Oh What Joy - Raising Boys

Disclosure: This raising boys business is not for the faint of heart.



I'm a Boy Mom! Twin Boy Mom at that and what a joy to raise boys!

"Joy is not the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God."
– Unknown


It is a joy to raise these boys to become men. Men of God, men of integrity, men with character. it's a tall order. It can be a daunting task and yet God calls. Where He calls, He also equips!

There is a joy and yet it is not free of work, of training, of persistence, of toil and even tears.... Yet, it is complete with the active, fun, laughter and presence of God! Seen behind the eyes and smile of a young boy. I think that is one of my biggest joys as a mother of twin sons, is that it draws me daily - often throughout the day - into the presence of God with complete awareness like I did not know before raising my sons. With that presence of God comes a dependence upon God like I've never known.

Daily I realize with wonderment and awe, "God chose me to do this!" Sometimes I wonder if these two, my Tigers, are more than God, Mountain Man and I can handle! And then I realize the job God has for them to do may be larger than life, than Mountain Man and me, but God knows and may He lead.



My heart was truly blessed when one of the Pastors told us with a candid affinity, "Our children do not fly under the radar, and I'm okay with that! We really wouldn't want it any other way!"

It's a beautiful, busy and bold life! I'm thankful I get to live it, every minute!

Seriously, there are days when I wonder what God was thinking when He chose a little girl who loved to play in her two story doll house, cook in her EZ bake oven, loved Pink and playing Piano, to raise twin sons in the twenty-first century!

And then I remember the girl who loved camping down by the river banks where her Daddy would carry her to the river to rinse the sand off of her feet at night, loved to climb the big Oak tree, swing on the tire swing below and bike ride endlessly.



Raisin' Boys!



Fast forward to this day, married to my own Man of Character, Mountain Man, birth Twin Sons, establish a homeschool in the mix, I get to do this - all of this - all day every day!

Apparently God didn't want me getting any more distracted with lipstick, nail polish and good shopping than I do already, so He made it real clear - these boys, raise 'em right! Each day, we wake up anew, rededicate them to Him and aim to do just that!

Family

My Mama always said she hoped I'd get one just like me one day. I did! I got two just like me on the same day! And wouldn't have that any other way either!


Are you raisin' boys?

Warmly,

These Are The Days - Our Week

Enjoying the many moments...
4th of July

Mountain Man Decorating Bikes - Final Details

Mama & Tigers
My Cows at Chick-Fil-A

Tiger A & Me (next TigerB)

TigerB

Happy Saturday all! We've had a fun, busy and happy Summertime so far. I am thankful for shiny, happy children! Really, I am thankful for these days. Am I the only Mom who treasures each moment because I know it will not last? This morning Mountain Man delivered coffee to me in bed - I awoke to the delightful sound of two eight-year-old boys laughing together. (beats the alternative right! ;) No joke, my heart took it all in.

Thank heavens I have some time to gear up for the empty nest because I have to tell you, right now I cannot visualize it. Yesterday, we went for a little hike by one of the beautiful lakes here and for a moment, the Tigers stayed back with Mountain Man to throw the football some more while I walked ahead to finish up my timed walk. I thought how I do not look forward to walking alone at any time I would like or with whom I would like when and where I would like.

So often as Moms we hear others talk about needing their space, waiting for the next level of maturity for their children and more. To me, these days are flying by and I don't want to miss a thing. As I kept my brisk pace and walked into a wooded area talking, praying, etc., I suddenly heard a quick noise behind me gaining on me. Then I glanced as someone grabbed my hand. It was Tiger A who had sprinted a good half mile to catch up to me - he was barefoot and winded.

This week we were at the pool, I swam a little, dove for the torpedo with the Tigers and then settled into my chaise lounge to soak up the sun while reading my new issue of Real Simple. No sooner than I opened the magazine, I heard, "Mom, will you come to the Kiddie pool with me?" [Kiddie pool? You mean the one that is 18 inches deep and you are 4 foot 2 inches? That one?) Surprised, I said, "The Baby Pool?" That was totally accidental, I was really surprised b/c we had not been in that pool this year. I hadn't noticed until he asked. His face dropped at my question and I was hustling to rebound, "Oh I love that pool! Of course, I am going with you!" as I rushed to catch up.

