My insano-beautiful sister. This is why I always feel I should be introduced as the Sister with the Good Personality.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Mommy's Little Genius
Gideon loves to play with any and all of our computer devices. One of his first words was "Apple".
Not the fruit. He was pointing at the logo on the back of the laptop.
He's texted gibberish to people and called random numbers. When he was a year old, he took pictures of his feet with my old flip phone.
I've password protected my iPhone to try to keep him from switching my icons around AGAIN. I was feeling pretty cocky about it when I saw him pick up my phone and momentarily get stymied by this block. So I got up and went to put something away. I came back and found him babbling away with the phone to his ear. I smiled at how he was imitating us until I realized...the phone was connected to someone.
Someone not in English.
What?
That little rat had hit "Emergency Call", dialed a random number and CALLED ANOTHER COUNTRY JUST TO CHAT.
I hung up as quickly as I could. Then he got the phone back and activated the Voice Control.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO DO THAT!!! I was sitting next to him saying "Show Mommy what you pressed!" as he jabbered away happily.
Maybe he'll make lots of money one day. Then he can pay me back for the frustration.
Not the fruit. He was pointing at the logo on the back of the laptop.
He's texted gibberish to people and called random numbers. When he was a year old, he took pictures of his feet with my old flip phone.
I've password protected my iPhone to try to keep him from switching my icons around AGAIN. I was feeling pretty cocky about it when I saw him pick up my phone and momentarily get stymied by this block. So I got up and went to put something away. I came back and found him babbling away with the phone to his ear. I smiled at how he was imitating us until I realized...the phone was connected to someone.
Someone not in English.
What?
That little rat had hit "Emergency Call", dialed a random number and CALLED ANOTHER COUNTRY JUST TO CHAT.
I hung up as quickly as I could. Then he got the phone back and activated the Voice Control.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO DO THAT!!! I was sitting next to him saying "Show Mommy what you pressed!" as he jabbered away happily.
Maybe he'll make lots of money one day. Then he can pay me back for the frustration.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
50 Questions for Married Dates Pt 2
Here is the eagerly awaited post of conversation starting questions. I hope you enjoy them!
- What was your favorite childhood toy? Maybe your loved one will talk to you about his Pooh blanket that he carried around until it was in shreds. Maybe your wife grew up on Army bases and played with G.I. Joe instead of Barbies.
- Where has been your favorite place to travel?
- What memory sticks while taking a vacation? Did you fall off of a large step in a Jordanian landmark? Did you get hit by a car while crossing a street in China? Did you hide Easter Eggs in the snow on a mountain in Germany?
- Describe your ultimate favorite meal and the 11 living people with whom you would share it.
- What movie could you watch time and time again and never tire of? When did you first see it?
- What jokes make you laugh any time you hear them? Is it the muffin joke? That one has to be told JUST RIGHT.
- What is your guilty pleasure song? You know every single word but God forbid you let the general public every hear you singing it. That right is only for your shower or in the car.
- Have you every thought of an invention that you truly believed could be something amazing? Even if it's something small?
- If you could take a school course just for fun what would you take? Would you learn pottery? Would you take a detailed World History class? Would you finally learn Latin?
- OK, you have a secret room all to yourself in our house. What is it? Man Cave? Craft room? Bat Cave? Creaky attic with treasures waiting to be discovered? Is there a secret passage to get there? Is it something out of Get Smart?
- What was the first book you remember reading yourself? Do you actually remember reading it or have your parents told you that you read it?
- You are given $1,000. You have to do something for another person that is not family. Who do you choose and what do you do?
- What is one country you want to visit just for the food?
- Tell me about our first kiss from your point of view. (Don't say "My eyes were closed.")
- You probably know about your spouses' pets. Ask them for the funniest story they can remember about their pet. Did they find their Christmas Snausages and eat the stocking, too?
- What was your favorite Halloween costume you've ever worn?
- You've rubbed a magic lamp and the usual rules apply. What do you wish for?
- What movie has ever left you with an awesome, holy monkeys, LET'S WATCH THAT AGAIN RIGHT NOW feeling?
- What is a food you've never tried but is something very ordinary? Have you never gotten around to eating a Twinkie? (Commie.)
- If they ever started space travel as a normal thing, would you do it?
- If you were to write a commercial, how would it go?
- In your opinion, who is the most annoying and overrated band ever? If they answer "Guns 'n Roses" then quietly get up, walk away from the table and find the nearest divorce lawyer.
- Would you consent to being a pet for a race of giant alien overlords?
