As of late, I've been thinking about some 'new' habits I have while driving.
Pre-children, I would often listen to the radio or talk on the phone with my sister, mom, friends from far away, etc. There was usually some sort of distraction going on while I was driving and my drives were mainly seen as getting me from one job to the next job (hence the 'need' for distraction).
Rarely did I take time to 'enjoy the view'.
With Big Brother rapidly approaching his 4th birthday, I have been thinking about how much my drive time habits have changed over the years. More often then not, I have both boy with me when I'm traveling somewhere (and let's be honest, getting three people out the door adds on a half hour on a GOOD day - that's definitely different and 'new'!). Half the time Big Brother prefers to 'chat' and we talk about what we're seeing, where we're going, and he provides an endless stream of conversation topics. Sometimes he requests Psalty and I'm happy to oblige as I know God's Word is being hidden in his heart through the songs he is learning and the stories we're listening to together. I try to avoid being on my cell phone because my cargo is just too precious to risk driving distracted.
While all of those changes are 'new normals' which have developed, the biggest change is how I see things through my windshield. Rather than focusing on the road straight ahead and my final destination, I am always looking for things to show Big Brother. Whether it's a pretty cloud formation, an airplane taking off, a water tower showing us what city we're in, or the way the trees are changing with the seasons - there is always something to be looking at and exploring with our senses. He is likes to know how things work and where we are and so a simple trip in the car often turns into a lesson about 'you name it'.
One of the funniest things that is a 'new normal' to how my driving habits have changed has to do with Big Brother's favorite hobby - TRAINS! I now notice every. single. bridge, tunnel, train bridge, track, and train we drive by or over and so does he, but I now also think about the roads I can drive which will include some fun 'train', tunnel or bridge excitement. I never even used to be aware of bridges or tunnels or trains and now they jump out to me and if I'm alone in the car, I miss my buddy being there to 'share' in the excitement of what used to be just an every day drive. Oh how life has changed (for the better) and how 'normal' these 'new' habits have become. <3
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Baby Food
So, it's been awhile since we were feeding Big Brother from store bought baby food jars. How quickly one forgets the MESS of feeding a little tyke! I didn't really give the food thing much thought with Big Brother (and he obviously survived and thrived) but this time around, in an effort to establish a 'new normal', I'm up for the challenge of making our own baby food more often than not.
Little B had his first 'solid' taste experience on February 1st (just shy of his 5 month anniversary). We were going to start him sooner because he was expressing great interest in everything we were putting in our mouths and he was also waking up at night more to feed, but around that same time he contracted his first ear infection. Knowing that Big B has an allergy to amoxicillin, I didn't want to start Little B on brand new foods while also taking a new-to-him medicine. The amoxicillin went well with no allergic reaction (this time!) and once he was done, we began the adventures of the first foods!
After doing a decent amount of research on-line, we opted to try avocado and banana as Little Brother's first foods. We just mushed them up and spoon fed him. Rice cereal also went into the rotation and he seems to enjoy them all. We added in squash last week and he also gobbled that right down. Costco was selling pre-cut butternut squash, so all I had to do was boil it and run it through the blender. Too bad I managed to pour burning hot squash all over my hand in the process ... lesson learned. I'm thinking we'll be adding sweet potato and peas in the near future, with carrots and apples not too far behind.
Since we do not own a food processor and our blender appears to be inadequate and not working correctly, we did get a baby-food making system and so far I love it. I spent about a half hour yesterday making batches of banana and avocado, putting them into containers, freezing a bunch, etc. I also am enjoying the price I paid for it (having done a lot of on-line price comparisons) thanks to Kohl's birthday cash and 30% off coupon they recently mailed to us. We'll see how adventurous we get with this whole 'new normal' but so far it's off to a great start!
Little B had his first 'solid' taste experience on February 1st (just shy of his 5 month anniversary). We were going to start him sooner because he was expressing great interest in everything we were putting in our mouths and he was also waking up at night more to feed, but around that same time he contracted his first ear infection. Knowing that Big B has an allergy to amoxicillin, I didn't want to start Little B on brand new foods while also taking a new-to-him medicine. The amoxicillin went well with no allergic reaction (this time!) and once he was done, we began the adventures of the first foods!
