After writing my blog yesterday, I picked up The Best of Proverbs 31 Ministry: Encouragement and Inspiration For Women. and started reading through it. Ironically, I came across this one, written by Suzy Ryan, and it related so well to what I was saying yesterday, and just to my "motherhood" journey in general. It said everything I was feeling and more:
"What will my children recall of their mother? After time sifts through the marathon of life, what memories will champion the winner's circle of their impressionable minds? Will they remember the discipline? I pray they only hear me say, "I love you too much to allow you to choose disobedience."
Will they remember their mom, green-faced, holding her breath, while cleaning vomit off their beds? (or in my particular case, Sofa) I long for them to just savor the warmth of my hug as I gently rocked them back to sleep.
Will they remember looks of exasperation because they wanted to show me the rocks that they found? Surely only my departure from he dishes to discover more treasures will remain important.
Will they remember the countless times I said, "no" to Power Rangers when every other child on the block enjoyed unlimited time gaining "morphin power"? How can they forget about the excitement experienced whiles playing Go Fish, Legos and Play Dough instead?
Will they remember me frantically rushing everyone out the door without using my "indoor voice"? Maybe memory will only acknowledge the fun songs we sang while driving the carpool to church.
How will my three cherubs remember me? Oh please, Lord, as a woman who modeled godliness, so that they will accept and depend on You. I beg You to filter out the many mistakes I made during their development. Allow them to see a glimpse of You love through me.
If they choose to fear and serve You, Jesus, then I am a successful mother."
Showing posts with label mommisms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mommisms. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Future Fashion Queen...(I hope)
Yesterday M and I were about 10 minutes from leaving the house for the school's "Meet Your Teacher Night" and I was wrapping up something on the computer (let's be honest here, I was probably reading someone's blog!)when I noticed M and her sister were strangely quiet and no fussing or whining was occuring. It was time to go, so I called for M and she came out of my bathroom "ready" to go. She was dressed in a pair of white jean capris pants that were at least 4 sizes to small, a turquoise shirt (also too small), a pair of my high heels, and her face looked like Bozo the clown...no, worse. She had on blue eyeshadow, lip stick and mascara! She looked like she should be walking the streets, if you know what I mean. She certainly didn't look like she was going to an elementary school to meet her 3rd grade teacher.
Needless to say I quickly took off all of her makeup and made her put back on her other clothes, but the whole ordeal completely stressed me out. We were now late and there I was with a little girl that had remnants of mascara under her eyes and pink cheeks where I had rubbed with tissue to get the makeup off as quick as possible.
We were heading out the door when I realized my wallet was missing from my purse. I remembered to earlier in the day when I caught M going through my wallet and told her to put it back where she had gotten it. She obviously got side-tracked before returning it to where it belonged, and now I sat there fuming that she couldn't remember where exactly she had put it. We eventually found my wallet behind the sofa cushions, along with some cracker crumbs, a few cheetos, a hair barrette, a toy, and some things that were, ugh well, unidentifiable.
After meeting her new teacher, we stopped by a convenient store and as we were leaving I noticed a woman standing pumping her gas. She was dressed in crop black pants, a black and white top, black stilettos and a "Dick Tracy" type of hat that was ever so perfectly cocked on her head. I said to M, "Look at that lady. That's almost crazy."
Her response to me was, "Yeah....Crazy FABULOUS!"
I just couldn't help but think: All in one day my (almost) 8 year old daughter has dressed like a street walker, confiscated my wallet and credit cards, and has admired a lady in a very "mature" outfit. Needless to say, worry then set in and rightfully so.
I know this is just a funny story of my growing girl, but it got me to thinking, that I want to raise a virtuous young lady. She is just "on loan" to me and I so desperately want to always say and do the right thing, but know I fail miserably most of the time. I know God will step in where I make mistakes, and make them right and good, for he never makes mistakes. I know He cares and loves them more than I do. But right now they are here for me to care for, instruct, love and discipline and I'm finding all of that a little overwhelming at the moment. My children are gifts for which I am so grateful. All I want to do is raise them well, and most importantly, raise them to love the Lord.
Needless to say I quickly took off all of her makeup and made her put back on her other clothes, but the whole ordeal completely stressed me out. We were now late and there I was with a little girl that had remnants of mascara under her eyes and pink cheeks where I had rubbed with tissue to get the makeup off as quick as possible.
We were heading out the door when I realized my wallet was missing from my purse. I remembered to earlier in the day when I caught M going through my wallet and told her to put it back where she had gotten it. She obviously got side-tracked before returning it to where it belonged, and now I sat there fuming that she couldn't remember where exactly she had put it. We eventually found my wallet behind the sofa cushions, along with some cracker crumbs, a few cheetos, a hair barrette, a toy, and some things that were, ugh well, unidentifiable.
