If you remember, several months ago I posted about our terrible, no good doctors visit. If you're not up to speed as to what I'm talking about I'll give you the quick (well the quickest version i can) run down.
So, our favorite pediatrician, Dr. Pav, retired last year. It was a sad, sad day and honestly I am still a bit traumatized. I didn't know what we were going to do. He had been the boys' doctor since birth... we love that guy. He would end every visit by telling my that I'm a great mom and that I'm doing everything right. The boys loved him and most importantly, he loved the boys. We had a special bond... with Gabriel being so little when he was born it was nice to know that we had the best doctor caring for our little man. And then came my little ninja, Lincoln, and Dr. Pav jumped right in and cared for him just as well. When he retired I was so upset because I thought there is no way anyone could replace this doctor. But i tried. After a few recommendations to a doctor here in town we thought we'd give it a shot. It was so close to home and more convenient. Well, this doctor that we saw was terrible. and i mean TERRIBLE. She judged me for our personal beliefs, asked me "does he always talk like that" when she walked into the room and then said "I guess that's a good enough reason" when I told her I didn't know my family's medical history. I AM ADOPTED. I DON'T know my family medical history. As you can probably tell, I still get heated when i think about that visit. And for her to ask me " does he always talk like that" well, that just burns me to the core. A little sidenote: Lincoln was behind on his speech- he's come a LONG, LONG way. He needed tubes in his ears... the ninja just couldn't hear us talking which then led to him not being able to "talk" as well as he should have. So, for her to ask me this was just down right aggravating. Since that happened I have said that never again will I visit this facility. Even after the manager of the office called to apologize- I was dead set on never, ever giving them my business again. I just couldn't believe the way we were treated. It was appalling and just downright rude. Anyway, that's the short version. You can read the long version here.
Dr. Pav used to give his clients his home number in case of an emergency. You can only imagine that since he retired I had thought about calling him 10000000 times. If we're being honest here, my kids haven't been to a doctor since that last visit because I haven't worked myself up to switching doctors yet again. SO, imagine my surprise when I'm scrolling through facebook today and see that Dr. Pav is COMING BACK! YESSSSS!!!! He is going to start seeing patients at Rea Clinic in Sesser. I mean seriously- you can not even fathom my excitement. I've been soooooo excited about this all day long. I can not wait to get my kids back in to see him. Rea Clinic has been on my "NO" list for quite some time now but this, well this just made me a customer again. Plus, it's in Sesser and i have no issues with the Sesser office. I AM SO EXCITED!!!
So, not that they will ever see this but Dr. Pav we are soooo happy you decided to come back out of retirement. We miss our pediatrician and as a mother i can't imagine my kids seeing anyone else. Rea Clinic, GREAT Move on your part. You won back my business today and I must say I can't wait to visit your facility for as long as our favorite doctor is there.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
When Momma Loses her Cool...
You all know what I'm talking about... don't deny it. You know, that moment when you as a MOM lose your cool...
For me, the happy mom turns into the angry, sleep deprived mom that just wants her child to go to sleep. Usually, this happens about 5 hours AFTER i've put the ninjas to bed. And typically, actually 99.9% of the time it is Lincoln who refuses to sleep.
It never fails, almost every night I will put him down between 8:30 & 9:30. We say our goodnights, give kisses and I shut the lights off. I say "I love you" and head out the door. Fast forward to about 10 minutes later... Lincoln's up. He usually starts by playing with toys in his room, turning on the lights or opening the door. If i'm not upstairs- then it's the little footsteps coming down the stairs and his little head peaking around the corner.
Back to bed we go. Again. and Again. And Again.... AND YES, AGAIN! Seriously, i keep my cool for a few hours as this routine just keeps on going. Finally, around midnight or 1 A.M. when i'm really tired and ready to go to sleep and just sick and tired of putting that kid back in his bed... I LOSE it. I threaten no tablet, no playing in the morning... anything I can think of. It doesn't phase him. NOw that Jesse is back to work,I threaten to wake daddy up. NO response. HE doesn't care. He just does not want to go back to bed.
