Typically nap time=productive time (ok sometimes I nap too)
But, today, I'm taking an hour for myself to blog a bit about this precious season of raising 2 young kids. Why, because there are lil things that happen every day that I just want to sit and remember and count as blessings. Also, because when I'm honest with myself, this 'precious' season can easily be mundane and exhausting and lately I've been a bit negative and complaining and selfishness and exhausted.....
So, hopefully reflecting on these lil glimpses of beautiful found in the day-in day-out diaper changing, nose wiping, laundry folding reality of my life will remind me how much I stinkin love it.
Here we go!
Ramblings on the lil blessings tucked into each chaotic day:
Like when I picked up Elliott from his third day at preschool and he hugged my leg and said 'miss you, too mommy!' The thing is, I didn't start the convo with "missed you", so the whole "miss you, too" made me melt. I guess he knows how much I miss him that I don't even have to say it..... It is now how I'm greeted pretty much every time I pick him up. 'miss you, too, mommy!'
Like how Ivey smiles from ear to ear when I get her out of bed in the morning. Side note, she never wakes up crying. She wakes up talking. I wonder what she's saying! "Hey mom, whenever you get a minute, just wanted you to know that I'm awake in here. Would love me some milk, but it's whatever". God bless her layed back personality! I think she is a morning person (and we could use someone around this house that wakes up on the energetic side of the bed.)
Like how Kyle had flowers waiting for me in a vase on the kitchen island after a long shift at work.
The next day, I asked Elliott "Who gave mommy flowers?"
"God did!" Was his instant response. Almost w/ a bit of sass.... as if it was a stupid question.... after teaching him for the last 2yrs that God made everything... he was annoyed that I had forgotten.
Like how Elliott explores the backyard.... every last inch. I find him peeking through the cracks in the fence line trying to expand his horizon. This week, there was a bird chirping and I said "elliott, what do you hear!?". "Grackle, mommy. It's a grackle'. Either this is a really advanced preschool that is teaching him bird calls, or he is a genius.... b/c it really was one of those ugly, black crows.
On the topic of bkyd exploring, reminds me of a lil chat with nurse Peggy at poison control. Let's rewind.
I was slightly concerned when I found a corroded AA battery inside in the middle of the kitchen floor. The battery end appeared to be 'gnawed off'. (yikes!).
I asked Elliott about it; he said he got it outside....? Surely Elliott didn't eat the end off of a corroded battery?? (yikes!)
Googled poison control # and was quickly talking to nurse Peggy who reassured me that if he wasn't vomiting blood, we were in the clear. (yikes!)
Symptom free for the duration of the day, I later shared the story with Kyle, who (when i got to the part about the corroded AAbattery) interrupted w "Oh, the one i ran over with the lawnwower" (yikes!)
That explains the 'gnawed off' end.
Let's just say next time Kyle finds a battery, he has been instructed on proper protocol: bend over, grab battery, prevent battery from ending up in the possession of your toddler, and dispose of battery properly.
Back to positive ramblings.
Like how Elliott pooped on the potty for the first time on the same day that Ivey rolled over for the first time. I honestly wanted to take a picture of the cute lil poop sitting in his green plastic Ikea potty.... for sentimental sake. or to text to his daddy. or I don't know, print off and put on the fridge. '1st poop in potty' is a really big deal!!
That's how warped motherhood is. Like this week, when out on the town for 'girls night' and away from kids and wearing mascara and having real adult conversation, you look out the window, see a big locomotive and have to fight the urge to interrupt the conversation to say "i see a train!"
See, I told you..... this seemingly mundane chaos where that I call reality, it really is just wonderful.
God, help me to hold these memories close to my heart and be quick to be thankful, joyful and just plain in awe of this season. Help me daily lay down my life for my children. Help me to reflect the gospel in both extending forgiveness and asking for forgiveness. Reveal my selfishness, my impatience, my discontentment and give me your resolve to fight against them. Thanks for new sunrises with new mercies. Thanks, a million billion times over, for these sweet children. Thanks for the mundane.
