Traditions

Today, our family celebrated another favorite tradition: Thanksmas. We have gotten together on black Friday...not to shop, but to have our Hunt family Christmas. This tradition is one that we started now that my siblings are all adults. It came to be due to scheduling conflicts, and it has ended up being an amazing way to say hello to the celebrations to come in December!

This year was filled with lots of amazing memories! We got to eat brunch at my sis' lovely home, and then the kids had a gift exchange. It is so much fun to see the presents being opened one by one, and it is so sweet to see them all so excited for themselves and each other! I really don't want time to fly by too quickly, but I do wonder what this event will feel like whenever our children are bringing their children to our family Thanksmas!

All that fun almost wore us out, and just when we thought the fun day wouldn't end...it didn't! We traveled to Enid to see some of the Milligan side of the family. It was heartwarming to see Ethan and Gavin get to visit with their Great-Grandma Milligan, Papa, and Nana!

As Richard and I reflected on it all, we both came to the conclusion that we are so grateful for our family! I love the ties that bind us all together! Merry Christmas...all month long...and may your memories that you are making today be sweet and sustain you through the crazy days that lie ahead.

Thank you!

Today, we shared the Thanksgiving holiday with our family. We have been talking about being thankful for months and have started a list of things we are thankful for. The things listed on our list vary from being thankful for what some would view as mundane...ice, stuffed animals, books, to those that aren's so mundane like...each other, family, and our church.

Through all of our thankfulness brainstorming one theme that seems to ring out loudly to me is that God provides! Even when the dryer stops working, a tire goes flat, the baby gets sick, and we are just tired...I find that God already knows what we are going through...what we will go through. So, I am thankful that I can rest in Him. He is so much smarter and more aware than I am!

Thank you God!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to ask Jesus if I can be an angel!

It's been a tiring time around here...both the boys have been sick. But, in the midst of it all, there are lessons to be learned and blessings to be shared!
We have been reading the Children's Bible with Ethan almost nightly for a long time, and this along with going to church has helped us have lots of conversations with Ethan. Tonight, after reading about the last supper, the betrayal, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, Ethan wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. We talked about it all again, and he started crying. He really wanted to pray tonight and started right in without my help! It was so sweet, innocent and amazing to see him so earnestly asking for God's forgiveness!
Of course, he thought it was really cool that angels can "fly" and wants to ask God one day if he can be one...until then, I pray that he will be surrounded by his guardian angel and that he will become a man of God...one that has a fulfilled life with his eyes always fixed on HIM!
Please pray for our family as we help lead Ethan in the right direction!
God is good...All the time!

Tickle Me, Ethan!

I had almost deja vu tonight! We went to Braum's after church tonight...something my family did often "back in the day". The boys were so deliriously happy to have icecream! I wish I felt that joyful over such a small thing, and thankfully, I kind of do because I get to watch them having so much fun!
They were both on a sugar high on our ride home. Ethan tickled Gavin over and over with some intermitent breaks. Gavin, who is still hanging onto a few of his signs from his early childhood signing days, signed "more, more" over and over. It was so cute. We finally told Ethan to stop and give brother a break to which he laughingly replied, "But he's just so cute!".
And he is.
They both are!

I wanna...

Gavin doesn't get as much face time on this blog as he deserves, but believe me...he keeps us entertained! He has started saying lots of things. His favorite phrase is "I wanna..." followed by whatever. Richard and I both had to laugh out loud this morning because Gavin kept saying "I wanna work"...in response to Richard telling him that Daddy had to go to work. It was so cute. Do you think I could make money on Gavin's cuteness? Maybe bottle it and sell it on the street corner?
He is a funny little dude.
His other favorite way of expressing himself is by head banging. Yes, head banging, and I don't mean in the cool sense like he is suddenly listening to Led Zeppelin or something. Whenever something doesn't go Gavin's way, he bangs his head in frustration to let us know that he wanted a different outcome. He did it at Aunt Jo Jo's neighborhood pool yesterday. You should have seen the "Oh My!" looks that he and I got from stranger parents! Did they think I taught him to do that? Hm mm...Oh well, gave them something to talk about after leaving for the day! His current forehead bruise count is at about 3...just so you know!
So, Have a banging great day at work, y'all!