SO then, Momma really loses it. YOu either go to bed or go sit outside. By yourself. He laughs and says NOOOO!Of course, it doesn't phase him because he knows there is absolutely no way that I would actually stick his cute little behind outside. But the threat of it should have some effect, right?
Tonight folks, well tonight I had enough. This kid just WILL NOT sleep. EVER. seriously, i don't know if he ever does sleep. honestly. Sometimes I fall asleep on the couch before he goes to sleep because i'm so tired from trying to stay up until he's passed out. and then he's up at the crack of dawn. I'm not kidding.. the CRACK OF DAWN that kid is in my room saying "Hi Momma" in his sweet little voice. WHEN DOES HE SLEEP? WHY WON'T he sleep?
I've tried everything. EVERYTHING! i'm not even kidding. Regardless, I've got to find a better way of getting this kid to realize that sleep is good... it's GOOD. it's necessary for momma. it's necessary for the happiness of this home. haha. but seriously. I'm trying to be a more present and happier momma because these are the days I will not get back. But shoot, this kid makes it hard for momma to be happy when it's 1 AM and he's still awake....
Can you relate? I know you can.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
the start of 2016
So, now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over I thought I'd do a little update.
I regret to tell you this. I lied. I did. it's true. You know how I said we were only buying the boys a tablet and one big toy each, yeah that didn't happen. I went a little overboard. I couldn't help myself. As much as I wanted to stick to my plan, I just couldn't. I stayed up on Black Friday shopping online and found so many deals that I couldn't pass up. Plus, It was Christmas... and kids should have a magical Christmas, right? So unfortunately I didn't stick to my plan but my kids did have a wonderful Christmas.
I Love Christmas time and I'm really sad that it's over. Christmas is my favorite. My house looks so bare now that all of the decor is down. My mantle looked so sad...but thankfully I've got some new decorations up there that Im' actually liking... a lot.
Anywho, this weekend brought on some nasty stomach bug for this family. It wasn't fun at all. BUT thankfully it was only a 24 hour bug and we all seem to be on the mend. Friday was our 5th Anniversary and Jesse and I finally got to celebrate tonight a little by going out to dinner and a trip to wal-mart! WOOOO!! BIG party! haha. NO, but seriously it was nice.. and we're kid free which is even better so I'm able to get some much needed work done tonight and get my house cleaned. AHHHH, at least it will be clean for a few hours until the boys come home tomorrow.
So I was watching the movie "Mom's Night Out" yesterday and I literally felt like I was watching my life...again. It's the second time I've watched the movie and I swear I laugh so hard throughout. You know those Mommy melt-downs she has in the movie. Yeah, I have those... a lot. I mean seriously... A LOT!
But here's what i know...
I"m not a perfect mom. I fail every single day. ALL. THE. TIME. I lose my cool a lot especially when the boys are screaming and fighting and acting like a dinosaur 24/7. But I often find myself hating that I got so mad at the end of the day because these are the days, the moments that I won't get back with my children. These are the times and the memories that I want to cherish and hold onto forever.
So, at the beginning of this year I made a goal for myself to be more present with my children. TO laugh more and yell less. To snuggle, hug and kiss as much as I can before they're too old and too cool for me. One thing I'm doing is reading the Book "5 Love Languages of Children." I'm super excited and can't wait to finish it!
That's all for tonight folks! I got a house to clean and laundry to fold. :)
I regret to tell you this. I lied. I did. it's true. You know how I said we were only buying the boys a tablet and one big toy each, yeah that didn't happen. I went a little overboard. I couldn't help myself. As much as I wanted to stick to my plan, I just couldn't. I stayed up on Black Friday shopping online and found so many deals that I couldn't pass up. Plus, It was Christmas... and kids should have a magical Christmas, right? So unfortunately I didn't stick to my plan but my kids did have a wonderful Christmas.
I Love Christmas time and I'm really sad that it's over. Christmas is my favorite. My house looks so bare now that all of the decor is down. My mantle looked so sad...but thankfully I've got some new decorations up there that Im' actually liking... a lot.
