I laughed so hard when I read this.
It's all true and sums up pretty much every day for me right now. And much of it all in one day. sigh.
http://jasongood.net/365/2012/12/46-reasons-why-my-three-year-old-might-be-freaking-out/
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Deliberate Motherhood: Love is in the work
Disclaimer: These posts are dedicated to following along with the book "Deliberate Motherhood: 12 Key Powers of Peace, Purpose, Order & Joy," a compilation of essays on motherhood written by authors who contribute to the Power of Moms website. Each month has a different "power" to focus on with the purpose of finding peace, purpose, order and joy in the role of motherhood. I will be writing various posts each month based on that theme. You don't have to have the book to follow along though! February's theme is "Love."
Lately I've been so frustrated. Fussing kids.
FUSSING FUSSING FUSSING.
Mostly Noah...wandering around all day moaning and groaning, whining, clinging needing to be held for hours and hours. It grates my nerves to their nubs until I can't take it anymore and scream at him.
Then I feel like a failure Mom who can't control her temper. Breathe.
Cleaning, wiping, picking up, throwing away, more cleaning and wiping...
*pick up the baby*
Cleaning, wiping, picking up, throwing away, more cleaning and wiping...
*change the baby*
*feed the baby*
Cleaning, wiping, picking up, throwing away, more cleaning and wiping...
*play with the baby*
*pick up the baby*
Do the dishes whilst there is much crying and clinging
*pick up the baby*
Shove some laundry in the washer
*pick up the baby*
A snippet of a 2 hour window in my day that feels like it drags on forever.
My sore back groans at me. My sore hip cries at me. I'm so tired.
These are the times I pray a lot. I like to ask for help with patience, understanding, and peace. To see my life as the gift God has intended. To remember my purpose.
It usually works and I feel a warm glow in my heart radiate love all over; enough to soften my anger and frustration. I remember that I do everything I do out of love. I show my love as I wash the dishes...they hold food for those I care about most. I show my love as I do the laundry...the clean clothes adorn the bodies I helped create and love so much. I show my love as I wipe and toss and clean and pick up...keeping the home for those I love so much relatively clean and safe so they can come home and feel cozy and happy. Love is the catalyst for my current vocation of motherhood. Love is the gearwork that keeps everything ticking. Love is my motivation. Each task I do is a prayer to God and to my family that I am grateful for all I have and for how lucky I am to have them to love.
It isn't always easy to remember love when we are angry and frustrated and worn out. But, the love is there hidden in those crusty dishes (dirty from a nice meal for a little belly). It's hidden in the paint stains on the dirty clothes (messes from learning new things). It's there in the crumbs, the spills, the toys all over the floor...all reminders that love lives here. And I am so very blessed.
Lately I've been so frustrated. Fussing kids.
FUSSING FUSSING FUSSING.
Mostly Noah...wandering around all day moaning and groaning, whining, clinging needing to be held for hours and hours. It grates my nerves to their nubs until I can't take it anymore and scream at him.
Then I feel like a failure Mom who can't control her temper. Breathe.
Cleaning, wiping, picking up, throwing away, more cleaning and wiping...
*pick up the baby*
Cleaning, wiping, picking up, throwing away, more cleaning and wiping...
*change the baby*
*feed the baby*
Cleaning, wiping, picking up, throwing away, more cleaning and wiping...
*play with the baby*
*pick up the baby*
Do the dishes whilst there is much crying and clinging
*pick up the baby*
Shove some laundry in the washer
*pick up the baby*
A snippet of a 2 hour window in my day that feels like it drags on forever.
My sore back groans at me. My sore hip cries at me. I'm so tired.
These are the times I pray a lot. I like to ask for help with patience, understanding, and peace. To see my life as the gift God has intended. To remember my purpose.
It usually works and I feel a warm glow in my heart radiate love all over; enough to soften my anger and frustration. I remember that I do everything I do out of love. I show my love as I wash the dishes...they hold food for those I care about most. I show my love as I do the laundry...the clean clothes adorn the bodies I helped create and love so much. I show my love as I wipe and toss and clean and pick up...keeping the home for those I love so much relatively clean and safe so they can come home and feel cozy and happy. Love is the catalyst for my current vocation of motherhood. Love is the gearwork that keeps everything ticking. Love is my motivation. Each task I do is a prayer to God and to my family that I am grateful for all I have and for how lucky I am to have them to love.
