It’s been a big day for our family.

Today was…
… the day after Thanksgiving.
… a month before Christmas.
… Paxton’s first nap without his binkie.
… the day Paxton didn’t nap.
… the day Chance lost his first tooth.
… another day I realized my boys are growing up.

Chance’s tooth was barely hanging by a gum-thread (I don’t know if that’s a word, but you totally knew what I was talking about…) so I coaxed him into pulling it. I didn’t want it to break free in the middle of the night and him possibly swallowing it. Yes… that’s how loose it was. So, I made a deal. Pull the tooth and get to stay up 30 minutes later AND have ice cream.

That worked.

Here’s the video we shot while we pulled his tooth out. He was so nervous he started tearing up as I tied the string around his tooth:

He cried for 1 minute. The bleeding stopped in 2 minutes. And then this next video was made:

On this day after Thanksgiving, I’m thankful I get to be a part of every milestone my boys go through. I’m thankful both Brian and I get to be present in their lives. We know that’s not the way our lives could have gone… and for the miracle of life and love… I’m SO eternally grateful.

What are YOU thankful for at this moment?

In the last 3 years… my life, my attitude, my understanding of God, love, grace and marriage has completely changed who I am.

Pax means “peace”… and that is exactly what my little man has brought me. And today, I am reminded of how thankful and humbled I am to be a mother to two amazing little boys.

My Dearest Paxton,

You are the most amazing little boy.
You are funny.
You are creative.
You have the most amazing personality.
You are so, so, SO intelligent.
You seem to always know what to say to get out of trouble.
You love to sing.
You love to sing about Jesus.
You ask the most amazing questions.
You give the most amazing hugs.
Looking at you gives me joy from deeper than I knew existed.
You are sensitive.
You are mischievous enough to keep me on my toes.
You are stubborn & decisive, which tells me you’ll be a great leader.
But you are also quick to apologize and ask for forgiveness.
Your little mind humbles me… just to know you.

I love the conversations we have while Chance is at school. I’m not looking forward to the day when I have to share our time with the school… but I know you are ready to learn and grow even more.

Your arrival three years ago completed our family and helped restore my heart from the darkest of places. Your existence reminds me of God’s love, peace, grace and healing. You just being alive reminds me of the purpose God gave me in this world. Thank you, sweet, Paxton.

I thank God every day that He let’s me be your Mommy. Thank you, Pax, for loving me back!

I love you forever. I like you for always. As long as I’m living. My baby you’ll be.
Love, Mommy

Paxton (3)

Paxton (2)

Paxton (1)

Paxton (8 days old)

]]> http://www.jenniclayville.com/happy-3-paxton/feed/ 13 http://www.jenniclayville.com/how-fast-can-you-eat-a-lollipop/ http://www.jenniclayville.com/how-fast-can-you-eat-a-lollipop/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:39:23 +0000 jenni http://www.jenniclayville.com/?p=6112 Was just spending some time with Paxton and decided to hit record. Welcome to my world…

So how do you eat a lollipop?
Suck till obliterated or a few bites?

Before you say it’s a mommy issue or whatever… I rarely remember my birthday or anniversary either. But just like my birthday and anniversary… I celebrate it and am thankful for this day when it comes around.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I have a somewhat distant relationship with my real Mother, however, I’ve found an incredibly meaningful relationship with my Mother-in-law. And as I wait on God’s hand in reconciling and restoring my own relationship with my real Mom, I’ll celebrate the second Mom He so graciously gave me. I don’t think I’m an unlucky girl because of a lack of relationship with my Mother… but I DO think I’m fortunately enough to have a second chance with my MIL. So, as we head into this weekend, I’m thankful.

Love you, Mom! Both of you!

But this post isn’t as much about them as it is me… or rather… who I mother.

As a mother of two amazing young boys, I really do appreciate when they celebrate me… but I would much rather celebrate them… and the privilege God gave me to BE their mother on this special weekend. And because of that, I never want to make this “holiday” of expectations. I want it to be a celebration of our family.

I have so many good friends that struggle on this day. Ones who were extremely close to their Mothers but have lost them to death. Ones who WANT to be Mothers but for some reason, that card just hasn’t been drawn yet. Some, like me, who’s Mothers really want nothing to do with them. And though all those are mournful situations and my heart truly breaks for them (and myself)… at this moment, I choose to joy.

