Enjoying Christmas

Christmas parties with friends, making cookies, decorating trees, being together with my sweet little family, all the makings of a wonderful holiday season.  I'm taking the time to enjoy my boys and letting them do things their way.  The control freak in me is objecting but I am holding her back from redecorating trees and "helping" (taking over) the boys with their Christmas projects.  Enjoying!  Enjoying my oldest son telling me he is going to go shopping just for me.  Enjoying my middle son who wants only to make his big brother laugh.  Enjoying my baby who stands at the Christmas tree and says "Look Mommy at the angel on top of the tree...is she beauty-ful?"  Enjoying waking up to my Christmas tree lights already on and boys playing together happily.  Enjoying quiet evenings with my husband looking at the tree and talking about our days.  Enjoying eggnog.  Enjoying the hustle and bustle when I want to and enjoying online shopping when I don't want to be in the middle of the craziness.  Enjoying memories of loved ones we have lost.  And that in a nutshell is how the Tinsleys are enjoying Christmas.

Another Shutterfly Christmas

Being a mother of 3 small and precious boys my memories are important.  Memories are important to us all.  I realized how important last year when my computer crashed.  What am I going to do?????  All of my "kodak moments" are gone!  But wait...I used Shutterfly.  All my memories are backed up, safe and sound!

So easy to use, I have used Shutterfly for invitations, Christmas cards, thank you photo cards.  So easy and so personal!  And let's not forget the photo books and calendars, an absolute must for the not so creative person.  The look of a scrapbook with the ease of a click here and there.  This year I am once again counting on Shutterfly to help me with my Christmas cards.  Check out the photos from last years photo session for the Christmas card.  There are so many choices it is impossible not to find something that you love!   I love sending photos of my growing boys to all of my friends just as much as I love seeing how all of my friends children have grown over the past year.  I collect the cards and go through the past years every Christmas.  Taking moments to think about the happy moments we have had and looking forward to capturing more happy moments in the years to come.

Focusing on the good

I saw a church marquee today, the message "We don't need more to be thankful for, we need to be more thankful."  This has been a not so great year for our family.  I have struggled this holiday season to be thankful for all that I have.  In an effort to not focus on what we have lost this holiday season I am focusing on what we have gained.  We have gained inches and pounds and vocabulary.  Let the list begin!

-Jackson asks me what he can do for me often.
-Jackson is reading and loving school.  He was a KIP kid of the week for perseverance.
-Joel learned to ride a bike with no training wheels.
-We played and loved soccer and tee ball.
-Jensen has grown from a baby to a rough and tumble boy, in the mix with his brothers.
-I have a new niece and she is beautiful.
-This is the first year in nearly 7 years that I have not been pregnant or nursing.  I love my babies but I also love that my body has been my own. 
-Joel and Jackson fight a little less and laugh a lot more.
-After being retired for nearly 2 years my Dad is actually working a little less and that means he is having more fun.  Although I secretly think my Dad has lots of fun at work.
-Jensen is trying to use the potty.  No more diapers is definitely good!
-I have a least one more "bff" this year than I did last.
-We purchased a piece of property for our "dream house", in case our dreams keep us here.
-I have 3 healthy, happy, polite, considerate, compassionate, caring, sensitive boys.
-I have learned to look at Joel's tantrums in a positive light.  He knows EXACTLY what he wants and sticks to his guns!
-I am able to stay home with my sweet boys and be there for anything they need.  I love the field trips and taking cookies to school and helping plant flowers.
-My very best friend got married and I got to be a part of that happy day.

I'm sure I could go on and on with the things I have gained this year but this will do for now.

What is Santa bringing you?

Well the holiday season is officially here.  Along with it is the question "What is Santa bringing you for Christmas?"  Well this week I have had 4 different people ask me if we are getting a boat for Christmas.  No we are not getting a boat but finally curiosity got the best of me.  "No we aren't getting a boat.  Why would you think that?"  Response: "Well I asked Jensen what Santa was bringing him for Christmas and he said a boat, big boat for Jensen and Daddy to ride on."  Can anyone else say brainwash?

I've reached that time in my life...

Well my boys are now 6, 4 and 2.  They are so grown up and have definite ideas of their own.  Gone are the days of Mommy and Daddy easily guiding the decisions they make.  So the example I have for you all once again involves Jackson.  We were traveling home from a family Thanksgiving with my family and I convinced my hubby to eat at Cracker Barrel (I love it there and given the choice of BK or Cracker Barrel I got my way).  After we sat and ordered Jackson wanted his Daddy to take him shopping.  I thought a toy had caught his eye but no he wanted to Christmas shop for Mommy.  When he returned he grabbed my hand and said "Come on Mommy I want to show you all the nice things, you like diamonds don't you?"  I said "Don't you want it to be a surprise?"  "No Mommy I picked 3 things and I want to see which is your favorite."  So off we go to the gift shop, first we stop at a blue cape, a XXL royal blue cape that was surely something my Nannie would have loved!  Next was a black sweater with "diamonds" across the neckline and the cuffs of the sleeves.  Then "Come on Mommy I save the best for last.  It is the beautiful, red, smells good candle for your table".  I love my boys and it brings tears to my eyes that he wanted to spend money he worked hard for on his Mother this Christmas.  So I have reached the time in my life when my fashion sense gives way to what my sons want me to have...and I love it!