After meeting her new teacher, we stopped by a convenient store and as we were leaving I noticed a woman standing pumping her gas. She was dressed in crop black pants, a black and white top, black stilettos and a "Dick Tracy" type of hat that was ever so perfectly cocked on her head. I said to M, "Look at that lady. That's almost crazy."
Her response to me was, "Yeah....Crazy FABULOUS!"
I just couldn't help but think: All in one day my (almost) 8 year old daughter has dressed like a street walker, confiscated my wallet and credit cards, and has admired a lady in a very "mature" outfit. Needless to say, worry then set in and rightfully so.
I know this is just a funny story of my growing girl, but it got me to thinking, that I want to raise a virtuous young lady. She is just "on loan" to me and I so desperately want to always say and do the right thing, but know I fail miserably most of the time. I know God will step in where I make mistakes, and make them right and good, for he never makes mistakes. I know He cares and loves them more than I do. But right now they are here for me to care for, instruct, love and discipline and I'm finding all of that a little overwhelming at the moment. My children are gifts for which I am so grateful. All I want to do is raise them well, and most importantly, raise them to love the Lord.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monkey See, Monkey Do
I don't know how many times when I was growing up that I swore that I would never say things, or do things like my mom. Like when she would lick her finger and then smooth down my hair or get a smudge off my face, I vowed I would NEVER EVER do that to my children. Now, as a mother of three I am constantly dosing my kids in my spit, or "love juice" as I like to call it, to clean their face or smooth down J's cowlick. The very things we hated as children, we have adopted to doing as adults. This got me to thinking, What am I doing now that my children will model later?...whether they want to or not.
I heard a story once about a young wife that every time she bought and cooked a whole chicken she would cut off both legs and put them neatly in the freezer before cooking the rest. After many times of doing this, she picked up the phone and called her mother:
"Mom, I was wondering...I cut off the legs of the chicken and put them in the freezer just like you used to, but I'm wondering what do we do with the chicken legs later?"
Her mom replied, "I don't know why YOU cut off your chicken legs, but I always did because my pot wasn't big enough!"
Another example, that really led me to think about all this, was when K looked at J and said, "Now,Then." I asked her to repeat it, because it sounded familiar to me. "Now, Then." she repeated, and added, "Grandmother says it all the time." The funny thing is that MY Granny used to say this all the time. Of course, her version sounded more like, "Nayow thayen" and she would say it as to communicate, "Every thing's ok now," or "Ok, you're all fixed up." Perhaps a southern thing or perhaps just a family thing, but I have even noticed myself using this phrase that really doesn't make much sense at all, and obviously my mom says it too.
I wonder...what am I doing that is creating a lasting impression or habit onto my children just from being around it? Am I kind with my words, or do I yell too much? Am I patient, or always frustrated? Do I show kindness to others, or do I walk away because I am too busy? Do I spend my idle time doing good things, or doing things that aren't good?
Little sponges, soaking up everything we say and do. What kind of model am I being to them? That's a little dose of reality that will make you think twice the next time you are about to yell at the slow moving car in front of you. And the truth is, it isn't just the kids that are listening...God can see and hear me ALL of the time....Am I living in a way that is honoring to him? I find myself now thinking I might need to spend the rest of the day in prayer and solitude begging for forgiveness because I know most days I lose my patience, yell some, get frustrated, and am often too busy for others, even though I really don't mean to at all.
Now, Then.
I heard a story once about a young wife that every time she bought and cooked a whole chicken she would cut off both legs and put them neatly in the freezer before cooking the rest. After many times of doing this, she picked up the phone and called her mother:
"Mom, I was wondering...I cut off the legs of the chicken and put them in the freezer just like you used to, but I'm wondering what do we do with the chicken legs later?"
Her mom replied, "I don't know why YOU cut off your chicken legs, but I always did because my pot wasn't big enough!"
Another example, that really led me to think about all this, was when K looked at J and said, "Now,Then." I asked her to repeat it, because it sounded familiar to me. "Now, Then." she repeated, and added, "Grandmother says it all the time." The funny thing is that MY Granny used to say this all the time. Of course, her version sounded more like, "Nayow thayen" and she would say it as to communicate, "Every thing's ok now," or "Ok, you're all fixed up." Perhaps a southern thing or perhaps just a family thing, but I have even noticed myself using this phrase that really doesn't make much sense at all, and obviously my mom says it too.
