My little independent stubborn smartie-pants

Oh, Declan.

Every day you try my patience. To quote a friend from earlier today, "Sometimes I lose my shit with you, but I LOVE it!"

You are equal parts stubborn, defiant independent, sweet, smart, and funny.  The things that come out of your mouth make me burst out loud laughing, then the next minute I have to threaten you with time out. 

You still won't potty train. WHY, OH, WHY!? You will be 4 in 6 weeks. We've officially been trying to train (on and off) for like a year.  Seriously. 

But oh, you are so sweet.  You call me pretty and tell me you love me when I least expect it. You share your last peanut butter cracker, and when Cash dropped his chocolate chip cookie on the floor at Meijer the other day and Dad refused to pick it up, you sweetly gave Cash your last 2 bites of your cookie.   I truly do not know what to do with you, and yet, I would not know what to do without you.

You are so smart.  You know your numbers almost as well as Cash. You can count and add all sorts of combinations on your fingers. You told me the other day that something was 10 units (I guess you get that from UmiZoomi!).  When we were talking about Beaver Island you mentioned that it was 50,000 away. 50,000 what, I don't know.... but I'm sure you do!

You love to read. You love to play on the iPad. You love to play Memory and kids Sequence.  You are so giving. When your size 8 boots crapped out on you (I'm pretty sure you were supposed to be wearing at least 10's...), you wanted to save them to give to Evie since she is walking now.

You are a natural at skiing. You are fearless. And just last week, I had to take you to the ER to get a staple in your head. No joke.   Just so we are clear, you have had ear tubes. Dislocated elbow. Broken arm. And now a staple in your head. You are three. And Dad and I have resigned ourselves to the fact that we will probably average at least one major hospital visit per year until you are well into your twenties.

Mom and Dad love you, Declan. We love you so much (million, zillion, billion, trillion, brillion).  Although you will (we predict) always take the path of most resistance, I know you will be do such wonderful things in your life. And we can't wait to see what those are.

Cashy, my Junior Kindergartener

Oh Cash.  My sweet, kind, giving, ultra-hilarious Cash.

You astound me every day. You started school last September and have embraced it full-throttle ever since. Your teacher is Miss Rachelle, and you are at New Branches Charter school, which we loooove. You have learned all your letters and how to write them. Many, many songs (even had your first-ever concert for holiday songs) show off your knowledge of months, colors, days, sounds, animals, etc. You get excited to learn new popcorn words every week ("T-H-E THE! (with a clap)"), get actual popcorn or a pickle (random!) on Fridays, and participate in things like family movie night and the book fair.

You are so giving. For Christmas we adopted a family instead of doing gifts for our immediate family. You were so happy to shop for presents for the 10 y/o boy and the 4 y/o girl who didn't have any presents. Now you are doing chores for your allowance, and dividing your money between saving, spending, and giving.  So anxious to start with the giving and so matter of fact that it's just the right thing to do since our family is so blessed. This is one thing that makes us so.proud of you.

You are hilarious. Always joking and being silly. You've started threatening us, but you have a high-pitched voice and (I think) you are kidding, so it makes us laugh. Yesterday we were sledding and there was a big hill, small plateau, and another big hill.  On the last run before ending (it was -10 windchill... brrrrr!) we did the first hill. I tried to call it quits and skip the second hill, and you were having none of that.  You said, "Weeellll... if you don't do the last hill with me, then we can't come back!"  I laughed, and said, "Well, we can't have that!" and off we went... down the second hill.

You made me laugh this morning in the car when asking how far it was to Andrea's house and I told you five minutes. You said, "hiiive?" and I said, "No, fiiiive." You followed this with, "HIIIVE?  That's not even a number!" You knew that wasn't what I said, but continued with being silly, and I laughed. 

You are also super smart.  When we had your first-ever parent/teacher conference you were above and beyond the rest of the class, and you excel in all you do. You are even using similes!  You told Auntie Kristyn that you were going to, "Run as fast as a dolphin can swim!"  Huh?? Where did you learn that?!

You started breakdancing.  You are the smallest and youngest and express yourself so amazingly.  We'll start breakdancing again in a few days (if we ever stop having snow days!). And you are so.so.so. creative.  Now that you have learned how to use scissors and tape, and have a never-ending supply of white paper and markers, you make anything and everything.  Such things, as included in the pictures attached, would be a sled, snow, a sled for Walter the Farting Dog, and a picture of you and Daddy holding hands.  You make people gifts all the time (such as a purse for me - white paper all taped together except one side, signs to wear around your neck, and hats).

