Bonding

So I've been struggling to bond with my little rugrats. I've mentioned this before, and it continues to be an issue. I love my boys, but I just don't get all the boys stuff: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter (though this is growing on me) etc. After sharing my frustrations with Phil on Friday, I was pleased with the way Saturday turned out. Micah called me upstairs to help me set up some traps for Indiana Jones. Ok, Jennie, this is your chance. After creating one that I thought was good, I thought I should get Jacob involved, I didn't really know what I was doing. Before long, all the boys and I were creating this beauty: (check out my dart skills)

And I thought we'd never use the Thomas legos again. Yeah!! They saved the day!

Another great bonding time for Jacob and I is racing. He competed in a Cupid's 1K last Saturday. He did great! He won 3rd place in his age division. Go Jacob! Maybe someday we'll be racing together. I'll have to figure out the best time when he's fast enough to keep up, but can't beat me yet!!

And on a last bonding note, it is so fun to have Grandpa and Grandma Baird home. We went up to see them recently and the boys created this amazing cave with Phil and Grandpa's help. Then they played wack-a-mole! What fun boys we have. I just gotta remember how to bond!! (If you have any suggestions, let me know!!)

Lost the Metal

Determination. Perseverance. Dedication. Pain. Strength. As we watch the 2010 Olympics, we are all inspired and amazed with the talent and hard work of the athletes. They give up so much to be able to compete. Countless hours of training and practicing for this one moment. To see them win the gold after all their efforts is a beautiful sight. It lights in us a fire, a desire to do something as impressive and hard. Yet, as amazing as they are, many things DO happen day to day that are every bit as inspiring by us less televised people.

Take, for example, Phil. Through boundless perseverance and determination, he withstood the pain and trials of having braces for the last SIXTEEN months. Though ever a silent sufferer, we watched with awe as he continued, day after day, wearing rubber bands, brushing after meals, his mouth in constant upheaval and change. And then, yesterday, with his smile big and bold, it was suddenly all worth it. The pain. The sores. The TRIUMPH!! We congratulate you Phil.

go world

Remember When...

We have a screen saver that scrolls through pictures of our boys over the past eight years. It has each of them as babies, toddlers and current pictures too. Phil loves to sit and look at it. Me, I can't stand it. Ok, I'm being a little harsh, but though our boys are only 3, 6, and 8, I know those days will never come back and it's difficult for me to look at those pictures without some sadness.

In the process of switching the boys rooms, I had some dirty work to do yesterday. I cleaned out the old changing table (turned dresser) that has gone through each of the boys. With it's broken drawer, it was finally time to be passed along. As I was cleaning it out, I found some funny things that I had saved, purposely, because I can't bare to throw them away. Old medicines, tiny booties, Benjamin's umbilical chord (gross I know, but that thing took 2 months to come off, I wasn't about to throw it away), Micah's first hair cut hair, and clothes that have gone through 3 boys. It's amazing the memories that all those items can conjure up.

So there I sat in the middle of Jacob's bedrooms sobbing over what once was. At times in my life, it is hard to enjoy the now without looking back at the happy past. Yesterday was one of those times and as I sat staring at those treasures, hearing the boys light-saber fighting in the back ground, I longed for simpler times. For one on one time with Jacob, going for daily walks to discover the world for the first time. For little Benjamin sitting in his room staring at our Thomas train set for hours at a time, wide-eyed with wonder. For Micah being snuggled and adored as the newest member of our family.

Life is good now, but it's a little painful for me to look back. I don't know how I'll possibly survive them growing totally up and leaving the house someday. I guess for now, I'll have to learn to enjoy today. (and go get a kleenex, I'm such a baby!)