I wonder...what am I doing that is creating a lasting impression or habit onto my children just from being around it? Am I kind with my words, or do I yell too much? Am I patient, or always frustrated? Do I show kindness to others, or do I walk away because I am too busy? Do I spend my idle time doing good things, or doing things that aren't good?
Little sponges, soaking up everything we say and do. What kind of model am I being to them? That's a little dose of reality that will make you think twice the next time you are about to yell at the slow moving car in front of you. And the truth is, it isn't just the kids that are listening...God can see and hear me ALL of the time....Am I living in a way that is honoring to him? I find myself now thinking I might need to spend the rest of the day in prayer and solitude begging for forgiveness because I know most days I lose my patience, yell some, get frustrated, and am often too busy for others, even though I really don't mean to at all.
Now, Then.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Insult to Injury
I don't mean to keep harping on my bad weekend, BUT I forgot one of the worst things that happened to me in my previous post.
Remember now, my 35th birthday was on Friday, right? Well, TWO different people this weekend (my brother's friends) asked when I was introduced as his sister, "Who is older?" W...H...A...T..!!!??? Just to let EVERYONE know out there, I am NINE (9), let me repeat, NINE years younger than my brother, S. I even took special care before I left for the weekend to color my graying hair! I mean, he was probably in the 4th grade when I was born. I was only 9 when he left for COLLEGE. I was going through puberty when he was getting married. I had just gotten my driver's license when he had his first child. He had FOUR children before I got married! Again, I say..WHAAAT!!????
OK. Had to get that off my chest. I feel better, now.
Remember now, my 35th birthday was on Friday, right? Well, TWO different people this weekend (my brother's friends) asked when I was introduced as his sister, "Who is older?" W...H...A...T..!!!??? Just to let EVERYONE know out there, I am NINE (9), let me repeat, NINE years younger than my brother, S. I even took special care before I left for the weekend to color my graying hair! I mean, he was probably in the 4th grade when I was born. I was only 9 when he left for COLLEGE. I was going through puberty when he was getting married. I had just gotten my driver's license when he had his first child. He had FOUR children before I got married! Again, I say..WHAAAT!!????
OK. Had to get that off my chest. I feel better, now.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day (A day late)
I spent my Mother's Day driving in a car for 7 hours back from North Carolina. I did get to do this with my Mom and my 3 kids so I guess it was pretty good. The kids were sweet on the way home and that enabled my Mom and I to have some good conversation, something I love to do with my Mom. She is a wonderful mom and a great friend.
Then when we arrived home, M had written me a Mother's Day letter. The teacher had most of the words and she filled in her words (I have put those in bold). This is priceless to me. It said:
My Mom is the most wonderful Mom in the world! Her name is E (she did have my name here and even spelled it correctly). She's pretty as a flower. She is 29 years old.(love her!). She has green eyes and blondish hair. She weighs 90 pounds (again, love this kid!) and is 20 feet tall. Her favorite food is fish. In the good old days when she was little, she used to play. I think Mom is funny when she gets peed on. (this is because of baby J) But I know she's really angry when my sister spanks her. (I think she got this a little mixed up) I wouldn't trade my Mom for anything. I love my Mom because she is nice. Happy Mother's Day Mom! Love, M
Well, I thought I would play along. So here goes the same thing for my Mom. Happy Mother's Day a day late:
My Mom is the most wonderful Mom in the world! Her name is P. She's pretty as a colorful rainbow bringing cheer to everyone. She is forever 35 to me. Her weight is more than gold, and I don't mean pounds. She is petite...maybe 5 feet 1 inches tall, but stands tall against others. Her favorite food is Italian, although my favorite thing she cooks is beef stroganoff. In the good old days when she was little, she used to roller skate to school and make her parents proud. I think my Mom is funny when she tells a story or laughs with me. But I know she's really angry when someone hurts someone she loves. I wouldn't trade my Mom for the world. I love my Mom because she is devoted, kind, loyal, loving, tender, proud, smart, lovely, respectful, humble and a good friend. Happy Mother's Day Mom! Love, E
The song playing is so true to me and I love it. Take time to listen if you can. "My Daughters Eyes." I couldn't have said it better myself. It's perfect. I'm so lucky to be a mom.
