Dad's Birthday

My dad hit one of those big numbers this year. I was waiting to blog about it because I wanted to have a picture to go with my post, but I'm giving up on that.

The day before his birthday I called and asked if he had a birthday lunch date yet. He said instead that he wanted to introduce me to a new breakfast place. Jackson, Harrison and I joined him for breakfast and had a lovely, yummy and relaxing morning together. At lunchtime he called me again and we shared runzas at his house and played Scrabble while Jackson was at Mother's Day Out. It was really special to just be together doing things we've always enjoyed. The next day we had a small gathering of family and celebrated him. There were strict instructions of "no gift" so I wanted to do something special instead. I made him a 60 (well, more like 64) page card with some of our favorite family memories on the pages. I had such a fun time thinking back on happy childhood moments. It brought smiles and tears and I'm really glad I took the time to do it. I highly recommend sitting down and making a quick list of some of your fondest childhood memories. It was fun and helped me remember that it is sometimes the smallest things that we hold onto and cherish. I want my kids to have so many great memories that they don't all fit onto my 60th birthday card too.

Mostly, I'm honored to have such amazing parents and am so glad that my dad is my dad. I feel so blessed to have him as a part of my life, then and now - what a joy it is to see my own children love him as a grandpa and to see those proud moments in his eyes in return. Love you Dad!

Murphy's Afternoons

On Monday I needed to deliver some wedding invitations. The client wanted to meet somewhere in the middle so I chose a Braum's thinking it would be a place where the kids could be distracted by ice cream and be somewhat presentable. We got there early so that they could have said ice cream prepped and ready to go. I'm SO glad we got there early. As we climbed out of the van I realized it was going to be difficult to carry the baby carrier and the box of wedding invitations. I debated in my head what to do and decided to ask Lincoln if he was up to the important task. Could he carry this box SUPER carefully into the store? Oh sure, he was happy to help. He didn't make it far. I yelled out "watch for the car" as we crossed the drive-thru line and down went the whole entire box. I think there were maybe 2 cards left in the box. The rest were strewn across the pavement right in front of the guy in the drive-thru. I was horrified - at myself and the situation. Why did I trust this little jaunt to a willing six year old? We quickly picked them all up and the man in the drive thru pulled around us, rolling down his window and saying, "I'm so sorry you had to go through this." I debated in my mind the cost of the moment. Would I have to pay to have them all reprinted? How bad is the damage? At least it's not windy - they aren't blowing all over the place. It's mostly just some dinged corners - that would likely happen in the mail anyway... But they are wedding invitations - they should be perfect. We got all of the cards back in the box and my nerves were all aflutter as I ordered the ice cream. The kids started to climb on the hand rail. There was a lady there with an evil eye and a demand for them to get straight down from there. We are the only people in this place and there are four people working - why did it take 5 minutes for them to acknowledge our existence? While I get the ice cream I dream of adult children who would casually sit down in the booth with our things rather than walking all through the store to see what the place is like. I'm getting better at handling those moments when my kids are kids and not miniature adults, but I wasn't good at it in that moment. The client arrives, apologetic for her five minute tardiness (thank goodness for it I thought). I tell her straight forwardly what happened. She looks at them in delight and says that she's sure that everything is fine. Her mom is there with a migraine and apologizes for not wanting to be fully present. I get that. She asks me, "how much was I supposed to write the check for again?" I should know that. I think I know that number, but I can't say for sure. We are both embarrassed that we don't know the number. I ask her to please just send it to me in the mail. The kids get angry at me because I won't buy them a drink. I just want out of there.

