Conversing

Today was mostly a good day. I'd say the only not good part about it was my parent's left to go back to California. Sad face :( Though they were terribly missed the second they left, we actually had an amazing day together. Well, I guess there is another not good part and that is Brad wasn't feeling very well. Sore throat, tired, and a headache... sounds like a cold might be joining us. Even with that, he was able to go outside with the boys and take them on a small bike ride and watch them 'practice' after. These kids are true Oregonians- it was raining and it didn't deter them at all! When they came in I made James some apple cider and Gav some hot cocoa (they love to call it hot cocoa, not hot chocolate... sheesh...). They also got to play with Legos for hours today. We also did a floor puzzle from my brother's family and Gav and I did his new puzzle together. Since I was cleaning a lot today, they got out their new Marble Works and played for a few hours on that as well. Score! Gotta love getting toys they enjoy! Gavin busted open the new art tub they got for Christmas and drew some cool things for us. A few shows were watched as well. All in all, a great day for us.

Though we had lots of fun together, the best part of the day came at dinnertime. Ok, so we just had Christmas and guests over... there are lots of leftovers in our fridge! And after cleaning and organizing all day, I did not quite feel like making more food when we had plenty in our fridge. James immediately wanted a meatball sandwich with gravy (we had Swedish meatballs for Christmas dinner). Gavin and Jack couldn't really decide so I made them a quesadilla. Yes, not really leftovers but those two are the more difficult ones to make happy with this type of dinner. So, here I am in the kitchen making these random dinners (as well as figuring out what I want), and I am having this full blown conversation with my kids. Mainly Gavin and James, but Jack was definitely listening and inputting when he so desired. The boys talked about and asked all sorts of things. Some that I can remmeber- 

Why does daddy call you babe?

because it is a way for him to show me he loves me

When you reach 100, you are like a giant!

well, actually, you don't keep growing. you guys will probably stop growing around 20. i stopped when i was 16. 

Wait, you are thirty and now you are sixty??

no, sixTEEN. i was a teenager in high school. *James eyes light up- he loves hearing about high school. poor kid is in for some future disappointment...* 

Gav- no, thirTEEN is a teenager

thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen are all teenagers. I was 19 when i dated daddy so I was a teenager *holy cow, felt a little crazy saying that...* I was in my college years when we got married. You'll probably be in college when YOU get married. Do you guys want to get married someday?

Gav- Well... I don't know yet. I think I do. I probably will because I want to have children!

Jack- Yes, I will!!

James- *kind of starry eyed thinking about being married*

Just be sure your future wife likes me and I like her! *just being real and honest! mom to all boys here!!*

James- You were in college when you had me? 

Yeah, you started it all. We prayed and fasted and cried for you to come. We really wanted to have a baby.

Yeah, before I came to earth, I was an angel baby. And I lead the way. I chose you to be our mom.

You did?! Why did you choose me?

Because you really wanted a baby. And you're the best mom.

And did you choose daddy? What made you choose him?

Because he's strong. And he never gives up. He works so hard for us. And he's smart. 

*there was more to this conversation, but apparently i had stopped writing it and now forgot what was said (01-18-16). and this is why i need to record more of our day to day. to not forget the great things... and even the not so great at times*

My Date With Gavin

Tonight was my first date with Mister Gavin. I love doing things with the boys and seeing their different personalities come through. When I have taken James on a date (the two times...), he likes to look good and dress up. Gavin, on the other hand, could care less. And I was pretty grateful for that tonight- I was rather tired and not really feeling the "dressy" part. Next time ;) We had yummy grilled cheese sandwiches and veggies for dinner before Brad came home from work. Once we were able to go out, we headed for Red Wagon Creamery, my favorite place to go for dessert/ice cream. It is THE BEST ice cream. Gav got the cracked candy cane ice cream and I got one of my favorites, Oregon Mint Chip. Mmmm... we each took a lick of each other's and approved the choice. When you hang out with Gavin, you realize he is chatty. You just can't miss it. But being one-on-one with him... c-h-a-t-t-y. I loved it. He said he wanted to be an ice cream maker when he grows up. And he wants to make chocolate ice cream. I was almost done with mine and he just couldn't have me finish first. I nibbled at mine while he rushed to finish his- he won :) Next stop- Target and the pet store (our cat needs flea meds, lucky us). On the way, we pointed out all the Christmas lights and even drove by Fifth Street Market because they have really pretty ones. On the way to Target, Gav informed me that what makes him feel special is getting a hot lunch and being the first person. Gee, I'm so glad this awesome date doesn't make you feel special, Middle Child (totally kidding). Gav loved being at Target and chose a new Level 1 Star Wars book. He couldn't wait to tell his brothers. We then walked over to the pet store to pick up the flea meds and also check out the adorable cats they have there. Man... they are my weakness. I could seriously take each and every cat home. Gavin agreed :) His favorite one was already adopted (yay for her!). His next favorite was a calico cat. Not going to lie... those cats are calling me back! If only Brad was easily swayed by his wife or kids... Onto home after purchasing the flea meds. It was a really great night and I am so grateful I got to spend it with him. We have been wanting to make a habit of so many things, dates with our boys being one of them, and we just haven't been following through. I'm pretty sure the boys won't let us forget these anymore and I really hope they do get on our case to consistently spend special time with them. 

The Day a Dog Bit Jack

It was this past Saturday, December 5, 2015. We were on the hunt for the perfect Christmas trees. We had been to one tree farm and one tree lot before we went to the place where we had gotten our first Oregon Christmas tree. The boys were being super troopers and loved walking the small rows of Christmas trees. When we arrived, an older couple had picked out their tree and the tree salesman was trimming it and getting it ready. They had a dog on a leash who seemed interested in the boys... he got up excitedly, perked his ears and wagged his tail. Most dogs do when they see three little boys... I don't know why, it's like they know these kids would love and play with them. The woman saw the dog getting distracted and moved down a different aisle. I chalked it up to she wanted to make sure the boys didn't try to touch her dog. No big deal.

It's a small place and their tree was now on the last step before they could take it home. We had to pass between the machine and the woman and her dog. The dog sat up again when Jack was about two feet away from him. He went up to, what I thought, sniff him only instead he bit his boot and started yanking on his boot. I was shocked and was thankfully holding Jack's hand. Before I could fully react, the dog let go of his boot only to quickly grab a little higher to Jack's leg and pants and yanked on him even harder- Jack was literally in the air with me holding his hand and arm now and the dog pulling his leg in his mouth. The woman got her dog to let go (this maybe took 10-15 seconds,... happened really quick, but felt like longer) and her husband quickly took his leash and took the dog to the car. Jack was hysterical... as he should be, the poor kid. The woman was so apologetic and was sincerely distraught over what her dog had done. She said he has never acted like that before and kept asking if Jack was ok. I'll be honest... me being me... I also apologized. I felt bad that we had gotten too close (which really wasn't that close...) and the dog had the opportunity to do that. I always try to teach the boys to  not go near a dog unless the owner says it is ok- well, here is our proof of why we teach that! It took a few minutes to calm poor Jack down, but in the end he was fine. He now has two small holes in his jeans and a bite on the back of his leg.

All I am hoping is he doesn't develop a fear of dogs. I could tell the dog was a good dog. Who knows what factored into his small attack. Maybe the machine was too much for him and he acted out. I am just grateful it wasn't worse. So very very grateful