Anywho, this weekend brought on some nasty stomach bug for this family. It wasn't fun at all. BUT thankfully it was only a 24 hour bug and we all seem to be on the mend. Friday was our 5th Anniversary and Jesse and I finally got to celebrate tonight a little by going out to dinner and a trip to wal-mart! WOOOO!! BIG party! haha. NO, but seriously it was nice.. and we're kid free which is even better so I'm able to get some much needed work done tonight and get my house cleaned. AHHHH, at least it will be clean for a few hours until the boys come home tomorrow.
So I was watching the movie "Mom's Night Out" yesterday and I literally felt like I was watching my life...again. It's the second time I've watched the movie and I swear I laugh so hard throughout. You know those Mommy melt-downs she has in the movie. Yeah, I have those... a lot. I mean seriously... A LOT!
But here's what i know...
I"m not a perfect mom. I fail every single day. ALL. THE. TIME. I lose my cool a lot especially when the boys are screaming and fighting and acting like a dinosaur 24/7. But I often find myself hating that I got so mad at the end of the day because these are the days, the moments that I won't get back with my children. These are the times and the memories that I want to cherish and hold onto forever.
So, at the beginning of this year I made a goal for myself to be more present with my children. TO laugh more and yell less. To snuggle, hug and kiss as much as I can before they're too old and too cool for me. One thing I'm doing is reading the Book "5 Love Languages of Children." I'm super excited and can't wait to finish it!
That's all for tonight folks! I got a house to clean and laundry to fold. :)
Friday, December 4, 2015
we don't poop in the floor.
Can you relate? Come on, I know I'm not the only mom that has said this...more than once. Let me set the scene for you.
The boys have been in bed since 9:30. Gabe has been asleep since about 9:45. It is now 1:30 a.m. and Lincoln is wide awake.
I've been working on my embroidery orders downstairs. Jesse just went to bed about an hour ago. All was calm. We thought Lincoln had finally passed out. But, that little ninja. He tricked us all.
So, I'm working away when I hear little footsteps coming down the stairs. I yell, "Go back to bed."
Does he listen!? Ohhhh, heck no he doesn't.
Then I hear: "Hi Momma, I pooped."
So, I check his butt. Sure enough, he pooped. But it's not the nice, hard regular poop. It's the nasty, stinky, runny poop that just runs and runs. UGH!
We head to the bathroom and I start to clean him up. "I pooped Momma" Yes son, yes you did.
We're all done and we head back upstairs to go to bed... AGAIN.
A few minutes later, the lights start turning off an on.
"LIIIINNNNCCCOOOLLLNNNN!!! I swear, if you're not in that room in your bed by the time I get up there you are going to be in BIGGGGGG trouble"
Fast Forward 30 minutes.
"Hi Momma, I pooped"
"WHATTTT!!???"
Yep, you guessed it... he pooped again.
Son, we why are you pooping so much? Why does it stink so bad? Why is it so nasty? WHY OH WHY are you not potty trained yet?
So this time we head straight to the bathtub. I've convinced myself that it's the only way we are really going to get him clean and get that stink off of him.
So, 1:00 a.m. and bath time it is!
We head back upstairs... and it's then that I notice that not only did he poop but it is on the floor and the top 3 stairs.
"LINCOLN!!! Did you slide down these stairs with your poopy butt?"
"YES, Momma! I lub you Momma"
"I love you too, Lincoln. BUT we do not slide down the stairs in our poop!"
"Ok, Momma. HAhahahahah"
There's poop on my stairs. There's poop on the floor upstairs. The whole stinkin' upstairs smells like poop. So what do I do? I grab the cleaning supplies, clean the whole stinkin' thing and sanitize as much as I can.
What's a mom to do?
Why does my kid poop so much?
Why is he not asleep?
Why is it 1:30 am and my kid insists on being a dinosaur.
At least, maybe...dinosaurs don't poop? hah!
I can hope, right?
