You take a Gummy Vitamin every morning with breakfast. I figure if I feed you a pop tart, then a vitamin balances it out. You boys beg for the yellow vitamin each morning.
You call it the "golden one", and you are somehow convinced that these are superior to the other colors.

You have associated the "golden" vitamin with a gold medal, and you consider yourselves to have received an extra boost when you get one.

I just pull the vitamins out randomly and repeat a phrase I learned from Parker's old teacher..."You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit". When you get another color, your faces fall, and you consume it reluctantly. When you get a "golden" one you squeal with joy, and pump your fists in victory.

Not gonna lie though..when I sense one of you is have a groggy morning, I have been guilty of intentionally planting a "golden" one at the top because I know it will change your tune to a happy one. Hey, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.

It's these little oddities that have endeared you to me, and these moments are the ones I treasure.

So inspired and comforted through these lyrics by Fee

I know it seems
Like this could be
The darkest day you've known
But believe you me
The God of strength
Will never let you go
He will overcome, I know

And the arms that hold the universe
Are holding you tonight
You can rest inside
It's gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the raging sea
Is calling you His child
So be still and know He's in control
He will never let you go

Through many dangers, toils and snares
You have already come
His grace has brought you safe this far
(And) His grace will lead you home

And the arms that hold the universe
Are holding you tonight
You can rest inside
It's gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the raging sea
Is calling you His child
So be still and know He's in control
He will never let you go

You can hope, you can rise, you can stand
He has still got the whole world in His hands
You can hope, you can rise, you can stand
He's still got the whole world, the whole world in His hands

And the arms that hold the universe
Are holding you tonight
You can rest inside
It's gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the raging sea
Is calling you His child
So be still and know He's in control
He will never let you go

He will never let you go

(He's) Still got the whole world in His hands
in His hands, yeah
Still got the whole world in His hands

Boys,

tonight we were reading a kid's devotional, and it was about how Jesus was punished for the things that we did wrong. One of the questions was asking if we could remember something that we did wrong, that may have hurt God.

I started. I told a story about how one time when I was 8 years old I took a few quarters out of my mom's purse so I could buy chips.

Daddy followed and said how one time when he was angry, he lost his temper.

Parker, you admitted that on one occasion you were playing Mario Kart and I had told you to turn off the game. You fessed up to playing three more levels after that.

Kent, your story was entirely made up...and it went like this..."One time when I was little I was playing Mario Kart and I took some money and put in in my hair...."

Hmmm...Kent, your story seems to be a bit of a hybrid of mine and Parker's. But you were so sincere.

Boys,

tonight after I put you to bed, I could still hear you talking several minutes later. Actually, I could hear Kent singing.

"Jesus is Jesus and He is Jesus...."

Parker, you promptly told your brother to keep it down, and here is the rest of the conversation between the two of you.

"Be quiet Kent!"

"But I am signing a song about Jesus in Heaven."

"He is not in Heaven, he is in your heart. Actually, He is everywhere and every time you feel your heart beat that means God is talking to you."

"No. Jesus is in my heart."

"God and Jesus are the same person"

"No they not!!!!"

"Yes they are."

"No!!! Jesus is not God!!"

"Moooommmmmm! Is Jesus and God the same?"

"Yes", I yell back from the other room.

"See, I told you," said the older brother to the younger brother.

This sharing a room thing has been a challenge at times, but I love to eavesdrop on the two of you. Pretty soon, these talks are going to turn in to girls and such..I'm pretty sure I'll still be eavesdropping then.

Every day, all day. This is what you would do if I let you. It's the first thing you ask for in the morning, and it's the last thing you talk about before you find sleep. Parker you are incredible at this game, and you know all the "secrets" for success. Kent, you haven't actually played, but you don't know that. You think you've played. Daddy and Parker just don't activate your remote. You THINK you're awesome.

I love Mario Kart because it gives me leverage. Dr. Phil says that each person has their currency, and this is yours. If you misbehave, I take away the game. If you're good, I reward you with extra play time.

Mario Kart is our families best friend.

Parker,

You are amazing me lately with your reading abilities. The books above are two you read yesterday with little to no help from me. I don't think you care for school, in particular. You comment each day about how it is "boring", and you fight me each day when it's homework time, but I think you are very intelligent...maybe a tad lazy...but intelligent. You get he intellect from you dad, and the laziness from me. But, I am going to keep challenging you with your homework because it comes so easy for you. I look at you each day and wonder what you'll be "when you grow up". I have such hopes for you, but I'm trying to let you dream your own dreams for your life. I don't care what you do as long as you love Jesus when you're an adult....and me.

Kenters,

I am falling more and more in love with you. This age of 3 1/2 is my favorite. I used to just have to be on you all the time, correcting, cleaning, or redirecting you. Now, we can hang out and just enjoy each others company. We play games together, we watch PBS together, and we eat eat eat eat and eat together. I love you and your constant need for cuddling. I love every mispronounced word that come out of your mouth. I love that you beg to watch the Brady Bunch. I love that you think you are so funny, and I love how you laugh and anything even remotely out of the ordinary. I love listening to you imagine, and watching you play with cars, blocks, and legos. I love you and your dimples, your smile that won't quit, and your hands that are too chubby for your thin arms. I love your fuzzy hair, and your toosh that looks like a little bubble.

I love Kent Richard....don't grow up...please. I want to freeze you here.