I want I want I want, I need I need I need....

Yesterday was a crazy day for me.  It was the first day of this fall/Thanksgiving vacation.  My boys were good for the most part but the constant asking for things drives me CRAZY!!!!!   After about an hour of me fetching breakfast and juice and snacks and milk and more juice and finding a movie to watch and helping put shoes on and well you get the point, I was at my limit.  In a selfish fit I said to my children, "I want I want I want!  Doesn't anyone ever think about what you can do for someone else?????"  For the rest of the day about every 10 minutes Jackson asked me "Mommy is there anything I can do for you today?"  Talk about feeling guilty!  But I enjoyed every minute of my sweet oldest boy catering to me and every time he asked I gave him a small task even if it was just "give Mommy a hug".  I think it made us both feel special.

Small town living

We have been in Clarkesville, GA for 4 years now.  Talk about how time flies.  I have made many good friends here, lifelong friends and my children love it here.  The thought of living somewhere else, even across town, is unacceptable to them.  Small town living is great and a much different experience as an adult.  I grew up in a small town.  As a teenager I couldn't see what the appeal was, what could possibly make my parents want to live in Wise, VA?  There is nothing to do!  Everyone knows your business and EVERYONE feels the need to comment on what you are doing (tell on you).  I couldn't wait to graduate and move FAR AWAY!  Not to get away from my family but to get away from that town, that small town.

Now I'm all grown up and here I am in a small town, a teeny tiny little town.  Now I see the benefits to raising my children in a small town.  We rarely leave the house without running into someone we know.  I have so many friends willing to watch my boys for me if I need them.  So many friends that care about me and my family.  They bring dinners when we are sick or sad.  They pick up my boys when I can't make it.  They care.  And the plus side to knowing what everyone is doing is...you know what everyone is doing.  I have many eyes on my boys to help me keep them in line, keep them safe and keep them good.

No matter where this life takes me I will always be glad that it brought me to Clarkesville.  I can't count the blessings that I have received here.  And I realize this post sounds like I am leaving for those of you that might be concerned about that I'm not.  Clarkesville is home, for now!

Who do you play with?

Everyday when I pick Jackson up from school we have the same conversation.  My lines will be in italics.

What kind of day did you have today?
Green!
Awesome!  What did you do?
Nothing!
I know you didn't do "nothing" all day.  Who did you play with at recess?  (the answer to this is always the same).
No one.

Now I know this isn't true.  I know my son plays with lots of kids and has a great time at school but he always insists that he doesn't play with anyone.  Until this week, I pushed the question.

What kind of games do you play at recess?
Today I played absent.  I like to play absent a lot.
What is "absent"?
It is where I hide from Madelynne during recess so she thinks I am absent.

Not sure why but he thinks this is the funniest thing ever!  What am I going to do with my crazy boy? 

My Uncle Thurman was killed this week in an accident.  Most of you know that this is not the first loss our family has suffered this year.  In April Jason's brother Bryan died tragically.  When I got the call about Thurman I broke down into tears, not just about this loss but for all we have lost this year.  
As I was taking my boys upstairs to tuck them into bed Jackson said "Mommy I am sorry that your Uncle Thurman died and that you are sad."  I replied "Thank you Jackson, I am sorry too."  His response to this was "Mommy, you know my uncle died too."  My sweet Jackson, he is so precious and compassionate.  Most adults can't express themselves as well as he does.   I am so blessed to have a child like this.

4 at 4

The top 4 things that make Joel the sweet and special boy that he is are:

1- DRAMA!!!  You never know when Joel is going to lose it or what is going to set him off.  From something as small as "I can't find my shoes." to something BIG like taking a Tonka truck to the forehead and now we have to go to the ER for 7 stitches!

2- Thumbs up!  Joel is king of the thumbs up.  He gives you that sweet big smile (see photo) and says "Hey Mommy thumbs up!"  And makes the appropriate gesture!  Love it!!!

3- Clumsy coordinated.  I know that doesn't make sense but if you were around Joel much you would know exactly what that means.  He has a dimple that he made himself, it's darn cute but it was scary when he fell into the corner of a table for no apparent reason.  He has already had stitches.  A day rarely goes by when I am not comforting him after his most recent injury.

4- For better or worse he is his mother's son.  Stubborn to the core!  He is going to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it.  And he won't do something he REALLY wants to do if you tell him he has to do it.  In other words it is not a good idea until it is his idea!

These are just a few things about Joel that make him special.  I love him so much I could cry just thinking about it!  My sweet Joel, we really are kindred spirits.  Two peas in a pod.  No wonder we drive each other crazy!

