To our little man, T-Pup! He is 3 today. Wow. How time flies! As I look back over the last year, here are a few things that come to mind...
-Sam. When she was born, W's parents brought T-Pup to the hospital to see us. He was so mad at us. He wouldn't touch me or look at me, and when W picked him up, he slapped him in the face. I guess having your only child syndrome taken away is the most traumatic thing that could happen to a little guy.
-Rotavirus. On the last day of our youth ski trip, February 24, T-Pup woke up terribly sick. Needless to say, that was only day 1 of a 5 day bout with rotavirus. Those were by far the hardest days I've ever experienced as a parent. Sam was only 4 months, and T-Pup was vomiting and well...the other... constantly. Wow, it still shakes me to remember how sick he was. I still thank God for the friends that help get me through those days.
-Potty training. We did it! At first I fought and fought with him, then just decided to give it up. Sure enough, one day in April he said he wanted to use the potty. The rest is history. I'm so glad this is behind us and not still in front of us!
-Beginning to believe. About 2 months ago, I was giving T-Pup a bath. All of a sudden, he looked up at me and said "Mommy, where does Jesus live?" and I (taken off guard... we had just been discussing Elmo and Ernie) said "Right here bud, in your heart" and pointed to his chest. He replied, without skipping a beat, "oh yeah, that's right. Jesus is in my heart. And God, too". Also, a few weeks ago W took T-Pup to his bedroom to tuck him in. They said prayers, and all of a sudden T-Pup said "umm Daddy, is that Jesus?" and pointed behind W. W said he reluctantly turned around, of course didn't see anything, and turned back to T-Pup (obviously a little taken aback) and said "come Lord Jesus!" and tucked him in.
It's so amazing to me to consider the development that has happened, and has yet to happen. We're still working on fits of him not getting what he wants, of sitting still and listening, of being instantly obedient.
But I'm encouraged, because I'm still working on the same things within myself.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The words of my mouth
Honestly, I say so many things I never thought I would say. Just this morning I found myself telling my son "Don't hit your sister in the head with your golf club!".
On Saturday we went to meet my brother-in-law at a restaurant about an hour away, and T-Pup said he needed to go potty. When we went into the restroom, the music was considerably louder than in the restaurant. Immediately, he started shimmying around the toilet to the tune of the music. I started laughing hysterically at the sight of this unusual moment then said "C'mon bud, we don't dance around the toilet".
This morning I was changing my daughter's #2 diaper, and I said something like "shew, this is stinky-bo-dinky". I don't know why I said it, it just came out. T-Pup almost fell over laughing, and kept repeating "stinky-bo-dinky, stinky-bo-dinky".
I love these moments with children. They are so unpredictable. This honestly scares me for I've heard the horror stories of my childhood, and remember my mom telling people "she's just our little mouth of the south". I know I have it coming. I'm sure it's not going to be pretty either!
We all know Psalm 19:14:
I've found myself recently spelling to my husband. "When do you want me to put him to B-E-D?"; "Do you want some S-U-N D-R-O-P?" etc, etc. I'm altering the words of my mouth to avoid the ears of my children. These things are normal, everyone does it somehow. What bothers me are the words of my mouth that I don't conceal; the ones where I'm speaking about some one's character, or attitude, or how I've been wronged in some way. After a bout of confusion at the car wash Sunday afternoon, I got in my vehicle and frustratingly said "That woman is a jerk!" and T-Pup said "Mommy what's wrong?" and it convicted the mess out of me. I replied as honestly as I could and told him "I'm sorry bud, Mommy has a bad attitude".
It's not enough to watch what comes out my mouth, I need to check what's in my heart as well. I'm sure there are plenty of times each day that God smiles or laughs at something I say. I'm also sure there are times that He is grieved. As I speak to my children, and to those around me, I want them to "know my heart". I want to teach our children about these things, and be a positive example for them to learn from; I know several people and the way I've learned from them is knowing that I don't want to be like them. It's not a bad thing, but I take note and say "hey, this is something I don't want in my life, how can I avoid it"...
On Saturday we went to meet my brother-in-law at a restaurant about an hour away, and T-Pup said he needed to go potty. When we went into the restroom, the music was considerably louder than in the restaurant. Immediately, he started shimmying around the toilet to the tune of the music. I started laughing hysterically at the sight of this unusual moment then said "C'mon bud, we don't dance around the toilet".
