The Prayer of a Righteous Person

It's been hard to write lately because by the time we get the boys in bed, I stumble, bleary eyed into the bed. Normally, I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow. But I had to write down some of the funny things going on.
First, there was this discussion with Carter. "Nancy, do you know about Crotty?" "Crotty? What's Crotty?" "You know...ha!-yah!" accentuate with leg kicking and arm chopping. I told him I know what it is, but I don't know how to do it. Why? "It's just cool."
Will is understanding a lot these days and can follow instructions, if he wants to. Nathan has found that if Will doesn't want to do something, he just acts like he doesn't know what we're talking about. However, if it's beneficial for his agenda, he suddenly understands. If you want him to put up a toy, he wonders around like we're speaking Hebrew. But, say "Will, would you like some candy? Go to the refrigerator." And he makes a beeline for the kitchen.
Nathan's parents gave us copies of his grandparents yearly Christmas letters, beginning in 1947. The very first one details how much havoc little 20 month old Ross (Doc) caused if not closely watched. All his misadventures sounded very similar to capers that have happened in this house featuring his two grandsons. Doesn't the Bible say in Exodus something about the sins of the father ? Notice it does not mention the sins of the mother.
Mainly, Carter has been campaigning for some more babies around this house. Last week, we were talking about how much he loves babies as I was changing Will's diaper. He said, "I love babies. We need another baby around here. But how are we going to get another one?" His lips pursed to the side and brows furrowed in concentration. He raised his index finger in the air and exclaimed "I know! I'll pray for another baby!" Then immediately "God, please give us two more babies. I just love babies." Startled by this quick turn of events, I shouted "Carter! TWO? I can barely handle you two, how will I handle two more?" He clasped his hands under his chin and pleaded "Pleeeaaaase. I really want two more." I told him that I was going to be forced to block his petition with one of my own requesting no more babies. He was highly offended that I wouldn't even consider his idea. After relating this shocking exchange to my mother, she laughed and said "I guess we'll see who is more righteous." I expect to be pregnant in the near future.
Just when I think the desire for more brothers has subsided, he slides it in the conversation. We were driving home from church and I said "Carter, I'm almost on board with the mini-van idea. They seem easier to get kids in and out of and bigger." "For the babies." I honestly thought he was referring to himself and Will, so I smiled and said "What babies?" "The babies I'm praying for." Nathan started laughing, showing some pride in his sons tenacity.
Tonight we helped Carter with his first homework assignment. It was an unfinished snowman that the family was to help decorate. I have difficulty handing over my artistic vision to a 4 year old and his father. Will was supposed to make snow flakes by dipping his finger into white paint and pressing it on the paper. He hated this job, though. He screamed and refused to push his finger down on the paper. So, he was washed up and escorted up to bed. Carter wanted to make the mouth out of coal but I'm not sure he really understands what coal is. That is astonishing for this girl from the coal fields of eastern KY. I can remember putting blocks of coal into our fire place and the sparks and the smell. But, we're talking about snowmen. Carter drew these enormous black circles for the coal mouth and made the carrot nose I'd made seem, well, not to scale. I kept mumbling my mantra "Carter's snowman. Not mine." He and his father started sticking some stickers all over it. More mantra. I sewed a red scarf on him and made a big, yellow hat. Carter asked for a feather in the hat, but since that looked like a pimp snowman, I managed to convince him that a flower was more like Frosty. Once my hat was done, flower and all, Carter said "Oh, that hat is lovely." Seriously. He said Lovely. Lovely is his new word of wonderfulness. Once we had finished, he declared the whole snowman lovely and we celebrated with some pie.
The best thing Carter said all day, was at lunch. I asked "Carter, my birthday is this week. What are you going to give me?" I expected it to be a firetruck or something super hero in nature. Instead, he got the most gorgeous look of playfulness; his eyes shone bright blue and literally twinkled, his dimples emerged and he peered up at me from his coloring and said "I can't tell you. It's secret." I wish I had a camera to capture it. It was the most beautiful I've ever seen him. Of course, he confessed he didn't really have anything for me and I laughed and told him all I wanted from him was hugs and kisses.
Well, gotta go pray.