Do you sometimes make a post, only to re-read it and find you did not entirely say what you were meaning? I am pretty sure I said what I was meaning in the post entitled "Raising Boys", but I left a major part out.
As I read through the post again, I noticed that the word "I" was used repetitively. Believe me, this house is not all about "I"...it is about "Us". I think that being primarily a stay at home mom, I can sometimes get wrapped up in thinking that I am the only one here instilling morals, discipline and every day knowledge into the little brain that toddles around our house. But ohhh, I am not.
My husband is a rock. He is a strong, strong Man. He has a gentle side, but for some reason he is afraid to let very many people see it. All of us who love him the most...his Mom, his Sisters and Myself know that gentleness is there. I love to watch him play with Ryder. I love to watch him tackle our older nephews. I love to watch him chase his nieces...just to hear them squeal "No! Uncle Matt!".
He made me laugh earlier today when he told me that he had read my blog. He said, "Babe, don't you know that I am also here to ensure that Ryder and the New Baby turn out to be good people....look at me, I am not a jerk.....wait I am, but only sometimes!". I just had to lean back in my chair and let out a chuckle because that is so "Matt". This is also what prompted me to re-read the posting.
The truth is this: From the minute Matt walks in the door every evening, Ryder is on "Cloud Nine". There is nobody in this world that is better than his Daddy...it is written all over his face. I know that my husband will be right next to his boys every step of the way to teach them right from wrong and good from bad.
The Two of "Us" will work together to make these Boys "Whole".
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Raising Boys....
For those of you who don't know, I grew up in a family of girls. We outnumbered my Dad, four to one. I knew nothing of boys. My biggest fear was one day having a boy. What would I do with him? Not to mention, the thought of changing a baby boys diaper...how would I possibly do that?
God blessed me with a wonderful, beautiful baby boy! He took away all of my fears and showed me, that you don't see gender. You just see a beautiful being that you created. No words can describe the love you feel for this new person. I cannot imagine life without Ryder. In fact, every morning I tell him..."Mommy missed you while you were sleeping!". Then I give him a huge hug and say, "What in the World would I do without you?". He was not born with the cuddle gene, but I can guarantee he will always lean in for a kiss on the cheek after I say those words.
I struggle with the wonders of whether I am doing the right things for him. Am I teaching him in a way so that he will grow into an honorable Man? Am I nurturing him enough? I want him to be tough and know he is strong, but I also want him to be gentle and loving. I want him to understand how to treat women. At the end of the day, all I can do is love him and pray for the strength to guide him in the right direction. Now, I'll be saying this prayer for two little monsters.
I always hear people say, "Every Mom needs a girl, so that they have someone to talk and shop with....". When I got pregnant this time, it seems like the only comment I ever heard was..."Maybe it will be a girl this time!". It was almost as if I was under some form of evil curse for ever having a boy in the first place. I know that was not the intentions of what was being said...and I have to admit that I even held onto a little glimmer of hope that I would get to buy big bows to stick on my bald baby's head.
This is all I can say; even though I may not have anyone to shop with....I will have three amazing boys in my life that I cherish with all my heart. My prayer is that my little boys will grow to love and respect me. That they will always know I am here for whatever they need, even when they are grown. And I rest assured, that my big boy will love me even more when I have sagging skin and silver hair than he does today.
I am so thankful for this new Blessing God has given us, a very healthy and perfect little baby boy. He still has some growing to do the next five months. I give thanks for his bill of good health yesterday and I pray that he continues on this path. I know he will be an Angel when he arrives and in a couple of years this blog will most likely become a huge comedy on the craziness that two boys can rain down on a family!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Say a Prayer...
I just got off the phone with a friend from my bible study class. She and I got pregnant right around the same time. Her baby is due two weeks after our baby. She received some devastating news today and is in desperate need of prayers.
Her Quad-screen came back abnormal and she was scheduled for an ultrasound today. She went in hoping everything would show up normal and she would be able to find out if the little thing was a boy or a girl. Unfortunately, they were told that the baby has Potter's Syndrome. I am not educated on what Potter's Syndrome exactly is, but I do know that the Baby has no kidneys and her amniotic fluid has run out. They were not able to determine the sex of the baby because the lack of amniotic fluid prevented the baby from being able to move.
I can not imagine what she must be feeling right now. She said to me, "I thought I'd find out whether we were having a boy or a girl and instead I am making funeral arrangements". I sat on the other end of the phone not knowing what to say....what can I say...I am sorry...but I know that is not what she wants to hear. Please pray for her and her family. She goes back on Monday for another ultrasound...I will be praying for a miracle on Monday and for God's comfort in this most hard time.
