Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

I love little boys. 

I have three of them, and I have cherished every minute of being a mom to them.  I loved the years when my Jacob was obsessed with construction equipment, and knew the names of every machine by the time he was two.  I loved how he called the cement mixer a "mixger" and a bulldozer something like "bu-dizzer."  I love it how Josh's favorite things have always been tools and "man" things like brief cases and clipboards.  One  year his very favorite Christmas gift was a box of wood, some grown up tools, and some how-to-build-things books.  I loved Ben's toddler obsession with balls--any kind of ball--and his love of "having adventures."  I loved the superhero years, tying blankets around little necks and watching them zoom around the house.  I love our home full of ruckus and silliness and daring feats of all kinds.  I love the toy cars and trains and transformers and legos-- everywhere.  I love it that all kinds of sound effects can be heard coming from little boy lips at all hours of the day....  shooting sounds, vehicle sounds, crashing sounds, and space ship sounds.   

I just love being a mom to little boys! (and girls...but that's a different post.)

And now I find myself cherishing these days of having three "little" boys more than ever.  Because my Jacob is twelve years old.... and I know what will be coming soon.  Jacob has some childhood friends who recently became about a foot taller than him.  Some of their voices are changing.  I recently ran into an old friend of mine I hadn't seen in a long time, and I barely recognized her 13 year old son.  He practically looked like a MAN!  It cannot be avoided that in a relatively short time, the sands of time will be marching through our  home and taking my little boy with them, leaving a teenager in his place.  A teenager who will be taller than me, and who will look different and sound different, and eventually will not be interested in the same things anymore that he always has been.  And I know it will be fine, and I will love him just as much, and I believe I will cherish those years the same as I have the little boy stage of his life.    But it will be different.  

Today the boys played "Survival" most of the day.  They put up a small tent in the backyard, took backpacks out there full of necessary supplies, wrote about their adventures about meeting wild animals and an Indian girl (Sarah) in a journal, and enjoyed the day, wishing they could sleep out there tonight.  This evening we went to the park, and the boys played a game about Ninja warrior training, scaling the monkey bars and bounding up the slides. 

And I listened and watched and did school in the tent with them, soaking in every minute I possibly can of these loud, happy, and crazy days with my three "little" boys. 

Jacob

I'm here, I'm here!

I'm tardy, but I'm here.  : )

I have been wanting to write a post about our biggest boy, Jacob.  He turned twelve a little over a week ago. 

Twelve! 

We had a wonderful time celebrating.  Picture a Star Wars cake, fun at the local laser tag place with the family and a friend...Legos and a remote control tank, a real man's watch, and cash from grandparents were his awesome gifts..... I just love birthdays.  And especially when I am celebrating the birth and life of one of my precious treasures. 

I would like to tell you a little about Jacob.

Jacob was born with a claim to fame.  He was my first child, and he came into the world weighing in at 11 pounds even!  I should have known right off the bat that this boy was going to be special.  Actually, what am I saying?  I DID know that he was going to be something special.  He was precious from the very first day.

Jacob had another claim to fame those first few days in the hospital nursery.  He could cry.  A LOT.  Those poor nurses kept bringing him to me thinking that little boy must have been really hungry since he was about 4 pounds bigger than all the other babies.  It turns out that being hungry didn't have much to do with it.  My poor baby just cried and cried--a lot--in the hospital, and for months after we brought him home.  It wasn't non-stop, but he did an unusual amount of crying. It was a very difficult time--for him, and for his daddy and me.  It was definitely the hardest time of my life up until that point.  I just didn't know what to do to help him, and to this day, I don't know what was wrong...but I remember knowing in my heart that this boy had a very sweet temperament.  And I couldn't have been more right.

Jacob grew into a hyper--I mean healthy, very active two year old, and a loving older brother to our new baby, Joshua.  He would say, "I LOVE her!"  (Yeah, it was a boy, but babies all look the same, right?)  When he was five, and baby brother number 2 was on his way, he was ecstatic.  He has always had such a tender heart toward babies and little kids. 