The boys have been in bed since 9:30. Gabe has been asleep since about 9:45. It is now 1:30 a.m. and Lincoln is wide awake.
I've been working on my embroidery orders downstairs. Jesse just went to bed about an hour ago. All was calm. We thought Lincoln had finally passed out. But, that little ninja. He tricked us all.
So, I'm working away when I hear little footsteps coming down the stairs. I yell, "Go back to bed."
Does he listen!? Ohhhh, heck no he doesn't.
Then I hear: "Hi Momma, I pooped."
So, I check his butt. Sure enough, he pooped. But it's not the nice, hard regular poop. It's the nasty, stinky, runny poop that just runs and runs. UGH!
We head to the bathroom and I start to clean him up. "I pooped Momma" Yes son, yes you did.
We're all done and we head back upstairs to go to bed... AGAIN.
A few minutes later, the lights start turning off an on.
"LIIIINNNNCCCOOOLLLNNNN!!! I swear, if you're not in that room in your bed by the time I get up there you are going to be in BIGGGGGG trouble"
Fast Forward 30 minutes.
"Hi Momma, I pooped"
"WHATTTT!!???"
Yep, you guessed it... he pooped again.
Son, we why are you pooping so much? Why does it stink so bad? Why is it so nasty? WHY OH WHY are you not potty trained yet?
So this time we head straight to the bathtub. I've convinced myself that it's the only way we are really going to get him clean and get that stink off of him.
So, 1:00 a.m. and bath time it is!
We head back upstairs... and it's then that I notice that not only did he poop but it is on the floor and the top 3 stairs.
"LINCOLN!!! Did you slide down these stairs with your poopy butt?"
"YES, Momma! I lub you Momma"
"I love you too, Lincoln. BUT we do not slide down the stairs in our poop!"
"Ok, Momma. HAhahahahah"
There's poop on my stairs. There's poop on the floor upstairs. The whole stinkin' upstairs smells like poop. So what do I do? I grab the cleaning supplies, clean the whole stinkin' thing and sanitize as much as I can.
What's a mom to do?
Why does my kid poop so much?
Why is he not asleep?
Why is it 1:30 am and my kid insists on being a dinosaur.
At least, maybe...dinosaurs don't poop? hah!
I can hope, right?
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
SURPRISE!
No, we're not pregnant. Don't even go there. I'm pretty sure Jesse would kill me. Like, For REAL! haha. Though, I do want a girl... but that's under discussion for the next 5 years. lol.
Anywho, I'm planning this super awesome birthday surprise for Jesse. It's top secret. I'm so excited myself that I'm having trouble not revealing the surprise to him. To be honest, if I pull this off without him knowing what it is- I'm going to be super, super proud of myself! I let it slip the other day that the money I had put back in a top secret location was for his birthday surprise. (Mainly because he couldn't figure out how that money just "disappeared") So, I caved...kinda. I told him that it was for his birthday/Christmas (since they're 5 days apart) and that it was a secret and when it's time, He will find out what it is. I gave few details...
1) you have to be on location to help me pick it up
2) it's Big and I'm not sure I can carry it on my own
3) it's super legit and you'll be totally, crazy happy when you receive it
4) it may involve some driving time and I hope it fits in our car
5) No it's not a 50 inch computer screen or a new desk
OK, OK... not all of these actually pertain to his gift. But what's a girl to do? I had to throw him off just a little so I wouldn't give it away. I broke the news to him last night that the delivery date got pushed and it might actually arrive after Christmas. Oh well, it'll still be awesome and a nice little "after-Christmas" present and excitement.
I am SOOOOOOO excited about this.
More details coming soon.
SHHHHHHHHHHH....it's a surprise!
Love,
Jesse's Super Awesome, Amazing, Totally Secretive Wife.
Anywho, I'm planning this super awesome birthday surprise for Jesse. It's top secret. I'm so excited myself that I'm having trouble not revealing the surprise to him. To be honest, if I pull this off without him knowing what it is- I'm going to be super, super proud of myself! I let it slip the other day that the money I had put back in a top secret location was for his birthday surprise. (Mainly because he couldn't figure out how that money just "disappeared") So, I caved...kinda. I told him that it was for his birthday/Christmas (since they're 5 days apart) and that it was a secret and when it's time, He will find out what it is. I gave few details...
