Ten years ago, I would have told you if I had two boys and wanted a third child I would most assuredly adopt and make certain it was a girl! I used to hear all kinds of stories from my aunt who has three boys very close in age that terrified me.
Ten years ago, I had no idea where life would take me and how God would change me. I had no idea that baby boy #1 would come after years of tears and empty arms and would be the labor of my heart. I had no idea that baby boy #2 would be an unexpected surprise pregnancy just months after bringing baby boy #1 home. I had no idea that baby boy #3 would be the pregnancy we were not planning on!
A mother of three boys, that is what I am going to be...in just a few short weeks! And ten years later my aunt has successfully survived three boys with two of them in college and the third in high school. And I am thankful and grateful for my third son who likes to kick me in the ribs and I am getting anxious to meet him.
Am I scared to raise 3 boys...not gonna lie, I am. Do I think I may not be able to do it...some days. Is my life going to be chaotic and crazy...yes. Is this the biggest BLESSING of my life...undoubtedly, YES!
Through all of this I have learned to be a much more laid back parent. I'm convinced this is the only way to raise boys...without going crazy. I can't let the little things bother me; some days we go through three outfits because of playing in the mud, dirt and puddles, sometimes (like tonight) we eat cereal an hour before dinner (because growing boys are always hungry), bugs will be brought to me, tortured and usually smooshed, forts will be constantly built out of cushions and pillows, and my house will ALWAYS be dirty.
I take a few deep breaths and I am okay with all of those things. They are disciplined and taught to obey but I refuse to have war over every small thing. There are those who adamantly say that just because they are boys is no excuse for misbehavior...I totally agree...and tell me again how many daughters do you have, haha.
There are moments I hold in my heart that make it all worth it, like when they come to me with their hands behind their backs to proudly give me a dandelion or clover they picked for me. I never thought I would put dandelions and clovers in vases...but I do.
Everyone tells me it will be gone in the blink of an eye and before you know it the last one is leaving for college. So my prayer is, Lord help me to be the best parent I can and enjoy the little moments. Can I get an amen?!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The New Neighborhood
Wow, where do I start. I see that August 2012 was my last post. A lot has happened in my life since then! When I started this blog I wanted to be an honest writer who writes about real life which includes the not so pretty and not so easy times. I think this is why I have avoided writing. The last year + has been all of the above and more.
Not much happened (please apply sarcasm), I started a new part-time job working two days a week, my dear hubby went back to his job at the fire department, I found out I was pregnant (yes, baby boy #3) and we moved! Yeah, nothing big at all, haha.
Yes, it has been crazy and just plain hard. But I can still say I am RUNNING OVER BLESSED.
We love the neighborhood we moved to. It is in our hometown, close to church and the elementary school, across the street from my in-laws (yes, that is good) and it just feels like home. It is a very small development with about a dozen houses and has a cul-de-sac with no thru traffic. It is nothing fancy there is no feel of keeping up with the Jones's, which I love! I grew up in the country and wasn't sure if I would like having neighbors so close, but I found out I do. My two boys now a grown-up preschooler of 4 and a half and a very strong-willed, not yet potty-trained, not quite 3 year old are enjoying it too. They love to play in the cul-de-sac at the end of the street with all of the neighborhood kids.
Every afternoon and or evening the boys ask to ride their bikes down the street to play with the "neighbor kids". The kids congregate and ride bikes, shoot hoops, kick a soccer ball, make rubber-band bracelets, make mudpies and whatever other activity they come up with. They range in age from 1 and 1/2 to 12 years old and the older ones are kind and interactive with the younger ones. I have already learned to know several of my neighbors better than I knew previous neighbors that we shared walls with in a townhouse for six years.
In the past month's time I have learned to know the one family very well. And I watch her in awe and admire her incredible strength. She is only two years older than me and her 38 year-old husband is dying of brain cancer which he has been fighting for the past two years. She is a mother of 4 children and a devoted wife who has lovingly been caring for her husband.
Over this past month as my heart breaks for her, I have also been encouraged. This is what it looks like for the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The family was not connected with a church but I have seen my own pastor and church come alongside this family and help in very practical ways. I have seen neighbors do the same and she has shared with me stories of other friends and family who have stepped in and been meeting their needs. God has been providing for them through this very difficult time.
