My kids had to get in on the photo session and they were so silly. I was not even outside when all this happened. They seem to pose and smile better when I am not around. I think I was inside cleaning up the dinner dishes. The kids make me so happy. Being a mom is, well, really hard sometimes. I often feel overwhelmed with such a responsibility to not only teach but be an example to these kids and to prepare them to be grown ups! I hope they know that I love them and that I want them to be happy. I would do anything for them. The kids have been on Fall break this week and we have squeezed in some fun things. We went to see Dolphin Tale and went shopping at Target one day. Carter got the new NBA game for his PlayStation3 and Brayden got Legos and Molly got a bath tub for her baby dolls. On friday night the kids got to go spend the night with Nana and Papa Ostermiler in Nashville. I have the boys some money for Papa to take them to the Bass Pro Shop and they had so much fun. Molly and Nana did the girl thing and went to Target. I was so happy to have some alone time with Robbie. This past week has been a doozer and I SO needed a little break from the normal day to day stuff.
These kids really do love each other and it warms my heart when I get to see little glimpses of that. They are for sure normal siblings. They don't always get along. But, I am pretty certain that they would stand up for and protect each other. These boys love their little sister. Carter especially is going through a stage where he seems to just adore Molly. I love to watch them together. A few days ago I heard one of the boys say something ugly to the other. I quickly told them that I do not allow that in our house. I feel so strongly that home is where we are supposed to feel safe and happy and accepted and free to be ourselves. There is enough evil and rude and mean and sad in this world...even at school...that when they are home they should not have to have their guard up and have any worry about that yucky stuff. I remember when I was younger, my home was (and still is!) a happy and peaceful place. A place where I feel loved. I still feel that when I go to my mom and dad's home.
This is Mamaw Allen. She is 88 years old. She is Robbie's grandmother on his mom's side. We love her! It is so sad to see someone age. And forget who we are. Some days she knows me, and some she doesn't. Just today she pointed to Brayden and asked "who's boy is that?". I said "mamaw, he is mine, that is Brayden!" and she said "well, I didn't know you had kids!". It is so fun for me to watch Molly and mamaw together. They color and play together like they are both 4 years old. They even argue like they are 4 both 4 years old! hehe! Molly will grow up remembering her great-grandma and that is so special. Papaw Allen is in the nursing home and we enjoy going to see him. Robbie and I went a few days ago and I enjoyed sitting with him as he told me the story of when he and mamaw met. He remembers in detail exactly where she was sitting and what she was wearing. A true love story. He also told me stories about when he was in the service and how a cup of coffee saved his life, and how he rode hundreds of times in the plane that evenually dropped the atomic bomb. I cherish our visits and savor every story he tells me. I am lucky to be a part of his life and I love him. He is a good man.
My silly hooligans with Judy and Papa. Yes, my kids call Judy by her first name. Mason, the oldest grandchild started it and now all of them call her Judy. My kids sometimes ask me what Judy's real name is. They know that Nana's real name is Joyce and just can't understand why Judy doesn't have a real name.
I know one day when I look back at this I will not remember what a crummy week I have had. I will not remember the stress and the craziness of this week. What I hope to remember, rather, is what is really important. And that is family. I have the most amazing and loving and supportive husband who I know with no doubt loves me. I have three healthy and happy children who I consider such miracles in my life. I have a mom and a dad who have taught me by example the things I need to do to be happy. And I have the best Judy and Papa who raised Robbie the same. Together, we are building our own family. We are building what will be our eternity. And I am determined to keep everything out of our lives that are not going to make it happy. :)
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