11.17.2008

Don't let these spiders crawl up beside us, they want to bite us, inject the virus...

This song title probably brings back some of the fondest memories of any of the song titles I've used for dedications so far.  Not because the others aren't meaningful or that they don't remind me of the person, but this one seems different somehow.  Maybe it's due to the fact that this blog is dedicated to more than one person.  In fact, it's dedicated to three people.  Three little boys.  Really, really, really cute and awesome ones.  Quite possibly the cutest.  This blog is dedicated to my main men, Carter, Owen, and Lewis.

I met the Harms family like... four or so years ago now.  I'm not totally sure, but it's been a while.  Anyway, so I am pretty sure I started babysitting them when Owen was barely two and Carter was threeish.  (I am not good with time periods, so bear with me)  Lewis was not even an idea yet, so we won't talk about him yet.  Carter was this sweet little crazy kid who liked to wear superhero costumes and watch movies.  Owen was hilarious and spastic and loved any music with a heavy bass line and a good beat, but he had an awful temper and he would throw some massive tantrums.  One time I made him mad by not giving him more snack, and he had been crying and screaming, and he had calmed down a little bit but he was still mad, so he threw his face into the hardwood floor so that he would cry more.  It was pretty hilarious, but don't tell anyone.  He also liked to "rock," which means he would sit on his hands and knees or up on the couch and rock back and forth to the beat of whatever music is playing.  Carter was more of a talker, if I'm remembering right, and even though he liked music, he liked to watch videos and play with toys and stuff.  Both of them were constantly wearing some superhero costume.  ALWAYS.  Hardly a moment went by that they were not wearing one.  They were my favorite.  Babysitting became less of a job and more of a fun thing I got to do, to the point that I have gotten into the habit of asking Kim and Corey if they need a babysitter any time soon so I can come and play with them.

Several years have gone by since then.  Carter is in first grade, Owen is in kindergarten, and Lewis has since been born and turned one.  Carter became super shy somewhere along the line, and likes to watch videos and play with his friends and catch bugs and frogs and stuff.  I don't usually see much of him when I'm over at their house, because he is a busy little man, playing outside or watching Magic School Bus or Batman or something.  Owen is the little craft-maker.  He's always coloring or making something cool.  One time he corrected me on how I was coloring in my Superman coloring page.  Lewis loves popsicles and likes to "rock" like Owen did when he was littler.  Sometimes I will walk into his house and he will start running into furniture so I will laugh at him.  It's pretty cute.  Sometimes he is very serious, and other times he is a little spaz.  It sort of just depends on his mood.

Anyway, those boys are basically my bestest buddies.  Life is so much simpler when all you have to worry about is what video you're going to watch or whether you want to be Batman or Spiderman.  Why is everything so complicated, anyway?  I would rather color.
 
Sincerely,
Mara

17 comments:

  1. Fifty crayons are why life is complicated.

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  2. You know one of the things I love about you? Your are 17 years old and you love my kids. When you could be so beyond babysitting, you offer to watch our boys so we can get a night out. I have decided that you should never be allowed to grow up and move away? Is that okay?

    Oh, and I asked Lewis what he thinks about you and he said "be-de-be" I think that translates to "She's super-cool."

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  3. I have to revise my first comment. I'm okay with you growing up; you're pretty much there anyway. Just don't move away.

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  4. Oh, I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon! I've also determined never to grow up, so you're covered on both counts. That is definitely okay. Tell Lewis I think he's super-cool too!

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  5. Mr. Butler is awesome... I am going to buy all those clothes, no matter what they look like, which they will be awesome. I didn't see that thing on her profile, but I knew that those things existed, and I think they are pretty cool. I should make one for someone...

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  6. Mr. Butler's art is amazing. And I LOVE their vision for missions.

    You have to read about the time capsule email! It's hilarious and adorable.

    YOU ARE WITH YOUR HARMS BOYS RIGHT NOW.

    I feel a bit squidgy.

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  7. I like reading Muse. I can read its entire contents in just a few minutes except when I get stuck in some of the memories or when I get enthralled with how vulnerable you make yourself in your writing. There are some lovely lines on there that get stuck in my head. It doesn't bother me. At all. Unlike that startsinmytoes song that you can't stand. *laugh*

    Am I too squidgy for popcorn? That's a tough one...

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  8. Fractals! Are on your home page!

    You were singing Angel in your room. I heard. It was pretty.

