the anatomy of misperception...

Here's my baby boy having fun. He found a pair of his big brothers undies and thought it would be hilarious to put them on.
Himself.
And then gallivant around the house in them.

And now here's a secret.

I never wanted boys.
Let me rephrase... I thought I never wanted boys.

Well- I have shared this secret with a few Mom's throughout the years... a few expectant mothers(who have 1 daughter already and were hoping for a "sister").
The conversation usually starts nonchalantly - first, as the mom "to be" shares snippets of a dream or two she had of imagined "sisters" (playing dolls, sharing matching outfits and braids, etc.).... but then quickly moves along as she rubs her belly trying to convince others (and herself) how truly "excited" that she is (now) to be expecting a baby boy, indeed.

Somehow that smile doesn't quite reach their eyes. And I never believe her- because I was her (before I had boys)... hoping the XY would stay far, far away.

But this isn't meant to be a sad story! And for goodness sake, I don't mean to sound so ridiculous, as if hearing one is having a "boy" is the worst news ever. How horrible to even suggest. I'm just sayin... If you ever wanted a baby girl... and only a baby girl- then you get what I'm talking about. If not- then never mind. Just look at the cute pictures and forget what I've said up above.

But back to the pregnant Mom... I always whisper to her the same thing... "Don't tell anyone... but I never thought I wanted boys, either... until I had one! Trust me- there is NOTHING like having a son. Little boys are the best. It's gonna be great!"

I suppose- like with many things- any kind of apprehension about raising sons that I may have had can be explained by the fear of the unknown. I grew up with a sister. One sister. No boys.

Before I had sons, I imagined that having a son would be akin to having a messy, noisy, monkey who climbed bookshelves and walls and shouted all day long.

But it wasn't like that at all. My first son, Alex, has the most beautiful, sensitive calm nature. No drama. No craziness. Not a lot of noise. Complacent. Easy. A true delight in every sense.

And for those of you moms who actually do have one of those "crazy" XY's please don't write me off. Know that I did not escape... my crazy monkey came in the form of an XX  named Ariana who actually WAS what I'd always imagined as a mischevious, noisy, crazy "boy" ...  times 10.

So there.

And by the way- the meaning of her beautiful name happens to be "Very holy one." - not just 'holy one" but "VERY" holy one. Um. Okay. And for those of you who actually know her in person- you can stop laughing now. Moving along...

The point is- my perception of what little boys were like was soooo off. Not having grown up with "boys" or brothers around and wondering how strange it would be to parent a son was a fear that ended the moment they said "It's a boy!" and placed my first son in my arms.

What I've come to discover is that boys are amazing.

Funny.

Creative.

Endearing.

Charming.

Silly.

And yes, at times- a bit silly, crazy and mischievous, finding joy in the strangest things...

Need I say more?

Oh, my boys.

I love them so much.

They bring me endless joy.

Misconceptions are funny like that.

You never know what you're gonna get, until it actually happens- and you live it... and you realize that some things in life will never quite turn out exactly as you imagined they'd be.

Often times they're SO much better.

Birthdays, Lemonade and Handsome Fathers...

There's not a whole lot that I didn't like about last weekend.
Family.
Cake.
Sunshine.
Ice Cream.
Celebrations.
Pie.

Did I mention... there were a lot of dessert's?

And what's not to like about that? Well, except, of course- it reminds me that I really should hit the gym a few extra times this week (or once... yeah- that'd be good). Which also reminds me that last time I did go, I had to enter in a new (ahem...) larger number when the Precor asked for my age/weight. I'm talking about the AGE, people- not the weight, thank you very much! Though, I find it all circles back around again to the desserts- and I just may, indeed, find myself entering in a bigger number for both next time I go.

But even so, it was worth it- every last bite of Culver's ice cream cake. Ummm.

My favorite celebration this weekend was celebrating the men I love...
My "first love" (my Daddy)...

And the LOVE of my life (my kids Daddy)...

I'm pretty sure there are a whole lot of good dads out there, but I'm also pretty sure that my kids have been blessed with the creme de la creme. Watching this man with his kids is like watching your favorite chic flick movie over and over again.

It's safe. It's cozy. It always makes you smile. It never gets old.

And It always makes you feel good.

Oh, how I LOVE this man!

He's devoted to these children with every fiber of his being.

He delights in them.

He prefers being with them and spending time - just being their Daddy- over everything else this world has to offer.

I was lucky enough to have that kind of Daddy when I was growing up...

And now I'm married to the same kind of extraordinary man.

And in return, they are all just as crazy about him. You've never heard bigger exclamations of, "Daddy!!!!!" and seen bigger tackles than when Dad walks in the door from a business trip.

As a show of adoration, Ariana wrapped up her prized tootsie roll for her Dad and presented it to him on Father's Day. She proudly presented her gift. Watched, eyes wide and smile beaming as  he opened her gift.

And then, right after I took this picture - had I kept clicking away- the next shot would have been of her reaching her palm flat open and asking her Daddy, "Ok, can I have it back now?"

Yes, this weekend was bathed in celebrations... one right after the other. Birthday parties (more than just mine, Father's Day, Lemonade stands...

OK- so the lemonade stand was more like a celebration of being young and adorable enough to stand with your glass tip jar on the side of the road anxiously waiting for people to not only drive by, but to stop and get out and make your entire day.

So, here's to looking adorable...

And here's to being brave enough to wait on the side of the road with your glass tip jar for cars to drive by...

...and stop...

...so you can serve them lemonade.

I love summer weekends.

When it's sunny.

And there is dessert.

And a little lemonade to wash it down ;)

What plans do you have for this summer weekend?

Love

It don't have a job

Don't pay your bills

Won't buy you a house

in Beverly Hills

Won't fix your life

in five easy steps

Ain't the law of the land

or the government

But it's all you need...

 

Love, will, hold us together

Make us a shelter

to weather the storm

and I'll be my brothers keeper

so the whole world will know we're not alone.

It's waitin' for you

Knockin' at your door

That moment of truth when your heart hits the floor

And you're on your knees

Love will hold us together

Make us a shelter to weather the storm

 

And I'll, be, my brothers keeper

so the whole world will know we're not alone

This is the first, day, of the rest of your life

This is the first, day, of the rest of your life

'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light

It's gonna be all right

It's gonna be all right

Cause love, will, hold us together

Make us a shelter to weather the storm

And I'll be my brother's keeper

So the whole world will know that we're not alone.

-Lyrics "Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher

I love...

you...



you...



you...



you...

you...

and especially you (the tall guy in the middle) for making it all possible...

Happy Valentine's Day, My Loves!