9 years on the planet

I can't begin to explain how clever and funny and caring and witty these two have become. They still crawl up in my lap which I relish every single time. They still hold my hand in public places or when they are unsure of their surroundings. The still give me kisses and hugs regularly and stop me at various times during the day to tell me they love me. Alex dances continually. Don't give him sugar or he's pumped and ready for a dance-a-thon. He talks incessantly. He can recite movie lines and tv show lines and anything he thinks is funny. He is helpful; moreso than any of my children. When I call for help he is the first one to run in. He is my grocery unloader, my errand running partner and every other night or so, my nighttime snuggle buddy. He cares about if people are happy and notices when they aren't. 

William is still the one who understands me exactly. He finds my jokes funny and understands my thought process moreso than anyone as I also understand him. He is a clever wordsmith who analyzes how words look and sound and uses that skill to create his own jokes. He was thrilled this summer to be in the talent show and I received many accolades on his performance. "He is a funny little guy," I'd hear. He is also my risk taker and my future roller coaster rider. Although Alex is the most outgoing, William has guts to do things without fear unlike Alex. William is finding his way to people however. Every single person we have been in an elevator with or met in a store, he has asked them, "Did you know that Tuesday was my birthday!?" To which they would reply, "No, I didn't. Happy Birthday!) He's gotten a ton of well wishes from his little conversations. I'd say he's pretty proud to be a nine year old.

It has been quite a week of birthday fun with their party taking place the Saturday before. We rented a bouncy water slide for them and their friends and  hosted a wet and wild party complete with water guns and filling station buckets, perfectly hot weather, cotton candy and popcorn machines and a cake each made to their liking. I thought to myself, there's no need that they should have to share a cake every year because they are very different personality and likes-wise. So, William had an oreo ice cream cake and Alex had a normal vanilla cake with vanilla icing. Both cakes decorated teal like the water they were playing in. Then we were off to vacation in Hilton Head where we spent their actual birthday playing at an arcade and mini golf, another round of cupcakes and ice cream and cookies and a day of not saying no to any of their requests. It was a great day for them and a bit costly for me, but that is what we do as parents. We spoil. I am blessed to have these sweet, smart boys in my life. I hope to always be able to spoil them and grow them up to be wonderful young men.

 

20 years

 I try and give myself grace. 20 years is a long time to be with

someone. I have lots more fat and wrinkles. My eyes close when I smile. I have sagging neck skin and wobbly wings that flap when I wave. And yet, he's still here. I think he never ages. He looks the same to me as the day we met. Every picture...same...every year...he's the best looking one. 

This many years has taught us to agree to disagree and move on. It's not worth staying up all night to argue anymore. The conflict will be there the next day but probably not so intense after a night of rest. Whomever said don't go to sleep angry...never met a talker like Michael. We would never sleep when he's got ahold of a bone. 

I hope that the years have taught him too that some things just aren't important to fuss about and that a fading memory is actually a blessing. Who knows what yesterday held? I can barely remember today.  I have a feeling that more crises are in our future as the years march on. It's to be expected with age. 

But in 20 years we have created a lot. We've gone from 26 properties to over 120. We've established a home where we are raising 3 really great kids. I am living my dream of being a mother and finding more and more peace each day I age as I walk closer to my Savior. The biggest regret being that it took me so long to find the peace I have now in my Lord. 

Never regret the years that made you. Never have remorse over the steps that brought you to God, even if they were ugly. And never give up on the gifts God gave you 20 years ago. The best is yet to come. 

a compliment from carol

Wanted to pass on a great interaction with your blond twin. I had helped Donna Sheehan with art she was teaching at the worship arts class on Friday. She and I were one of rhe last to leave the fellowship hall after pizza for lunch that day. Your son came up to us to say thank you. He said, "I don't know who all did all of this, but it was great. I just want to thank them. I really liked it." Not sure whether he was thinking of the pizza lunch, or the week's experience. Didn't really matter to us. We appreciated his thankfulness and that he thought to share it. We thanked him for sharing his gratitude; gave us a smile. Remember seeing his twin brother in the class earlier. He was interested, attentive, following instructions and seemed to be enjoying himself also. You have some great boys.