Mommy wants to nest

The urge has been overwhelming me lately.

And, quite frankly, all I want to do is stay home and be a mom.

Of course, as I say this, my phone rings. It's another call about the Persimmon Festival. I don't scream into the phone, "I'm 32 weeks pregnant!! Who cares about French fries, rides and vendor contracts??" The urge hasn't made me crazy. Not yet.

But the urge is there.

Instead of screaming or getting testy, busy Kryssy has just been busier, and she's been nestier. She wants to stay home and play with her house. She doesn't even want to shop or visit friends. It's all about her little house, nestled out in the sticks. She wants to cook, clean and do laundry. Even hubby has been staying closer to home. Matter of fact, on their nights alone, they've spent a lot of time just gazing at one another over take-out at the kitchen table. Many date opportunities have been skipped in favor of time at home.

I don't remember a time with the other boys that the feeling was this strong. Matter of fact, I can remember, as a relatively new mother, searching for signs of nesting. I wanted to be nesting because, in my mind, it meant baby was on his way. I am over that these days. I don't believe Emery is any closer to arriving than God's plan for him. He'll come, and he'll come when he's darn good and ready. And just because I am nesting doesn't mean I'll be anymore ready for him. In the days leading up to his arrival, I'll still be running around the house frantic trying to figure out if there's anything we're forgetting and making sure there are batteries in all the contraptions.

But, right now, I am having fun being a mom and looking forward to continuing that. I can't wait to meet my little man and introduce him to the brothers who will love and protect him from here on out. I'm looking forward to spending time in my jammies and staring into the faces of the guys who've made my life complete.

My focus isn't on work. And festival-planning is nearly done. It'll all work out, and I'll take care of what needs to be done.

But, right now, my focus is on more important endeavors. And I can certainly feel the maternal pull. The glow isn't from pregnancy; it's from what lies ahead.

The first day of school

Taking stock in the first day of school:

• After being home with big brothers all summer, Alex returned to sitter’s house, where he asked Jamie, “Are you sure my mom is going to pick me up?” He was also quite concerned about chocolate milk. He needed to have the correct kind, as the kind she tried to use was “spicy” ... She learned later she accidentally bought “sugar-free” Nesquick. Guess Alex knows best. He crashed midway through the morning wearing his Buzz Lightyear costume. Mornings are rough.

• Lucas couldn’t remember anything that happened. Not sure if he even made it to school. Then, I opened his backpack, found mounds of papers I needed to fill out and realized, yes, he made it, and no, it obviously made no impact on him. When asked how his day went, he replied, “It took a wong, wong time, but I did get in twouble.” Thank goodness. I was afraid he’d make I through the entire day without being reprimanded.

• Jacob wants to run for class president. He asked if I would help. I said, “Certainly.” He goes, “I ran in both third and fourth grade but you refused to help me.” Refused? We chatted and agreed mom was actually just uninformed of his decision to run. Jacob exaggerates his word choices. (Really??) He said I am good at art and creative so I can help with the posters, but Henry gets to run his campaign. Henry asked him if he though he would win, to which Jake replied, “I don’t know, but I want to try.” Good enough. We have another campaign blossoming in our family. I did get the “I just hope you’re not in the hospital when I run” ... And I explained the hospital stay is relatively short-lived and I am sure we can get the campaign done around the whole inconvenience of having his baby brother.

• Preschool kicks off Sept. 8. Not sure we’ll have the same problem as we did with Lucas. (Remember the whole kissing/sexual harassment incident?) Alex, I am sure, will bring a whole new set of problems. Mainly, he says what he thinks and pretty much believes the world is his stage. Last night, while he was trying to take our minds off the fact that he had to go to bed, he began shaking his little behind at us, trying to make us laugh. Henry laughed and left the room. Alex kept shaking, and I said, “Alex, stop. It’s not nice to do that to mommy.” He goes, “But it makes daddies laugh.”

My tombstone will read, “She did her best to raise four sons.”