Nature Vs. Nurture

Being a science teacher and all, I've often wondered about the subject of the above mentioned title. Since having children, I've pondered the subject even more. Both of mine are boys and both of my younger sister's are girls.--Hence, the rowdiness at my house and the drama at hers! This, plus much more evidence, leads me to lean on the nature side quite often. Case in point to follow:

Weekends are EXTREMELY long for me. We see Kirk on Fridays after the game on the field for about 5 minutes. He usually comes in around 1 or 2 a.m. after we're all asleep. That's it for Friday. On Saturday, he pokes his head out of his office long enough to watch Joshua's football game, but he stands on the field to watch and goes straight back to work before the snacks are given out. (He did make it home for dinner on Saturday night, though.) Sunday's are always hectic trying to get everyone ready for church and then rushing to eat lunch, so Daddy can get back to work ASAP. He usually makes it home around 7 or so on Sunday nights.

You catch my drift? Weekends are extremely long for me! (I really do have a point here.--Stay with me!)

Yesterday was a particularly long day due to the fact that the boys couldn't look at each other without fighting. It was driving me nuts, so finally about 4 o'clock, I called Nana and asked could we bring the fighting, I mean come over to her house and play. Of course she agreed and off we went. My ideal plan was for me to sit on the screened in porch (anyone noticed how bad the mosquitos are lately?--It's almost October for goodness sakes!), with the ceiling fan going and watch the boys jump on the trampoline. That lasted for a while and then came the dragging out of every toy known to man from "the crates". John Thomas became engrossed in putting every toy up onto the tramp. Which took quite a while, because it is quite a feat for him to climb on and off! Meanwhile, Joshua and I decided to play football again.

We seem to have some of our best conversations during our passing games.

"Mama, this is going to be the best touchdown pass ever."
"Okay, that wasn't it. THIS is going to be the best touchdown pass ever."
"This one is going to be the best punt ever."
"Mom, pass it over there. This is going to be the best interception ever."
"Okay, this is going to be the best back up, take a knee and let the clock run out ever." (Is that a coach's kid or what?)
"This one is going to be the best spin, break a tackle and score ever."

This continued on and on until he is running past me doing one of his "best ever" moves and he stops, bursts out laughing and says, "This one is the best TOOT ever!!" and commences to laugh and pass gas.

Shortly thereafter, he informs me he needs to go the bathroom and can he please just go outside?!

My case is proven, is it not?! I did not teach him these things!!

"The Best Day of My Life"

Wow! Last week was a stressful one. It was "Union/Jenks Week". For as long as I can remember, there has been "Union/Jenks Week" . I went to Jenks and then taught at Jenks, but then I married a Union football coach and things went from fun and festivities to a little more seriousness. Ultimately, that coach became the Head coach and things definitely went from serious to stressful! Well, all the stress culminated in victory Friday night and smiles were abundant all around our house! Major victory for the kids, coaches, community and our family! But that wasn't the "best day of Joshua's life"...

Saturday, I woke up early to the sounds of pouring rain outside my window. I thought to myself how glad I was that JK's flag football game was on the turf intead of the grass field this week. By game time, it was not raining and we enjoyed the game without rain gear or umbrellas. Joshua had a touchdown and pulled two flags! But that wasn't the "best day of Joshua's life"...

After an EXTREMELY muggy Friday and Saturday, we awoke on Sunday to a sweet, cool morning. We went to church and learned about not losing our zeal or passion for God and our spiritual walk. Joshua won New Testament Bingo twice in his small group and received 2 Laffy Taffy's! After church, we met Doo-Daddy (Nana was sick) at Fuddruckers for lunch and JK won 3 prizes out of the hardest arcade machine in the place! When we came home he played Madden on PS2 and beat the computer by a bazillion! Later, I needed to go out and mow and made the boys go out with me. They scootered and played golf and climbed on the fort. Every few rows, I would stop and push them on the swings. After I finished, we sat on the back porch and ate popscicles. A rousing game of football ensued thereafter between Joshua and I. (JT played with us periodically, but mostly got out every toy we have in the back yard and ran about!) That is when the "best day of my life started". In between passes, JK started talking..."I love breezy days like these, it reminds me that Halloween is coming." "I love wearing these cozy shorts (long, cut off sweat shorts)". "I love playing ball with you, Mom." "You're the best mom I've ever had." (Ok, so I'm the only mom you've ever had!) "It doesn't get any better than this!" "I'm so glad JT's my little brother." (At the time, JT was leaving us alone and playing pleasantly by himself!) "That was a great pass, Mom." "That's okay, Mom. I don't always throw it very good every time either." "I just love breezy days like these!" "You almost got me that time, Mom."

