4 years old tomorrow

My dear little guy,
  Tomorrow you will be 4 and I wanted to tell you some things... You won't probably read this until you are much older but I have to record even for my own sake so I won't forget the wonderful things in my life because of you.  Since you were born I have had sand in my bed, rocks in my bed, rocks in my washer, rocks in my dryer, rocks in my shoes, rocks in my pockets, toys in my car, my bed, my kitchen, my porch, my clothes, trucks in my cupboards, giggles in the mornings, trucks in my dish water, loads and loads of very dirty clothes, puke on my table, puke on my rug, sink parts down the drain, water all over the floor, mud puddles in my house, bike skid marks on my floor, water all over the walls, other brown material all over the walls, books in my bed, Moo in my bed, Bunny in my bed, rolls of toilet paper unrolled into the toilet, crumbs in all kinds of cracks, sticky hands smeared on my face and my hair, smelly feet in my face, cold feet on my back, boogers wiped in places other than a tissue, tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of worry, some nights without much sleep, some days when I could have worn earplugs all day, and other things mothers of boys have.  But all these things and more are what make me smile everyday, and your smile, your laugh, your words, your creativity, I'm amazed day by day at what a great gift  you are and you may never understand how much I love you, until maybe the day you have children of your own.  You are kind and forgiving, even when other kids have not been kind or forgiving. You are generous with your affection and your helping hands. You are always eager to say hi to everyone, even if they don't look at you or hear you.  I love that you notice the little things, and I'm trying to cherish the little kid things you do before you're all grown up and too mature to do them anymore.  You have a great memory and sense of direction.  I don't think you ever forget a person, and you break the silent tense awkwardness with strangers with your friendly "HI!" to everyone you meet.  Your language is changing daily, and I kinda miss the days when you called monkeys, mee-moos, and flowers, fhoo-fhoos.  It stills makes my day when I hear you say copcorn, or when you see a whirl iffin around the yard.  Hahaha.  You are such a good big brother, always trying to comfort your sister, talking to her, bringing her toys, swinging her in her swing, patting her hair down, or tickling her.  I have seen you just this week protecting her (from Chile), and proud of her (telling people out and about that you have a baby sister named...)  I wouldn't trade you for a thing, there is no one else that I wish was my son, I am so glad that God gave us you, just as you are, and just as you will be.  He made you, little love, and he knows you and loves you more than Daddy-o or I even could.  As much as I would love to always have a great relationship with you, what I desire more is for you to have a great relationship with your  heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Lord over all.  That is really all that matters anyway.  Friends and family  just weren't made to be everything for you, but Christ was, so I will pray today and everyday that you go to him, inquire of Him, know Him, love Him, trust Him, put your hope in Him, listen to Him, believe Him, rest in Him, and speak of Him to everyone you know.  He will not disappoint, and what he has is eternal.  I love you little man and I am so blessed to see you unfold and grow like a beautiful garden, bearing good things.  4 years ago today I was in labor with you and had not a clue what I was getting into doing this parenting thing, but there is no place I would rather be, and nothing else I would rather do.  If nothing else, the Lord is stripping me of my selfishness so He can be glorified in losing myself to what he has called me to....the high calling of parenthood.  I trust Him with you and know you are in good hands, someday you must entrust yourself to Him too.  If my love for you is like a crazy rushing river in the springtime, I can't imagine what God's love for you is really like.  Know this--the Lord is good.  Better than the best thing you have ever known or experienced.  You know I'm a rambler, so I'll stop with hopes that someday you will read this and understand.  I love you more than sunshine, sleeping in, ice cream, knitting, a hot tub, a woodstove, homemade gifts, dark chocolate, a hike in the mountains, or fresh raspberries.
Love,
Your Mama (and dance partner, for now)

Things happening around here

We hit a deer last night.  We have a smashed headlight, everyone is fine....except the deer of course.Our little guy saw it all and asked several times today to go to the garage to see the broken light.  Then he would retell me what happened.  He's been waking up from dreams early in the morning, crying himself into our room to try to explain what was happening. This morning they were all good dreams.  The first words out of his mouth this morning were. "Big John Deere tractor in the parking lot just like mines"  haha.  Then he said "get tires at new store"  I asked him what store, was it Costco?  He said yeah, get new tires at Costco.  We went to Costco last night.  Here are some pictures of both of them sleeping at the same time....this lasted for about 15 minutes, so I really didn't get anything done.  I need to make a list of things to do when I get the chance that both of them are sleeping (since S gave up naps entirely when H was about 7 weeks old). When the opportunity arises, I get so excited I really don't know what to do with myself, so I do 10, 1-2 minute things.  Someday I'll be organized in this area.  Here is a picture of him after he fell asleep on the couch next to J.  He was just sitting there and then we noticed he had tipped over. LOL! Poor guy had a cold and this is the first one he was wiping his own nose with a tissue (not just his sleeve).  He was like an old lady with his tissue wadded up in one hand carrying it around everywhere until I firmly told him to throw it away and get a new one.  What a kid, I love him so much!

 Well, our little sweetie pie is growing, growing.  She was 12 lbs and 3 oz. tonight before her bath.  She is getting so strong, close to rolling over.  On her back, she arches her back so she can get to her side but hasn't gone all the way to her tummy.  On her tummy, she can get over to her back.  She throws her legs straight up in the air and grabs her knees.  She loves to watch her brother do anything, which has made nursing a challenge lately.  I have to tell him to go play in his room so she will focus a bit, but when I'm getting dinner ready his distraction helps out so much.  She likes to watch the dog, too.  She laughs, and giggles and babbles all sorts of sounds.  She's good at grabbing my hair and toys, she's actually pretty good with her hands, chewing on them and pulling out her nuk, but she prefers her thumb.  We put her in the stroller for the first time this week, she seemed to like it but didn't fall asleep until we had done all the loops in the park and were back in the driveway...too much to see for those attentive little eyes.  I just wonder what she is going to be like when she  gets older-- that some kids just drift off to sleep easily, but she doesn't want to miss a thing.  I give her many opportunities to jump into slumberland, but she keeps those eyes pinged open as long as she possibly can.

J poured the foundation for another house last week, the rain held off and he got the driveway done on Monday of this week, so he'll be as busy as he wants to be this winter.  This time change has kicked my hiney, I'm going to bed.