It almost sounds like the opening line of a joke..."What do you get when you have a pregnant mama, five kids, a dog, a cat and a wheelchair?"...our weekend.  My best friend Amy came to visit with her two year old little girl this weekend.  Amy is preggars and is due at the end of June.  My parents happened to be on vacation for the weekend as well so we kept their dog.  My oldest son is recovering from a surgery on his foot so he's in a wheelchair aaaand the icing on the cake was that my husband was in Texas for work.
  All of that added up to the two of us taking everything on together.  Amy and I went to graduate school and lived together for around three years.  We had a blast being roomies and went through so many things which formed a bond that is hard to compare.  I remember having to scrape by just to afford groceries from week to week and pulling 'all-nighters' for our finals.  Back in the day we used to sit and talk about how "One day, it would all be so much easier..."  We were reminded of these conversations on Saturday morning as we stood in our pajamas watching three of my four kids flipping on the couch while her little girl stood and watched (picking up the best habits I'm sure).  My parents' dog had escaped somewhere in the neighborhood and the cat howled as the smoke alarms pierced through the house while bacon fried on the stove.  I looked at Amy and laughed yelling, "Is THIS the part that we thought would be easier?!"  We ended up making it through the weekend and had a really great time to tell the truth.  Amy and her little girl are now safely home in Ohio, Adam is safely back from Texas and the dog is safely back from God knows where.  I can only hope that one day, Amy and I will have another get together when we can laugh about these days.  I can almost bet that while we'll remember them as being some of the most exhausting and crazy of times, we will miss the the wildness of the little ones and their adventures.  As we sit and eat bacon that isn't fried to a crisp, I know that we will remember them as being the best times of our lives. 

Baseball season is in full swing.  Our boys are playing this spring with our seven-year old on a coach pitch team and our four-year old on a t-ball team.  Uniforms were passed out last week from their hats to their socks - just in time for opening day last Saturday.  In this area, people don't mess around when it comes to baseball.  They have an opening game day parade, opening game day ceremonies and crowds of families and friends gather to celebrate.  The parade was something.  Our three year old little girl stood on the sidewalk in shock and disbelief as candy was magically thrown like pockets of rain.  When our son's float passed we all cheered and shouted.  There was something about seeing the boys in the parade that made our hearts swell.  Maybe it was the nostalgia from our own childhood memories or maybe it was the way they each tried so hard to get a fist full of candy thrown right to their baby sister...I don't know.  The feeling carried over to their opening games though.  It was great to see them play with their teams dressed in full uniform.  Our four year old could all but hold his pants up he was so cute and tiny.  Our seven year-old played in his very first coach pitch game.  The first time he went to bat he swung and hit the ball but fouled out.  A second and third swing and a miss.  With his head down he carried his bat back to the dugout.  My heart sank for him and I had an overwhelming pull to go hug him even though I knew he was too old for that in front of his team mates.  The next time he went to bat he stood ready as the pitch was thrown.  Strike.  Another pitch, another strike...then suddenly...bam.  On the third pitch he hit the ball with a heavy thud and took off running.  I was already holding onto the fence when he nailed it and I couldn't help myself from jumping up and down screaming.  Some of the moms behind me began to giggle and I laughed explaining how that was his first hit in a game.  I don't know how to define that feeling of pride and happiness even though I know they're only kids.  No matter how young or old they are though, I think that feeling will always remain.  As he stood on base getting ready to run from the next batter he looked over at me and smiled.  I smiled back and waved trying not to let my eyes water.  Under my breath though I whispered, "That's my baby" making sure that none of his friends could hear.  :)   

