there's a snake on my end table

Growing up, I always wanted to have girls. I think that's probably pretty normal since I AM a girl AND I only have sisters. I was definitely one of those girls who dreamed of falling in love, having a fairytale wedding and, of course, planned what I would name my baby princesses when they were born. When I was pregnant with my first baby, though, I remember clearly feeling like I was having a boy. I have no idea why and, in fact, when I was pregnant with my second I never had a strong feeling either way but with my first I just knew. On our way to the ultrasound where we found out the sex of our first born I was still "saying" I hope it's a girl because I just couldn't let it go but inside, deep down inside, I already knew it was a boy. Turns out I couldn't have been more right. The ultrasound technician didn't have any trouble seeing that our first child was a proud BOY!!!! Brandon was pumped and somehow proud...as if he had some control in the situation. What is it with men and their boys!? I was excited too and clearly not surprised but I have to admit, I was nervous! I had no idea how to handle boys and ABSOLUTELY no idea how to raise them!

Little did I know, almost 10 years later, that raising two little boys would be the most fun I've had in my entire life! They keep me laughing, they surprise me every day, they have taught me more lessons than I could ever thank them for and they melt my heart with one smile. Honestly, one of the biggest things I've learned is that there's more "boy" in me than I could've ever known. My dad raised his daughters as much like boys as he could and I didn't realize that until I had boys of my own. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still VERY girly and the boys gross me out almost every day! I can't tell you the number of times I've called friends who have boys asking "Is this normal?" but all in all raising boys is a ton of laughs. One thing I've come to appreciate is the little surprises and treasures the boys leave me around the house. No! Not the same surprises a dog might leave. I mean plastic bugs and rubber snakes and army men and star wars action figures that they strategically place either to try to scare me or just to "decorate" my shelves or end tables with. Often times I don't notice them for awhile and then when I do I can't help but smile. There will come a day, soon enough, when I will no longer find these hidden goodies around my house and so I try to document them whenever I find them. Sweet memories.