1) you have to be on location to help me pick it up
2) it's Big and I'm not sure I can carry it on my own
3) it's super legit and you'll be totally, crazy happy when you receive it
4) it may involve some driving time and I hope it fits in our car
5) No it's not a 50 inch computer screen or a new desk
OK, OK... not all of these actually pertain to his gift. But what's a girl to do? I had to throw him off just a little so I wouldn't give it away. I broke the news to him last night that the delivery date got pushed and it might actually arrive after Christmas. Oh well, it'll still be awesome and a nice little "after-Christmas" present and excitement.
I am SOOOOOOO excited about this.
More details coming soon.
SHHHHHHHHHHH....it's a surprise!
Love,
Jesse's Super Awesome, Amazing, Totally Secretive Wife.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Thankful. Grateful. Blessed
I love the Holiday Season. Christmas time is my favorite... i just love the decorations and the smell of Christmas in my home. It's wonderful, just wonderful.
As I sit here and think about this past year, I'm reminded of everything that I have to be thankful for...
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, fought it and came out better than ever. I'm thankful for my children to have her and that she is doing so much better.
Lincoln was having issues with ear infections and his speech. He got tubes earlier this year and is doing so much better. We did Speech therapy for a few months and he "graduated" because he was doing so well. I'm thankful that he's doing so much better and is still our crazy little ninja.
Gabriel just keeps getting older on me and started his 2nd year of Pre-K. I'm thankful that he's learning, making friends and creating memories. I'm thankful to have such a smart, funny, handsome little boy who overcame the odds and is thriving despite what some said in the beginning.
Lincoln fell out of the shopping cart at Walmart in May and fractured his skull. It was awful. Just awful. I'm thankful for the sweet Angels above who protected my little boy. I'm thankful that the damage wasn't any worse than it was and that at our follow-up appointment they said he was doing Great.
We took our very first family vacation to Gatlinburg this year. I'm thankful that we had the means to go on a family trip. I'm thankful that our friends daughter, Shelbi got to go with us to help with the boys. I'm thankful that we got to create special memories together.
Gabriel started using the Potty FULL-TIME! I never thought we'd see the day, but one day it just clicked and Boom, no more diapers! I'm thankful for this transition. I'm thankful that I only have 1 stinky butt to change instead of 2.
My embroidery business really took off this year. I never thought I would make that much money from it and lately, I've been making triple what I have in the past. I'm thankful for this opportunity to work from home and still contribute financially to the family.
I made a change to get healthy this year, thanks to Plexus. I'm thankful for my sweet friend who introduced me to these products. I'm thankful that I am on the road to a healthier lifestyle.
I'm thankful to have such amazing friends in my life. I don't know what I'd do without that lifeline of laughing, sharing and drinking wine on occasion with friends.
Jesse lost his job at the end of September. That's never something that you anticipate but it happened. I'm thankful that despite him being unemployed we still have food in our fridge, a roof over our heads and clothes on our back. I'm thankful that we are still a family. I'm thankful that he's been home with us for the past few months and that the boys have gotten to spend more time with him than they ever have.
This past year Jesse and I had some issues, like all married couples do, I suppose. I'm thankful that we decided to work through them, together, and come out on the other side better than ever. I'm thankful that we never give up on each other no matter how much we drive each other crazy. I'm thankful to have such a loving husband who is an amazing father to our 2 boys.
Most of all, I'm thankful for my family. For those 2 sweet boys that drive me crazy and are making my hair turn gray way too soon. I"m thankful that I get to snuggle, laugh and kiss their sweet cheeks everyday. I'm thankful for our health and all that God has provided us with.
As I sit here and think about this past year, I'm reminded of everything that I have to be thankful for...
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, fought it and came out better than ever. I'm thankful for my children to have her and that she is doing so much better.