25 at 25

I've been inspired by a friend to list the things that make Jensen...Jensen.  And 2 at 2 is just not enough.  I could go on and on listing the wonderful things about you but for today I will list 25 things at 25 months that make my heart melt.
1 - You greet me every morning with Happy Birthday Mommy!
2 - You love to dance
3 - You know all the words to Llama Llama Red Pajama and as you read the book your personality shines through
4 - You LOVE your big brothers and try your best to keep up
5 - You talk non stop unless there is someone outside of your family around and then you are quiet as a mouse
6 - You love music and singing and even though I am no Jimmy Buffet fan I can't help but smile and sing along with you
7 - You love bath or shower time.  You don't prefer one to the other, you just love getting clean
8 - You will eat anything
9 - When we drive by Jason's work you say "That's Daddy office."
10- When we go to see Daddy you run in like you own the place
11- You mimic everything your brothers do in attempts to make them laugh as hard at you as you do at them
12- You love Elmo even though we never watch Sesame Street
13- You love working puzzles and you are great at it
14- I love to hear you say "PEEESSSS Mommy, juice!"
15- Every time you go potty you say "Good Job"
16- When it is time for bed I read you one story, sing one song and "rock a minute" per your request and then it is off to bed with no complaints
17- When you can't find me you run around the house saying "Mommy are you?  I right here."
18- You love to play outside, even in the rain
19- Your "fast kisses" are the best
20- You hug me and say "oh my baby"
21- You are my only child that say "me" instead of "my" for example "that's me blanket",  it breaks my heart to correct you but I do it anyway, the control freak in me I guess.
22- Every night you help me tuck your brothers in with a "nite nite brothers, love you brothers"
23- You love strawberry milk, you ask for it every morning and before I put the strawberry in it you say "put ketchup in it"
24- You are always happy and smiling, unless Mommy is leaving
25- You are a Mommy's boy through and through and I hope this is one thing that never changes!

I have thought of so many more things as I have been typing but I guess I will save them for another post.  Love You my Sweet JP!

News from Afghanistan

Jason's youngest brother Patrick left for Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago.  He arrived safely and all is well.  He called us the night before he left and talked to everyone, including his nephews.  They asked questions (see previous blog) and told Uncle Patrick they loved him and above all be safe!
The next day we saw my parent and Jackson says "Grandma, did you know my Uncle Patrick went to war today?"  Grandma: "Yes, your Mommy told me."  Jackson: "He has been at his war all day so he is probably finished by now."

Gotta love the innocence of children!

Potty Training and Positive Reinforcement!

We first moved to Clarkesville 4 years ago.  My sweet Jackson was almost 2 and Joel was just 5 months old.  We made a big deal of Jackson being a big boy and moving into a big boy bed and maybe trying to use the potty.  Poor Jackson didn't realize the addition of his new brother meant he was being rushed out of his crib.  Not only did he not notice that Baby Joel was getting all his old "baby" stuff, he didn't care.  He loved his big boy room and his big boy bed and in general being a big boy!  He came to me one day and said "Mommy I go poo poo on the potty.  I'm big boy!"  I responded "OK Jackson lets go potty."  thinking to myself he isn't even 2 yet, he isn't going to use the potty but he wanted to go and I took that as a good sign so we went to the potty.  I was amazed!  My boy did it!  He poo pooed on the potty!  Surely no child has ever been as smart as my child!  He is a genius!!!!!  I think I freaked him out a little I was so excited because the great beginning was about it!  Jackson was nearly 3 before he was consistently going to the potty and I drove us both crazy in the process.  I vowed after Jackson that I would not push the issue with Joel.  And Joel, much like his mother, just decides to do something and does it!  He was easy, I am sure it is mostly due to the fact that I didn't push it with him.
Now my baby my sweet sweet Jensen is growing up!  "I go pee pee potty Mommy."  He is starting the process on his own and this is the last time I will have to (get to) potty train a baby.  Only a mother would get teary eyed at the thought of not changing diapers any more.  It's a right of passage, he is a big boy now for sure.  And only a mother can understand the joy I have when I am sitting with my baby at the potty and he pees and in the sweetest voice you have ever heard he says (before I get a chance) "Good job!"  

Out of the mouths of babes.

My brother-in-law left for Afghanistan this morning at 0500 hours.  Deep breath!  He called last night to talk to his nephews and it was so sweet.  First he talked to Joel and Joel told him to be safe and he loved him and then proceeded to talk about what he was doing in that moment. 

Then it was Jackson's turn.  And here is his side of the conversation in part.   Keep in mind there are pauses between every sentences for Patrick's response.  "Hi Uncle Pat.  Yes.  I had a fun day.  Are you leaving for war tomorrow?  You should be careful at the war.  I think your job is hard.  Is your job hard for you?  Yea but will the Army give you a pellet gun?  Maybe you could shoot your gun at a swimming pool (I have no idea where that came from???)  OK.  I love you Uncle Pat, have fun blowing up tanks.  Bye"  Jensen followed it up with "I love you Uncle Pat Army man."

There was a lot more said but this was the part that made me laugh and cry!

*Uncle Pat with Jackson Feb 2005

Cancel my order!

My boys are a marketing person's dream come true!  They desperately call me into the room yelling "This one Mommy, this is the toy I was talking about!"  Every time they see something they must have I tell them to remember it when Christmas comes around.    I think they were worried about forgetting a must have so about a month ago they (Jackson and Joel) asked me to help them write letters to Santa.  They wrote the letters themselves I only provided spelling help.  The list was full of specifics so that Santa would be sure to bring the correct size, color and options!  We spent nearly an hour on the lists which grow from week to week.  A couple of days ago Jackson saw a show about toy trains and he called to his Daddy, "Daddy cancel my order with Santa!  This is what I REALLY want!"
Wonder how many more orders will be canceled before Santa makes his midnight run?

Perception is a funny thing!