Jacob grew and grew, and his love for all things "boy" did too.  He loved construction equipment and balls.  Hot wheel cars and race tracks, trains and transformers, filled our home.  He got frustrated easily like any self respecting first born child, and he was still very ACTIVE-- and that little boy was so sweet to his momma.  : ) He would tell me I was beautiful and how much he loved me, more often than the other two boys told me those things put together. 

And Jacob continues to show his sensitive, tender heart as he grows into a young man.  When all of the swings were full at the park and a little girl wanted to get on, he jumped off of his to let her have it.  When friends are over, he is so careful to make sure no one's feelings get hurt.  If there is a problem in the house between brothers, Jacob is normally the first one to give in in order to keep the peace.  He is kind and patient and fun with his little sister.  And I have noticed so many times that when I am feeling grouchy, Jacob is quick to forgive my bad attitude, to come over and give me a hug and tell me he loves me--at exactly the time when I certainly don't deserve it.

Jacob really is a precious gift to us.  I know that God has some great plans for him!

He loves his little sister : )

 Relaxing and chatting with Grandpa

 So happy to be 12--sitting in the front seat!

 His awesome flying adventure this past fall..

He said he wanted to carve this pumpkin for Lego lovers everywhere.

 Goofing around with brothers...

Such a great birthday present!

We just love this boy to the moon and back.  We are so thankful for him!

Just for fun...

Hi there!  Sorry if you have been waiting for me to get back on here.  I've been slacking. : )

Jacob is 11 now, and these little quotes are all from when he was about 3 and 4 years old, but still, they are hilarious, so here you go:

"Mommy, I could squeeze very hard and go in your mouth, and go down and look at your bones.  You could go too!  You could just take off your head, and go down.  I would put a ladder down there so you wouldn't get hurt."  Honestly, I have NO IDEA where he came up with this stuff!

"Mommy, say, 'Hi, Jacob.'  Don't call me Sweetie, or Honey, or, What else do you call me?"

Me:  "Jacob, do you see how you're acting?"  "No, I can't see my whole self at the same time!"

He was doing something with his mouth that sounded kind of like a whistle...  "Mommy, we should put a sign on our house.  You could paint it and we can read it.  It says, 'Whistling Boy.'"

"Someday, Josh is going to turn into something....a real boy like me!"

We were riding home at night--  "It's like we're under hair.  And then in the morning someone cuts the hair."  ???

"Scott built the boys a fort for their Rescue Heroes.  Jacob yelled, "Daddy--You're the best maker!"

"Mom, are you really Jesus?  Because your hair looks like Jesus." 

We visited a different church and he commented about the pastor, "I thought he was the president.  The president of the Bush."

He would always say, "Mommy, guess what?  I love you.  And guess what else comes with it?"  And he'd give me a kiss. : ) 

Just plain tired.

Okay, I feel the need to start this off by saying that I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining!  I am still so very thankful for how the Lord has carried us through EVERYTHING.  I am not ungrateful or untrusting, or anything like that.  I know He is with us, and we are really doing well.  Sarah is still doing great!  In fact last night and today, it seemed like she was really showing her true, spunky Sarah colors!  So this little post is just a peek into how I am feeling because emotions are just what they are sometimes, right?  We are human beings after all.

First of all, I am missing my husband.  While I was in the hospital so much, he was so busy with all the daily household things that he got quite a bit behind on his work.  His work he gets paid for.  So, now that I am home, he has been so focused on that, I feel like I have barely seen him, even though he is here.  Hopefully he will be caught up soon.

I am tired of making Sarah drink all the time!  You wouldn't think 20-25 ounces a day would be too hard, but when you are a little 24 pound girl, I guess you just don't want that much.  Every day it is a battle to get her to drink which ends up at least once with her in tears, but they say if she doesn't drink enough, she will have to go back on fluids at night. Ugh. 