I choose THIS moment. And in this moment… all is well.

Here are my moments:

Paxton got a haircut.


Chance quietly staring out our backdoor while in his Spiderman costume.

Chance’s schools’ Mother’s Day Dance.

Pax & Mommy Wrestling Time.

Today… I celebrate family.
How do YOU celebrate?

Btw… we don’t even have Cheetos.

Happy Easter!

Traffic goes again.
We speed up. Maybe 45 mph.
Traffic stops.
Brakes.
Full stop. Far enough from the car in front to see their rear tires.
I look at my rear-view mirror.
Please slow down.
Nope. Are they looking down?
Wow, they’re coming at me fast!
BRAKE! BRAKE! BRAKE!
Brace myself.
*SCREECHING*
BAM!!! We’re hit!
Babies screaming!
BAM!!! We hit the car in front.

I turned around to check on my babies.
“You guys ok?”
Chance: “What was that, Mama?”
“We were in a car accident. Are you ok?”
Chance: “Yeah. I hit my head. It kinda hurts in the back, but I’m ok.”
“Ok. Pax? You ok?”
Paxton: “Whoa, Mama! Do again!”
Uh, yeah. He’s fine.

We pull over to the shoulder on the right.
Three cars.
Black car in front of me.
Me.
White Dodge Caliber behind me.
I call 9-1-1. “I was just rear-ended!”
I answer all their questions.
Dispatcher: “The Police are on their way, ma’am!”
“Thank you!”
I text Brian:

I unbuckle. Turn around in my seat.
Crawl back to double check on my babies.
Good thing I’m still somewhat flexible.
Pax is smiling and saying, “Bang Bang Bang!” over and over again.
Yeah, he’s fine.
Chance is rubbing his head.
His arm and the car door is covered with sticky juice that had gone airborne.
I cuddle him for a minute, thankful even for the stickiness.

“Ok, boys. STAY HERE! DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR! Mama’s gonna check on everyone outside, ok?”
“OK!”
I get back in the front seat and look out the front windshield.
The black car I hit is gone.
Interesting.
I look back.
White car is still there.
I get out… walk the 100 yards to their car.

Please speak English.
“Are you ok?”
Him: “uh… no Englais.”
Me: “Crap… um… me no habla Espanol.”
Him: “uh… uhh….”
Me: “WAIT! I have an iPhone. I have Google Translator!”
Him: “huh?”
*tippy tappy type type*
Me: “¿Estás bien?”
Him: “Si… si… efiajweoijfa;oijsldkjaei”
Me: “CRAP! Como? no? wha? uh… Policia coming.”
Him: “Policia? Uh. Ok.”

I look in the car to check on the gal in the passenger side.
Her knees are all banged up from the dash.
I type out: “Help is on the way. Are you alright?” and hit “translate”.
She replies: “Si… si…”

A firetruck is there within 3 minutes and police a minute after that.
Nice work, El Paso!
A team of firemen help get the gal out of the white car.
A team come check out my boys and me.
Chance re-enacts the whole accident for them.
Paxton yells “BAM BAM owie car!”
The firemen are GREAT!

Brian and our friend, Sam, pull up in front of us.
Brian hugs me and unbuckles Chance for a cuddle.
A fireman crawls out from under our rig.
HEY… when did you get down there?
He brushes himself off and says:
“You can drive this, but you need to drive it straight to an auto mechanic.”
Our under carriage was not-so-bueno.

We waited for the police to give us the incident report card with case number.
THEY’RE INSURED! Thank you, Jesus!
“You’re free to go! Take care!”
“Thank you SO much!”

The gal from the white car limps up to me and asks for my número.
I give her my google number.
What? You never know.
She takes my hand and says: “Los más pequeños?”
Pequenos? Little… that’s little… kids. RIGHT!
Me: “It’s ok. I mean, we’re ok! You ok?”
Her: “Si… si… lo siento!”
“Está bien, amiga.”

That was the most Spanish I’ve EVER spoken.

Three thoughts:
1. I’m so thankful no one was terribly hurt.
2. I love my big rig.
3. I really need to learn Spanish.

Yeah. So how was YOUR day?

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