It isn't always easy to remember love when we are angry and frustrated and worn out. But, the love is there hidden in those crusty dishes (dirty from a nice meal for a little belly). It's hidden in the paint stains on the dirty clothes (messes from learning new things). It's there in the crumbs, the spills, the toys all over the floor...all reminders that love lives here. And I am so very blessed.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Baby's First Haircut (the Noah edition)
So, Paige had her haircut and then we were able to get Noah's hair cut (it was getting long and covered his ears). (boo hoo!!!!) We took him to the same barber Chris goes to. They were great! (Thanks, Yankee Clipper in Acton!) Noah did great; not a cry or fuss from him. He just sat there curiously and I'm sure he wondered what was going on. ha! And note his spiffy Spiderman haircut cape. coooooool. My baby looked so much more like a little boy after it was done. Yes, I cried a little that night.
Here are the pics and a video. It's all going too fast, I tell ya!
Getting your hair cut can be tiring!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Baby's First Haircut
Hi all! Still sick over here. To varying degrees, but it sucks nevertheless.
Paige has been begging for weeks to have her hair cut short (gasp!!!) and I figured we'd take her for a trim. But she wanted it cut short and much to my chagrin we went ahead and had it done. She sat so nicely the whole time and never fussed or fretted. She just sat quietly and did she was told. She looks so sweet and she loves it. She's very proud and pleased. I secretly cried. At least I saved a lock of what was left behind of her babyhood that was scattered on the floor. And time marches on.
Here are some pictures to commemorate the day...
Her curls are still there; the stylist just gave her a blow-out. After she gets out of the bath, her hair is a mass of curls, thank goodness! :)
Her curls are still there; the stylist just gave her a blow-out. After she gets out of the bath, her hair is a mass of curls, thank goodness! :)Monday, February 18, 2013
Deliberate Motherhood: Using Love in our favor
Disclaimer: These posts are dedicated to following along with the book "Deliberate Motherhood: 12 Key Powers of Peace, Purpose, Order & Joy," a compilation of essays on motherhood written by authors who contribute to the Power of Moms website. Each month has a different "power" to focus on with the purpose of finding peace, purpose, order and joy in the role of motherhood. I will be writing various posts each month based on that theme. You don't have to have the book to follow along though! February's theme is "Love."
The second chapter/"power" of the book we're studying is about Love. Specifically, it discusses the power of love in everyday life with our family. I think a lot of us take love for granted. After all, if we have a spouse or children can't we assume there is love in the equation?
It is easy to forget that love has power. And it has the power to cure many an ailment. When the day is long, the kids are fussing and I start to yell I try to remember to:
1. Stop
2. Breathe
3. Remember my mother-love
4. Hug my kids and give them a kiss (even if they are in the middle of crying.)
5. Try and say something or do something funny
This elixer almost always solves any dispute. The tensions in the room disappear and smiles replace frowns and tears. Happiness is restored. Moods are changed. Was it magic? Partly, since love has a magical quality about it. They say love conquers all and I believe it! It's a powerful potion and there in endless quantities free for the taking.
We can forget to use love as our balm can't we? We rush around ticking things off our endless to-do lists as we try to get as much done as we can before blessed bedtime. It's easy to forget the swirling love around us and within us. If you remember it and USE it in your tasks I think you'll find things go much more smoothly. Our children are more happy and cooperative, our partner more attentive and forgiving, or life more cheerful and full. Remembering the love we have to give can make all the difference in having a happy life.
We can also apply these principles to our neighbors at the grocery store, in the line at the shop, sitting around us in the waiting room. How can we use our love to help others? We can lend a helping hand, a smile, a word of advice, forgiveness...there are so many ways to change the day for someone else and, in turn, change the day for ourselves.
I've been working on this for the past 2 months... remembering to love in the thick of turmoil wasn't easy at first. (Especially when you want to just wring someone's neck!) But it's gotten so much easier as time has gone by (thankfully!) Love is my friend and my champion. Without it I have nothing. So, remember that love isn't just an idea. It can be a real tool to help you in your daily life if you just use it.
The second chapter/"power" of the book we're studying is about Love. Specifically, it discusses the power of love in everyday life with our family. I think a lot of us take love for granted. After all, if we have a spouse or children can't we assume there is love in the equation?
