Poo

Things are never what you'd expect when it comes to parenting. I learned very quickly that the best way to go about being a parent is to have no expectations whatsoever...and if you're the type of person who cannot live life without expectations, then make them as low as you can.

I have found this to be all the more true as I have attempted to potty train my third child many different times this last year. I was told by a few other moms that for them, their third child was the easiest child to potty train. Part of it seemed like it was because they had older siblings they wanted to be like and the other part was partly because the older siblings were the ones to potty train them. This got me excited. I'd had a fairly easy time potty training my older two, so knowing that number three would be a breeze, I was all for that!

Right after our daughter turned 2 she was completely potty trained for about 2 weeks. By completely potty trained, I mean that she was wearing panties all day and pooing and peeing in the potty. After about 2 weeks, she decided she was too busy to go in the potty, so after going through too many panties to count, instead of fighting the issue we went back to full-time diapers. I knew she was still pretty young, so I gave up. It probably was not the best thing for me to do, but I knew we were going to be moving across the country pretty soon, so I didn't want to have to be fighting the issue during that time. After we moved I decided to try again. She was and has been completely potty trained with the peeing part since, but because she refuses to poo in the potty, I have resorted to diapers again. I would rather clean a poopie diaper'd butt than a poopie pantie'd butt.

All of my expectations of having my third child easily potty trained have been completely bashed to pieces. I'm going to wait until she forces the issue. As for now, I have more poo stories than I care to share.

Happy Thoughts

My 7-year-old was having a major attitude problem yesterday. Seriously, I thought attitudes didn't start until the teenage years, boy was I WRONG! We're sitting in the car and he's moping in the back with a big huge frown on his face and his arms crossed around his chest. So, what does mom do in this situation? Normally I would just ignore him and wait for him to come around. Yesterday I'd had it. I look back at him and say, "Peyton, I want you to tell me 5 things you're thankful for." The puzzled look on his face was priceless, I'm pretty sure I caught him completely off-guard. After a moment, he mumbles, "no." So, then I say, "Well, then you can't leave the car until I've heard 5 things you're thankful for." 


Eventually I got to hear the 5 things he was thankful for. They were simple, but it worked. After, I said I wanted to see his big wonderful smile then I gave him one of my goofy smiles. It was SO funny watching him try not to laugh. Then he was back to his normal fun-loving wonderful self.


You see, I've found it's hard to feel sorry for myself when I start making lists of things I'm thankful for. It's hard to be mad at someone when I'm not focused on the ways I feel someone has wronged me. Focusing my thoughts on things I'm thankful for rather than the negative things going on around me, is a practice I want to continue as I grow in my relationship with Christ.


"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

Being Jesus

How different would this world be if Christian brothers and sisters would just get along?
How different would life be if we would just set aside our pride for a moment and look each other in the eyes and say, "I forgive you."

Pride has snaked its way into our lives
Pride's fangs have sunk deep into our souls

Oh God forgive us!

We are supposed to be the light to the world
We are supposed to be the salt of the earth
How is that possible if our lives are no different than anyone else?

How different would this world be if Christians would lay down their pride
And truly be like Christ?

Humble and forgiving
Laying our lives down for each other
Loving servants
Being Jesus in this very dark world.

If When I Die

If when I die all people can say about me is, "she loved Jesus", then I have accomplished my mission here on earth.

If when I die and no one remembers my name, but remembers Jesus, then I have lived well.

If when I die I have not a penny to my name, but have pointed everyone I met to Jesus, then I have accomplished my purpose.

My worth is not found in money or things, it's not found in people or places I've been. I find my worth through the blood of Jesus.

My hope is not in things of today, tomorrow or yesterday, nor does my hope rest in the comforts this world has to offer, it's Jesus.

If when I die and the only thing left behind is the handprint of God, then and only then I have truly lived.

The Mom Thing

When I was in 8th grade I made the mistake of going out for track and field. I thought I might be good since both of my sisters were decent. I was wrong. I can remember the exact moment I realized how terrible I really was, and I even have a picture of that exact moment taken by one of my friend's dads, which I think I glanced at once and put it away to never be seen again!

I was all lined up for my first ever 100 meter race. I heard the gun go off and before I even took my first step  off the blocks I felt this WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH. I look up and I see the backs of every single one of my competition already half way to the finish line. Talk about a horrible and embarrassing moment. I did finish the race, but it was during that race that I realized that I was NOT built for track and field.

During that time of my life, I had a friend who told me that with every step she took in her races she would recite, "Jesus Christ will give me strength, Jesus Christ will give me strength" and that's how she would race. I thought that was a pretty great idea, so that's how I finished my one miserable season in track and field.

As a mom, there have been many times where I have felt like I am not cut out to do this whole mom thing. I don't have it all together. I tend to loose my temper more often than I'd like, my house is not the cleanest on the block, nor do my kids always have their hair combed or their teeth brushed. Sometimes I'll get to the store and realize I forgot someone's shoes or my wallet. I have been one of those moms who have grocery shopped with a screaming child in the cart. It's the times I begin to count all the ways that I'm "not good enough" that those words flood into my very soul and lift me up. I may not feel "good enough" sometimes, but God has entrusted me with 4 precious children whom I love more than anything in the world. He knew what He was doing when He gave them to me, and in that I can find peace and trust that God knows what He is doing. 


"Jesus Christ will give me strength. Jesus Christ will give me strength. Jesus Christ will give me strength."

To All You Single Parents

I want to give a shout out to all you single parents out there. You who get your kids dressed, fed, transported, taught, disciplined, and loved all by yourself. You who change the diapers, clean up the throw up, change the clothes, and pick up the toys all by yourself. You who keep up the house, break up the fights, keep the bills organized, and tuck the kids into bed all by yourself. You who wipe away those tears, cuddle, tickle, and bathe your kids all by yourself. I have a HUGE appreciation and respect for you. You are amazing. Your kids are so blessed to have such a hard working and loving parent in their lives. May God give you the strength to persevere. You are AMAZING!

Please Don't Judge

Please don't judge me for allowing my 2-year old to throw a temper tantrum right in the middle of the store. Please don't glare at me while I carry her out kicking and screaming to the car. What you see is not the whole story. You see, yes she is 2, but she has also had a whole lot of things going on around her that you don't know about.

You see the kicking and screaming, but what you don't know is that we just moved across the country a week ago. She has also been getting over a bad cold and hasn't been sleeping very well the last few nights, and her dad has been out of town this week. What you see is not the whole story. You see a 2-year old kicking and screaming, yelling and bawling, ruining your trip to the grocery store. You see a horrible mom allowing her child to act out THAT way.

What I know is that my beautiful daughter is tired and hurting and doesn't have the ability to express how she's feeling in an adult way. What I also know is that I love my daughter very very much. So, please have some grace today and stop glaring and judging, pointing and shaking your head. Say a little prayer for me, for I really am trying to do my best.