On Tuesday it is time to pick up Lincoln. We arrive in the car rider's line as usual. No matter what time we get there we always end up right around the flashing school zone sign. The line is already moving this time so I realize we are a few minutes later than usual. Jackson says he needs to go to the bathroom. [last week when he said this I asked him to please hold it - I knew he could do it - he had no shoes on and we were almost there - he didn't make it] I ask him to please hold it again. We were almost there. I squirm as much as he does. We make it to the front quickly and Lincoln hops in. He reaches to pull the door closed and bonks Jackson's head in the process. Jackson is exhausted and needs to pee. He completely over reacts and starts to fight with Lincoln believing he intentionally hurt him. They start to fight and I pull Lincoln up to the front with me, all the while trying to move forward to keep the line going. I pull over to settle everyone down. I think Jackson forgot about needing to pee. I let Lincoln sit up front with me. He throws all of the mail from the front seat all over the floor to make space. I sigh. I wanted to go to the bank, not today. We rush home and Jackson takes off his buckle as we enter our street. He gets thrown forward a little bumping his head again. More tears. I tell him to please run inside and go to the bathroom. Oh yeah. He was so accident prone all afternoon. He squished his fingers in the door and bonked himself who knows how many times. We ordered pizza. I knew I wouldn't be able to cook on a day like that. They fought over who would get which pieces. Jeff was home for a few minutes between work and church. We tried to go to bed early. It was time for Harrison's cranky time. Such a sweet baby all day, but then in the evenings.... I put him in the swing and let him cry so I could spend some time with Jackson and get him to sleep (boy did he need it). It wasn't working. I brought the baby in and sang to him at the foot of Jackson's bed. Magic. They both calmed down, Jackson faded. I wandered with Harrison into Lincoln's room and tried more of the same. By the time dad came home everyone was at peace. Even me.

An uneventful afternoon would be awesome today.

gq Lincoln quotes

"Look mom! I made the letter q!"

me: "can you make a g too?"

"ooooooh! [sneaky giggle] I think I can!"

*****************

Yesterday's dinner prayer in it's entirety:
"dear heavenly father... thank you for this day, thank you that no one breaks our house or sets it on fire, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."


*****************

"mom? why do babies need so many kisses?"


****************

me: thank you for walking reverently in the hallways at church and for staying right with us [this is a work in progress for both big boys]

"do you know why I'm walkin' with ya? It's because I love you and I always want to be with you. Even if you move to a different house - I want to come with you."

Four

Today my sweet Jackson is FOUR. I have been calling him four for so long because he has seemed so grown up to me for a while. My mom even asked if he was about to turn five because I kept saying that he was four. He and Lincoln weigh right about the same now (40 lbs). He is built a little bulkier and Lincoln is so skinny. He is rapidly catching up in height as well. We had family over for a Star Wars party yesterday. The yoda soda was a big hit with the kids and the Poyner adults enjoyed razzing each other about not drinking it because of the "who can last the longest without drinking soda" contest amongst them. I planned a few little star wars related games, but after opening gifts the kids were happy playing with the new toys and the adults and kids alike were enjoying a few Beatles Rock Band songs. Everyone was so happy and entertained that I forgot all about the games.

Jackson helped me look at cake ideas online and his favorites were either the super elaborate ones or the ones with the figurines places on top. Figurines it was! Jeff found an ebay sale of some older star wars figures still in the packages and we were on our way. He and Lincoln haven't stopped playing with them since. In fact cousin Isaac wanted to put some of them in the ships Jackson had gotten as gifts so they didn't even make it to the cake cutting. We laughed that all that was left on the cake by the time we got to it was the 4 shaped candle.

My Valentine

We celebrated Valentine's day on Friday this year because it fell on a Sunday and, as always, it is also Jackson's birthday. Jeff told me that he had something special planned and I was excited to find out just what that was! He took me to an Ethiopian restaurant. It was a very unique experience. Other than freezing the whole time because the glimpse of warm afternoon tricked me into thinking I could get away with a light dress - it was fantastic! They served our food on one giant plate. It had a crepe like breading on the bottom and then scoops of different foods on it. The food reminded me a little bit of Indian spices and consistency. There was no silverware. You are given more rolls of that crepe-like bread and told to tear off pieces of it to pinch the food with. I still had to use my fresh warmed towel to keep my fingers clean, but it was really fun and delicious. We must have had NEWBIE written across our foreheads because they kept explaining everything to us and checking on us. Thanks for a great treat babe! I loved it, and love you more each day.

Proud Aunt

Last week my nephew was baptized and my niece was on the news the next day. These are some spectacular kids and I'm so lucky to be their aunt! Sarah saw what was happening in Haiti and wanted to help. She decided she could make skirts for young girls there and got to work! She was on the 10 o'clock news last weekend and now she is being featured in the church news.