Then when we arrived home, M had written me a Mother's Day letter. The teacher had most of the words and she filled in her words (I have put those in bold). This is priceless to me. It said:
My Mom is the most wonderful Mom in the world! Her name is E (she did have my name here and even spelled it correctly). She's pretty as a flower. She is 29 years old.(love her!). She has green eyes and blondish hair. She weighs 90 pounds (again, love this kid!) and is 20 feet tall. Her favorite food is fish. In the good old days when she was little, she used to play. I think Mom is funny when she gets peed on. (this is because of baby J) But I know she's really angry when my sister spanks her. (I think she got this a little mixed up) I wouldn't trade my Mom for anything. I love my Mom because she is nice. Happy Mother's Day Mom! Love, M
Well, I thought I would play along. So here goes the same thing for my Mom. Happy Mother's Day a day late:
My Mom is the most wonderful Mom in the world! Her name is P. She's pretty as a colorful rainbow bringing cheer to everyone. She is forever 35 to me. Her weight is more than gold, and I don't mean pounds. She is petite...maybe 5 feet 1 inches tall, but stands tall against others. Her favorite food is Italian, although my favorite thing she cooks is beef stroganoff. In the good old days when she was little, she used to roller skate to school and make her parents proud. I think my Mom is funny when she tells a story or laughs with me. But I know she's really angry when someone hurts someone she loves. I wouldn't trade my Mom for the world. I love my Mom because she is devoted, kind, loyal, loving, tender, proud, smart, lovely, respectful, humble and a good friend. Happy Mother's Day Mom! Love, E
The song playing is so true to me and I love it. Take time to listen if you can. "My Daughters Eyes." I couldn't have said it better myself. It's perfect. I'm so lucky to be a mom.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Huxtables vs. Grand Theft Auto ??
T and I were discussing last night the lack of good family television shows. Besides America's Funniest Videos, Extreme Home Makeover, and possibly American Idol, there is really nothing out there that you can sit and watch as a family.
We remembered a ton of shows that we watched growing up. Some older re-runs and some actually from our generation: Family Ties, Different Strokes, Andy Griffith, Carol Burnette Show, Leave it to Beaver, Brady Bunch, Punky Brewster, Little House on the Prairie, Dukes of Hazzard. There were so many. The one we talked most about was The Cosby Show. A sitcom about a very succesful and loving couple (and do I need to say, married), Claire and Cliff Huxtable, and the situations of every day life that they experienced with their children. There was always a lesson and it was always funny and entertaining to both us and our parents. Where is that today? I might be a little optimistic, but I think that there are still loving, married couples out there raising good children that might like to see something like that again.
I am so disappointed with t.v. today. Even the commercials or clips for shows are things I don't want my children to see. The other night, I saw a commercial for a video game called (I think) Grand Theft Auto. WHHHHHAAAAATTTT!!!!????? We want responsible, good people in this world, don't we? Then I am confused at why we are teaching them how to steal cars by playing a video game, or how to cheat on your spouse by watching a tv show!!
One of my friends said she was searching for the I Love Lucy and Little House box sets for her children. I guess we will have to do the same thing. I know this is so cliche and not at all to be disrespectful to my sweet granny, but my granny would most certainly roll over in her grave!
We remembered a ton of shows that we watched growing up. Some older re-runs and some actually from our generation: Family Ties, Different Strokes, Andy Griffith, Carol Burnette Show, Leave it to Beaver, Brady Bunch, Punky Brewster, Little House on the Prairie, Dukes of Hazzard. There were so many. The one we talked most about was The Cosby Show. A sitcom about a very succesful and loving couple (and do I need to say, married), Claire and Cliff Huxtable, and the situations of every day life that they experienced with their children. There was always a lesson and it was always funny and entertaining to both us and our parents. Where is that today? I might be a little optimistic, but I think that there are still loving, married couples out there raising good children that might like to see something like that again.
I am so disappointed with t.v. today. Even the commercials or clips for shows are things I don't want my children to see. The other night, I saw a commercial for a video game called (I think) Grand Theft Auto. WHHHHHAAAAATTTT!!!!????? We want responsible, good people in this world, don't we? Then I am confused at why we are teaching them how to steal cars by playing a video game, or how to cheat on your spouse by watching a tv show!!
One of my friends said she was searching for the I Love Lucy and Little House box sets for her children. I guess we will have to do the same thing. I know this is so cliche and not at all to be disrespectful to my sweet granny, but my granny would most certainly roll over in her grave!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Time To Slow It Down
I have said in several posts that I don't know when I became in such a hurry. I try so hard to tell myself to stop and savor in sweet moments and precious times with my family because I have seen how quickly time passes us by, but still sometimes I find myself trying to rush through things. I know I am not alone in this because there are many songs out there pertaining to this very thing, "Dont Blink", by Kenney Chesney, "You're Gonna Miss This", by Trace Adkins and the oldie, "I'm In A Hurry", by Alabama (all of which are in my music box on this blog). I swear, country music is the best!
