Dealing with Life's Unexpecteds

Today has been one of those days where the "unexpected" have forced us to change our route slightly. While trying to rush my kids out this morning for a full play time at a community group in town, it never occurred to me to find out if it was open! Being that my kids are not in school I am completely unaware of any off days, or pro-d days and the like. So we drove, baby fell asleep, arrived to find a sign on the door saying they were closed today. The only day this week were able to be there. So we turned around, drove back towards town, and decided we would go for hot chocolate, which in my opinion sounds like more fun anyways! I love little mornings out like that with my kids. Nearing the corner of our house, my oldest tells me his tummy hurts and insists on going home. I quickly turn and head home. Once we are inside, it's as if the tummy ache has left, as he goes and pulls out his books and crayons right away. Maybe he just wanted to be home today? But very soon arguing and emotions surface between siblings and I assume he is not feeling that well after all. Time to rest. But nobody will rest. Except the baby. So what's this mother to do with a notfeelingwell child, and another who should rest but won't? Fold laundry, stare at dirty dishes that need washing, and debate if maybe I should also have a nap. It's feeling like one of those days. Sometimes things catch up to everyone, even little ones and it seems they are more than happy to hang out at home, snuggle on the couch, and not care whatsoever where we go today. I like those days. It feels like we've changed our plans 3 or 4 times already, but I'm okay with that. I like being home, snuggling on the couch. I can handle those kinds of unexpecteds.

Hockey, with a side of Hockey

As my kids grow I learn more and more about what they like. Without stating the obvious, considering the title of this post, my oldest loves hockey. Hockey this, hockey that. Road hockey with dad meant first putting on their jersies (sweater, optional), and playing hard. Running, and trying to score against dad, and keeping the puck away from his little sister. Oh yea, she usually tries to play too. The town we live in happens to be very big on hockey. We took the kids to watch the home team here and listened to him scream blue murder the ENTIRE game in an effort to cheer them on...even when they were at the other end of the rink!! Ahhh, so cute. He didn't care, he was taking in the whole experience! I had to laugh today at breakfast while we were discussing all the hockey teams that could ever exist, and I was being quizzed on what their names were and where they are from, he asks me... "where do the Sharks come from?". Clearly, at 8am I am not thinking hockey related things, and draw a blank. Lydia pipes up, "They come from water!" I can't help but laugh, because well, though not the answer he was looking for, she is quite right. Later in the day we are driving, and he assumes it is a great time to see what I have remembered since breakfast! He begins to ask me about ALL the teams again. I love his heart behind it, as I know it's something he really enjoys. Do you ever wonder what your kids will be like once they're grown up? Or why certain activites consume so much of their passion? I'm trying to picture him as 6' tall NHL'er, or a hockey coach. What are the chances? Maybe at some point we'll let him actually try to play on a real hockey team. At lease until the snow melts for now, I can count on him counting on me to help him memorize every name, symbol and team member that currently plays hockey, and when summer arrives, I know exactly where he will be. Outside, playing hockey.

The "P" says "Puhh!"

Okay, so the last 3 weeks have been filled full of potty training adventures! Thank goodness I only have one child to take through this at a time, otherwise there's a chance I would likely lose my sanity. While it's one of those things that must be done, at some age, at some time- when that "some time" comes, there is no guarantee it will be easy, graceful, pretty, or without frustrations. Lucky for me this time around (this is the 2nd time around), there have been some laugh out loud moments. I intentionally waited with my 2 1/2 year old until we were moved in to our new place to keep her focused on it. She has done very well! Day one, lots of accidents, and reminding her what to do on the pot, as we had introduced this new thing a few times previous. Day 2, I decide okay, this is it or else, and she sits on the potty, pink floral rainboots on, baby in arms waiting quietly for something to happen. I later find her with her head covered, replying "I"m the boogy man" anytime I ask if she has peed. Or the times she would tell me "I felt a pee coming" after she had peed in a corner. Which of course sent me running to find the pee which nearly blended in on the floor for some unknowing person to slip on....or a curious baby to crawl through. Ugh. One day she told me post-poop that she was pretending her underwear was a diaper. Hmm. Even after I told her "No more diapers!!". Much more recently her pees and poops are met with "yay!" and "You did it!!", and we all still try and be excited for her potty acheivements. Most times now she goes to the potty on her own, tells me she's done, and I help her finish. Then we together try and keep the baby away from the potty!! Two kids down, and one little mister to go. One little raccoon as he's now called at home, for his sneaky, quick ability to get nearly everything away from you and into his mouth. In a year or so, he'll be sitting on the pot like his big sister, running around with naked baby freedom and acheiving the same success. It ain't pretty. The P up there it stands for Poop. Potty. Princess. Okay try this. Princess pooping on the potty. Thank goodness she's starting to get it right.

Remembering my First Love

As time would have it, I am counting down the last few months that my firstborn remains a 4 year old. As my 4 year old would like me to know, he is already 5 and he can't wait. So much changes with that next birthdate! Some of his best friends have already hit this milestone, started school, get to do "big kid" things. I am holding onto every single day I have this 4 year old of mine. I have thought a lot lately about how much has changed since my boy came screaming into the world at an astounding 5lbs, 11oz. Tiny, cuddly, helpless, and incredibly beautiful. He was mine. He was ours. We were immediately in love and over the years he has opened up and grown into an incredibly smart, whitty, outgoing now still-4 year old who is perfectly happy growing up as quick as possible. Is it must me, or does it take a really rough season to realize sometimes, or more remember what these little people are? With a lot of stress in my days lately, and tiredness (thanks to a 3rd baby who LOVES nighttime sleeping), and to be honest, a touch of lonliness, the grumpy mommy side of me comes out quickly. I don't boast about that, I am just telling the truth. Sometimes I forget that this little one, growing by the second, is still the same tiny, helpless one who I birthed and held tightly. I can get so caught up in "doing" that I forget to sit and simply enjoy him. Hugging, kissing, sharing sweet thoughts about him, whispered into his ear and seeing the smile that erupts on his face in those moments. Oh, and tickling. He loves to be tickled. It has been a lesson for me over the years to take time to sit and enjoy my kids. While life has gotten busier with 3, they are still my sweet babies who I love and they should know that. And some days I feel as though he gets the shorter end of the deal when by mid-afternoon I need my mommy break and he is begging me to play with him. Some days I am amazed and caught off guard by his incredible wisdom, and thoughtfulness. And I realize this boy has gifts all his own, and I feel as though I can learn from him. We have spent the last few mornings talking about who we know that doesn't know Jesus, and why certain people do not go to church. And praying. And I see what a great gift he is to me, to encourage me to pray more, for him, with him and for others. In the business of my days, sometimes I feel like I am ill-equipped to give him what he requires of me, and to offer my best so he reaches his full potential. But he offers me such grace and love. I am so blessed to know him, and to call him my firsborn, how gracious and good God has been to us by offering us such a gift. My first love, first babe, and first son. I love him.