The best times of our life?

I had a very brief conversation with a semi-truck driver back in December that obviously made an impact because I still remember it clearly.  He was the guy delivering our vehicles to our home here in Oregon (click here to see blog post if you're interested - it was an adventure).

The driver was very friendly- I would even go as far to say bubbly.  He asked how old the boys were and after I responded, he responded by saying that he remembered when he kids were that old - those were the best days of his life.

I clearly remember my response.  "REALLY?"  And then I believe I remember saying something about it being so much work!  I was clearly coming from a place of having just moved unexpectedly, not sleeping through the night, attempting to feed a baby a bottle while also navigating a driver through a neighborhood I am not familiar with, all while taking care of a 4 year old.  These are supposed to be the best days of my life?!?!  Seriously, at that moment, I am fairly certain I just wanted a nap.

I have reflected on that short conversation numerous times.... as I am washing out dirty diapers, picking up the kitchen towels from the floor, caring for kids in the middle of the night, and emptying random items from the cupboards, dishwasher, and washing machine (compliments of small children).

However,  there are so many fun things that are happening in this stage of life.  At this very moment, Marty and Elijah are drawing robots - and spending time with Daddy is about the best thing that Elijah could ask for.  Gavin is in such a fun phase.  He is learning new things all the time and will do just about anything to make us laugh.  When he sees something exciting (like an ant or an airplane) he will enthusiastically point and shout "WHOA!!!!".  So precious.

So, I was smiling and reflecting on this tonight as Gavin was playing in the bathtub - figuring out which toys would fit inside his cup.  And then.... he pooped.  In the bathtub.  Best times of my life?  Thankfully tonight I was able to continue to smile as I was cleaning all the bath toys and Marty was helping clean out the tub.  But there are times that it is much more difficult to smile.  Raising small kids is a lot of work.

That said, I probably will remember these as some of the best times of my life - possibly because I don't take pictures or regularly write about the times that one of the kids pooped in the tub or both kids stuffed all our shoes in the washing machine - and the ensuing time it takes to clean it all up.  We take pictures and write about the really fun times we have and all the silly things the kids do.  And there are a lot of those.

Reading to Elijah about Crater Lake.  He loves to learn and it is so fun to be able to watch him
and to be involved in his interests.  I am sure that I will remember these moments much more
than all the times that he tells me I am wrong or that I don't know what I'm talking about.  At least I hope so...

Gavin LOVES hats and thinks everything should be made into a hat.  Including
Elijah's underwear.  This makes us laugh - a lot.  I am going to fondly remember this
and likely forget that he also pooped in the tub.