Month Six from Jack's Book

Just a Thank You Note

I am sitting here blown away but what my mom did for me today.  My brother affectionately refers to her as "woman"- or- "the woman" if he's talking about her.  He's got it right, she is "the woman."

The best part about what she gave me today was that it was so unexpected and such a surprise.  I hadn't mentioned being particularly in need (though I was) and nothing happened (like a birth or a death,) but inwardly and somewhat silently (though I'm sure Shaun wouldn't agree,) I was battling to make it this week.  What she gave me today was one of those blessings the Lord gives you through someone else and you know immediately that it was inspired by Him- so much so that it increases your confidence in Him- and I am SO thankful to Him for that, and to her for hearing and acting.

Okay, so what'd she do already?  For one, she came and watched Jack and was here for Madalyn to be dropped off after school so that I could take Evan to an allergist.  But for two- she arrived bearing meals!  She also took Jack to the store to get a few fresh vegetables and some things she knew we needed... cereal, for example, which I was so excited to see sitting on the counter.  I just dined on Chicken Tetrazzini, Tomato Tart, and fresh green beans baked in ham.  There is enough for tomorrow and two more cooked meals in my fridge and freezer: Baked Ziti, corn and garlic bread, and a Chicken and Rice casserole.  She also bought cantaloupe, broccoli, and lima beans, and stuff to assemble strawberry shortcakes and left some baked brownies!!  Holy Moly is right. 

I am so EXHAUSTED this week.  Parents of multiple toddlers, be forewarned: it gets easier but harder when they are in school.  It's hard to farm the younger ones off so you can attend the older ones' programs and sports and appointments.  Making arrangements and being available to others in the same way is exhausting (especially when that magical hormone Relaxin is allowing your pubic bones to grind back and forth when you walk.)  Things are not about to slow down as I look ahead to next week and our grocery budget is already running very low...

My mom often says cooking is one of the nicest things you can do for someone else.  SHE IS RIGHT. 

Thanks SO very much, mom!

Soccer Studs

Evan and Madalyn are on the same team this year.  Everyone thought they were twins- "so how old are the twins," I was asked.  "Six and four," I said.  :)  

I took these right before their first practice last Wednesday.

You might remember HOW BADLY she wanted to play last year and how incredibly BORED she was.

I was worried about her outshining Evan with her aggressive, competitive nature, so you can imagine my surprise when she was tired and whiny during practice and he showed great improvement, was engaged and the most responsive child to the coaches questions and tasks.  Say what?

I'm telling you.  If I've said it once, I'll say it again- parenting is so unpredictable and your children always do the most unexpected things at the most unexpected times.

I really look forward to this season.  To taking pictures of them in matching uniforms, to seeing what moments it holds for both of them...

As for this guy, I can measure his growth from season to season depending on what he busies himself with during practices.  Last year all he wanted to do was push his umbrella stroller into the parking lot.  Was DEAD SET on it.  This is year he played with the other little siblings of teammates.  I saw him chasing them (and hitting at them- he thought it was the game they were playing) and I made him apologize.  "I sorry, guys," he said casually rejoining them.  And to which they said, "that's ok," with a shrug.  It is so weird to hear 2 1/2 and 3 year olds converse like that.  But I guess that's how it is with younger siblings- they learn from the older ones. 

 

But let me tell you something else that took me surprise- this child can DRIBBLE.  No one showed him how, no one told him to... he just took off across three fields, dribbling like a pro.  He had great control and it was totally natural to him.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  He's always been really coordinated and LOVES any sort of physical activity- in fact, his happiness depends on daily physical activity.  But he seems young to be dribbling that far, that well, and with such control... now, if we could just work on self-control in other areas... like refraining from sprinkling the sofa with milk droplets from his cup (as he just did while I was writing this.)

You know, as for her being tired, maybe that was just because she wore herself out ahead of time with all this posing for the camera.