My Dear Korben

I know there will come a day when your strong-will will be a good thing.  And deep down I know it is a good quality now but my endurance to press forth with you is draining quickly.  I thank God everyday that he gives us what we need…because my strength is not sufficient alone.  I hope that you stand as strong on the morals and values I am instilling in you as you do when you are determined to get something you absolutely “need”.  Korben you are going to make a great salesman because your ability to negotiate, at age 3, is beyond belief. 

I am struggling with helping to shape this strong-will that God has blessed you with.  I am struggling with being the mother you need.  Any disciplinary actions I take don’t seem to phase you .  I want you to understand that there are consequences for your actions and choices, good and bad.

I want you to rest peacefully under my wings.  I want you to respect me as your mother. I want you to control your anger.  And I want these things because I love you too much not too care.

I was praying these things for you and I heard God speak to me loud and clear… As much as you long for these things in your son I long for these things in you. And I love you just as much and more as you love your son.  And I began to pray differently.  I prayed that as you grow you would see me praying for guidance, wisdom, and control, a control that comes from knowing God. I prayed that God would fully equip me with all I need to be the mother you need so that I can raise a Godly man.  I pray that you have a desire in your heart to know God.  That He would be your source of strength where ever you go.

I love you my dear son.

A Masterpiece

Back in April, we did a 2 mile walk in Central Park, along with thousands of others, as a benefit for Parkinson’s disease.  We had the opportunity to create a team sign.  Korben and Kenzie created our team sign.

Here is a picture of a very proud Korben holding his sign high for all to see.

It's Alive

Korben was balancing several Matchbox cars on a flat piece of train track while walking down the stairs (sound like a circus act for a 3 yr. old.). He was walking slow and steady.  I was rather proud that he was taking his time because this is not a pace that comes natural for him.  He is a fast and furious kind of kid.  I’m getting off topic here, back to the circus act.  Ironically (haha), two cars rolled off the track… cars…have wheels…wheels are round.  Simple.

Korben was extremely upset that these cars had “decided” to motivate themselves and leap off the track to take a joyride down the remainder of the stairs.  He yelled at his cars in his furious voice, “Stop being alive”.

I just love the funny things kids say.

Almost Diaper Free

Kenzie has decided to potty train herself.  I’m game.  We have done nothing to encourage this behavior.  I don’t even remind her.  She tells me when she has to go and she goes…pee and poop.  This is amazing.

Cape May Zoo One Year Later

 

2006	2007

Conversation Complete

I strategically place phone calls. When I feel like I think the kids are occupied enough into something I make a run for it and place a call. They were playing happily together outside turning dirt into mud with the garden hose. Great, I made a call. Within 2 minutes they were not playing happily together. They were both still happy but Kenzie was now inside surveying the kitchen cabinets trying to make a decision on which kitchen appliance, utensil, or dish she wanted to experiment with first. As I strategically place phone calls, she strategically gets into mischief knowing I am occupied on the phone… smart girl. The large canister full of baking flour was her choice for today. I spotted her before she opened the canister. I quickly picked up the canister and placed it outside on the patio.

In my efforts to complete the conversation with my friend this is what Korben looked like shortly after the flour arrived on the patio. Oh, and I did finish my conversation.

What would you choose?

A tub of chocolate chip cookie dough had just been delivered to our house.  We had bought it from our neighbor to support her track team.  I love moments when the door bell rings and there you find an unexpected package, letter, or a person holding a tub of cookie dough.  I had totally forgotten that we had ordered these so it was a nice edible surprise.   We had just finished dinner when this delectable treat had arrived.  Perfect timing, I will make some cookies right away (although I would have made some right away no matter what time they had arrived).  It is not custom in our home for our kids to eat after dinner.  They go to bed early and it has just happened this way.

Anyway, I offered the kids a cookie and each accepted and then rejected.  Korben took one bite and was finished.  He was ready to take a bath.  Kenzie’s cookie never made it to her mouth. She pushed it away and instead began to eat string beans from the bowl that was still on the table from dinner.

I was utterly amazed.  Who would ever choose overcooked soggy string beans over warm chocolate chip cookies?  I like to think that this is something wonderful that I have done, like I have some kind of magic trick that I use to make my kids eat lots vegetables and push away the junk food.  This is not the case.  But whatever it is in them that makes them choose veggies over cookies does not come from me.