After doing a decent amount of research on-line, we opted to try avocado and banana as Little Brother's first foods. We just mushed them up and spoon fed him. Rice cereal also went into the rotation and he seems to enjoy them all. We added in squash last week and he also gobbled that right down. Costco was selling pre-cut butternut squash, so all I had to do was boil it and run it through the blender. Too bad I managed to pour burning hot squash all over my hand in the process ... lesson learned. I'm thinking we'll be adding sweet potato and peas in the near future, with carrots and apples not too far behind.
Since we do not own a food processor and our blender appears to be inadequate and not working correctly, we did get a baby-food making system and so far I love it. I spent about a half hour yesterday making batches of banana and avocado, putting them into containers, freezing a bunch, etc. I also am enjoying the price I paid for it (having done a lot of on-line price comparisons) thanks to Kohl's birthday cash and 30% off coupon they recently mailed to us. We'll see how adventurous we get with this whole 'new normal' but so far it's off to a great start!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thank you, Fred Rogers
Big Brother has turned a corner! For the longest time (since before Little Brother's birth, especially when I was largely pregnant) we have been encouraging Big Brother to put on his own shoes. For whatever reason, he has shown absolutely no desire to do this for himself. It was becoming a battle this Fall, so I even created a reward chart for him right at eye level where his shoes were located. We got through the chart and had 'success' with him putting his shoes on, but as soon as the chart was done, he went right back to not caring one iota about doing this for himself. As I observed several of my friends' children (younger and same age as BB) doing this by themselves quite capably each time were together, Ross and I decided it was time to put our foot down. We had a couple of 'battles' and some great successes over the past month or so, when all of a sudden he started putting on his shoes AND his coat all by himself. EVERY TIME. No questions asked - just 'okay Mama!' While I was rejoicing in this new development, I was also somewhat baffled until I started listening carefully to his song.
You see, Big Brother sings all of the time. Made up songs, songs he has learned from CDs, songs he has heard in church - our little man is a jute box. So, to hear him sing while putting on his shoes wasn't all that 'new' to me. Then I realized he was singing the closing song of the Mr. Rogers show every. single. time. he would go downstairs. It began to dawn on me that thanks to Mr. Rogers responsibly taking off his outside shoes, putting on his house shoes, deliberately taking his coat off and trading it for his cardigan, my son - who adores Mr. Rogers and his trolley - now insists on doing that routine all by himself. I offered to help the other day 'just because' and he said to me, 'No Mom, Mr. Rogers' Mama doesn't help him out.' WHAT?! :)
I also need to include that Big Brother insists on humming the 'intro' to the song as we approach the house door when coming home from somewhere. He does not appreciate the door being opened until it gets to the 'right part' (which apparently I am very clueless about). It's really very precious and funny.
You see, Big Brother sings all of the time. Made up songs, songs he has learned from CDs, songs he has heard in church - our little man is a jute box. So, to hear him sing while putting on his shoes wasn't all that 'new' to me. Then I realized he was singing the closing song of the Mr. Rogers show every. single. time. he would go downstairs. It began to dawn on me that thanks to Mr. Rogers responsibly taking off his outside shoes, putting on his house shoes, deliberately taking his coat off and trading it for his cardigan, my son - who adores Mr. Rogers and his trolley - now insists on doing that routine all by himself. I offered to help the other day 'just because' and he said to me, 'No Mom, Mr. Rogers' Mama doesn't help him out.' WHAT?! :)
I also need to include that Big Brother insists on humming the 'intro' to the song as we approach the house door when coming home from somewhere. He does not appreciate the door being opened until it gets to the 'right part' (which apparently I am very clueless about). It's really very precious and funny.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Little Brother
I have been thinking it's time to share JUST about Little Brother. Off we go!