My Gram used to have a funny saying that went something like this, "Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can.  It's seldom found in women and never found in man."  Now this isn't true of course :) but regardless of that point, the saying has nothing about the lack of patience in children.  I should say that our seven and eight year old boys are half-way decent with the characteristic of patience, but our three and four year olds?...Holy moly.  You put them in the toy aisle of a store and see how "patient" they can be.  The words, "No buddy, not now.  You don't NEED that" or "Not today Honey, maybe for your birthday" are foreign concepts to them.  Just yesterday I ran into a friend while we were in a store.  You could almost see the faces of my kids light up when they knew I would take a minute to talk with her.  I think their minds fall under the same rule that applies to when the phone rings..."Free for All!"  They ran back and forth with anything they could get their hands on almost like they were on a game show trying to beat the clock.  "Can I have this Mommy?"  "No, put it back."  "But Mommy what about THIS?!  I REALLY have wanted one of these FOREVER!"  Our three year old little girl even inched her way towards us with toys in each arm and one clenched in her teeth.  You could barely see her from behind the walking "wall" of baby dolls.  We took time to put everything back, my friend and I said our "good-byes" and we went home.  I thought about it as I drove and decided to try to teach them a lesson in patience.  I racked my brain trying to think of a fun way to make a three and four year old understand.  I decided to make cookies...any excuse to make cookies.  We got the ingredients out one by one and I had them taste each of them separately before we added them to the mix.  Salt, "yuck" baking soda, "blauck" flour, etc. They decided that each ingredient was just no good at all.  When we mixed everything together it was great to see how surprised they were at how it became "yummy".  They could hardly wait for the cookies to be done and out of the oven.  It took a loooong (ten minute) time for each batch to bake, but I hope it was a little lesson in taking time and having patience that helped them understand.  It was also a tasty little way to go along with what my Gram always used to say as well, "All good things to those who wait." 

Once Upon a Time, in a Land Far, Far Away, there were two people who loved each other and were happy.  They were happy because they slept.  Really, really slept.  They fell asleep each night and actually stayed asleep throughout these nights until the melody of beautiful birds woke them from their slumber.  All was well in the land.  Then one day something happened.  A little Princess graced them with her presence.  This was no ordinary Princess.  She had magical powers all her own.  She was able to keep everyone in the entire land awake each and every night.  She could sneak into a bed with stealth like powers at any hour.  No matter how many times she was taken back to her chambers she somehow magically reappeared.  This Princess could then smack the people of the land square in the face.  Her little self could turn across the bed and kick them directly in the ribs and sharply in the back.  All while she slumbered soundly.
  The people of the land longingly remember the "Time of Sleep" as it has come to be known.  They often question whether the land will ever return to that state.  They prepare each night for the return of the Princess and vow that she will not prevail.  As sure as the night appears, as the night before that, so does she.  Until the time arrives when she stops "body checking" those who love her at 3:00 in the morning, they feel it will be quite sometime until their "Happily Ever After" of sleep might return again.      

What do you get when you have one doctor's appointment and three dental appointments scheduled for a three, four and six year old in the same day?...Pure chaos.  If you've ever taken a child to the doctor or dentist, you've probably had either a really good visit or a really bad visit.  There's usually not a whole lot in between.  If you've ever taken FOUR kids to an appointment at the same time, well, you can do the math.  Our three-year old little girl had a wellness check up yesterday morning that I think the entire state of North Carolina could hear.  In her defense, I made the mistake of letting her stay in the doctor's office a few weeks ago when her four-year old brother had to get stitches in his eyebrow.  That experience ended up being pretty close to an exorcism, so without surprise, as soon as we pulled into the parking lot again yesterday, she immediately held her eye and began to cry saying, "No hurt Preston's eye!"  Little did she know we weren't going there for Preston (enter maniacal laugh).  The two older boys were in school during this visit, but our four year old son went with us and sat in the office with a look of pure and utter relief when he realized that we weren't there for him.  The nurse began to try everything she could with with our clingy little girl.  She weighed her, measured her, checked her eyes, her blood/cholesterol level...all while this freakishly strong ninja baby climbed up my body in shear panic and fear.  Our Pediatrician is beyond amazing and she was then able to check our little girl, give her a vaccination and hand her a sticker without skipping a beat.  With a band-aid on her leg, one on her finger and a kitty sticker on her shirt, we were off. 
    A few hours later we picked the two older boys up from school and headed to the dentist.  Ahhhhh, the dentist.  I wish I could say that the dentist's office freaks them out because it's a big scary place with sharp knives and drills...but it's not.  From the staff to the layout of the office, it's warm, friendly and full of toothy happiness.  You almost expect a unicorn with a toothbrush to pop out at any minute.  Why then - would our three and four-year old children both go into automatic lock-down at the front entrance?  Only God knows.  With our little girl's new found  strength and climbing skills, the nurse AND the dentist had to all but hold her down just to check her teeth.  It wasn't much better with her four-year old brother.  Just when he thought he got out of Dodge for the day, it was his turn.  How these people can work on wiggly, screaming kids with their Evel Knievel moves is beyond me.  Our older son who's six was a champ.  He made me hope that there might be at least some glimmer of chance for our younger two in the future.
  All in all, we made it through the day with vaccinations and teeth cleaned.  I have a whole new respect for the nurses and physicians who handle kids like these every single day.  I can't help but think though that in six to twelve months when our routine visits need to be scheduled again, they'll surely know and be ready for when our ninja baby girl and Evel Knievel son are about to ride again. 

