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I swear it takes me 20 minutes to find a photo for a blog. I have so many of Joe, though I just realized that almost all over them are about a year old. I love this boy. You know, David took Gabe skiing so it was me and Joe for 1/2 of the weekend. Yes, I let him go out of town with a friend Saturday. I’m always so nervous to let him just go anywhere. He’s my boy. He is so me in so many ways. So many.
There is not a day that goes by that I am not amazed by him. If you are new to Matilda Jane check out a little history on this cute boy of mine. He’s grown to be so independent, a strong will, compassion for others and just the way he “gets’ me. I do need to add, I am also amazed at how sassy he is getting. Yes, I am putting a quick stop to it, but I am guessing 11yrs old is just the beginning of this stage!
Last weekend we all went skiing but on Friday, I had to run an errand so David could only take one boy. Of course, they both wanted to go skiing and battled it out. I mean who wants to sit in a store when they could be out on the hills. Of course, I got tired of them fighting so I told Joe he was coming with me. On our drive to Petoskey he asked me “Why am I always the one who has to give up the fun stuff?” I explained it was kinda my fault. It was just easier to make him going instead of listening to Gabe cry the entire time. And he was so right. He is always the one that has to sacrifice so I can get my work done, or he can go to therapy or so we don’t have to argue with Gabe. He is also always the one who wants to make sure I am happy. There is something about him, that he just gets me. He can read me from across the room.
We were driving home the other day from school and I was rushing. It was the day before launch of Good Hart and I had 20 things to get done. Joe saw a text on my phone “Do you guys want to meet us for dinner? Drew wants Joe to come.” Joe was all excited till I told him I really had to get home. I didn’t have time to go out to dinner. His eyes swelled up with tears and he says “it’s ok mom, I don’t want you to loose your career”. (Ha, career, yes, he said “career”) I kept driving home with a heavy heart then it hit me, it’s not about me anymore. Sometimes I am so selfish with my time and work. I am. But I LOVE working. It’s a total addiction. I turned around and told Joe, “no problem, let’s go”. Then he started crying even harder telling me, “We don’t have to go. It’s ok. I don’t want to be the reason you loose your career”. Totally rip my heart out. We ended up going, I still got my work done my nightfall and I realized, I need to work on turning MJC off in my head sometimes.
I know I am so rambling about not much. I didn’t really have a great story to tell, other than I just love this boy. I swear in my hearts of hearts I know he is going to be an inspiration some day. Not sure what that means exactly but there is just something about him. I know many of you met him at Art Fair, and if not, you’ll surely see him this year. He’s pretty shy, but a confident shy. It’s hard to say. He’ll be right in the center of it all but has a quiet way about him.
Yup, and that’s my thoughts on Joe today. I think I really need to get take my Christmas decorations down. For real. It’s getting embarrassing to pull into my drive way
Who remembers what I call Joe and Gabe? And I promise next time to tell you all about Gabe. He is so funny and so crazy and so just Gabe.
Joe is Rocket and Gabe is The Beast?
This was lovely. I have one little boy and I am amazed by him too. So much of what you wrote about Joe reminded me of my little guy. We both are so blessed as mamas!
Actually, Gabe is “Mr. Chittles”
The beast and rocket? Or am I making that up? I think that’s it!
My 10 year old sounds a lot like Joe. I think it’s the age and that they are the older sibling…. I will tell “K” no on something and then she’ll totally try to suck it up and be mature and say something that makes me change my mind… She’s a people pleaser(sounds like Joe might be too)…. Then when I do change my mind and tell her that I did.. She’s like that’s alright mom we don’t have to do it… This happens weekly to me and I don’t have a big “career”.
Keep on keeping on! You area great Mom and you are showing him that he is important. 
He will be an inspiration. Just by you sharing his stories with us he already is. 
kinda makes me feel like I am not the only one going through the same stuff with my kiddos. Thanks for keeping it real. 
Gabe is “The Beast” and Joe is …. Hmmm the cutest and most inspirational boy in the world! Joe is your mini-me and has great taste!
I know you call Gabe Mr. Chittles
Thanks for sharing Joe with us all!
Gabe -Mr. Chittles
Joe- ???
Is Gabe the “beast”??
Gabe aka The Beast
Joe Bear!cub/cuppie/Lil Bird
Thanks for sharing Joe with us all!
Gabe -Mr. Chittles
Joe- Bear/Cub/Cuppie/Lil’ Bird
They are your “sweet boys”
The Mighty Acorns
Also know you refer to Gabe as the beast.
Thank you so much for sharing what a great blog post, I know it is weird but I truly enjoy how much you share and learning more about your life and who you “really” are.
My guess is that you call them “your mighty acorns”
Thanks for sharing your family. It’s nice to see where Mjc comes from!
Well, for sure they’re your ‘good ones’…but also The Beast and Mr Chittles if memory serves me (with 3 tiny kids at home I don’t have much memory left though!)
I have seen Gabe referenced as Gabey, “Mr. Chittles (didn’t David come up with this name) and “the Beast…”
Ugh! Posted that comment ^^^ before I was finished. I’ve seen Joe referenced as “the Rocket…” a nickname he picked out himself!
Gabe is known as Mr. Chittles or the Beast.