This is real life; difficult, unfair and painful. Yet as I sat beside her on the grass last night, swatting the gnats away, watching the kids play and listening to her struggles and joys of the day. We could still laugh at the kids' antics and the fact that we got splattered in mud when the soccer ball landed in the mud beside us. Real life in this world is hard and sometimes just plain sucks! But when you have a heavenly hope it makes all the difference and makes persevering through each day worth it.
My own struggles as real and hard as they are fade in comparison to the real life nightmare she is living. It forces me to take my eyes off myself, stop having a pity party and look to my heavenly father for strength.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can not see." Hebrews 11:1
Not much happened (please apply sarcasm), I started a new part-time job working two days a week, my dear hubby went back to his job at the fire department, I found out I was pregnant (yes, baby boy #3) and we moved! Yeah, nothing big at all, haha.
Yes, it has been crazy and just plain hard. But I can still say I am RUNNING OVER BLESSED.
We love the neighborhood we moved to. It is in our hometown, close to church and the elementary school, across the street from my in-laws (yes, that is good) and it just feels like home. It is a very small development with about a dozen houses and has a cul-de-sac with no thru traffic. It is nothing fancy there is no feel of keeping up with the Jones's, which I love! I grew up in the country and wasn't sure if I would like having neighbors so close, but I found out I do. My two boys now a grown-up preschooler of 4 and a half and a very strong-willed, not yet potty-trained, not quite 3 year old are enjoying it too. They love to play in the cul-de-sac at the end of the street with all of the neighborhood kids.
Every afternoon and or evening the boys ask to ride their bikes down the street to play with the "neighbor kids". The kids congregate and ride bikes, shoot hoops, kick a soccer ball, make rubber-band bracelets, make mudpies and whatever other activity they come up with. They range in age from 1 and 1/2 to 12 years old and the older ones are kind and interactive with the younger ones. I have already learned to know several of my neighbors better than I knew previous neighbors that we shared walls with in a townhouse for six years.
In the past month's time I have learned to know the one family very well. And I watch her in awe and admire her incredible strength. She is only two years older than me and her 38 year-old husband is dying of brain cancer which he has been fighting for the past two years. She is a mother of 4 children and a devoted wife who has lovingly been caring for her husband.
Over this past month as my heart breaks for her, I have also been encouraged. This is what it looks like for the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The family was not connected with a church but I have seen my own pastor and church come alongside this family and help in very practical ways. I have seen neighbors do the same and she has shared with me stories of other friends and family who have stepped in and been meeting their needs. God has been providing for them through this very difficult time.
This is real life; difficult, unfair and painful. Yet as I sat beside her on the grass last night, swatting the gnats away, watching the kids play and listening to her struggles and joys of the day. We could still laugh at the kids' antics and the fact that we got splattered in mud when the soccer ball landed in the mud beside us. Real life in this world is hard and sometimes just plain sucks! But when you have a heavenly hope it makes all the difference and makes persevering through each day worth it.
My own struggles as real and hard as they are fade in comparison to the real life nightmare she is living. It forces me to take my eyes off myself, stop having a pity party and look to my heavenly father for strength.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can not see." Hebrews 11:1
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Utter Chaos
The last few weeks have been nothing but challenging for me. My two sons are testing me to my limits. If one decides to be agreeable and pleasant the other will certainly become ornery and defiant. Please tell me I am not the only one who seems to have utter chaos rule the roost every morning! I mean you would think we never experienced a morning together in our house before. Monday mornings when we have to get up, get breakfast and out the door are actually the easiest day of the week. Maybe it is because I know I am getting a few hours break when I head to work. But the other mornings of the week seem to be utter chaos. I have tried to set routines for the morning activities but it seems to be to no prevail. Undoubtedly one of the two will wake up cranky and not quite ready to face the day. The other will decide it is necessary to pick on the cranky one. Most often what we are having for breakfast is not of their liking and gets flung across the kitchen. Even when I agree to their favorite of scrambled eggs it is a bit of a disaster with both of them trying to stand on one chair to "help" and my 3 year-old son trying to crack the eggs. My 20 month-old son has a melt down almost daily over the fact that he can have only one vitamin! Then their is the scuffle over toys and screaming that follows. It is not unusual for their to have been multiple time-outs before 9am. And we always have the issue over one bathroom and 4 people.