Lincoln was having issues with ear infections and his speech. He got tubes earlier this year and is doing so much better. We did Speech therapy for a few months and he "graduated" because he was doing so well. I'm thankful that he's doing so much better and is still our crazy little ninja.
Gabriel just keeps getting older on me and started his 2nd year of Pre-K. I'm thankful that he's learning, making friends and creating memories. I'm thankful to have such a smart, funny, handsome little boy who overcame the odds and is thriving despite what some said in the beginning.
Lincoln fell out of the shopping cart at Walmart in May and fractured his skull. It was awful. Just awful. I'm thankful for the sweet Angels above who protected my little boy. I'm thankful that the damage wasn't any worse than it was and that at our follow-up appointment they said he was doing Great.
We took our very first family vacation to Gatlinburg this year. I'm thankful that we had the means to go on a family trip. I'm thankful that our friends daughter, Shelbi got to go with us to help with the boys. I'm thankful that we got to create special memories together.
Gabriel started using the Potty FULL-TIME! I never thought we'd see the day, but one day it just clicked and Boom, no more diapers! I'm thankful for this transition. I'm thankful that I only have 1 stinky butt to change instead of 2.
My embroidery business really took off this year. I never thought I would make that much money from it and lately, I've been making triple what I have in the past. I'm thankful for this opportunity to work from home and still contribute financially to the family.
I made a change to get healthy this year, thanks to Plexus. I'm thankful for my sweet friend who introduced me to these products. I'm thankful that I am on the road to a healthier lifestyle.
I'm thankful to have such amazing friends in my life. I don't know what I'd do without that lifeline of laughing, sharing and drinking wine on occasion with friends.
Jesse lost his job at the end of September. That's never something that you anticipate but it happened. I'm thankful that despite him being unemployed we still have food in our fridge, a roof over our heads and clothes on our back. I'm thankful that we are still a family. I'm thankful that he's been home with us for the past few months and that the boys have gotten to spend more time with him than they ever have.
This past year Jesse and I had some issues, like all married couples do, I suppose. I'm thankful that we decided to work through them, together, and come out on the other side better than ever. I'm thankful that we never give up on each other no matter how much we drive each other crazy. I'm thankful to have such a loving husband who is an amazing father to our 2 boys.
Most of all, I'm thankful for my family. For those 2 sweet boys that drive me crazy and are making my hair turn gray way too soon. I"m thankful that I get to snuggle, laugh and kiss their sweet cheeks everyday. I'm thankful for our health and all that God has provided us with.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Being Present with your children
Ok Christmas, you got me. I'm stumped. I have no idea on what to buy my kids for Christmas.
See, I was THAT mom when I first had kids. You know, that Mom that wanted to give my kids everything. I told myself, Ok- I had (almost) everything I ever wanted as a kid, why shouldn't my kids get the same? (We won't talk about the Teddy Ruxpin bear that was on my list for Santa consistently for a good 5 years...somehow, Santa never got the memo that I wanted one. Even though I would circle, highlight, bookmark and draw arrows on the page in the JcPenney Christmas catalog... did i just date myself by mentioning that catalog?) Ok back on topic now... I'm ashamed to admit that I spoiled my kids. Against Jesse's wishes I bought those boys everything under the sun and then some. I'm not trying to brag by any means about this, in fact, I'm actually calling myself out on what I never should have done.
I always had this vision that when I had kids they would have everything they ever wanted while being raised to be respectable to others, know the value of a dollar, be caring, loyal and loving. Well-rounded you might say. I never want them to brag to others about what they have. In fact, I try my very best to teach them that others may not have as much as they do and that we are very fortunate to have these things. But now, I'm changing my game plan. Maybe call it a new-years resolution of sorts.
