Brotherly Update

So you know Corban's realization that he has 3 brothers? Well now each and every day I get to answer "Yes." to various questions such as...

"Mom, is Javen still my brother?"

"Mom, I still have 3 brothers?"

"Mom, am I Javen's brother?"

I wonder how long it will take for Corban to feel secure that Javen is here to stay.

Headed for a New Chapter

This evening I took my baby girl, Tarryn and 2 friends to the store so they could find another friend a birthday gift. Although this may seem like nothing to cry celebrate about, I have to say it took my mind through a whirl wind of things to come.

In the past, taking my children to any given store we always seem to find ourselves in the region I'd like to call, "The Toy Zone." For many places they have their marketing down to sticking toys at the front of the store, or like Justice, all over the entire stinking store! However, today was a quite different experience. We walked in, and spent our entire time looking for presents in the jewelry section and the girls clothing department. Toys weren't even mentioned on this trip!

I find myself constantly being reminded that time is slipping away when it comes to my one and only daughter. I find this a bit disheartening, yet also exciting as I watch Tarryn mature from little girl to young lady. I hope I can enjoy all the moments to come...even the ones I dread like first dates and even the horrible ones like being told that she knows more than me.

Sibling Comprehension

While driving to school today, we had a Signing Time DVD playing that was talking about members of a family. Corban decided to announce what his family consisted of:

Corban: "I have 1 sister and 2 brothers."

Me: "Uh Buddy, you have 1 sister and 3 brothers."

Corban: "I do? Who's the other brother?"

Me: (Thinking who he could be missing as a brother) "There's Makade, Kellan, and Javen."

Corban: "You mean Javen's my brother?!"

...And all this time he's been so accepting of this new little stranger in our home!

Derby Delight

Once upon a time in a kingdom not so far away. There was a town full of small warriors who would spend hour after hour with their Father warriors planning, and cutting, sanding, and painting, weighing, and using powdered graphite. All to get ready for the big race called The Pinewood Derby.

This really was a great bonding experience for Brandon and Makade. ....and a little of Tarryn on the side who really wanted her own car as well. I'm still surprised at all the tricks it takes to get a box containing a block of wood and 4 wheels ready to race. I would say what they are, but I've been sworn to secrecy. *wink wink*

I was certain all the hard work in our household would be in vain, since it only took them 4 days to complete Makade's tank. (Having a baby tends to put things like blocks of pine on the back burner.) Because they hadn't spent weeks upon weeks gearing up for the Derby, I had planned a wonderful speech for Makade using sentences like, "It's okay you didn't win. The fun part was building the car with Dad." "Think of the hard work you did in 4 days, others have been working on theirs for weeks." Even a, "We'll get 'em next time buddy." was planned for the evening so imagine my surprise when Makade's tank came in first or second with every race

As Makade raced his car in the finals, it became quite apparent that he was going to win this thing! .....apparent to all of the crowd; not so apparent to Makade. When the track director asked the winner to come up, he had Makade come find me to give me a hug Tarryn came running over and asked, "Did Makade win?!" We confirmed he did. "Makade! You won!!!", Tarryn shouted as she jumped up and down. "I did?" Makade looked surprised and then, comprehension dawning, "I did!!!" and he started jumping for joy as well. ...... ah well, my speech can wait till next year. :)

Stunting Growth

While driving to Kumon, Makade asked me what type of drink I had. When I told him it was Diet Coke, Tarryn quickly reminded Makade that, "That's one of the kinds of drinks Dad doesn't want us to have." She also told him it's because it makes you stop growing.

The conversation continued as we talked about caffeine stunting your growth and naming various drinks that carried the evil stuff. Tarryn found it important to mention to Makade that "Mom probably drank a lot of caffeine when she was little and that's why she's so small." To which I replied, "I'll have you know that my favorite soda was Sprite when I was young, and have you ever checked out the height of MY parents?!"

After explaining that you get your height from both of your parents Makade found it important to ask the question, "Does that mean I'm gonna have one short leg and one really long leg?!" He was worried he would have to hop around everywhere!

A new year, a new life, a new beginning.

Wow! I can't believe 2009 has come and gone. I have not been very dedicated to any of my blogs this past year and I miss it! I can really see where my writing has gotten rusty as ideas and words don't pop into my head as quickly as they used to.

I think what bothers me the most about this past year that hasn't even been mentioned in this blog is our joy of expecting a new family member to add to the fun. There have been so many wonderful moments regarding this such as my telling Corban I had a secret:

Me: (In a whisper even though no one else is around) Corban, I have a secret.

Corban: Okay, what is it?

Me: Mommy has a baby in her tummy.

Corban: (Looking petrified) What?! You ATE Kellan?!

Or The day we decided to tell all of the kids at dinner and Makade found it important to help me with all my food and any other needs he thought I might have. The look he had for me that day was amazing.

There is the moment we found out that this baby was indeed, another boy and I cried and was so worried about how upset my sweet Tarryn was going to be when she found out she wasn't going to get that baby sister she longed for. My heart truly ached for her! Then as we told the family, she was still willing to welcome her new baby brother.

All those beautiful moments, and more didn't get written down and put into the timeline and I'm very sad about that! Shame on me for not *finding* the time. I'd like to promise that I will be better at blogging but I refuse to make promises that I am not positive I will keep. So I will state that I am going to try to keep this form of family logging up to date so that someday when I want to go back and have these memories, they are written with all the heart felt words that came with the moment.

This will be a task as our soon-to-be family of 7 gets more and more busy, but it's needed on many levels and I am up for the challenge. No promises, but I hope to be writing really soon.

Super Heroes

This evening Makade gave Kellan another look into the wonderful world of imagination. Seeing Kellan carrying his often dubbed "Linus Blanket", Makade took the blanket and tied it around Kellan's neck, instructed him on some cliche super hero moves, and announced that Kellan was now a SUPER HERO! Hearing this did something to Kellan. I watched his face change as he realized he now had an important title. Kellan liked the title so much, he darted around shouting, "Supah Hewo! Supah Hewo!" He'd continue until his make-shift cape would fall off then he'd run over to Makade or me to have it tied back on then continue on his super hero journey.

Watching the boys interact; an 8 and 2 year old both mesmerized by the idea that a blanket had such magical powers. Enthralled by the blanket that helped this little guy have the confidence to save others, to serve others, or to just stand there in a picturesque stance with hands on hips and looking into the beyond. It was quite fun to see how we can perceive ourselves on a day to day basis. Seriously, we all have our capes (or should I say Power Suits) that make us feel more confident when worn or carried. But what amazed me most was watching my boys try to create a world that, quite honestly they already are heroes in. For in my world, they are my heroes. Every time they share a smile or a laugh with me, I am saved.

How blessed I am to be surrounded by 3 little-men heroes, 1 princess, a Knight-in-Shining Armor. .....and another little super hero on the way.