I am tired of going to the clinic.  Over the summer we went many times twice a week, sometimes staying for  hours, but it didn't seem that bad.  I guess it feels worse now because I am behind on school with the boys, and it feels like so much more of a waste of time now that there is so much more to do.  Also, since Sarah has to be away from people as much as possible, we don't get to hang out in the waiting room with the other families.  We have to be isolated in a room alone.  Yesterday we were there for 4 hours.  : (  Is it better than being in the hospital though?  Yes.  But that doesn't mean I can't be tired of going there.

Here's a sad little story from yesterday's clinic visit...I woke up tired in the morning.  I got Sarah all ready and we were out the door--a little late.  Cassandra was parked behind me, so I had to wake her up to get her keys.  And as I was putting Sarah in her carseat, she says,  "Poopy!"  Yep.  Love those last minute diaper changes.  So after that and moving the other vehicle, we were late.  They have never said anything about us being late before, but this time one of my favorite nurse techs there gently reprimanded me for it.  (Honestly, it doesn't really matter much since it is not a real doctor visit.  Just a blood draw.)  I was already tired, so I wasn't in the mood. 

Then we went to our room, and I knew we would be there for the time it takes to get a certain medicine she needs, which would be an hour, plus the time it takes to get the results of the blood draw.  Not too bad.  It turned out that even though her white blood cell count was still fine, her ANC was low, so she had to get nupogen, (sp?) and we had to wait for them to order it, get it infused, etc.  So, we took a little (I mean long) walk to the pharmacy and back while we waited. 

When we were finally all done with everything and on our way out, I realized I did not have my ring on.  The ring my hubby gave me when we were still dating, almost 20 years ago.  Where did it go?  Oh yeah, Sarah loves jewelry, and had asked me if she could wear it.  That little voice in my head had told me not to do it, but I had thought, "We are just in this little room and she is sitting on my lap.  Nothing will happen to it."  Well, that's what I thought before I promptly forgot all about it, and we went on that long walk to the pharmacy and back.   So, I searched the little room, retraced my steps, told all the nurses to be on the lookout, and called the hospital lost and found.  No ring. : (     I have been even more scatterbrained than usual lately because I have been tired and have this huge to-do list on my mind all the time since I have been home. 

So sad.

Sooooo...Sarah's appointment with Dr. Aaburg to check for that tumor is on Monday morning!  We are praying that that stinker will be ALL GONE.  Will you pray with us??  Then, we truly will be done with it all.  What a glorious day that will be! 

In the meantime, we press on.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

 More silliness!

 Reading with Josh

 Watching Barney with Ben.  Ben said, "Mom, I just want to spend some time with Sarah alone."  : )

 Ben did a little piano recital for us complete with tickets.  He made up some songs, and figured out how to play some real ones on his own.  I need to get to work teaching that boy!  (Another thing on my list...)

 Jacob sitting in the balcony

 Grandma and Grandpa were here for the concert too!  Ben brought the book to Grandpa and said, "Something for the little one..."  lol

 Me enjoying the concert with Josh ; )

Sarah so happy to be back on that trampoline!  (This time we put a sheet down on it to keep germs away!)

Sunday Snapshot--Brother Love

When we were going to bring Sarah home last October, I knew that our boys would be great big brothers. But I had NO idea that coming up on a year later they would still be so loving--so utterly selfless with their little sister. They go above and beyond what I would ever expect of them in helping out, in playing with her, everything. If I am sleeping in, they will get up with her in the morning, even getting her cereal and a sippy cup of milk. They play with her even if they don't feel like it. Even Ben, my 6 year old is so patient with her. Having a little sister has been the best thing for them as they have learned so much more about caring for others and putting others first. And they have learned how really really wonderful it is to be a family for someone who needs one. I am so thankful for my boys and so blessed to be their mom!

Here are some cute quotes after yesterday's little attack on the television

I am taking a quick break from cleaning as I work to get stuff done before our hospital stay tomorrow-Wednesday.  I came across my little notebook I write down kid quotes in and thought I'd share a few more...


Josh age 6--"How do babies get there?  Does God just open up your tummy when you're sleeping and pop-em in?"

Jacob age 7--When he was getting proficient at reading-- "Yep, I know how to read.  Now all I have to learn is how to go underwater, and then all my learning will be complete."