Little B turned 4 months on January 7th. It is amazing how much personality has come out in the past 4 months. He has been smiling quite easily since about 3 months old and he most recently started the to roll from back to tummy which only serves to frustrate him since he hasn't quite mastered rolling to his back yet. I have found him sleeping on his belly when I go to nurse him in the middle of the night during the past week or so. He has mastered moving his hands to grasp things and has started to discover his feet. He enjoys having his fist in his mouth just like Big Brother (still does!) especially when something is exciting or startling to him.
He came into the world looking for food and he hasn't stopped looking since! We remember the nurses all remarking about how strong he was during his first 2 days of life. This continues to be true of Little Brother. Little B is very easy to read. He gets really mad really fast when he wants something but as soon as he gets what he wants he soothes very quickly. He has strong opinions about when he doesn't like something and he's physically very strong. He is very good at pulling my hair out and grasping at shirts, blankets, etc. Yesterday I was attempting to buckle him in his car seat to go to the library and he made his body stiff like a board so that I had to physically push him down and make him bend. He was also yelling at me at the top of his lungs. Once buckled and realizing we were going somewhere, he turned off the crying and gave me a big smile. SERIOUSLY?! He has been exploring his vocal range, too, with squeals, baby laughter and lots of sounds. I love listening to him vocalize!
Little Brother is definitely an outward facing babe. He does not really cuddle (unless you count how he snuggles for feeding). He likes to face out, taking all of Big Brother's activity in and who can blame him? He's very different from Big Brother that way, though, as BB was an 'arm pit' child as my Mom calls him. He really wanted to burrow into you and snuggle whereas Little Brother's favorite soothing position has been the football hold where he lays on your inner arm facing out and frequently nods off in that position. Another funny Little B fact is how he prefers the car to be moving at 50 mph or faster. When slowing down for a stop light or going at a slower speed, he frequently gets fussy, although I think he's getting a little better about traveling in his car seat at all speeds (see - he really likes to be always on the go - already ... ).
At his four month well check on Friday, our doctor remarked "I think you are going to have your hands full with this one." Yes, I have thought that ever since he began rolling, kicking and constantly moving inside my belly. He weighed in at 15 lb 3 oz and he is now 25 inches long. I asked her about some very prominent veins by his eyes and she said they will fade as he grows but right now they look like a baby tattoo - and it's true - they really do! :) She said we can start him on solids as he seems ready which I honestly think he is ready I'm just not sure I am ready for all of that to start. Sigh. I'm adjusting to this 'new normal' of time going by twice as fast with the second child. I feel like I blinked and he became 4 months old.
Little B turned 4 months on January 7th. It is amazing how much personality has come out in the past 4 months. He has been smiling quite easily since about 3 months old and he most recently started the to roll from back to tummy which only serves to frustrate him since he hasn't quite mastered rolling to his back yet. I have found him sleeping on his belly when I go to nurse him in the middle of the night during the past week or so. He has mastered moving his hands to grasp things and has started to discover his feet. He enjoys having his fist in his mouth just like Big Brother (still does!) especially when something is exciting or startling to him.
He came into the world looking for food and he hasn't stopped looking since! We remember the nurses all remarking about how strong he was during his first 2 days of life. This continues to be true of Little Brother. Little B is very easy to read. He gets really mad really fast when he wants something but as soon as he gets what he wants he soothes very quickly. He has strong opinions about when he doesn't like something and he's physically very strong. He is very good at pulling my hair out and grasping at shirts, blankets, etc. Yesterday I was attempting to buckle him in his car seat to go to the library and he made his body stiff like a board so that I had to physically push him down and make him bend. He was also yelling at me at the top of his lungs. Once buckled and realizing we were going somewhere, he turned off the crying and gave me a big smile. SERIOUSLY?! He has been exploring his vocal range, too, with squeals, baby laughter and lots of sounds. I love listening to him vocalize!