This past week was a very busy one for me with work. Wednesday and Thursday were particularly busy and I actually woke up, threw on some clothes and began working both days as soon as M left for school and literally did not get done until she arrived back home in the afternoon. I did manage a break or so during that time to feed two children, change a few diapers, and take a shower for me, with no makeup or styling of the hair, I might add...strictly to get clean. I was truly exhausted and short fused at the end of those two days.
On Thursday night I was getting the girls to bed when I realized that we hadn't read M's story for homework and one that she would be tested on the following day. That's when the rush started..."Use the bathroom...Brush your teeth...Hop in the bed...Listen to the story..." Just a whole series of commands for the girls with the added rush, rush, rush tone of voice. During the entire story, which was unusually long this week, K would stop and point out something in a picture (on just about every single page). After a few questions by K and a few quick responses by me, I said, "Ok, no more questions. We have to read the story."
We finished the story I tucked K in bed and then tucked M in bed, kisses, hugs, wind the music box.... and on the way out the door, M says, "Mommmmmmy?" (the way both of them do every single night to ask me some silly question or say something totally off the wall as a stall tactic) "Ughhh, What?", in a very sharp "what now?" kind of voice. It is then when God used my sweet angel to show me how I was being.
M teared up and said, "Never mind." Oh no....the realization of how badly I had been behaving set in with me.
"What is it, M?" I asked, in a much sweeter tone....slowing down, taking time to listen.
"Why are you yelling at me and K?" she asked.
"I'm not yelling at you and K." I responded.
"Well, you're just acting...." and bless her heart she didn't really know how to say it, I guess.
"I just had a very busy day. I'm just ready to have y'all in bed and mommy have some time alone." ..I thought this was easy enough....
"Why? Do you not love me and K?" she asks.
Oh, blow right to the heart! I explained to her that yes, I love her and K dearly and love spending time with them, but that sometimes I just needed a moment for some "mommy time". I related it to her wanting to play with her friends next door. I explained that even though she loves to be at home, she also likes sometimes to go next door and play with her friends. She understood the analogy and I was relieved because I'm not sure how much sense it made to me...but it's all I had at the moment. Most importantly I swallowed my pride, admitted I was very wrong, apologized and told her I shouldn't be in such a hurry. Of course I followed that up with many more kisses and hugs and another wind of the music box, and probably "one more sip of water".
I desperately want to slow down the pace, take it all in, savor in the sweet moments and the pure and simple joy that is given to me on a daily basis. I know I will have my moments, but I am hoping that I can do better about being so rushed so that when my kids are all grown up, I don't look back and wish I would've spent more time with them, read more books to them, snuggled with them a little longer at bedtime, or listened to them more when they were talking.... I'm slowing down the pace for them and for me.
This past week was a very busy one for me with work. Wednesday and Thursday were particularly busy and I actually woke up, threw on some clothes and began working both days as soon as M left for school and literally did not get done until she arrived back home in the afternoon. I did manage a break or so during that time to feed two children, change a few diapers, and take a shower for me, with no makeup or styling of the hair, I might add...strictly to get clean. I was truly exhausted and short fused at the end of those two days.
On Thursday night I was getting the girls to bed when I realized that we hadn't read M's story for homework and one that she would be tested on the following day. That's when the rush started..."Use the bathroom...Brush your teeth...Hop in the bed...Listen to the story..." Just a whole series of commands for the girls with the added rush, rush, rush tone of voice. During the entire story, which was unusually long this week, K would stop and point out something in a picture (on just about every single page). After a few questions by K and a few quick responses by me, I said, "Ok, no more questions. We have to read the story."
We finished the story I tucked K in bed and then tucked M in bed, kisses, hugs, wind the music box.... and on the way out the door, M says, "Mommmmmmy?" (the way both of them do every single night to ask me some silly question or say something totally off the wall as a stall tactic) "Ughhh, What?", in a very sharp "what now?" kind of voice. It is then when God used my sweet angel to show me how I was being.
M teared up and said, "Never mind." Oh no....the realization of how badly I had been behaving set in with me.
"What is it, M?" I asked, in a much sweeter tone....slowing down, taking time to listen.
"Why are you yelling at me and K?" she asked.
"I'm not yelling at you and K." I responded.
"Well, you're just acting...." and bless her heart she didn't really know how to say it, I guess.
"I just had a very busy day. I'm just ready to have y'all in bed and mommy have some time alone." ..I thought this was easy enough....
"Why? Do you not love me and K?" she asks.
