Tough Questions

As a mom, I'm used to fielding tough questions like, "where does Batman keep his special car?" and "why don't they make towtrucks for broken airplanes?" with very creative answers, but yesterday Hank asked me a question that has caused me to pause and reflect on my answer. Sitting together at the bar, with Ben pulled up beside us in his highchair, Hank leaned over to me and whispered a question in my ear, "Mom, do you think Ben will be like Evan?" Evan is a very different looking little boy with obvious physical impairments, but who is always happy and friendly, whom Hank has met and enjoys playing with at Ben's therapy center. Caught off-guard, I thought for a moment and then told Hank that I think Ben will be just like Ben. Hank seemed satisfied with my response and returned to eating his lunch without any further questions. Ben is so lucky to have Hank and Max for brothers--loyal protectors who will always love him and ACCEPT him just for being Ben. In that seemingly innocuous question, I understood a small part of Ben's mission on this earth--to teach others compassion and acceptace. And lucky me, I get to watch as my amazing little boys change the world one person, one opinion, at a time.

Your Call

I can't decide if feeding my kids nutella and marshmallow "sandwiches" for lunch makes me the worst mom on earth, or maybe the coolest mom on earth. I vote for the latter. If it makes any difference, I did serve this nutritious meal with a side of apple wedges and cheese slices.

Max votes with me.

The Benjamin

If thats not just plain cute then I don't know what is.

Great Wolf = Great Weekend

Great Wolf Lodge....what can I say? Two days of endless swimming, splashing, and sliding, all the junk and treats you can eat, movie-watching at night with no bedtime?? It was great!

As soon as we got to the hotel, Aaron began checking-in while I took the boys to scout out the water park. Hank's eyes got super big when he saw the slides and water toys and said, "this is the best day of my WHOLE LIFE!" Priceless.

Little Max had lots of fun going down the water slides and playing with the spray toys, but loved the hot tub the best--my kind of guy:)

Unfortunately, the Benjamin didn't care much for the crowds and the noise so he and I spent quite a bit of time together cuddling, napping (him), and people-watching. I could just hold Ben all day and be perfectly content, so I'm not complaining.

We came, we swam, we're all wiped out! Thanks for the fun time, Great Wolf!

Look Out, American Idol!

See this guy? Well, in case you didn't know, he basically rocked the house, so to speak, at church today singing a special musical number. Although he acts humble, Aaron is very talented and has an amazing voice. Every time I hear Aaron sing it brings me back to the very first time I heard Aaron perform.....they year was 2002, the location was the BYU-H Talent Show, and Aaron and his acapella quartet won the competition. Listening to that tall, handsome guy singing harmony in the school talent show--the girls in the audience screaming everytime Aaron hit the deep base notes (for real!)--I was smitten. Listening to Aaron today, singing a song that had deep personal meaning for me, I felt such pride to have married that boy from the talent show who has grown into a strong, faithful, hardworking, honest man, husband, and father.

I love you, honey.

Upgrading

At nearly 30lbs, Ben out-grew his infant car seat long, long ago. We recently upgraded everyone's car seats, graduating Ben into this convertable car seat. We're being cheaters by allowing Ben to sit forward-facing a few weeks before he hits the one year mark.

Ben seems to really enjoy being able to check out his surroundings, watch movies, and hang out with his brothers like a big kid.

A spontaneous moment (and I mean moment) of brotherly love.

Lots of Hope

Tonight I had the opportunity to play a very small part in my good friend Melissa's awesome charity event that benefits her foundation, Hope for Little Hearts.

I am so impressed with the courage, strength, and faith of these two ladies as they take on the special health challenges of thier children.

Proof!

Sadly, the sight of these three playing happily together is such a rare occurence in our home that I had to take a picture or I may have not believed it with my own eyes. It seems that more often than not, I am breaking up fights, sending one or both boys to time out, or repeating over and over, "Share!" "Take turns!" and "Don't hit!"

These brief little moments of familial harmony give me a sweet glimpse into heaven on earth and I can almost hear the choirs of angels singing "Love at Home".........and then the fighting and wrestling resumes.