october: celebrating daddy

Before October’s close, there are birthdays to note.

Ryan. He’s not much for parties, gifts are impossible (he knows what I got him before I’ve even looked for or bought it!), and this year there wasn’t even dessert we could make for him. But still we celebrated with anticipation and joy. I loved being home with the children that day, seeing their love for him spill out in cards and special table settings and general “buzz” as the afternoon stretched into evening and we awaited his homecoming.

Fiona stood and watched for him, and it made my heart squeeze. My kids have a daddy who loves them so much.

They made cards, and I made dinner, and that was our gift. Somehow the kids even found that pink goblet way up high on a pantry shelf, given to us by Dr. Wilson at our wedding. Anything to say, “My dad is the best!”

We gave him our words, trying our best to communicate what he means to each of us. I had them all pile on the couch to capture this moment of our lives: a father who loves, and five children who adore.

lemon, honey, and an awesome little family

This is supposed to be day two of our trip to Maine. And maybe it will be later tonight. But for now, I’m just plain ol’ sick. Ridiculously sore glands resulting in sore throat, tender ears, topped off with a good fever and case of chills/aches. I knew it was there, that Virus, when I woke up yesterday morning, though I did my best to persevere a bit. By last night, there was no denying it: I am down for the count.

Today, therefore, was a planned pj day / don’t bother Mama too much day. Does anyone else get a little scared when you embark on those days? I mean, it could go really, really wrong. My kids are sweet and all, but they’re not angels, they make messes, and my house isn’t self-cleaning. I get nervous.

So, since I went into this sick day with such a remarkable heap of faith, I thought I should stop, pause, and say how blessed I have been.

Jameson, on his way to bed last night: “Mama, would you like me to pray for you?” (followed by the sweetest, most thorough and sincere prayer. Like, he really cared!)

This morning he announced, as soon as we were all up (at a very early hour), “Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll take care of William and Beatrice and even Mama!”

He and William then proceeded to get milk, syrup, juice, and dishes onto the table without me even asking.

He even offered to try his hand at pb&j. Really, he would!

(Aside: he’s just discovered that he’s been failing at his “L” sound, and so now is flipping his little tongue with such gusto every time he says one! I haven’t heard an L pronounced so distinctly since I was an accompanist in diction classes! It’s so, so cute.)

William came in and stood by the couch, took my hand, and asked quietly if I would sing a little ABC with him, please? (He, however, doesn’t even attempt L’s, so actually, he asked to sing a widow ABT. He doesn’t do real well with S yet, either.) We sang together, and his eyes just sparkled.

Jameson heard me turning on the TV and requested that we watch some “Tessa” together. That would be Ina Garten, and she has been our very favorite since he was about 18 months old.

Later I heard he and William in the kitchen, up to something. When I asked about their activity, Jameson said, “Oh, I’m just making a chore chart for my day. How do you spell, ‘Pick up for Mama’?” ARE YOU KIDDING?

(Should I be sick more often?)

And lastly, a cute William anecdote that I just can’t forget. I was reading The Long Winter yesterday at naptime. We were reading about Laura and Carrie’s harrowing journey from their schoolhouse to Pa’s store through a terrible blizzard. They couldn’t see the adults they were supposed to be following, but at one point, “Laura suddenly felt Miss Garland’s coat.” William’s eyes were HUGE with intensity and concern, and he blurted out, “But Mama! Was Miss Garland in her coat?” I forget how very literal, and yet how very magical, the world is to a three year old.

Speaking of magical, our next book came from the library. Roxaboxen is the biggest hit we’ve had in awhile, I think. One read through, and the boys were hooked. It’s their world, after all.

P.S. And Ryan brought home the very cutest card for me. Yes, I am very loved.

bedroom tents!

Aaaaand just under the wire, she posts.

There isn’t time or clarity of mind enough to delve into anything too deep or profound tonight. How about photos of what went on while I was at a mother’s meeting? Only the most looked forward to event of the month! Ryan promised the boys that he would rig a tent in their bedroom, and then they would all watch a movie in their sleeping bags. Ack!! So exciting!!

tent master:

excited boy in background:

more excited boy in the background:

movies in a tent!

The sharing I heard tonight was also very good, and worth a great deal of rumination. Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll do just that. Stay tuned.

my favorite people

Because I keep wanting to write, but never have the words quite collected, I’ll post pictures of what my words would revolve around (if they were to be written).

An oldest son:

A happy middle boy:

And a beautiful baby who is too good to be true:

Also, the daddy whose love makes them all smile and grow:

Yup. That almost sums up my thoughts.

boys.

The headline in today’s Rural News (our local paper) made my heart race:

“Gas & Steam Engine Show June 12, 13”

I grabbed the paper and excitedly got all the details. Tractors, trains, wagons, horses — and all down the road at our local museum. I was probably grinning ear to ear, when suddenly I just had to laugh at myself.

Gas & Steam Engine Show? Really? Really?? That’s what got my attention and made my heart race?

I am a mother of boys. I had no idea how much fun that would be, but it’s a blast.

this weekend


Jameson and his cousin, Jackson, wearing new shirts from Nana. These two boys are getting to be good friends. How fun.


William enjoyed dessert at my dad’s birthday party.

Do you even know how much fun it is to be at my dad’s party, and not just waiting to see the pictures from 3,000 miles away? Fun, I tell you!


We love each other.