My Little Super Heros

I have potty trained my youngest child. It is a giddy feeling. No more diaper bags to tote hither and fro. Instead we have a drawer full of new, size 3, little boy underwear. I love them! ...decorated all over with super heros, or scooby doo or (his favorite) Thomas the Tank Engines. So now we have two boys running through the house after bathtime shaking their super hero briefs and showing off their latest karate moves.
Truly, my boys' imaginations know no bounds and neither do their energy levels.
I told Mark at the end of one particularly exhausting day: "Raising boys is HARD!"
They are so physical. All day long they are pulling me, crashing into me, running from me, climbing on me and asking me questions...
"Momma, can you come see...?"
"Momma, what is...?"
"Momma, why do...?"
"Momma, how does...?"
"Momma, can I...?
"Momma, watch this!"
The latter is usually uttered by Benjamin just before he displays a set of super-duper-never-seen-before-wild-arm and leg slinging-karate moves meant to dispatch bad guys. After he finishes the exhibition, Benjamin waits breathlessly for my applause. At the same time his little brother is trying to imitate him and ends up in a tangled heap on the floor. I stifle my giggles and give a very solemn nod of approval followed by profuse hand clapping. Then I scoop Isaac off the floor and smother him with kisses until we are both laughing. Ben is duly affirmed and bounces off to choreograph more super moves.

Yes, boys are exhausting...and exhilerating...and amazing! What would I do withouth them? It seems that the Lord has orchestrated this very interesting stage to coincide with a time in my life when my attention most needs to be diverted. Keeping my mind on my little boys keeps me from ruminating over the whereabouts of my BIG boy (Mark), which will all-too-soon be Iraq.
The very bad thing is that when Mark leaves I have to be all things to everyone. And while I feel pretty confident with the Mom thing, I am a very poor Daddy.
The girls and I miss Mark when he is gone. But the boys lose a little sparkle...During Mark's last deployment, Benjamin did not smile. And oh, how I missed his smile! Now Isaac is old enough to really feel it too. They will both miss the tickles, the wrestling, and the games of hide and seek where Mark will hide somewhere in the house then jump out and scare them til they are a mess of screams and giggles. They love it and beg for him to "Go hide, Daddy!".
But I am not so good at these things, and Ben will say with a sigh "Mom, you just aren't a good wrestler like Daddy". (Only he will pronounce it "westhler" because his front tooth is missing:>)
I know it is true. I am not wild and loud and strong and crazy with these boys like their Daddy is. Boys need that...just as much as they need their Momma's cuddles and kisses, hugs and handholding.
Sigh...
Well, Lord, YOU will have to fill the void when he leaves again. And give me the energy to keep up with these little guys!
Oh how I need them...