Finding their way.

I can just feel the determination and destination in Benjamin's walk outside...he is his father, on his way and no one better get in the way! And the little one...our little dynamite that continues her march into life, with the same determination as her big brother. No fear. Many bumps and bruises. Goose eggs and scrapes. I keep saying, I expect much from her, and yet will accept all that arrives. I just want to help both of them to always hold high their beautiful faces, look to the brightest lights around them. I want them to take their place at the table. I want them to initiate conversation. I want them to walk ahead and not behind. I want them to embrace any "differences" as "distinctions" and not deficits. I want them to claim a lead and not a supporting role in our life together. And it starts with little things...like finding their shadow.

This is a post I share, with a comment I kind of borrowed partially from a favorite blog. But it fits so well into my own two children. I thank God for his blessings. Making them healthy, making them strong. They each open up differently a little each day. Their growth amazes me.

Benjamin tells stories that intrigue me. He remember's everything, but it always happened "last night". Remember last night, when I crashed on my bike. Remember, last night when I burnt my hand on the go cart. Remember, last night, when we were at Aunt Jessica's house, and I burnt my mouth on the hot cereal. Remember, last night when Dad drove the four wheeler real fast. Remember, last night when we rode the green motorcyle. Remember, last night, when we put our head in the bucket of water. Remember, last night when Jonna fell from the couch. Remember, last night when I drank all my chocolate milk. Remember last night, when the man fell off the horse.


And the best, is when we have our head bunting battles. We go at it, he doesn't give in, nor do I. Mama is the boss, and he tries to tell me no. He plays too hard with his sister, and I correct him. Boy, does he get angry. The boy is so sensitive. I can't tell whether he is actually mad at me or if he is more mad at himself for hurting his sister. Last night, he was laying in tub, and started splashing with his legs, and kicked Jonna. Jonna cried just for a second to show Ben she was annoyed. I had already told him umpteen times not to kick, so I had to correct him. We stared each other down. I ususally win. And he grunts. "uhh-uhhh". The threatenings of spankins are constantly popping out my mouth. So, an hour later. Jonna was put to bed. And Ben snuggles close to me. He says, Mom, I am sorry I kicked and splashed Jonna in the bathtub. I am sorry. I won't do it again. I love you. I love you this much, and he spreads his arms out as far as he can go. I love Jonna this much too.


My heart lights up in moments like these. I kind of welt up, and that heart pounds through my eyeballs, as I fight back tears of joy. I am so proud of my son. He is going to do great things someday. He is gonna make his mark, like no other. And I can't wait to be the proud mother to stand by and say, Yep, that is my son.

Now, my Jonna baby. She knows how to shake her head "no". Such as, "you wanna get out of the swing?" responds with the shake and that smile that makes you smile back. The "high five". The four tooth underbite grin. The touch of red in her hair that makes that attitude stand out just a little more. The excitement she has when she sees Mugsy in the morning. I sware she knows how to say his name, Muggy. And I can't put it past her. I sware I have heard her say Tank oo. And Pease. She will eat more icecream in one sitting than a a three hundred pound man. Her green snuggle blanket, can almost soothe her at any moment. I don't remember her ever relying on her pacifier. And will sleep all night long. If she wakes before us. She will silently play in her bed. Strawberries, Grapes, Bananas. That is her little piece of heaven.

She can wear a pigtail to the side like I can wear my red boots! She toddles in her walk. Both hands out trying to balance. She prefers to first climb up a slide before she slides down. She loves the grass. She loves to taste absolutely everything, and usually finds it isn't worth eating....grass, dirt clods, rocks, flowers. If Benjamin has something, she wants it. If Benjamin is hiding, she wants to hide right next to him. She can "broom, broom" a race car better than her brother. And she is best at it while we are sitting in church listening to a homily when all should be quiet. The smiles I get from families, watching my little girl all dressed up in a pretty polka dot dress with bows in her hair, and playing with race cars with her brother, makes me know that she is my daughter.

She resembles my two sisters, Jessica and Katrina. With her little chin, and her pixie face.

Her favorite game may still be peek a boo. She is a sweet doll baby, that will snuggle me when she knows I need a hug. She will stick that tongue out when she concentrates hard, just like her brother. She can bust a move, when the music is just right, and she is ALWAYS, ALWAYS at her Mama's side to be of help.

I love my prince and princess. They are a joy of life that I still say I can't explain. And on those days, that I question my sanity, and my every aspect of me being a mother. I smile, and think. Oh, yes we will have the trilogy.

Rodeo Days!

So, when I was five year's old. Apparently, I had a pair of red snowpants, that I wore every day, Winter time, all the way thru the August hot sun. Well, at one point my Mom had to take them, hide them, and later when I was older, she told me she actually burned them. She knew if they weren't discarded I would have worn them to shreds.

So this leads to this picture. You betcha I did! Brand spankin new pair of boots. We'll just say it fills that childhood void of my snowpants. And you bet, I will be wearning these skippers till my ripe old age.


THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN! AND THAT's Just what I'll do!!


So,what is a rodeo, without my spankin brand new red Cowboy boots! And there they are ladies! Whoot! Of Course we had to get Ben a pair too.



Our first Rodeo! Wow! Why have I never made it to a rodeo before. It was very cool. The kids LOVED it!