I could go on and on. I'm hoping to remember some funny things you've said over the last 9 months so I can document them.  We just love you so much, Cash. Million, billion, zillion, grillion (our fave), tillion.

 



New Year's Resolution?

Oh my goodness.   I haven't posted since March 2013.  It's now JANUARY 2014!  Eek!  #fail. Wait, a hashtag doesn't do anything unless I use it in Twitter?  Golly, there's a revelation...

How am I supposed to cover 9 months in one post? Guess I'll gloss over it, then backtrack in more detail?

I'm SOOO glad my last post was the one on skiing.  Nathan and I agree it was the best day of our whole almost 10 year marriage.  We are actually taking them skiing again next weekend and the boys want to go on the big hills, not just the bunny hills. 

Cash finished out the summer at Andreas and started school in the fall!  I'll do another post on that all by itself. Let's just say he is excelling and getting smarter and bigger than ever!  At his 5 year check up I asked his doctor about his excessive intake of food and she noted that he grew 7 inches over the last year!  No wonder we can barely keep him in clothes and shoes.  On the bright side, Declan is getting some barely-used hand-me-downs.

Declan is in his final year at Andreas.  He will start pre-school next fall, although we aren't sure where yet since he's not old enough for Young Fives. Deck is also growinggrowinggrowing... so handsome and as smart as his brother.  If only he would take to being fully potty-trained.  It's our only complaint of our very independent child. He's almost 4 years old and just.won't.go.in.the.potty.

Nathan was on the cusp of starting his own business as he was fed up at Moss. Right before he quit, he was aggressively pursued at Custer.  When he asked them how they heard of him, they said, "Oh everyone knows who you are."  HUH?  He was thrilled to receive a very lucrative offer, and off he went.... and loves it! He's much happier and enjoying new challenges (and mama's enjoying the new pay that comes with it!).

As for me, I have been at my current role at Amway about 9 months. Although I enjoy it, my boss keeps talking about moving me out of my current role as I am being "wasted" in this one.  A great compliment, but I'll stick it out awhile longer.  I also decided to go back to school (eek!) for my Master's in Management. It will take several years, but Amway is footing most of the deal, so I didn't want to waste this opportunity.  So far I have two classes down, and 11 to go.  A's in both of them, but I might break that streak with my next class: Managerial Economics.

So that's that for now.  I'm going to try (this is the New Year's Resolution part) for a blog post every other week.  Or at least 26 by the end of the year.

Skiing, and Jokes, and Birthdays, oh my!

It has been a big month in the Murray household! My boys are growing up so fast. Such a cliche, I know, but it's true. We find ourselves pre-school shopping for Cash, flirting with 5T clothes (and Deck is completely into 3T), and watching our boys have conversations with each other (which is hilarious).

This winter marked a lot of firsts for us. We started off by taking the boys skiing with Uncle Joe and Aunt Mel.  We took them to Nubs Nob where they have the PERFECT bunny hill.   Joe and Nathan managed to get them up and into the chair lifts, and before long, they were getting very comfortable wth their skis.  We put a harness on them, which allowed for quick pickup, as well as two straps that came out of their backpack and allowed for them to be guided along. By the last two runs, Cash was able to get off the chair lift by himself without falling, and managed to ski down the hill, by HIMSELF!   He still fell a few times, but he was incredible. Declan was even attempting small jumps (where does he get this stuff?!) and wanted to go faster and faster. We were so proud that they were willing to try something new, and then extra proud when they actually did well with it. We skiied for almost 4 hours, and they can't wait to go back. 

Then we moved on to Kid's Joke Night, a part of LaughFest that goes on in Grand Rapids every year.  Cash got up first and told his jokes - all by himself this year! He was so brave, and the delivery was perfect. Grandma and Aunt Beth were even there volunteering so they got to watch.  Then Declan got up (best part: "And now... he wants to be a dragon when he grows up...  Declan!") and walked stone-faced up... grabbed the microphone, perfect delivery, and BAM -stone-faced walked right off again.  It was incredible.   My kids amaze me every day.

