birthday

Eight is Great!

October 2, 2017 by Gindi Leave a Comment

Eight is Great! Or so I hear.

Today, the triplets turn 8. EIGHT!

I started to go back and look at old posts and then I decided against it. I didn’t want to read what I wrote about each of the kids over the years. In all likelihood, it will remain consistent.

I love watching them grow and learn and stretch their wings. But this year, as I’ve written, has been a rough one. Tons of attitude. Outright disobedience. Pushing boundaries I didn’t expect them to test (from backtalk to lying to an actual stealing event, sigh).

My girlfriend tells me they turn the corner at 8!

I want to focus on the good. There’s plenty there. And yet, as my best friend and I noted when going through a bad behavioral day simultaneously, the disruptive behavior sucks our attention away from the others and sucks the joy out of the house.

So on this sweet day where we celebrate these miracles, I want my kids to know how PRECIOUS they are. But I don’t want to candy coat the storyline that it’s all halos and lollipops. This parenting gig is hard and I get it wrong. The kids know that. They will remember I lost my temper or snapped at them. Plus, they get it wrong too.

At the end of every evening though, we pray. We kiss. We read. We visit. We tell each other we love each other (I love you more!).

We’re all learning together.

The little lady is fighting growing up a bit right now. She really enjoys being young and is in no rush to grow up. Hoorah for me. She obeys most of the time and generally only lashes out when she’s tired or the boys push her buttons. When you ask her what her favorite subject is, the answer is often math. This surprises me since she’s so creative – she draws and makes AG doll accessories and sings and dances and acts (their home theatre performances are awesome). I wish I was craftier because she’s got a knack for it. But she’s also tremendously graceful and athletic which she similarly did not inherit from dear ole mom. She’s earnest and kind and loves all animals. She’ll get her heart broken because of her tenderness, but I pray she retains it through her whole life because she will grow merciful and generous.

The eldest is a force. He is focused on the things important to him. Those things tend to be sports, all games really, and the people important to him. He can be messy – he rushes to get to what is important to him which means misplaced socks and shoes and sloppy handwriting. But he learns quickly, if nothing else to press through it, and he loves fiercely. He will lead well, as he learns humility and how to ease up on himself. It’s an interesting dichotomy I struggled with myself. Pridefulness accompanies talent and self-loathing comes with failure. His natural talents and driving competitiveness will serve him tremendously well as God helps him with the grace and forgiveness part. He loves his family, particularly his grandparents (he’s an old soul), and we’re all the better for his loving heart and his endearing sentimentality.

The baby is a mystery wrapped in a riddle. I may never figure him out. He’s funny and then brooding. His deep empathy and high EQ also result in a sensitive spirit which often exhibits as anger when he’s unsure what to do with the emotion. I label him my Renaissance man because his interests vary from cooking to sports to reading to creating Lego vehicles. Fishing is his biggest passion and he’ll practice casting in our pool when he’s away from the farm. He’s intense which means we struggle the most with him. Us learning how to parent him and him learning to funnel his emotions into healthy outlets will be the challenge in the years ahead. But he has a unique call on his life and an interesting gifting which compel us to figure it out.

We are confident 8 is going to be great! And all five of us will rise to the challenge. (As well as take your parenting tips!)

A Seventh Birthday Celebration

October 2, 2016 by Gindi Leave a Comment

I always write a triplet birthday post.

It’s been hard to squeeze in this year.

I recap the kids and who they are and what we did.

I’ve given a lot of thought to that this year. Particularly since we just had to fill out a form for the kids teachers telling them “about our child.”

I saw their individuality even in the planning of their events. Little bit wanting a small lunch at the American Girl store and the boys wanting a blow out with everyone hunting frogs and lizards.

Yesterday, while my dad and brother and hubby took the boys to the soccer game, my stepmom and I took little bit to pick up the final items for her event, as her new AG doll accompanied us everyone. With roses and oversized balloons in tow, we arrived at the store to set up for our few little friends to join her for lunch. She is an introvert and small events suit her well.

