Dancing the Night Away

We went to a friend's anniversary party last weekend. It was kid-friendly so we drug the kids along complete with cards, iPads, and other things to keep them busy. Those things were not necessary because my kids were the life of the party. They stayed on the dance floor. It was so awesome dancing the night away with them; we had the best time.

(Meanwhile, the baby was being passed from stranger to stranger, dancing, and getting fed watermelon!)

Sibling Love

The boys do their fair share of bickering, but overall I am very proud of the sibling bond all 3 of my babies have. The boys are best friends. They play together, want to be in each company (for the most part), they even sleep in the same bed together by choice. They adore their little sister, and oh my word how she adores them. I pray they will always remain this close.

Stand in the Gap

“I really saw clearly, and for the first time, why a mother is really important. Not just because
she feeds and also loves and cuddles and even mollycoddles a child, but because in an
interesting and maybe an eerie and unworldly way, she stands in the gap. 

She stands between the unknown and the known.”
~ Maya Angelou

I will always stand in the gap for my three babies. Always.

Happy 9th Birthday, Landon!

Don't these always start the same way? Where has the time gone? How did we get here so fast? But it's true. So I'll say it again. Where has the time gone? How did we get here so fast?

My dearest, sweetest, most special Landon Cole. My lovie. My mama's boy. You're 9 today. NINE! That blows this mama's mind. I remember the day I had you - May 28, 2006. You made your daddy and me parents. We weren't parents before you. How cool is that? YOU are the reason we are who we are.

I've told you many times before, but I will say it again... there was a reason God gave us you first. I have never seen a boy love to "brother" like you. You are so caring, considerate, (rough and bossy at times, yes; but you are a 9 year old boy, not perfection), thoughtful, HELPFUL, entertaining, funny, and many other things that make up an awesome big brother. Carter Bear and Wrenn Bird love you so much. They look up to you and admire you. Keep that close to your heart and mind buddy. You are the example. I know that's a lot of pressure to be the oldest, the example, but you're up for it. Again, there's a reason God gave us you first.

Your daddy and I are so proud of you. You work really hard in school and except nothing short of (dare I say) perfection. We don't expect perfect. We expect for you to always do the best that you can possibly do. You constantly surpass our expectations. You have awesome grades. You love school, especially math. You test ridiculously well. You love to read. You're being considered for the AIG program (which is stupid hard to get into: you have to score in the top 95th percentile on a test, if so, you can take a 2nd test in which you have to score in the top 95th percentile on that test, if so, you can take a 3rd test in which you have to score in the top 95th percentile on that test, if so, you are then considered for the program). You have many friends at school and are respectful to your teachers.

You are now a Webelo Cub Scout. You have your whittling chip and love to go outside to carve a stick. You take first aid very seriously (like your daddy). And enjoy being outdoors and learning about nature.

You and your brother are constantly outside, most likely playing football or soccer. You've got a nice arm, buddy! You want to play tackle football in the fall. Your daddy is still thinking about that one; he is worried about your safety.

You LOVE to sing. It's amazing how fast you can pick up on the words of a song. And thank goodness I was given a singing and dancing partner. My mini performances are so much better as a pas de deux.

You love your Lord God with all your heart. I am so proud to be alongside you during your walk with Christ. It's such an amazing thing to witness. I pray everyday that you continue to see God and keep him close by.

I want you to know how special you are to me, your daddy, your brother and sister, your family, your friends, and people that haven't even met you yet! You're a kind, loving boy who is going to make an impact on the world.

“I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.” 
― Maya Angelou

Happy birthday, lovie.

Babies Don't Keep

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

 Author: Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Circle Blankie

Carter was given his beloved "circle blankie" on his first Christmas (at 5 months old) and has loved it from that very day. He always slept with it and held it up to his little nose while sucking his thumb. While he held it, he would rub his finger on the corner of it. All 4 corners are rubbed thin and black (even when clean). Anytime we'd leave the house, we'd always ask, "Got circle blankie?" It went wherever Carter Bear went. We've spent many hours searching for that blankie when lost. Lots of trips back to the house to get it if forgotten. Once even driving over and over through a tobacco field on my parent's farm because he dropped it off of the golf cart.

