Starbucks

Today I had to go the doctor. It was actually a woman exam, and I had the boys with me. I strapped them in the stroller, and positioned them up by my head. I don't want them to be scarred for life.

I think my doctor believes being a full time mom is a disease so she did not appreciate the company, but I could care less. In my opinion, she has the issues.

Anyways back to my story.

The boys were awesome, and so we treated ourselves. Awesome Aunt Rebecca had just mailed us a Starbucks card. We went through the drive-thru and I got a tasty coffee and the boys chose a muffin. I was in heaven, nothing tastes like Starbucks with a bit of non-fat milk and two Splenda. The boys were thrilled because we hardly ever go to a drive thru so it is very novel, and the muffin was delicious!

Later I noticed my cup had a quote:

"we don't just want to make your coffee, we want to make your day.

Its not just coffee, its Starbucks."

Although Quint and Russell had rock star behavior at the doctor, it was still an ordeal. I mean seriously who enjoys going to the feminist woman doctor with two boys strapped in a stroller. No one!

Starbucks definitely made our day.

Thanks Aunt Rebecca!

We are playing water polo!

It was bath time.

Quint and Russell were both in the bath.

They had a racquetball in the bath with them.

Quint said, and I quote, "we are playing water polo".

It made my day.

For the rest of the bath time I thought about how cute they would be if they actually played water polo together. I know it is probably wrong to have plans for your children, but I would love it if they played water polo together in the future. At least I am being honest:)

From saddness to kindness

At Walmart tonight I was in line to check out. A woman was checking out with her three children. I was spacing out, and noticed her pants were too big, yet too short. She was wearing just a large men's tee-shirt, and had these terrible white Reebok's that are not cute on anyone. Isn't it terrible that this is what I was thinking? Anyways, then she began to pay with a check. I thought that is so archaic, who pays with checks at the grocery store! I was annoyed it was taking so long.

But then the checker hands her check back and says it was denied.

Brutal.

I am thinking she will get out a credit card, but no, she has the kids hand back the groceries. My heart was breaking, I felt spoiled and shallow.

Then the man directly behind her in line tells the cashier to hold the groceries, he would pay. The cashier looked at him like he was crazy, but he didn't flinch, just went running after the woman. He brought her back and paid for the groceries. I wanted to cry. The woman did cry.

I was thinking the same thing but did not act as boldly as this man. I was in admiration of him.

I learned a lot at Walmart tonight,

I need to stop judging others. I need to love freely like the man in line. I need to think less of me and more of others. I am so blessed, how can I share.

I feel so often we are jaded, just like the cashier. We make excuses for our selfishness. The homeless man holding a sign, "couldn't he get a job?" or the women at Walmart who can't afford her groceries "she is probably a crack addict, or can't they get food stamps?"

But what if its false? What if there is no excuse, and we are just called to love them, to help them?

Just food for thought. I had to share this story, at least for this evening it changed me. I hope it will change me forever, and I hope when presented with a situation like this again, I hope I will chose not to judge but to love.

mommy, don't leave me.

Lately, Quint has been wanting more cuddle time at bedtime.

The kicker is after I spend some time tucking him in, and I get ready to go, he says:

"mommy don't leave me"

It is probably manipulative to avoid going to sleep, but it works. Most nights I will lay back down with him, for a bit longer. My motivation is not to keep him happy, but rather to

Soak it up, this will not last forever.

So tonight, bed time may take a bit longer, but its worth it.

I Need Valet

Today it was pouring rain, and I had to go work at the gym. I am sure you can picture it: me walking to the car, carrying Russell, a diaper bag, and an enormous golf umbrella. At the same time, Quint was walking at my feet trying to hold the end of umbrella, which required me to hunch over....it was not pretty! As I drove in the lovely Iowa weather, I anticipated making it through the parking lot with the same load, and thought....I need valet. Especially with winter and negative temperatures looming, I really need valet.

I my earlier life (pre-babies) I would go to the mall or restaurant and see signs for valet and think: how ridiculous. Can't people just park there own car? Well my thinking has changed. I would love for someone to open my door for me, hold the umbrella and help me with my load of bags and babies into any place we need to go. Then drive my car and park it in some distant lot and brave the weather for me. Then, we could wait in the building all warm and cozy, as the same person, ran to get the car, warmed it up and help us load the bags and babies with minimal exposure to the elements of the day.

Ahhh....to dream.

Just then I snapped back to reality as I pulled into the parking lot, and I realized my windshield wipers were on high. This should be pleasant:) Unlike my daydream, there was no valet. So, I parked in a distant spot, unloaded my bags and babies, tried to corral Quint under the umbrella as I tried to lock the car, attempted not to drop Russell, and hold the diaper bag.

