Stevie Jr. is constantly surrounded by women. He is vastly outnumbered by oodles of cute little girls at church, and has apparently adapted to his situation quite comfortably. He's also one of the two boys in his preschool class, and often can be found playing "Daddy" in a routine game of "House."
Today we went to the park for a little impromptu playdate with some friends. After awhile, we noticed that he had been holding hands with his little friend Rachel for quite some time. Upon further examination, we realized they were playing "House," and Stevie was (once again) "Daddy." (Stevie and Rachel often play house together, and cavalierly call each other "Honey" with an unusual air of confidence and authority).
I ooed and ahhed a teeny bit on the cuteness of it all--until I happened to glance up at the top of the slide just in time to watch Stevie plant a big kiss on the Rachel's mouth.
I just about died laughing, all the while advancing on them as if to---WHAT, exactly?---I'm not sure. Give them a scathing lecture on NICMO'S? (Non-Committal Make-Outs). And of course by this time they had already run off and were playing there next game--as artlessly and nonchalantly as only a recently kissed 5 year old can do.
Later, upon gentle questioning, it was discovered that they were pretending to get married, and so OF COURSE they had to kiss. Realism, apparently, was of great importance--and in their sweet, innocent 5 year old minds, marriage=kissing.
So I just mentioned lightly that we really shouldn't go around kissing our friends, and that hugs and holding hands were probably just fine. But man, that was one cute moment. Wish I'd had my camera.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Good Friends and the Idiot Car
I am an extremely irresponsible person. Besides you’re all-around laziness, I also tend to be an extraordinary procrastinator. About 2 months ago, I got a ticket for having an unregistered car—unregistered because it hadn’t passed a recent inspection. THIS WEEK, we finally took the car in to get it fixed enough to pass inspection.
Because of this, the boys and I drove Steven to work this morning in his car. (sidenote---I hate Steven’s Idiot Car---from its ridiculously loud engine to it stupid 2-door entry---I hate it). Anyway, I tend to get a tad loopy when I’m up 2 hours early and its cold outside and I’m 7 months pregnant. Loopy enough, apparently, to forget to turn off the headlights when we got home and completely run down the battery.
So while I WAS feeling rather pleased with myself for getting the kids wrassled and ready to go to the gym by 9am this morning, I was less than proud to realize my earlier loopiness had most likely made us housebound for the rest of the day. But miraculously, after a few distressed phone calls and one last desperate attempt, it started.
Unfortunately, this was not the end of the Idiot Car’s troubles. While we were driving to a lunch date with a friend, the clutch suddenly crapped out---fully and totally. I couldn’t shift the gears. I tried my best to cruise into an empty parking spot somewhere and finally glided into a Quizno’s (parking lot, not the building, thankfully). I ended up having to call AAA and get a tow (which took 45 minutes to arrive).
Lucky for me, my wonderful friend saved me. She not only offered to come and pick me and the fellas up, but to wait with me until the tow truck arrived. All this with her own 2 kids and one more besides in the backseat. She even took it upon herself to belt in the car seats in order to save me the embarrassment of getting my tent-like self wedged between the seats.
So while it was initially a very irritating and upsetting incident, it gave me a great excuse spend a little time with a great gal. I went from feeling like I was going to cry and pull my hair out to feeling completely calm and laughing my butt off.
Thank goodness for good friends.
Oh, and I hate that Idiot Car.
Because of this, the boys and I drove Steven to work this morning in his car. (sidenote---I hate Steven’s Idiot Car---from its ridiculously loud engine to it stupid 2-door entry---I hate it). Anyway, I tend to get a tad loopy when I’m up 2 hours early and its cold outside and I’m 7 months pregnant. Loopy enough, apparently, to forget to turn off the headlights when we got home and completely run down the battery.
So while I WAS feeling rather pleased with myself for getting the kids wrassled and ready to go to the gym by 9am this morning, I was less than proud to realize my earlier loopiness had most likely made us housebound for the rest of the day. But miraculously, after a few distressed phone calls and one last desperate attempt, it started.
Unfortunately, this was not the end of the Idiot Car’s troubles. While we were driving to a lunch date with a friend, the clutch suddenly crapped out---fully and totally. I couldn’t shift the gears. I tried my best to cruise into an empty parking spot somewhere and finally glided into a Quizno’s (parking lot, not the building, thankfully). I ended up having to call AAA and get a tow (which took 45 minutes to arrive).