I am an organizer and a planner and for my mornings to be so far out of my control and seemingly very unproductive is beyond frustrating. I sometimes look at my children and their behaviour and wonder where I have gone terribly wrong. For they act as though they were raised in the wild by a pack of orangutans. Then my loving husband reminds me that they are little boys who are 3 and 1 years-old. Yes, they are toddlers who will some day grow up and I will be one of those weepy moms saying it was just yesterday they were babies and who has amnesia and remembers only the great moments. And this is a good moment for they are sitting nicely on the porch stuffing their little mouths full of animal crackers and looking pretty stinkin' cute!
I asked my dear hubby if it is normal for me to feel like I am going to lose my mind almost every day. His reply was "I know I would if I were home with the kids every day". Haha, if you know my husband you understand he loves his family but most definitely lacks empathy! But I know these days will too soon pass and I have near panic attacks thinking of sending them off to school. My husband also says regularly and I agree with him that parenting is the hardest thing he has ever done. It most assuredly takes sacrifice and perseverance.
The earlier moment of cuteness has passed and it is now 8pm and the one who refused dinner at mealtime is now sitting up and finally eating his dinner. And the other who pooped in the tub just a few minutes ago is sleepily watching Thomas. And I persevere on for one day all the things I have been trying to teach will finally sink in and I will be rewarded. And as far as sacrifice their is no greater gift I can give to my children than the daily sacrifice of parenting them!
I am an organizer and a planner and for my mornings to be so far out of my control and seemingly very unproductive is beyond frustrating. I sometimes look at my children and their behaviour and wonder where I have gone terribly wrong. For they act as though they were raised in the wild by a pack of orangutans. Then my loving husband reminds me that they are little boys who are 3 and 1 years-old. Yes, they are toddlers who will some day grow up and I will be one of those weepy moms saying it was just yesterday they were babies and who has amnesia and remembers only the great moments. And this is a good moment for they are sitting nicely on the porch stuffing their little mouths full of animal crackers and looking pretty stinkin' cute!
I asked my dear hubby if it is normal for me to feel like I am going to lose my mind almost every day. His reply was "I know I would if I were home with the kids every day". Haha, if you know my husband you understand he loves his family but most definitely lacks empathy! But I know these days will too soon pass and I have near panic attacks thinking of sending them off to school. My husband also says regularly and I agree with him that parenting is the hardest thing he has ever done. It most assuredly takes sacrifice and perseverance.
The earlier moment of cuteness has passed and it is now 8pm and the one who refused dinner at mealtime is now sitting up and finally eating his dinner. And the other who pooped in the tub just a few minutes ago is sleepily watching Thomas. And I persevere on for one day all the things I have been trying to teach will finally sink in and I will be rewarded. And as far as sacrifice their is no greater gift I can give to my children than the daily sacrifice of parenting them!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
It's a Boys' World
"Insanity" it's the name of the workout DVD set my husband has decided he must tackle. It is a very strenuous workout that is supposed to make you very fit and muscular. My husband is very fit already but being the overachiever he is he always thinks there is room for improvement. As I watched him finish the workout this morning with sweat pouring down his face he commented that this is indeed insanity. And I said I have my own insanity workout every day and it's called my two toddler boys. No need for a gym membership for me these days. My workout is 14 hours straight and if I'm lucky I may have a short break in the afternoon.
My world has become all things boy. I knew nothing about boys until I had my sons and I am still learning. I had no idea sticks and rocks were so incredibly fun to play with. And sit and play in the baby pool, I don't think so, much more fun to dump it and create a mud puddle to play in. Any noise coming out of either end is extremely funny. Chasing each other and running laps through the house is the most fun indoor activity. A 3 year-old boy can talk for 3 days straight about a tree that he saw that fell down. An 18 month old will consistently poke his pet bunny in the eyes every chance he gets. Pictures of monsters are drawn on birthday cards. Playing in the toilet is intriguing. And the preferred attire is complete nakedness. Sigh...it's a boys' world.
Now I agree, that just because they are boys is no excuse for bad behavior. But I do believe there is a level of physicality early on that is just different with boys. Like my one friend said of her 2 year-old son, it is like trying to rope a calf just to get a diaper changed. I have learned to carry my 18 month-old son when he is kicking his legs and throwing a tantrum with his belly on my hip, arms pinned and legs flailing out the back. You have to learn how to handle little boys and their strength or they quickly over-power you.