- What is the nerdiest thing you enjoy doing? Do you scribble out a list and then painstakingly redo it onto a new sheet of paper so that there are no mistakes? Do you sort your books by the Dewey Decimal system because alphabetically is too easy? Do you twirl your umbrella around like you're still in flag corps?
- If you could "read" yourself into books and interact with characters, what books would you choose? Those who read Jasper Fforde will understand what I'm talking about.
- What drives you nuts in bed? I'm not talking about that, Gutter Brain. Do you hate to wear socks to bed? Does it keep you up the covers aren't perfectly tucked in?
- If you could wear any fashion from any period in time, what would you choose? Men, are you all going to say Garden of Eden because being naked without shame is the best?
- What rule did your parents have that was totally stupid until you became a parent and WOW THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE NOW?
- What are some of the oddest inventions you've ever seen in person? Ever been to a dairy farm and seen a gigantic milking machine? Gone to a thrift store and seen the weirdest assortment of somethings until you finally saw a tag telling you that you were holding a pre-War shoe cleaner?
- Have you ever wanted to collect something but never gotten around to it?
- What would you collect if you had all of the extra money you wanted? Yes, cars count.
- What bizarre American Attraction would you go see? Largest Ball of Twine? Museum of Toast?
- What actor or actress makes you want to stick sporks in your eyes? It could be the coolest movie in the universe; great story and director but....ugh...that Guy is in it.
- What is a book that you would love to see made into a movie?
- What is a movie that you would love to see remade into a BETTER movie?
- Do you know what your parents would have named you if you weren't *insert name here*? What if you were the opposite sex?
- Did you play imaginary games when you were little? Cops and robbers? Did you have an Ewok Village?
- What is the most relaxing thing for you? To have someone rub your feet? Body massage? Whirlpool tub and a bottle of wine? Giant nest bed and 12 hours of sleep?
- If you wrote a children's book, what would it be about? Giant intelligent otters?
- Pick a memory with the two of you that still makes you laugh. "Puddles of Christmas Cheer"?
- Tell each other about someone you really respect. Is it someone you've met? Is it an athlete like Jackie Robinson? Is it someone fictional like Wonder Woman?
- If you were a superhero, describe your powers and purpose. Do you have a sidekick? Are you an alien?
- If you could be an animal at any time what would you choose? You can still change back into a human, it would just be another form.
- What is something crazy that you've always wanted to do but you've never done? Shave your head? Jump out of a plane? Drink milk 4 days past the expiration date?
- What mythical creature do you wish existed? Do you want a pet dragon? Would you befriend an elf?
- Where would you spend the perfect vacation with your spouse? 2 weeks in Monaco? Driving down Route 66 in a '69 Mustang?
- Have you ever played a practical joke that really succeeded? What did you do?
- If you could go back in your personal history and confront someone who did you wrong without consequences, who would it be and what would you say? (My husband helped with this one and suggested "Who would you go back in history and punch?")
- If you could invent a children's toy, what would it look like? For what age group?
- Look your spouse deep in the eye and ask for 5 silly reasons why they love you.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Royal Invasion
In the fall of 2012, a new Disney Princess will be introduced.
Her name is Sofia and she will first descend upon us in a film and then in a TV series which will follow in Spring of 2013. Unlike Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and all of the rest, Sofia is a young girl. The story is that the older Princesses along with Flora, Fauna and Merryweather will all be teaching Princess Sofia how to act like a true Princess.
Why I am interested in this new Princess?
I also have a young Sophia. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She is obsessed with all things Disney. Right now it's all Minnie Mouse but by the end of the year...I think we should be prepared to roll out the red carpet, practice our curtsies and welcome the Princess Sofia the First into our home.
Does this make me the Queen? If she gets a tiara then I want one, too.
Her name is Sofia and she will first descend upon us in a film and then in a TV series which will follow in Spring of 2013. Unlike Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and all of the rest, Sofia is a young girl. The story is that the older Princesses along with Flora, Fauna and Merryweather will all be teaching Princess Sofia how to act like a true Princess.
 | |||
| From the DisneyWikia |
Does this make me the Queen? If she gets a tiara then I want one, too.
50 Questions for Married Dates Pt 1
It should come as no surprise that I am a complete Pinterest addict. I currently have 37 boards filled with 2,446 pins. (That number will probably change quickly.)
One board is dedicated to my partner-in-crime, the mustard to my fries, the potato chips on my tuna sandwich, the one who yelps when I put my cold feet on the backs of his knees in bed, the one who finishes nearly every one of my Simpsons quotes...my husband.
