10 reasons I LOVE being a mom to boys

1) In a pinch, going to the bathroom is a cinch: step 1 - find a fairly secluded or at least waterproof/absorbable area. Step 2 - drop drawers, commence urination. Step 3 - pull up drawers. Liberally apply antibacterial gel. The end.

2) Fart jokes, bodily functions, and substituting the word "tootie" into any well-known tune is acceptable. Oh...wait...that's why JAMES loves being a parent to boys.

3) They have a (I can't even think of an adequate enough adjective!) wonderful, amazing, stupendous role model in their dad! I'm so blessed that they have him to look up to and learn from.

4) I have the opportunity to help turn a few good men out into the world: godly, respectful, hard-working, compassionate, and hopefully with the ability to cook and do their own laundry (you're welcome, future daughters-in-law!).

5) Someday, while my men go out into the world together to bring forth bounteous fish, or to test their strength and reflexes at the admirable sport of golf, I, the lone female in my home, will bask in luxurious hours spent reading without interruption or making my toes pretty.

6) There is no need for arduous exercise regimens. Keeping up with the energy of three boys everyday has me in possibly the best shape of my life.

7) The proud Louwerse name will live on....

8) I won't be breaking the bank on clothing and accessories since the boys' section in any store is about a third of the size of the girls'. And while there are extremely cute things out there for boys, let's face it - they can't compare to tiny capris or shiny patent-leather Mary Janes.

9) I don't have to worry about passing down my non-existent skills in makeup application and hair styling (where WAS I when every other female was learning this?!).

10) Should my attempts at teaching good manners fail, they will probably still be able to squeak by in society on that old adage, "boys will be boys".

My heart is full...

I am crazy blessed to love and be so loved. See below. (In no particular order and, sadly, not comprehensive since I couldn't find pictures of all of you who have enriched my life.)

Louwerse Family Fun - Days 5-7

Our week of Michigan fun ended nicely with an entire weekend of Louwerse family activities. James arrived in town on Thursday evening (I don't know that either of us is up for being separated for that amount of time again!), and on Friday we stopped by my grandparents' on our way to Keith and Jeni's where we had decided to crash for the weekend. It was very special to see the boys with their great-grandparents.

Once at KJ's, the kids had a blast playing together, and Keith and James fit in some brotherly time golfing, which Jen and I capitalized on by then informing them some girl time would be in order that evening. So we chatted over a drink and took in a chick flick (The Ugly Truth: cute, funny, raunchy, romantic - something for everyone (so long as you are "everyone" over the age of 18, at least). It was rather odd, yet enjoyable, to be out past 9:00. Speaks to my life these days, doesn't it?

Are these kids CUTE or what?!

Saturday dawned stormy and dark which was bad for the Louwerse Open that the Louwerse men held at a local golf course. Somehow they managed to fit in 9 holes, however, after which we all descended upon the Holland Aquatic Center and enjoyed some swim time as a family.

Some showers/baths/naps later, we met up at another brother and sister-in-law's where the guys took over kid duty, and the ladies stepped out for a night on the town in Saugatuck. SOOO much fun and many, many laughs.

Love these ladies!

On Sunday we once again reunited the whole fam and enjoyed lunch and some birthday celebrating together, then commenced on our merry (mostly) way home sweet home. It was a blessed time all together and while it's nice to be home once again, I'm a little sad at not seeing everyone for another couple of weeks.

Ponderings of a Parent: Day 4 in MI

Day four of vacation draws to a close, and I find myself worn out and thinking deeply, once again, about the state of my relationship with my kids. The effectiveness of my parenting influence, if you will. It was the kind of day at the end of which I had to high-tail it out of the house at the first possible second to cling to any shred of my sanity. As I strolled through Hope College's beautiful campus, sipping my iced mocha and pumping some tunes through the Ipod (and narrowly avoiding decapitation by way of frisbee golfers) I considered, also once again, what it is I have left in my bag of tricks when it comes to guiding and disciplining my children. Not only Jeran and his strong will, but it seems Ben too is going to have to come under a more stern hand. I hate to admit that my sweet little boy seems to be entering into the terrible twos. I just don't know what I can do anymore to steer my kids in the right direction and see some results to that end. What's the most frustrating about this is I tell myself I don't know what else to do and yet the answer is so very simple. Not easy, mind you, but simple: time spent daily in communication with my Lord, total reliance on HIS wisdom and not my own. What is it I am striving for in my parenting and, even more broadly, this life I am living? To bring glory to God and have my character (and that of my kids) reflect my Savior. And so I draw a deep breath, accept this not-new knowledge, and spend time in prayer, grateful that His mercies are new every morning and His grace is ever available.