Lucky for me, my wonderful friend saved me. She not only offered to come and pick me and the fellas up, but to wait with me until the tow truck arrived. All this with her own 2 kids and one more besides in the backseat. She even took it upon herself to belt in the car seats in order to save me the embarrassment of getting my tent-like self wedged between the seats.
So while it was initially a very irritating and upsetting incident, it gave me a great excuse spend a little time with a great gal. I went from feeling like I was going to cry and pull my hair out to feeling completely calm and laughing my butt off.
Thank goodness for good friends.
Oh, and I hate that Idiot Car.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Merry Christmas, Y'all
“Lemme e’splain. No, there is too much, let me sum up…”
JANUARY
-We ring in the new year with Steven’s family in Chicago; ice on the way back forces a stopover in Missouri
-Jenny is called as Primary Chorister (translation—music teacher for the children’s organization at church)
FEBRUARY
-Our first pet, a hamster (aptly named “Hammy”), manages to escape twice in the first week
-Steven and Jenny plan a big date for Valentine’s Day! The kids begin puking within 20 minutes of our intended departure! (sigh)
MARCH
-We enjoy a fun-filled month of visiting the zoo/beach/Space Center and pickin’ strawberries at Froberg Farms
-Stevie starts reading books to us (four years old, for cryin’ out loud!)
APRIL
-Disaster is narrowly averted when David pulls a 6-drawer dresser on top of himself. Luckily, Jenny was there, and he survived with little more than a scary bruise under his left eye
-Flash flooding during a spring torrent forces us to park on high ground and hoof it back home with the little boys in tow (~3 miles, though we were spared one of those by benevolent motorists we met as we sought temporary refuge at the local Dairy Queen)
MAY
-Steven turns 36
-Jenny makes Steven the ugliest birthday cake known to man, but quickly realizes that Steven was more interested in the cake’s personality anyway
JUNE
-R.I.P. Hammy
-Our long-awaited replacement digital piano arrives
-David and Stevie polish Guitar Hero renditions of Livin’ on a Prayer, Beat It, Eye of the Tiger, and Crazy Train (so begins their apprenticeship with the dark side…)
JULY
-Stevie starts swimming lessons
-We find out we’re FINALLY pregnant again with Baby #3!!! Due date: March 27th, 2010
AUGUST
-We travel to Arizona for the wedding of Steven’s sister in Mesa, spending time with much-missed family and paying visits to Flagstaff, Slide Rock State Park, and the Grand Canyon along the way (even managing to catch the last elevator down at Carlsbad Caverns on the return trip)
-Steven is called as Deacon’s Quorum Advisor at church (which means he teaches Sunday school to the 12-13 year old boys)
-David turns 3 with a vengeance
-Jenny turns 32 in the ER after a nasty gallbladder attack
SEPTEMBER
-Stevie and David start their preschool co-ops (sort of like Joy School; moms rotate teaching). We all love it, and Stevie and David are doing exceptionally well
-Stevie starts T-ball, where he shows off his crazy fast running skills
-We buy a new house! (In your face, IKE)
-Stevie turns 5, and we throw the boys a joint Rock-n-Roll/Spiderman birthday party
OCTOBER
-Jenny is called as choir director at church, and begins planning the annual Choir Christmas Sacrament Program
-After a high-definition ultrasound, we find out that Baby Grundberg #3 looks healthy, and that we’re having……(drum roll)…… ANOTHER BOY! (It’s going to be a madhouse!!!) Jenny chooses Jacob as his first name, but indulges Steven in the selection of a middle name (current frontrunners: Hoyt and Maher-shalal-hash-baz)
NOVEMBER
-David conquers potty-training. The Grundbergs are diaper-free for 4 whole months!
-We finally close on our new house and move in with the help of some great guys at church (It’s beautiful, and we love, absolutely love it!!!)
DECEMBER
-We currently find ourselves Christmas-decorating, singing carols, and thinking of how much we miss you all. Remember, our new house has a guest bedroom with YOUR NAME ON IT! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that your New Year is full of love, laughter, blessings and lottery scratch-off winnings!!!
