Proof

PROOF

noun

1.

evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to producebelief in its truth.

2.

anything serving as such evidence: What proof do you have?

3.

the act of testing or making trial of anything; test; trial: toput a thing to the proof.

4.

the establishment of the truth of anything; demonstration.

5.

Law . (in judicial proceedings) evidence having probativeweight.

6.

the effect of evidence in convincing the mind.

Proof that everything I said last post is true. I know some day they will not feel this way about each other, so I am going to spend years gathering my proof.

....

post published thoughts:

I completely believe in the power of advertising, so why not "advertise" to my kids what good friends they are, that they love each other, that they are best friends?

One of my greatest challenges as a mom is to bond these boys together so solidly that when they go out in to the world alone, without me, that they will stay together and look out for one another- from the playground in 1st and 3rd grade to the lunch room in high school. I can't be with them all the time, but they can be with each other. And after, when I am old and gray, I want them to go on adventures together. To continue to explore and be curious and mischevious. That's one of my greatest hopes.

Snowflake musing: one of a kind

The last few months more than one person has commented about Nate having a lot of energy, but it's always said as an insult rather than a compliment.

Immediately,

I feel a rush of embarrassment.

For what? What should I be embarrassed about?

I have a bright, energetic, interactive, curious 4 year old! He's wonderful!

and

He loves his brother fiercely. I am so proud of him for this.

I often joke I only have to parent one of them

Because Andy follows his every lead.

Yes, he's taught him to climb on the counter and where mom hides candy.

Yes, he's taught him how to grunt when he's angry.

And beg and whine when he doesn't get what he wants.

But

BUT

He's also taught him to love books

and Legos

and "scooby dooby"

and to say things like "isn't that crazy?"

or "let's go 'sploring" and "shoooweee go on a 'venture?"

and to say "thank you for my family" in prayer

and to collect rocks

and sticks

and seedpods

and leaves

and... well you get the idea

and that dad is the coolest and you always have to give him 10 kisses before he leaves for work and run the the door when you hear his key unlocking it each night and then jump up and down screaming "daddy!daddy!daddy!" over and over, and sit next to him (or on his lap) at any given opportunity

and to be curious.

Sure, I could have taught Andy all of that.

But I love that Nate did.

This reminds me of the end of the book Clifford:The Big Red Dog

"I don't care.

You can keep all your small dogs.

You can Keep all your black,

white, brown and spotted dogs.

I'll keep Clifford. Wouldn't you?"

Yes, my son is Clifford.

He is larger than life.

sometimes his energy and excitement makes a mess of things

but he has a (great big huge!) good heart.

And he's one of a kind.

And he's all mine.

My little Elf

Recently we were joking with my parents that Nate lives pretty much like Buddy the Elf and "tries to stick to the four main food groups: Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corn, and Syrup. "

We all had a good laugh and I looked over at Nate who was quiet....

for a brief second I thought I had hurt his feelings by teasing.

Then he looked at me and said,

" You forgot FROSTING!"

Right.

So I guess our little elf stick to the FIVE main food groups.

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass

Alma 37:6

Anniversary #7

In case we aren't FB friends and you haven't already seen this picture plastered everywhere on my profile. It's my anniversary! I (obvi) have known this was coming up but for some reason this morning when I woke up I was just in mom routine: fixing breakfast, making beds. Chris woke up and immediately came to find me - which he never does- he always gets right in the shower- and said, "Happy Anniversary!" Wow! No, offense sweetie, but that is def. the first time EVER in our marriage that you have said it first! Chris is super swamped with work right now so we made plans to meet for lunch and do something the boys have been wanting to do for a long time- get ice cream at the Milwaukee Public Market (no challenger of Seattle's) and walk along the Riverwalk. Yes, the water is brown and nasty, but they loved it. Chris was so nervous the boys were going to defy physics and fall through the small gap between the boardwalk and the fence and fall in to the water. I had a great time; despite the fact that I didn't even get to hold Chris's hand bc they were both taken

Every time I see these three boys together I can't help but just sit back and laugh/smile/ feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Post more pics tonight. My camera died while uploading. And no, Chris did not get ice cream in his hair- can you believe it?! I would have put money on it.... (top picture)