Sunday mornings I look at the little girls at church in their pretty dresses, bows in their hair, fingernails painted and cute sandals on their feet. Then I look over at my sons who are either shoving donuts in their mouths or trying to run away from me. And I think, thank you God for the blessings of my sons and thank you for the many things they are teaching me!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Lessons Learned from the Garden
This summer I have attempted my first ever vegetable garden. The house we are currently living in has a gorgeous big back yard and is perfect for a large garden.
Lesson #1: Do not be to proud to accept help
We have had some very gracious neighbors who have helped and given lots of advice. Our next door neighbor who is a "retired farmer" has a huge meticulous garden. His wife humbly told me it was always his dream to have a big garden but he never had time when he was farming. She hesitantly after much persisting took the few dollars I offered in exchange for the corn seed they had given. But she made sure to send me home with a bag full of home-made fasnachts. I don't even really like donuts but if you have never had a true home-made fasnacht you have not lived!
Lesson #2: Be persistent
The start to my garden was a little rocky. My peas which were planted a little late never sprouted. Apparently there was some worm that was eating them this year. A few other things I planted by seed never sprouted either. But I was determined to press on. I walked down the road to the local greenhouse and bought several tomato and pepper plants. We then planted corn, green beans, cucumbers and lettuce, all of which have done great.
Lesson #3: Always let the little ones help
There is something amazing about planting seeds, watching them grow, harvesting and then preparing and eating it. Not to mention delicious. It has been wonderful for my sons to help in the process as well. They now understand that corn, green beans, tomatoes don't come from the freezer or can. I had my frustrating moments of watching them trample seedlings or pick green tomatoes but I know the value of what they were learning is irreplaceable. The other day I was preparing lunch and I told my 3 year-old son to go to the garden and pick the reddest tomato he could find and he did and we ate it for lunch. Today my 1 1/2 year-old son was kept busy for quite awhile by helping to peel off the husk from our corn.
I have a new found respect for farmers. I don't have to go very far back to find farmers on both sides of my family. In fact I only have to go to my grandparents. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents were in to some sort of farming for larger periods of their lives. But I cannot imagine having your livelihood dependent on the weather and how your crops do that year.
Thankfully my livelihood is not dependent on my garden but we have been enjoying the bounty of fresh vegetables from garden to table!
Lesson #1: Do not be to proud to accept help
We have had some very gracious neighbors who have helped and given lots of advice. Our next door neighbor who is a "retired farmer" has a huge meticulous garden. His wife humbly told me it was always his dream to have a big garden but he never had time when he was farming. She hesitantly after much persisting took the few dollars I offered in exchange for the corn seed they had given. But she made sure to send me home with a bag full of home-made fasnachts. I don't even really like donuts but if you have never had a true home-made fasnacht you have not lived!
Lesson #2: Be persistent
The start to my garden was a little rocky. My peas which were planted a little late never sprouted. Apparently there was some worm that was eating them this year. A few other things I planted by seed never sprouted either. But I was determined to press on. I walked down the road to the local greenhouse and bought several tomato and pepper plants. We then planted corn, green beans, cucumbers and lettuce, all of which have done great.
Lesson #3: Always let the little ones help
There is something amazing about planting seeds, watching them grow, harvesting and then preparing and eating it. Not to mention delicious. It has been wonderful for my sons to help in the process as well. They now understand that corn, green beans, tomatoes don't come from the freezer or can. I had my frustrating moments of watching them trample seedlings or pick green tomatoes but I know the value of what they were learning is irreplaceable. The other day I was preparing lunch and I told my 3 year-old son to go to the garden and pick the reddest tomato he could find and he did and we ate it for lunch. Today my 1 1/2 year-old son was kept busy for quite awhile by helping to peel off the husk from our corn.
I have a new found respect for farmers. I don't have to go very far back to find farmers on both sides of my family. In fact I only have to go to my grandparents. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents were in to some sort of farming for larger periods of their lives. But I cannot imagine having your livelihood dependent on the weather and how your crops do that year.
Thankfully my livelihood is not dependent on my garden but we have been enjoying the bounty of fresh vegetables from garden to table!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Sweet Grace of a 3 Year-old
Ok, so I know it's been almost a month since I wrote a post. What can I say, summertime is a busy time of year and it finds me outdoors away from the computer a lot. This I am not sad about as sometimes I fear the internet is a time sucker and as you all know time is the greatest gift.
But an incident that happened today between me and my 3 year-old begs to be written about. My children continue to test and teach me everyday!