With Much Love,
Steven, Jenny, Stevie & David
(and Baby Jacob, too!)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Day...
was a success. Can you believe that my children slept until 9 o'clock? I think that was probably the best Christmas present ever.
Santa gave the boys two fabulous yellow motorcross-esque bikes! Both of them needed a bigger bike as they had outgrown their old ones, and they were quite pleased.
Afterwards, we took turn opening presents. The kids got a surplus of crazy presents, including Gator Golf, a batman playcastle, and orange plastic cones (don't ask). I got some nice hairbrushes from David, two fancy umbrellas from Stevie and a VITAMIX from Steven (love it!)
I've endeavored for at least a month to keep Steven's Christmas gift a secret this year. It was a huge success, and I am officially titled "Sneakiest Wife Ever," but in a good way. His gift? A new digital drumset.
After presents, we tooled around a bit playing with gifts and relaxing in our pajamas.
My dad and brother Joey came over later that afternoon to exchange gifts and eat Christmas dinner. I had big plans this year of doing the dinner in "courses," just like they do at restuarants. It didn't work out quite as planned--timing is just about the hardest part of cooking!! At any rate, I've pledged that I will never again have a 4 course dinner until I have help--meaning servants--doing most of the work. Which also means probably never.
At any rate, dinner was lovely. After Dad and Joey went home, we watched the church video, Joy to the World with the boys. It's a lovely account of the true meaning of Christmas and the Savior's birth.
So Christmas is gone and past for another 363 days. It was stressful this year, so hopefully next year Steven and I can come up with some solutions to make it more stress-free and more importantly, more Christ-centered.
Santa gave the boys two fabulous yellow motorcross-esque bikes! Both of them needed a bigger bike as they had outgrown their old ones, and they were quite pleased.
Afterwards, we took turn opening presents. The kids got a surplus of crazy presents, including Gator Golf, a batman playcastle, and orange plastic cones (don't ask). I got some nice hairbrushes from David, two fancy umbrellas from Stevie and a VITAMIX from Steven (love it!)
I've endeavored for at least a month to keep Steven's Christmas gift a secret this year. It was a huge success, and I am officially titled "Sneakiest Wife Ever," but in a good way. His gift? A new digital drumset.
After presents, we tooled around a bit playing with gifts and relaxing in our pajamas.
My dad and brother Joey came over later that afternoon to exchange gifts and eat Christmas dinner. I had big plans this year of doing the dinner in "courses," just like they do at restuarants. It didn't work out quite as planned--timing is just about the hardest part of cooking!! At any rate, I've pledged that I will never again have a 4 course dinner until I have help--meaning servants--doing most of the work. Which also means probably never.
At any rate, dinner was lovely. After Dad and Joey went home, we watched the church video, Joy to the World with the boys. It's a lovely account of the true meaning of Christmas and the Savior's birth.
So Christmas is gone and past for another 363 days. It was stressful this year, so hopefully next year Steven and I can come up with some solutions to make it more stress-free and more importantly, more Christ-centered.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve: Long, Exasperating Post
Christmas Eve was very perplexing. But it all turned out good in the end—thanks to my wonderful little family.
Lately several things I’ve tried to plan end up blowing up in my face, and tonight was no exception. I had initially thrown around the idea with a friend to get together for Christmas Eve to hang out and play games---just a fun, casual night. She had to double check everything with the hubby just in case. I waited awhile and didn’t hear from her, but didn’t think too much of it.
After awhile, I talked with my dad on the phone, and ended up deciding to go with him to see the Dickinson Festival of Lights and go to IHOP afterwards. As SOON as I got off the phone with him, I notice that there was a message on my phone---my friend, saying that everything was “go” for tonight—which she had left on my phone 2 HOURS EARLIER.
So now I'd managed to double-schedule our day. For some reason, this made me have just a teeny mental breakdown that I tried to hide from the kids so they wouldn't notice Mommy had gone bananas (just chalk it up to hormones+Christmas pressure+being an emotional basket case in general). I ended up cancelling with my friend (whom I love dearly and really wanted to spend time with), and press forward—planning on spending time with my family that evening.
Well, as time went on, it got WINDIER and WINDIER outside. I mean, CRAZY-PSYCHO-TORNADO windy. Morning had been pleasant as punch, but as soon as it comes time for us to go to the festival of lights, a stinkin’ windstorm starts tearing League City apart. Of course.
