It’s not very often that I get pictures of the boys together. It seems as if I’m always snapping pics with my iPhone, but never with my good camera. And never all three of them in one picture.
Unheard of.
A few reasons: 1. They are never usually ALL dressed at the same time. 2. Even if they are dressed…they don’t want momma all up in their face with my camera. 3. The majority of the time the three of them are together they are acting like we live in a WWE ring.
It makes me sad because I want to look back at this time in our lives and remember how cute their little faces are.
So a few weeks ago I decided to take my camera with me on our park trip. It was an impromptu opportunity to capture some brotherly moments.
Moments where they aren’t trying to kill each other are rare around here.
I just can’t believe how fast time is going by.
To think that I have an almost 6 year old…
To think that my baby is no longer a baby….but quite the big boy…
And to witness that my sweet middle child is old enough to hang from the monkey bars…
It’s all going too fast. In just a blink of an eye these three boys will be in high school and then off to college.
I don’t even know what I will do when they don’t need every ounce of my being.
It’s all I know.
I just keep finding myself feeling so blessed to have these four boys in my life, hubby included.
I never ever imagined that I would grow up and be the only girl in my family. Never.
I thought for sure I’d be raising princesses and having tea parties.
Not climbing monkey bars and throwing dirt.
But now that I’m living it…I could never imagine it any other way. I am exactly where I am suppose to be. Surrounded by boys and all.
Even boys who pee in public.
It’s moments like the one below that make my heart melt in to a gazillion million small pieces.
Because honestly…these boys may fight and tattle on each other…but they also truly love each other.
I’m getting teared up just thinking about it because I don’t have any siblings. I don’t know what it’s like to have a brother or sister.
But after witnessing what my boys have…I’m grateful that God gave me the opportunity to see it first hand.
I pray for my children every day.
I pray that they will always be as close as they are now. That they will always have each others backs. That they will always stand up for one another.
I pray that nothing can break their brotherly bond.
I pray for myself. For when the time comes that they don’t need EVERY ounce of my being, that I will be able to let go.
I just found your blog via Natalie (busy budgeting mama), and I am so happy to have found another mom of 3 little boys!! I honestly feel like I could have written this post…word for word. I also never imagined being the only girl in my family….and I know the exact feeling of being so needed at every moment. Isn’t it more wonderful than you could ever have thought, tho? 🙂 I love little boys….how they love their mommas so much, and how they are so soft and sweet and thoughtful 🙂 Aren’t we lucky? 🙂
Mandy! These are the sweetest pictures! What handsome young men you are raising! Stunning photos of your boys (yes…even the peeing pic is stunning…it’s what boys do!). Love it!
As my early riser (3:30?! Really?) settles in for an unscheduled morning snooze, I can’t help but get teary-eyed from this post. Darn pregnancy hormones. Sure, I definitely wished I was sleeping when a little hand rubbed my face, hand, arm, and face again at 4:00 in the morning, but all too soon he’s going to be too cool for his mama and I’ll be getting teary-eyed from the memory of it all.
Oh Mandy! I love this and can totally relate! I love love love having all boys. I dreamed of it my whole life though, so I really am living what I always wanted. Your boys are adorable!
This post has me all teary eyed as well!! I have 2 littles, 2 and 9 months and I already see how fast the time is going and I all every say is, “I need more time” – Your boys are seriously so damn cute and you are one truly blessed woman 🙂
I have a sweet 1 month old boy at home and I love him to pieces. Most of the time I hope that our next is a girl, but then I read a post like this and I think “I want Landry to have a brother”, I want him to have exactly what you’re talking about. I know I love the relationship I have with my sisters.
I know EXACTLY how you feel! There’s nothing quite like being a boy mom. I don’t know what I’d do if we ever have a little girl.
I’m so thankful that the boys still think we’re cool and want to hang out with us. I know there will be a day when they won’t want to walk around holding my hand, give me kisses in front of everyone and climb in my lap just because. I soak it all up.
And the whole camera thing, I sometimes feel guilty for taking so many pictures with the good camera and not just jumping in and playing. I’m trying to put down my big lens and snap with the phone more. I love capturing all the memories though.
I totally understand how you feel ~ I don’t have siblings around and my heart feels heavy sometimes. I would love to have a sister to love on!!!! God gave me all girls ~ second best thing! I have raised two of those girls already and only have one little left at home. I promise you it will get easier thinking about them leaving home and not needing you as much. I am convinced God gave us teenagers to help distance those feelings a bit at times ~ lol Just know, those kiddos will always need a part of you ~ promise! PS You have a beautiful family!!!
Oh gosh, I loved every single bit of this, girl! And you are so right – there is no love like that between siblings. THANK GOD FOR THAT. I have no clue who I would be or where I would be without my brother. Truly.
And I tell my hubby all of the time that this whole motherhood gig doesn’t make a lot of sense. I mean, really?? We’re supposed to love them with every ounce of our being, all with the end goal that someday they’ll be ready to leave us. Pretty wild concept, right? What other relationship on this planet works that way?! But that’s exactly what our goal and mission is in raising them! Pretty sure I’ll be doing the ugly cry for days when Jackson goes to college.
You have such precious, handsome boys…. loved seeing all of these photos of them playing together and lovin’ on one another! Blessed days indeed! 🙂
What sweet pictures of your boys! I too am guilty of taking too many pictures on my iPhone and not nearly enough with my good camera. You’ve inspired me to dust it off and take some pictures soon.
Lovely article… and the last line brought immediate tears to my eyes. I know the feeling!
Love it! I have been studying the photography tips (thank you for these) you have added and hope to capture many precious moments with my children.
I LOVE these pictures! I’m an only child too and we are praying so hard for a sibling for Chase. I would love to have three or four boys some day. I love being a boy mom!
I love this post. Beautifully written.
What adorable photos!! Not only are they sweet, handsome boys…from the previous few posts, you are raising them to be kind-hearted and to love Jesus. I love seeing photos of them!
I love this post and all the pictures. Your boys are so cute! I am a mother of one boy (4) and he has taken to peeing in public…I blame his papa. lol We were at a birthday party last weekend and out of the corner of my eye I saw a naked tush and realized it was my boy’s naked tush. I got up…hoping no one noticed him and when I told him to pull his pants up he turned around and “shined” everyone at the party. I was so embarrassed, but I laughed it off later. Boys are definitely silly, but they are keepers.