This year, I'm stumped. Christmas has me stumped. I have no idea what to get those boys. I don't want anymore toys in this house. They have enough... especially since they're new favorite toys are a pack of dinosaurs I bought at DG for $1. All of those toys that cost $20+ sit in the toybox. (I will admit though, I've been a pretty savvy shopper. A lot of their "nicer" toys have came from Goodwill, the kidsignment expo, yard sales and from the sale sites on fb. I honestly try not to spend full price on toys when I can avoid it.) So, Christmas. I decided that we would by them each a tablet for Christmas... you see, they fight over my phone CONSTANTLY. They fight over the iPad even worse. It's a never ending battle. My fix is to buy them each the same tablet so there won't be any fighting over the "bigger" one. It's a win-win... car rides will be much easier. Quiet time will come more often. And my tv won't have the constant sounds of cars, mickey, george or dinosaurs. See, mom wins too. I also decided to get tickets to Monster Jam and Marvel Live for them. Their at the age now where events like this will be remembered. Plus, time with family doing something they love is worth more than any toy, right?
Now, of course, it's not Christmas if kids don't at least get a few toys. We're going to get them each a couple of smaller toys that I know they will love and actually play with. Other than that- Nada. Zilch. Nothing.
Back to the basics. Let's keep it simple. It's so easy to get wrapped up in buying everything for your kids. I'm guilty of it. But you know what, the LOVE of your child can't be bought. When they get older, they'll never remember the $60 toy you bought them for their birthday or Christmas. They're going to remember the nights you snuggled in their bed or laughed with them until you cried. They'll remember building forts and playing superheroes. Racing cars around on their track. Jumping on the bed. Playing outside in the snow. Chasing them around, flying them like their an airplane, reading their favorite book. Just being there. In the moment. Being Present. That's what our kids are going to remember. And you know what, I want to have those memories with my boys.
I'm guilty of getting caught up in my own stuff and not stopping to realize that this time right now, with my children... it's the most precious time I'm ever going to have. I have to remind myself that my "stuff" isn't nearly as important as making memories with them. So what if the dishes don't get done or the house isn't spotless... Who cares? My kids want my attention NOW. And before I know it, they will be grown up and not want "Mommy" anymore. So I'm stopping more. Worrying less. My house isn't perfect. I'm a hot mess most of the time. But I am PRESENT with my children. I'm creating that special bond with them and making memories that will last a lifetime. Sure they drive me crazy most of the time... but what did I expect with 2 boys? Sure, the constant sound of 546542313 questions a day gets a little annoying... but one day, those questions will stop coming. One day my house will be silent and I will miss the screams and jumping and roaring from those 2 sweet boys.
What I'm trying to say is that it's easy to get caught up in buying your children everything. With social media it's so easy to compare what you did or didn't get your children-especially with the constant pictures of what others got theirs. I know, sometimes I see things other parents get their kids and think, "Man, I'm a terrible mom. My kids didn't get nearly that much." But you know fellow mommas, It's not a mommy war. We don't need to compete. Our children are happy no matter how much we spend on them. They know no difference between a pack of $1 dinosaurs compared to a pack of $50 dinosaurs. They don't care. Let's not compete anymore... Just be present with your kids.
I'm not really sure what my main point of this post is. I guess it's that there's no need to feel like you have to "spoil" your kids. They don't need everything. They just need us to be in their lives. To show them how much we love and adore them. So join me, starting now... Let's be in the present with our kids. Let's make those memories with them that they will one day tell their children about. Let's set a good, Godly example for our kids... Teach them right from wrong. To be respectful, caring, honest and loving.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"
Proverbs 22:6
See, I was THAT mom when I first had kids. You know, that Mom that wanted to give my kids everything. I told myself, Ok- I had (almost) everything I ever wanted as a kid, why shouldn't my kids get the same? (We won't talk about the Teddy Ruxpin bear that was on my list for Santa consistently for a good 5 years...somehow, Santa never got the memo that I wanted one. Even though I would circle, highlight, bookmark and draw arrows on the page in the JcPenney Christmas catalog... did i just date myself by mentioning that catalog?) Ok back on topic now... I'm ashamed to admit that I spoiled my kids. Against Jesse's wishes I bought those boys everything under the sun and then some. I'm not trying to brag by any means about this, in fact, I'm actually calling myself out on what I never should have done.