How many months are you?

"How many is her?" This is a frequent question that Ethan asks in one form or another. What he is trying to ask is how old is whomever he is inquiring about. Ethan is obsessed with growing older...as in he wants to! He thinks his Kindergarten class is for babies and that he will be grown up when he finally turns 7. He also cannot wait to do "whatever I want". Well, I get to do whatever I want which includes things like changing diapers, cleaning the kitchen at least 5 times a day, re-touching my white (not gray) roots, and wondering where those "fine lines" came from! Ahhhh...the freedom of aging! I like to remind Ethan that he has it made and to enjoy his youth!
On another random note...when does one stop referring to your children's age in months? I still do it with Gavin, but he is only 17 months old (easy to convert and do the math, right?) I heard a lady in my MOPS group say that one of her children was 28 months old...huh? So, you are saying that your "baby" is ...hang on I am thinking...anyone got a calculator...2...? Makes my brain hurt...really!
On the other hand, as my birthday quickly approaches it might make me sound younger to say that I am 430 months old and that my husband is 422 months old. You think? Grow old gracefully or just grow old is what I say. Thank God for my 76 month old Ethan and 17 month old Gavin...they help keep me young!

Why Would He?

Ethan's first day of Kindergarten was today! I wanted everything to be happy, pleasant, and positive as he entered into a new chapter of his life. Well, as you know, things don't always go quite like I fantasize, but we tried!
I put Ethan into the afternoon class thinking that the mornings would be low-key and we wouldn't have to rush around. Instead, Gavin decided that today would be a great day to show how independent he is. If things didn't go his way...which happened about every 60 seconds, then he banged his head on the tile, furniture, me, his brother. This head banging thing is never done quietly either. He likes to express his discontent vocally as well.
After hours of trying to fix breakfast, clean breakfast up, get the kids dressed, dressing myself, and keeping Gavin's attitude under control while watching bruises arrive on his little forehead...I gave up! I restrained myself from running from the house in my p.j.'s screaming and instead faked self control and put clothes on. We took a walk...and not a short one either. At this point in my morning I didn't care about how happy, pleasant, and positive the mood was "supposed" to be...I just needed to get out! Oh, and yes, I did take the kids with me! God showed his mercy by quieting the lion...I mean Gavin.
He enjoyed out time outside and I did too...until it sunk in that the clock kept ticking and I now needed to shower, feed the kids, wipe the mud off of the boys tennis shoes, dress Ethan in his first day of school attire, take pictures, change another poopy diaper, change another set of baby clothes, drive to the school, park in a no parking zone, unload the stroller, unload the kids, and SMILE!
I told Ethan that Daddy wouldn't be able to make it to the school, and Ethan replied "Why would he?" followed by "You aren't going to go in are you, Mom?" and "You aren't going to take pictures of me are you, Mom? Well, I guess you can take six pictures cause I am six."
I got clearance to go into the school...We were good to go...
The parents outnumbered the Kindergarten kids 2:1 and Ethan decided he didn't want to do the school thing after all. Until, that is, he saw the "rescue hero" toys in the housekeeping area...all was right with the school world after all.
After leaving Ethan with his class, I met the Principal at the Yahoo/Boohoo social (I was part of the Yahoo team of parents), and I let her know that my son was smarter than she...regarless of her schooling. She informed me that she had 3 sons herself and that if she ever got to have an important meeting with Ethan that she may have to excuse herself to laugh before helping him correct his behavior. Hopefully, our school year will never come to that...but I like everyone to be prepared! I found out later that the Principal actually went to meet Sir Ethan...I think he liked the attention!
Wow! Now that is a great first day of school...

