A Very Merry Christmas...

"Mom! Watch!"

I hear this at least 50 times a day.  Right now his favorite trick is jumping off the stairs while throwing a ball.  Tomorrow it will be something different.  But what doesn't change is his desire to have an audience.  And I'm the lucky Mama who gets to be entertained all. day. long.

The Cheer-Up Station...

Owen, Oliver, Jack, Silas, and Henry created a "Cheer-Up Station" at the end of our driveway yesterday.  Their idea was to create something that people could drive by and be encouraged by if they were having a bad day.  Below is a picture Allison took of their creation:


There are days when I have boys yelling at each other, fighting over who gets to sit closest to the fire, wrestling, running through the house with muddy shoes, etc.  On those days, I often feel like I might literally lose my mind, and I realize that parenting takes more patience than I ever imagined (and more patience than I have, to be honest).  And then there are days when they are thoughtful, kind, empathetic boys.  Young men who do their best to reach out to others, to encourage others, to help those who are struggling.  And on those days, I feel like the most blessed mother in the world!  These are the moments I will hold on to.  They give me hope that some day these young, crazy, energetic, loud boys will, in fact, grow up to be men who honor God and show His love to those around them.