It was 10a.m. and we were trying to get out the door to run a few errands. They were playing outside for a few minutes while I quickly hung a load of laundry on the wash line before we left. As I was shooing them towards the car my 3 year-old son announced that he was hungry for breakfast. I was quite irritated because like 3 year-olds can often be, he had been stubborn at 8a.m. when we all sat up to eat breakfast and refused to sit up and eat. But I felt guilty because I had not pushed the issue too much this particular morning and had not made him sit and eat. So, due to my lack of follow through earlier I knew he indeed was probably hungry and marched them back into the house so he could eat some cereal. This did not make my 18 month-old son happy because he was ready to "go bye-bye" as he says and he had indeed ate breakfast this morning at the appropriate time. So as I was trying to quiet the fussing of one and watch the other ever so slowly and non-challantly eat his cereal, I off-handedly made the comment that "I am losing my patience".
Several minutes later my 3 year-old son said "Mommy, you lost your patience, but you will find more". This stopped me cold in my tracks and I turned slowly to him and looked at his earnest and sincere face. I knew it was time to apoligize, I said "I'm sorry, you are right I did lose my patience and you are right I always do find more". He then went on to say "I like you and I love you mommy, give me a hug". So I went over to him and he sweetly wrapped his little arms around my neck and hugged me tight.
Wow, what a humbling moment. To be extended grace ever so sweetly by my 3 year-old when I was the one clearly in the wrong. He simply pointed out what I had done, reminded me I could do better, forgave me and told me he likes and loves me. He did not pout, complain, get angry and hold a grudge the way I sometimes do when someone is in the wrong against me.
The lessons we can learn from the pure hearts of children are ASTOUNDING.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" 1 Peter 4:8
Ironincally, I had just read and copied this verse down yesterday. He showed it to me in life and breath. No wonder Jesus said we should come to him as little children.
"And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:3
Grace given to me sweetly today by my son. Grace given to me daily by my heavenly father. I do not deserve but they give. May I give the same to others undeserving in love.
But an incident that happened today between me and my 3 year-old begs to be written about. My children continue to test and teach me everyday!
It was 10a.m. and we were trying to get out the door to run a few errands. They were playing outside for a few minutes while I quickly hung a load of laundry on the wash line before we left. As I was shooing them towards the car my 3 year-old son announced that he was hungry for breakfast. I was quite irritated because like 3 year-olds can often be, he had been stubborn at 8a.m. when we all sat up to eat breakfast and refused to sit up and eat. But I felt guilty because I had not pushed the issue too much this particular morning and had not made him sit and eat. So, due to my lack of follow through earlier I knew he indeed was probably hungry and marched them back into the house so he could eat some cereal. This did not make my 18 month-old son happy because he was ready to "go bye-bye" as he says and he had indeed ate breakfast this morning at the appropriate time. So as I was trying to quiet the fussing of one and watch the other ever so slowly and non-challantly eat his cereal, I off-handedly made the comment that "I am losing my patience".
Several minutes later my 3 year-old son said "Mommy, you lost your patience, but you will find more". This stopped me cold in my tracks and I turned slowly to him and looked at his earnest and sincere face. I knew it was time to apoligize, I said "I'm sorry, you are right I did lose my patience and you are right I always do find more". He then went on to say "I like you and I love you mommy, give me a hug". So I went over to him and he sweetly wrapped his little arms around my neck and hugged me tight.
Wow, what a humbling moment. To be extended grace ever so sweetly by my 3 year-old when I was the one clearly in the wrong. He simply pointed out what I had done, reminded me I could do better, forgave me and told me he likes and loves me. He did not pout, complain, get angry and hold a grudge the way I sometimes do when someone is in the wrong against me.
The lessons we can learn from the pure hearts of children are ASTOUNDING.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" 1 Peter 4:8
Ironincally, I had just read and copied this verse down yesterday. He showed it to me in life and breath. No wonder Jesus said we should come to him as little children.
"And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:3
Grace given to me sweetly today by my son. Grace given to me daily by my heavenly father. I do not deserve but they give. May I give the same to others undeserving in love.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Freezer pops, blue plastic baby pools and the Beach
Just a few weeks ago I was talking with several girlfriends and we were dreaming of cruises on the Carribean and frozen drinks. Maybe someday we will get to take that vacation together. But right now we are all in the midst of babies and toddlers and the Carribean sounds pretty far off.