Why?

As I continue into the abyss of Motherhood, I find that I have more questions than answers! Some of the questions I have include the following:
1. Why does Gavin throw his food even though my reaction to it isn't favorable?
2. Why, after having all the food removed from his reach, does Gavin take the food out of his mouth and throw that?
3. Why does Ethan laugh when Gavin gets into trouble for throwing his food?
4. Why does Gavin like to play in the trash can...and make putting trash on his head seem cute?
5. Why do I find clarity when I am attempting to run?
6. Why does Gavin throw up McDonald's french fries all over his crib, bumper, sheets, floor, stuffed animals and then when I go into save him he makes it all seem so sweet by pointing to the puked on rug and saying "uh oh".
7. Why do I pick Gavin up even though he is covered in puke from head to toe and kiss him and tell him "It's OK, Mommy will fix it!"
8. Why does Gavin think it is a good idea to paint his face and hair with peanut butter?
9. Why does Ethan want to marry me at Boulevard Wedding Chapel?
10. Why do I buy live crickets and worms to feed Ethan's lizard, "Buddy"?
11. Why do I worry that Ethan won't ever grow up only to feel like crying cause he doesn't crawl into bed and snuggle with me in the morning anymore?
12. Why does Ethan want to spend the night at everyone Else's house?
13. Why does Gavin cheer when I tell him we are going home?
14. Why does having Ethan ride his four wheeler around the block and I can't see him for 1 minute make me nauseous with fear?
15. Why does both of my son's lack of fear of any body of water make me feel fearful?
16. Why does Ethan always ask me what fun thing we are going to do next?
17. Why didn't anyone ever tell me how becoming a Mom would make me feel more love, completion, fear, responsibility, humility, and gratitude than any other role I would ever play in life?

You're Excellent

Let me start by saying that neither of my kids are good eaters...meaning they would rather eat carbs and let the rest be eaten by someone else...and cooking isn't my niche, so I thought this was funny.
I was watching a cartoon with Ethan this afternoon, and it was about things people excel in. I asked Ethan what he excelled in, and he thought long and hard and said "riding my bike"! To which i wholeheartedly agreed!
Then I asked him what he thought I excelled in...to which he thought long and hard again and said "cooking".
What a smart, good boy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have heard this question for over a week, and so today was the big day! I loaded the boys into the car, and off we went to the store to get some chocolate chips! I have to say, I am a little ashamed of myself for not making cookies from "scratch" more often...or should I say ever in like the past ten years. Anyway, I got some chocolate chips and baking soda...meanwhile, Ethan tried to help me out by picking up a cookie mix. I informed him that we didn't need the mix this time because we were making homemade cookies! To which he asked, "Mom, do I like those kind of cookies?" Ugh! Shame on me!
I decided that the cooking baking should be a learning event for him, and so I started by getting all the necessary ingredients out and setting up our work area. Of course, we were missing an ingredient..."banilla"...so off to the store we went. Again. I am telling you...it was a chocolate chip cookie mission!
Well, we finally made it to the mixing, baking, tasting, and picture taking. It was well worth all the effort because at the end of the cookie event Ethan wrapped both arms around me and said "I love you!". Even Richard got into the love fest by telling me he wanted me to make those kind again...I am not sure about his shocked expression though when he asked me what brand they were and I explained that they were homemade with flour, sugar, baking soda, etc.
My Momma always told me that food was the way to a man's heart. I think she was right!