Little Brother is definitely an outward facing babe. He does not really cuddle (unless you count how he snuggles for feeding). He likes to face out, taking all of Big Brother's activity in and who can blame him? He's very different from Big Brother that way, though, as BB was an 'arm pit' child as my Mom calls him. He really wanted to burrow into you and snuggle whereas Little Brother's favorite soothing position has been the football hold where he lays on your inner arm facing out and frequently nods off in that position. Another funny Little B fact is how he prefers the car to be moving at 50 mph or faster. When slowing down for a stop light or going at a slower speed, he frequently gets fussy, although I think he's getting a little better about traveling in his car seat at all speeds (see - he really likes to be always on the go - already ... ).
At his four month well check on Friday, our doctor remarked "I think you are going to have your hands full with this one." Yes, I have thought that ever since he began rolling, kicking and constantly moving inside my belly. He weighed in at 15 lb 3 oz and he is now 25 inches long. I asked her about some very prominent veins by his eyes and she said they will fade as he grows but right now they look like a baby tattoo - and it's true - they really do! :) She said we can start him on solids as he seems ready which I honestly think he is ready I'm just not sure I am ready for all of that to start. Sigh. I'm adjusting to this 'new normal' of time going by twice as fast with the second child. I feel like I blinked and he became 4 months old.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Catch Up
We have been experiencing many 'new normals' around here over the past month. Many of these have kept me very busy, so please excuse the lack of blogging! Here is our Christmas catch up:
We have traditionally spent Christmas Eve with Ross's family and this year was no exception. It was great to be together. One 'new normal' we experienced with them was opening our gifts to each other in a more purposeful way. In the past, there have been piles of gifts given out and torn into and it's been kind of hard to 'take in'. This year, gifts were handed out one at a time and Grandma Diane requested that the kids acknowledge the gift giver before tearing into things. It was really nice to watch each person open their gift and to see how the different kids immediately wanted to play with their new presents. I think we all enjoyed a 'new' way of doing the gift thing. We also decided to have the cousins exchange 'names' this year so there weren't as many gifts to dole out and 'get through' and I think the kids didn't even notice a difference. We are all trying to save on space in our homes so in an effort to not be too excessive, I think this worked out. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera for the Manders' family Christmas, so I'm missing any pictures from that gathering and Little Brother's first Christmas experience over there.
Christmas Eve night was spent at church. Ross and I helped to lead the music at Park Free. After church we came home, ate some dinner and Big Brother enjoyed playing with one of his favorite gifts - a Marble run. We put out cookies for Santa before BB went to bed and we also skyped with Grandpa Dave so he could 'read' "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to us. While things may be different with them living in NJ, we are finding creative ways to still 'be together'. Since I grew up with my Dad reading that story to me every Christmas Eve, I was thinking about how this could still happen and it was fun to try it over Skype. Christmas day was definitely a 'new normal' since we spent it at home as just the 4 of us. It was really relaxing and VERY nice to not have to lead a church service on Christmas morning even though Christmas was on a Sunday. Big Brother was really not super into the Santa thing and really just wanted to play with his marble run, so we let him dictate how the morning would go. He played and played and eventually we had Quiche Sylane and cinnamon rolls for breakfast and around 11 a.m. he became more interested in the gifts under the tree for him. So we'd open one and he'd play, open, play, etc. Eventually we got through the gift piles and he had a blast just hanging out and having some quality time with us. Little Brother was chilling with us and he got to open a few gifts, too. For dinner, we tried something 'new' and marinated meat and cooked it in our fondue pot. It was fun to try! After dinner and bedtime for Big Brother, I went to the airport to pick up my parents.
We have traditionally spent Christmas Eve with Ross's family and this year was no exception. It was great to be together. One 'new normal' we experienced with them was opening our gifts to each other in a more purposeful way. In the past, there have been piles of gifts given out and torn into and it's been kind of hard to 'take in'. This year, gifts were handed out one at a time and Grandma Diane requested that the kids acknowledge the gift giver before tearing into things. It was really nice to watch each person open their gift and to see how the different kids immediately wanted to play with their new presents. I think we all enjoyed a 'new' way of doing the gift thing. We also decided to have the cousins exchange 'names' this year so there weren't as many gifts to dole out and 'get through' and I think the kids didn't even notice a difference. We are all trying to save on space in our homes so in an effort to not be too excessive, I think this worked out. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera for the Manders' family Christmas, so I'm missing any pictures from that gathering and Little Brother's first Christmas experience over there.
