They make me more proud everyday...

I didn't really hear "I'm proud of you" growing up, especially from my Dad. My boys hear it so often JC makes fun of me and says "no dad, I'm proud of you more". I want them to know constantly, no matter how small the feat that I love them and that I am proud of everything they accomplish.

As in every situation and family, I have two very different unique boys to deal with daily. JC is a fiery 5 year old that's never met a stranger. They call him the Mayor in pre-school. He runs the class, helps the other kids and never shuts his mouth. He is a great brother, always looks out for a lil man and keeps me laughing because he has jokes for days. I'm proud of JC tonight because he didn't want to take a bath.... said big boys take showers. I've been swimming and got less wet than I did helping him get a shower tonight. But we did add loofah and body wash to his vocabulary. Good times. proud of you and I love you JC.

Jack on the other hand is my lil angel. He has been diagnosed with Autism for a couple years now. He has been receiving speech, occupational and Autism therapy since he was 2 and has made huge strides, especially the last 4 months. Jack doesn't speak much so we communicate mostly by touch or him showing me what he wants or needs. He has as sweet as an angel, smile lights up in the room and I nearly have to pry him away from his teachers at school. They just can't get enough of loving on some Jackson. In the last week I have received two firsts; an open arm hug and he told me Good Night. I know these are little things, but not for me and not for my lil homie. Proud of you and love you Jack.

I am a proud daddy. I can't talk to people about Jack without getting a tear in my eye. I am so proud of his progress, how hard he works everyday and what a sweet baby boy he is. I am so excited about the things to come and all that his life has in store for him.

If JC becomes anymore of a spitting image of me... hang on world. He doesn't let me out of his sight and I see myself in him more everyday. He always keeps me on my toes and always know just what to say or do to make everything right in my world.

I love you boys, thanks for being so different and yet exactly the same.

Super Bowl Meltdown...

So as do most red blooded american men, I was looking forward to a great night with friends watching the Super Bowl, eating some great food and drinking a couplefew frosty adult beverages. The boys weren't feeling great but they weren't feeling like death either... good enough for them to stay at home and play and go to bed at a normal time.

As halftime nears, my phone rings. Conversationwith 5 year old follows:

Me: Hello
JC: Hey (whimper) Daddy
Me: Why are you crying, what's wrong buddy?
JC: Nothing..... just am. (more whimpering)
Me: Well there is no reason to cry. Tell me why you are upset.
JC: I miss you daddy. (Note: I had been gone for approx 2 hours)
Me: Well I miss you too lil homie. No reason to be sad though. I will be home soon, just watching the football game. I don't want you to be upset.
JC: I just love you daddy, that's all. (This is about the point where I felt like world's worst dad)
Me: I love you too very much and how bout we go to store tomm and find you a new book or something for being such a good boy this weekend.
JC: We gonna go to the bookstore?! Awww yeah, ok. bye daddy! (Click)

Part of me hangs up the phone thinking I have the best kid in the world and he loves me so much. Then the reality sunk in that he used me like a high school girl and her teenage boyfriend to get what she wants. Lil sucker.... crafty lil salesman... just like his dad. Love'em to death!