By the way, he named it "circle blankie" after he started learning his shapes. I always loved that he called it circle and not polka dot.

Even now that he doesn't suck his thumb, he still sleeps with it. I'll see him snuggling with it at night when I go in to steal a kiss after they are sleeping.

The other day, while reading them a bedtime story, Wrenn grabbed it (she was laying on their bed with us). I watched Carter carefully to see his reaction. He just looked at her, smiled, and said, "awwww...she has my circle blankie."

And then I died.

I'll Keep Them.

Shark Week!

It's Shark Week on the Discovery Channel which means we'll be doing a lot of this.

Yard Poops

This past Sunday, the boys were outside playing with our (girl) neighbor. Landon decided to come in but Carter stayed outside continuing to play with her. Doorbell rings. Little girl neighbor says, "Ummmm...Carter is peeing and pooping in the bushes outside." O_O

She makes a beeline for her house and I go outside to find Carter standing at the corner of our house with his pants and underwear around his ankles. He hadn't been wearing a shirt (we "man time" it around my house often) so there's A LOT OF WHITE BOY showing. In the front yard. Of our home. In a neighborhood. In the town of Cary. On the weekend when a lot of people are out and about.

Me:  "Buddy, what's going on?"
Carter: (bottom lip quivering, about to lose it)  "I couldn't make it inside."
Me: "Ok, buddy. You're not in trouble. Where did you go?"
Carter: (looking even more like he's going to lose it) "I lost it."
Me: "All right, buddy. We need to get inside. Come on inside now. Let's get cleaned up."

Imagine him shuffling across the entire front yard to the door with his pants around his ankles. And me trying not to die laughing.

I sarcastically told a friend, "My life is so awesome." She responded, "It kind of is, though." You know...she's right. It really is awesome. I wouldn't trade this for anything. Yard poops and all.

My Cute Boys

Listen, I know that all parents think their kids are the most adorbs things ever. I just don't know how you could argue with me on this one.

Most. Adorbs. Things. Evah.

 

A Boy's Feast

I came downstairs to find this one morning. The boys had a FEAST on mini fruit roll-ups. (I counted 10 wrappers!)



Moments Like This

My friend was over and captured this seemingly ordinary moment. These little moments, like helping him with his homework, get filed away in a special place in my heart. Time has been stopped here. He is still young and wild and pure. He's learning that 5 plus 2 is 7. I look at those small, smooth hands and beautiful eyelashes. He's cool in his Spiderman shirt and I am cool in his eyes. Time, that ticks away so quickly, has been frozen here. In 10 years, I will long for this little moment.

Even as ordinary as these moments seem, they are extraordinary in my heart.

Landon started running a temp of 101 on Sunday night and stayed home from school today. When I picked up Carter from daycare this afternoon (and btw, didn't even recognize him from behind because he apparently grew today), the first thing he asked (holding his little arms out to the side) was "Landon?". I told him that Landon was at home sick and we were going home to see if he was okay. We drove home. Carter ran inside, found his big brother, gave him a huge hug, and said "okay?".

Be still, my little heart.

God, I really don't know what put me in such good graces with you that you'd give me these special little boys (and one special big boy), but thank you.

Bagley Boys Will Be Bagley Boys

It really warms my heart watching these two play together. I see a lifelong friendship right in front of my eyes. It's so beautiful.

"Cozy" by the Fireplace

It's cold outside. And I am getting a sinus infection. So all I wanted to do today after work was lay in front of the fireplace with a comfy pillow, covered up in a blanket, and snuggle with my boys. This is what I got in return...

Queen For A Day

My boys treated me extra special on Mother's Day.

To answer your first question, yes I did get to sleep past 7 am! Landon (who is my early-riser) slept until 6:58. He crawled in bed with me and snuggled for an extra 30 minutes.

I was brought breakfast in bed (eggs, bacon, toast and juice) followed later by a Starbucks latte. And my boys presented me with gifts from the heart...