In every day news (just to mark a point in time many years from now) Nathan and I are still working out with Patrick twice a week. We are about to move into a house with Nathan's brother for one year before we make the Final Move to Rockford. Declan just turned three and we had a racecar birthday party for him at Auntie Kristyn and Uncle Jake's house.  We love having family movie night, and Steak and Shake seems to be our dinner choice most of the time if we choose to eat out. I have been offered a position as HR Coordinator at Amway, and Nathan's job is going well. I am also quitting the Kroc soon, which will be a relief (just to have one less thing on my plate). We are trying to potty-train Decky, but he seems to fear pooping in the potty (but apparently pooping in his pants is no big deal). Cash and Declan strive to be like their Daddy at all times, which basically means hanging out in their underwear or shorts at all times, and never wearing a shirt when at home. And the laundry.never.ends.  Ever. 

We are so happy.  We have an amazing family. We have an amazing life. I'm always terrified for the other shoe to drop, but try to just cherish what I have every day.  We are blessed.

Dooby-Dooby-Doo... where are you? We couldn't have a family without ya!

In case you think that my title is strange... that's what we sing to Declan to the tune of the scooby-doo theme.

Declan, Deck, Decky, Decky-do, Decker, Bro-bro... this post is all for you little buddy.

Oh Declan. Where to start?  You are weeks away from turning three. The most stubborn kid I know.  We like to call you 'independent' instead of defiant. :) You are unlike Cash in so many ways. Dad and I have predicted that you will always do things the hard way. You will always want to find out for yourself. And you will probably always think that you know more than Mom or Dad.

You are so sweet.  Such a loving child.  Although you don't like to snuggle as much as Cash, you will still pretend to be my baby once in a while.  You love to read, which is Mom's secret way to get you to snuggle more.  And you give the biggest squeezes and multiple kisses when I'm tucking you in. Then you request that I sing you skidamarinkydink and happy birthday every night.  Sometimes you ask for me to drop your animals from high up so you can catch them. Then you and your brother blow out the light like a birthday candle.

Whereas Cash is much more like me, you are so much like Dad. Less emotional. A little more serious most of the time. But, like Dad, when you are goofy... you are full-on goof.  You try to negotiate. A lot. And sometimes it works because you are so stinkin cute when you do it.

Your favorite snack hands-down is Cheez-its. We have to buy the Declan-size box (the family size) and it is your most requested snack. You are a chugger when it comes to anything liquid. This comes from Dad.

We are trying desperately to potty-train you. But in true Declan (and two-year-old) style, you only want to do it when YOU want to do it. I'm clinging to the fact that we still have 6 weeks until you are three. And three is the goal.  That will be $85 more a month that we can spend on Cheez-its. How can I make you understand that?? :)

When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday you told me a black balloon and a purple balloon... and the black balloon was for Ari (from daycare).  You love the entire wall of Hot Wheels wall-tracks that you've accumulated from Christmas. And you (like your brother) love anything electronic. You are great at the Mobi-go, and at the iPad (except you keep locking Dad's iPad because it has a code on it now!).

You love to take your shoes off in the car. You and Cashy LOVE to visit your grandma Ellen. You want to play on the iPad all the time. You love coming to the 'exercise toys' (where you can play while Mom and Dad work out). 

Decky. Mommy and Daddy and Bro-bro love you so much.  Our famly would not be complete without you.   When you aren't listening, and I tell you that Cashy and I are going to the store without you, Cash begs for me not to leave you behind.   That usually gets you to make better decisions... but not always. You are your own little person, and we are proud of you. I love you Decky-do.



Just a snapshot for each of my loves.

Hi boys. The only reason I'm writing this is because Aunt Katie is always guilting me into writing more.  Well, that's not entirely true... I WANT to do this, but either don't have make the time, or I just forget... because I don't do it often enough.

I don't want to forget all your goofy little things that you do and say.  And I want you to know how each of you were at this age.

Cashy-mashy, Cash-man, Bro-bro, Casher, Moopy (mom's nickname for you), Buddy (dad's nickname for you)

You are one silly boy.  And you are so much like Mommy.  Emotional, but overall a very happy child. You love to make people laugh by telling pirate jokes... or any kind of jokes  (your most recent: What did one snowman say to the other? Do you smell carrots?). You love to tease, especially if Mom asks you to do one thing... you pretend to do quite another, with a poop-eating grin on your face.