My Mom has always said, "As a twig is bent, so shall it grow."  What she meant by this was, the way you raise a child for the most part, determines who they will become.  I try to remember this as we get through each day.  Some days are great, some are a nightmare.  No matter what, there are a few things I try to keep in mind...
1. Say "Good Morning" and "Good Night" at the beginning and end of each day.  Try to say "I Love You" at least once in between.
2. Make eye contact.  Really and truly make eye contact at least once a day.  This seems simple and almost ridiculous, but in today's crazy fast paced world, you'd be surprised at how difficult it can be. 
3. Try like mad to have a family meal.  A real, sit down at the table, shut the rest of the world off, family meal.  With sports, homework, meetings, and everything else constantly being thrown  your way, this is sometimes the only and best time to reconnect with each other. 
4. Don't hover.  Let kids be kids.  Let them play, let them fight, have fun, dance to 80's music, dance to any music.  Let them get hurt, let them laugh their heads off. 
5. Don't freak out if they get dirty or make a mess.  Is this fun for you?...no.  Is it fun for them?...of course.  They need to have a healthy respect for rules and boundaries, but they shouldn't be scared or worried if they spill something on their clothes or drop a cup of water.
6. Hug and Kiss them at least once a day. Every single day. 
7. Teach them to be good winners and good losers. 
8. Have a good relationship with your family and friends.  They will follow your example.  If you treat the people you love with compassion and respect regardless of whether they're in or out of your presence, this will be noted....and copied. 
9. Teach them to be gracious.  Truly thankful for what they have and compassionate for those in need.
10. Have Faith.  Believe in God.  Have an understanding that there is something bigger than they are in their lives and learn to trust that - and trust in themselves to make the right decisions.
 

My best friend from our hometown in Ohio and her husband came down for a visit this weekend.  It was so nice to stay up and laugh while eating bowls of ice cream like we used to when we were kids.  We would drive our parents crazy until the early morning hours giggling about everything from boys to our hopes and dreams.  We had such a great time over the weekend being able to reminisce.  It was a good reminder of how important it is to surround yourself with the love and laughter of a true, good friend. 
  I was able to witness this in the past week with my oldest son.  A couple of his little buddies came over to sit on the couch with him after he had surgery on his foot.  They knew he couldn't get around much so they didn't run or play in the house, they didn't jet straight outside to ride bikes or shoot hoops, they just sat with him to keep him company.  It was amazing to see that even at such a young age, the bond of true friendship can begin to grow.
    My BFF and her husband had to go home yesterday and we miss them already.  It was a great time to be able to get together again.  I can only hope that our little ones will be fortunate enough to have true friendships that grow and last throughout their lives as well.  A friend that will be there no matter what - through thick and thin - is worth more than all the world.  Even when it's sometimes hard to stand on your own two feet, a true friend will be there by your side.  Few things in life are greater than this. 