The temperature drops and drops, and by the time my dad gets here it’s a whopping 42 degrees, with the wind chill making it feel subzero. After struggling with politeness for a moment or so, my dad admits that he’d really rather not spend the evening freezing his rear off in a park somewhere, and seeing as how he sort of has the Christmas Eve blues anyway, he decides to just go home.
So THAT was the sucky part of the day. Now on to the next part.
After much persuasion from my hubby and a bit more freaking out on my part, we decide to just stick to the dern plan and go to the festival of lights. Even though we were bundled up enough to face an Illinois blizzard, we were completely FREEZING! But the kids loved it, and oohed and ahhed in all the right places, exclaiming at the lights displays and running up and down the paths. David finally broke down and stuttered, “I’m c-c-c-cold, I want to g-g-go home.” Stevie, on the way out, said, “We had such a wonderful time here!” Both comments were strangely endearing.
Once home, it was time to open our one Christmas Eve gift. Everyone got new Christmas pajamas (except for me, who had received some pajamas as an early Christmas gift—instead I got to open some silver earrings!)
After putting on our new pajamas, we all headed to the kitchen to make “snowman soup” for the kiddos and drink some delicious Stephen’s peanut butter hot cocoa for mom and dad.
Next, we made some cookies for Santa, and called Grandpa Ron on the phone to wish him a Merry Christmas Eve.
Afterwards, I watched “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” with the kids. By this time, they were very sleepy, but not too sleepy to check online on the Official NORAD Santa Tracker to check on Santa’s progress. After seeing that Santa was ALREADY in DETROIT, Stevie hurried everyone off to bed.
Though nothing went as planned, and I admit that I’m glad this day is over, I’ll also say that I’m glad it ended so sweetly with my fellers all around me. I love my precious little monsters. And my precious big monster. All is well. More later on the big day (YAY CHRISTMAS!)
Lately several things I’ve tried to plan end up blowing up in my face, and tonight was no exception. I had initially thrown around the idea with a friend to get together for Christmas Eve to hang out and play games---just a fun, casual night. She had to double check everything with the hubby just in case. I waited awhile and didn’t hear from her, but didn’t think too much of it.
After awhile, I talked with my dad on the phone, and ended up deciding to go with him to see the Dickinson Festival of Lights and go to IHOP afterwards. As SOON as I got off the phone with him, I notice that there was a message on my phone---my friend, saying that everything was “go” for tonight—which she had left on my phone 2 HOURS EARLIER.
So now I'd managed to double-schedule our day. For some reason, this made me have just a teeny mental breakdown that I tried to hide from the kids so they wouldn't notice Mommy had gone bananas (just chalk it up to hormones+Christmas pressure+being an emotional basket case in general). I ended up cancelling with my friend (whom I love dearly and really wanted to spend time with), and press forward—planning on spending time with my family that evening.
Well, as time went on, it got WINDIER and WINDIER outside. I mean, CRAZY-PSYCHO-TORNADO windy. Morning had been pleasant as punch, but as soon as it comes time for us to go to the festival of lights, a stinkin’ windstorm starts tearing League City apart. Of course.
The temperature drops and drops, and by the time my dad gets here it’s a whopping 42 degrees, with the wind chill making it feel subzero. After struggling with politeness for a moment or so, my dad admits that he’d really rather not spend the evening freezing his rear off in a park somewhere, and seeing as how he sort of has the Christmas Eve blues anyway, he decides to just go home.
So THAT was the sucky part of the day. Now on to the next part.
After much persuasion from my hubby and a bit more freaking out on my part, we decide to just stick to the dern plan and go to the festival of lights. Even though we were bundled up enough to face an Illinois blizzard, we were completely FREEZING! But the kids loved it, and oohed and ahhed in all the right places, exclaiming at the lights displays and running up and down the paths. David finally broke down and stuttered, “I’m c-c-c-cold, I want to g-g-go home.” Stevie, on the way out, said, “We had such a wonderful time here!” Both comments were strangely endearing.
Once home, it was time to open our one Christmas Eve gift. Everyone got new Christmas pajamas (except for me, who had received some pajamas as an early Christmas gift—instead I got to open some silver earrings!)
After putting on our new pajamas, we all headed to the kitchen to make “snowman soup” for the kiddos and drink some delicious Stephen’s peanut butter hot cocoa for mom and dad.