We went with our friends B and J with their kids. We dressed all up to fit the part!

Looking Good!
Ben and I even had a lesson in roping cattle. Ben was a little shy to try it out, but Mama got right in there.

I snagged the horn!

He was pretty happy after we found some popcorn.

And sportin the bandana!






Ben couldn't get enough. Cowboys riding the bucking broncos, cattle wrestling, cattle roping. And the Clown! He was a riot!

The last part was crazy! They have all of the children in the entire stadium enter the arena, and let several calves loose. They have several peices of duck tape on their backs, and for each piece a child pulled off, they get a dollar. It was madness, chaos, I have never seen anything like it. Kids were trampled by kids, Calves were trampled by kids, and the kids were trampled by the calves!

It was a Holee family first, but it won't be the last!

The Practical Simple Days

Favorite parts of the day, and so simple to say the least.

Notice Jonna trying to eat the bubbles.






Big Helpers for Dad while putting up the swingset.



I think I get this face all the time.
Ms. Jonna in Charge should be her nickname. Any time you see a steering wheel or anything that could be one, where Jonna could drive it, MOVE out of the way.


Who really needs to have the swing hang from the swingset to use it. It works perfectly fine on the ground.


Most slides are meant to slide down. Jonna prefers to climb up it first. Ben and Jonna my lil monkeys.




Look at that pretty smile.
Two seconds later. Literally.



There is that look again.


Mom, why can't I play with Dad's tools?

Before I knew tomorrow was going to be today.

That's kind of the way things go right now. One day to the next. Each one has it's own priorites and more. Today is a big day. Because yesterday, I was thinking, How the heck are Ben and Jonna going to handle starting at a new daycare together with someone who is a stranger to them. Ms. Alison will take good care of them I know. I feel pretty good about them starting there. Now leaving Ben this morning the first time, I knew it was going to be trying, and it was. That is when the Mama tears flow as I walked away. Trying to hide them. I mean he is 3. He will be fine.

We have had so many great events in the past couple months, and I feel as though not writing about them, makes them lesser. But I want to say ahead of time, that is not the case. Life gets crazy. And well, I haven't had the time to write, like I want to write. Because well, we do have more important things to do :)


Jake threw me a grand ol fantastic 30th Birthday with the help of my siblings! They got together to surprise me with some friends at our home. Jake took me to a wonderful restaurant, we shared a bottle of wine. My Mom had the kids, and by golly we had a fantastic date, with pretty scenery and amazing food! I did suspect a little something was going on, of course until we pulled into our drive, and found no cars, no visitors, just our quiet house, and not even Ben and Jonna there to greet me. Until, of course we open the front door. "the garage door was broke" Good technique Jake. I opened the door to streamers and banners of "Happy Birthday". All my brothers and sisters were there that could make it! My sister and her boyfriend from Colorado even flew in! It was a superb time. I think my funnest most fabulous birthday yet. One year older yes, but what more could I ask for? My two kids, my husband, my family, and great friends. We both have jobs, and a roof over our head. I have a lot more smarts than I had ten years prior. So, I see it as I am batting 1000!

Next off, Wyoming. Man, what a trip.


Mountain crisp air, beautiful scenery (wink, wink)

And a Holee family reunion.

From Dirt piles.

And Tonka Trucks.

A trip to the County fair. Man, my girl is talented!

To jumping and playing on the trampoline.




To Airplane rides with Papa Doug.








From Marshmallow Gun wars.





From Four wheeler rides in the mountains and valleys.
And brisk swims in an ice cold lake of melted snow.

Ready, set, Go!


Ok, a little more than brisk.

But Lynn sure handled it fine.

Talk about your heart popping out of your chest. Those Alaskan grown Holee's are tough!

To eating shish-ka- bobs and a morning bike ride in the valley.

We don't get to see the family enough. I wish we weren't so far away, but unless Jake finds another fire department closer to the Western States, we may have many more years of 12 hour trips to visit and have some good ole Holee fashioned fun.


Not sure what I enjoyed more, watching Jonna climb up Aunt Jessica's steps a million times over. Glancing down with a four teethed grin to see if someone noticed her disobeying the law! By the fifth day, Jonna had mastered going down the steps in the backwards crawl. The pitch black cool bedroom we slept in, and the kids took three hour naps!

The weather, 70's and lowers 80's with zero to no humidity. Able to sit out on the front swing with children in hand or just by themselves looking out over the valley to the moutains.


Ben playing for hours in a dirt pile with cousin Braddock and Ryan. Sitting on haybales. Campfires and eating smores.

Riding the Mule.


Floating on an inner tube down a creek.

Playing with boats over the bridge with Papa Doug.

Taking family pictures. The Schwab's.

Ethan

Matthew

David

Sidney








The McCarney's.

I had so much fun taking their pictures.

Braddock and Emmett

Braddock-The blue is superglue from stitches he had gotten a week prior. It worries me that Benjamin and Braddock may cause quite some trouble in the future together.

Emmett






The Jensan's.



Ryan and Addison




And Ms.Hannah!





The whole group.


Grandma Deena, Papa Doug, and Grandpa Don Holee with all the grandkids!


Okay, I think I am ready for another vacation!