The sweetest things

I have spent a lot of time these past few weeks just enjoying my children. We are lucky enough to be spending the summer in NJ/NY. Because of this my one and only responsibility is playing with my children every day. It has been the biggest blessing in my life. I completely expected to move here for the summer and have a busy, action packed summer with every day full of activities and sight seeing. I never dreamed it would be here that I would learn to slow down in life, to simplify, and to enjoy the little things. I have been able to learn patience, although it will probably always be one of my biggest weaknesses. I have been making a effort each and every day to see my children the way their Father in Heaven sees them. They each have their own personalities that are so different. Instead of comparing how different they are I have been enjoying what makes each of them unique. I always want to remember each and every thing that they do. It breaks my heart to think that I will never be able to see G be 1 again and all the funny things she did but I am loving all the fun and wonderful things she is doing at 2 years old. I look at I and wonder where all the time went and how I went from having a baby boy to having this little man.
Some things I want to remember about each of them right now
I~ He LOVES Monster Trucks and still loves to tell everyone that he had a monster truck birthday party.
His sweetness and patience amaze and humble me.
He listens and hears everything. He is so observant to the world around him and wants to know how and why everything works the way it does.
He has a memory that just wont quit. He can remember peoples names, the color of shirt they were wearing and things they said days later.
I love that 99% of the time if I ask him to do something he does it no questions asked. Even if he is having the best time somewhere if I ask him to get his shoes on because we need to go he will. If two weeks ago I told him no running in the hall he will remember and ask his sister to not run because mom doesn't like us to. His obedience is such a wonderful quality and saves me from having to chase two children down and drag them home.
He loves to make people laugh.
He has a smile that can brighten my day no matter what.
He is my example of being Christlike. His love and acceptance for everyone and his patience are just amazing. He always tells me to not talk angry if he even senses the slightest impatience in my voice. It his through his example and encouragement that have made me want to be the best person I can be.
I still love the reactions we get when he tells people how old he is. Its been that way from the time he was 6 months old. Everyone always thinks he's older than he is because of how tall he is.
I love the way he plays with the tassels on his blanket while he is sleeping.

G~ Oh, where to start with my busy little bee.
She is so independent it's crazy. She wants to do things herself and on her time schedule. There is no other option.
She is so self sufficient. She depends on nobody. If she wants or needs someone she will not ask she will get it herself. The things she can do at two is just mind blowing. I have often found here putting the straw into a juice pouch or sitting with a box of crackers.
She can climb anything. I knew the day I found her hanging from the fire place mantle (when she was only 1) we were in trouble. There is no place high enough if it is something she wants she will find a way and she will get it. She loves hanging from anything. The table, the counter, a handrail, the shopping cart. I think she really thinks she is a monkey. She loves to climb and be up high.
I don't think she has any fears. If she does she hasn't let us know about them.
She LOVES kitties and puppies and animals in general. I have never see a child get so excited about any and every dog she sees.
Even as independent as she is she still loves to cuddle. I am so glad I have a cuddly baby. She has loved to be held from day one. She loves sleeping next to us. We have gone through many times of having to break her out of the habit and get her to sleep in her own bed. It's hard when I enjoy cuddling with her as much as she does.
I love that when she gets hurt even if it doesn't hurt that bad she will do her cute little fake cry and come to me for loves and kisses.
I love that if she is doing her fake cry because I have told her no about something that she peeks at me through her fingers to see if I'm watching.
I love that she says hi to everyone she sees. She is quite the little social butterfly and wins peoples hearts in an instant. With her cute little hi and wave and those wild curls everywhere and her dark brown eyes she captivates the room instantly.
She loves to put on a show and she loves it when people laugh or encourage whatever she is doing.
I love that even though she can talk she still uses her sign language.
I love that when she hears a baby cry she looks at me and says baby, cry, baby sad? then she says baby and does the sign for milk.
I love the little hand signal she does when she wants to go swimming and the way she says swim is just the cutest thing ever.
She can stay up all night if there is something going on but no matter what time she goes to bed she is up bright and early in the morning. We will never know where she got that trait from. Neither J or I are morning people.
I think it's so funny that she wiggles her feet while she is falling asleep. It's only funny because I do the exact same thing but I don't ever realize it unless I'm holding her while she is doing it and then I notice I'm doing it too. She has done it from the time she was brand new. I don't have any idea how long I have done it. Jeff brought it to my attention after we first got married so at least 9 years.
I love that she calls herself baby. If you ask who everyone is she tells you their names and then if you point to her and say who's this she will say baby. If there is something she wants she says baby's and takes it. She is my baby and I just want to enjoy her that way so I love it.
She has taught me so many wonderful things. I am constantly wondering where she gets her energy from. She is the busiest little thing. But I know it's because she doesn't want to miss a single thing in life. She is so excited to see and experience each and every little thing and I have completely enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. She loves life and has shared that love with all around her.
My biggest challenge of being the mother of these complete opposites is how to raise and guide them without breaking who they are and who they can become. With I he needs a gentle push and encouragement in life and he will be a great silent leader and a very devoted and loving person. I don't want to ruin that. I want him to have that love and compassion and trust in the things around him. With G I have to learn how to be her mom and set rules without breaking her spirit and holding her back from her greatness. Her drive and stubbornness will do great things for her some day and she holds many of the qualities that are needed to be a self reliant, driven person.
I just need to be the best mom because they deserve that. They are the best kids.