Brothers

These two little treasures are both napping, so I have a minute to jot down some thoughts.

We were going on a walk a few Sundays ago and Jolie asked if we could stop by her friend's house (a friend from Columbus).  My voice caught in my throat as I tried to explain that we no longer live close to that friend.  It was the first time I'd really stopped to mourn leaving the only place our kids know as home.  I miss my friends too, and it's always hard starting over, even if it's only two hours away from where you were.  But we are gradually settling in and trying to make new friends.

I am loving spending my days with my sweet boys.  I love greeting Henrik each afternoon when he wakes up from his nap; he's happy, laughing, and ready to play.  I love how he readily climbs on my lap to read stories (his current favorites are "But No Elephants" by Jerry Smath, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, and "Harry the Dirty Dog" by Gene Zion), and he has to read all three each time we sit down.  I love to hear his cute little voice repeating new words, or practicing ones he's already learned.  My favorite thing is when he copies me and calls, "Girls!" to his sisters.

Oliver has started smiling at me, and I love it when he cuddles with me or falls asleep in my arms.  He's been pretty fussy at night, but some nights are better than others.  It's all worth it when he looks at me with his big blue eyes or turns his head toward me when he hears my voice.  There's nothing to compare to having the complete trust of your child and their dependence on you.

I miss the girls while they're at school all day.  I love it when they get home and keep me company.  Even if they go up to their room to play and close the door to keep their brother out, they're home; and it makes me feel happy to have them with me.  We were still having some bedtime issues, but things are getting better, and there have actually been some really awesome nights.  (Last night Jolie and Eric fell asleep on her bed after reading together, and Mierae fell asleep quietly on the couch after reading a book by herself.)  They're both doing well in school.  I love it when they're both sitting at the kitchen table doing their homework together.  It's really exciting to sit down with them and talk about things they're learning.  Family meal times have been great too.  I love sitting around the table together to talk as we eat.  The girls always have great things to talk about and great questions to ask (at least on the nights we're actually successful at keeping them in their chairs during the meal).

Eric is doing great at work.  He's figuring out what he likes and what works for him in his teaching.  I love how his schedule allows him time in the morning to help with the kids before he leaves, and then he gets to come home at dinnertime and spend the evening with his family (at least 4 out of 5 nights anyway).  He is still superdad--he helps me with Oliver at night when I need a break and still fixes breakfast and gets the girls off on the bus in the morning.  I'm one lucky girl.

Life is good.  I love my little family.  Sometimes I feel like I'm living vicariously through other people's blogs and Facebook.  But life is what you make of it, and I just need to remember to live it to its fullest each day.