Next, we made some cookies for Santa, and called Grandpa Ron on the phone to wish him a Merry Christmas Eve.
Afterwards, I watched “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” with the kids. By this time, they were very sleepy, but not too sleepy to check online on the Official NORAD Santa Tracker to check on Santa’s progress. After seeing that Santa was ALREADY in DETROIT, Stevie hurried everyone off to bed.
Though nothing went as planned, and I admit that I’m glad this day is over, I’ll also say that I’m glad it ended so sweetly with my fellers all around me. I love my precious little monsters. And my precious big monster. All is well. More later on the big day (YAY CHRISTMAS!)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bedtime with Santa
We had a new Christmas activity at church last Friday and it was just awesome. It was called "Bedtime with Santa," and all the kiddos showed up in their jammies.
First off, members of the activities committe and the bishopric read some Christmas stories to get everyone in the mood.
Next, they had a little table where the kids could write a letter to Santa and decorate it. My kids weren't interested at first--until they realized that they would be able to actually HAND the letter to Santa--that got them scribbling!
Then we all hearded into the Primary room to sing some Christmasy Carols while we waited for Santa to arrive. David's favorite was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." (Of course, he sang the Jackson Five version).
And then, of course, Steven and Ben Hewett had to start singing some of their OWN versions--one which included a few horrible Robert Goulet impersonations and climaxed with a falsetto soprano version of "O Holy Night."
FINALLY it was time to meet Santa! Stevie and David were a bit beside themselves with excitement. Both sat on his lap and reiterated what they wanted for Christmas (we had already written Christmas letters the week before).
And then Steven got it into his head to sit on Ole St. Nick's lap--he looks like he's drinking with an old army buddy or something.
Not to be outdone, I got in a picture with some of the girls. I thought we were going to do a little "Santa Baby"-type shot, but apparently I was alone in this thought. Which explains why I'm the only one with the "grr" action goin' on.
Regardless, a super fun time was had by all. I really hope they make this activity a tradition--we just loved it!
First off, members of the activities committe and the bishopric read some Christmas stories to get everyone in the mood.
Next, they had a little table where the kids could write a letter to Santa and decorate it. My kids weren't interested at first--until they realized that they would be able to actually HAND the letter to Santa--that got them scribbling!
Then we all hearded into the Primary room to sing some Christmasy Carols while we waited for Santa to arrive. David's favorite was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." (Of course, he sang the Jackson Five version).
And then, of course, Steven and Ben Hewett had to start singing some of their OWN versions--one which included a few horrible Robert Goulet impersonations and climaxed with a falsetto soprano version of "O Holy Night."
FINALLY it was time to meet Santa! Stevie and David were a bit beside themselves with excitement. Both sat on his lap and reiterated what they wanted for Christmas (we had already written Christmas letters the week before).
And then Steven got it into his head to sit on Ole St. Nick's lap--he looks like he's drinking with an old army buddy or something.
Not to be outdone, I got in a picture with some of the girls. I thought we were going to do a little "Santa Baby"-type shot, but apparently I was alone in this thought. Which explains why I'm the only one with the "grr" action goin' on.
Regardless, a super fun time was had by all. I really hope they make this activity a tradition--we just loved it!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
"The Polar Express" Party
I have a cute friend in the ward who came up with a great idea. She invited all the little kiddies from the ward over to have a "Polar Express" party. The kids came in their jammies, and we watched the movie "The Polar Express." Stevie and David absolutely loved it.
Here's a picture of the kiddos after they were given their "ticket" to the Polar Express.
During the part in the movie where the children are served hot chocolate on the train, our hostess (Amie) brings out hot chocolate for all the kids to enjoy. She also passed out little jingle bells for the kids to shake when it was time to "jingle their bells if they believed in Santa." It was so adorable and creative!
After the movie, we had a delicious lunch andI totally the kids pigged out.
I just loved this idea. Granted, most of the smaller kids only took in about 1/3 of the movie (other people's toys are just too darn interesting), but even so, my boys really remembered the experience. They talked about it all day. Adn I have to admit that I loved getting a chance to talk to all the awesome moms that were there. Such a fun way to start off our Christmas-filled week.
Here's a picture of the kiddos after they were given their "ticket" to the Polar Express.