*pause for awww*
There are date and present ideas. There are reminders of why he's such a stud bagel. (I'm not a muffin fan.) Some are serious and most are wonky. One idea that I snagged was a link to 50 Questions to Ask Your Spouse on a Date Night. I was excited since most of our date nights begin with us backing out of the driveway vowing not to mention the kids only to find ourselves discussing Gideon's weird rash over the appetizer.
How Pinterest works is you "pin" these ideas to your board to remind yourself to come back and look at it when you have time. As a SAHM, time is limited so this is a Godsend. By the time the kids are in bed and I've collapsed on the couch, my brain is mush and I can barely remember what to call the refrigerator much less that awesome website I wanted to check out.
You think I'm joking? Ask Ben how many times I've asked him to put the milk back in the Hoodle.
Back to the list. I began reading through these "conversation starters" and well...they sound like a great way to get into an argument by the time the entrees get to the table and divorce papers will come with the cheesecake. Maybe you that shows how immature Ben and I can be or that we just don't want to face difficult discussions.
Maybe we just don't want to discuss what songs we want played at our funerals while grabbing ice cream and then going to see The Avengers.
So, dearies, I am going to give you my list. These questions are much more light-hearted but should still invoke conversation between you and your shmoopy.
One board is dedicated to my partner-in-crime, the mustard to my fries, the potato chips on my tuna sandwich, the one who yelps when I put my cold feet on the backs of his knees in bed, the one who finishes nearly every one of my Simpsons quotes...my husband.
*pause for awww*
There are date and present ideas. There are reminders of why he's such a stud bagel. (I'm not a muffin fan.) Some are serious and most are wonky. One idea that I snagged was a link to 50 Questions to Ask Your Spouse on a Date Night. I was excited since most of our date nights begin with us backing out of the driveway vowing not to mention the kids only to find ourselves discussing Gideon's weird rash over the appetizer.
How Pinterest works is you "pin" these ideas to your board to remind yourself to come back and look at it when you have time. As a SAHM, time is limited so this is a Godsend. By the time the kids are in bed and I've collapsed on the couch, my brain is mush and I can barely remember what to call the refrigerator much less that awesome website I wanted to check out.
You think I'm joking? Ask Ben how many times I've asked him to put the milk back in the Hoodle.
Back to the list. I began reading through these "conversation starters" and well...they sound like a great way to get into an argument by the time the entrees get to the table and divorce papers will come with the cheesecake. Maybe you that shows how immature Ben and I can be or that we just don't want to face difficult discussions.
Maybe we just don't want to discuss what songs we want played at our funerals while grabbing ice cream and then going to see The Avengers.
So, dearies, I am going to give you my list. These questions are much more light-hearted but should still invoke conversation between you and your shmoopy.
Monday, February 6, 2012
It's Not a Diet...
...It's a lifestyle change.
I have heard this said about Weight Watchers for years. Anyone who knows me knows that I have always struggled with my weight. At my heaviest, I was over 300 pounds. That was about 7 years ago. I weigh close to 280 whenever I'm pregnant. My "normal" weight is close to 275. After I had Milly, I became very active by running after 3 little ones. In November of last year, I noticed that the scale had started to move down.
I've tried diets before. I just never stuck to them. I dabbled with Atkins, I drank Hydroxycut and I even bought outdated Weight Watchers books and tried to do it myself. I just never wanted to ask anyone for help. I went to a gym for a season and then stopped when it became inconvenient. Whenever I moved to a new apartment with a gym room then I would tell myself to utilize it. I would go once or twice and then make excuses.
It wasn't until Milly and seeing 260 on the scale that I really wanted to do something about this.
My best friend has been doing Weight Watchers and told me about a January special. I could do everything online. The Points system has changed so I can eat most veggies and fruits to my heart's content for no points. There are phone apps to help track everything. Another girlfriend had a Facebook group where we could encourage each other and exchange tips and recipes.
So I held my breath and joined.
Today begins week 3. I stood on my scale and forced myself to look down. I began this journey at 259. Today I weighed 249. It's the first time I've weighed under 250 pounds in over 10 years. I nearly collapsed and cried.
I'm not going to lie; this is TOUGH. I'm having to stop and think every time I reach for food. My shopping list looks very different. I've given up my 9 - 10 daily Dr Peppers / Pibbs for one Dr Pepper 10 a day. I drink at least 2 bottles of water a day. I'm researching new recipes and learning how to cook differently.