Where is my valet?!?

Selfish

I wish I had some cute story about my babies to share today. I am sure they did many cute things, but it is all over shadowed by my selfish endeavor.

Last night I rode my beach cruiser to play water polo.

It was my happy place, I was able to ride my beach cruiser through the campus and play water polo for about an hour.
First of all, I love riding my beach cruiser. It is total bliss. I hope to ride my beach cruiser till the day I die. It is that fun.
Then, I got to play water polo. I didn't play very well, but I just love everything about it. The way you smell of chlorine, how your skin feels when you get out of the pool, the chatting with teammates, how all your muscles hurt after just a few minutes of playing, swimming, stealing the ball, making silly mistakes, passing to someone who scores, and don't forget the endorphins!

I know its a game, so of course it should be fun, but every time I play I remember why I dedicated over 10 years of my life to this sport. It is my happy place.

Will I always point out cool vehicles to my car passangers?

We were driving in the car and he said "look mommy, cement truck!" I sped up so we could drive next to it. Quint was so excited:) I love it when he is so joyful.

It reminds me to be joyful of the simple things in life.

This experience is very common in our travels these days. For the past few months our lives have revolved around things with motors. Cars, motorcycles, boats, fire trucks, dump trucks, tractors, bucket loaders, cranes, and of course, cement trucks.
When we drive I always point out any of these motor vehicles so Quint or Russell doesn't miss one. If Quint sees it first he will point it out, and often draws Russell's attention to it as well.
The funny part is... occasionally I am driving in the car without the boys. And, in these rare solo car rides I catch myself saying "Quint, Russell, look!" then I realize they are not there.
Although I love these solo trips, in these moments when I pass a cool truck or tractor, and I realize Quint and Russell are missing, it makes me feel lonely. Where are my boys to jump for joy and clap at the sight of a tractor or train? Don't get me wrong, I will still relish a trip to the store without moving a load of babies and bags, or especially the lovely kid-free trip to the gym:)

But, I worry that when I am older and the boys are much older I will miss these days.

I wonder, will I ever drive and not think of my boys when I pass a cool vehicle?

Part of me hopes I will always be reminded of them, and their joy and innocence at this age. But, hopefully I will eventually stop pointing out cool vehicles to my car passengers, that could just get a little weird a few years down the road:)

I mean can you picture it: the boys are teens and I am running them to school or an event and I am pointing out the bucket loader? That would be more than a little strange:) Please save the comments: I know I will never be normal, but that would be 51/50 worthy...don't you think?

For now I am embracing the stage, and I hope to never miss an opportunity to point out a cool truck, tractor, or bus with my boys in the car! It is so much fun:)

Beautiful Iowa?

I have to admit I am known to complain about Iowa...occasionally. To all the Iowans whom I love and may read this blog, it is nothing against you. Its winter, snowing on my birthday (in APRIL), tornadoes, humid summer, bad drivers, and the hills in our town that are not good for beach cruisers.
But, that being said there is a lot I have come to love about Iowa.
The people are amazing. The cost of living is rational. Having many children is normal. Full time mom's are common. The shopping is terrible, which is great for my budget. Exercise is valued. We never, ever think about traffic. UI is perfect for BK. It is not immune from life's problems but for some reason life just seems simpler.

Tonight, I was driving to the gym, it was about 8 pm and our gym is out by the farm fields. Which is only a few miles from our house:) The sun was setting, and the corn is as tall as me. I looked out over the field and the sun was shining through the corn and it was gorgeous.
I thought to myself it is beautiful here.
I parked at the gym and looked across the road at the corn field. Iowa has its moments, and for a moment I thought, I can see the appeal, I can see why people love Iowa.

Living in a constant state of contentment

BK goes back to school on Monday. We are soaking up our last few days, and today we just hung around the apartment and played together. I love our little place, it has character, it is fun, but our living arrangement is ....should we say "unique"? Sometimes I am a bit self conscious about it.
But, today in our "little place" we had BIG FUN.
I realized, kids don't count square footage, they don't care about granite counter tops, or fancy furniture. They just want a place to have Big Fun.
BK the boys and I had so much big fun in our little place it just reminded me. You are so silly, life is awesome, and we can have big fun here so that is all that matters to Quint and Russell. Therefore it is all that should matter to us. Humm.

