Happy 7th Birthday Isaac!

Yep, this is late. That is how I roll these days! None the less, Happy Birthday big guy!! Isaac, you turned 7 this year and started the 1st grade. Mr. Kilburn is your teacher. When we found out he would be your teacher, I was really excited for you. You had no idea what to expect but I did. Mr. Kilburn is funny and kind. He tells snot jokes and makes booger references, all things a 7 year-old can appreciate. Also, you have a class pet, a guinea pig named Booger, of course! Mr. Kilburn loves science and math. He gets excited about learning and that rubs off on you. I wouldn't say that you are racing out the door to get to school but Mr. Kilburn makes your school day much brighter and school more interesting. Mr. Kilburn talks about how smart you are. You are not always the most vocal but you are always paying attention and absorbing. You are sneaky like that! This Spring and Fall you have continued to play soccer on your Sooners team. Coach Ollie has been your coach for awhile now. You like having the same coach and the same kids on your team each season. Your team isn't the best or the worst but you have fun. You are pretty good. You read the ball well but I don't think you have as much confidence in your ability so you hang back some. One of these days though, I think you will realize your talents. Then, they better all watch out!! You also played basketball for the Sooners. Coach Ollie is your coach again. Your basketball team is not very good. You lose most of your games but you like the challenge so you keep having me sign you up. I like that! When you are not at school, you like playing on your iPad, the Wii U, and the XBox. You love playing Minecraft, Sonic games, racing games, puzzles, fighting games, etc. You like them all just about. The other day, you told me that you want to be a video game programmer when you grow up. I am sure that will change in time but I thought it was reflective of what really interests you right now. You also LOVE to ride the plasma cars in the house right now because it is too cold outside. Boy, those are loud! You and Mac like to race. I think you two drive everyone crazy with the noise but I like the fact that you are playing with Mac and you are moving! You like to play with Mac and Sam a lot these days. You also like to irritate Sam and Mac a lot these days! You figured out early on how to get under someone's skin and boy you do it well. You are ornery sometimes. Other times though, you play SO well with your brothers. I love to hear you sharing your wisdom with Mac. He really looks up to you. What do you love? Well, you love potato chips of ALL kids, Krave cereal, apples, chicken sandwiches, cheese pizza, cookies (not really an ice cream fan), popcorn shrimp, and tacos! When it comes to drinks, you are an all or nothing kid. For years, you drank only milk. Then you stopped that all together and moved onto water. You drank water for a couple of years. Now, you are beginning to add Dr. Pepper into your drink list but most of the time, you choose water. Isaac you are my child that I have a more difficult time figuring out. You don't wear your feelings on your sleeve so I don't always know what you are thinking or feeling. You are quiet and really only talk when you feel necessary. I can appreciate that. You have you own style. The other boys don't really care what they wear but you do. It doesn't necessarily have to be in style. It is just your style. One day you told me, "Mom, you make me look stupid. I make me look cool." I guess you don't lack confidence either!;) You don't like to hug or say I love you. You aren't really into affection. You think that all of that is weird. But at bedtime, you let me snuggle you. It is the only time of day I get to do this so I soak it up! Thank you for that little gift each day. Thank you for teaching me that less is more and that being true to yourself doesn't have to be hurtful to others but can be really freeing. Thank you for challenging me as a parent and as a person. I am a better mom and woman because of you. I love you! Happy Birthday!

Happy 13th Birthday Will!

Yes, I am late with this but if it was on time, it probably wouldn't have been from me;) So I will just say, "Better late than never!" Happy Birthday Will. I cannot believe that you are a teenager! I mean you look like one. You are already 5'5" and growing every day. You are taller than the grandmas, Aunt Heather, and me! You are built like the grandpas, long and lean! This year, you started the 7th grade. Starting 6th grade and middle school was an adjustment for you but fortunately, you seem to have found your stride in 7th. You are doing well in your classes and seem to like school alright. Of course, you would rather spend your time elsewhere but I think you enjoy seeing your friends and the time away from your brothers. Speaking of your brothers, they are kind of always up in your business. They like you A LOT, Mac especially. I know that they drive you crazy most of the time. Thankfully, you have a good heart and are pretty patient with them. You are a good example for them. You are rarely rough or loud which is a blessing. They take their cues from you. Our house runs more smoothly because of you. You are a great big brother. This Fall, you ran Cross Country for your school, the Roach Rams. It is a sport that you have never tried before but you got out there and really gave it your all. Dad and I were so proud of you. You worked hard and saw results. You tried something new and went after it. I hope this is something that you stick with. You are built for this kind of activity. You saw success with little effort. I can only imagine what you could accomplish if you really set your mind to it! When you are not at school, you like to ride your bike over to your friend Braden's house. You guys usually gather a few more boys and roam the neighborhood exploring all of the woods and creeks. When you are at home, you are on your iPad A LOT. I think you like putting your headphones on and drowning out your brothers. You play Minecraft and watch television shows. I guess you escape the Chism family madness:) You also play on the XBox and 3DS XL. When you aren't playing, you are reading or eating. Neither area can I keep up with you. If I bring home a new book, you read through it in 2 days or less. When I bring home snacks, well they go fast, as well! You are a growing boy. So, I guess you gotta fuel that growth. You love to eat beef jerky, sour cream and onion chips, pizza rolls, corn dogs, spaghetti, pizza, nachos, chocolate, ice cream, and cocoa puffs. You love going to Square Burger in McKinney but it is expensive so you usually settle for Taco Bueno:) You love lemonade and chocolate milk. You don't love carrots but they are the only vegetable you will willingly eat so you have learned to love them:) Time doesn't seem to fly but when I stop to look back, it doesn't seem that long ago when it was just you, Dad, and me. You are my first born and God knew exactly what He was doing. You are really a great kid and extend tremendous grace when I mess us. I think sometimes we are hard on you because frankly, you are the one we are always able to count on. So when you are out of line, Dad and I are REALLY lost! Thank you for being a model of patience and calm. Although you rarely get super excited about something, you rarely get super upset about most things. You have a tender heart and are a loyal friend 'til the end. You are becoming a man and it excites me to see what God has planned for you. Of course, it also makes me a little sad because you don't like to hug or snuggle anymore. But, that is they way it is supposed to be. You are preparing for manhood. Right now, I know you are figuring out who you are and really wrestle with the awkwardness of the early teenage years. You don't think too much of yourself and abilities right now. I remind you often of how amazing God is and of the awesome plans He has for you. Even if He doesn't make everything easy for you, know this is a gift. The people I admire and who have done great things in life, worked. Give God, and yourself, some time to do some incredible things in your life cause I know He will! I love you Will Chism. I am proud of you and proud to be your mom! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday 10th Sam!