I'm also having to come to terms with the fact that I "eat my feelings". Doesn't that sound hippie-ish and psychodramatic? Basically, when I get upset, I reach for the chips. Now I can't do that. Since I've also quit smoking years ago then I actually have to do something healthy and DEAL with my problems!
It is WAY easier to eat 2 rows of Oreos.
This is all to say that it truly is a lifestyle change. It's making me look at all aspects of my life. I'm better hydrated and that's helped my chronic migraines. I'm trying out pilates and yoga which should eventually be a stress reliever. I'm taking a vitamin every day and I'm making sure that my kids take their vitamins. Drinking fewer sodas and buying more fresh produce has drastically lowered my grocery bill. When I get stressed, I listen to music and read my Bible for direction. I have a whole new group of girls to laugh with when we despair over the Dunkin' Donuts commercials and husbands who eat Jack in the Box tacos right in front of us. We cheer each other on when smaller pants fit and when the scale moves. We encourage each other when things stall or slip.
It works.
I have heard this said about Weight Watchers for years. Anyone who knows me knows that I have always struggled with my weight. At my heaviest, I was over 300 pounds. That was about 7 years ago. I weigh close to 280 whenever I'm pregnant. My "normal" weight is close to 275. After I had Milly, I became very active by running after 3 little ones. In November of last year, I noticed that the scale had started to move down.
I've tried diets before. I just never stuck to them. I dabbled with Atkins, I drank Hydroxycut and I even bought outdated Weight Watchers books and tried to do it myself. I just never wanted to ask anyone for help. I went to a gym for a season and then stopped when it became inconvenient. Whenever I moved to a new apartment with a gym room then I would tell myself to utilize it. I would go once or twice and then make excuses.
It wasn't until Milly and seeing 260 on the scale that I really wanted to do something about this.
My best friend has been doing Weight Watchers and told me about a January special. I could do everything online. The Points system has changed so I can eat most veggies and fruits to my heart's content for no points. There are phone apps to help track everything. Another girlfriend had a Facebook group where we could encourage each other and exchange tips and recipes.
So I held my breath and joined.
Today begins week 3. I stood on my scale and forced myself to look down. I began this journey at 259. Today I weighed 249. It's the first time I've weighed under 250 pounds in over 10 years. I nearly collapsed and cried.
I'm not going to lie; this is TOUGH. I'm having to stop and think every time I reach for food. My shopping list looks very different. I've given up my 9 - 10 daily Dr Peppers / Pibbs for one Dr Pepper 10 a day. I drink at least 2 bottles of water a day. I'm researching new recipes and learning how to cook differently.
I'm also having to come to terms with the fact that I "eat my feelings". Doesn't that sound hippie-ish and psychodramatic? Basically, when I get upset, I reach for the chips. Now I can't do that. Since I've also quit smoking years ago then I actually have to do something healthy and DEAL with my problems!
It is WAY easier to eat 2 rows of Oreos.
This is all to say that it truly is a lifestyle change. It's making me look at all aspects of my life. I'm better hydrated and that's helped my chronic migraines. I'm trying out pilates and yoga which should eventually be a stress reliever. I'm taking a vitamin every day and I'm making sure that my kids take their vitamins. Drinking fewer sodas and buying more fresh produce has drastically lowered my grocery bill. When I get stressed, I listen to music and read my Bible for direction. I have a whole new group of girls to laugh with when we despair over the Dunkin' Donuts commercials and husbands who eat Jack in the Box tacos right in front of us. We cheer each other on when smaller pants fit and when the scale moves. We encourage each other when things stall or slip.
It works.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Change
My verse for January has been written on my heart.
My verse for February is Philippians 4:8
"Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you."
It's a good verse to write on my heart this month because we have some serious changes happening here in the Dyer house. On Monday, we took Sophie to see a developmental doctor. We've had the appointment for months and I've been hoping and praying to hear "speech delay" and "moderate behavioral therapy" and "nothing time can't fix".
Instead we heard this;
"Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the autism spectrum disorders and is used to describe individuals who do not fully meet the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome. PDD-NOS may be thought of as “subthreshold autism," or a diagnosis one can give a person who has “atypical symptomatology.” In other words, when someone has autistic characteristics but some of their symptoms are mild, or they have symptoms in one area (like social deficits), but none in another key area (like restricted, repetitive behaviors), they may be given the PDD-NOS label."
- Autism Speaks
So now we're reading books and websites about how to communicate with our daughter. We're making appointments with medical doctors to have her records updated so she can be seen by Special Education programs. We're reading other parents' stories and realizing how much they sound like our baby.
