Scarlet Velvet and Pearls

Boys, boys, boys. I do not understand them sometimes! Mindy found this perfect journal entry from a scrapbook magazine. She thought I could relate and boy could I ever!

You'd think that because I only have boys, I'd understand the sometimes bizarre things they do. But I don't. They are rough and noisy and they have that semll to them...that mix of sweat and dirt that never seems to fade. There is the nightly serenade of burps and farts followed by uncontrollable laughter. They are collectors of treasures - coins, rocks, batteries, bits of string hidden in blue jean pockets. They drive me to the brink of insanity and then...

There is that smile - Prince Charming in real life. That twinkle in their eyes that reminds me that this little believer of dreams, despite his strange quirks and filthy skin, will someday grow up to be a strong, independent man. In the meantime, I don't even pretend to understand them, these four males that I share a house with. And if I could unlock their magical secret, I wouldn't...I'd rather stay clueless - often exasperated but always in awe of their bond, their humor, their resilience...their love for me.

Exasperated. That is a good word for how I felt the other day when I let the boys "jump in the puddles". This is their idea of jumping in the puddles. This all happened in a matter of minutes! I go inside to take care of Tanner for a few minutes and by the time I come back out, this is what I see - Jordan laying in the mud. Laying! When will they acquire the inhibition to not cover themselves with mud? It hasn't happened yet.