Team Hickman

I've been having an inner struggle for quite some time now. Do I forget the dirty bathrooms, the piles of laundry, the echoing of my kids fighting and destroying who-knows-what and make time to blog about our life, so that I can remember a life that seems to be in fast forward? Or do I just try to stay afloat, live my life and try to take in as much as this tired brain can hold (like I have for the past two years). I am crazy to think I'm going to pick blogging back up when I'm due any day with my fourth boy. But I look back on my blog before being a quitter and I laugh and cry when memories, that have been pushed out of my mind are brought back to me. My kids are beautiful and funny and so unique at every age. There is something to love (and dread at times) about each of them and I want to remember every detail-Good and bad. I want to them to remember the fun that we had and not just the slave driving, homework Nazi, manner monitor mom that I have become. I want them to know how much I love and adore them and how hard they are to raise at times. So here goes, wish me luck on being able to truly accomplish this.

A little bit to the loves of my life.

Matt

My life has been truly blessed by you. I feel like I'm the luckiest girl to have found you, and by some crazy miracle been able to be your wife. I could not have hand picked a better husband or father of my boys. You are a great example of honesty, optimism, leadership, enjoying life, and patience (a ton of other things too). Thank you for enduring 9 months of crazy hormonal ups and downs and continuing to love me and be my sanity. At times when my frustration levels are at an all time high (like when you broke the brand new stroller by not following the directions), you laugh it off and promise to take care of it... And you Always do! I love just being with you, at home, on vacation, date nights, watching ESPN, or just folding laundry. You are my Best Friend and I'm crazy about you.

Brax

You are a great kid. You are enthusiastic and love life. You never want to miss out on anything and are always up for trying new things and going anywhere with anyone that is on the go. You are the biggest storyteller! We question fact or fiction with a lot of the stories you tell, but you tell them with such passion you can't help but love them. I love your blue eyes and your laugh(it's so contagious). You are so passionate about hunting, fishing, horses, sports-anything dealing with nature. When I have a project (like the garden) I know I have a helper. You are a hard worker and I love to have you by my side when I need help.

At times you show major attitude! You have to be reminded to clean up after yourself, chew with your mouth closed, quit teasing, and to put a shirt on...Daily! It makes me scared for teenage years! Hopefully we both learn patience, kindness, and tolerance before those days come. When you are not teasing your brothers, you are the best big brother to Bo and Hayes. They look up to you and think you are the coolest kid around. You are growing up way too fast and you love to stand next to me and measure yourself against me to remind me of that. You come to my shoulder and almost wear the same size shoe as me. Although you are big you are sweet and at times I call you my little kitty. Because whenever I am sitting by you, you snuggle up to me ask my to rub your back, feet, head, legs, neck, and shoulders.

When I had you eight and a half years ago it changed my world! And I will forever be grateful for that. I love your hugs and pats on the back. I especially love being your mom.

Bo You are your own man. "That's how I roll" is a phrase you use often and that says it all. Your beautiful brown eyes melt me and save you from getting into trouble at times. You are quirky, honest (to a fault sometimes), kind, sensitive, and smart. You like to do your own thing most of the time and you'd rather stay home than go most anywhere. You are 6 going on 40-wise beyond your years and you don't care too much what people think most of the time. You love the WII, your DS, playing with action figures, legos, playing games, and playing sports with dad, Brax, and Hayes.

You love to tease Hayes and teach him bad things to say or sing (I am grandpa man, with little wet spot in my pants). It makes me crazy! But most of the time you are a great brother and helper. I love you more than you'll ever know.

HayesYou little Character! You are the funniest kid alive. You are the sweetest little cuddler, and yet the toughest little guy. You don't take crap from anyone, which is probably good since you insist on running with the big boys. You love sports and being outdoors, but love playing the ds and with action figures just as much. You love to dress up in crazy outfits and love to wear "cozy clothes" (soccer jersey and basketball shorts) when you aren't in costume. You change your clothes at least 3 times a day, which makes me crazy. You make all of us laugh with the things you say and your dance moves. You are my little sidekick while your brothers are at school and I love being with you. You make life fun.