There are a lot of tears. There is fear that makes my hands shake. There is a quiet panic that I can't let my extra-sensitive daughter see because now I know how much it can affect her.
So I go to my verse.
I praise God for Sophie's health. She's an active little girl with no motor skill delays.
I praise God that Sophie is good and pure. She loves her family with all of her heart and is keen to our joys and pains.
I praise God for what is true.
I am Sophie's mother. I am the one who carried her in my body for 34 weeks. I am the one who stayed up on the futon in the living room while Sophie slept in the baby car seat, wailing if I stopped rocking it in my sleep deprived haze. I am the one who strapped that baby to my chest with a sling and marched all over the house. I am the one who sang lullabies to her in the NICU. I am the one who sat with a cranky toddler in a government office waiting for my turn to speak to someone about food stamps. I am the one who wipes the tears off of her face when she is scared and the poop off of her butt when she's stinky.
I am the one God gently reminded that this was His baby given to me to care for only a short period of time on this Earth when I was still pregnant. He trusts me with His child.
I will focus on these things and I will feel God's peace.
My verse for February is Philippians 4:8
"Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you."
It's a good verse to write on my heart this month because we have some serious changes happening here in the Dyer house. On Monday, we took Sophie to see a developmental doctor. We've had the appointment for months and I've been hoping and praying to hear "speech delay" and "moderate behavioral therapy" and "nothing time can't fix".
Instead we heard this;
"Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the autism spectrum disorders and is used to describe individuals who do not fully meet the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome. PDD-NOS may be thought of as “subthreshold autism," or a diagnosis one can give a person who has “atypical symptomatology.” In other words, when someone has autistic characteristics but some of their symptoms are mild, or they have symptoms in one area (like social deficits), but none in another key area (like restricted, repetitive behaviors), they may be given the PDD-NOS label."
- Autism Speaks
So now we're reading books and websites about how to communicate with our daughter. We're making appointments with medical doctors to have her records updated so she can be seen by Special Education programs. We're reading other parents' stories and realizing how much they sound like our baby.
There are a lot of tears. There is fear that makes my hands shake. There is a quiet panic that I can't let my extra-sensitive daughter see because now I know how much it can affect her.
So I go to my verse.
I praise God for Sophie's health. She's an active little girl with no motor skill delays.
I praise God that Sophie is good and pure. She loves her family with all of her heart and is keen to our joys and pains.
I praise God for what is true.
I am Sophie's mother. I am the one who carried her in my body for 34 weeks. I am the one who stayed up on the futon in the living room while Sophie slept in the baby car seat, wailing if I stopped rocking it in my sleep deprived haze. I am the one who strapped that baby to my chest with a sling and marched all over the house. I am the one who sang lullabies to her in the NICU. I am the one who sat with a cranky toddler in a government office waiting for my turn to speak to someone about food stamps. I am the one who wipes the tears off of her face when she is scared and the poop off of her butt when she's stinky.
I am the one God gently reminded that this was His baby given to me to care for only a short period of time on this Earth when I was still pregnant. He trusts me with His child.
I will focus on these things and I will feel God's peace.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Ppppbbbbllllttt!!!!!!
Gideon is the only one of my children who loves stomach zerbets.
He climbs onto the couch beside me, lurches over, raises his shirt with a giant grin on his face and then plasters himself on my face.
His meaning being "ZERBET MY TUMMY OR SUFFOCATE. MAKE YOUR CHOICE, MAMA!"
He climbs onto the couch beside me, lurches over, raises his shirt with a giant grin on his face and then plasters himself on my face.
His meaning being "ZERBET MY TUMMY OR SUFFOCATE. MAKE YOUR CHOICE, MAMA!"
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Prayers and Lessons
I haven't really posted about any resolutions for 2012. There are not too many things I want to do this year. OK, that's a lie, there's a ton of stuff I want to do. This is one of the most important things.
I want to learn a new Bible verse every month.
Now when I say "learn" I don't just mean memorize the words. I want to write those words on my heart. I want to dissect the verse and truly get to the bottom of what God is saying to me through that verse.
January's verses are Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life; neither angels nor demons; neither present nor future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation shall separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Now I'll admit that I wrote that by heart and them immediately checked You Version. I left out the part of "nor anything else in all creation". I'm still getting there.
The part that hooked me today is that God never mentions the past. He states that "neither present nor future" will separate us but the past is not in there. One could argue that the past is lumped in there with anything in all creation...but God is specific in His words.