I had a girls night out to celebrate my best friend this weekend.  She is getting married so a group of friends got together for big fun!  Well I am a mother of 3 small children which most, if not all, of you know so as hard as I try not to I inevitably talk about my boys.  So the topic of my blog came up and someone mentioned that I have an obvious favorite.  Perception is a funny thing because while this person felt like Joel is my favorite others (specifically my mom) think I am way too hard on Joel.  Perception is a funny thing.  I have put a lot of thought into this over the last 2 days.  Here is what I have decided. I don't write about Joel more because I am over compensating, I write about Joel more because he is the entertainer of the family.  He loves to be the center of attention, he loves to make people laugh.

So this brings me to the question I have been asked before, "How can you not have a favorite?"  I am their mother that is how.   I love them equally but uniquely.   All three of my boys are handsome and smart and sweet but they add their own special twist to this perfect package.  

Jackson is a thinker, he has to know the why and how of things which drives his Daddy crazy sometimes.  He likes order in his day.  He wants to know what is coming so he can prepare for it.  He loves information.  He  chooses to watch documentaries about toys or trains over cartoons.  He knows more about trains than anyone I know.  I love watching his wheels turn.  My first born, my starter baby, he made us a family and not just a couple.  His insight is constantly amazing me.

That brings me to my Sweet Joel.  The family entertainer.  He is a dancing machine.   He walks into school and every kid stops what they are doing "Hi Joel, Joel is here!"  He is fun to be around, the life of the party!  He loves his big brother and wants to do everything he does.  He loves his little brother and he wants to teach him everything he knows (good and not so good).   He has no fear, which has already landed him in the ER leaving with 7 stitches.  He LOVES his family.  I can't even count the number of times he tells me he loves me in a day.  "Mommy I just love love love you!"  Joel I just love love love you too!  My middle child, I know exactly how you feel, not the oldest and not the youngest.  That is why we have to entertain, if you aren't the first born or the baby you have to find a way into the lime light!

And that brings me to my baby!  Jensen, JP, Jensey P, Little Mouth, Booger Bear, his nicknames go on and on!  Most often among his family he is JP.  He is so sweet!  That smile just melts me.  His favorite thing right now is his Mommy!  I can't describe how it makes me feel when he squeezes me tight and buries his face in my neck.  I just want to hold onto him forever.  He runs across a room and jumps into my arms even if it has only been an hour since he saw me last.  He is inquisitive, he loves to read, loves to sing and dance.  He is always listening, well they are all always listening!  So that keeps me on my toes.  I have to keep the front door chained or he escapes.  I have to keep the cabinets locked or he drinks Orange Glo.  I have to keep the bathroom door shut or he wastes gallons and gallons of water flushing the toilet over and over.  Basically he is a busy boy!  My baby, my last chance to get it all right (I have already blown that by the way).


So how could you have a favorite?  They are each perfect in their own way.  They have each touched my heart in their own special way.  They are all mine and I am theirs (for better or worse).  I know them better than anyone else in the world.  I knew them first, their personalities were even evident in the womb.  My life has been made better with each addition.

20 YEARS!!!!!

My high school reunion is coming up.  20 YEARS!!!!  I know what you are saying right now "Surely not Mary Lynn, you look far too young to have been out of high school for 20 years!  I simply do not believe you!"  But alas it is true.   I haven't seen most of my fellow graduates since May 31, 1990.  Others I have seen over the years but if memory serves me correctly it has been 6 years since I have seen anyone from the class of 1990 and that includes my closest friends.  ~Sigh~  What to do?  I can't decide if I should go to my reunion or wait another 20 years.  There are a million things I need to so that weekend, most important is Jensen's birthday, but I worry that if I miss this opportunity to see some old friends I will regret it.   I have been trying to juggle my schedule to make it work for 2 weeks now.  You will laugh when I tell you what is holding me back.  My boys have 2 tee ball games that they will have to miss.  Agggg maybe I can make it work somehow.  If I go to all this trouble and the only people at my reunion are girls that wanted to beat me up I am going to be so mad!

Photo of me and my lifelong BFF at her place in Florida.  Please don't judge the outfit too harshly, it was 1989!

Something just isn't right.

My sweet Joel was out of town for 5 days and things just didn't feel quite right.  We woke up in the morning and there was no singing at the breakfast table, no fighting either but no singing.  I woke up to 2 happy boys who love me lots but there's something about Joel's good morning.  He greets me like he hasn't seen me in a week, with a giant grin and he runs and wraps his arms around my neck.  We got out of the house with relative ease and on time and I went home and relaxed a bit before doing some chores and running out to teach a class.   Then I had the whole day to hang out with JP (Jensen) before picking Jackson up from school.  We ate whatever we wanted for dinner, I didn't do laundry EVERY DAY and it was generally a laid back easy going few days.  No rushing at noon to pick up my boy and rushing home to eat lunch and nap, no managing meltdowns over not being able to get socks on "just right".

I recently read a friends blog where her dad said that adding a 3rd child to a family doesn't increase your workload by 1 but exponentially.   That is so true!  Taking care of 2 boys and no husband was a walk in the park.  Now would I trade in my sweet Joel and his sweet Daddy for this easy breezy life?  Not a chance! 