Oh, blow right to the heart! I explained to her that yes, I love her and K dearly and love spending time with them, but that sometimes I just needed a moment for some "mommy time". I related it to her wanting to play with her friends next door. I explained that even though she loves to be at home, she also likes sometimes to go next door and play with her friends. She understood the analogy and I was relieved because I'm not sure how much sense it made to me...but it's all I had at the moment. Most importantly I swallowed my pride, admitted I was very wrong, apologized and told her I shouldn't be in such a hurry. Of course I followed that up with many more kisses and hugs and another wind of the music box, and probably "one more sip of water".
I desperately want to slow down the pace, take it all in, savor in the sweet moments and the pure and simple joy that is given to me on a daily basis. I know I will have my moments, but I am hoping that I can do better about being so rushed so that when my kids are all grown up, I don't look back and wish I would've spent more time with them, read more books to them, snuggled with them a little longer at bedtime, or listened to them more when they were talking.... I'm slowing down the pace for them and for me.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Nothing Much of Anything
I really didn't do much this week. Nothing really exciting, but I did keep myself busy the past 5 days (since Sun night). Here is a little sample of what all I did:
--Woke up 5 times at 4 or 5 am to give a baby a bottle
--Woke up at 7 am, that really felt like 6 am all week,
to get one child dressed, fed, tangled hair brushed,
teeth brushed, and sent off to school.
--Made 5 lunches for a lunchbox and 5 lunches
for K at home
--Cooked or put together 5 dinners (hot dogs,
grilled cheeses, pizza, vegetables, grilled chicken)
--Did at least 13 loads of laundry (with the
help of my sweet, sweet husband)and I'm pretty sure
5 of those loads were bibs!
--Started and remained on a diet for the
past 5 days
--Read several books to little ears
--played "drive-up window/fast food" with
K at least 20 times!
--Cleaned the kitchen 5 times, loaded the dishwasher
at least a dozen times
--Got myself dressed in my holey sweatshirt and pink
crocs 4 times...actually put on tennis shoes and a
NON-holey shirt to go to bible study on Tuesday!
--Prayed with dear friends on Tuesday and could just
feel God in the room there with us
--Witnessed an answered prayer twice this week
--Helped with homework and CRCT practice 4 times,
(got frustrated 4 times).
--Answered a pretend telephone and talked to pretend
people at least 10 times
--Answered the real telephone and talked to real
people too many times to mention.
--Got to sleep with the man of my dreams 5 nights (ooh, la, la)
seeing if you are still paying attention...had to make
it exciting
--prepared and gave 25 bottles (150 oz of formula) which
equates to about $25 (that kind of makes it sound cheap,
but to say $100 per month..whoa)
--Tucked in 3 kids 5 times (or probably more like 10, if
you count the "one more drink of water" or "one more
hug, mommy?" tactics)
--Looked at my husband at least a dozen times and thought
to myself, "I am so lucky to have someone like him"
--Processed at around 25 files on the computer
--Blogged or read a blog too many times to mention
--Disagreed with what M was wearing to school 5 times.
--Burnt lima beans in a pot once....but, unfortunately
we are still smelling it!
--Kissed boo-boos, gave encouraging words, hugged, kissed,
snuggled, smiled, laughed with my kids and husband. (and
that my friend was the best thing
I did all week)
Just a few things, but nothing much of anything.
A friend of mine, and fellow blogger(thanks M) had a post like this and I loved it! I, in fact, told her I was stealing the idea for a post of mine. I think EVERY mom, or really anybody, should do this every so often to realize how much they do. I don't know how many times a friend has asked, "What did you do this week?," and my response is always, "Nothing." I think you can see that most likely that is never the case.
--Woke up 5 times at 4 or 5 am to give a baby a bottle
--Woke up at 7 am, that really felt like 6 am all week,
to get one child dressed, fed, tangled hair brushed,
teeth brushed, and sent off to school.
--Made 5 lunches for a lunchbox and 5 lunches
for K at home
--Cooked or put together 5 dinners (hot dogs,
grilled cheeses, pizza, vegetables, grilled chicken)
--Did at least 13 loads of laundry (with the
help of my sweet, sweet husband)and I'm pretty sure
5 of those loads were bibs!
--Started and remained on a diet for the
past 5 days
--Read several books to little ears
--played "drive-up window/fast food" with
K at least 20 times!
--Cleaned the kitchen 5 times, loaded the dishwasher
at least a dozen times
--Got myself dressed in my holey sweatshirt and pink
crocs 4 times...actually put on tennis shoes and a
NON-holey shirt to go to bible study on Tuesday!
