Thanks, Momma

I've been trying to finish this entry for days...so the info is a couple days off..

Today during nap time Kolby actually fell asleep (b/c we went swimming in an awesome pool this morning thanks to our friends Zack & Corrie!). I went in to check on him and he looked cold so I covered him up with a blanket. He opened his eyes, smiled sweetly, and said, "Thanks, Momma," then closed his eyes and fell back to sleep.

I realized at that moment of sweetness that no matter how many pep talks I give myself during the day, I continue to let my stress get the better of me. Kolby, you are so sweet. Naturally, you tend to be more sweet than mean. It seems like your un-sweetness is only learned from us, a response to our stress. Upon waking, for 2 seconds, you sweetly smile and use your manners?! But other times, during the day, your un-sweetness emerges somehow. You are so sensitive. No matter how hard I try you can sense my emotions...even if I am conquering the bad ones. I'm sorry I don't enjoy you more. You are so creative and go on and on with make believe stories. You are still into pirates and spooky ghosts. 99% of the time you are the "King of Golden" and at least once a day you bring up how we should only worship God and not golden idols. I rarely have to entertain Kyler b/c you are so into him. Yesterday in the car you were pretending to eat his hands and feet, all the while slobbering all over him and yourself. He was cracking up. Whenever he nears the steps you say, "Mom! Kyler is going to fall off the steps!" or "Mom, Kyler is trying to climb the stairs!" You have also really progressed with your mad reading skills. I can't believe in just a month or so WE will start Kindergarten! I never would have thought I would get to be a teacher...and it's even better that I get to be a teacher to you. Lots of new for me and you, buddy.
You teach me everyday. We noticed a few days ago that you have a tooth growing up behind your baby teeth (on the bottom). At breakfast you were asking me what would happen with your teeth. I said that maybe you would have to have a baby tooth pulled out by the dentist. You replied, "Let's just pray about that. God will heal my teeth." Faith like a five year old.

Kolby, thanks for having grace for your parents as we learn to parent. You are our best oldest child :). I love you and hope you will always know that...despite the stresses we face everyday with you either sensing them or getting the bad end of the deal. You really are such a good little boy. And this video cracks me up! I know it looks a little abusive...but I swear Kyler was laughing so hard I had to get the camera instead of telling you to stop hitting him in the face!!

Poor Kyler...

Here's our cuddly little bubble boy...we let him out every once in awhile to swim in Veronica's new pool. :) We are going to talk to a Doctor in the states (thanks, Shannon!) about his allergies and eczema so these are the pictures we took for her. He is balding because he itches his head all the time (you can kind of see it on the sides of his head and in the back). Despite his itchiness, he is super sweet and loves to cuddle with his Mommy. I appreciate every good day we get when he's not having a horrible reaction to who knows what. I started making "thankful" lists every morning. Kolby and Gabby do it with me sometimes (they are thankful for interesting things to say the least...my favorite so far is the morning Kolby wrote "Mom" on the white board all by himself). Even though Kyler is just A LITTLE sick, compared to tons of other sick children, my heart just breaks for him to be completely healed. I can't imagine what other parents have had to go through. For sure a new level of faith for me. 1 Thess 5:16-18 are my new focus for this summer, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." How can I pray today? What brings me joy? What am I thankful for? With these questions running through my head I feel like I can endure the heat of the summer, life's unexpected interruptions, and the unanswered questions with Kyler...well at least for this day!