Her Quad-screen came back abnormal and she was scheduled for an ultrasound today. She went in hoping everything would show up normal and she would be able to find out if the little thing was a boy or a girl. Unfortunately, they were told that the baby has Potter's Syndrome. I am not educated on what Potter's Syndrome exactly is, but I do know that the Baby has no kidneys and her amniotic fluid has run out. They were not able to determine the sex of the baby because the lack of amniotic fluid prevented the baby from being able to move.
I can not imagine what she must be feeling right now. She said to me, "I thought I'd find out whether we were having a boy or a girl and instead I am making funeral arrangements". I sat on the other end of the phone not knowing what to say....what can I say...I am sorry...but I know that is not what she wants to hear. Please pray for her and her family. She goes back on Monday for another ultrasound...I will be praying for a miracle on Monday and for God's comfort in this most hard time.
Under our Nose
For weeks, I have been looking for a good chair for Ryder....I think I mentioned this a few posts back. Over the weekend we even took him out and let him try a few in the store. We decided to hold off on buying and look a little more. Sunday, we remembered that there was a little rocker up in the attic from when I was a kid. My Grandad actually bought it for my older sister when she was Ryder's age. I am not real sure how it ended up in our attic, but I guess that is neither here nor there. We got it down to see if R would sit in it and...He LOVED it! Imagine that...right under our nose the whole time.
Matt also has a little rocker from when he was a kid that is in our attic. It is a little more "Boyish" as Matt describes it, but needs some repairs. He is going to work on it this weekend and we'll see which one he likes better!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Need to Make a Post...
Why did this week seem so crazy? I am realizing that the weekend is here and I haven't made a post since last weekend.
Monday seems so long ago that it is almost just a blur. We were in Dallas for me to get some work taken care of and so that Ryder could attend his Music Class.
Yes....Ryder takes a Music Class one day a week. We are making progress at music....at first he seemed to really enjoy the class, so I committed him to the semester. Then it began to feel more like a chore for me than something rewarding for him. He NEVER wanted to do what the class was supposed to be doing, he spent most of his time laying flat on the floor seeing if he could make his voice louder than the music in the room or digging into a cabinet that he was not supposed to be in. As we approach the end of the semester it seems that although we are still not always participating in the activity at hand, instead of screaming we are now laughing at the teacher and other kids. Even though he still spends more of his time putting the shakers and jingle-bells in his mouth rather than using them for their intended purpose, and although we still sometimes get into the cabinets where we don't belong....I am happy to report that we are very excited to help put the instruments away at the end of an activity. Finally, even though he still stares blankly at the teacher when she asks him to repeat a rhythm pattern into her fist (pretend microphone), he will repeat them to Mommy at home. Sigh!
Tuesday....if I only had my camera outside! Ryder and I were two doors down playing outside at my friend Paula's house. She has a little boy, Bryce, who is about 4 months older than Ryder. She also has two older girls (which will be pertinent later)...approximately 5 and 7. Let me just take this opportunity to say that I am so blessed to know Miss Paula and we are so lucky to have her as a friend and neighbor! I digress...onto the details... Paula's older girls decided to put a Disney Princess Tent up in the Yard. They even pulled out an extension cord and the Jam-Box so they could play tunes from High School Musical or something like that! They were so proud.....until we heard this being yelled from inside the tent walls...."Mom, the BOYS (a.k.a. Ryder and Bryce) are Ruining the Tent! ". Seems that a Big Pink Tent was right up these two boys alley...they would go in, laugh, get kicked out by the girls and go right back in....it was really funny to watch!
Wednesday....Two words, Stomach Virus. Ick. I don't think pregnant women should have to get this yucky bug, but I got it. And so did our two big girls... Autumn and Blue. It was not pretty, but I spent the day with the most wonderfully behaved 1.5 year old who made not a single fuss. Thank goodness since Daddy had a business dinner after work and wouldn't be home until after we were both long in bed for the night.
Thursday....Work all day, but I was fully recovered from Wednesday it would seem. I was even able to squeeze lunch in with my two sisters which is always nice.
Friday....and then there was rain. I mean it poured...we ventured out to the mall so that we wouldn't get bored in the house all day. Ryder definitely belongs to his Mama and Daddy who are avid people watchers. I mean we are BAD. BR (Before Ryder) we used to take Mexican Vacations so that we could lie on the beach all day and watch people. We go to restaurants and both tune in on other patron's conversations then try to figure out there life story. Ryder could stay at the mall all day just because he loves to look at all of the people. I did what I always said I would never do and became a mall walker. We walked the entire lower level 4 times to get my daily walking in. Just FYI, at a quick pace you can walk the lower level of the Parks Mall in 40 minutes! We finished it up with lunch with friends at the food court...woohoo...and a stop at Children's Place! Um....huge sale! I got everything off of the clearance rack and was even stocking up on nice Chino Shorts for next spring and summer because they were ringing up at $3.50. There is also a coupon out for 10% off....so go shopping ladies!
