Mud. Wind. And a little bit o’ Fence.

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Looks like I fell off the planet this week. Not sure why. I don’t get much private computer time these days. I usually have a tot on my lap climbing all over me asking to watch Super Why or something. During quiet time, this mama takes a nap. When we finally get the tots in bed, I’ve no energy left to compute or do projects. Hence… slow blogging these days.

But, here’s the weekend update. Digging. Mud. Gray Skies. Wind. More digging. More mud. And the most glorious part of all… a fence with a gate to keep wee Tru from running around that side of the house. Yay! Jimmy and his brothers worked well digging and straightening and cementing and setting posts, etc. Max and Tru worked well digging in the mud. They were in heaven… heaven! Thanks boys for tackling yet another chilly outdoor project! This mama appreciates it.

p.s. if you would have told the 16-year-old me I would have 3 boys… and that I would let them dig in the mud for fun, I’m sure I would have looked shocked. Well… 19 years later and I’m just glad if they are enjoying themselves and not fighting or into much mischief. A bath or two later and they are good as new! Ideas change, I suppose, over the years… and this mom is learning to be okay with messes. … well… sometimes.

i’d like to ride a bicycle… yes, a bicycle… a bicycle

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Did you hear my song there in the header? Like a little tune you’d make up to sing to a tot. There it is. Today while I was rocking Tru before his nap, I thought of how cool riding a bike is. Seriously – can it get better than having the breeze in your face, blowing through your hair, getting exercise, enjoying God’s creations out of doors (in the warmth… I might add)? It’s a freeing activity. I think there are a few all-important things in a kid’s life… two of which are swinging and riding bikes. There’s something thrilling and rejuvenating about both of those activities. They give you a lift. Whenever I do either activity, I feel like a kid again… without a care in the world. This quote reminds me of the JOY in riding a bike.

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark,
when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having,
just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road,
without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”
Arthur Conan Doyle

So my bicycle dream is for the whole fam to have great bikes. I’ll take the yellow one with the bucket to strap the 3 youngest in. Jimmy, Hannah, and Abe can have the others.

And OFF Weeeeeeee GO into the wilderness called the river trail in our neighborhood. Wouldn’t that be fun? Well – fun until someone crashes and skins a knee or the 3 youngest are kicking each other. Or someone has to go potty … or the mosquitos come out. We’ll just imagine our bike ride in wonderland with the happy Smith family bellowing “I have confidence in sunshine” like the Von Trapp Family singers. Perhaps just a dream… but a good one.

the years are short

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I came across these pictures and they brought back funny memories of our life with 2 tots. This collage represents August 2004. We were just finishing our internship summer in Florida. Abe was 3 months old (why does he look so scared?). Hannah was 22 months (maybe her wild hair in that one photo scared Abe). Jimmy had fewer grey hairs (sorry hon – it’s true). I had fewer chubs and wrinkles (definitely TRUE!!!). 2 tots squished into a single stroller at the zoo doesn’t work. A day at the beach sounds good about now.

Looking back, our life seemed simple. But I know at the time it was a lot. Just after this I was called as Young Women’s president when Jimmy was a full-time MBA student. I was young and had no idea what I was doing. In fact, I still don’t know what I’m doing. :) But you know what… I survived that time that seemed so full to me. And I learned a lot (part of the struggle = building character thing) Perhaps that means that I will endure well the next few years that will be VERY full. I hope so.

My friend Lanette posted this quote on her bloggie that rang true to me.

“The days are long but the years are short.” Gretchen Rubin

Oh so true, especially when each day is full of assisting little ones who need mama constantly. But I see my tall kids (yes, Abe is taller than Hannah though 19 months younger)… and wonder where my little babies went. I imagine I’ll snap my fingers and Tru will be going to college. Sigh… I better do better at appreciating the long days… or rather… the simple and delightful moments in those long days.

Get out that ENERGY!

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Here’s a video of all that energy being released!