The highlights of the day were catching up with some friends I haven't seen in a looooong time and a picnic lunch in the backyard with the boys (the whole 5 minutes that it lasted anyway). We'll finally be reunited with James tonight and then tomorrow will kick off a weekend of Louwerse family fun!!!

Days 2 and 3

Happy to report that I am very much on the mend and have been able to enjoy the last couple of days as planned. I'm still a little hoarse but can at least communicate...and reprimand my children when needed. Very important. It's difficult to sound like you mean business when the loudest sound you can utter reaches about minus 3 decibels. And so, our fun...for your reading pleasure.

Yesterday I spent lunching like a movie star. A movie star that likes $6 Chinese lunches. My best bud from the womb, Robyn, and I met up at China Inn. SOOOO tasty. She's so great about letting me always pick our spot. Especially since they are SUCH eclectic and exciting places like Russ' and China Inn (if you live/have lived in Western Michigan you'll catch my drift here). Thanks, Robs. :-) It was great to catch up, and we were very happy my voice had returned enough that we weren't forced to communicate by texting across the table. My aunt Joy and cousin Jami had INSISTED on babysitting all 3 of my boys. Twist my arm, why don't you? So I was able to lunch and run errands, and I didn't have to cart around three extra people plus a backpack full of their stuff that weighs as much as those three extra people. It was a beautiful thing. In the evening we spent time at my in-laws' where some extended family was also visiting. A great time.

Today found us headed Grand Rapids way to hang out with my cousin, Melissa, and her adorable nine-month-old, Neal (so named for our grandfather. I love that). The boys were less than jovial I'm sad to say. But their antics (and fits) entertained Neal, so I guess somebody won in that deal. It was great to see my cous, and the visit was all too short.

Following this, we met up with my sister-in-law Jeni, Bella, Keagan, and Camille, as well as my mom-in-law, her sister, Lorraine, and HER daughter Melissa and two kids: Riley and Howie. We turned the kids loose at a playground/splash park and let the good times roll. This did mean that the boys ended up missing their nap which is not always a smart idea. But it seemed to work out ok in this rare instance.

So a great couple of days! I'm beat. In a good way.

Michigan Adventures - Day 1

Ahhhh, vacation. The sunshine, the fun, the company...the sniffles?! Because I decided to pack up my three boys and spend a week in Michigan, naturally, I developed a whopping cold, complete with sore throat, stuffy nose, and laryngitis. It just wouldn't be a Michigan visit without someone getting ill. I am frustrated. As usual, I have so many plans mapped out, including visits with family and with friends. I was so looking forward to a week of being here in this place I love with those I love and living the free and easy life of a stay-at-home mom (which is neither free nor easy...discuss). Yet here I sit, virtually alone (with a sleeping Grayson), two of my boys and my mom off having a blast with my aunt and cousin. The time that I get with my family is so limited and precious. It kills me to be so near to them but once again have to distance myself. The details of our week of fun, here-in included, were to be full of smiling pictures (taken on my new birthday camera, no less!) of all of us living it up. Instead you get my melancholy, pouting-like-a-five-year-old ramblings about being sick. Along those lines, allow me to just whine that "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!" There must be a point to this, a lesson God is trying to teach me. Something about slowing down perhaps? Accepting the help that so abundantly surrounds me here? I get that. I understand. I'll try. But I can't help pleading with Him to just please give me my voice back and let me go along my merry, anal-retentively planned way. Here's hoping the coming days will bring you a little more uplifted, vacationy-sounding updates.