My Mother Heart, Edited

Back in November we had company from out of town and since then Gage has been sleeping in “big boy bed” as he refers to it. He gave up his room to the guests and hasn’t wanted to go back. It’s pretty funny to me how people assume that since we have 4 kids and our home is only 3 bedrooms that we are outgrowing our home. That’s not really the case, yet.
Do you see how they are holding hands. I think that’s my most favorite thing about my kids. They genuinely love each other and they play the best, together. They are different ages and in different stages but their love for one another is constant and they may drive each other crazy, or actually Gage drives them all crazy, but they still love him and are so patient with him.
There are lots of things to give our kids in this big, busy world. I am so glad I could give my kids each other. There’s really nothing better than that.

Braxton is the oldest and the wisest (just ask him). He is always the boss and his ways go for most (minus Adelle). He is patient and kind and every time he and Emmett play football (500x a day) he let’s Emmett win and Emmett really thinks he’s winning. That’s Braxton. He knows the truth about Santa and he still embraces the belief and lives it up for his siblings. He is helpful and responsible and always does his chores without complaining (even though he does way more chores than the rest of ‘em). He works really hard and doesn’t give up on his goals. He is a good boy and it makes me crazy when I volunteer in his class and see him mutually flirting with a cute little blonde trouble maker.
Adelle doesn’t usually think Braxton’s ways are right and lucky for her he is patient and so as they say, “it’s not who wears the pants but who wears the panties,” rings true in this little scenario. Adelle loves these brothers of hers. She is very motherly and always reminds the boys of what they need to be doing.  She is my biggest helper and will usually be found reading a book to Gage when I am trying to get something important done. She is very happy and vibrant and is known around her school by most as, “that cute girl who always wears the fancy dresses.” She loves to sing and dance and color and draw and she is naturally gifted at the piano.  Adelle is a quick learner. She is one of the youngest in her class at school but she really can carry her own weight in all aspects.
Emmett still pulls at my heart strings. He is sweet and tender and so intuitive. The boy catches on to my every feeling and emotion and those of his siblings as well. He is such a peacemaker and a server. He does whatever Braxton tells him to do and smiles the whole time. That being said he does whatever Jeff or I tell him to do too. He is the most obedient, compliant child. Never argues or pitches a fit. Just happy to be doing what’s right. He is really into numbers and amazingly good at math. He is silly and this new thing to say is, “you’re ruining me,” when we play games. This makes everyone laugh. This boy loves preschool. He is the most mature male 4 year old you will ever meet (seriously). He is the first one to wake up every morning. He has never argued with me or complained. He has al little crush at preschool who’s name is Mahalia and all the kids know about her. Apparently she wears dresses every day which makes her the prettiest one at school. I guess his sister set the standard for him in that area. Gage likes to tease Emmett and chant, “Mahaia, Mahaia…” and it’s so funny how embarrassed Emmett gets.
Gage is a Joy. Capital J. I really thought I had this whole parenting thing down until him. He is so cute and so funny but he is really a rule breaker and a stinker. When he is good, which he usually is, he is really good. Like he always says “please” and “tanks,” and if you are in his way he will say, “cuse me please,” so he can get by. Like super cute and really good manners. But then there are the fits and the times he tells me know and really means it. I honestly haven’t had a child through a fit since Braxton so I am really out of practice and not really into dealing with the whole fit thing. So he tries my patience, a lot. On the positive side he is really good birth control! He is super athletic and courageous. He tries everything the big kids are doing and is usually naturally good at it. Sledding down hills, shooting basketball, throwing footballs, tackling… He’s really good. He is the funnest though and he has us all whipped.