I have other children you know...

***WARNING: THIS IS A TWIN FREE POST! ***

and this post is about the oldest of them...

Let's begin with this little photograph.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that's a good thing, b/c not one little word was uttered out of Gabriel's mouth during his entire Spring Sing at preschool last Thursday.

He's the one there in the red shirt looking "so enthused" to be there.
He's the one that decided he'd rather stand there and listen and look than sing all the songs that they practiced for months on end.
He's the one that I was so thankful that he did just stand there.... quiet and still.... not uttering one of his famous phrases like: "don't look at me!" or "I don't like this", etc.
He's the one that picked his nose b/c well, he had to get that boogie out.
He's the one that appeared as if we had just plucked him right out of bed and placed him in that spot.
He's the one we love and we're so thankful for and we enjoyed watching even though no songs flowed from his little mouth... (we know he knew the words, he sang us the songs before the event and sings them often while he's coloring.)

See... he was quite happy to be with his daddy after the "show". He got to eat his favorite foods- cheese curls and chocolate cake! Breakfast of Champions!

While we're on the subject of our oldest child let me just say that he baffles me about 98% of the time.
98% of the time, I'm completely unsure of how we've made it this far parenting him.
98% of the time, Vinny and I have no idea what to do, say, etc.
98% of the time, I'm frustrated by his actions or lack there of...
98% of the time, I'm certain that I've screwed this one up royally.

And then there's the 2% of the time when he's sweet as pumpkin pie, predictable, helpful, etc.

Like here...

Gabriel loves to color. He colored this picture of Drew and Gracie exactly the way they are pictured on the BOZ Dvd. He likes to be exact in his coloring-- always making sure that he has chosen the correct crayon to depict the clothing of a character he's coloring.

And heaven forbid that you ask him to stop in the middle of a masterpiece. Unthinkable!

Gabriel likes things the way he likes them. Who doesn't?
To say he's a perfectionist is an understatement.
To say he's strong willed is to hit the nail directly on the head!
He likes to be in control of the situation and is often the one controlling the whole situation.

As a parent, right now, many of his qualities are frustrating and exhausting. There often isn't one activity that we do during the day that there isn't an argument over. Or should I say that he isn't questioning us about.
He asks us a question and then after my correct answer, he'll respond with an "I don't think so".
sigh.
Questioning things is good. ALWAYS questioning your mama is not always good for you or your mama. you know.

Luckily, I have enough foresight to know that this too shall pass. That many of these qualities that drive us batty, will one day be incredible strengths. In many ways, they already are strengths- it just takes a bit of effort to funnel them toward the positive. I know that there's a reason he's my first born and that God has an incredible plan for this child (and for teaching me about Him)

Here's a happy moment where the two oldest are NOT kicking, jumping on eachother, or driving one another crazy! And they're both smiling.

I did bribe them with chocolates to take these few pictures...

Where am I going with this post?
Let's see... I just want to document the fact that-
Vinny and I don't have it altogether the majority of the time....
...That I am not perfect.
...That I am often frustrated and crying out to heaven for help.
...That the twins are the easiest ones to parent most of the time.
...That it is a challenge being a mother of four little people but that I'm glad to have the opportunity- no, the privelege, to do so.
...that I love my kids enough to leave them and get out of the house from time to time.
...that the days are really long and most days I can't wait till 'resting time' or bedtime, but I'm excited to start a new day the next morning.


All in all, we have eachother and most days when I'm up and Vinny's down, we balance one another out. Sometimes he's the more patient parent but usually it's me that has more patience in the stressful moments. I find myself praying more for single parents b/c I just don't know how they make it on their own. I would literally go insane if it wasn't for my husband- he's such an amazing helpmate to me.
So there... I leave you with these thoughts so that you'll know that most days I'm dealing with a lot and now you'll know how to pray for me better!

Luckily these two are so darn cute... they escape a lot of trouble with their cute little smiles!


tomorrow, I'll have the recipe for this Peanut Butter and Chocolate pie



and the frosting recipe for these and how I made the moistest and bestest boxed chocolate cupcakes evah...


Man am I sad these cupcakes are all gone.

And just because... see what I was dealing with one year ago today HERE.
HA!