Life has been super busy since the last time I posted...almost 4 months ago. We've had 4 birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, multiple activities and trips. Sometimes life just sweeps your legs out from under you and you just have to roll with it. We are surviving and enjoying life. Kids are so fun! They really make life worth living.
The other day I was picking up a couple of things at the store for Carson's birthday and I had the 3 youngest with me. They were being really good but it was almost lunch time so I knew that we needed to hurry. We grabbed the things that we needed and headed to the nearest line where I walked up on the saddest conversation between the clerk and a customer. They were talking about kids and this is exactly what I heard...
customer: I just don't see why anyone would EVER want them! I mean, I know it's good for some people but I definitely never wanted any!
clerk: Well having kids can teach you patience (cut off)
customer:Ugh! I have dogs for that. I have 5 dogs and oh I love them so much. (reaching in her purse to take out pictures). They are so great! They definitely teach me patience though.
clerk: Well you have a nice day ma'am.
Then it was my turn. The clerk wouldn't even make eye contact with me because of the previous conversation. There I am with my 3 little kids, Carson's beaming because we just got stuff for his birthday party, Camy's dancing and spinning around and Bryn is in my arms with her head on my shoulder giving me cuddles. My heart literally hurt for this sad lady. We have a dog and I agree that they can teach you patience. They will NEVER teach it like children though. There are days where there is non-stop crying and fighting. There are fevered babies to hold-all night long and then you have to tackle the next day just like you got all the sleep you needed. There is homework to be done, dinner to make, and a house to clean all with a baby on your hip and toddlers to entertain. Although being a parent teaches you patience so much more than having a dog, I guess I can see the comparison. The love you feel for a dog will NEVER compare to what you feel for a child though. It is so exciting when your child succeeds. It is heartbreaking when they fail. It is amazing to have them turn to you for comfort. I can't even express all that a child can make you feel. That poor lady will never know what she is missing. I would do anything for each of my children. We are so blessed to have these 4 amazing kids.
As far as updates go...
Parker is almost 7 and in 1st grade. He is reading very well and enjoys reading anything and everything he sees, especially signs and billboards while we are driving. He is also very good at basketball. He just started his 3rd season and is doing really well even though he is probably the shortest kid on the team. This last Saturday was his second game and he made 3 baskets scoring 6 of the 12 points that his team had that day. He loves showing off too.
Carson just turned 5 and is really into art, drawing and writing. Yesterday he was spelling words on the fridge and he spelled cat. I told him that was awesome and he told me that he knew how to spell kitten. He started to sound it out and ended up with CITN. He'll be reading before we know it. Carson's also starting to be a little sarcastic. The boys were fighting on the way to church on Sunday and they kept sticking their feet in the seat that's between them. I turned around and told them to stop. That didn't work. Finally I said, "get out of the seat!" and Carson proceeded to unbuckle his seat belt and say "ok" with a big smirk. Little stinker!
Camy is 3 and DRAMATIC!!! When she talks her whole body shows her excitement. Her face has so many expressions and she uses her hands so much! When she is being her cute self she can usually win anyone over. When she doesn't talk and makes weird faces people think she's the biggest weirdo ever. It all depends on how you catch her. She just became a Sunbeam at church and it loving it! I hope she doesn't smother her teacher though...she likes her a lot!
Brynlee..our sweet little Bryn is almost nursery age but has been going with me for the past 6 months or so (That's my calling). She knows a ton of songs and usually singing can cheer her up. She has also learned how to throw a tantrum. It's crazy to see such a little girl throw herself on the ground and kick and scream but she knows what she wants and will do anything to get it. A week ago she took a face plant on the trampoline into a metal bar. She pushed one of her teeth up into her gums partway and chipped another. She isn't suppose to eat anything with those teeth for 10 day...another reason for her tantrum throwing...and she can't use a sippy cup. She has hit it twice since then and started bleeding quite a bit all over again. It's been hard on all of us but it should get better pretty soon.
Keeper is doing well at work. His team likes him and they enjoy working under him and his bosses seems to be impressed with his work. He's already been on one week long business trip to Atlanta this year and will probably go on one every 6-8 weeks to a lot of different places in the US. It will be a new normal for us to have him travel so often but we will figure it out.
I'm doing the same things at home. We have a music class for the little ones that meet every Monday at our house, I plan playgroups on Wednesdays and am in nursery on Sundays. My life is focused around kids and I LOVE IT!
I will update what I've missed gradually but my goal is to keep this better updated this year. Wish me luck!