It got me thinking, today I was in love with my life, with my family, with our little place, with our family sleeping room. I was happy, I was content. Then I thought, it felt good. To just be happy and content.
My wheels were rolling:
In my opinion, society tells us we need bigger, fancier, gagetier, and I succumb to this thinking quite often. I am currently lusting after a Schwinn Joyrider bike trailer, some super yoga pants that make your butt look perfect (KKHall told me about them) and an ipod touch. But, I must constantly remind myself it doesn't matter. Next week there will be a new ipod, a better bike trailer, and the pants will be out of style, or too small for me:) If we can just find contentment in our life, right now, we will enjoy life so much more. Living in a constant state of contentment is one of my focuses for this year.

When I sit down and actually think about it, I am very content, well, until the ipod commercial comes on.

Russell wake up!

Russell almost always falls asleep on the way home from church. Maybe its the busy morning of playing or the windy country road we drive home on, but whatever it is, it makes him very sleepy. Today Quint noticed that Russell was asleep and he began yelling "Russell wake up!" We quickly tried to explain to Quint "Russell is sleeping, its his nap time, let him be." But, Quint was adamant. He said "I want to play with Russell." Just then we pulled into the garage and parked the car. Russell usually falls asleep in the car, but he almost always wakes up before we can get him to the crib. Today was the same, he woke up when we turned off the car, and Quint was jazzed. He said "look Russell awake!" I am so glad Quint liked having his brother around.

I recently ran into a woman who has two boys ages 9 and 10. I inquired "do they like each other?" Her response stuck with me: "Its family, there is no room not to like each other." She said it with such conviction. Obviously in her opinion, if you are family you must like each other. I like this concept. Who cares about personality differences, we are family....period.

I think I am going to adopt this theory.

Wow, thats a mullet.

Today I looked over at Russell, and realized "oh my gosh" he has a mullet. I knew I had been avoiding Russell's hair cut. The main reason is second child guilt. With Quint we took him to a proper hair cutter for his first hair cut. He got a special certificate and we took loads of pictures. I have taken over cutting Quint's hair. I am clearly not a professional, but its good enough to save 10 dollars. I knew deep down I was not going to take Russell to the professionals for his first hair cut, and I was feeling guilty.

Today I realized the mullet looked worse than Russell not having a "first hair cut" certificate. So, I set up for a home hair cut. I did put him up in the big spinny office chair, I saved some hair for his baby book, took a bunch of pictures, and I think he liked it.

I did have to go through three different pairs of scissors before I found one that would cut his hair. Russell got a lot of me, including my very fine hair.

The best part: He looks like a very clean cut boy, and no more Mullet.

Graduate...seriously.

Today I officially graduated. I never thought it would happen. Its been a terrible ordeal. I shouldn't complain, its self-inflicted pain.

Honestly, I just had to finish so I wouldn't feel like I failed. I have issues with failure, I didn't need failing to graduate too.

My status posted today:

Graduate.

The crazy part is I may never "officially" use it, but I am proud that I didn't quit. That's something right?

What are you doing out in this spell? What spell?

Today we had to stop by our old place to see our former 82 year old neighbor, Betty. She was planning to come over and visit with us, but in the moving chaos I lost her number. It was overcast day, raining on and off, but when I pulled into our old complex it was just sprinkling. I left the boys in the car and ran in just to get her number. Betty, came to the door and after we chatted about the number, she looked at me a bit concerned and said

"what are you doing out in this spell?" This instantly sparked a flashback for me.

Rebecca and I are in Europe, and we traveled to a little island. Well, I wanted to rent bikes to see the sights. Rebecca was against the idea, but agreed. We were pretty far along on our gorgeous ride by the ocean, with sheep and rolling green hills when a local woman stopped us and said

"what are you doing out in this spell?"

We were like "what spell?"

Sure enough, we continued a few more miles to our goal, and took some pics before turning back. When all the sudden a big rain storm kicked up. We had to ride all the way back in the pouring rain. As you can imagine, Rebecca was less than thrilled.

I even told her to "be like Lance Armstrong" which I thought was very encouraging till a local couple in their mid-sixties passed us.

HAHA.

Just then I snapped back, and I was standing with Betty as she asked me about being out in the spell. I had the same silly response

"what spell"

She informed me that there were tornadoes north of Cedar Rapids and bad storms headed for us. I freaked out! How was I supposed to know, I don't watch local TV, I was out doing errands, I didn't hear a siren!

I said good bye to Betty, and ran to the car. It was raining harder than before and it began to pour like crazy.

I was having visions of crossing the river and seeing a huge tornado coming towards us. Seriously how do people live here!

Well, we made it home safely.

But this is a life lesson. If you ever have an older person ask you "what are you doing out in this spell?" In my experience you better head home fast.

