I have read and heard about how 2 year old kids are really hard. The "Terrible 2's". Well, in our family it more like the terrible 3 to 4 years. When Kyle was 3 and 4 he was very messy and destructive. I thought it was part of his personality, however, from the last few months I have realized it is just a "phase". Kyle will be 5 in December. Recently I have noticed that he is not as "crazy" or messy or destructive. He is even starting to be more helpful. Sometimes he will start to help the first time I ask him. On one occasion, I especially want to remember, was him helping at the church. We were leaving after Activity Days was all over. I had a box of all the items I had brought for the activity. I had Cam with me. I started to wonder how I was going to get everything out to the car. I saw Kyle pushing the box to the door. I thought he would just leave it there. I went to look for the girl I was giving a ride home to. When I came back outside I noticed Kyle had pushed the box all the way to our car. I was so grateful and impressed. One that he pushed the box all the way out there and also that he did this without even being asked.
As a parent I think my boys are going to be one way or the other and have this type of personality. However, I have learned from Kyle that I am totally wrong. For example when Kyle was little I thought he was going to be the really out going, talkative, maybe even a little disobedient. However, he continually surprises me with what he does. His preschool teacher always wondered why I was so concerned about him, obviously she hasn't seen him at home. However, when at preschool she described him as being "very well behaved" and hardly said a word. My jaw dropped when she said that. I also thought he was going to be the sporty one. Wrong again. He would much rather sit on the sideline and cheer his brothers on. Basically I have learned that I should never believe the boys are going to be this way or that way. Another example is with Kade. I thought he was going to be the very studious, shy one. Last year he did really well in kindergarten, but he is starting to not be so shy. Maybe soccer does help. With all of this I am constantly reminded that my job, as a mom, is to help them and guide them to become the man that our Heavenly Father wants and needs them to be. They will constantly be changing and surprising me with what they do. I am grateful that, so far, the things I have heard back about the boys is good. I am also grateful they know and are comfortable enough to know our home is a place where they can relax and just be themselves. Hopefully they will always know that our home is where they are constantly loved, regardless of what they do. I hope they will always feel safe and loved while here. Hopefully they will always forgive me for the mistakes I make. I might be older, but I am still learning how to become a better person and a better mom.
Now I need all the help I can get to make sure Connor stays alive during this terrible 3, early 4 stage. At least I might have a little break before Cam starts doing a bunch of weird, disgusting, destructive, and messy things. But who knows? He might start a little bit earlier. We will see!!