Oh, Eli

Eli.  What a kid.  Anyone who knows him, knows what I mean.

Eli is 3.  He is smart, and playful, funny, adventurous, (a little naughty), and the kind of boy who, at the end of the day if he's not covered in an inch of grime, must be sick.  He owns several pairs of shoes, but never keeps them on more than 3 minutes at a time, he likes to catch beetles and worms but thinks  butterflies are horrific.  He likes to catch turtles with his daddy, fishes with his net, and builds dirt pile towers.  He loves 'mighty machines' and will walk around with bleeding knees as if he doesn't even notice he's just whipped out.  He always has a knot in his forehead, and dirt in his fingernails.  He's golden brown with bleach blond hair all summer long, and runs around outside in his jammies, just because he doesn't want to waste time getting dressed.  But best of all...he's a bit of a momma's boy.  He's a cuddle machine, gives nose nuzzles and snuggles into the space between my shoulder and chin when he's tired, or just on occasion between his wild adventures.  If he has a bad dream he won't make a sound...just quietly crawl into bed with us and snuggles close.  

He has the sweetest voice you'll ever hear.  He's a little hard to understand sometimes, and thinks grabbing our faces between his hands will help us understand better.  He likes Luke Skywalker, and Captain Hook and LOVES Curious George and thinks Buck Denver is the funniest thing around.  He sings in the car, which could melt the hardest of hearts.  At night before bed you can count on him asking for a story from daddy and I can hear him giggling and squealing from downstairs in the kitchen while he listens to his bedtime adventure.

He looks like his momma, but acts like his daddy.  He is the perfect mix of wild little boy, and loving child.  Another one of a kind, good hearted, little Mize boy.

All About Noah

I've been using this blog primarily as a means to share updates about Isaiah's issues and progress but I wanted to give Noah and Eli each a post of their own.  They have also changed so much in the last year, and while I may not talk about them as much on here, they are just a fabulous and deserving :)  I have been blessed with 3 of the most amazing children there are.  I know every mom says that...but it's actually true in this instance ;)

Noah is going to be 5, FIVE, in 3 months.  I can remember 5 years ago being big and pregnant, enjoying his hiccups (seriously that's all he did in there) and waiting impatiently to meet him.
And here we are, 5 years later, talking about birthday party plans, starting school next year, and wondering where the time has gone.  When people stopped me with a brand new baby and said things like "enjoy this, time goes by way to fast" I mostly rolled my eyes thinking 'time will go exactly as fast as it always has'.  But I was wrong.  Somehow things just speed up when you have little ones.

Noah is not your average nearly 5 year old.  He's wise beyond his years, caring, hyper aware of everyone's feelings and tender, and caring, and loving.  Last week I came down with the stomach flu and Noah was the one taking care of me while Daddy was off at work.  Noah got me diapers for Isaiah, he got me water and crackers and helped get Eli and Isaiah fed.  He filled sippy cups with milk for Isaiah, and poured himself and Eli drinks.  Seriously, what 4 year old does that?  He said things like "mommy, I hope you feel better", and "mommy, how's your tummy?"  He woke up in the morning and got clothes ready for Eli.  He got movies started so I could sleep in.  What 4 year old does that?

Not only is he helpful and caring, kind and considerate, but he's hilarious and imaginative.  Today he told me, as seriously as possible, "I'm no longer a boy.  I'm turning into a super hero and you must now call me Memory Man".

And not only is he helpful and care, kind and considerate, hilarious and imaginative...he's growing into the kind of Godly man I hoped he would.  He has started (and these are his words) 'sharing the good news' with people.  I have overheard him have conversations with his friends where he says things like "Did you know Jesus died so we could go to heaven?  And now he is no longer dead".  It's simple, but it's the start of something amazing.

I have been blessed with three, one of a kind, sons.