Maybe when you are older you get intuitive thoughts about the weather, you know like dogs with earthquakes....or maybe they just watch the weather channel more:)

Phone Call

Today I received a phone call. It was a great friend, and their news was my moment. They shared they had returned to life as an exerciser!
I am a huge fan of exercise. Your body loves you, the endorphines are amazing, and it just makes life cheerier. In my opinion.
I was thrilled.
Many people will disagree with me, but I believe the world would be happier if all people were exercisers.

Quint, where is you drink cup?

Today we went to the gym for a bit. I always bring a drink cup for both Quint and Russell. At pick up, I noticed Russell's cup was in the bag but Quint's was missing. I did a quick scan of the play area and did not see it. I asked the teacher and she did not know where it was....so I asked Quint. "Quint, do you know where your drink cup is?"
He nodded, and I followed him as he walked straight over to the pretend washer. He opened the lid to the "washer" and pulled out his drink cup. The teachers, BK and I were amazed. Well, I would not have thought to look there.
This happens regularly with Quint. We are not sure where something is, and he knows. His memory amazes me.
It was a funny moment.
But, later I was thinking, why did he put it in there in the first place?
I am sure he had a reason.

The Advocate

Recently Quint's language has exploded. I might even say he is becoming fluent in English. What I love is that he has begun to use his words for Russell. Occasionally he uses his words to keep Russell away, but I have noticed he uses them more often to advocate for Russell.
If I give Quint a cracker he states "Russell wants one mommy"
When we drove by the train he said "look Russell!"
Climbing on the loft bed "Russell up too, mommy"
If Russell is sleeping "mommy wake up Russell" (he wants his playmate:)

Don't get me wrong, he also uses his words to say "stop Russell" or "mommy Russell away!" And, there are the multiple times daily that he tackles him.

But, it is amazing how at 2 1/2 Quint has become an advocate for Russell. I hope it is a glimpse of how he will be as a big brother, someone that will occasionally beat on him, but in the big things,he will stand up for him.

Stuck to You

We are nearly unpacked but their are still some remnants of the move around the house. Today Quint found some old tape he pulled off a box he found. He was standing next to BK and proceeded to stick one end of the tape to his shorts, and the other end to BK's.
"Look Mommy!" he exclaimed. He was so proud that he had stuck himself to Daddy. I responded "guess you and Daddy have to go everywhere together!" He smiled. "yep". I think he thought that was a great idea:)

paint my toe nails?

Today I had another moment I just had to share. I was getting the boys ready for bed and it occurred to me, maybe I should paint my toe nails.
WHAT?!?
This thought made me stop in my tracks. For normal woman, this is probably a weekly thought, but I have never been girly, and these extra beauty bonuses have gone by the wayside with these early birthing years. I do shave my legs (don't get grossed out). But, I mean painted toe nails was always an extra in my book.
I thought back to when I remember painting my toe nails last. I know it sounds rediculous, but I remember painting them while I was waiting to go into labor with.....QUINT. Yes, that is right, that means once I have not thought to paint my toe nails since Quint arrived.
Now, I may have done it once or twice, but if I have I don't remember, hummm maybe Jaime and Cheryl's wedding, but that was more out of obligation (open-toed dress shoes).
This makes me feel like a normal woman again! Wow, maybe I am transforming back from birthing/nursing/baby machine into Christy. A woman with babies. Wow, what a moment.

An oasis of happiness.

Today we went for a walk to the park by our new apartment. It was the first time we had been to the park since they opened the seasonal outdoor pool. We were just heading to the playground because I am not ready to conquer the pool alone with the two boys. As we approached I realized it was hot, and the pool looked like an oasis of happiness. It was clean, blue, and sparkling. I longed to jump in, swim around, in an ideal world (play water polo). I had flashback to my years in SJSU spending every afternoon around such an oasis. Although this was a nice moment, my moment I want to share came when I saw how Quint was drawn to the pool too.
He did not even want to play on the playground, but just stood by the fence watching the kids jump off the diving board, swim around with their goggles, splash in the baby pool.
I wondered if his feelings were the same as mine, I wonder if he was thinking "wow, that looks like an oasis of happiness, its clean, blue and sparkling. I long to jump in".

Maybe this is what he was thinking....
Maybe, Quint will grow to love the water like his momma.
Maybe in the future I will get to spend hours around the oasis of an outdoor pool again, but this time as a spectator.
Maybe he just loved watching the activity.
Maybe I am destined for hours by a baseball diamond, or clarinet lessons, but I can keep my fingers crossed....right?