Babies, Brownies and Blessings

Every now and then I get to know someone well enough to find out about their "thing". I'm just not a foot person I'm not big on letting someone drink from my cup I get so grossed out by (insert item here) I can hardly stand it Just can't do it, that's not my thing I have a thing about my house being a certain way I only eat organic food I am not a fast-food person ...and the list could go on and on. Some people wear their "thing" on their sleeve. It's the first thing you find out about them. It's what sets them apart, makes them special. As I've matured gotten older I have realized my having "thing"s can make other people's lives harder. I'm noticing how inconvenient it is for others when I'm picky or particular. That everything becomes about me and my "thing" and whether or not they can or should accomodate it. What used to be cool in my self-obssessed brain I now see as an imposition on...

Last weekend we got away. Well, not exactly the get-away in the picture but get away we did! Thanks to my amazing in-laws (MIL, FIL, SIL and BIL) my man and I got to relive the glory years for 2 whole nights! We had truly wonderful time and while we wouldn't change a thing about life with three kids, it was a delightful time of just us enjoying each other. It's nice to know you've still go it. That life, kids, jobs haven't distracted you to the point of not knowing each other, or caring about the heart of the other. Knowing that we do still have things in common, our goals and dreams complement each other. (Of note, we had a great time with another couple on Saturday night, it felt so good to laugh so hard that our cheeks hurt the next day!) It was also important for us to have some uninterrupted time to talk about the kids. I know that's supposed to be taboo when on a date but I don't necessarily agree. Parenting takes a plan of attack...

It can be hard to maintain a teachable spirit. If I'm in the mood, I can take instruction really well. Unfortunately I'm not usually in any sort of receptive mood when shopping the aisles of Target, children in tow. It is always a survival mission. Get in, get the goods, get out, hopefully without losing a child or having one get hurt. There are some lessons children don't get unless they learn the hard way. For example, keeping their fingers away from the wheels when on the bottom of the cart. (Great parenting, no, but remember, we're in survival mode.) All the words in the world won't make the impression in their little minds like a wheel impression on their little hands. Not the way I'd prefer to teach but there are natural consequences and they work better than mine do. So when the Target employee decides they need to take my child's well-being into their own hands, I get a little...irritated. Yes, I have told them to keep their hands away. ...

It's a topic that keeps coming up around me. No one seems unaffected by it. Some complain about more than others. For some its an excuse. Others, an unquestioned (and often highly praised) way of life. Yet others are battling it, trying to find a balance. I'm not big on the "I'm just so busy" excuse/mantra. As a family, we try to avoid that but I've found that just makes you look like you somehow have more hours in the day than everyone else. Nevermind that we both work off-shifts and are constantly sleep-deprived. Have three young children constantly underfoot. A home to care for, projects to see to, finances to keep in check. Church, school, soccer, swimming lessons. Friends, family, co-workers, bosses. Bible studies, leading worship, playdates (which should be re-labeled "work-dates" but that's another blog). Sound just like your list? (And I'm sorry, I really just told you, without using the actual words, that I'm just...

Claire is learning to say a few things and I was so proud... but she ends the video like a true 15 month old!

The  tears were short-lived. A good cry and a nap were balm to this Mama's heart yesterday. By noon I was reveling in the quiet that is my home with one less kid. With nobody to fight with, BigBoy #2 settled in and played quietly, sat on my lap or visited the neighbors. BabyGirl squawked her way through the day, enjoying the undivided attention. A batch of caramel rolls, bread, cookies and homemade tomato soup (courtesy of my man) filled up the afternoon. BigBoy #1 came home, excited about his first day with stories of having to pee three times (he held it during music class), enjoying cold lunch with his friends (but he forgot he had a sandwich and only ate the snacks!), rest time with a new mat to lay on, and kids who "snuck in" some soccer cards during recess (ALREADY sneaking things  past the teacher?!?). He made up for the times he missed saying "I'm hungry" during the day and piled it all into the 4 hours I had with him. The boys fought over w...

It's irrational that I'm still crying a hour after dropping BigBoy #1 at Kindergarten. He was so excited. I was so excited. He was fine when we left. I was not fine when we left. There's no fear that he will miss me. Or that he will hate being at school. Or that the other kids will be mean to him. I'm certain he will thrive, he has been ready for months now. Yet the tears stream soundlessly on my cheeks. Tears of gratefulness. Tears of missing him. Tears of the knowledge that time is passing and this is the beginning of bigger goodbyes. Tears of knowing I can't control what he sees and hears 8 hours out of the day. Tears of love... For everything there is a season under the sun. We are in a new season and and thankful BigBoy#1 is under the Son.