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Home Ashley Cannon Cruiz honesty Ledger Toddler Is it easier, now that they are older?

Is it easier, now that they are older?

twins 
Today I made a spur of the moment decision, I wanted to paint some chairs. I looked down at my boys, and noticed their uncoordinated outfits and their uncombed hair. But it was going to be a quick trip, so I quickly ushered them into the car and told myself nobody would even notice. We drove 10 minutes away to the paint store and when we pulled into the parking lot, noticed a big sign in the window saying they no longer sold the paint we were looking for. There was address listed below and after plugging it into my GPS, I learned it was 20 minutes away. I sat for a minute, wondering if I wanted to make the drive, and then thought, why not?

So I jumped on the freeway, hit traffic, felt grateful for a GPS, and eventually made it in downtown SLC. I’m not sure what happened during the drive, but when I pulled my boys out of the car, they were completely wired. Cannon and Cruiz immediately took off in different directions and I chased them around the parking lot, praying no cars would pull in. I finally lassoed the two of them, and walked into the store while holding both their hands with Ledger following behind. A lady immediately stepped up and asked what I needed help with, and led me over to the paint sample colors. While I searched for a turquoise paint, my boys went crazy. It was just like our experience at the airport last January {Read Here}. Both twins were running different ways, I was extremely flustered and started cussing the small paint store who didn’t have carts that I could throw them into. (Ha the place was full of working men who obviously need carts)  Ledger could tell how upset I was getting, so he began yelling, “Brudder, come back HERE!” and grabbing the back of their shirts which would cause whichever boy he had to fall backwards onto Ledger’s legs and then they would both topple over. And that would of course start a full our brotherly brawl…

And while Ledger wrestled one, I’d run after the other, walk back to talk to the lady, and try to stop the boy in my arms from wiggling their way out. Cannon’s main goal was to try and pull paint off the shelves as fast as he could. Awesome. Cruiz was just following his brother’s lead.

Suddenly a family that I grew up with in our community came to mind. I remember being a teenager and looking at all of their boys and thinking, “They are soo out of control. Don’t they discipline?” And at that very moment I realized we were THAT family. And those words just blurted right out of my mouth, while I was looking at the lady showing me a paint color.

“We’re totally that family!”

She just smiled, let out a soft chuckle continued talking about paint. She never said anything judgmental, and as I ran after boys she patiently waited for me to return to finish her sentence. She even reminded me to grab my phone when walking up to the front desk.

While the paint was mixing, I threw the boys on a random couch in the front of the store and stood in front of them and said, “Don’t get off.”

IMG_3806edtwins   

And as I thought more about that family with all boys from Rexburg, I realized they are now older, and all seem to be turning out okay. So while I stood in front of my boys and threatened them with their lives, I started encouraging myself.  “You’ve got this, you just have to make it through the next 16 years… They don’t need to be the President of the USA, they just have to turn out somewhat normal. Yeah, you’ve got this Ash! ” My glare/scowl eventually turned into a smile because I realized there was hope for my three little hellions, and noticed a guy next to me  staring as I was smiling at my boys who were now wrestling on the couch… undoubtedly thinking, “Doesn’t she discipline? They are so out of control.”

 boystwins

To answer the question I’m asked nearly every day, “Is it easier, now that your boys are older?”

Yes and no.

Today… No.

I’m just grateful how nonjudgmental the lady was who surprised me and carried out my box of paint supplies to my car as I literally drug two twin boys who refused to walk… Yeah, we’ve got this.

// Labels: Ashley, Cannon, Cruiz, honesty, Ledger, Toddler
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7 comments:

  1. KathaleenyJune 16, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    I totally remembered the woman I judged while thinking "I would never, ever do something so disgusting" as I reached down and wiped a running booger out of my daughter's nose with the bottom of her t-shirt. I think I heard faint laughter coming from the heavens too.

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  2. Ronie FryJune 16, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    Lol. Sounds like every single time I take my 4 year old and 2.5 year old twins somewhere. Some days are easier some are harder. But, they rarely sit still when you want/need them too 😉 Your boys are adorable.

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  3. ShariJune 16, 2015 at 4:15 PM

    Hahahaahahha , A great day, one you have written about. Oh this stories I could write!!! I'm wondering what kind of paint store has such a nice couch? Thank heavens for couches in paint stores.

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  4. JanJune 18, 2015 at 7:18 AM

    You've totally got this Ash!! You really do! So many moms I've met in person or on other blogs portray their lives as being perfect (without moments like this) when you know all hell breaks loose for everyone once in a while. Thanks for keeping it real. Ledger sounds like a wonderful lil helper!

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  5. Auntie EMJune 18, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    That is a cute and funny story that you will remind them of when they are 16 years old or older....most people are really kind and helpful. But I've been there where I was asking, "Do they have to let that kid scream?" Now, I have a 5 year old grandson that screams when he doesn't get his way. I really think my son was better behaved as a child. The kids being born now are really smart, intelligent, active, growing so fast, are exposed to so much more than I was or my son was, so they are so way ahead. It is the way it is meant to be. They have to be like that because our world is so fast paced. I love the photos and hearing about your boys.

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  6. UnknownJune 18, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    I laughed and cried at your post. I was just asking myself this same question today and yesterday and all week! I feel like all I do is discipline my 4 year old twins and their 2 year old sister to no avail. My four older children are helpful but still children. Something about twins!! They just seem to know how to run in opposite directions and make a huge mess. I really needed your post today. Thank you! It's nice to know I am not alone.

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  7. ReenieJune 22, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    haha!! God Bless you Ash. xo

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