This morning I was changing my daughter's #2 diaper, and I said something like "shew, this is stinky-bo-dinky". I don't know why I said it, it just came out. T-Pup almost fell over laughing, and kept repeating "stinky-bo-dinky, stinky-bo-dinky".
I love these moments with children. They are so unpredictable. This honestly scares me for I've heard the horror stories of my childhood, and remember my mom telling people "she's just our little mouth of the south". I know I have it coming. I'm sure it's not going to be pretty either!
We all know Psalm 19:14:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
I've found myself recently spelling to my husband. "When do you want me to put him to B-E-D?"; "Do you want some S-U-N D-R-O-P?" etc, etc. I'm altering the words of my mouth to avoid the ears of my children. These things are normal, everyone does it somehow. What bothers me are the words of my mouth that I don't conceal; the ones where I'm speaking about some one's character, or attitude, or how I've been wronged in some way. After a bout of confusion at the car wash Sunday afternoon, I got in my vehicle and frustratingly said "That woman is a jerk!" and T-Pup said "Mommy what's wrong?" and it convicted the mess out of me. I replied as honestly as I could and told him "I'm sorry bud, Mommy has a bad attitude".
May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart...
It's not enough to watch what comes out my mouth, I need to check what's in my heart as well. I'm sure there are plenty of times each day that God smiles or laughs at something I say. I'm also sure there are times that He is grieved. As I speak to my children, and to those around me, I want them to "know my heart". I want to teach our children about these things, and be a positive example for them to learn from; I know several people and the way I've learned from them is knowing that I don't want to be like them. It's not a bad thing, but I take note and say "hey, this is something I don't want in my life, how can I avoid it"...
...be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and Redeemer.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
From the eyes of my son.
Our family has been watching the Olympics each evening, and nearly every night we see the same commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFBVA-KoJSI
The very last scene of the commercial shows a very illuminated scene in Beijing, possibly some sort of festival in the street. Anyway, each time we see the commercial our nearly 3 year old son says "Wow that looks fun... what is that?" and we reply "it's China!".
We were coming back into town last weekend and the sun had already set. We approached the small, rural fair that graces the community with its presence each fall, and it was very well illuminated.
Our dear son then says "Mommy, is that China?"
It reminded me that he is listening. He is paying attention to what we say. It may not always look that way, but our words do have an impact.
When our laughter subsided, we explained the fair was indeed not China, but maybe we can go to China someday!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFBVA-KoJSI
The very last scene of the commercial shows a very illuminated scene in Beijing, possibly some sort of festival in the street. Anyway, each time we see the commercial our nearly 3 year old son says "Wow that looks fun... what is that?" and we reply "it's China!".
We were coming back into town last weekend and the sun had already set. We approached the small, rural fair that graces the community with its presence each fall, and it was very well illuminated.
Our dear son then says "Mommy, is that China?"
It reminded me that he is listening. He is paying attention to what we say. It may not always look that way, but our words do have an impact.
When our laughter subsided, we explained the fair was indeed not China, but maybe we can go to China someday!
The Genesis
Last week, my husband and I were talking during an hour's car ride to a nearby town. Having two small children, a car ride is often the most consistent conversation we have. We were talking about some of the deeper things in our hearts, and I shared with him that I feel parenting is one of my few "strengths". However, in a world of technology and higher education, it often seems this role is downplayed. I'm one of a hand full of mothers in our small town who stay home with their children; and I often feel looked down upon because of that. It is a sacrifice - but hear my heart: the worth far outweighs the cost. I often beat myself up because many of the women I know with children live luxurious lives, and on those days I have to remind myself of the worth. The things of this world will pass away, but teaching my children to hear the voice of God, to know His love, these things are eternal.
In the midst of this conversation, my husband encouraged me to start a blog with some parenting moments. Now, if you know my crew at all - at this point the humorous side will most likely prevail. I want to share with you though a bit of our lives - and pray that you may somehow be encouraged.
In the midst of this conversation, my husband encouraged me to start a blog with some parenting moments. Now, if you know my crew at all - at this point the humorous side will most likely prevail. I want to share with you though a bit of our lives - and pray that you may somehow be encouraged.
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