No Fool!

Where is the innocence? I can't help but ask myself where I have gone wrong with my amazing little monsters. Now, we are very clear with our children just why we celebrate Christmas, and what it means to us. I mean, come on...Matai can tell your every single detail outlined in the story of Jesus' birth, and I have to admit, it is pretty amazing. While I am absolutely beyond thrilled that my kiddo's get what we are celebrating, I had a moment of sadness on Christmas eve. After a day of fun with the Kruks...food, fun, family, and as always TONS of gifts, we were winding down, when this conversation took place:

Me: "Time for bed boys. You better go to sleep really fast because it is Christmas eve!"

Brodie: "Ok. I think Nina got me everything I asked her for. I made her a list. That means she got it all for me."

Me: "Well we will have to see tomorrow. Right now, you have to go to bed."

They start making their way to the bedroom, all excited about what is going to ensue over the next 24 hours, and I am feeling awfully proud of myself that we can make this so special for them. Then I hear this...

Matai: "Do you think if wake up at night and come out of my room, I will see you and dad putting the presents under the tree?"

Me: "Don't you mean Santa?"

Matai: "No, you and dad do it."

Hmmmm. That seems sad. Have I failed my four year old. Brodie is over it too. He says that moms and dads do it because Santa is pretend. He has, however, assured me that he would not divulge this devastating information to the rest of his first grade class. Crazy, smart kids.

Happy Birthday, to HIM

Now, usually we have some obvious stars here at Really Brodie. The boys may consume most of my nerves and creative energy... and to a point they may have come to define who I am. While I live and breathe little boys, there is one essential character in this story who doesn't get much air time. My amazing husband, Matthew. Today, he turns 31. And I must say that

I

Love

Him.

For reasons that I might not effectively be able to convey. Not everyone gets to be married to the love their life....I guess I am just lucky.

So.... this is for him. A man that gives more of himself than I could ever think to ask for.

He can man three swings at once...

Teach his impossible wife to skateboard...

Sacrifice so much more than I could ever ask to provide us with an amazing home (oh yeah...he can swing a hammer)...

Just sit....for hours because his child needs him to...

For these, and so many more reasons, I love you, Matthew. Happy Birthday!

No girls {allowed}

So maybe I didn't get the chance to have a daughter. Maybe I WILL live my life as THAT mom. You know the one I'm talking about, don't you? The one that you see walk into the store and your first thought is:

"Aww. That poor woman has her hands full."

followed quickly by:

"Why won't she shut up?! I am sick of her voice already!" (you know, b/c of the constant correcting of three boys, and I get sick of my own voice, just to be clear)

Yes....yes I do. I have my hands full... of little boys. I have my days filled will rough housing, urine soaked bathroom floors, and farts, and quite often....blood. Glamorous, don't you think?

I was sure that I would have girls, but I think that GOD was just protecting the world when he gave me my kids. You see, my thought is, that if I can produce little BOYS this pretty:

...it would actually be painful to look at my daughter. Just a thought.

Merry Christmas....to me.

There are not many things in this world that I can say that I need. If you would have asked me for my Christmas list just once over the past two years, I can promise you that the one thing that I would beg for....on my hands and knees, is healthy kids.

Whole kids.

Kids who light up at all that is wonderful in this world.

Kids who can feel, and laugh, and smile and grow, and learn and dance and sing and......walk.

One thing that I do, and I will be the first to admit it, is minimize. I minimize my need, my hurt, my pain, my fear and mostly my anger. Not my anger in general (my husband can attest to that) but my anger over what has transpired within my family. Over the mutation that happened in my own child's DNA when he was supposed to be safe inside of me, growing into a perfectly whole little baby boy. The past two years have been filled with uncertainty, with pain, with overwhelming fear. Anger, uncertainty, and fear that Remy is breaking through, every single day.

This year, I got the best Christmas present that I could have ever imagined. I have a little boy who can tell me that he loves me.

Oh, and did I mention that he can walk?

He is A.MAZE.ING.

Start the Healing!

It is official. Crossroads Community Church in an official drop off point for relief supplies to be sent to Haiti. These are the items most desperately needed:

First Aide Kits

Bandages-all sizes

Bandaids

antibiotic creams

pain relievers (tylenol for adults AND for children, Motrin Ib profen etc.)

Antibiotics are severely needed (amoxil, penecillin, etc)

canned goods

can openers

bottled water

*I haven't heard for sure, but I would assume that old crutches and canes could be used as well.

Please do not donate clothing. There is not room and clothing is not a huge need in Haiti. The salvation army keeps them well stocked with clothing. Lets fill these HUGE and immediate needs for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Drop off all items to:

Crossroads Community Church

6960 Sylvania Petersburg Rd.

Ottawa Lake, MI 49267

(Located right off of exit 1 on 23)

www.crossroadson23.com

Crushing.....

Most of you are aware of my plans to leave for Haiti tomorrow. A group of 12 us were to leave tomorrow morning at 11:30, and provide eye care, and other various things to the people of Desalines. As of last night, our trip was cancelled, as the airport is not accepting flights into Port au Prince.

The magnitude of what is happening in Haiti right now is something that I can not fully grasp. I am devastated for the people that we so badly wanted, and still want to help. In a time of unimaginable need, what I have to offer is not enough. Haiti needs help, bigger than what a dozen people from Crossroads Community Church are able to give. Contact your local Red Cross, find an organization accepting supplies, and monetary donations to help a country who is simply UNABLE to help itself.

I am currently waiting to hear about the possibility of a local drop off center, and will post as soon as I get word. For now, I just ask that you pray for the people affected, and for those organizations who have been cleared to make a difference in Haiti.

AGAIN! With the garbage!

So I know what you are thinking. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN?! Why so many posts about her little dude eating out out of trash. While this entry may speak of said trash, it in no way involves the consumption of discarded materials.

Cross my heart.

While the garbage eating has subsided for the time being (please, please, please), he has a new found hobby almost equally as disturbing.

He

throws

EVERTHING

away.

Ugh! I have found entire cupboards worth of dishes in that dirty little can, along with numerous toys, clothing items and even bills (not so bad I must say). One might ask why I don't just put the trash under the sink. I will tell you why. I have Ikea cabinetry, and it won't fit. Ridiculous.

Alright... there I was. Frantically readying myself for the day ahead (because frantically is how we do everything in the morning), when I hear those beautiful little lopsided footsteps coming down the hall.

bump BUMP bump BUMP bump BUMP (perfect little unbalanced baby).

I hear plain as day,"fjal dkhid;i dkjaidk GLASSES. alkjdic kdhia kdvik GARBAGE."

Excuse the gibberish, I really wouldn't know where to begin trying to spell the strange things that come out of his mouth. That being said, two words were clear as day. Glasses and garbage. You can only image what that little monster did.

At lease he told on himself....right?

Upon retrieval, Remy made it very clear as to why he threw his new specs away.

Because. He. Hates. Them. Poor sad baby.