i blog for chocolate

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Today is Will’s birthday.  He is 11.

He loves for me to tell him the story of his birth.

It was one of those moments in life where everything seemed normal, and then suddenly it was not.

I was just settling in, hoping for a nap because that is what happened after I got an epidural with our first baby.  But anyone with more than one child knows that no two kids–or their births– are alike.

Will’s heart rate started to dip.  The doctor looked up at me and said, “We need to have this baby in the next 10 minutes.” 

I just stared at him.  Labor with Brady was long and difficult. I pushed for 4 hours.   Was he kidding?

Apparently not.

 In seconds our room filled with equipment, lights and lots of people in blue outfits scurrying around.

The panic didn’t last long.  In less than 10 minutes my little blue boy was born. 

Instead of the usual congratulations, there was silence. 

Instead of Will being placed on my stomach for me to admire, he was whisked off to a metal table and surrounded by a team of doctors and nurses.

Still silent.  No crying.

Finally I looked up at my doctor and asked, “Is he OK?”

He hesitated as he looked over for a signal from the other team then finally said, “Yes.”

I finally got to snuggle him and said, “So you’re the little guy who has been kicking me awake every morning at 5:30.” 

Will still gets up early.  He sets his alarm so he can get up and shower before school.  He is usually dressed with his book bag ready before I make it out of the bedroom.  The other morning he even got breakfast set out for everyone without me asking.

He is growing up fast.  And I think he is growing up just fine.

 I love you, Will!  Happy Birthday!

5=inches of snow on the ground when we woke up

16=chilly degrees outside

4=boys who believe that praying combined with flushing ice cubes down the toilet can make it snow

500=pieces in the puzzle we started

6=times the boys asked to do something other thanput the puzzle together

10=nutcrackers packed away

13=items to donate to goodwill

2=boys who had to brave the cold to feed the chickens twice

1=boy who was glad it snowed so he won’t have to make up any work because he is sick

20=shirts that didn’t get ironed today (obviously this has been put off more than once)

1=phone call from my college roommate to plan a weekend visit

15=pairs of socks that each boy had to match

4=happy boys when their great grandmother returned from a 3 week trip to St. Louis

3=calls to my mother to plan beach vacation (Think summer!)

5=times we checked the snow schedule before we found out that school is canceled again tomorrow

7=things already on my to do list for tomorrow

1=mom grateful for a snowy day

My kids went back to school today, and I already miss them.

Last year in our Christmas letter I celebrated the fact that my husband and I have now reached the golden age of child rearing:  we don’t worry about the boys’ safety when we see a loose plastic Wal-mart bag lying on the floor, and they are not yet old enough to ask for the keys to  drive themselves to Wal-mart.

 I was reminded of this today.  It was 16 degrees, and I stumbled into the grocery store to make sure we had enough milk for the next snowstorm.  I audibly wished my children were with me in the grocery store.  Yes, I said that.  Can you believe it?

I know.  Some of you with toddlers are shaking your head because you dread taking your children to the grocery store.  You would rather wait and go at midnight or put sharp objects under your fingernails than drag all your offspring up and down the aisles.  I hope I can give you a little glimpse into your future.  It will get easier soon.

My boys are now very helpful in picking up heavy things, pushing the cart, loading all the groceries onto the conveyor belt then packing them all in the car.  And when we arrive home, guess who gets to unload them and remove them from the plastic bags?

I feel a little spoiled.  I feel a little relieved.  I feel very thankful to God for the blessing of my sweet, obedient boys.

I hope that they are having a great first day back.  Remember boys, summer is just a few short months away.