Carter made this pot at school...the ladybugs are his fingerprints! Isn't that the sweetest!!!

And this questionnaire from school, where Landon's teacher asked him questions about his Mommy and they recorded his answers.

• What is your Mommy's name? Katherine
• What does she do? Play
• How old is she? 13
• What does Daddy call her? Katherine
• What is her favorite color? Pink
• What is her favorite food? Hot dogs (I think he confused this with his favorite food...every night when I ask what he wants for supper, he replies "hot dogs, macaroni & cheese and baked beans")
• What is her favorite movie? Mickey Mouse
• Where does she like to take you for fun? Movies
• What is something she says a lot? I like hot dogs.
• What message do you want to tell her for mother's day? I love her.

And Christopher, oh how you earned serious brownie points with this next one. My boys presented me with a box of random goodies accompanied with the following note:

Dear Mommy,

You are the best mommy in the whole world. I have put some stuff in this box to help you out since being a Mommy is such hard work.

• a cotton ball to soften life's hard blows
• a band-aid to help heal hurt feelings
• an eraser to erase the mistakes you'll make along the way
• some candy kisses to remind you how sweet & powerful our kisses can be
• some Lifesaver candy so you can continue to send help our way whenever we need it
• a candle to light your way when you have dark days
• a quarter so you can call your own mom or friend anytime you need advice, a shoulder to cry on or a kind word
• a toothpick to help you pick out the good qualities in us - even when we drive you crazy
• a battery to give you extra energy when you are feeling drained
• and just for you - a gift to let you know we are always with you even when you sleep

We love you Mommy.

Happy Mother's Day 2010

Landon & Carter

And my extra special gift was a pillowcase, with writing on one side and a picture of our family on the other drawn by Landon.

*Also, you'll notice a car in the box too...that was something special from Landon!

My day was perfect - surrounded by my favorite people in the whole world & smothered in kisses and love.

My Fortune

People find it kind of weird that I have a fortune cookie fortune taped to the back of my cell phone. I transfer it from phone to phone as I get a new one. I want to keep it with me at all times, and look at it often, because it is special to me.

When Landon was really little, I was standing next to him while he was in his high chair and opened my fortune cookie.

The fortune read "Stop searching forever, happiness is just next to you.".

Laid Back or Just Lazy?

Since Carter was born, I have begun to wonder some things about myself. I was very on-point when it came to Landon. Everything was organized, clean, on time, exact, etc. Not so much with Carter.

A few recent conversations got me thinking...

Exhibit A: my friend Jess (1st time mom) & I were talking about making rice cereal:
J: So you just do 1 tablespoon of rice cereal to 4 tablespoons of breast milk?
K: Ummmm...I don't really measure it. I just add some until it looks right.

Exhibit B: my SIL Beth (1st time mom) & I discussing sterilization:
B: So how often do you sterilize your pump parts?
K: Hmmmm...maybe I should do that.

What has happened to me? Have I gotten laid back because this is my 2nd child? Or have I just gotten lazy and worn-out...because it's my 2nd child?

How Do Little Boys Say I Love You?

...with rocks, flowers/weeds, mulch, and leaves. Just about every day, Landon collects little tokens of his affection while outside at daycare and shoves them into his pocket. When I pick him up, he proudly pulls them out for me and says "Mommy, I got this for you today". I just love that little boy!!!

The Perfect Sunday

I couldn't ask for a more perfect Sunday than this past. What made it perfect?

~Napping with Landon, and that moment when I felt him drape his arm around me to hold me tight.

~Pushing my boys on the swing set for an hour and a half and not have a single care in the world.

~Watching helicopters swirl down when Daddy shook the maple tree (and soaking in my boys' faces while they both watched in awe).

~Landon & I playing hide & seek in the backyard with Carter strapped on in the Baby Bjourn...again without another thought in my mind.

~Appreciating the hard work Christopher put into our garden so that we can enjoy a bountiful summer harvest.

I said a few extra prayers that night, thanking God for our wonderful life and for our perfect little family of four.