bouncy, bouncy, bouncy! fall off!

Our day began at 5:45 am today. When I went to get our alarm clock, Jacob, out of bed he was hot and sweaty. I knew it wasn't going to be a good day. Jacob has had a fever and diahrrea all day which has caused him to be extra fussy and clingy. I think he's teething. In fact, I'm pretty sure he is since he went through 3 shirts and 2 bibs. We sat and watched a Jana Alayra DVD pretty much all morning because it was the only thing that would calm him down. He fell asleep a couple times while the DVD was playing too which was nice. I called Lawrence at work and asked him to come home for lunch so I could take a shower. I was hoping for 15 minutes of peace, but that didn't last long as Joshua wanted some time with me since Jacob had been hogging my attention all morning. When Joshua wants to shower with me, I'm pretty strict about him not jumping around or goofing off too much because I don't want him to slip and fall and get hurt. Ironically, what I've been attempting to prevent happened today and he wasn't even goofing off! Lawrence just chimed in with "I let him goof off and nothing happens. Not yet anyway." Thanks a lot. Joshua slipped and hit his mouth on the ledge in our shower which turned into 20 minutes of bleeding and excessive crying which woke Jacob up. Did I mention that Joshua only wanted me? Thank goodness Lawrence was home to help me out otherwise I don't know how I would have gotten through 2 kids screaming and demanding to be held. Wow, what a day!

It's frustrating days like these (which thankfully happen few and far between) that make me want to go back to the corporate world and let someone else deal with the crankiness. And to be guaranteed adult conversation with someone other than my husband every day. I rarely voice frustration about this because I feel that since I made the choice to be a stay at home mom, now I need to suck it up and deal with it. But even as frustrating and annoying as it is sometimes, there is no one else I would want to cuddle, kiss and nurture my children through these times. The thought that all Jacob needs is to see my face and his face lights up does it for me and (usually) melts away my frustration. I'm so thankful to be able to stay home and raise my children. I'm so thankful that my husband has a job and goes to work every day for his family. Most importantly, I'm so thankful for God's provision for our family and for entrusting and believing that I'm the best Mommy for Joshua and Jacob.

After one of Jacob's many mini-naps today, I decided we needed to spend some time outside and enjoy the beautiful June day that God made. Joshua was playing some game he made up called "Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy! Fall off!" Jacob was actually laughing. Oh how I love his laugh! Jacob even entered his comfort zone and walked around for a few minutes without whining.

Enjoy!

Organized sports

Joshua is in a soccer class, if you remember reading from a previous post. He seems to enjoy it and have fun, but he doesn't pay attention to the coaches and their directions all the time. It could be that he is normally napping when soccer is taking place....who knows! When they break off into teams to play a game of soccer, he runs around and doesn't really try to go after the ball. The competitor in me is screaming "Go get the ball, Joshua!" and I'm embarassed that he isn't being more aggressive. As I stopped to think about the situation, it hit me! Lawrence and I try very hard to teach Joshua to be nice and not take toys away from his friends. Perhaps we didn't do as good of job telling him sports is a completely different scenario! At least he us paying attention to us and it's not just going in one ear and out the other!

leading by example

As the precious boys God has blessed me with get older, I am finding that the phrase "lead by example" is so true! Be loving and respectful towards others and you are likely receive love and respect in return. Be unkind and rude to others and you are likely receive unkind and rude behavior in return.

During the days of peace and harmony in our household there is love, cooperation, obedience, laughter and fun. On the days of chaos there is disobedience, lots of time-outs and maybe a spanking. 

Joshua has been absorbing everything we teach him (both verbal and non-verbal, positive and negative) like a sponge! It's makes my heart soar when I hear him say "Mommy, can I kiss your owie?" Or says please and thank you without my prompting. The last few days he's been telling me that he's proud of me for putting pee pee in the potty. This past Sunday, we were picking Joshua up from Sunday School and the teacher asked me if he was in pre-school. My response is no and she says "I can tell you're really working hard with him at home." I thought that was such a sweet compliment. You work hard to try and teach your kids manners, how to clean up after themselves and just how to be a good person and you think "Am I making a difference? Is it working? Does someone else besides God see all the work I'm doing to try and rear loving, respectful children?" When a compliment like that comes along, it's a much needed pat on the back!

It comes from God's strength alone. And I lean on him, my Rock, when the days are tough and full of chaos. Then he brings me out of the pit of frustration of having to issue one more time-out and reminds me of the laughter and fun I have with my boys. He brings me peace.