Conversation between Jayce and Wyatt:
Jayce: My mom is going away this weekend with my dad. She’s going there to get pregnant.
Jayce and I had a little chat a week or so ago about babies. I am guessing he has thought about it a bit since then. We had another little chat tonight about mom not being pregnant and how it all happens. (In case anyone is confused… No, I am not pregnant, not planning to, not hoping to be.)
You know when you were younger and your alarm went off in the morning and you sleepily think of the reasons to stay in bed? Then your brain goes through the previous days events and if something great happened that day (i.e. a kiss, a new job, chocolate muffins) it gets you out of bed and puts a hop in your step? Well, this morning I did that for the first time in a long time. And I wanted to remember my list.
And the thought that gave me the most joy…
All of my children slept through the night. No pee, no asthma, no coughing, no nightmares. Sigh. This HAS to be a good day!
(And it’s only going to be 90 degrees!!! I love anything that isn’t triple digits.)
Several years ago Jason and I were traveling together pre-children and saw a wonderfully memorable man on a street corner waving an advertisement poster. He was enthusiastically dancing to his music, wore cut of jean shorts a tank top and had stringy long blonde hair under a backwards facing hat. Jason mentioned how stupid he was. I on the other hand, got caught up in his sheer enjoyment, leaned across Jason and out the drivers side window with flailing arms, and gave him a big ‘woo hoo!’ The dancing man responded appropriately with ‘hang loose’. And then Jason muttered words that became a staple in our ability to make one another laugh. “You’re stupid too.” If you spend enough time with us, you might catch us lovingly exchange these words.
These black plate holders were supposed to be returned when they didn’t quite fit what I needed them for… Except they kept disappearing.
They seem to fit very well in the boys holsters. As you can tell, they don’t stray far from their owners.
Earlier I found this pop tart with a hole clean through. I wonder if the 2 are connected somehow…
While reading a fellow bloggers’ recent posting I had that deep set heavy feeling in my chest that I needed to get out on paper. As a parent I have learned the hard way (is there any other way to learn?!) to change a child's inappropriate, negative, or bad behavior. I will openly admit I was a yeller. And I tended to focus on the negative. I still have my moments, but have learned the damaging affects it has on a child. I have seen in 2 years time, my child change from a sad, angry, and frustrated child 80% of the time, to a happy, pleasant, loving child %90 of the time. And though it has now become the norm and the days fly by without much notice, there are moments when he cracks a joke or quietly ruffles his sisters hair with a smile, that my heart is filled with joy and such gratitude.
“To change child's behavior...HUGS, KISSES, COMPLIMENTS: make them feel good about the RIGHT behavior. Give extra attention, slow down, play with them.” (Thank you again Rach- you are on a roll this week!)
AMEN. It changed my life and his.
He was nearly asleep. He had both hands up at his face and was gently pulling on his eyelashes. Jared of course, woke up as soon as the car stopped and ran inside. It reminded me of Jayce when he was a baby. I would rock him to sleep and he had the longest eyelashes, and they were often a little awry, so as he fell into sleep I would softly pull on them to straighten them out. It became a nightly ritual and as he got older I found that whenever he went to bed or was sleepy his hands would go to his eyelashes and just pull lightly on them. They mimic even in their sleep.
Jared is 3. I must admit as I sit here preparing my thoughts on this little boy, I heaved a huge sigh. It’s been quite a messy year…
And the list goes on. But if I put all of these things somehow on a scale and balanced them against the amount of joy and love I have received from having him in my life, there is no contest. He is worth every second. Happy Birthday Jared. I love you.
Our home teachers came by today and we were discussing the topic of women and how many of us feel such inadequacy and often compare ourselves to other women and mothers and how we often think the grass is greener on the other side. My friend Rachel (who’s blog is now private so no link sorry!) posted an amazing quote on that subject a while back and it has stuck with me.
The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be. -Robert Fulghum
Steve Mullenaux one of my home teachers posed a question this afternoon,
“Do you know why the grass is always greener on the other side?”
His answer held more truth than I was ready for.
“Because there is a whole lot of crap over there to fertilize it with.”
If you’ve ever bought a tract home you know that the most exciting part (for me) is picking out your colors and features. How excited I was that I could pick out my very own house! First, how big? Ok, there are only 6 floor plans to choose from, but still I get to pick! And picking the colors! Of course, I had to stay within the parameters of their color scheme. So, ok, I could pick from 2 greens, cream, tan, and brown. But still I was picking my own colors! And then to pick out my upgrades! Here is the small list of what you are allowed. It was glorious. Or was it?
I kind of have that same feeling about the nation these days. I feel as if we are being told, “Here are your freedoms. You can say whatever you want… as long as it is on this list. You can think and feel as you please, but you must stay within these few topics and ideals. Freedom to bear arms…. wait, scratch that- we’re taking that from you. Freedom of religion, but only in a way that won’t infringe on, or hurt the feelings of another, maybe we should take that too. Congratulations on your new found freedoms.”
I am aware of the negativity in this post, I am so tired of feeling like our America we know and love and are so blessed to be a part of, is being transformed and crumbling before our very eyes.
4 years ago we began the plans for our current home. No rules or exceptions unless it was for the safety and stability of the structure, we drew it, redrew it, until it was what we wanted. We painted it, and I wanted a different color so we re-painted it! It took a while, it was frustrating, it was hard work and no it isn’t perfect. But it was ours. And this is how I feel about America. The harder we work, the more we put into it, the better it will be. Perfect? Not by a long shot. But worth it.