Christmas Eve night was spent at church. Ross and I helped to lead the music at Park Free. After church we came home, ate some dinner and Big Brother enjoyed playing with one of his favorite gifts - a Marble run. We put out cookies for Santa before BB went to bed and we also skyped with Grandpa Dave so he could 'read' "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to us. While things may be different with them living in NJ, we are finding creative ways to still 'be together'. Since I grew up with my Dad reading that story to me every Christmas Eve, I was thinking about how this could still happen and it was fun to try it over Skype. Christmas day was definitely a 'new normal' since we spent it at home as just the 4 of us. It was really relaxing and VERY nice to not have to lead a church service on Christmas morning even though Christmas was on a Sunday. Big Brother was really not super into the Santa thing and really just wanted to play with his marble run, so we let him dictate how the morning would go. He played and played and eventually we had Quiche Sylane and cinnamon rolls for breakfast and around 11 a.m. he became more interested in the gifts under the tree for him. So we'd open one and he'd play, open, play, etc. Eventually we got through the gift piles and he had a blast just hanging out and having some quality time with us. Little Brother was chilling with us and he got to open a few gifts, too. For dinner, we tried something 'new' and marinated meat and cooked it in our fondue pot. It was fun to try! After dinner and bedtime for Big Brother, I went to the airport to pick up my parents.
One of the biggest 'new normals' of the past month was that our family of four hosted the "Ridder" family Christmas this year. I appreciate what my mom and mother-in-law do to get ready for these holidays so much more after this year! The cleaning and preparations that start weeks in advance, the cookie baking, the menu planning, the grocery buying (including plenty of toilet paper and paper towels!), the present wrapping, the brainstorming of possible 'things to do together', and everything else that goes into hosting a family gathering are on top of whatever we normally would do for our family as well as continuing on with 'normal' every day life. It was all very worth it in the end and my generous parents funded the food bill (thanks Mom and Dad!) and they also splurged for a couple of meals out for us.
It was a treat to have Jill, Jake, Josh, Ann, Mom, Dad and our family of four together for 2 days. With each of our individual families living in separate states, it is a rare occurrence that we are all together so I cherished every minute of our 'new normal' Christmas! I was amazed at how many times the dishwasher ran and how quickly food was consumed and how much brain energy it took to be strategic about things when you are coordinating things for 8 adults, 2 kids and one puppy (the other one stayed at her other family). I slept really well (between baby feedings) each night - that's for sure!
During the week my parents were in town, we also spent time with my Mom's side of the family that live in MN. It's always fun to be with her cousins and catch up with all of those people. We did some shopping a few different days and we also did a Ridder family photo shoot which was fun but chilly! We all went to see the Muppets together and we had some quality time playing games.
To celebrate New Years, we went out to Chinese for lunch with the DeRaads, Ridders and Manders. After that, we all went our separate ways. Me and the boys went with my parents to the MOA by way of the light rail so that my Dad could use a flight simulator gift card he had received awhile back. Big Brother adored riding the light rail. While Dad was doing his thing, Mom and I had ice cream with the boys and then walked around Nickelodeon Universe so BB could 'look at' the rides. Ross went off to lead worship but we met up later at our house. My parents volunteered to watch the boys so we could have a date. We spontaneously decided to go down to the Ordway to see if we could get educator discounted tickets to Cinderella. We got there by about 7:20 (curtain was at 7:30) and sure enough, we scored orchestra seating for only 30 dollars a piece! It was well done and a very enjoyable way to spend New Years Eve. It was really snowing big, beautiful flakes after the show. Those flakes made our ride home about 3 times as long as normal and unfortunately, Little Brother was missing his mama - so thanks to my parents for putting up with a very loud, crying baby until we got home.