Although your personality is so much like Mommy, you want so desperately to be like your dad. And you actually look exactly like your Daddy did when he was your age. When you grow up you want to fix computers like you think Daddy does (it's a little more complicated than that...). You want to build things with Dad. And every Sunday morning you insist on making breakfast for Mommy while she sleeps in (cooking with Dad might be your favorite). Mom likes this one a lot. :)

Every time I ask you what you want Mom to make for dinner you request spaghetti.  You've recently gotten into burgers and insist, when ordering, on saying that you'd like a hamburger with no cheese, with ketchup, pickles, lettuce, patty, and the bun. You usually eat all your food, and the only thing you really don't care for are tomatoes (especially if they are spicy) and grilled cheese.

We took you to the movies to see Hotel Transylvania yesterday with your brother, and you were only 20 minutes into when you said, "Let's watch this movie again!"  You ate so much popcorn that you actually told me you ate too much, and drank about a half-dozen sips of Mom's Dr. Pepper, which you think is fabulous (because it is fabulous) but especially since you only get sips of pop at the movies.

Right now you love your EP Ellie (how you came up with this name, I have no idea) that I bought you when I was in Florida visiting Aunt Katie. At night you are listening to the silly songs CD on your new CD player, and then you also make me play the Christmas music from the musical wind-up snowman thingy (which I had packed away with the Christmas decorations, but you cried until I got it out again).

You are so smart, Cash. You could teach Grandma a few things about the iPad, that's for sure. You pick up games like Plants vs. Zombies, Dad's racing motorcycle game, and blow any kid's games out of the water. You still love Caillou (but are thankfully growing out of that) and are getting more enthralled with Phinneus and Ferb, The Fairly Odd-Parents, and to Dad's happiness... the old Spiderman cartoons.

By the way, you are four and half now.  We are looking into pre-school for you in the fall with mixed emotions. Sad to leave Miss Andrea, but so excited (and Mom is secretly terrified) for you to start 'real' school.  Dad thinks you are going to test out of pre-school and walk right into Kindergarten, but I'm not sure you'd be emotionally ready for first grade the following year.  But there is no doubt that you are the smartest 4 year old I know. You know all your letters, numbers (although you keep forgetting to count 14...), and have now memorized my favorite song - I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.

I love you so much I feel I might explode sometimes, and I sometimes watch you when you sleep, or snuggle in bed with you and play with your hair while you are snoozing away.  Re-reading this, it sounds super creepy, but it's a mom's right. And I know that I'm on borrowed time. There are so many more things, and hopefully it won't be so long before my next post.  

Ok, this one turned in to a super-long post.... I'll give Declan his own. :) I love you, Moopy.



I don't have a title today.

This will be somewhat depressing post, as I feel depressed.

Currently a local radio station is holding their annual Roofsit for Kids fundraising event. They sit on a roof for 48 hours and raise money to stop child abuse in West Michigan. People call in from all over and tell their stories. They break my heart, and I wish that I could donate as much as it would take to stop these monsters.

I can't even describe the article that I just read about a 15 week little girl. I'm not going to try. It is too heinous, and I truly hope that I forget it happened because it's so unbelieveable. I'm hoping that someday my children will read this blog and I don't want to taint their brains or put images in their heads.

All my children need to know is that parents have one main job and a neverending amount of other jobs. The main job of a parent is to protect their children. It's not a hard concept. You make sure they are fed, and changed, and warm in their jammies at bedtime. You make sure the doors to the steps are closed, and that there are plugs in the electrical outlets. Do accidents happen? Yes. Of course they do. Just last night Nathan left his razor by the side of the sink and Declan almost put it in his mouth. Once I put a hot dish too close to Cash and he burned his fingers when he touched it. I felt terrible. Things happen.

But to voluntarily abuse your children. To hit them because of problems in YOUR life. To tell them they are worthless and will never succeed. To violate their tiny bodies and take away their innocence. I do n.o.t. understand.  These are the people that can just go to hell. Not someday, when they are 90 years old. But now.  God can just take them away. Or the government can put them in an electric chair. I'm ok with that too. Just put these children somewhere safe. They need to be protected.

If you decide to have children, love them.  Or, even if you don't love them - maybe they were an unwelcome surprise - protect them by putting them with a family who WILL love them. There are thousands of parents out there who just need a child to love.

Scariest part of parenting for me is not being able to protect my children as they get older. I'll do the best I can. But I will never hit them. I will never tell them they are worthless. I will never beat or tear them down to make me feel better. The end.

Oh, and if you don't buckle your children into their carseat or make them wear a belt, shame on you. Even if you are a great parent, that is a fail. You aren't protecting them.