Appreciation

An odd couple of days leading up to St. Pat's. I was actually thinking the other day about the ol' festivities at UMR and how St. Pat's in Rolla was during college (and still is for many). I believe some of our friends still attend and it is hard to imagine being there at this point in my life. So, I guess some reminiscing was going on. Then today, I received an email from Doris, our ZTA housemom, and it brought me a new line of thinking about Rolla and where my life has gone since being there during the mid-90's.

Doris emailed to tell the ZTA alums about another UMR alum who passed away today after fighting brain cancer for 12 years. It was really something. His wife, Angie Baer O'Neill, also went to Rolla. I never did know them personally, but I do remember Angie and her pictures are very familiar. However, I cannot imagine the experience they had as a married couple. It really made me take a minute and remind myself of my appreciation for my faith, my family, my life, my friends. Thinking about how Patrick & I met in Rolla, graduated, were married soon after, and the great life we've had since then, it's just amazing how differently things could always go.

I decided to read a bit of the blog describing the life, trials and tribulations of this family and truly have my heart go out to them. A very emotional read even though, as I said, I did not know them personally. Brian was 36, was a husband for approximately 12 years and a father of two little boys, fairly close to the ages of our kids. According to the reading, just one month after they were married, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and basically fought it for the past 12 years. Just reading some of the thoughts and feelings and experiences was almost too much for me. I like to think I always cherish the blessings we have, but as I said, this just made it seem stronger. Thinking about one month after we were married, my biggest issues may have been that I didn't have a washer/dryer or a kitchen table? That's about it; NO BIG PROBLEMS. And still, more than 11 years later, I must still say, NO BIG PROBLEMS. My heart does go out to them during this difficult time.

Moving Baby

Yesterday the big boys had a lot of fun while we were reading books. The baby was kicking around a lot and they each had a hand on my belly feeling it. They are so excited and that makes me so much more excited. They have already had many discussions about when they'll visit me at the hospital and who gets to hold the baby first...them (their first response). Their second response: Dad. Then their final response, "Well, Mom you should get to hold the baby first 'cuz you have it in your belly all the time." Thanks, boys! I love you all!

Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails...

That's what little boys are made of, isn't that how it goes?

I was thinking of that poem the other day when Jacob, Leah, & I went for a walk to get my haircut when it was so nice last week. Leyton & Nathaniel were at school, so the three of us hit the streets. Jacob started out walking and before we made it one house down the street, he found a stick. "Mom, look, I found a stick!" (By the way, the stick was inducted into the best toys ever Hall of Fame recently). A few steps later, he stumbled across sight of a worm. Jacob has no fear of anything gross (even Leyton & Nathaniel see gross things & tell Jacob to pick them up - he always will).

Anyway, Jacob stands there prodding the worm with his stick. "Jacob, what's up?"
"Mom, I'm tickling the worm!" Now there was a good answer.

We made it to the end of the block and then we came across some dirt on the sidewalk, a small pile, basically. He then had to stop for a while to stir it up and enjoy the moment. I stopped and did the same. I was almost wondering if I needed to rethink my plan to get to my haircut & back before the boys got home from school about an hour & a half later. It was fun. And, we did make it to the haircut & back with plenty of time. I do enjoy time with all the kids - all together and some on their own as well!

Playtime before Sleepytime Tonight

I need to be taking more pictures again; I've been slacking. Especially since I really have some posers these days. Leyton & Leah LOVE having theirs taken, and Nathaniel too. Jacob, well, he's usually busy with something else (he didn't really get involved with us much tonight)...
Leah was just having fun & wearing the hat she got for Christmas from Great Grandma Mary & her usual Curious George jammies from the Grahams. Leyton is showing off some of his writing utensils & work, Nathaniel is just being a happy guy. Lots of fun.

It's Been a Little While...

Since I've posted any pictures. These are from a day recently when Jacob just really wanted to blow bubbles. Cute, dedicated.

"I Don't Like my Little Bed!"

We've been hearing this from Jacob a lot lately. I know that when we bought this bed, he couldn't have been happier. But, as time as gone by, and he sees the fun looking bunk beds in his brothers' room, well, you know, our preferences change. I told him that his bed is the same size as theirs, but it's just not the same, you know? He usually wakes up pretty much every night and if you talk to him about it during the day or before bedtime, this is the response we get, "But I don't like my little bed." He's so cute. I think he really wants bunk beds. Well, he may end up with some anyway. With this little one on the way, we were going to need another bed for the kids anyway since Leah doesn't have one, so we may just get the bunk beds and then let Leah have Jacob's bed. Now I do wonder, though, if it could really be that easy. Would he then sleep through the night and not come wandering down the hall each night? Who knows. I also thought about the fact that maybe it's another hint. I've thought we're having another boy and then bunk beds for Jacob would work out well in the long run, anyway, as eventually if it is a boy, then he'd get to move in with Jacob when he's a bit older (by the way, little baby, if you're a girl, then I'm sorry I've said any of this! Ha, ha.).

Oh the Wonders of Snow

Well, for not knowing the snow was coming, I was caught a bit off guard on Saturday morning when I saw the several inches we had overnight. Of course the boys were thrilled. Leah is funny as she likes going outside, but doesn't really get that it's cold...until she falls on her bottom & gets her bare hands in the white fluff -- SCREAM! I don't blame her; that's the worst, isn't it?!

The boys played in it on Saturday for a while, well maybe 15 minutes. It was kind of cold and unfortunately too cold for snow balls with their snowball makers. I was glad about that, though, since we could only locate one of the three or four that we have. The funny part was how the boys were very upset they couldn't find theirs. I have been encouraging them more and more to put things away in a good place. Here's an example of how that's been going:
I ask them, "Well, where did you put them away last time when you were finished using them?"
One of them said, "I put it where I usually do."
Me: "Where's that?"
One of them, "Around the house."

Isn't that the truth! Ha, funny where they feel like putting things away sometimes. On another note, though, if anyone has wanted to visit, I think they should visit today or tomorrow. After that, I can't make any promises. The house is super clean right now since we had a dinner party last night with three other couples from church (thanks Beth & Robert for babysitting!) and so the house looked great, if I do say so myself. It was tiring, though, as we did all the work on Saturday on top of running a few errands and my making dinner. But, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to do it too early. As Patrick reminds me daily when I'm picking up that it only takes about two seconds for all the work to be UNdone again. I'll enjoy this as long as I can!