The End of an Era

Five years ago this Fall, we were at a ward activity when we met the coolest couple: Cortney and Amy. I think it all started when Cortney remembered that Andrew played football for BYU. That's when we knew he was a stalwart BYU football fan. Immediate friendship began.

Back then we thought we had a lot in common. We were both childless couples who were recently married and had just moved to Ohio to begin professional programs at OSU. Our similarities only increased. 

[Luke always smiles this big when he sees Will]

Our first boys were born 4 months apart. Our second boys were born 6 months apart. Together we have watched nearly every single BYU football game within the past four years. Amy has cooked me about 81 dinners. We have met up at the park for playdates approximately 197 times (these figures are totally made up but they feel accurate). Amy has sewn curtains and a crib bumper for me, made jam, taught me how to use coupons, introduced me to new friends, told me about 1000 hilarious stories, babysat my kids and smiled about it even on their worst days, and passed on about 2045 pieces of good advice. Our children have worn the same clothes (since her boys always grow out of a size as soon as my boys are growing into it). Our boys have been in approximately 256 altercations, 234 of which have ended in some kind of physical assault by one or both parties. However, even after the most intense brutality, they have exercised forgiveness and forgotten each other's trespasses all 256 times.

Amy is pretty much the friend that every woman wants in her life. Loyal, funny, smart, kind. I feel like sometimes motherhood makes it hard to be a good friend to people outside your family. It's so easy to just get caught up in your own little bubble life. Kids need constant attention, and I personally have a difficult time even carrying on a basic conversation when they are around (multi-tasking is not my strong suit). It is easy to just forget about friendships or take them for granted once you have kids. But I've realized as I've become a Mom that I need friends more than I ever thought I would.

I'm grateful that even though my clothes are usually covered in snot and dried up food, I'm sleep deprived most of the time, and at least 30% of my mind is constantly devoted to keeping track of poopy diapers, feeding schedules, how long Luke has been in timeout, suspicious coughs, etc....despite all that, I have good friends who help me feel "normal" every once in a while. Amy, in particular, is the perfect person to talk to about a current event, a latest book read, a frustrating run-in with a rude shopper, an embarrassing moment, a  victorious success, a depressing defeat, or nothing in particular at all.

It really isn't the end of an era. Even though they moved to DC 2 days ago I think we've probably sent about  40 text messages back and forth about all their crazy moving experiences (I still can't believe your hotel room flooded with water in the middle of the night and Duke threw up all over the bed!). So I think it's safe to say this friendship will last.

Check this out...

Luke see trains...

Luke wants trains

"hmmm, I'll distract him with a hug"

"slowly grab the train while he is smiling for the camera"

Luke gets trains.

what a sneaky kid.

 

*p.s. this is the one who cooked me dinner while in labor ... people are always wondering who did that. She is an amazing cook. You can buy her cookbook here. I use it all the time.

Watch This

Click HERE

Trust me, you'll love it. But don't start watching at 11:30pm and think that you'll be able to turn it off after 10 minutes. You won't. Before you know it, it will be 1am and you will be crying (especially if you have boys). It's that good.

Jerry & Melanie

I'm still sifting through all the pictures from Greg's wedding. I thought these pictures of my brother Jerry's family were so funny. These kids are so fun and full of energy. The boys remind me so much of my boys. Jerry refused to take part in the fun. We couldn't convince him that jumping in the air wouldn't be bad for his reputation.

College Flashbacks

One of my college roommates came to visit last month. We get really excited around here when visitors stop by from out of town. Not many people are just passing through Ohio. One day I would love to live somewhere where people want to come and visit all the time. Ann Arbor? Anyone?

I have a special place in my heart for my college friends. I feel like I can be my truly dorky self around them while I always try to maintain some degree of sophistication around my post-college friends (okay, no one would ever describe me as sophisticated but you know what I mean). Even though I can hardly string two sentences together when my children are present, we had a great time and I was quickly reminded of all the things I loved about this old roommate of mine. She has such an easy laugh and kind heart. We chatted about all the crazy things she would say in her sleep (she would actually sit up and say them so I always thought she was awake and coherent), and about the time I played an April Fools Day joke on her that made her burst into tears (oops! I think she has finally forgiven me). There was so much growing up I did with this friend by my side, willing to stay up late and talk about boys or have an impromptu dance party. Crazy to think that we were just assigned to live together in the dorms. I lucked out!

Thanks for the visit Debs! Anyone else want to come?

First Day of Preschool

Luke's first day of preschool was last week. I know it is a little late to be starting preschool but we have been trying for months to get him into a special preschool that will help him with language development and we finally were able to get a spot. I have been really hesitant to start him in preschool at such a young age. I don't know why. I always wanted to be one of those Moms who plays with her children all day long and teaches them everything they need to know (before they are 4 or 5...I've never dreamed of homeschooling). When people asked me if I would start Luke in preschool at age 3, I always gave a definitive "no way". I like the idea of having my children home with me as long as I possibly can and showering them with every last bit of parental influence I can possibly emit. 

But, as it turns out, as good as those intentions may have been and assuredly are for most people, I was actually being obtuse and close-minded. Trust me, I've been sufficiently humbled the last few months to recognize that. But don't give up on me...I'm learning.

One of the lessons I've been reminded of (and it hasn't been the first time I've had to learn it) is that as much as I want to keep Luke little and savor every moment of his childhood, my ultimate job is to help him grow up. I need to be more serious about that. Instead of feeling sad about it, I should still savor and enjoy but be more practical about what is best for him and his growth. After all, that is what God does for me.

You may think I'm being a little dramatic (that shouldn't surprise you) but let me remind  you that this preschool is EVERYDAY for 2.5 hours. I still think that is probably a little overboard but I'll give it a shot.

Oops. Doors locked. It was actually Sunday evening and we were just doing a little mock "first day of school". I know, we're dorks. His real "first day" picture is only the first one at the top of the post.

Did I mention that he adores his teachers? They are amazing (and one of them is from Japan so of course, I instantly loved her). Luke puts up a major fuss when I ask him to put his backpack on, but for them he puts it on immediately. He is excited to see his new little friends each day and sits nicely at the table during snack time. 

He's growing up.

These two pictures are not the same. I know you think they are, but to me they are different :)