I am super late in writing this. Unfortunately, I am late in most things these days so I guess I am not surprised. But Sam, you are very special none the less. So, here goes. This year has been a good one for you. You began 4th grade. Mrs. Bendickson is your teacher. You had no idea about her so you were not super excited or super sad about being placed in her class. You were, however, very happy to find your good friend Karl in your class. He is one of your best friends so this was a nice treat! And so far, Mrs. Bendickson has been a sweet treat as well. She likes you and says that your classmates like you too! You are a favorite amongst the kiddos. You are a good friend. Mrs. Bendickson chose you for the trustworthiness award during the month of November. The honor was no surprise to Dad and I. You are a very loyal and honest son and friend. In the Spring, you started playing soccer again. Dad coaches your team and although soccer isn't your favorite way to spend your free time, you are a good sport and try. Your team name is the Fighting Irish, of course. The Irish weren't the best on the field last season but with each game, there was improvement. Whether you won or lost though, you boys were great sports and had fun! You played again in the Fall, and your team continues to learn, improve, but mostly, have a good time! When you are at home, you like playing games on your iPad or the Wii U and XBox. You play air hockey and jump on the trampoline. You really are game for just about anything if it involves the neighbor kids. Just about every day, you go looking for someone to play with on the street. Tyler (Baby Klyer), Spencer, Seth, Luke, & Cole are all regular fixtures at our house. They come knocking and whether you feel like playing or not, you always say yes to their invitations. That is probably the best thing about you Sam. You have a huge HEART! You do not want anyone to feel bad or be upset with you. You are a pleaser. And although this is a wonderful quality, it also causes you a bit of stress. You play often when you don't feel like it for much longer than you feel like it. Your heart is broken when Dad or I get onto you about something. You do not like to disappoint anyone. I often have to remind you how important it is to make sure that you save some space for your own happiness. Don't be selfish but remember self-care. Some things you love to eat and drink these days: string cheese, macaroni and cheese, cheese pizza, Wendy's & Whataburger (not McDonalds), Dr. Pepper, grapes (okay, you don't love them but they are the only fruit you will really eat), quesadillas, and Frostey Freezie Freezes (basically a flavored slush but we gave it a fun name). You love to play Minecraft, fighting games, and Isaac Tag. You hate trying to ride a bike and do not understand why anyone would EVER want to ride a bike.:) You LOVE sleeping in our bed, not so much because we are there but because you think it is really comfortable. One of your goals in life is to inherit our bed!:) You like to go on road trips when it is dark out. You like having friends sleep over but do not really care to stay at other peoples' homes. You told one mom that you had a rough childhood which is why you aren't a big fan of sleepovers. That mom finds you hilarious! That is you Sam. You are funny and witty. You are kind and tenderhearted. You are a great friend and have no enemies. You are small in stature for your age but your personality and charm is big enough to fill a room. Sam, you are honest and good. You want to please Dad and I but more importantly, please God. You are a special kid. Your name means "God listens". Thankfully God not only listens but dreams so much bigger than me. I could not imagine someone as precious as you. I am so glad God did. Happy Birthday Sam! I love you big guy! PS - Dad had "the talk" with you a few months back. True to Sam form, you had some thoughts, questions, and concerns on the matter. Dad secretly took notes because frankly, life is so much better when it's seen through your eyes! Here were just some of your responses: 1. Mind. Blown. 2. What kind of a sick world do we live in? 3. If I have to do that, I don't want to grow up. 4. So that's why I have a penis. I just thought it was a floppy appendage. 5. So since mom had three missed pregnancies, does that mean you made sex 7 times???? 6. How does it fit? 7. What if you pee in there? 8. Can't really eat the rest of my fries now. 9. What's it called again? A virginia? 10. I just thought you kissed, and then special chemicals went to the woman's belly. And if she had good food in there, she got pregnant. 11. I figured babies must come out the other hole where other stuff comes out. 12. So if when I get married I decide to do this, can I call you before to make sure I do it right? 13. Why would God make people do that to have kids? 14. Now I know why Will wouldn't tell me. 15. Well, now we have something else to talk about when we go out.