Over the holiday weekend and our heat wave, I decided to break out the kiddy pool for my boys. I filled it with water when they were napping and put them in their swimsuits as soon as they woke up. We headed outside to eat our treat of freezer pops and splash in the baby pool. They had so much fun and were so excited to play in their little tiny blue plastic pool. As they climbed in and out and chased each other around, I decided that right now freezer pops and the baby pool beat the Carribean and frozen drinks any day!
And then we took a two day trip to the beach....
Wow, did the boys have a crazy fun time. I mean when else do they get to play in a giant sandbox, chase waves, skip nap time, eat fries and ice-cream, swim in a pool, go to the boardwalk, ride in an elevator and all sleep in the same room. Yes, they thought it was wild, crazy fun. Mommy and daddy thought it was exhausting but were glad to make the memories with them.
The beach and two toddlers is challenging. There was the issue of dragging everything out to the beach, we are talking, umbrella, two beach chairs, towels, sand toys, cooler, beach bag and don't forget the toddlers themselves. We had a four block walk from the hotel...but we were smarter than that. Daddy dropped mommy and the boys off and I took them and a few bags and daddy got to park the car and walk the four blocks. Then their was trying to keep our 18 month old from his kamikaze runs into the ocean. He even got washed under but just kept going back for more, he has no fear. Then their was trying to eat lunch on the beach. This seems like an easy task but with toddlers you are bound to end up crunching on sand. Then making sure everyone is properly sun tan lotioned (I forgot my own back both days). They did sit and play for periods of time in the sand, which was nice (I think I got to sit for a total of 15 minutes). Which leads me to the question, why did we even bother with chairs?
I have come to realize that as a parent life is no longer about yourself. You do things that really are no "vacation or picnic" for yourself...but you do them for the pure joy it brings your children. I think every loving parent goes to great extremes to bring laughter and joy into their children's lives. Have you ever thought about how we are always tickling and playing peek-a-boo with babies simply to make them smile or get a giggle out of them. This is what true love is making sacrifices of ourselves to give to others. And not only did this beach trip bring great joy to my children it brought great joy to me as a mother. This is how I want to live my life not just to my children but to all those around me in love and service to others. Think about this; Is there any greater thing, than to give of yourself in love?
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love." Galations 5:13
Over the holiday weekend and our heat wave, I decided to break out the kiddy pool for my boys. I filled it with water when they were napping and put them in their swimsuits as soon as they woke up. We headed outside to eat our treat of freezer pops and splash in the baby pool. They had so much fun and were so excited to play in their little tiny blue plastic pool. As they climbed in and out and chased each other around, I decided that right now freezer pops and the baby pool beat the Carribean and frozen drinks any day!
And then we took a two day trip to the beach....
Wow, did the boys have a crazy fun time. I mean when else do they get to play in a giant sandbox, chase waves, skip nap time, eat fries and ice-cream, swim in a pool, go to the boardwalk, ride in an elevator and all sleep in the same room. Yes, they thought it was wild, crazy fun. Mommy and daddy thought it was exhausting but were glad to make the memories with them.
The beach and two toddlers is challenging. There was the issue of dragging everything out to the beach, we are talking, umbrella, two beach chairs, towels, sand toys, cooler, beach bag and don't forget the toddlers themselves. We had a four block walk from the hotel...but we were smarter than that. Daddy dropped mommy and the boys off and I took them and a few bags and daddy got to park the car and walk the four blocks. Then their was trying to keep our 18 month old from his kamikaze runs into the ocean. He even got washed under but just kept going back for more, he has no fear. Then their was trying to eat lunch on the beach. This seems like an easy task but with toddlers you are bound to end up crunching on sand. Then making sure everyone is properly sun tan lotioned (I forgot my own back both days). They did sit and play for periods of time in the sand, which was nice (I think I got to sit for a total of 15 minutes). Which leads me to the question, why did we even bother with chairs?
I have come to realize that as a parent life is no longer about yourself. You do things that really are no "vacation or picnic" for yourself...but you do them for the pure joy it brings your children. I think every loving parent goes to great extremes to bring laughter and joy into their children's lives. Have you ever thought about how we are always tickling and playing peek-a-boo with babies simply to make them smile or get a giggle out of them. This is what true love is making sacrifices of ourselves to give to others. And not only did this beach trip bring great joy to my children it brought great joy to me as a mother. This is how I want to live my life not just to my children but to all those around me in love and service to others. Think about this; Is there any greater thing, than to give of yourself in love?
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love." Galations 5:13
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