I always had this vision that when I had kids they would have everything they ever wanted while being raised to be respectable to others, know the value of a dollar, be caring, loyal and loving. Well-rounded you might say. I never want them to brag to others about what they have. In fact, I try my very best to teach them that others may not have as much as they do and that we are very fortunate to have these things. But now, I'm changing my game plan. Maybe call it a new-years resolution of sorts.
This year, I'm stumped. Christmas has me stumped. I have no idea what to get those boys. I don't want anymore toys in this house. They have enough... especially since they're new favorite toys are a pack of dinosaurs I bought at DG for $1. All of those toys that cost $20+ sit in the toybox. (I will admit though, I've been a pretty savvy shopper. A lot of their "nicer" toys have came from Goodwill, the kidsignment expo, yard sales and from the sale sites on fb. I honestly try not to spend full price on toys when I can avoid it.) So, Christmas. I decided that we would by them each a tablet for Christmas... you see, they fight over my phone CONSTANTLY. They fight over the iPad even worse. It's a never ending battle. My fix is to buy them each the same tablet so there won't be any fighting over the "bigger" one. It's a win-win... car rides will be much easier. Quiet time will come more often. And my tv won't have the constant sounds of cars, mickey, george or dinosaurs. See, mom wins too. I also decided to get tickets to Monster Jam and Marvel Live for them. Their at the age now where events like this will be remembered. Plus, time with family doing something they love is worth more than any toy, right?
Now, of course, it's not Christmas if kids don't at least get a few toys. We're going to get them each a couple of smaller toys that I know they will love and actually play with. Other than that- Nada. Zilch. Nothing.
Back to the basics. Let's keep it simple. It's so easy to get wrapped up in buying everything for your kids. I'm guilty of it. But you know what, the LOVE of your child can't be bought. When they get older, they'll never remember the $60 toy you bought them for their birthday or Christmas. They're going to remember the nights you snuggled in their bed or laughed with them until you cried. They'll remember building forts and playing superheroes. Racing cars around on their track. Jumping on the bed. Playing outside in the snow. Chasing them around, flying them like their an airplane, reading their favorite book. Just being there. In the moment. Being Present. That's what our kids are going to remember. And you know what, I want to have those memories with my boys.
I'm guilty of getting caught up in my own stuff and not stopping to realize that this time right now, with my children... it's the most precious time I'm ever going to have. I have to remind myself that my "stuff" isn't nearly as important as making memories with them. So what if the dishes don't get done or the house isn't spotless... Who cares? My kids want my attention NOW. And before I know it, they will be grown up and not want "Mommy" anymore. So I'm stopping more. Worrying less. My house isn't perfect. I'm a hot mess most of the time. But I am PRESENT with my children. I'm creating that special bond with them and making memories that will last a lifetime. Sure they drive me crazy most of the time... but what did I expect with 2 boys? Sure, the constant sound of 546542313 questions a day gets a little annoying... but one day, those questions will stop coming. One day my house will be silent and I will miss the screams and jumping and roaring from those 2 sweet boys.
What I'm trying to say is that it's easy to get caught up in buying your children everything. With social media it's so easy to compare what you did or didn't get your children-especially with the constant pictures of what others got theirs. I know, sometimes I see things other parents get their kids and think, "Man, I'm a terrible mom. My kids didn't get nearly that much." But you know fellow mommas, It's not a mommy war. We don't need to compete. Our children are happy no matter how much we spend on them. They know no difference between a pack of $1 dinosaurs compared to a pack of $50 dinosaurs. They don't care. Let's not compete anymore... Just be present with your kids.
I'm not really sure what my main point of this post is. I guess it's that there's no need to feel like you have to "spoil" your kids. They don't need everything. They just need us to be in their lives. To show them how much we love and adore them. So join me, starting now... Let's be in the present with our kids. Let's make those memories with them that they will one day tell their children about. Let's set a good, Godly example for our kids... Teach them right from wrong. To be respectful, caring, honest and loving.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"
Proverbs 22:6
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