So here is another Joel story so you know what was missing in my life for 5 days!  Joel gets home and he said "MOMMY!!!!!!"  and he runs to me and hugs me so tight and he giggles and smiles and giggles some more.  "Mommy I love you so so much!  and I missed you so so much!"  Me: "Awww Joel I love you so much and missed you so much too!"  Joel: "Mommy I love you so much I am never ever going to kill you!"  Wow I didn't know that was being considered!  I sure am glad that for Joel absence made the heart grow fonder!

Have a good day!

This morning was a typical morning for me wake up and rush around to get the boys fed dressed and out the door.  We make it to school with minutes to spare, if the big kids are putting the flags up Jackson thinks he is late.   As we pull up to the door for me to let Jackson out of the car I say "Hey Jackson, have a great day bud!  Be a good boy today!"  In true Jackson fashion I get the response "You have a good day too Mama, try to be a good mother to Jensen today."  OK Jackson I will try!  Love that boy!

Throw it all together and that's how we roll!

You might find yourself asking...What about Jensen?  My sweet, funny and charming baby boy is such a joy.  He is the perfect baby, well now little boy.  He cuddles and kisses and hugs and laughs, he is the perfect "last baby".  Maybe I am just savoring every moment because I know there is a 99.3% chance I won't do it again.  He is a commercial baby, he plays with toys just like the babies on the commercials, unlike his brothers who preferred to take it apart (i.e. break it into a million pieces)  to see how it works. 

He loves to sing!  His favorite songs are You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Volcano (by Jimmy Buffet), Hoedown Throwdown (by Hannah Montana) and any song with the word Baby in it.  It is so funny to hear him singing Jay Sean songs (Baby are you down down down down down).  He loves sweet tea and he steals mine any chance he gets (see photo).  And his smile is so cute I just let him have it.  He is shy with new people and bossy once he gets to know you.  He is turning 2 soon so he has entered the "mine" stage.  Whether it is his or not he goes around the house labeling "that's mine, that's mine, that's mine!"  Sometimes it is his, most of the time it isn't! 

 He loves his brothers and wants to do everything they do.  He drives them crazy but they love his in spite of it because that is a little brother's job.  They lock him out of their room but they won't let anyone else even look at him the wrong way because that is a big brother's job.  To quote Jackson "Brothers pretect!"  (Yes I know that is spelled wrong but it is a direct quote!)  


He loves having Mommy all to himself, even if she is on the computer blogging about him  instead of rolling in the floor with him.  He can't wait for the whole family to be home and together in the evenings.  I would love to say his favorite time of day is when Mommy gets him out of bed, or rocks him to sleep or when Daddy gets home from work but the truth is his favorite time of day is DINNER TIME!  He runs around the house like the town crier letting everyone know it is time to eat!  


Jensen is the perfect addition to our family, doesn't need to be in control of everything like his oldest brother, doesn't need the spotlight like his middle brother, he goes with the flow and smiles through nearly everything.  To quote Hannah Montana "throw it all together and that's how we roll", that Jensen's motto!






 

The Michael Report!

Every day I get a report at the end of  Joel's school day.  Me: "Joel how was school today?"   Joel: "It was good!"  Then he proceeds to tell me everything Michael did that day, how many time Michael moved his card, etc.  I try to explain to Joel that I am much more interested in the choices he made that day and whether he had to move his card.  I think he has gotten tired of me telling him to worry less about Michael and more about Joel.  This week I have gotten the Kate report.  I think Kate, much like my sweet Joel, likes to talk.  All this reporting in on everyone else makes me wonder how many mothers out there are getting the Joel report.  And that makes me smile a little.

I think they're listening but I am not sure they're getting it.

Here are a couple of examples of Jackson listening to what we say.  My boys are always asking for things,  can we have a milkshake, can we go to Walmart and get a prize, can we get a ring pop, I want a remote control motorcycle.  It seems never ending.  Most of the time they get the response "We don't have any $ for that."  A few weeks ago we went to visit my parents.  As soon as we got there my mom took us to lunch.  We all hopped in the car and 
Jackson asks: 
"Where are we going   Grandma?" 
Grandma: "To lunch Jackson." 
Jackson: "We can't go to lunch." 
Grandma: "Why not?"
Jackson: "We don't have any money."
Grandma: "Who doesn't have any money?"
Jackson: (pointing around feverishly) "Everyone in this car who's last name is Tinsley!"


Fast forward to yesterday... Jackson is outside with his Daddy cleaning cars.  "Daddy are we out of money because the Mazda exploded?"  


I think my boys are having a little trouble distinguishing the difference between we don't have any money and we don't have money FOR THAT!  We have money to eat, we don't have money for McDonald's EVERYDAY.  We have money to pay our car payment, we don't have money to buy ANOTHER train.  We have money to pay for school and supplies that go with school, we don't have money for moon sand.   You get the point right?  Now can someone come over and explain it to my boys?

YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE!!!!