That brings us to today...my apologies for the lack of pictures in this post, but I just feel relieved to have a post!
Monday seems so long ago that it is almost just a blur. We were in Dallas for me to get some work taken care of and so that Ryder could attend his Music Class.
Yes....Ryder takes a Music Class one day a week. We are making progress at music....at first he seemed to really enjoy the class, so I committed him to the semester. Then it began to feel more like a chore for me than something rewarding for him. He NEVER wanted to do what the class was supposed to be doing, he spent most of his time laying flat on the floor seeing if he could make his voice louder than the music in the room or digging into a cabinet that he was not supposed to be in. As we approach the end of the semester it seems that although we are still not always participating in the activity at hand, instead of screaming we are now laughing at the teacher and other kids. Even though he still spends more of his time putting the shakers and jingle-bells in his mouth rather than using them for their intended purpose, and although we still sometimes get into the cabinets where we don't belong....I am happy to report that we are very excited to help put the instruments away at the end of an activity. Finally, even though he still stares blankly at the teacher when she asks him to repeat a rhythm pattern into her fist (pretend microphone), he will repeat them to Mommy at home. Sigh!Tuesday....if I only had my camera outside! Ryder and I were two doors down playing outside at my friend Paula's house. She has a little boy, Bryce, who is about 4 months older than Ryder. She also has two older girls (which will be pertinent later)...approximately 5 and 7. Let me just take this opportunity to say that I am so blessed to know Miss Paula and we are so lucky to have her as a friend and neighbor! I digress...onto the details... Paula's older girls decided to put a Disney Princess Tent up in the Yard. They even pulled out an extension cord and the Jam-Box so they could play tunes from High School Musical or something like that! They were so proud.....until we heard this being yelled from inside the tent walls...."Mom, the BOYS (a.k.a. Ryder and Bryce) are Ruining the Tent! ". Seems that a Big Pink Tent was right up these two boys alley...they would go in, laugh, get kicked out by the girls and go right back in....it was really funny to watch!
Wednesday....Two words, Stomach Virus. Ick. I don't think pregnant women should have to get this yucky bug, but I got it. And so did our two big girls... Autumn and Blue. It was not pretty, but I spent the day with the most wonderfully behaved 1.5 year old who made not a single fuss. Thank goodness since Daddy had a business dinner after work and wouldn't be home until after we were both long in bed for the night.
Thursday....Work all day, but I was fully recovered from Wednesday it would seem. I was even able to squeeze lunch in with my two sisters which is always nice.Friday....and then there was rain. I mean it poured...we ventured out to the mall so that we wouldn't get bored in the house all day. Ryder definitely belongs to his Mama and Daddy who are avid people watchers. I mean we are BAD. BR (Before Ryder) we used to take Mexican Vacations so that we could lie on the beach all day and watch people. We go to restaurants and both tune in on other patron's conversations then try to figure out there life story. Ryder could stay at the mall all day just because he loves to look at all of the people. I did what I always said I would never do and became a mall walker. We walked the entire lower level 4 times to get my daily walking in. Just FYI, at a quick pace you can walk the lower level of the Parks Mall in 40 minutes! We finished it up with lunch with friends at the food court...woohoo...and a stop at Children's Place! Um....huge sale! I got everything off of the clearance rack and was even stocking up on nice Chino Shorts for next spring and summer because they were ringing up at $3.50. There is also a coupon out for 10% off....so go shopping ladies!
That brings us to today...my apologies for the lack of pictures in this post, but I just feel relieved to have a post!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Our Easter
This was Ryder's 2nd Easter and We were Very Busy....
Dying Easter Eggs
Making Lots of Cupcakes
Searching for the Basket the Easter Bunny left
Getting all Dressed up for Church
and seeing lots of Family...it was enough to tire this little boy out!
I know that Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. Its message and meaning continues to make me in awe. In awe of the miracle. In awe that our Father gave up his only Son for us. I am forever grateful. Hope you all had a Blessed Holiday.....Love,
The Smith's
Dying Easter Eggs
Making Lots of Cupcakes
Searching for the Basket the Easter Bunny left
Getting all Dressed up for Church
and seeing lots of Family...it was enough to tire this little boy out!I know that Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. Its message and meaning continues to make me in awe. In awe of the miracle. In awe that our Father gave up his only Son for us. I am forever grateful. Hope you all had a Blessed Holiday.....Love,
The Smith's
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)