Did I Really Just Say That?

Want to listen in on a phone conversation I had earlier today?

It went something like this.

Me, "Hi D- I'm so glad I got ahold of you. I was wondering if you could babysit for me tomorrow?"

D- "Sure!  I have a little girl I'm babysitting right now, but I don't have her till Wednesday."

Me, "Oh good, it would just be four of the kids, I thought to make it easier on myself I would only take three with me to the Dr's office. "

Did I really just tell someone that taking three toddlers to the Dr's office would be easy?

ABC's of Motherhood

~~~~~~~

J is for Joy

~~~~~~

Joy is not a plastic smile on your face as you grit your teeth while changing yet another diaper.  It goes much deeper than that.  Most mom's have aspects of mothering that they struggle with, and if we let them they can "steal" our joy.

I'll give you an example.  Pink eye is making the rounds at our house, and over the weekend it caught up with me.  I staggered around doing my work while my eyes itched and blurred.  I did NOT feel very joyful.

While passing a mirror I glanced at my reflection and was surprised to realize that I looked like a weepy mess.  I hadn't been crying, but my eyes were red and swollen, and a little scary looking.  For some reason this struck me funny, and I kept laughing every time I thought about how pathetic I looked.

In looking at the big picture I realized that this illness won't last forever, it really doesn't hurt, and it gives me something to laugh about when I look in the mirror.

"My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience."  James 1:2-3 

Happy Birthday

Today is my favorite person in the world's birthday.

My husband is turning 37!

I thought I would celebrate it on this blog by sharing some of my favorite things about him.

He loves the Lord and he's not ashamed to share it with others.

He has a good sense of humor--he can make me laugh when no one else can.

He is an awesome daddy!

He mows the lawn. This may seem silly, but I HATE mowing the lawn, and he has never asked me to do it once in all the years we've been married.

You know how people say "its the little stuff that means the most?"

Well, every day he calls me on his way home from work and offers to bring me something/anything from the grocery store.  If I told him every day that I would like a Diet Coke he would bring me one.  ( I don't, but that is something that means a lot to me.)

He likes spending time with me---I know lots of married couples that seem to just tolerate each other, but we both love just being with each other.

He is one of those people that can "read" other people really well, and he can usually tell you what I'm thinking about something. 

If you know me in real life and you see my hubby today wish him a Happy Birthday!

What Were They Thinking

When twin two year olds, and an eighteen month old.

Get their hot little hands on a tin of bag balm.

And spread some on the dog.

And quite a bit more on the carpet.

And a little in their hair.

It will take quite a bit of this.

And a good bit of elbow grease.

And some muttering under your breath.

To clean it up.

Oh, except for the dog.

She apparently enjoys the taste of bag balm.

One less thing I have to clean !

ABC's of Motherhood

~~~~~

I is for Inspiration

~~~~~

One of the best cures that I know of for "mommy burnout" is to gain inspiration from other mothers.  Our job is a hard one with many challenges, and we need to be reminded again and again that it is a high calling.

The internet is a good place to find new ideas and encouragement for new ways of doing our daily tasks.  This past week was a very busy one for me.  We had a lot going on with homeschooling, and some viral illness floating happily around our house.

I thought I would share some places that I gained inspiration during the craziness.

This first one reminded me of something I haven't made in a while, and the picture made my mouth water

http://myfivemen.blogspot.com/2012/04/p-is-for-pizza.html

This entire blog inspires me!  However this post was particularly poignant, and yes it's about one of my favorite subjects--adoption!

http://hishandshisfeettoday.blogspot.com/2012/04/oh-no-not-me.html

This is a series of posts on natural alternatives to sugar.  If nothing else it inspired me to cut back on the amount of white sugar my family consumes.

http://homejoys.blogspot.com/2012/04/do-you-remember-series-of-posts-last.html

Did I just say something about cutting out sugar?  First I need to make these, and THEN I'll cut back on sugar.  If you are looking for some "food inspiration" this whole blog is full of it.  Plus the author is one of the nicest people I know. :)

http://canelakitchen.blogspot.com/2012/04/dark-fudgy-brownies.html

Ok, your turn.......what inspired you this past week?

A Place In-Between

I don't claim to be a poet, but this is something I wrote addressing one of the more difficult aspects of foster parenting.  The reality that you may have these children for only a little while is difficult to face.



My house is a place

That is safe and is warm

There are beds that are soft, and clean

There is plenty to eat

And safe places to play

And babies are fed and kept clean

But sometimes it's not

The place that you stay

The place that you "grow all the way"

Because somewhere out there

There's a family for you

That will love you "forever and a day."

So we love you while here

And hug you and care

For all of your needs big or small.

Cause my house is a place

That you can call home

But really it's just in-between.



ABC's of Motherhood

~~~~~~

H is for "hear"



~~~~~~

Every day my ears are bombarded with many things.  However, I have a choice as to what I actually "hear."

I think most mom's are pretty good at tuning out some things, and listening to others, but it does take some effort.

For example today I could choose to hear a lot of whining and sobbing from my youngest who is teething.  Instead I think I'll focus on hearing his chuckles of delight over the craft pom poms that I allowed him to play with. (It looks like a "no no" and that's what makes it appealing.)

Another thing that I sometimes "hear" is criticism from others.  I can choose to listen and dwell on the negativity, or I can remember that they aren't walking in my shoes right now, and truly may not understand.

What are some good things that you are choosing to hear today?