Snips and snails and puppy dog tails...

The other day I ran into another lady who was the mother of four boys. She said, "Aren't we lucky to have all boys?" I haven't ever really taken much time to think about it. I truly believe that God sends each and every family what they are supposed to have. I've never really been one of those women who yearns to dress a little person up in pink frills. Warren and I are genuinely grateful to get any baby here in good health. But this morning, as I quickly ran gel through each little spikey headed boy, I felt a strong twang of thanks for my little guys. Don't get me wrong...I love little girls too. We are surrounded by so many precious girls, many of whom have known our sons since they were babies. We love you too! Nevertheless, I just want to take a second to express some reasons why I love my little boys...
1. I love that special bond between mother and son. Those of you with sons know what I am talking about. That fierce, unbreakable admoration that you feel from your boy...Like they would do anything for you. Warren often says, "I don't get it. No matter what, they take your side."
2. Energy. We are not a family that sits for very long. We are ALWAYS moving. Life is short and we have things to learn, and do, and see. They are always up for any adventure, and everything is an adventure to a little boy. It also seems that little boys have to explore every tiny crevice of every tiny thing. I love the bags of rocks and shells in their closets. I love the jars of colored water on their dressers. I love the "special boxes" they keep with "special treasures". All of these artifacts come from a "special" place that they have visited. I now know what "snips and snails and puppy dog tails" means.
3. I love the special bond that they have with each other and their dad. I love that I have to yell at them to go to sleep at night because they are up there talking to each other about their days. I love that Cody walks Preston all of the way up to the Kindergarten gate even though he doesn't have to. They protect each other unfailingly. It has always been Warren's dream to have all boys, and he loves it. Our little boys think that their dad is bigger than life (I guess that he literally is). Life is always better when dad is home. He is so proud and supportive of them in education, music, and sports. They feel it and know it. All that they want is to please him.
4. Most of all, I love the ability that boys have to overcome their emotions quickly in difficult situations. This is a gift that starts very early in life for boys. I am jealous of this attribute. They will be beating each other up one minute, and reading to each other the next. They are quick to forgive and forget. I see how this will make their lives easier, happier.
And so, I have rambled on. I have started stentences with "and" and "but". I have written run-on and fragmented sentences. This is how it all plays out inside of my head. However, I am full of thanks for my little monsters and want them to know it!