Dear Sons...

A letter to you boys is sorely overdue. There have been so many milestones in the last six months as I have marvel at the privilege of watching you grow up.

Elliot - You are becoming ever more capable. You still delight to demonstrate your understanding and abilities by listening and helping me, whether it is by unloading the dishes, throwing in laundry, or picking-up your toys. At the same time, you are now officially over the 18-month marker, which means you are just beginning to question whether you actually need to listen to me and whether I know what I am doing or if there are other ways.

For example, the other day I was making our usual oatmeal porridge and had divvied the oats into our separate bowls on the counter awaiting the varied toppings for each (honey and cream for Daddy, raisins and cream for Søren, cinnamon, butter, and raisins for us!). Your feisty impatience, combined with your growing height and new found questioning of my rules got you into trouble. Catching my back turned to soak the oatmeal pot, you decided to take your own oatmeal bowl to the table before it was ready. However, as you sank your fingers into the piping hot goo you froze, not knowing from where the intense pain was coming. I turned around, responding with a slow and pained, "nooooooo" hoping to save the inevitable from occurring as you finally pulled back bringing the Corningware custard cup full of breakfast down to meet the tile floor and break.

Attacking the sharp mess quickly, I set it aside and pulled you close to hold and comfort you (not knowing then the severity of your burn and the large blisters that would follow). Your eyes spilled out the largest drops I have seen to date. I was squatting and rocking you side to side while explaining, "Mommy makes rules for a reason. My rules keep you safe."

It was at this point your big brother Søren walked over with outstretched arms and surrounded you with a hug from behind. He cuddled you too and said, "I am sorry I was not there to protect you IE," with genuine sorrow.

I tried not to melt too much into both of you when I heard this.

Søren - When did you, my little man, take such a responsibility upon yourself?! Your Dad and I have not given this task to you. However, as the eldest child myself I can relate. Perhaps it is because more often than not, you have only adults to gaze upon to imagine your next steps, whereas your dear little brother has you, first and foremost, to study.

It is my constant joy to see the love and care you boys have for one another. It is the steadfast affirmation for me that siblings are a great gift. You two love each other in a way that your Daddy and I cannot. Hopefully, Lord willing, you will still have one another to love even when your Dad and I are gone. Perhaps this wonder of sibling love is one of the reasons you are both so excited to know that I am building another baby for our family to meet this summer.

Elliot - You are SO excited to move into the role of a big brother, and Søren - somehow you keep asking if I we can have three more babies so that we can say, "God gave us five!" which is your new favorite number.

Another lovely "milestone" is that we adjusted our milepost back to Eugene, which means no end to the delight of being surrounded by a large community of friends.

Søren - You have two major highlights each week: Our Tuesday excursion to the farm to pick-up milk and eggs, and our Sunday mornings at church when you get to play with all of your new friends.

The "big kids" invited you into their make-believe this week. Franny and co. had decided on names, ages, and roles when you ran over to their circle. Franny looked at you and said, "Do you want to be a five year old?" To which you shook your head and held up three fingers. [I am happy you are happy with the age you are]. Then she asked, "What do you want your name to be?" To which you quickly and excitedly replied "Laura!" The group gave you a strange look, primarily, I think, because they could not understand you well, but it did not stop the play from commencing.

This calm play was only after fifteen minutes of rumpus with two dark, curly-haired, brothers who taught you how to chase and tackle an only half-obliging little girlfriend. You learned too well, and had to be called off by several different sets of parents. You were a sweaty, happy, hungry boy on the way home.

Recently you have also decided that you no longer need the stroller (which, of course, Elliot - now you have decided this too). You can walk all the way to the park and back on your own two legs. This is good preparation for when the double stroller will hold two younger children than you, so I am happy for the practice. I am also happy that on the homeward journey you reply with statements like, "I am really tired Mommy" and fall into a completely uncontested nap when we arrive home.

As life has gotten SO much easier with you two delightful boys, Daddy and I look with wide-eyed wonder at each other knowing we have invited another year of sleep-deprived, diapering, infancy back into our routine. However, when we look again at the two of your sparkling eyes, hilarious humor, devotion to one another, and unique personalities, we cannot wait to see who this new person will be and how they will complete our family (as both of you have) in ways that will make us ponder how we ever managed without them (as Daddy and I often do over you both).

Thank you boys for having patience with me as I am learning how to be a good mother. I am ever impressed with who God has made you, and hope that I only give you limits that keep you safe, but that never discourage you from pursuing your true self before God and discovering the life he has planned for your future.

XOXOXOxoxoxo,
Your passionately loving mother