During the part in the movie where the children are served hot chocolate on the train, our hostess (Amie) brings out hot chocolate for all the kids to enjoy. She also passed out little jingle bells for the kids to shake when it was time to "jingle their bells if they believed in Santa." It was so adorable and creative!
After the movie, we had a delicious lunch and
I just loved this idea. Granted, most of the smaller kids only took in about 1/3 of the movie (other people's toys are just too darn interesting), but even so, my boys really remembered the experience. They talked about it all day. Adn I have to admit that I loved getting a chance to talk to all the awesome moms that were there. Such a fun way to start off our Christmas-filled week.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day...
Tonight I rushed out to run two errands before the bewitching hour (translation--about 9:00pm, which is the time that I turn into a zombie nowadays). I zoomed over to Office Depot about 7 minutes before they closed, made copies like a madwoman and then zoomed over to Target to get a few more things. As I was headed for the checkout, I looked at the time and congratulated myself on the general speediness of my shopping.
As I got up to the register, I started looking for my bankcard. It was nowhere to be found. I realized with a sinking feeling that I had no way to pay for my purchases. I started madly flipping through my wallet, and exclaimed, "Wait! I have cash. What's the total?" It was $24.42. I had exactly 23 dollars in my wallet.
I began to hem and haw and asked the cashier if she'd suspend my order for a few minutes while I looked in my car. Did I mention that I was hugely embarrassed, as there were quite a few people in line behind me and I was just sure they were all internally shouting obscenities at me?
But the girl behind me--college aged maybe, give or take a few years--said to me, "Here, I have 2 dollars." I immediately started to protest, but she just said, "It's no big deal, the same thing happened to me last week. That way you won't have to go all the way out to your car."
I almost kissed her. Maybe it was just a little thing, but it just made me so darn grateful and happy. People are just plain good inside, and it seems like I find new proof every day.
As I got up to the register, I started looking for my bankcard. It was nowhere to be found. I realized with a sinking feeling that I had no way to pay for my purchases. I started madly flipping through my wallet, and exclaimed, "Wait! I have cash. What's the total?" It was $24.42. I had exactly 23 dollars in my wallet.
I began to hem and haw and asked the cashier if she'd suspend my order for a few minutes while I looked in my car. Did I mention that I was hugely embarrassed, as there were quite a few people in line behind me and I was just sure they were all internally shouting obscenities at me?
But the girl behind me--college aged maybe, give or take a few years--said to me, "Here, I have 2 dollars." I immediately started to protest, but she just said, "It's no big deal, the same thing happened to me last week. That way you won't have to go all the way out to your car."
I almost kissed her. Maybe it was just a little thing, but it just made me so darn grateful and happy. People are just plain good inside, and it seems like I find new proof every day.
Friday, December 11, 2009
I Love Stevie
Yesterday, we were having lunch at a friend’s house. Before eating, we decided to play a quick game of “Candyland” with the kids. Everything was going pretty well until David ended up winning the game.
Tears started to well up in Stevie’s eyes and he pushed his face into his knees. He does this when he knows he’s going to start crying but doesn’t want me to see. I tried to talk to him softly about how it’s just a game and it’s only for fun and sometimes ya win some, sometimes ya lose some, etc.
But he just got more and more upset. His quiet tears turned into sobs. “I NEVER win at Candyland, Mom. I’m just a LOSER! I’m a big LOSER! I never win at anything!”
You can imagine how my heart broke when I heard this. I continued to talk with him and hold him and assure him that he was in NO way a loser of any sort. Finally, he decided that he needed to sit by himself for awhile so that he could calm down.
I know this is probably an everyday experience for a child, but it just got me thinking about my sweet little Stevie. He’s a thinker---a figure-it-out kind of guy. I feel brilliance brimming out of this child. But he also wears all his emotions on his sleeve, takes things very seriously and feels things very deeply. I love it because I know it means he’ll always be motivated to do great things—hunger for beauty and truth--be a “Mover and Shaker.” But I hurt for him because I know he’ll always struggle because of it. It’s the price you pay for having your emotions too much with you. It makes for living in a colorful and beautiful world, but also unbearable at times.
All I can do is watch and wait---hold him tight when he cries and assure him that he is NEVER, EVER a loser. In fact, he’s a pretty extraordinary guy. But I bet being extraordinary isn't always fun.
