the little things

gone, gone, gone.

I've been noticing lately when Grayson is reading one of his books, he'll often say, "gone, gone, gone!" Not really sure what he's talking about, but it always makes me think. Gone.

The time will be gone, gone, gone.

The moments will be gone, gone, gone.

The sweet little toddler voices and noises will be gone, gone, gone.

And those toys scattered all about the house? The crumbs and deli turkey smooshed into the carpet? The tiny handprints and smudges I often find on just about every surface of our tiny home? Those will be gone, gone, gone all too soon as well.

It's so totally bittersweet.

I haven't blogged in nearly a month because it's been a busy few weeks and when I have a moment, the last thing I want to do is think much! haha. But, I have so many wonderful moments I want to jot down here, whether anyone reads them or not. :)

I am having such a blast watching these boys grow and learn every, single day! It's incredible. It's downright exhausting at times too, but I just think how absolutely blessed I am to have them and the opportunity to RAISE them.

It's nice to see what I seem to repeat eight thousand times a day since each of the boys were born really about saying please and thank you. Share. Don't hit. Say I love you...is starting to be understood and happening! It's so, so cool!

This guy is amazing. This age is amazing. I don't think I ever really realized just how much happens at age two or so. Grayson can say all the ABC's, he recongizes and can pronounce every letter of the alphabet and even some words!  He can count to 15. He knows most of his shapes and all of his colors. He is so smart, just like his daddy. God is blessing us so much with his learning! We've been teaching him short stories that he can semi-understand about the Bible and it's incredible watching his little brain work! His favorite right now is Eve ("Oh, Eve ate the apple! Ooops!" he'll say) and Noah ("NO-UH had all da ammamals in da boat!"). I am so blessed to have this opportunity to teach him about our Lord and His work!

And this kid. Oh my, this one. What a ham!  Liam is totally okay with watching everything big brother does and thinking he can do it all too! Most of the time, he can! He picks up quickly, but only when he wants to. There's no rushing this guy. He is stubborn and funny and very, very ornery! He started clapping for the first time the other day and it's awesome! He loves putting his hand to his mouth and making noise, too. He is always noisy. ;)  He also started holding a pen or crayon and making marks on paper, even though he still finds trying to eat the writing utensil much more fun! haha.

They keep us busy, but they sure keep my heart full. They make me want to be better and do better.

I must treasure all of these moments because they are sure to be gone, gone, gone!

pay attention.

Tonight, during the boys' bath I took a moment to really watch each of them in that moment. I smiled as I watched Liam (the first one in the tub as big brother was on the potty, of course) grab his little plastic dump truck with his sweet, dimpled hand. So happy as he rushed it up the slope of the back of the tub.

A few seconds later Grayson hopped in. He immediately went for a motorcycle that had found its way into the tub last night. His eyes sparkled.

I paid attention to their every move.

Not on my phone. Not getting towels out. Not cleaning up the bathroom. Not bathing them just yet.

I just watched them.

I could almost see Grayson's thoughts as he slowly ran that motorcyle up the side of the tub and onto the edge, then back down into the water again. He was so content.

These tiny little moments matter. They will be gone so quickly. And I admit, I don't pay nearly enough attention to them as I should. 

I smiled as I watched them together. In the bubbles. Splashing, swirling the water in between their fingers. I watched Liam as he took my loofah off the hook and began to hold it under the water, then lift it up to watch the water fall. Again, so happy.

Then, I watched him push the shower button nearly all the way up, causing Grayson to dash up out of the water and his eyes got so big! He hates when the shower comes on. I could amost feel his little heart beating so fast!

Liam scrunched his nose up and giggled. He knows what buttons to push (literally!) to irk his big brother.

I sat beside the tub and watched them, I said a silent "thank you" to God. These little people are mine. He gave them to me. To raise them up in His word. Wow. I am blessed.

At that moment I decided to pay attention more. Watch my boys. See them enjoy. Experience. Learn. Try. Be. The Lord has blessed me so much. It's in these simple moments when I notice it the most in a way. It's amazing and I am so thankful to get to sit next to them while they're in tub and just watch them. Enjoy them just being little.