    YOU are pretty. I love your profile pic. I think it might have bumped to first place in my favorites. That's serious business.

    Eighteen is only one month away. Almost exactly.

    You were a lovely baby. Hardly ever cried. Cheerful. Taking everything in with those big brown eyes. And you were completely, utterly, madly in love... with Bob Barker of the Price Is Right. I hate to break it to you, but he is much too old for you, Marabelle.

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  9. You are shopping, Happy Girl. *smile*

    Adorable is you giving Leo guitar lessons. He is so excited.

    Far less adorable is me trying to narrow down what to get you for Christmas because there are so many awesome things you would love. I'm having the same trouble with Sophie. At least it's a fun problem to have.

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  10. Triple love the new background!!!

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  11. My Carrie just used the word "suckage" on your Facebook wall. In reference to your illness. Oh my. *laugh*

    Did you enjoy your appetizer? I mean, your "flattend bread"?

    HAHAHAHAHA...I was just about to politely comment on Gov. Bogodfnoifmzxlkoevich of Illinois's hair. But you beat me to it. *laugh*

    Mara: (while watching Gov. Bogslkolskdadfnnvich's statement to the press) "You need new hair, sir."

    It was literally simultaneous. *laugh*

    Etsy is amazing. I'm calling my ornament from Manda. You know I am. DON'T TELL HER MY GUESS.

    You would own everything Superman if you could, I think. Earrings, skirt, ******, necklace...

    You need to experience creme brulee. [/accent on the e]

    Your blog needs to experience a new post from you.

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  12. So...now 18 is just days away. Wow. When did I first meet you, when you were 14? 13? Gah! Anyway, just a note to tell you and your family Merry Christmas! I miss the old days on CGR and Gtalk, the music and the stupid/silly stuff. It was fun to watch you growing up...as much as is possible on the intarwebz. I agree with Kim and your Mom. Quit that. ;).

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  13. I love that our family likes each other. I love that our family is laughing loud enough in restaurants that it might possibly be a disturbance to the other patrons. I love that we discuss sermons and worship and pastors over garlic butter knots. I love that we all get giddy over garlic knots. I love that we talk about working on Sundays and that Doug Brown joins the conversation in the Target parking lot. I love that I have a daughter who is excited about baking artisan breads and who whips up a hand knit scarf for her seven year old cousin. I love that I am finally cleaning my bedroom. I love that your dad is making a cabinet for that ugly hole in the wall. I love that my son can't tear himself away from Eulalia or however that's spelled. I love that pink nail polish I won in Christmas Bingo. I love that my mom, your Grammy, is the Christmas Bingo Mistress. I love that ALL of the grandchildren will forevermore call my dad "Pepaw" because of your adorable mispronunciation. I love that your little bro is such a snuggler and I also love that he is sneaking a drink of straight-up lemon juice from the refrigerator as I type this. I love the Christmas ribbons on my new birthday bag. I love drinking out of wine glasses for no specific reason other than they're pretty so they should be used more than once or twice a year. I love my giant black spoon. I love that my husband is loudly spouting nonsense while he paints just to create an echo only he can hear. I love that my sister and my brother and my niece and my nephew love their new church. I love that my daughter will work for an hour to perfect pencil-drawn eyes. I love snow. I love the book of Isaiah. I love photographs. I love Dutch Blitz. I love steampunk and the fact that we could rely on Wikipedia to explain what that even means. I love you. I love you, Mara. I. Love. You.

    I love that I could type all of that without even trying.

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  14. Onemoreday. GAH!

    Eulalia is a Redwall book. Aren't you wondering about "steampunk"? *laugh*

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  15. The pics of you from Jess's house are really funny. Especially the dancing ones. Well, the knight one is funny, too. They're all funny.

    3:26.

    Not 2:36, like I thought. I liked 2:36 better because 2x3=6 AND it's in numerical order. At 2:36 I was probably in a lot of pain. But then you were born and it was awesome. Except for when they tried to give me cold oatmeal for my first meal in 24 hours. That didn't go so well. Your dad was a hero, though, and saved the day with an Egg McMuffin. I love being married to a hero.

    You wore a skirt to go shopping today. AND a ribbon in your hair. That's cute. I am also proud of you for standing your ground about that Converse bag. Good job pinching pennies.

    WE ARE LOOKING AT BABY PICTURES TOMORROW NIGHT.

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