Sunday, January 1st 2012, we had the privilege of dedicating Luke. Park Free was more than willing to have Grandpa Dave do the dedication, so that was a special morning for us. Jill, Jake and both Grandma's were able to be there, too. It was a neat way to start off 2012.
Taking my parents to the airpot after church wasn't too sad because we are all looking forward to being together again in NJ in just a few short weeks. We can't wait to be in their new house, to attend church with them and to meet people we have been hearing about! It has definitely helped the post-Christmas blues to have that trip on our radar.
I'm sure 2012 will be filled with many 'new normals' and I look forward to continuing to reflect on them through this blog!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Overheard in our Abode
Big Brother: "When Santa comes, I'm gonna go hide in my room because he's pretty scary to me."
We've also heard him say "When Santa says, 'Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas' I'm gonna hide in my room!'"
#1 Concern about Santa - How does he get down the chimney?
#2 Concern about Santa - Why does he need to eat our cookies?
#3 Concern about Santa - Will he leave the reindeer on the roof or bring them in our house?
To all of these questions our most popular response has been 'well buddy, what do YOU think will happen?' It's so fun to let him 'problem solve' all of these questions and here his active imagination at work. I'm not 'pushing' the Santa thing but I do think it's fun to play along with him - what a 'new normal' this whole 'Santa' thing has been for us this year.
We've also heard him say "When Santa says, 'Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas' I'm gonna hide in my room!'"
#1 Concern about Santa - How does he get down the chimney?
#2 Concern about Santa - Why does he need to eat our cookies?
#3 Concern about Santa - Will he leave the reindeer on the roof or bring them in our house?
To all of these questions our most popular response has been 'well buddy, what do YOU think will happen?' It's so fun to let him 'problem solve' all of these questions and here his active imagination at work. I'm not 'pushing' the Santa thing but I do think it's fun to play along with him - what a 'new normal' this whole 'Santa' thing has been for us this year.
My Mantra
My mantra (a statement or slogan repeated frequently) this holiday season is: "Emily, this is the ONLY Christmas season you get with a 3.5 year old Big Brother and a 3 month old Little Brother - enjoy it!"
Today, while baking 2 batches of Christmas cookies with my 3.5 year old baking assistant who turned our baking into 'the baking show', I chanted my mantra as a row of my pretty cookies slid off the cookie sheet into the oven and then again as I burned the top of my hand on the inside of the stove all while he was some what whiningly insistent that I come and play with him in his train room. (While the mixing part of baking is fun, the whole "Mom has to now scoop cookies onto the baking sheets and cook the cookies" part of baking is not so fun for a 3.5 year old.)
While doing our Truth and Tinsel Advent Crafts each day, I am trying to enjoy the brief moments of creativity my son has instead of 'fixing' his 'designs' or making him sit for longer than he is willing. I probably should just make my own craft along side of him - they're just that fun (Admittedly, I have a perfectionist side that wants to make everything look exactly like that picture :))!
For any of you who contribute anything to the Sunday morning service, you understand that Christmas and Easter are 'high expectation' times of the year. Being the worship leader at any church means you need to be communicating with more people, involving more musicians, including everyone's favorite Christmas hymns/songs, all while honoring Jesus and keeping the service length reasonable. Try planning those services with a beautiful baby boy calling for you and a busy 3.5 year old tugging on you ... my shoulders are a little bit tense right now. However, I'm trying to keep my mantra in mind which means I need to/want to be as present as possible with my kids. So, I'm trying to 'work' either late at night or when Ross is at home (insert mantra).
Yesterday I took a road trip to toy store about 45 minutes away with both kids in tow even though the 'secret' toy pick up I needed to do for my parents was for the big kid in the car. Such is life these days! We made the pick up and while were waiting in the toy store for this awesome gift to make it's way to us from the back of the store, Big Brother was running in circles chanting "I'm hungry in my belly" and I was running my mantra silently through my head (while missing my Mom!). We survived a lunch out directly after picking up the toy (which BB wanted to immediately play with and wasn't entirely grasping the concept of waiting until Christmas) and I enjoyed some time out of the house with my boys (even though immediately upon entering the restaurant, BB declared he had to pee and it was an emergency and LB let me and everyone else nearby know he needed to eat so ... I did what I had to do - yes - in the bathroom - and then we got back in line to order - crises adverted - shew!).