I guess the reason this caught my attention was because there are still parts of my past that I haven't settled. There are people that I still have to wake up and daily ask God to put forgiveness in my heart for them. There are choices that I made that still shame me. There are people I pray over only because God puts them on my heart and I know that I'm supposed to do what He tells me to do. Before I pray, I ask him to search my heart for Black Spots and cleanse me. Then I ask Him to only let me pray with a clean heart. Sometimes it takes a long time. He brings up people that have hurt me. He brings up someone that I used to call my best friend until they cut me out of their life. He brings up people whose lifestyles I don't think are Godly.
Then He always reminds me that I'm not perfect. I still make mistake after mistake. However, just as He promises in Romans, because of the decision I made when I was 10 then I will never again be separated from the love of God. He reminds me that these people need these prayers. They need to know His love. They need His conviction.
So I pray. First for cleansing and then for whoever God brings to my heart.
Because I am convinced.
I want to learn a new Bible verse every month.
Now when I say "learn" I don't just mean memorize the words. I want to write those words on my heart. I want to dissect the verse and truly get to the bottom of what God is saying to me through that verse.
January's verses are Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life; neither angels nor demons; neither present nor future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation shall separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Now I'll admit that I wrote that by heart and them immediately checked You Version. I left out the part of "nor anything else in all creation". I'm still getting there.
The part that hooked me today is that God never mentions the past. He states that "neither present nor future" will separate us but the past is not in there. One could argue that the past is lumped in there with anything in all creation...but God is specific in His words.
I guess the reason this caught my attention was because there are still parts of my past that I haven't settled. There are people that I still have to wake up and daily ask God to put forgiveness in my heart for them. There are choices that I made that still shame me. There are people I pray over only because God puts them on my heart and I know that I'm supposed to do what He tells me to do. Before I pray, I ask him to search my heart for Black Spots and cleanse me. Then I ask Him to only let me pray with a clean heart. Sometimes it takes a long time. He brings up people that have hurt me. He brings up someone that I used to call my best friend until they cut me out of their life. He brings up people whose lifestyles I don't think are Godly.
Then He always reminds me that I'm not perfect. I still make mistake after mistake. However, just as He promises in Romans, because of the decision I made when I was 10 then I will never again be separated from the love of God. He reminds me that these people need these prayers. They need to know His love. They need His conviction.
So I pray. First for cleansing and then for whoever God brings to my heart.
Because I am convinced.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Potty is Not Going To Eat You
Look, the majority of the content on this blog is going to revolve around potty training my stubborn 4 year old daughter for a while. I might break it up occasionally but right now her shiny little heinie is pretty much the focus of my days. If you're getting bored then go look at cat videos.
Today was day 2 of Operation Break Sophie's Will or Possibly Pop Her Kidneys.
She came out of bed with the diaper that ate Manhattan. I cleaned her up and left her pantsless. My sister calls this the "Winnie the Pooh" or "Donald Duck" method. Sophie knew what this meant and started getting cranky right away. I offered a potty trip and she fell to the ground howling. I said "OK!" and walked away.
She got up. Stared at me. Looked at the bathroom. I could see her little brain working it out. I didn't care? I wasn't going to make her do anything? What's the catch?
I watched her fight all day. I gave her cup after cup after cup of juice. Finally, I was sorting clothes in the hallway when it hit.
Sophie came SCA-REE-HEEMING down the hallway like she was on fire. Again, I calmly looked at her and asked her if she wanted to go potty. She screamed all the way to the bathroom and I heard clanking, banging, crashes and finally...a small tinkling sound.
The sound of victory.
Granted, she had ripped down my cute little potty chart and peed on it. She was also just hovering over the potty and had peed in / on it. It took 15 minutes to calm her down and convince her that she was not going to turn inside out and die right there on the tile floor. I cleaned everything up and brought out the stickers.
"Stickees?", she said while sniffling.
"Yes, baby! You get to put stickers on your chart now!"
She gleefully put a sticker in the box and another at the top of the chart. Then she came out to the living room and paced around and around. She kept going over to the laundry and bringing me her pants because she knows that pants mean a diaper as well. I knew she still had to go so I asked her again. She yelled as she ran into the bathroom...and then ran right back out into the living room.
It's OK. Mama has Resolve.
After getting everything out of her system, the fight just left her. She sat in my lap, exhausted and worn. She slept for 15 minutes that way. (Me praying the whole time that she didn't pee all over me.) When she woke up...something clicked.
5 more times today, she went to the potty and did her business. This time it was with clapping, dancing and elated stickering. One time, she even ran to me in the kitchen to tell me she had to go. She went to bed tonight with 6 stickers on her chart and a Pull-Up on her butt. She fell asleep in minutes.