At the grocery store today with my sweet Jackson.  Being at the grocery store with only one child is SO easy!  It is almost fun...almost!  He listened to me and helped me and it was GREAT!!!!  Then I got a phone call and he didn't have my full attention and it went downhill a little.  Then it started going downhill like an avalanche so I got off the phone and focused on my son.  I think it was too late.  We were in the checkout line next to the candy.  My boys rarely ask for treats from the checkout line.  They beg for broccoli but not for candy.  It's nice!  Today was the exception from the "rarely ask for treats".  Jackson started with M&M's "No Jackson", then on to a "drinkable sucker"  "No Jackson."  "PLEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE, bitty bitty please" (Jackson always says bitty please not pretty please, I love it).  Again and again he asks and again and again I say, very calmly "No Jackson."  Finally he has had enough!  "Mommy you are ruining my life!"  to which I respond "Jackson adjust your tone."  "Yes Mommy, but I still really want that sucker."  I love that boy!  I hope I will always be able to laugh a little when he tells me I am ruining his life.  Or even better maybe this will be the last time!

Thanks...I think???

I love love love being the mother of 3 boys!  It is great!  I get compliments all the time.  "Mommy you are so sweet."  "Mommy you are so pretty." "Mommy you are very smart."  I think that is the biggest difference in boys and girls.  My boys can't stop telling me how pretty I am and with girls I think you have to always tell them how pretty they are.  So I will let you decide if this is a compliment or not. 

Jackson and I were lying in the floor the other night watching TV.  And Jackson starts petting me, "Mommy I love you so much."  "Thank you Jackson, I love you so much too."  "Mommy you are very pretty!  I especially like how your boobies come up from your shirt."  "Ummmm, thanks Jackson."

I think I am in trouble if he is already noticing!

to add to the story...

On our way to tee ball practice I talked to the boys about listening to the coach.  Jackson was very concerned about being able to hit the ball so I told him just to keep his eye on the ball and he would be fine.  "But Mommy what if I hit the tee?"  me: "Don't worry about it buddy.  We are practicing.  You will practice and get better and better."  Jackson: "If I swing and miss the ball that means I wiffed it."  me: "Yes but that isn't a big deal you can just try again.  Don't worry so much buddy."  Jackson:  "Mommy I don't want to wiff the ball like you do in tennis."  Thanks Jackson!  Well at least we are both out there swinging away!

With Fall comes....baseball?

We think it is important for our boys to play team sports.  They get exercise and interaction.  It is a different learning process than in the classroom.  So this fall we picked tee ball.  We went to Clarkesville Elementary to practice this weekend.  The boys seem to really have an aptitude for this sport.  So we have our first practice today.  So I called my Mom and told her we had signed the boys up for tee ball and that we were very excited to start playing.  Jackson hears me and adds "Well I'm not excited!  I just want to play tennis."  Guess you can't make everyone happy.  

 Sometimes I worry about my boys competing with each other once they get a little older.   Sports, girls and  grades, so many things that they are going to argue over.  It has already started.  They fight over my attention, snacks and toys.   Then I separate them and they cry "I just want to play with my brother!"   Good to see they recognize that your brother is your best friend!  And my boys are fortunate to have 2 forever best friends!

What to do, what to do?

My job is to take care of my children, my husband and my home.  That sounds easy enough.  I can do that, no problem.  Until....I wake up at 7:25 on a school morning and Jason is out of town and I have to rush to get the boys out of bed only to get Jackson to school 10 minutes late(not bad considering I woke up 20 before he needed to be at school).  I drop Jackson off at school and rush to get Joel to school.  We get there and I remember, UGGGG I was supposed to bring family pictures for Joel's collage today.  So I drop Joel off and I run back to the house and search my computer for pictures of brothers, mommy and daddy, grandparents, etc.  Print off said pictures rush back to school and drop off Joel's pictures so he can participate in the class project.  Shew, now I can take a deep breath.  Wait a minute I totally forgot I need to take some things to the cleaners and go to the post office and run by Walmart and get a party gift for this weekend and I have about and hour or so to get that done before I have to teach a Jazzercise class.  Check, check, check, and check.  Did Jensen get a snack?  Better go buy a few groceries so he can have a popcorn snack, thanks Ingles!  Got the groceries NOW I can take a deep breath.  What do you mean it is time to pick up Joel from school?  I just dropped him off!  OK, I pick up Joel and we go home, unload the groceries make some lunch, eat our lunch then clean up our lunch.  Put Jensen down for a nap.  NOW I can sit down a minute.  Sitting.  YUCK!  I STINK!  Can't sit now better get up and shower.  I won't bore you with shower details but I am finally clean and NOW I will sit....didn't I just vacuum yesterday?  Didn't I just dust?  I know I swept the floor before I left the house.  Looks like it is time to do it all again.  House is tidy.  Can I sit now?  Hmmm 2:45 time to pick up Jackson.  Go to school wait in the pick up line, get my child, talk to my child about his day, look through his folder for any homework that needs to be done.  Have a snack.   Now I actually do sit and cuddle with my boys for a few minutes before we go outside to burn off some energy, staying on green all day at school is enough to make a 5 yr old want to blow!  What do you know it is 5:00 pm I need to start dinner for all my men.  Daddy gets home around 6 we eat dinner, clean up dinner while boys play in backyard.  Dishes are clean now time to clean my boys.  Boys are showered, teeth are brushed and our books are chosen.  Time to read.  One book each then a tuck for the big boys and a little rocking for the baby.  8:30 and the house is quiet.  I lay out the boys school clothes for tomorrow and then I get to sit and watch anything I might have on the DVR.  I manage to stay awake till 10 but that is all I can take.  Because tomorrow I need to wake up to a whole new set of Momergencies. 