I know I need to work on having more patience and self-control in my life and I can especially sense this during the slightly elevated stress level the 'holidays' bring to me. Unfortunately, my kids and kind, loving husband are the ones who bare the brunt of my lack of patience and/or self control so I'm openly confessing my issues and admitting that the mantra needs to be even more front and center so that my family can experience the love of Jesus through me this season.
As we prepare to head out on a road trip to spend some time with family and celebrate Christmas together, I'm sure my mantra will come in handy a few times but I'm hoping it can sink down into my heart and soul and not just be something on 'repeat' in my brain. I'm praying for an abundance of peace and joy, presence and memory making - after all - this is the only Christmas I get to share with a 3.5 year old Big Brother and a 3 month old Little Brother.
Today, while baking 2 batches of Christmas cookies with my 3.5 year old baking assistant who turned our baking into 'the baking show', I chanted my mantra as a row of my pretty cookies slid off the cookie sheet into the oven and then again as I burned the top of my hand on the inside of the stove all while he was some what whiningly insistent that I come and play with him in his train room. (While the mixing part of baking is fun, the whole "Mom has to now scoop cookies onto the baking sheets and cook the cookies" part of baking is not so fun for a 3.5 year old.)
While doing our Truth and Tinsel Advent Crafts each day, I am trying to enjoy the brief moments of creativity my son has instead of 'fixing' his 'designs' or making him sit for longer than he is willing. I probably should just make my own craft along side of him - they're just that fun (Admittedly, I have a perfectionist side that wants to make everything look exactly like that picture :))!
For any of you who contribute anything to the Sunday morning service, you understand that Christmas and Easter are 'high expectation' times of the year. Being the worship leader at any church means you need to be communicating with more people, involving more musicians, including everyone's favorite Christmas hymns/songs, all while honoring Jesus and keeping the service length reasonable. Try planning those services with a beautiful baby boy calling for you and a busy 3.5 year old tugging on you ... my shoulders are a little bit tense right now. However, I'm trying to keep my mantra in mind which means I need to/want to be as present as possible with my kids. So, I'm trying to 'work' either late at night or when Ross is at home (insert mantra).
Yesterday I took a road trip to toy store about 45 minutes away with both kids in tow even though the 'secret' toy pick up I needed to do for my parents was for the big kid in the car. Such is life these days! We made the pick up and while were waiting in the toy store for this awesome gift to make it's way to us from the back of the store, Big Brother was running in circles chanting "I'm hungry in my belly" and I was running my mantra silently through my head (while missing my Mom!). We survived a lunch out directly after picking up the toy (which BB wanted to immediately play with and wasn't entirely grasping the concept of waiting until Christmas) and I enjoyed some time out of the house with my boys (even though immediately upon entering the restaurant, BB declared he had to pee and it was an emergency and LB let me and everyone else nearby know he needed to eat so ... I did what I had to do - yes - in the bathroom - and then we got back in line to order - crises adverted - shew!).
I know I need to work on having more patience and self-control in my life and I can especially sense this during the slightly elevated stress level the 'holidays' bring to me. Unfortunately, my kids and kind, loving husband are the ones who bare the brunt of my lack of patience and/or self control so I'm openly confessing my issues and admitting that the mantra needs to be even more front and center so that my family can experience the love of Jesus through me this season.
As we prepare to head out on a road trip to spend some time with family and celebrate Christmas together, I'm sure my mantra will come in handy a few times but I'm hoping it can sink down into my heart and soul and not just be something on 'repeat' in my brain. I'm praying for an abundance of peace and joy, presence and memory making - after all - this is the only Christmas I get to share with a 3.5 year old Big Brother and a 3 month old Little Brother.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)