At what point do you realize that you sound just like your parents?  When do you start thinking like they do - reacting like they do?
    We took a road trip over the weekend, which are two words that often strike resound agony in any parent of a young child.  Road.  Trip.  Anytime you spend several hours in a confined space with little ones locked in their car seats, there is the potential recipe for disaster. 
   This trip wasn't the worst we've ever had.  With four kids ages three, four, seven and eight, we were on the road for about four or five hours.  It didn't take too long though before we heard the grumblings of, "Mooommy, I'm BORED!" and "Daaaddy, how much LONGER?"  My husband and I both looked at each other in utter disbelief as we heard this coming from a car full of kids with every type of electronics surrounding them.  That's when it happened. 
     I don't know where it came from, or how the words came out of our mouths, but my husband and I both said, "When WE were your age, we didn't HAVE the things you have.  There WERE no DVDs or video games.  We had to make up our own fun."  We both stopped almost in mid-sentence and immediately realized that we sounded JUST like our parents.  We gave each other quick glances with surprised smirks on our faces.  It was true, though.  Kids these days have everything known to man and they're BORED?!  (I digress.)  We went on to tell the kids how we had to make up different car games when we traveled.  We taught them how to play "Car Bingo" and how to find every letter of the alphabet on license plates and road signs.  Our younger two even tried to count the cars that passed by.  Our three year old little girl kept saying, "seven, eight, nine, ten, a lemon, twelve..."  As the three older boys began to tease her, they each giggled out "A LEMON?!  Mommy!  She's saying, 'A Lemon!'"  Out of nowhere, our "parents" suddenly entered the car again. "Guys, let her count and don't tease," I heard my Mother say through me.  Adam shot a smile at me this time and shook his head.
   I guess it's inevitable.  The car trip was a good lesson that made us realize that our parents raised us and will come through us as we do the same.  Being in the car with our little ones was a strong reminder of that.  I will have to say though, it really was nice to turn the devices off and be together as a family.  In a lemon years from now, these will definitely be the times we'll remember.

Our oldest son had to get surgery yesterday.  It was the first of two procedures where his doctor has to create an arch in his little flat feet.  It's not a major procedure by any means but anytime you see your baby in a gown with a hospital wristband on it all but breaks your heart.  A little before they were going to take him back, we were trying not to let him sense our worry or anxiety.  As we were high-fiving him and trying to crack some jokes, a nurse came in to give him a little cup of liquid "happy juice" to make him drowsy before they wheeled him away.  Within about ten to fifteen minutes of drinking it, our eight year old little boy, who is the most responsible and serious of our four, somehow turned into the president of a fraternity house.  Our jaws dropped as he began to giggle and make funny faces.  He took a blue hair net that they gave to him and turned it into a muppet.  He began to make it sing and dance and then turned it into a sling shot so the muppet could fly.  He started to think for a minute and then told us how cool it would be if he could wear an astronaut helmet during the surgery so he could breath better.  After a few more minutes, he put an oxygen mask up to his face and of course, began to breath like Darth Vader.
  I've always said that out of our little ones, he would be the least of our worries in college.  Now I'm not so sure.  The surgery went well and he's doing great.  We're so glad that it's over and done with.  I don't think he will remember a thing from his frat party yesterday.  We, on the other hand, will only have to wonder if one day he decides he wants to become an astronaut when he grows up...or a muppet.

When the entire mall stops to try and find the location of a  screaming child, you know we have just been there visiting the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.  I try to imagine what these two magical figures must look like through the eyes of a two or three year old.  Our boys were somewhat apprehensive of Santa and Mr. Cottontail but Lauren has taken it to a whole new level.  It's almost like a conditioned response at this point.  If she knows we're going to stand in the line of doom, waiting to hurl her onto the lap of the arch nemesis, she begins to give us a death grip not humanly possible and clings to us from limb to limb.  We really hoped that this year, seeing how she just turned three, would be the turning point.  Visions of all four little ones running to the Easter Bunny and giving him a hug were quickly squashed as soon as she caught a glimpse of him. 
    Yes - another year of meet and greet with the Bunny himself has passed.  Here's to hoping that eight months from now things can only get better when we see the big man in red.