Does this sound familiar to anyone?  This crazy day of non stop errands.  This stay at home mom thing IS easy!  HAHAHAHAHA!  Well I almost typed that sentences without laughing!  I love my boys, I love my life!  I wouldn't change a thing!

Because you asked.

What am I thankful for?  I am thankful for a husband that looks at me like I am the only woman in the world because for him I am.  I am thankful for parents who love each other more with each passing day.  Parents who taught me what a marriage looks like.  I am thankful for rambunctious boys who drive me crazy and give me a throbbing headache but they are healthy and they are happy and that is worth 1,000 headaches.  I am thankful for a brother who never judges anyone.  He is so good.  And a sister who, for reasons unknown to me, thinks I hung the moon.  She looks up to me still and she makes me want to be a better person.   I am thankful for wonderful friends who listen to me complain about things that don't matter and cry about things that really do matter.   Lord knows that I have been a downer on more than one occasion in the last 4 months.  We do occasionally share a laugh.   I am thankful for in-laws who love me for me and not just because I married into the family.  I am thankful for so many things, this blog could go on forever with my many many blessings.  Oh and I don't want to forget one last thing, I too am thankful for Oreos.  But I think I might be more thankful if I didn't love them so much!

Adequacy Meter

Another post about my Joel.  I have been blessed with good babies.  My boys are easy.  It started with easy pregnancies, the most difficult thing I had to endure was the c-section to get them each into the world, small price to pay.  The took to breastfeeding with relative ease and weening went just as smoothly.  There wasn't a food they didn't like.  Potty training was frustrating at the time but looking back not a big deal.  Joel gave up his paci with no arguments.  I am able to leave them with the sitter without a major meltdown.  The biggest issue was sleeping through the night, each of them waited until they were 9 months old to comply, must be in their genes.  My boys are very similar and yet so so different.  Which brings me to what this post is about, the adequacy meter.  What is an adequacy meter you might be asking about now.  That is the term my sweet brother-in-law, Bryan, coined when referring to Joel's reaction to anything that isn't going his way.  Even as a baby Joel with cry with the slightest breeze.  It was as if he was saying "Life is not all I had hoped!  This is the worst thing that has every happened to me!  I can't believe I have to endure this injustice!!!"  This was his reaction to having to wait a minute or two for a cup of juice.   You can imaging his reaction to anything serious.  Like in this photo where he wants Mama!

I can still hear Bryan saying "Life is not adequate!"  While Joel was crying over one less than perfect situation or another. 

So I have decided to document all of Joel's moments of not being treated fairly.  All the things he calls his Grandma and reports.  I stay in trouble with Grandma by the way.  So enjoy the photos of sweet Joel at his finest moments.  I love this boy and just to set the record straight Joel is a happy boy!  He is more often found giving me the thumbs up and the "I love you Mommy!"  than he is pouting in the corner but if I don't take these pictures what will I use for blackmail in the teenage years?

People keep telling me.....

"I'm too young for a girlfriend!"  That was the story for the day today.  So I told him "Yes Jackson you are too young for a girlfriend but who keeps telling you that?"  "EVERYONE!!"  was the exasperated reply (exasperated is Jackson's new favorite word).  He continued by telling me that it was too late he already has a girlfriend and it is Madelynne!  And she doesn't act like she wants to be his friend anymore and she only plays with James!  I tried to encourage my child to make new friends and that Madelynne will always be his friend and there are lots of girls AND boys to play with.  His response was "I have to wait until I am un-young to have more than one girlfriend."  Me: "You mean older."  Jackson: "Yes Mommy when I am older I will have at least 3 or 4 girlfriends."......I don't think this conversation went the way I wanted it to. 

My sweet boy and his first girlfriend, even though he isn't allowed to have a girlfriend.  I hope this is the worst heartache he ever knows. 

Cloning Babies

 I have been looking through old pictures and I realize I seem to have contributed very little of the DNA to my sweet boys.   When I was pregnant with Jackson I would sit and just revel in the idea of a child that was 50% me and 50% Jason.  The first thing I said when Jackson was born was "He looks JUST like you".   That isn't a bad thing, Jason is very handsome but where is the Mary Lynn????  I worked so hard for the past 9 months.  I gave up sleep, watched my diet, gave up my margaritas, made many many trips to the bathroom, went to all the doctor visits and who gets all the credit for this beautiful boy?  Daddy!  People see me out and I never get "they look like you"  I never get the chance to say "Oh if you think they look like me you should see their Daddy".  If you could get past that blond hair Joel looks like me.  He is a miniature version of me, as I discussed in a previous blog.  But again I get no credit.

When I start to really worry that I did all this work only for Jason's genes to be carried on they open their mouths and what comes out is 100% Mary Lynn!  Genetics may not be on my side but I am blessed to stay home with my boys so I can "program" them properly. 

A couple of interesting things from Jackson:  A girl in his class lost her doll and she was so upset.  Jackson went to comfort her "Don't worry Claire we will find your doll but you know it isn't our job to keep up with your things!"  Wonder where he heard that?  

When the boys were moving in together "Joel do you think you can be quiet when it is time to go to bed so I can get some rest?"  Joel: "Yes Jackson"  Jackson:  "Then I guess we can try this out for a couple of nights."