She had fun despite her dear friend getting terribly ill and having to miss. Little did we know that she would be up herself in the middle of the night with a fever and horribly sore throat. (Because of one of my dearest friends sacrificing her family time, little bit got to urgent care while I was throwing the boys b-day party, on her actual birthday no less, and we found out she had strep! Yes, that’s right. Strep on her birthday. Sigh.)

I woke up this morning to make an early donut run, per the kids request, and we ate and began the final preparations for the boys all first grade boy party. We had a frogs and lizards theme, and I tried to keep the boys all running with activities. From a frogs and lizards (play, not real) hunt in the front yard, to silly string war in the backyard, we grew foam insects inside and pinned the tail on the lizard. They ate frog cakes and lizard eyeballs topped off with frog pond jellos! All in all, a busy but fun time for the boys.

After little bit’s little American Girl lunch and the boys blowout frogs and lizards party, we just crashed. Leftovers for dinner and antibiotics for little bit. Early to bed for all.

More importantly than the “what” is the “who” side of the equation. Little bit hugs everyone. Well, actually they all hug everyone. And I didn’t realize how unique that was until I saw other kids who really don’t hug like my kiddos do. I am grateful for how they love others and embrace friends, new and old alike.

But little bit is kind to animals and friends and babies, oh is she gracious. She is athletic and musical and artistic. She is feminine and currently in a deep obsession with American Girl. She wants to be a kindergarten teacher when she grows up. She loves deeply, and my favorite line, which happens a half-dozen times, is an exchange which either of us may start but always contains the exact same words no matter who begins: Person 1: I love you! Person 2: I love you more! Person 1: Not possible!

The eldest. Ah, he is obsessed with football. He is incredibly competitive. Yet he loves snuggling at night, reading together, and playing board games. He doesn’t listen to us most of the time, but it’s only because he’s hyper focused on whatever he’s turned his attention to. He will talk to you on the phone forever. And he’s a man of a million questions.

The baby. I’ve seen tremendous maturity lately. He has struggled so with his anger being a surrogate for whatever emotion he’s feeling. Yet you can see him beginning to gain control and understand how to measure himself. He adores daddy and says building is his “talent.” It’s only one of many. He can spend the afternoon fishing or building Legos or playing soccer.

They are certainly seven. I feel the weight of their age. They no longer feel like little wee ones but strong individuals with their older kid personalities and wishes coming through. I am grateful but also nostalgic. I suppose that will be the bittersweet of the rest of my days.

On Your Sixth Birthday

October 2, 2015 by Gindi Leave a Comment

Today, you turn six.

It’s been a good year beloved ones.

We’ve had change and adventure and yet a stable foundation to keep you grounded – God, church, mommy and daddy, your grandparents, and the same home we brought you into from the hospital.

You each got trips with daddy to the farm or the ranch. PLUS, you each stayed all by yourself at the farm with grandma and grandpa. We got to visit Gaby and Papa in Oklahoma, and Mimi taught you how to play dominos and Sorry.

We went on our first family vacation in over two years: an adventure out West to Yosemite National Park and then Lake Tahoe. You fell in love with the house cat and stormed up mountain bases and begged to play in the streams.

You tried out all sorts of new activities over this year – from gymnastics to ballet and tee-ball to soccer, you’re running faster and learning to be good sports (which is more important than winning).

You seamlessly moved to a new school and started kindergarten, and you are already reading and writing and adding and subtracting.

But more than these joint efforts and activities, you are EACH your own individual.

Sweet S,

You’ve always been so curious about the Bible and God. In Pre-K3, they called you the preacher, and your Kindergarten teacher already has you pegged for the seminary. In June you asked Jesus to come into your heart and we danced with the angels.

You have grown so fast and so strong in sports this year. I’m proud of how you’re learning how to balance competition with good sportsmanship.

You love your grandfather and are heartbroken there’s no more square baling to do this fall as it’s your favorite. You still struggle with wanting to cry over all the things, but I know God is going to use that sensitivity for His good purpose. I can’t wait to see what this next year holds dear one.

