Toren Russel

This is the final part in my four part series on why each of my four boys is my favorite son.  I saved my little guy for last.  Toren Russel was born just over 2 years ago.  He fulfilled my life-long dream to have four boys.  I never thought this dream would be a reality- Matt was certain that he only wanted three.   But I wore him down and I got my fourth boy; two years later than I wanted, but well worth the wait.  Toren means "thunder".   Torey as we call him means "chief".  Russel was my husbands grandfather whom we both looked up to very much.

Toren in his "baff"

Chief Thunder definitely believes he is the boss around our home.  If I thought my oldest was strong-willed,  I only had to meet Toren to understand just how strong-willed someone can be.  But as is the case with Jaden, I am glad Toren has determination.  He will not be swayed by what others think.  He will not follow others on a path that leads to devastation. Now he may lead others down this path, but given Toren's sweet heart I am not too worried.

Toren is sweet.  He is full of kisses, and hugs, especially for his brothers.  Toren talks about his brothers frequently throughout the day.  He will list them all, making sure he doesn't leave anyone out.  Then he will move on to talking about his cousins, his aunt and uncle and ma-ga and papa and his ma-ga and p-pa.  And of course mommy and daddy.  Toren goes through the list of his family members at least 4 or 5 times a day.  This thrills my heart like you cannot imagine.

My little chief is also very playful.  He likes to wrestle and he holds his own.  He also likes to punch you in the face and giggles incessantly when he does.  When you want Toren to come to you, he runs the opposite direction laughing, and he runs and hides when it is time to change his diaper.  Just recently he has learned to climb out of his crib which causes him to squeal with excitement.  Even, when his behavior is frustrating, his laughter and his joy are quite contagious.  What a light he is in our home!

Toren wrestling his "keekee"

No post on my two year old would be complete without mentioning the cute things that he says.  The toddler language, after all, is my very favorite language.  Currently Chief is pulling on my jeans saying, "I ant Mommy's bap" ( I want Mommy's lap).  He also says "sawee mommy" when I catch him doing something naughty.  Toren likes to "weed" books.  He likes the teetee mote (tv remote).  He calls people numb-nuts and knuckle-heads, and pronounces both of these quite clearly.  He loves his "goggies" and his "keekee" (doggies and kitty).  His favorite food is "beeta"(pizza).  And Toren loves his "bippy" (sippy as in sippy-cup).  He has 100 other words, but it would be really boring to list them all.

I sure do love my little guy.  I love all my sons, with a love I did not imagine was possible before motherhood.  They are all so different, handcrafted by a loving Creator.  When I think of my children I think of Psalm 139.

Psalm 139:13-16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;^[a]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Owen Scott

I am about a week late in blogging about why Owen Scott is my favorite son.  This means that Cael has been my favorite for two weeks, a fact that will not be lost on him, I'm sure.  Ahhh, well.  Life just gets away from me sometimes.

I have shared before that I prayed for another son for two years before I became pregnant with Owen.  And yes, I did pray for a son.  I love my boys!!  And as with my other boys, I wanted our new baby to have a meaningful name.  Owen means young warrior.   Owen's middle name, Scott,  is my dad's name.

From the time Owen was born, he was my most easy going  child.  He never cried or fussed.  When he became two he was never terrible. Never trying at three.  Never ferocious at four.  He goes with the flow.  Still the this day, there is little complaining that comes from my little Owie.  If I ask him to do something, for the most part, he just does it.

Owen after a "tubing" accident this year.

But make no mistake.  Owen is full of personality.  I have often described Owie as our big ball of joy.  He is rambunctious and his laughter is contagious.  He is my one child who is always in the moment.  He is not thinking about what happened this morning or worrying about what will happen this afternoon.  I wish that I could learn from my son the trick to being fully present.  I think this is what our Lord was describing when he described the abundant life!

Owen is also innocent.  I know he is only six, but he possesses an innocence that my other children didn't at this age.  Maybe it's more of a childlike faith.  He believes what people say to him.  He believes IN people.  And most importantly, He believes  in Jesus.  We often catch him talking to God in his room.  And Owen falls asleep every night listening to a recording of my husband's latest sermon.  (I know there are some good jokes that could be inserted here about my husband, but I will refrain).  Also Owen wants to be a pastor in a Spanish speaking country when he grows up.

Owen and Toren on our recent camping trip.

Owen is a love bug.  He told me that if dad ever breaks up with me, and he doesn't want him to, but if he ever does then Owen will marry me.  But I will have to wait until he is older, he said, because it would be weird to be married at six years old.   Besides loving me, and his dad (which is why he listens to his dads sermons every night), Owen L-O-V-E-S his brothers.  He begs to sleep with his big brothers every night and he spends his mornings trying to play with his little brother.  I say try because sometimes our two year old can be quite ornery with Owen, but Owen doesn't mind.   He is too busy enjoying the moment to worry about holding grudges.

Owen is just about the cutest little thing ever.  He has horrendous fashion sense which I find absurdly funny.  He never, and I do mean never, puts his shoes on the right feet.  He has only one volume- LOUD!!  And he eats his vegetable without complaining which everyone knows is the way to a mom's heart.  I truly cannot imagine my life without Owie.  He brings so much joy into our world!