--Prayed with dear friends on Tuesday and could just
feel God in the room there with us
--Witnessed an answered prayer twice this week
--Helped with homework and CRCT practice 4 times,
(got frustrated 4 times).
--Answered a pretend telephone and talked to pretend
people at least 10 times
--Answered the real telephone and talked to real
people too many times to mention.
--Got to sleep with the man of my dreams 5 nights (ooh, la, la)
seeing if you are still paying attention...had to make
it exciting
--prepared and gave 25 bottles (150 oz of formula) which
equates to about $25 (that kind of makes it sound cheap,
but to say $100 per month..whoa)
--Tucked in 3 kids 5 times (or probably more like 10, if
you count the "one more drink of water" or "one more
hug, mommy?" tactics)
--Looked at my husband at least a dozen times and thought
to myself, "I am so lucky to have someone like him"
--Processed at around 25 files on the computer
--Blogged or read a blog too many times to mention
--Disagreed with what M was wearing to school 5 times.
--Burnt lima beans in a pot once....but, unfortunately
we are still smelling it!
--Kissed boo-boos, gave encouraging words, hugged, kissed,
snuggled, smiled, laughed with my kids and husband. (and
that my friend was the best thing
I did all week)
Just a few things, but nothing much of anything.
A friend of mine, and fellow blogger(thanks M) had a post like this and I loved it! I, in fact, told her I was stealing the idea for a post of mine. I think EVERY mom, or really anybody, should do this every so often to realize how much they do. I don't know how many times a friend has asked, "What did you do this week?," and my response is always, "Nothing." I think you can see that most likely that is never the case.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Funniest Home Videos
About 3 weeks ago we converted all of our video recordings onto VHS tapes. This was no easy task as it covered 7 years and we had to record it in REAL time. We watched home videos for days.
It was fun going back and watching my kids grow up. I was kind of under the impression that they sprouted up over night. It all seems like a blur. M is seven? Seriously? When did that happen? Actually, in fact, she did not grow up overnight and neither did her sister, K. We have actual documentation to prove it.
I say it was fun to watch them, but yet a part of me was sad over the fact that those times of my girls being itty bitty are over. Even J has gotten over that tiny infant part and is on his way to growing up too quickly as well.
Another part of me was horrified. I have absolutely no idea why, but every s-i-n-g-l-e time I was going to stop taping one of the kids, I said, "Say Bye-Bye, Bye-Bye", even to a 4 month old! And the voice/accent I used is horrible. The most southern of sorts. I had no idea I sound this bad!
And yet another part of me was so tickled at that fact that I had NO idea what I was doing with a new baby (with M). We have at least a 10 minute video of T taping me bathe M in the sink when she was about 6 weeks old. I want you to know that in that entire 10 minutes I never once even touched her with a wash cloth! I just ringed the wash cloth above her and let the water hit her...never scrubbed any body part...didn't even Touch her...then I got her out of the little tub! I must have had the stinkiest baby ever. God love you M. Mommy didn't quite know what I was doing.
After the years and 3 kids, I feel like I have become a pro, but then something happens, I don't know what to do and I call my mother. I wonder why we do this? I guess I know....she's been there already. She held the exact same title and position as I do now. She's the real pro. "She'll know what to do." And she usually always does, or at the very least, makes me feel better.
Well, I get it wrong a lot of the times. I'm learning how to be a mom as they grow up. Maybe by the time they have their children, I will be able to give good advice and know exactly what to do to help them. At the very least, I can make them feel good when they think they aren't a good mom (or dad) ...and I can relate and tell them about me not giving M a real bath for the first couple of months of her life and we can laugh about it together.
*Side note: K wants to watch these videos over and over and over again....Every single day. I can tell you, Ive heard enough, "Bye-Bye's" to last me for a while!
It was fun going back and watching my kids grow up. I was kind of under the impression that they sprouted up over night. It all seems like a blur. M is seven? Seriously? When did that happen? Actually, in fact, she did not grow up overnight and neither did her sister, K. We have actual documentation to prove it.
I say it was fun to watch them, but yet a part of me was sad over the fact that those times of my girls being itty bitty are over. Even J has gotten over that tiny infant part and is on his way to growing up too quickly as well.
Another part of me was horrified. I have absolutely no idea why, but every s-i-n-g-l-e time I was going to stop taping one of the kids, I said, "Say Bye-Bye, Bye-Bye", even to a 4 month old! And the voice/accent I used is horrible. The most southern of sorts. I had no idea I sound this bad!
