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.