And most recently "Mommy I need to go shopping for clothes."  Me: "Jackson I think you have plenty for now."  Jackson: "Mommy I just really need lots of options!"

Joel is an interesting child he is forever the encourager but also wants to be in charge of all situations.  Last year at school a little girl was playing and wouldn't go to her seat at table time.  Joel says "Susie (again name is changed to protect the innocent) if you don't come over here Ms. Desi is going to put you in time out!"  Ms. Desi says "Joel go to your seat I am taking care of this."  Joel gives Ms. Desi his best smile and a thumbs up.  "You're doing a really good job Ms. Desi!"

So far Jensen is the world's sweetest baby.  I asked him to do something the other day and I nearly had a heart attack because his answer was "Yes Maam".  But as sweet as he is he is also a bit bossy like his Mommy.  We sit to "rock a minute" at night and he will gaze up into my eyes and say "Sunshine Mommy SING IT!"  "Twinkle SING IT!"  And he points his finger at me as he orders me to entertain.  I can't wait to see what other traits I have imprinted onto my child.

Aww the joys of being a stay at home mom!

Has it been this beautiful all my life?

This year my family went on a family vacation, a budget family vacation.  We spent a week at my parents lake house on Cherokee Lake with my in-laws.  This vacation home has been in my family my whole life.  I can remember nearly drowning in this lake when I fell off the dock at 6 yrs old (we have since implemented a no children near the lake without a life jacket on).  I remember catching catfish, learning to ski, breakfast cruises to the dam, croquet and volleyball and corn hole and any type of yard game you can imagine, throwing rocks and huge bonfire marshmallow roasts and fire works and...well you get the idea.  A life time a memories and I haven't lived a life time yet.

 So when we got home and I was looking through the 200+ photos that were taken by me and my mother-in-law (her photos are far better than mine but you will have to settle for mine) I thought to myself how beautiful this place is.  So serene in the early morning hours before everyone gets out of bed and peaceful beyond compare on our sunset cruises.  How have I missed this?  How have I  thought of this as merely "a place my family goes".  Happy memory on top of happy memory, I have shared so much of my life with so many of the people I love here.  I am so blessed to share this place with both the family I grew up with and now the family I have made.  One day my boys will have all the same happy memories and I think I will teach them to appreciate the beauty as well as the fun!

 

A little insight into my middle!

My poor sweet Joel Ellis.  My middle child.  You would think I would have more sympathy for him considering I am a middle child myself.  The poor always forgotten and left out middle child.  The child that has to go above and beyond to get attention because we aren't the prized first born and we aren't the cutest of the cute baby of the family.  We weren't the first to do anything and we aren't the one everyone is looking at because we are the last one that will do it.  We don't have a special distinction, we are just middle!  My poor Joel has the added misfortune of being just like his mother.  I have talked to his teacher 2 times this week because Joel talks too much.  I believe Ms. Donna used the word "constantly".  I know, I know, all of my friends reading this are saying "NO Mary Lynn not your child!  Where does he get that trait?"  Joel wants to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it.  He is the sweetest helper, when it is his idea.  He finds things around the house and if they look interesting to him he hides them in his room.  I have caught him eating Tums because they taste like candy.  So many things I could list that Joel does I can remember doing when I was a child.  Again I say poor Joel.  So all of that background just to tell you as much as he pushes my buttons he is the funniest child EVER!!!  He is so animated, everything he does is do exciting.  He is a master of the thumbs up and the wink "Mommy, I got it!  Don't worry about it!"

Last week my husband went upstairs because it sounded like my boys were going to come through the ceiling.  He said in his most serious and stern Daddy voice "WHAT IS GOING ON UP HERE???" , the boys don't know he is serious (giggle giggle giggle)  Daddy continues "Jackson DO YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY???"  In an effort to help his brother out Daddy hears Joel whisper to his brother "Jackson make a serious face and look at the floor."  Hmmmmmm  thanks for breaking the tension Joel, now there is nothing to do but laugh.

Today as Joel is practicing his jumping jacks:  "Mommy watch this, I do really cool jumping jacks!"   Me: "Wow Joel that is great!  Good Job!"  Joel "No Mommy watch this one is going to be really good....Wait for it, wait for it......"  Again I say there is nothing to do but to laugh.  It was a really excellent jumping jack!

And my favorite story from this week is not only about Joel but it gives you a hint of what Jackson is like as well.  We are driving down the road and Joel says to me "Mommy you are pretty, you are so so pretty."  Me:  "Why thank you Joel that is very sweet."  Joel "Mommy you are so pretty, much prettier that Susie* (name has been changed to protect the innocent)"  Me:"Thank you Joel."  Jackson "Well Mommy Susie isn't really that pretty."  Once again what do you say to that?

Everybody else is doing it.

I go through and read all my friends blogs about their day to day lives and I smile and I laugh and I cry because I am right there with you.  So why haven't I started a blog?  Everyone else is doing it!  I am not a writer, as you will see if you stop by to see what my life holds for me on a day to day basis.  Today I decided it doesn't matter how eloquent I am.  It matters that I remember all these precious moments and all the side splitting laughter that comes with raising 3 boys.  So here we go!  If you stop by to read what is going on in our lives I hope my boys make you smile a little.  They bring a smile to my face every day!