I know not every day is going to be like this. Some days will be great. Some days will go through a whole can of Resolve and most of my resolve. Today, however, ended with 6 stickers. I feel like I earned them, too.
Today was day 2 of Operation Break Sophie's Will or Possibly Pop Her Kidneys.
She came out of bed with the diaper that ate Manhattan. I cleaned her up and left her pantsless. My sister calls this the "Winnie the Pooh" or "Donald Duck" method. Sophie knew what this meant and started getting cranky right away. I offered a potty trip and she fell to the ground howling. I said "OK!" and walked away.
She got up. Stared at me. Looked at the bathroom. I could see her little brain working it out. I didn't care? I wasn't going to make her do anything? What's the catch?
I watched her fight all day. I gave her cup after cup after cup of juice. Finally, I was sorting clothes in the hallway when it hit.
Sophie came SCA-REE-HEEMING down the hallway like she was on fire. Again, I calmly looked at her and asked her if she wanted to go potty. She screamed all the way to the bathroom and I heard clanking, banging, crashes and finally...a small tinkling sound.
The sound of victory.
Granted, she had ripped down my cute little potty chart and peed on it. She was also just hovering over the potty and had peed in / on it. It took 15 minutes to calm her down and convince her that she was not going to turn inside out and die right there on the tile floor. I cleaned everything up and brought out the stickers.
"Stickees?", she said while sniffling.
"Yes, baby! You get to put stickers on your chart now!"
She gleefully put a sticker in the box and another at the top of the chart. Then she came out to the living room and paced around and around. She kept going over to the laundry and bringing me her pants because she knows that pants mean a diaper as well. I knew she still had to go so I asked her again. She yelled as she ran into the bathroom...and then ran right back out into the living room.
It's OK. Mama has Resolve.
After getting everything out of her system, the fight just left her. She sat in my lap, exhausted and worn. She slept for 15 minutes that way. (Me praying the whole time that she didn't pee all over me.) When she woke up...something clicked.
5 more times today, she went to the potty and did her business. This time it was with clapping, dancing and elated stickering. One time, she even ran to me in the kitchen to tell me she had to go. She went to bed tonight with 6 stickers on her chart and a Pull-Up on her butt. She fell asleep in minutes.
I know not every day is going to be like this. Some days will be great. Some days will go through a whole can of Resolve and most of my resolve. Today, however, ended with 6 stickers. I feel like I earned them, too.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Four
Dear Sophie,
Right now you are in your bed with only ONE TOY. I'm a monster, I know. You're used to sleeping with about 4 but, since you keep pelting your brother with them, I now limit you to one. You've been potty training all day. Since 10:00 this morning you have been totally bare bottomed and have not gone in the potty at all. No accidents, no potty. Just pure stubborn I-refuse-to-do-this-on-your-terms. You went to bed early tonight because you didn't nap and were manic with trying to do the Potty Dance all over the house.
Honestly, you annoyed the crap out of me today.
Four years ago you were lying in the Baylor NICU with a feeding tube in your nose, 3 monitors on your body and an IV in your scalp. You weighed 5 pounds and 2 ounces. You were the smallest baby I had ever seen up close. I remember standing by your bassinet with your Daddy as the nurses told us about your feeding tube and what to expect over the next few days.
God, I was scared.
You were my first. My first baby. I thought I had done everything right until my water broke at midnight on the 16th. You were only 34 weeks along. After laboring with you for over a day, you entered the world at 6:48 AM on the 17th of January. Your little head was cone-shaped because you took your sweet time. You didn't cry. You were very alert. The doctor put you on my stomach and all I could see was your tiny right hand waving around as they dried you off. I was scared and asking why you weren't crying. As they tried to convince me that some babies just don't cry, I tried to convince myself that you were real by taking that little hand.
You held my finger and my heart shattered.
I was a Mama. I had always wanted to be a Mama and here you were. My baby girl. My Sophia Sakura. I held you for an hour that seemed like 3 seconds. Then they took you to the NICU and I didn't see you again for another 7 hours. It was a tiny taste of the most perfect feeling in the world and then it was snatched away from me.
That first night, I couldn't sleep. I crept out of my room at 3 in the morning and slowly made my way to the NICU. They were just about to feed you and offered to try breastfeeding. We couldn't make it work so they suggested Kangaroo Care instead. I sat in a comfortable glider with my feet up. You laid your tiny head on my left breast and tucked your feet under my right breast. The nurses put warm blankets over both of us and then put a screen around us.
