Children

I remember being very concerned as a teenager that I would have children and then discover I didn't really like them (I always loved babies, but could take or leave toddlers and older), then I had my own children. I know it's trite, but nothing could have prepared me for how much I love my boys. With my own children, the baby stage was fun, but the real fun times started during the toddler years. I realize I'm barely out of that stage with Ian and, granted, Brendon is in a bit of an obnoxious stage at the moment with his new found hypochondria, but if the next 10 to 15 years are as joyous (and frustrating...oddly enough the frustrations are almost as wonderful as the fun stuff) as the past 9 have been, I will be a happy woman indeed. These musings are brought on by a couple of quotes (or "Ian"isms as they have come to be known as in our house) from Ian this weekend. The first happened yesterday as he and Brendon were talking about where they want to live in the future and what they want to do. They've both decided to be scientists when they grow up and lately Brendon has decided he wants to live in Alaska. When Michael and I pointed out there aren't many scientists in Alaska, so it could be challenging to find a job there, the boys quickly changed their minds and said they would just live in Nebraska instead. Michael and I snorted and said it would probably be easier to find a job as a scientist in Alaska than in Nebraska. Ian immediately and excitedly said, "Yay, we get to be the first scientists to live in Nebraska!" You've got to love a positive attitude like that. The other quote came from "Miss Melinda" who teaches Ian's class in church. They were talking about how you can tell where people are from by the words they use, such as "pop" or "soda," etc. Ian piped up asking, "Where am I from?" Melinda said, "Ian, you're a Californian." He responded, "Oh goody, and I didn't even have to move here from anywhere!" Have I mentioned how much I love my children?