Keeping Up With The Boys

Lately, the boys and I, have been hitting up the parks around here like crazy. 

 Rhett is at the point where he can pretty much tackle any playground obstacle thrown his way. 

He is fearless, and no stairs, climbing structure or slide is too big or too scary. 

Case was a teeny bit more careful, and cautious at this age. 

Don't get me wrong, he would definitely tackle them, 

he wouldn't let anything hold him back, just might take him a few more times to try it out.

Rhett, however, always trying to keep up with his big brother, causes him to quite literally have no fear. 

Also makes him one tough cookie. 

That kid, seriously, amazes us with his ability to bounce back from an injury.

He can fall flat on his face, bust his knee, bust his lip, smash his finger in the toy box...

cry for a maybe one minute...and be on with his day. 

He's crazy.

Case is crazy too. 

They're crazy. 

Our crazies. 

We love them so much. 

Since Case man has been in preschool, having so much fun by the way. 

(more on that later)

Rhett and I have had lots of special little dates. 

Visiting pet stores, having mall play dates, shopping, and of course visiting parks. 

That last picture, is SUCH a representation of him. 

A knows he's cute, little stinker! Just ornery! 

...

The boys have become such best friends. 

Best friends who are so close, do everything together, and who inevitably fight as well. 

I told Matt, just tonight...they just play SO hard. 

They are non stop, wild little men. 

Sometimes it drains me to absolute empty. 

I told Matty tonight, sometimes I feel like I start the day with a 3/4 full tank, 

and by the end of the day I am literally running on fumes. 

They test me, they challenge me, they make me think and worry all the time about being a better person. 

Not only a better Mom, but a better everything. 

A better wife, a better friend, a better role model, a better Christian.

A person with more patience, a person who can roll with the punches, a person who will kiss them, snuggle them, discipline them, forgive them , teach them, pray for them, pray with them, guide them, 

and love them with everything I have.

Some days I just feel so selfish, for wanting time by myself. 

For example, the other day, I was cleaning out the downstairs closet. 

Pulling out the gloves and hats from the storage bin. 

I was trying to hang a few jackets and coats, and put the vacuum cleaner away, 

the boys were running around with their trucks and wagons, 

and  kept running into the closet door, 

fighting, fussing at each other about taking turns with the trucks. 

I found myself thinking,

"How would this night have gone if I didn't have them here tonight?

I would be cleaning the house probably, as I was in the mood to organize. 

I would have my music turned up loud, I would probably be sitting on the floor really gutting the closet, 

instead of just putting a few things where they needed to be. 

I would probably be relaxed, and not stressing about the fact that they hadn't eaten much of their dinner. 

Not thinking about looming bedtimes, and the routines..."

then...

I stopped, looked around the corner to their innocent, wide grins as they ran as fast as they could around the corner...and I just thought, 

"Oh but I am so thankful that they are here. That they are ours. That this is our life." 

True story.