A Different Love

Watching your husband love on your son ... priceless.

Advice/lessons from a mom to her daughter 

who has made the decision to grow her family:

{Excerpt discovered on FB 6.6.13 - Anonymous}

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.

I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.

I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

Truth.

Country Boys on the Farm

Even though I married a country boy, 

I never knew I would actually have a little country boy,

especially since we live in the "big city."

This handsome boy professed, however, that he wanted to move to the country ...

even though the drive was very, very long.

We hopped a few county lines to go to a wonderful event called 

Mudbugs and Music for Maddie

in celebration/memory of the sweetest little girl.

Her family opened up the event to CCDS faculty as well as family and friends.

My sweet family didn't miss the opportunity to hang out on the farm

with a bunch of others who loved Maddie.

Walking up like he owned the farm.  

He insisted on bringing the hat, but the accessory didn't last long!

Oh, how coot!  

A baby lobster ... aka mudbug!

...and he actually ate part of it!

Maybe not a major league stance,

but Alekzander's unique throwing style gets the job done!

 So big... A little boy's dream come true!

Our family on the farm.

{29 weeks pregnant}

 Jumping off haybales.

Alekzander's first song request at a live concert.  

Daddy made him go up to the stage and request

"David Allan Coe."

Sure enough, a few songs later, Alekzander & Andrew's request was granted.

A perfect night on the farm for me and my country boys.

Remembering Maddie always...

Dress Up Rules

Love this adventure loving, dirt magnet.

He is so, so, smart {and so, so cute}, but he has yet to learn the rules of "dressing up."

In the South {and at our church}, dressing up during the spring or summer

consists of a nice button down shirt and shorts.

Most days Alekzander doesn't fight the "dress up" or church clothes,

but he is quick to take them off to purposely save them for the next church day.

...That is if he doesn't get them dirty before he gets home.

On this night, we dressed up to see Coach Daddy present awards to his track boys.

We went with the mismatched prints, blue eyes ... 

and the only pair of shoes that had a match and fit!

He looked adorable and acted like any 3 year old would in a situation

that requires him to sit still and be quiet...

both of which were struggles for my cute little man!

The track boys didn't help much as they would turn

 and look at Alekzander every time he tried to whisper one of his million questions 

{which only encouraged him to be louder to get more attention}!  

He ate cut-up fruit with his hands, had chocolate on his face, 

and somehow ended up with crayon on his shirt.

Once the track awards were over,

and Alekzander proclaimed,

"Daddy talked for a looooong time!",

we quickly escaped politely excused ourselves 

and ran to the car.  

The trip to the car included laying on a dirty school bench,

throwing away a leaky cup into the over-filled trash,

picking up random sticks, hugging a tree, and throwing a pile of leaves.

Perhaps not the best activities to engage in while dressed up,

but completely acceptable if you are three and your mommy has failed 

to teach you the "dress up rules."

 

Mama's Day 2013

Boy oh boy, my boys are sweet!

Art, flowers, hand-made "coupons"

xoxoxo 

Alekzander didn't quite get the memo 

that he was supposed to be extra sweet and well-behaved,

but we had a great lazy Sunday

including a picnic lunch {until the tears}, a nap, dinner, and dessert.

Maybe Alekzander realized that he could have been better yesterday 

because he asked me this morning if it could still be Mudder's Day.

I told him it certainly could be, but on his own, 

he went and consulted with God.

He left the kitchen and stood in his play room

and said, "Dear God, Can it please be Mudder's Day every day?  Amen."

Two seconds later, "God said, YES!"

...So stinkin' proud of my little guy.

He asked me again tonight if it could be Mama's Day again tomorrow.

I said, "Sure!" He stopped and asked, "Really, Mommy?"

I came clean and informed him that Mama's Day is just one day, 

but reminded him of his conversation with God earlier today.

He got a big smile and hugged me and Anderson.

It was the perfect ending to the second Mama's Day of the year.

{Alekzander - almost 3.5; Mama - 28 weeks pregnant}

Precious, But Not Perfect

This kid is all boy, especially when it comes to 

dirt, trucks, sports, dinosaurs ... 

all things boy.

But he is also mama's best boy,

and I don't think he minds it...

and I happen to love it!

When life slows down, 

he is all about snuggling.

Each night he asks, "Mommy, will you stay and lay a little bit with me?"

He is generous with his hugs and kisses

and is so sweet to Baby Anderson

tucked safely in my growing belly.

So, so sweet, but not perfect!  

We have power struggles daily ... 

disobedience and defiance rears its ugly head 

when he is overtired or hungry or just doesn't get his way!

The other day after a serious timeout in his room,

he came out apologizing

"for the way I acted."

And then proceeded to break my heart by telling me,

"Your mean words hurt my heart."  

Apologies from me and lots of snuggles followed.

I think we both learned our lesson that day.

The hard days melt away when I see him

sleeping and still...

peaceful and precious...

surrounded by all of his furry "babies" in his bed.

The other night I was up for two hours

tossing and turning

and went to check on him two different times.

The second time, I caught him between sleep cycles

and when I kissed his forehead, he woke up and asked for water

in the sweetest, sleepy voice.  Even said please!

I brought him water and gave him another kiss on the forehead.

He asked if he could give me a real kiss, 

so I leaned down and he ran his face into mine.

I started to walk out, but he said,

"Mommy, I didn't hear the mwah {kiss sound}."

I didn't understand him, so he repeated,

"Mommy, I didn't hear the mwah {kiss sound}. I need to kiss you again."

How do you deny that request?!

It made my two hours of sleeplessness 

completely worth it...

It made the hard days melt away...

always loving my precious, but not perfect

little guy ... even at 4:30 in the morning...

and all other hours of the day.

And already the mommy doubts and guilt are overwhelming...

How am I going to love my second little guy

as much or as well?

{Though I seem to fail daily with just one little guy and one big guy.}

What will our family be like in less than 3 months?

Will my words hurt hearts?

Or build them up?

Luckily I know that in God's eyes, 

I am precious, but not perfect.

His grace is enough 

to cover my doubts, my guilt, my failures, my fears.

I am beyond blessed to have the chance 

to love all of my boys.

Every hour of every day.

Arriving 7.26.13

Anderson :: Manly, Brave, Son of Andrew

Maddox ::  Good, Generous, Child of the Lord

Maps and Strawberries

Checking out the Strawberry Festival and Walter Y. Elisha Park

after an all-you-can eat strawberry pancake breakfast at the Peach Stand.

Alekzander scored some free samples, stickers, coupons, and a strawberry tattoo. 

  

His most prized possession from the festival was the map ... 

which he "paid" for from within the General Store.

Reading maps is quite a serious endeavor.

Perhaps he will be a world traveler ... 

already he probably knows how to read maps better than Mommy!