Happy Independence Day

We "celebrated" Independence day by having Daddy showcase his Fathering, cooking, cleaning, nursing, and entertaining skills! I have been coughing for a couple weeks, and felt so miserable last Wednesday that a doctor's visit sounded about as great as a trip to the spa. Yeah, it was that bad. I found out that I have Bronchitis and a sinus infection. By Friday I didn't care if I ate or drank...I just wanted to stop blacking out. So, off Richard took me to the E.R. where they pumped me full of yummy IVs. Four hours later we were headed back home!
Richard has been such a sweetheart! He has done a great job of taking care of me and the boys. He even entertained them by going to the Edmond parade, visiting the fireworks stand, putting on a fireworks show in our street, and swimming in the purple plastic pool! (Which isn't easy for a man that is 6'5"!) I did get to see a lot of happiness this Independence weekend...Daddy made sure the little men were happy...and that made me happy in spite of myself!
I am so thankful for my husband...and for the grace he has shown me even though I have repeatedly asked him to "just shoot me"!

Little Mr. is growing up too fast!

Yeah!!!! It has taken a short 15 months but Sir Gavin finally decided to give up the bottle today. Now, you may not think this it noteworthy, but it is for me! That child never attached to his thumb, pacifier, blankie, stuffed animal...he chose to attach himself to his baby bottles! This hasn't worked out well for either of us. As you know, a child his age doesn't need to drink 36 ounces of cows milk a day, but nobody gave Gavin that memo. It has been a battle (a loud crying one on his part I might add) to come to today's victory! So, Yeah Mommy! Yeah Gavin! Do I dare ask...what's next?

I'm Sailing...I'm a Sailor!

We had family time tonight. It was the first time that I remember that Ethan actually debated whether he wanted to be with his family or go to a friends house. Thankfully, Daddy led Ethan into the direction of family time...and so off to Lake Hefner we all went. I am so glad we did! A friend of my brother's was kind enough to share his sailboat with us. It was such an adventure especially for Ethan and Gavin! From helping steer the boat to eating hot dogs out of tin foil...the night was something new...something we did together!
Tonight when I put Ethan to bed, I kissed him and told him I was so proud of him. He said "Why Momma?" "For sailing the boat, Ethan"...a smile flickered across his face and he snuggled in for some sweet dreams. I love those little moments! It was the best of the whole night.
While it was a little crazy and a lot of work to have two young boys on a sailboat, it was so worth it!

Dear Lord

Ethan said our prayers for dinner this evening. He forgot to mention the actual dinner part, but I think it was a pretty good one anyway!
Dear Lord,
Please let me grow up fast and Lord, when I grow up, let me be a Scientist with a big nose like this. Be with Daddy, Mommy, Gavin and all my friends. Amen!

Last Day of School

Ethan was a Superstar 5 year old Pre-school-er this year. Today was his last day of school, and yes, I was the ONLY Mom who went on the field trip to the park today. How could I resist? I love my Man, and wanted to see him interact with his friends and teachers one more time. I asked him if I could go, and he was all for it...until I chipped a tooth eating cereal the night before. Then he told me that I would scare his friends. I reassured him that I wouldn't show anyone, and that he didn't have to walk with me. Man, time flies fast! There was a day when he was totally dependent on my for every move and decision made. Now, he is flexing his thoughts a little, and I am only cool to have around sometimes!

I went on the walking trip to the park...not because I couldn't find anything else to do, but because he would still let me. My days are numbered, and I know that!

So with camera in hand, as usual, I walked along and tried not to embarrass...at least one more time!

I think he was glad I was around to give him hugs whenever he couldn't quit crying after saying goodbye to his teachers...and the Happy Meal helped too!

Do you know what the rain says

I was kissing Ethan goodnight and it had started to rain. He loves to hear stories so I told him all about my childhood bedroom. I explained that the room had windows on three walls, and a night rain was one of my favorite things! The sound of the rain on the glass lulled me into the best sleep ever! I loved it...I explained. To which my sweet boy replied, "Mom, do you know what the rain says?" "What does it say, Ethan?" "It says I love you."
Ahhhhh!

