A grown-up heart ache

Last night I made it home just in time to read the boys a book and tuck them in. After our normal prayers and kisses and hugs everyone got situated in their perspective beds. Devlan (from the top bunk) sat up and handed me his frog (he sleeps with a frog and a bear every night). He said "mommy I can sleep by myself now, you can throw the frog away". He said it without a smile on his face and he was actually quite pitiful. I was saddened and immediately suspicious of what brought this on. Was this a sort of big boy rite of passage to give up your stuffies or had someone shamed him into this? I walked away (with frog in hand) looking for Drew's huge Mickey Mouse and my mommy-dar kicked in. I walked back and stood on the bottom bunk so I could be nose to nose with my big boy and asked him, "Baby, did somebody tell you that you shouldn't sleep with stuffed animals?" Big alligator tears filled his eyes and he shook his head no. I asked him what was wrong and he said "I don't know". I made sure he knew that I was NOT going to throw the frog away and he could have it if he wanted.

I left the boys to go to sleep and slipped into my own bed to read while I waited for BJ to come home. I couldn't get over the frog thing and my very wise husband (via the phone) said why don't you go get in the bed with him and talk. This hadn't occurred to me at all, mostly because I feared breaking the bed and smooshing Drewdie down below. He assured me it would be ok.

My climb into the bed was less than graceful, but was very welcomed by Devlan. I kissed his face and wiped his tears away, much like my own mother had done a million times for me. I asked him again, did someone say something to him about sleeping with stuffies? There, in the safety of the darkness, he began to whisper to me about how he has been picked on by 2 girls in his class. He took his bear with him on pajama day during spirit week, and ever since then has been ragged by these two little girls. My heart was broken in 2, not because he had been picked on (that part made me want to strangle a 1st grader), but because I realized that this was his 1st of very many grown-up hurts. This was different than when your babies are sick and your heart hurts, I truly felt his aching heart in my own chest. I reassured him and reminded him that God made him so special and that there will be many people in his life that have things to say about him and none of them matter except for what Jesus thinks (and mom & dad, I must confess I added us in). I told him I would talk to his teacher, and he asked if his "Daddy could handle it", which attests to Devlan's full faith in his father's strength and protection....how do I teach Devlan that one day, when his earthly Father is gone, he will have to rely on his heavenly Father. This task of raising godly men is almost too much, Jesus show me how to make my babies value your opinion over the snotty nosed 1st grade girls!

Late is better than never

So I'm a month behind on updating my blog, big fat surprise considering we're in the heat of tax season.

BJ's surprise was my dream date, in living color. We went to eat sushi (my favorite), a couples massage at Skin Sense, and ended up at the Embassy Suites for the night. He had purchased me something beautiful to wear....and that's where the PG ends...it was sweet and wonderful to spend time alone and away. I'm still looking for the wings that must be attached to him somewhere.

Devlan has started baseball and it turns out our little brain is really good at throwing and hitting (who'd a thunk?). They are just practicing right now and he is really enjoying it. Devlan also made A Honor Roll (again) and is growing like a weed. It makes me want to cry as I clean out their drawers to make room for warm weather clothes. The years are flying by and I don't want to miss a moment of it.

Drew is still the baby (his forever designation) and is getting funnier by the day. Althogh BJ can be hilarious, I'm guessing that Drew got his humor from his Uncle Scott. I spend alot of time trying to avoid laughing at him in moments when I should be giving him the evil eye. For instance, last night we were having a family dinner around the table and Drewdie was eating like a horse. He asked for more after scarfing down a huge sandwich and bowl of soup and then let out the loudest burp ever. He of course smiled and said "Scuse me". I did my best to cover my face and act like I was choking while bouncing with laughter at him. So Drewdie and I got the evil eye from Daddy...oh well.