Josh age 5--Scott's back was hurting and he said, "Why?  Do you have a crap in there?"  (Cramp!)


Jacob age 7--I didn't know that when I drink water it makes me stronger.  Kinda like my transformer cyber key."


Ben age 2 1/2--I was telling him he could play outside and he said, "Yeah, man!  Dude, you're good!"  with a big thumbs up. ; )

What to write...What to write...

I don't like to go too long between posting things. I have lots running around in my mind, but sometimes it doesn't feel like the right time to write it yet. So, I decided that now and then I would just share some of the cute things my kids have said over the years that make me smile. I think you'll like them too. If you have kids, don't you agree with me that they are the biggest blessing in the universe?? The Bible tells us straight out that children are a blessing and a reward. Some don't see it that way for some reason, but I don't get it because they just give me so much JOY!

Jacob age 9--(Talking about our dog, Samson) "He's stinky. He smells like chicken-n-dumplings. In a stinky way.

Ben age 3--(After I took a shower) "Mommy, why did you put your towel off? Your hair looks- um, um, um- not the same as- um, um- your same hair."

Ben age 4--"Are your brains squishy, or not?"

Jacob age 9--(Ben did a page in his workbook and I gave him a sticker.) "Ben, you're lucky you have me for a big brother, because I'm gonna give you an A+!" (And he wrote A+'s on his pages with smiley faces.) : )

Ben age 5 1/2--"I have manly hair. (on his arms.) I can't believe how much manly hair I have."

Ben age 3 or 4--(He really wanted a baby stroller and pacifier and Daddy kept saying no...) "Dear Jesus, Thank you that I took a nap, and please help me to be good and to not have a bad attitude, and please help us to get to heaven quickly because I think there's a baby pacifier and stroller there. In Jesus Name, Amen." (Daddy did give in, by the way.)

And about Sarah...she is doing great! Today she smiled and laughed at everything all day. Even at things that are not in the least bit funny. You would never ever know that little girl just had chemotherapy. God is blessing her so much.

That just reminded me of something. When we started this whole cancer thing, I felt like God gave me a picture in my mind. I envisioned us all on a boat floating on tumultuous seas. But as the waters were raging in the storm under the boat, we inside it were just skimming across the waters not feeling a thing. I felt like God was saying that that was what He was going to do for us. Hold us up so we would barely feel the storm. He certainly is doing that for us, and especially for our Sarah who is blissfully unaware that anything is wrong with her. Praise His Name!

Fun Day!

Our day started with an exciting trip to the clinic. So much fun to waste, I mean spend, over three hours just to get a blood draw! Yippee! At least she did not need a platelets transfusion, which is what we thought she would need. And she actually loves going, and it really is always fun to spend time with Sarah. Praise the Lord her blood count levels jumped up more quickly

this time than last time.




Then we came home, and I was so happy because Grandma and Grandpa brought all the boys home. I simply don't like being separated from my kids for any length of time. I am especially realizing that fact this summer as I have been forced to be away from them much more than usual. So, I sincerely am hoping that all 5 of them are called to serve the Lord when they grow up right smack dab in the middle of the block where I live. :)

All the boys went swimming when they came home. Ben was the last one left in the pool.

My water baby.



Sarah plainly showing that you don't have to have a full head of hair to be beautiful.





Jacob cool and collected after his fun weeks at camp

So happy my Josh is home.

We enjoyed our visit with my hubby's dear parents, (Is anyone else blessed with fabulous in-laws?) and then this evening we went to softball followed by a swim in the pool.....ME INCLUDED-- which is big news because I only get in there like maybe once a year when the water temp. is about 90. Today it was only 85, and if I would have known that before I promised I would get in, I'm sure it never would have happened.

Enjoy some pictures today! I took my camera with me to softball, but realized I forgot to put the card in there. I'll have to get those next time.

Enjoy your weekend!! I know I will!!! : )

Sarah amazed that I was getting in the water


Here I go!




Mark this date on your calendar, boys.

Cassandra had to join in the fun. She jumped right in with all her clothes on!