We walked and talked hand-in-hand. I told him how quick he was and how I loved when he rushed to walk with me. It was another moment I cherished. Call me a sap, but I find myself doing this often and I am okay with it. You see, as a mother of Twins - and a mother with only Twins, you are acutely aware that the time does not stand still. We get to do this parenting thing once.

He jumped in and was shooting hoops in the water at the Fisher Price Basketball goal as I opened the gate and joined him. We engaged in a great game of Basketball and I had him laughing like, well, a "Baby!" I almost cried as I realized I could have missed that memory because I wanted to relax and read. It's a memory I cherish and may not get again.

Literally for us so when the baseball and footballs are flying in the living room and the hot wheels are underfoot, and the Legos are everywhere at once, I smile and realize I am thankful to be living my dream. I don't want o miss it.

The days are long, but the years go quickly.

How do you take it all in? I'd love your thoughts too. Do you have a special moment recently you'd like to share? ;)
Enjoy every moment of your weekend!

Warmly,

Get this, Teach Your Child

Get this, what a concept! This "Teach Your Child" article was so awesome. No matter, how you do schooling, the idea I took away here is parents need to have confidence in our abilities to teach our own children we were given. And that's just good parenting.

Teach Your Child.

Hope you didn't miss this - it's too fun. Have a blessed Saturday. We're a bustle to get Mountain Man's Birthday in order! :)


Warmly,

Doing the Love Dare Challenge

Carolina Girls - Carolina Mamas, We're keeping the Rollcall going here. Sign up now.

One thing I want to super focus on this year is my marriage. I am blessed beyond measure with the wonderful, husband that I believe God designed just for me. After ten quick years of marriage, and two little twin boys, the Tigers, I want to focus on my marriage partner even more this year.

I love family. Family is everything. So I do have parenting goals as well. As for Mountain Man and me, here's a really fun little thing I am doing and it just started. The Love Dare Challenge based on the movie, Fireproof. As in Fireproof your marriage. We loved the movie. And when I went to purchase the book, it was on back order so this is perfect for me.

Open my inbox and there is my Love Dare Challenge. This Works For Me Wednesday to keep my marriage a priority in 2009. What works for you and are you challenged with this year?

Warmly,

Anybody Else Work-Walking At Home?! My New Office....

Welcome to my homeoffice! Oh, wait, that's not in the kitchen....

Work-walking is pretty much simultaneous with motherhood! This article takes it up a notch.

Maybe Mountain Man can install one of these in the kitchen or right in front of our washer/dryer... we'd just take multi-tasking to a whole new level. Now here's an idea, can we "occupy" the Tigers on one of these things. At least I would know where they are! Right. The thing it they are faster than any treadmill-walking thing for sure. So you know, what's the point.

Nonetheless, always looking for a way to get that extra activity time in! Any suggestions! And getting up at an ungodly hour in the morning is not the correct answer. ;)

Warmly,

Win It Wednesday Giveaway - That's What We Call It - And Lovely Daniel's

Just to get yesterday's post straight, it is the "Win It Wednesday" Giveaway. See the details below and make sure you enter. Let's just say the Tigers fell asleep this evening listening to "In Christ Alone!" by this awesome Getty Music Giveaway. Enter Getty Music Giveaway NOW! ;)

Is there anything sweeter than my Tigers asking, "Mommy back it up please," "One more time, Number 4...."

Not a whole lot to report except the 'breaking news' that Mountain Man and I had a wonderful impromptu date tonight! One of those, where the sitter calls and says, "What time did you need me tonight! I have it written down tonight." And I respond, "Hallelujah, time with Mountain Man!" And "I'm glad we plan ahead!" all in one breath.

We went to this charming little local place, Daniel's, and it was divine. Awesomeness in every category, even down to our brand new server Brett who totally delivered. It was a perfect fall night. Mountain Man was blissed out when we ended the night with peanut buttercup and chocolate pie. wow, I can go for that.

And ya'll know we've been celebrating our 10th Anniversary every since Charleston last month! Even though the official date is the 19th. Love is good. Love is great!

Warmly,