Tears started to well up in Stevie’s eyes and he pushed his face into his knees. He does this when he knows he’s going to start crying but doesn’t want me to see. I tried to talk to him softly about how it’s just a game and it’s only for fun and sometimes ya win some, sometimes ya lose some, etc.
But he just got more and more upset. His quiet tears turned into sobs. “I NEVER win at Candyland, Mom. I’m just a LOSER! I’m a big LOSER! I never win at anything!”
You can imagine how my heart broke when I heard this. I continued to talk with him and hold him and assure him that he was in NO way a loser of any sort. Finally, he decided that he needed to sit by himself for awhile so that he could calm down.
I know this is probably an everyday experience for a child, but it just got me thinking about my sweet little Stevie. He’s a thinker---a figure-it-out kind of guy. I feel brilliance brimming out of this child. But he also wears all his emotions on his sleeve, takes things very seriously and feels things very deeply. I love it because I know it means he’ll always be motivated to do great things—hunger for beauty and truth--be a “Mover and Shaker.” But I hurt for him because I know he’ll always struggle because of it. It’s the price you pay for having your emotions too much with you. It makes for living in a colorful and beautiful world, but also unbearable at times.
All I can do is watch and wait---hold him tight when he cries and assure him that he is NEVER, EVER a loser. In fact, he’s a pretty extraordinary guy. But I bet being extraordinary isn't always fun.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Christmas Is Getting Away from Me
...or so it would seem.
Last year I was all over Christmas. Besides going to every single Christmas activity available in the Bay Area, we made cookies, gingerbread houses, hung Christmas lights, made ornaments with the boys, played Secret Santa, read a Christmas book every night, etc., etc....
This year I feel like the move has gotten in the way a bit. We've been so worried about putting our house together that we haven't set aside a lot of time to feel, oh, I don't know,...Christmasy.
So we made a start on Monday night. For FHE, we retold the Nativity story using our Nativity figures, and we wrote down one thing that we were going to give Baby Jesus for Christmas (trying to get the boys to understand THAT concept was a bit like pulling teeth. David wanted to get Him a racecar).
Next, we sat down and wrote letters to Santa Claus, complete with envelope and stamp and a trip to the post office. (This last activity was mostly just a sneaky way to find out what the boys couldn't live without present-wise).
But today I'm back to feeling bogged down by everything that needs doing, and I don't want to feel this way. But at the same time, I want to get all the gifts delivered, cards and pictures sent---I want everyone to have that yearly feeling of being "remembered" by the Grundbergs.
You know what I really want to do? Go Christmas caroling--straight out of the hymn book. Followed by some nice and hot wassail to drink. And I want to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol. And wear Christmas pajamas.
And I want my heart to catch in my throat while pondering how His gift ended up making us all aware of that spark of goodness that's inside every human being---the one that makes us just want to Love and Give---even if we don't always remember the reason why.
Last year I was all over Christmas. Besides going to every single Christmas activity available in the Bay Area, we made cookies, gingerbread houses, hung Christmas lights, made ornaments with the boys, played Secret Santa, read a Christmas book every night, etc., etc....
This year I feel like the move has gotten in the way a bit. We've been so worried about putting our house together that we haven't set aside a lot of time to feel, oh, I don't know,...Christmasy.
So we made a start on Monday night. For FHE, we retold the Nativity story using our Nativity figures, and we wrote down one thing that we were going to give Baby Jesus for Christmas (trying to get the boys to understand THAT concept was a bit like pulling teeth. David wanted to get Him a racecar).
Next, we sat down and wrote letters to Santa Claus, complete with envelope and stamp and a trip to the post office. (This last activity was mostly just a sneaky way to find out what the boys couldn't live without present-wise).
But today I'm back to feeling bogged down by everything that needs doing, and I don't want to feel this way. But at the same time, I want to get all the gifts delivered, cards and pictures sent---I want everyone to have that yearly feeling of being "remembered" by the Grundbergs.
You know what I really want to do? Go Christmas caroling--straight out of the hymn book. Followed by some nice and hot wassail to drink. And I want to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol. And wear Christmas pajamas.
And I want my heart to catch in my throat while pondering how His gift ended up making us all aware of that spark of goodness that's inside every human being---the one that makes us just want to Love and Give---even if we don't always remember the reason why.
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