Every muscle in your tiny body relaxed and you fell asleep over my heart.
I sat for hours just marveling at the wonder that is You. I sang lullabies. I told you about your cat. I examined your face to see what family members you resembled. I will remember those hours for the rest of my life.
Happy birthday, my Sophie-chan. Please go to the bathroom.
Right now you are in your bed with only ONE TOY. I'm a monster, I know. You're used to sleeping with about 4 but, since you keep pelting your brother with them, I now limit you to one. You've been potty training all day. Since 10:00 this morning you have been totally bare bottomed and have not gone in the potty at all. No accidents, no potty. Just pure stubborn I-refuse-to-do-this-on-your-terms. You went to bed early tonight because you didn't nap and were manic with trying to do the Potty Dance all over the house.
Honestly, you annoyed the crap out of me today.
Four years ago you were lying in the Baylor NICU with a feeding tube in your nose, 3 monitors on your body and an IV in your scalp. You weighed 5 pounds and 2 ounces. You were the smallest baby I had ever seen up close. I remember standing by your bassinet with your Daddy as the nurses told us about your feeding tube and what to expect over the next few days.
God, I was scared.
You were my first. My first baby. I thought I had done everything right until my water broke at midnight on the 16th. You were only 34 weeks along. After laboring with you for over a day, you entered the world at 6:48 AM on the 17th of January. Your little head was cone-shaped because you took your sweet time. You didn't cry. You were very alert. The doctor put you on my stomach and all I could see was your tiny right hand waving around as they dried you off. I was scared and asking why you weren't crying. As they tried to convince me that some babies just don't cry, I tried to convince myself that you were real by taking that little hand.
You held my finger and my heart shattered.
I was a Mama. I had always wanted to be a Mama and here you were. My baby girl. My Sophia Sakura. I held you for an hour that seemed like 3 seconds. Then they took you to the NICU and I didn't see you again for another 7 hours. It was a tiny taste of the most perfect feeling in the world and then it was snatched away from me.
That first night, I couldn't sleep. I crept out of my room at 3 in the morning and slowly made my way to the NICU. They were just about to feed you and offered to try breastfeeding. We couldn't make it work so they suggested Kangaroo Care instead. I sat in a comfortable glider with my feet up. You laid your tiny head on my left breast and tucked your feet under my right breast. The nurses put warm blankets over both of us and then put a screen around us.
Every muscle in your tiny body relaxed and you fell asleep over my heart.
I sat for hours just marveling at the wonder that is You. I sang lullabies. I told you about your cat. I examined your face to see what family members you resembled. I will remember those hours for the rest of my life.
Happy birthday, my Sophie-chan. Please go to the bathroom.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Not Giving Up
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
Do you hear that?!?
It doesn't matter that Sophie still couldn't understand my instructions about potty training and had a massive meltdown.
It doesn't matter that Gideon tried to destroy everything whenever I went into the bathroom with Sophie because he was jealous of all of the attention his sister was getting.
It doesn't matter that Milly freaked out whenever I not only left her sight but went out of her reach making nap time a really difficult thing.
God was still with me all day. He still loves me. He still believes in my ability to mother these children. He's going to be there as I cry tonight.
I'm still OK.
Romans 8:38-39
Do you hear that?!?
It doesn't matter that Sophie still couldn't understand my instructions about potty training and had a massive meltdown.
It doesn't matter that Gideon tried to destroy everything whenever I went into the bathroom with Sophie because he was jealous of all of the attention his sister was getting.
It doesn't matter that Milly freaked out whenever I not only left her sight but went out of her reach making nap time a really difficult thing.
God was still with me all day. He still loves me. He still believes in my ability to mother these children. He's going to be there as I cry tonight.
I'm still OK.
Potty Training is a Go
The bright pink potty chart has been decorated with pictures of Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck. The sticker bribes are ready. When 10 stickers are stuck, a prize is won.
The waterproof panties are ready. We go barebottom the first day, waterproof the next few days and then the Minnie Mouse panties from Grandma are coming out.
The Special Bubbles are next to the potty. The Special Bubbles can only be used when cheeks are on the seat.
All systems are go. Operation Potty Train Sophie is ready.
Let's do this thing.
The waterproof panties are ready. We go barebottom the first day, waterproof the next few days and then the Minnie Mouse panties from Grandma are coming out.
The Special Bubbles are next to the potty. The Special Bubbles can only be used when cheeks are on the seat.
All systems are go. Operation Potty Train Sophie is ready.
Let's do this thing.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)