Love you all the way to the moon and back, Mommy

Darling L,

I watched this week as you painstakingly made your bed and arranged all your stuffed animals in particular order, and then you promptly went to sleep in the floor because you didn’t want to mess it up. You remind me so much of myself – but better!

You are fierce and talented and brave and strong. After three years of ballet, you decided to try gymnastics and are working your heart out to rock that too. You struggled the first week of swim team, but went on to be the only five year old in the finals!

You’ve developed some sass this year, so I’m praying we foster your independence and intellect while ensuring you exhibit respect and gratitude. I’m so thankful God sent me a girl; you teach me so much.

I love you oodles and oodles and bunches and bunches, Mommy

Dear W,

You see and hear everything my curious little sponge. You always have. Not only do you absorb all of the knowledge and information around you, but you also absorb others emotions. You have great discernment and compassion, but with all of that ability to feel comes your struggles with sadness and anger. You are learning to, and we are working toward, improving together.

You are already reading so quickly and you have a deep understanding of the things you absorb. You adore your daddy and would follow him to the ends of the earth, or to the best fishing hole or deer stand.

You asked Jesus to come into your heart RIGHT before our adventure in Alabama together. We had time to explore and laugh (with fierce games of pool ball!) and play and understand each other better – we’re both just working to “calm down!”

I love you with all of my heart, Mommy

Birthdays

July 27, 2015 by Gindi Leave a Comment

Today happens to be my handsome hubby’s birthday.

We took a vacation day so we could spend a three day weekend at the farm.

July is a big birthday month for his family. His mom kicks us off at the beginning of the month. Luckily, this year we were at the farm earlier this month to celebrate with her too.

We have a niece and nephew with a July birthday. Then his dad’s birthday hits and finally his!

I’ve come to love farm birthdays.

Now I love to throw a big party, and Lord knows the trio have had their fair share, but there’s something about birthdays with dirt smeared blue jeans and summer-hot-cheeks and homemade cakes served up with an ample scoop of ice cream.

I love to bake. I don’t have nearly the time at home. But almost every time I’m at the farm I get to bake. Bake and write. Two of the best things ever.

So after an easy lunch of sandwiches, chips and fruit, the whole crew, save two of the three five year olds, took naps in the heat of the day and woke to celebrate my father-in-law’s (belatedly) and husband’s birthday with coffee, cake and ice cream.

I tried my hand at Tres Leches again because it is Bray’s favorite dessert and it really turned out. I had baked it in the morning while the crew were out fishing, Lord help us they caught an alligator (I may never adjust to the bayou), so it had plenty of time to chill.

We lit four candles, to represent the last digit of his age, and sang happy birthday. After we cut big slices of the yummy goodness, we sat around the well worn table eating and talking while it was too hot to venture out. Grandpa opened his birthday presents, and daddy asked to wait until his birthday rolled around this morning to unwrap his (it killed the kids who LOVE to open daddy and mommy’s presents…).

Talk turned to their various plans and while two ran to check on the peppers they’d picked earlier to use for supper, dad and grandpa and the eldest ran to town for boat supplies.

I loaded dishes and then watched the beautiful summer storm roll in.

This is a life I could never have envisioned. I had none of this growing up. My clothes were always pressed and my hair was always fixed. I read instead of catching frogs behind the shutters. I took piano lessons instead of baiting hooks and baling hay.

It’s still stops me in my tracks: the space my kids have access to and the bravery they show working cows and holding a line with an alligator at the end. They dream bigger and plan fearlessly and adventure more because they see a big world and know the grandeur of God.

They’ve still got a momma that screams when the frog jumps on her sandal and begs them to back further from the dock, but I’m learning and letting go a little more every time. And I’m certainly embracing every moment of our stripped down birthday parties – the beauty of a handmade cake, the birthday song sung off key with gusto, and a celebration filled with those you hold most dear in life.

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