It is easy to forget that love has power. And it has the power to cure many an ailment. When the day is long, the kids are fussing and I start to yell I try to remember to:
1. Stop
2. Breathe
3. Remember my mother-love
4. Hug my kids and give them a kiss (even if they are in the middle of crying.)
5. Try and say something or do something funny
This elixer almost always solves any dispute. The tensions in the room disappear and smiles replace frowns and tears. Happiness is restored. Moods are changed. Was it magic? Partly, since love has a magical quality about it. They say love conquers all and I believe it! It's a powerful potion and there in endless quantities free for the taking.
We can forget to use love as our balm can't we? We rush around ticking things off our endless to-do lists as we try to get as much done as we can before blessed bedtime. It's easy to forget the swirling love around us and within us. If you remember it and USE it in your tasks I think you'll find things go much more smoothly. Our children are more happy and cooperative, our partner more attentive and forgiving, or life more cheerful and full. Remembering the love we have to give can make all the difference in having a happy life.
We can also apply these principles to our neighbors at the grocery store, in the line at the shop, sitting around us in the waiting room. How can we use our love to help others? We can lend a helping hand, a smile, a word of advice, forgiveness...there are so many ways to change the day for someone else and, in turn, change the day for ourselves.
I've been working on this for the past 2 months... remembering to love in the thick of turmoil wasn't easy at first. (Especially when you want to just wring someone's neck!) But it's gotten so much easier as time has gone by (thankfully!) Love is my friend and my champion. Without it I have nothing. So, remember that love isn't just an idea. It can be a real tool to help you in your daily life if you just use it.
Friday, February 15, 2013
13 months
Dear Little N.,
You're 13 months old! WootWoot!!!!
The biggest news is that you are getting more brave and can stand without holding anything for a couple seconds. You've even taken a few shuffle-steps on your own (3-5 steps at a time!). Paige learned to walk around 13.5 months and you seem to be on the same time track.
You also had your first haircut this week and you were a champ. Sat so nicely with Daddy and looked like a big boy. (sniffle).
It has been a hard month too because you've been battling double ear infections, a bad cold/cough, and just overall fussiness. You've taken to going to bed fitfully and crying a lot which always ends up with you throwing up everywhere (EVERY NIGHT!) I don't understand what happened and why you feel so lowsy!? Poor thing.
In the meantime, you are still incredibly sweet and adorable...loving and fun. We are figuring out how to make our routine together fun and rewarding for both of us. So many changes!
I wish I could keep you a little baby forever, but you are bursting with such promise and pride with what's to come. I'm so excited for you.
It's wonderful being with you in this time of your life; how lucky am I? What a blessing to kiss those adorable cheeks every day. I could swim in those eyes for eternity.
I love you always and forever,
Mama
Friday, February 8, 2013
More Seeing the Everyday
Seeing the Everyday, a magazine on the prosaic from seeing the everyday on Vimeo.
This topic is the stuff I'm so passionate about lately. I subscribed to this magazine and can't wait to get it! I love the part in the video about how our daily mundane moments are the glue of our life between all the big things. That glue the stuff that's important. That being said, I've really noticed how when I choose to keep a happy attitude (even when I'm most annoyed), then it really keeps the atmosphere calm and happy. The kids stay happy. All is well. The minute I get snippy or frustrated out loud to the kids, all hell breaks loose. The way we behave in the prosaic moments really make the difference. We can choose to make them fun and silly or choose to be annoyed, frustrated and rushed. hmmmm...Wednesday, February 6, 2013
How to be a great father
I love this video. I'm not Mormon, but this video really resonated with me. Our children really depend on us so faithfully for everything they need; knowing we will provide it. What a gift it is to be that person! (the message in the video is obviously that Jesus is our Father and we can know he will provide (and is providing) for us as well.)
The video also paints such a lovely portrait of family life and how sacred it is. And even if you don't have your own children, you can be a loving spouse, a doting daughter or son, a loving sibling,a caring friend, etc.There are so many ways to contribute beauty to the world and make your own imprint on it in your own sacred life. This notion helps me in the day-to-day rhythms when I feel so small and invisible.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
parenting comes before art
Sigh. Here are my tempting supplies calling to me. But my sick kiddos call more loudly. Noah's got a double ear infection with a horrible cold/cough and Paige is still sick from a bronchial issue. We're all working on healing but it's been since just after Christmas! So, I'm over it. But, I've accepted that my most blessed important job is to soothe and comfort my loveys and give them the best I can. My work plans will have to wait! But aren't those colors just so fun? I've got big plans for them. In other news, I'll be back soon with my first Deliberate Motherhood post for February...the theme is the Power of Love.
Monday, February 4, 2013
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