Shelter from the storm

The clouds just didn't look right last night so we hung out in the closet a bit with the boys (while taking turns running outside of course). There were tornadoes spotted but thankfully we were missed (again). Afterwards, the sun came out and the sky looked beautiful!

Little L

Throughout the day I'm constantly coming up with blog posts and then dinner time rolls around, followed by family time, bed time and finally some relaxation with Nater. And frankly I'm too tired to actually come up with anything blog worthy by then. So I'm going to slowly peck away at a post for little Landon, aka - Baby Diddo (deedoh). He got that name from his big brother Biruk who has been calling him that since he could talk. I would always thought he was saying Diesel but Biruk would always correct me, saying "Diesel in Thomas (the trains), he baby Diddo". Finally I figured it out and now Nathan and I call him Diddo, as much as we do Landon. Anyway, little Landon is something else. He is spoiled rotten and gets away with waaaay more crap then either of his brothers did at his age. And we know we are complete suckers and that he has us wrapped around his fingers. You'd think he puts us under a spell when we look at those sweet, blue eyes of his. And don't get me started on his yummy cheeks!

Baby Diddo's latest antic involves carrying around his doggies (3 of them) and his baby daughter. It's a little beanie baby that he carries around the house and if he doesn't have her he'll say "where's baby daughter" in the sweetest little voice. There are numerous other dolls he likes but those are his favorites.

Landon's vocab has really taken off this past month. He repeats everything and his latest is "what that". But it's the way he says it, in this fast, high pitch tone. It cracks us up every time. Tonight, while getting ready to go on a bike ride, he followed me around the bathroom asking "what that? what that? what that?". And I answered him every single time. Even when we are reading books, he interrupts me, pointing to objects on the page "what that?".

He is very affectionate and loves snuggling up with his brothers or Nathan and I. He gives hugs to his brothers before bed and if he hears them cry he runs over, rubs their back and always hunts down "buddy" for Biruk.

However, he has an attitude that can make you want to pull your hair out. The little booger used to eat everything under the sun and has now made mealtime a nightmare. His brothers went through this phase but it ended much quicker. Landon is standing his ground, night after night. It's exhausting sometimes.

I find myself constantly amazed watching him with his big brothers (or them with him) and I can't help but think about what a blessing it was that he joined our family. Somehow we've managed to get 3 completely opposite personalities and it only makes each individual all the better.

Landon will be 2 next month and I'm so happy with where things are right now. It's definitely the most content I've felt since becoming a mother and it's such a great feeling. I feel at peace as a mother and I'm really enjoying the time spent with these 3 little sweethearts. This time is so precious and I am thankful to be able to spend my days with them. I think if I could freeze time I would be very tempted to do just that.

Landon, thanks for making all of our lives richer and more full of love and laughter. You are something special and I'm so thankful for the moment you joined our lives! Your baby days are numbered and I'll be so sad when your sweet arm rolls, chubby little legs and buddha belly are no longer there. Please take your time growing up because your big brothers have done so too quickly. Love ya kiddo!

Tornado Time

I love nasty weather. I know I shouldn't because of the damage that sometimes comes with it, but I can't help but love a nasty thunderstorm. Today I started hearing about the "tornado" weather that was headed our way so I was secretly excited for some storm watching. Around 4:00 the clouds started rolling in and within 15 minutes our yard was filled with hail, the tornado siren went off, I scrambled to the closet with the kids and the next thing I knew the sky was clear. Unfortunately the storm system continued wrecking havoc on other parts of the city with several tornados touching down. I must clarify, I like thunderstorms ONLY, I would not wish a tornado on my worst enemy. It was so sad watching the news and seeing all the homes torn apart. It's just one more reminder of the struggles people have to deal with in this world. I know for some it's a hassle and a call to their insurance company. But for others (the mobile home park that was destroyed) they are left with nothing.

And tomorrow I'm going to purchase a welder for Nathan so he can rig up a safe room in our closet under the stairs since basements barely exist in OK. I joke, but it is very tempting :) Here are some pictures I captured this evening.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

This year I looked at Mother's Day a little differently. Friday I spent a little more time thinking about what it meant to me and of course, my mind continued to go back to our 3 little boys. I am so grateful for them and like most mothers, I tend to criticize myself and constantly try to improve. So Friday night I decided we needed to spend the next day with all our attention on our boys. So we spent the day at a state park near our house hiking with the boys, enjoying a picnic, playing at the playground and spending the afternoon watching the boys play in the sand at the beach. It was perfect!! I forget my camera which is very unusual for me but it allowed me to focus so much more on the day, and not taking photos. We brought their buckets and shovels and they played so peacefully in the sand. It's moments like this that remind you of what's important in life. I am aware that we are fortunate enough to have these luxuries (weekends spent with each other and not one of us working) and we try taking advantage of it. So with that being said, I think each year, we'll spend the day before Mother's Day with our children and away from all distractions.

Happy Mother's day to all of you wonderful mothers in my life. I've learned so much from all of you!! And of course, to my own mother, who has done SOOOO much for me. Thank you Karen!! You are a superstar and I am still amazed that you managed to come out alive after raising 11 children. Love YOU!

For your birthday....

I wish we could be in Colorado celebrating with you but know we are there in spirit! Miss you lots, hope the pictures bring a smile to your face. Happy Birthday Keely!!!!

And he still likes to sleep like this....

Just one of his many expressions...