Joe is known as Bear, Cub, Cuppie, or Lil Bird
Btw, you rock as a mom and in your career! You seriously amaze me!
I just teared up reading this especially at the part where he cried over concern about your “career” – sigh, that boy of yours has such a good heart! I often make my oldest sacrifice things because her younger sister won’t be as understanding and because I don’t want to deal with her crying….and although my oldest doesn’t get it or think its fair, she handles it so much better. I totally “got” this blog, sounded very familiar
I think you call Gabe “the beast” and Joe cub, cuppie, little bird. I have two girls (8 & 4 but 5 in two days sigh) and feel the same way a lot of times. My oldest girl is shy and sweet and empathetic and is starting to get a little sassy too ;). My youngest is a little spitfire so energetic, happy and outgoing but has a sweet thoughtful side too. Thank you for a great blog post that reminds us that we are all moms that are doing the best that we can and that sometimes our kids let us know when we need to slow down just a little and be in the moment a little more as we all know they grow up waaaay too quickly. I think as moms there are times that it feels like there is not quite enough time in the day and not quite enough of us to go around but I think that having happy and remarkably wonderful kids can show us that what we are doing is just fine and it is enough.
I can totally relate to this post, I have a Joe (only he’s Morgan) and a Gabe (only she’s a wild and crazy Callie) The most beautiful thing about Joe kids is that they have an incredible way of touching peoples hearts with their sincerity. I feel guilty on the flip side with Callie as she doesn’t totally understand why her bro gets so much attention (therapies etc) . She’s pretty awesome 4 year old though and always there for her beloved Morgan,
I love to hear about Joe. It nice to see another parent understand what I go through and write about it. My sons CP is pretty severe but we both deal doctor, PT, OT and having to explain our kids to the world. The same determination I see in my sons big brown eyes I see in Joes.
Beautiful thoughts
…and I’m glad I’m not alone with the Christmas decorations being up still! Hehehe
We need some more Joe’s Turn bags
Ahaha can’t forget the beast for Gabe! And mr Chittles as well.
Bear and cuppie for Joe. LOVE when you blog about your sweet boys! My Aiden has that kind heart as well, we are blessed! Tell Joe Cerys says ‘Hi Five!’
I’m not remembering what you call Joe other than all things amazing. I do remember you calling Gave the beast. We call my youngest Godzilla – she is just tank and comes at you full speed stomping around like a gorilla!
This post made me tear up!!!! Your boys are so lucky to have you :).
Cutie Gabe is the Beast
Sweet Joe…its on the tip of my tongue…maybe I’ll remember in the morning
Joe is bear, cub, cuppie or lil bird and gabe is the beast
I remember you calling Gabe the Beast for sure Ha I love that one:) and Joe was theRocket.
Oh yes..Gabe was not only the beast but Mr.Chittles( a name David made up) thats so cute
Joe is The Beast
Gabe is Mr. Chittles
I always tell my Mom that watching my first born son (I have 3 boys) walk around is like watching my Heart walk around outside my body…..maybe it’s a first Born Son thing. I love all 5 of my kids but there’s a special bond between Ian and I. Anyhow, I’ve seen in blogs where Gabe is called “the beast” and Joe being ” Mr. Chittles” I think….have a great day!
“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” Milton Berle
i can so relate to this, the way one kid just ‘gets’ you-is almost your soul mate in a manner. I’m a mom to 4 and while my oldest is the only boy and my rock, the one i can always count on to sacrifice for the greater good of the family or for his little sisters, it’s his sister, my second oldest that is my ‘Joe’.
she amazes me with her compassion and ability to always see the best in everyone, even me when i’m not at my best-which is waaaaay to often. wow. i’ve read a thousand of your blogs and while many have touched me this one actually has me tearing up!! maybe because Devin is growing up so fast, and about to head off to high school next year and then the big wide world and all of a sudden i’m wondering what i’ll do without her?!?!
i wish i knew what joe and gabe’s nicknames were but i ‘m sure someone else already has it down and i’m always late to the party lol. thanks for sharing and bringing me closer to my own kids with this blog
Oh, you guys…thanks for all the great comments. I love that you get “it” and it’s not just me.
He has beautiful eyes!
Just to give you an “I’ve been there mama” reassurance – last year I worked in the same building where my (then 2nd grade) son went to school. Micah has a chronic fever syndrome, so we dealt with a lot of sickness. He had been coughing one morning and I told him I needed him to go to school because no one could stay home with him – we were all too busy. Of course he was sent home and I likely let it show that it had disrupted my day. The next week I got a call from the school nurse asking me to come pick up Micah because he had his monthly fever. When I came to pick him up, she told me he had said “Ask my mom if she is busy first, because if she’s too busy, I can just sleep here all day.” Talk about feeling like a bad mom – let’s just say snuggling was what I got busy with that day and ever since my career has never made me too busy. Our kids have our hearts, and when we get to do what we love as a career, sometimes it takes our sweet little ones to give us a reality check. You’re doing a good job mama.
I would call them cute.:)
Ok – one more guess in case this is a contest (which would be amazing because its a rough patch and my daughter NEEDS some Good Hart 😉 ) I found the blog where you called Joe “The Brave One.” It was a beautiful post – brave boy with a big voice to advocate for kids through you.