And yet another part of me was so tickled at that fact that I had NO idea what I was doing with a new baby (with M). We have at least a 10 minute video of T taping me bathe M in the sink when she was about 6 weeks old. I want you to know that in that entire 10 minutes I never once even touched her with a wash cloth! I just ringed the wash cloth above her and let the water hit her...never scrubbed any body part...didn't even Touch her...then I got her out of the little tub! I must have had the stinkiest baby ever. God love you M. Mommy didn't quite know what I was doing.
After the years and 3 kids, I feel like I have become a pro, but then something happens, I don't know what to do and I call my mother. I wonder why we do this? I guess I know....she's been there already. She held the exact same title and position as I do now. She's the real pro. "She'll know what to do." And she usually always does, or at the very least, makes me feel better.
Well, I get it wrong a lot of the times. I'm learning how to be a mom as they grow up. Maybe by the time they have their children, I will be able to give good advice and know exactly what to do to help them. At the very least, I can make them feel good when they think they aren't a good mom (or dad) ...and I can relate and tell them about me not giving M a real bath for the first couple of months of her life and we can laugh about it together.
*Side note: K wants to watch these videos over and over and over again....Every single day. I can tell you, Ive heard enough, "Bye-Bye's" to last me for a while!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Not So ...
I am starting to think like a Blogger. I mean in my head all day I am thinking to myself, "Is this blogworthy"..."Could I write about this?" I'm sure it comes as no secret to any of you that my life isn't all that glamorous these days and quite frankly it's hard to come up with anything exciting you might want write about when your days consists of the same things: dirty diapers, laundry, dishes, squeaking a toy, and a few files to process.
Due to the fact that I work from home, I usually do most of my computer work and housework in some bum clothing (or dare I say it, ..my pajamas!) A luxury, I'm sure some of you are thinking, but not great for ones self image I can tell you. Usually around lunch is when I make it to the shower and then get dressed in something totally blah...afterall, I have no where to go, but I do at least give my husband the courtesy of being clean with a little mascara & a little lipstick on by the time that he comes home. But then I usually top off my look with a holey sweat-shirt, out dated jeans, and a pair of hot pink crocs! Oh, I know the fashion Gods are cringing right now. I'm always worried that Stacy and Clinton are lurking behind a corner somewhere, secretly taping me for an episode of "What Not to Wear"...and TRUST me I would break everyone of their 360 degree mirrors if they put me in there right now . But I have to admit, Im a good candidate.
I have been feeling a little "not so glamorous" lately. A couple of stories come to mind. One of T's cousins just went to Sri Lanka and rode an elephant (sorry Im using you as an example L, Im so jealous!).....meanwhile I sat in my holey sweatshirt and hot pink crocs waiting for something to blog about. How's that for insult to injury? Feeling not so important, nothing exciting going on...and you hear someone in your family is out riding elephants in Sri Lanka...How's that for glamorous? Sounds pretty darn glamorous to me and would definitely make for a good blog post.
Another story about the "not so glamorous" side of motherhood is a story my friend D told me. She is a fellow homeaker and mommie that also struggles with the issue of not feeling all that important or glamorous these days. She is a mom of 2 precious boys and one of those boys is having career week at his school, with dad doctors coming in with a medical instruments, and other "cool" jobs and WITH props! Well, her son said, "Mommy, I want you to come and talk about being a mom."
She laughed and said, "My job isn't so important and what do you want me to bring, the laundry?"
His reply is priceless, "Yes mommy, your job IS important. I want you to come in and talk about all the important stuff you do ...and you can even bring in that thing you use to make my bacon in."
Isn't that just wonderful? Isn't that all it takes to bring you out of your, "not so glamorous" pit? Afterall, us mommies are very important to those little ones. In fact, absolutely critical in their life. As I say in my profile, being a mommy is challenging, rewarding, and very important. Why can't I remember that every day? I also say there that I am a chef, laundress, nurse, etc. and those titles sound a whole lot better to me....but to THEM, those sweet, tender, wee ones we are raising, it's just as important sounding to be "the mommy who makes good grilled cheeses", "the mommy that washes my clothes", and "the mommy that kisses my boo-boos and puts a band-aid on it".
Perhaps not so glamorous, but important, yes indeed. And about the fashion, well, it just doesn't make any sense to do laundry in high heels, now does it? Yes, I could use a little help and motivation in this department to say the least, but I feel pretty confident that my children will not remember what I wore to cook their food, clean their clothes, or brush their hair...what I am certain of, however, is that they will remember me doing them, being there, and just loving them. And to them, I need to show them that I love what I do and that I think my job IS extremely important and exciting (even with no elephant rides....then again, there's always tomorrow).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