Oh Happy Day

Daddy prepped Ethan well...all day I heard, "Happy Mudder's Day, Mom!" and "You're the best Mom!" and "I love you because you let me have picnics on the carpet!". Do you think that one day Ethan will thank me for still checking in on him after he goes to sleep at night, and for taking him to the park instead of scrubbing the toilet? I hope so, but until then, I will take all the slimy kisses, rocks that I find that have been through the washer and dryer, and telling him that his dance moves are awesome.
I am so blessed to be a Mother...and still have my Mother close by! I learned so much from my Mom...in spite of myself! :) Thank, Mom! I love you and am so glad you get to see me try my hand at Motherhood.
To all: Happy Mother's Day...today and every day!

Summer Fever!

Whoooo, Spring is in full bloom, but around here we have Summer fever! With the warm days comes our very awesome purple plastic kiddie pool...complete with mini stairs and slide! We had two outside days in a row and the boys loved it!
Gavin is a crazy little man. It amazes me that in one short year he can climb those stairs...sometimes even skipping one to reach the top faster. Then he joyfully plummets his little body into the cold water. He loves to be outside. This is really a huge understatement. He makes his wish to go outside very clear by taking my hand and walking me to the door, or by burying his head in my legs and saying "side". I am so excited to see him communicating so well. Sometimes too well. That child can throw a big fit for sure!
Tonight we had a play date with our neighbors and niece. The kids acted like they had been locked up all winter long. They were laughing, loud and messy. It was our "pirate party"! Call anything a party and the kids are ecstatic! It was so windy tonight, and I don't know how they played in the water, but I guess it was worth it...they had a blast! Ethan creatively hid a bucket of "jewels" and had the kids find them. it was nice to see him sharing his loot, and I am happy to say EVERYONE went to bed easily!
So, at the Milligan house we say "Bring on Summer. We are ready to play!"

Mom, I'm Teaching Brother Everything I know!

Wow! Did I actually hear those words come out of Ethan's mouth?
Growing up, Mom always warned me that my little sis was watching everything I did...the lesson behind the statement being that I should do the right thing cause I was teaching someone younger than me. And she was right in a lot of ways...Thankfully, my little sis survived and makes wonderful choices all on her own now!
Anyway, Ethan likes to teach Gavin to talk and helps me interpret the many baby babbling. Today Ethan's interpretation was, Let's Play. I am pretty sure that Gavin just said blah blah bah bee bee, but I liked Ethan's excitement and interest in the scenario!
Gavin does watch his big brother and is more interested in what he is up to than anything else. That child can wake up in the middle of the night and ask for "E-E" (Ethan). It is so sweet to see their brotherly bond develop, and it is my hope that Ethan will teach Gavin to by as funny and creative as he is!

Take a picture of the rhino's butt

"Boys will be Boys!" is an accurate description of mine! We went to the zoo today, and it was a good time! We stopped by and said hi to the rhino's, and I was doing my good Mommy thing and taking pictures of EVERYTHING! I took a pic of a rhino and showed it to Ethan (although I knew he could see them with his own eyes)...to which he replied, "Cool, Mom, Take a picture of the rhino's butt!". So I did. Have you ever seen a rhino's butt? I have to admit they are rather funny looking, and love the little moments when I can see the humor of life through my child's eyes. Laugh on, funny man!

Storms can be pretty cool...

...Especially if you take candy into the bathtub with you while you are waiting for the tornado to pass by!
Ethan was a little nervous about the weather tonight until Daddy told him we should take a bowl of candy with us the next time we hide from the storm...and a flashlight, of course!
Sometimes our life seams a little torrential too. Richard got into a decent car wreck today. I give it a score of 6.5! The event tossed our lifeboat around a little...again. But, as I think about it all, I realize that I have some things to be thankful for in spite of it all.
I am thankful that my husband wasn't physically hurt in the wreck, and that he came home to me in one piece tonight...although I cannot say the same for the car. I am thankful that I got to take Ethan to speech today, and while waiting for him, Gavin and I went in the front of the school and found rocks. Rocks are cool to all boys, and it was so fun watching him clench those things in his chubby fists and toddle around trying to find the perfect place to throw them and then squat down to pick them back up...and then do it all again. I am thankful that just for a moment tonight, I got to sit in a lawn chair and watch my boys eat Popsicles. They were happy. I was happy. For the moment.
My life is made up of a lot of moments. A lot of them...if I pay attention, are really awesome. I am trying not to use up all my energy on the storms, but whenever I do have to experience one, I hope to remember the candy bowl!
God has a better viewpoint of all of my life's storms and I will choose to rest in that! HIS flashlight is much more dependable than mine too!

