Just So You Know

Just So You Know is a monthly letter to my boys. As I was composing the post, Stevie hopped up beside me and asked what I was doing. When I explained that I was writing a letter to him and Alex, he asked if he could write a letter to me. His letter to me is at the bottom of the post.

I am truly a blessed gal.

———-

To: My Sweet Sons

From: Your mama

Date: March 27, 2009

Re: Just So You Know

Dear Boys:

It has been a really L-O-N-G month for us. We battled ear infections, sinus infections and rounds and rounds of medicines. I am thankful that you are both well and healthy now.

I am so proud of the way both of you are handling daddy being away. I know he misses you so very much. This month you received a special package in the mail from daddy. When you opened it, you found a book and a DVD of daddy reading the book to you.

You also enjoy talking to daddy on the web-cam each evening. I am thankful that we have that option. It isn’t the same as having him here at our house, but its better than just talking to him on the telephone.

I love the way you guys are playing so well together. It is the way life was meant to be and nothing gives me more joy during this rough time than to watch the two of you play well together. So thank you both for getting along. It makes my job SO! MUCH! EASIER!

Dear Stevie:

Wow. The time seems to be flying by. You are so much like your daddy, sometimes I wonder if you have any of my DNA at all. You are reading everything in sight and one of your favorite things is to send daddy an e-mail. I know it makes daddy very happy to receive e-mail from you. We are both so very proud of you for doing so well in school. It doesn’t seem possible that your kindergarten year is almost over.

I appreciate you being such a great helper to me while daddy is gone. I could not have asked or ordered a sweeter little boy. You have always been so easy to parent. I am blessed to be your mama and I’m doing my best to do everything with you that daddy would do if he were here.

You were so proud of the poster you made for daddy in Sunday School. It made me cry, but I appreciate the fact that your SS teachers took the time to think of you and to make this special poster to help you count down the weeks until daddy can be back at church with us. Each week you place a red star on the poster that signifies one more week in this six-month journey. The stars have some of dad’s favorite activities on them. The red star on the poster in this picture says “loves to ski.” Some of the other stars say things like: loves to go off-roading in the jeep; likes to work in the garage; likes to go camping with me and Alex; loves chocolate chip cookies; watches extreme 4×4 on TV; likes to play the drums; runs sound at church; and likes to go for walks out the road.

I love you sweet boy. You make me proud to be your mommy!

Love, Mom

Dear Alex:

YOU ARE FULLY POTTY TRAINED!!!!! Yeah, I am so proud of you! You are such a big boy and I appreciate you doing such a good job on the potty. Just one thing. We don’t really have to go around telling complete strangers that you have on big boy CARS “draws” Mkay. Thanks. Telling them you wear big boy underwear would be more appropriate.

[I do have to say that you crack people up every time you say it even if it makes me want to cringe!]

You have also learned how to unhook your car-seat by yourself. This wouldn’t be such a big deal except that I have trouble unhooking it at times. You never cease to amaze me big boy. You are rough and you are tough. One of my favorite things is to watch you build a wall full of pillows only to crash it down like a bulldozer. You never tire of this and sometimes you use items not so easy to budge. It will be a miracle if I make it through the year without a heart attack. You push safety to the limit everyday.

I shake my head in amazement everyday wondering how two boys with the same parents, raised in the same house can be so different.

Just so you know… it wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all if you stopped having temper tantrums. Seriously, we should be way past that by now. As much as I love you, your tantrums had me at the end of my proverbial rope several times this month. I literally start praying out loud to get your attention, because I am tired of the spankin’ spoon threat other method. When I do that your eyes grow wide and you look at me like I have lost my mind. I really think you get it. One afternoon this week after I prayed for patience and understanding, you looked at me and asked if “God and Jesus have moustaches!” I almost chuckled out loud and was thankful that your temper took a turn and it got your mind on something else. [I say thank you, Jesus!]

You have this thing where you pick a “toy of the day.” You typically carry the toy around with you all day and even want the toy when you go to bed. You typically pick a car and it is usually one from the movie CARS. Other days, you choose a stuffed animal like “Bluto” which can be seen in the picture below.

While I was emptying the dishwasher one morning this week, you brought me the Goofy book and asked me to “turn daddy on, please.” It made me smile and minutes later I saw this…..

Then, one minute after daddy finished reading the book, you hopped up in my lap and we read it again. As much as I miss your brother when he is at school, I am thankful that you and I get to have one-on-one time everyday. You are growing up so fast. I love watching you learn from Stevie! I’m glad you are mine, sweet boy!

Love, Mommy

———– This is Stevie’s letter to me.

Dear mommy:

I had a grate time at toy’s R us win we got my monstr jam ds game fun, fun, fun that’s just fun!

me & Alex love you! i like u because you take me to school i like school!

love Stevie

Tagged as: Alex, Deployment, Jeep, McDaddy, Motherhood, Stevie