sometimes on special days like St. Patrick's Day magic happens! My boys were a little sceptical as they got up that morning looking to pinch anyone that had forgotten green. I mixed up pancakes as usual. I put in flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, oil, eggs, and milk. There was nothing special happening yet. Then I put the beaters in. I turned the mixer on AND...the pancakes were green. This is absolutely amazing since no St. Patrick's Day magic has ever happened at our house. It was our first. Carson was a little nervous about green pancake, because he doesn't really love to eat anything green. It might be healthy, after all. The rest of the boys loved it! They also loved our rainbow of fruit. Who knew that putting fruit into a kabob would make it the best fruit ever! I think Robbie and I got one skewer each. They tried a new fruit...kiwi. They loved it!

 messy face=happy kid

Now after the luck and magic of St. Patrick's Day is over, I have only one question...how did I get so lucky to have these sweet little boys to raise and love and teach every day?

Did I mention that I love bedtime?

I love bedtime. I know that I should cherish these little ones. In fact, one quote I love is, "Young boys should never be sent to bed. They always wake up a day older." True fact. Sad. BUT, still, I love bed time. I am a super committed mom until about 8:30. Then I am just done. But with these little faces looking up at me, how can I not love puting them to sleep?

Moves like Napoleon

 Just the other day we watched Napoleon Dynamite. I am not sure what the boys thought. I guess I didn't realize how innocent they are. They were sad that people were mean to him. But one realization that came from watching that show was that Nathan's dance moves are pretty sweet and resemble those of Napoleon himself.

As far as dancing is concerned, this boy definately marches to the beat of his own drum...and...I LOVE it! He is so cute, funny, and fearless! 

Bigfoot

Our boys LOVE stories. LOVE them. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. You get the idea. They especially love when Grandpa Bob tells stories. Since Carson and Nate were tiny, like 3 and 1, they've heard stories about Bigfoot. There is always an encounter in the woods, an act of bravery, and a close escape (usually via four wheeler).

Robbie has added that Bigfoot likes Tootsie Rolls. So, his stories include Bigfoot needing a snack.

I am a combination storyteller. I hadn't told stories for a long time. The other night, Logan was on my lap and I had the 3 bigger boys undivided attention. I can't even remember what all I said. I know I said that Logan was so brave and cut Bigfoot's hair with his light saber. Logan said, "I am not brave. I am scared." We argued back and forth. Then I moved on. A minute later I looked over and Logan had his eyes covered. I said, "Logan, what are you doing?" He told me, "It is so scary. I can't watch." Apparently this little boy has a very vivid imagination. It cracked me up! 

I love this little boy...dirty face and all! He is so funn!

Change is hard

Carson's teacher broke her leg in the summer. She has not been back to school yet. Now, Friday is his current teacher Mrs. Ball's last day and the new teacher will take over. 

He got in the car on Wednesday. He was quiet. I said, "Did you have a good day?" He said, " Not really. Mom,  Friday is going to be Mrs. Ball's last day." Then it was quiet again. I looked up and he was sobbing. Poor little boy. I tried to help him see that it was going to be ok. Miss Smith would do a great job. He likes Miss Smith, but there is just that bond with Mrs. Ball.

He told me that at school when he found out that his eyes filled up with water, but none of it fell on his cheeks. He didn't want to be made fun of for crying.

It just breaks my heart that there is something hurting inside him that I can't make better. This is definitely one of those growing pains that mothers experience. It is so hard. There is that quote that says, "Deciding to become a mother is to decided for the rest of your life to have your heart got walking around outside your body." So true. I know this is small in the big picture of life, but is hard, nonetheless. We'll make it, because the only thing constant in life is change! Carson has always been my one that doesn't do well with change...new babies, moving, changing plans...Well, I guess this will be one more step to help him overcome that.

On a different note, the other day I was working on making our blog into a book. I was reading to him about a time he broke my center piece. I think the post was called  "Lessons learned from a 3 year old and an angel mother". Anyway, in it I say how much I love him. I looked down and he was crying. Tears spilling over the edge of his eyes. I said, "Carson, what is the matter?" He said, "I don't know. It just makes me feel really good that you love me that much!" I just hugged and hugged him. That is so cute. Carson, I do love you that much! More than anything in the whole wide world!

Just a few thoughts...

Today in church I looked down at my hands. They  have a few burns on them. My mom always had burns from the oven on her arms. I couldn't understand why that would happen. Now that I have a herd of children to feed AND take care of, I understand. It is not just cooking food. It is cooking food with a baby at your ankles, a toddler needing his bum wiped, a bigger one mad cause his brother won't share, and the oldest not sharing just to hear the brother cry. Add in a little fatigue and that is how burns happen.

I also am having issues with names. I can't ever get the right one out. Logan corrects me all the time. He says, "Mom, you say Luke and Logan." or "Mom, you say Carson and Logan." He never lets it slide. I always hated it as a child that my mom called me Heatherrobertbrandoncourtney. I would just roll my eyes.

Probably the most annoying thing that my mom would do was carry around this big huge purse. It carried around every card ever issued to her or to any of us kids. Then we'd be shopping somewhere and they would need to see her ID. Well, of course she had to dig through all the cards and it was so embarrassing!!! Same thing with change...she would just need 11 cents. And she would find it buried in the bottom of that purse. Well, now I have a purse the size of a small suite case. I am constantly digging for cards and change that is buried under diapers, wipes, Lego men, trains, candy wrappers, and a whole lot of totally random stuff.

As I have grown into a mother of 4, I realize now that I should have been so much nicer to my mom and a whole lot less critical! Even in all my weaknesses, I am trying! HARD! I am figuring out that an unorganized wallet is ok if I have a few minutes to give a hug...or keep one of the boys from running out the door at the grocery store! I know my mom tried hard too. I am forever grateful that she gave me an amazing example of what a mother should be. I have my shameful moments, but overall, I think I am doing ok. I love my family more than anything, and if I start calling Luke Carsonnathanloganluke, it is ok!