We played until past dinner time and finally Daddy got home, and I went inside to fix something quick for dinner..."Wow, Mom, a bacon sandwich. That's exactly what I wanted."...On to showers and into bed. "Can we read part of my book from the tooth fairy, Mom?" (He lost a tooth on the field after the game on Friday night!) "Yes, but only 2 chapters. You pick which ones." He picked and we took turns reading one page after another. I told him that his aunt Lucy and I used to laugh and laugh about this same story. He giggled so much I thought that he would wake up John Thomas. After we finished and said prayers, he turned and said, "Mom, this was the best day of my life." Wow, not Daddy's win, or his success in his own game, or his birthday or Big Splash or the lake or all his other favorite things...TODAY was "the best day of his life". Glad for once I wasn't too busy or too lazy to be a part of it.

Randomness...

Again, I warn...much randomness!

How many happy meal toys can one household contain? Oh, my goodness!--I just cleaned out and threw away an entire trash bag full! Praise the Lord (literally) for preschool. JK's desk and nightstand drawers have been haunting me for months. Anytime he opens them around John Thomas, I cringe. It's like opening Pandora's box! I see JT's eyes light up and know that he will go back later and start dragging all that "stuff" out! Needless to say, once I dropped him off, I went straight to work! All finished! Joshua might even be able to sit at his desk and work on one of the many "projects" he likes to do. (All of which will be shoved into those drawers for me to clean out again in a few months!)

Another random thought...Isn't it amazing how much we try to protect our kiddos from things, and many times we end up making things worse? Joshua had his first flag football game of the season on Saturday. It had rained a lot that morning and we weren't playing on the turf this game. It was cooler and so John Thomas had on jeans and a hoodie. When we got to the field, the gate area was a mud bog! Mind you I was carrying my camera, rain gear for JT and me, a very large golf umbrella, and my folding chair, all the while trying to hold John Thomas' hand and steer him clear of the big puddles. When I saw the terrible gate situation, I decided that I needed to carry JT through the gate. Well, guess what? In my efforts to keep him nice and clean, I get through the mess and promptly drop him in the mud while trying to put him down! I had to leave all my stuff, tell the boys not to move (and JT NOT to touch anything) and go back to the van for wipes! The Lord blessed me because a lot of it came off and was only on his hands and the knees of his jeans. Gotta love good intentions!

Daddy came over from work to watch JK's game. He even wore blue!
Joshua is fourth from the right, looking VERY focused!

Here he is in action...#24! Great form! (He did score a touchdown on the first play of the game. We threw a pass, he caught it and took off down the field to the endzone!)

Here's an interesting thought...our roofing materials are supposed to be delivered this afternoon. Removal and reroofing won't begin until next week or possibly the next. Since the supplies sit in a LARGE stack on your driveway, it blocks you from utilizing one whole side of your garage. With all the storms predicted in the next week, let's pray Kirk's truck doesn't get hail damage while we're waiting to get our roof repaired from hail damage!

Last of the random thoughts...while in Target yesterday purchasing a $40 halloween costume (yes, Joshua has to earn it), I saw fall floral leggings in the junior/women's dept.! Oh, my goodness...that is a blast from the past that really wasn't a blast when we were in the past! You've got to be kidding me! I know I am rarely all put together and in-style these days, but this is one time I won't mind!

Another Day of Firsts

John Thomas went to preschool for the first time today. The day had been so highly anticipated, that I was a little nervous when he was a bit subdued. (Last week at "Meet the Teacher", he proudly announced, "My school" when we drove up and "My class" when we reached his classroom. Mind you, we do not attend this church and had never been there before.--I was impressed with how comfortable he was.) We got to school a little early and sat in the car and visited and watched a DVD. I knew things were going to be okay when he started begging to get out and go! Off we went into the chaos of first day preschoolers and their parents. We weaved through all of the kids, strollers and baskets in the halls and made our way back to room 111. Both teachers greeted him by name! (That's right...no one forgets my baby!) He put his new football lunchbox in the basket, and in he walked proudly carrying his mat! Not a tear or a look; he was so brave and happy! On the other hand, I lost it! I watched him for a second and then left. Right about now he should be doing his bible story or craft, and have already been to music, had snacks, and played on the playground...not that I'm thinking about him or anything! I'm so proud of him!

After getting in the van, I drove a little way and then realized that I didn't have to listen to the Scooby Doo DVD that was playing. I turned it off, said big prayers for the little guy, and tuned in to an actual radio station! Here I was...riding ALONE, listening to adult songs, going to Walmart! Wow, talk about a first!

Well, I got out of Walmart without a donut, popcorn chicken or even a smiley face sticker.--I almost didn't know what to do with myself! Now I'm home and ready to begin the HUGE list of projects I have set "To Do Once JT Starts School"! Wish me luck!