The M&M Story

Pumpkin Fun Originally uploaded by smaynor We carved our first pumpkins this past weekend.

During the last month, M has found his love of writing and carries around a spiral and pencil most of the time. Yesterday I said, "Are you going to be a writer like your daddy?" He replied, "I'm already a writer like my daddy!" and he ran off to write.

B and K Originally uploaded by smaynor I often wonder what three year olds discuss.

Outside our house Originally uploaded by smaynor An interesting rainbow. I've never seen one like this before.

This summer M learned to ride his bike without training wheels. He rides like a champ!

There are days when I have overwhelming moments of sadness. Sometimes it's for my children, other times it is for the progressive brokenness of our world, and then there are those times when my sadness is for me. One of the things I've learned to do in those moments is to make a list of some of my favorite earthly things. Now, I write "earthly things" not as an invitation to look away from God but rather to see the blessings in the earthly experiences that feel heavenly, at least to me. Watching my children play harmoniously together Hearing Max say, "I love you, Briggs." Hearing Briggs say, "I love you, Max." A rich cup of coffee A picnic at the park without bugs, humidity, or allergies A day (or week) at the beach with friends The aroma of Thanksgiving delicacies Lavendar in all shapes and forms Watching Max accomplish something (i.e. riding his bike) Watching Briggs accomplish something (i.e. hitting the whiffle ball) A trip to Trader Joe

Yesterday..... This week M announced that he no longer wanted to sleep with Tiger. S: "Buddy, why don't you want to sleep with Tiger anymore?" M: "Because I'm big now." S: (Choking back tears, not just because he's growing up, but it pained me to think of Tiger stuffed in some box somewhere.) "Have you asked Tiger about this? Is it okay with him?" M: "Sure. I asked him if he wanted to sleep in his own bed, and he said yes. Can we get him a bed, Mom?" As of this moment, Tiger is sleeping on the floor next to M's bed. Today... At lunch today, I asked B what he wanted to be when he grew up. M's usual answer is a Rescue Hero that saves people from volcanoes. B: "I'm not going to grow up." S: "Really? Do you want to stay a boy forever?" B: "Yes and just play blocks all the time." And he took a bite of his cheese and that was that. Okay, Peter Pan.