To hold, or not to hold?

I am somewhat conflicted! Ethan turned six this week, and he is changing...Again! Guess that means I need to change too! To me, he is a mixture of little boy and big boy. He still needs my help doing things sometimes, but also needs to do things for himself.
He got a new bike for his birthday. No more training wheels. As he is learning this new skill, I get to look tough and encouraging to him, but on the inside I am worried that he will get hurt. Ah the dilemma of being a Mommy...learning when to hold on and when to let go! I am not quite as tough as Dad...thank God Ethan has both of us!
The other day he told me that I was his favorite. "Yes, Ethan, I am your favorite Mom", I pointed out...and he agreed that Dad was his favorite Dad. I didn't grow up with both Mom and Dad, and I am grateful that Ethan is!
In the end, I figure a skinned knee today is an easier lesson to learn at six than at sixteen. So we are both holding on to each other, but figuring out when to let go too!...just a little at a time!

I wonder what Gavin is thinking...

Every night I say prayers with my 13 month old, Gavin. Every night after I finishing praying with him...he starts jabbering. Is he praying too? I really think that the shorter their legs the longer their wings are. Sweet little angel boy! I am so thankful that God blessed us with another son!

It looks like my booby!

Ok, I know...two posts in one day, but Ethan cracks me up! Tonight at the dinner table (a favorite time for him to entertain me), I noticed he had his shirt up and was checking out his belly button. Keep in mind the child is almost six! I asked him what was up and he showed me his belly button, and I explained that that was where the "straw" connected him to me when he was in my belly, and that was how he got his food. To which Ethan laughingly replied, I think it looks like my booby...look, I have two up here!

I can do it myself, Mom!

What happened? My firstborn "baby" is blossoming into a boy...a person who thinks, acts, and talks without much regard to me. I used to view him as an extension of myself, but no more! He is making sure that I am getting it, and I am...loud and clear! He had a hard day at school, and decided to take it out on me in front of everyone at Wal-Mart...with clenched fists and angry tears streaming down his face he showed me defiance that he felt over the injustice of not getting chips with his slushy. After marching him straight back to the car to get an attitude adjustment Ethan not only locked me out of the car, but he also buckled his own seat belt...something we have been working on for a while that he seemed to have difficulty mastering. Anger can push us to do things we thought we couldn't do...?
Fast forward to today when he was happy and in love with me again. As I opened his door to help him with the seat belt, he sweetly said, I can do it myself, Mom! And he did. And I am learning that he can. He can express himself, interact with many people, play, be creative, and the list goes on. He just needs some guidance sometimes. Just like his Mommy!

Oh Happy Day

Daddy prepped Ethan well...all day I heard, "Happy Mudder's Day, Mom!" and "You're the best Mom!" and "I love you because you let me have picnics on the carpet!". Do you think that one day Ethan will thank me for still checking in on him after he goes to sleep at night, and for taking him to the park instead of scrubbing the toilet? I hope so, but until then, I will take all the slimy kisses, rocks that I find that have been through the washer and dryer, and telling him that his dance moves are awesome.
I am so blessed to be a Mother...and still have my Mother close by! I learned so much from my Mom...in spite of myself! :) Thank, Mom! I love you and am so glad you get to see me try my hand at Motherhood.
To all: Happy Mother's Day...today and every day!