Shout out if you recognize that early 90's Salt n Pepa reference.
You're welcome.
Christmas was wonderful. We enjoy SO MUCH seeing our family (parents, siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces, etc). WE LOVE traveling at Christmas, but this year, we stayed home. We woke in our own home and in our own beds on Christmas and it was magical. On Christmas Eve, the boys sprinkled "Reindeer food" on the front lawn so that the reindeer would find their way (it is an oatmeal/glitter mix thanks to Mrs. Loftis, Hudson's amazing kindergarten teacher).
We had a full two weeks of bonding as a family and with close friends. We went to downtown Grapevine and drove by our first home, where Hudson came home from the hospital as a baby...where we made Brody and many other memories. The boys danced in the lights to Christmas music and it was A Wonderful Life in that moment. A truly Wonderful Life.
One of the days of our break, we went to the dentist. The whole family. Exciting, I know. The funniest part is I had an emotional breakdown over the fact that my boys don't need me anymore. I mean, they do. But they don't. Hudson just lay there and let them do their thing, asking about 17,000 questions in the process. He farted in the chair and said "Excuse me, I farted." Then he did it again and said, "Oh. Sorry, I farted again." I mean, this kid is hilarious. He is so far from shy it's not even funny. His brain, for some reason, doesn't process shy. I hope that takes him very far in life.
That night, we went out for dinner and he was staring at a lady in the booth behind us. I told him to stop and she said, "No, he's fine." (She had been smiling and waving at him). When she was leaving (she had two young 20's something men with her) she said, "Don't let anyone make you feel bad for bringing your kids to restaurants. Enjoy your time and don't worry about what others think because it goes by way too fast. Before you know it, they're adults." And with that, she pointed at her two grown sons, who were already walking away.
Brody's 3rd birthday party was fun, albeit somewhat stressful (I can't help it; Going Bonkers just stresses me out in general, among many other things....it's just who I am). The kids had fun, and that is all that matters.
Brody's daycare (and Hudson's after school care) transferred ownership about two months ago. I had been praying for answers on whether it was the right place for them. I was close to researching other places and then it seems the Lord brought the answer to me. I love the changes that have been made so far. It is now a Christian preschool, with an organized curriculum. They have painted, put in wood floors and done some light remodeling as well, making it so much cleaner/more organized. The new owner actually sent me this today:
Let's just say Brody is comfortable in his masculinity.
Yesterday, the boys were arguing and bickering and crying and whining nonstop after I picked them up after school. I mean, a solid hour of nonstop negativity. I told Hudson he better get happy real quick or he was going to have a really grumpy mommy. I also told him to be kind and get along with his brother and "that's why I had two kids...so you could entertain each other." Hudson suggested, "Maybe you should get rid of one of us." Then he paused a moment to think and looked at me with absolute certainty and said, "But not me."
I usually keep a note on my phone for memories like this and I wait until I have one deep-enough thought and enough material to really chew on before I blog again. Tonight, this "deep-enough" thought occurred when I got home from dinner at Chick fil a with the boys. I started their one TV show for the night and I look around my house and thought, "Man I have so many cool things here that represent so many cool people and so much love." Then, I started counting the "things" from my parents. Guys, I mean this. I have the very best parents. In the entire world. Almost everything in my house has been touched by them. And by touched, I mean made. I have several dressers, trunks (both redone and handmade by my talented father). I have framed chalkboards, beautiful curtains and throw pillows by my amazing, loving mother. I have clarinet lamps and an oboe lamp that everyone notices the first time they come over. When I tell them my dad made it, they are usually blown away. I have antiques passed down and antiques I have chosen myself and I'm sure you can guess which ones mean more to me. My house would be near empty (literally and figuratively) without my parents' influence. Like Hudson said to me last night....I'm glad my parents never got rid of any of us, especially me.
