Let's Get Real Thursday

Let's get real... you know you're a mom when it takes you an hour to find the keys in your purse because you have to dig through the cars, crayons, diapers, pacifiers, and a million other toddler related items.

You know you're a mom when you have mastered the talent of brushing your teeth, putting on makeup or doing your hair all the while having another hand to stop the toddler from reaching everything on your bathroom counter ... or stopping them from throwing everything from said counter into bathroom trash or toilet.

You know you're a mom when going pee-pee in the potty is the single most exciting thing of your day when you are in the throes of potty training.

You know you're a mom when you know all the songs to Daniel Tiger, Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, or any other toddler related show.. and can sing them on command by memory. (Side note - on the way to the doctors Grayson always makes me sing Doc McStuffins Time for your Check-Up song over and over.)

You know you're a working mom when sitting at your desk with a cup of coffee on Monday morning is the first time you've sat still and sighed and breathed in that glorious smell in two days.

You know you're a mom when planning outfits for family pictures you are thinking of the cute and matching outfits for your kids and you the very last.

You know you're a mom when you see daycare/school on the caller id on your phone and you have a small panic attack before answering it.

You know you're a mom when your idea of a date or a big night out is going to the grocery store or Target and strolling the aisles.

You know you're a mom when you go to work sick just so that you can get some rest from your toddler.


Let's get real... if you're a momma, you are a super hero. :)

Today's post was inspired by this post from Today Parents. It's funny, check it out!

Let's Get Real Thursday

I know, I know... I haven't blogged in a little while. There's no reason to it or needing to read into it, I just have nothing to share. Actually, that's probably wrong, my son does laughable things daily that I could share.. but truth is... I'm TIRED! And the tiredness is affecting my creativity and therefore I feel like I just have nothing to write.

So let's just get real here and give you some real life (probably super boring) updates on our goings on as of late.

- Grayson is at his new little Baptist school and doing great. He fusses like any 2 year old having to go to school in the mornings, but by the time I pick him up he doesn't want to leave. I am still processing and healing and learning to be okay with trusting my son in someone else' care. The CPS investigation is still going, but seems to be at a standstill as they are having a hard time figuring out who... So I feel like there is just no closure or justice... So that's where we stand there.

- I am 24 weeks along now. Only 3 more weeks til I'm in the third trimester. I have a feeling this little girl is going to be a handful. She was hard to conceive and is even harder to carry. I never got that second trimester burst of energy... but I could also blame that on my toddler. :)

- Fall is here, kinda (I mean we live in Houston so there's not much of a fall). For those that have read here for a while know that Fall is my favorite! I'm getting excited for Halloween and our First Fest at our church - Grayson is going to be an Orange Ninja Turtle and my momma is coming in town for a week or so!

Other than that, I don't know much. Grayson is getting funnier by the day with all the things he says and conversations we have. I've got to start writing them down. The best right now is his attempt at saying "Baby Olivia"... To him she is "Baby A-La-La".

Let's get real friends, you ever have a time when your life isn't necessarily boring (to you) but you just don't have much to share or update? Maybe I'll get creative with something to say in a couple of weeks... or months... or years. ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

The dinner battle.... What is it about dinner that causes chaos sometimes? My boy likes to eat, he loves food - never been a really picky eater. He eats great for breakfast and lunch... but dinner... sometimes is a whole other story. I could make the same thing that he loved last week and wants nothing to do with this week. Something that I know he eats at school, he won't touch at the dinner table at home. Is this a trick!? I don't get it! And telling him he eats what's in front of him or nothing does not even phase him... All the while I'm tossing and turning in bed thinking I'm starving my child.

I know we all go through these phases. We will have one random bad dinner battle night after weeks of nothing, and then weeks of dinner battles and then one random night that there's no fuss. It's soo random! It doesn't matter what it is or how it's presented... It's like a mystery each night when we sit down to eat what will be the outcome.

Anyone else? Let's get real, how do you fight the battle? ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

One of my closest friends from seminary, who is also a student minister's wife, texted me her "Let's Get Real Wednesday night" last night and she is letting me share it with ya'll today. :) We were pregnant together with our firsts and she now has two beautiful little girls.

Most Wednesdays I wonder why I even bother going to church. By the time I get the girls there, after a long day of school, I am exhausted. Then Lord help us all for the rage of emotions that follow. B is mad that she has to leave church. She is mad because she doesn't get a bath because... oh it's already 20 minutes past bedtime. J screams from the moment I pick her up in the nursery until the second I start nursing her... which is a good hour after I pick her up. B gets mad because she can't rinse her mouth out after brushing teeth 20 times. She has to wait for the ceiling fan to completely stop so that SHE can turn it on. All while J is screaming. And there is no husband in sight because parents seem to think he lives at the church and they don't need to pick up their student on time.

 

I'm so exhausted by the end of "bedtime" that all I want to do is be alone and be selfish. Forget all the dishes, laundry, clutter... It's nights like tonight that make me want to throw in the towel all together on Wednesday nights. ... I love my girls and I am thankful for every second with them and all their quirky behavior. But Wednesday nights take a toll on us all and our ugliest sides usually come out.
 

 

Oh how I can relate to my sweet friend!! We love our kids, we love ministry and we love being ministers' wives... But some days/nights are hard. So glad for ministry friends around the country that we can text each other and vent and laugh and cry together.

 

Let's get real... You have those days/nights.. right!? Hopefully we are not alone in this. ;)  Mothers unite! :)

Let's Get Real Thursday

Last weekend we had a plan of attack for potty training. It failed. Big time! Friday was a horrible day of mess after mess with not a single potty success. By the end of the day when I was becoming a not nice mommy, I finally asked Grayson if he wanted to go to the potty or put on a diaper. He chose diaper... we are done. So a made a quick decision that he is just not ready and we'll try again in a month or so. No big deal.

But to be honest.... I'm having a hard time with it. Not because he isn't potty trained or out of diapers (it's not that big of a deal and I know it will happen in the right timing). But because my plan failed. You see with each big transition with Grayson I have had a full-proof plan of attack to help us succeed. With the big boy bed transition, we started reading an Elmo book on big kid beds a few weeks before to get him ready and wanting one. We went shopping and let him pick out his own sheets (even if they didn't match) so that he would be excited about getting into his new bed. We basically brainwashed him not to jump on the bed or get out of bed til mom/dad came to get him.... And it worked! It was the smoothest transition and my plan worked!

So I approached potty training the same way. We started reading an Elmo potty book a couple of weeks ago. He already practices "going potty" at school. We went shopping and he picked out a bunch of big boy underwear that he was excited about. He picked out all his reward stickers for when he went potty. Friday morning we watch an Elmo DVD on potty time.... And with each accident and underwear change and not a single sticker... I felt like a failure! This was the first transition that my "plan" failed. (I know now that I am not a failure and there is nothing that I could do/not do.. it just has to be when he is ready.) But the feeling was still there. The core of my type A personality of needing a plan for everything crumbled a little that day.

But amidst that feeling I received so many texts from friends and family full of encouragement and prayers for our weekend and my struggle. God was soo good to me to give me a circle of support and encouragement. And friends have told me now that I was wise to know now not to push him and just wait til he is ready. I'm glad it took just one day to decide to wait. We didn't ruin a weekend with a grumpy momma and too much laundry. We went to a birthday party and swam with friends and enjoyed our relaxing weekend together.

We will try again in a month or so...  Let's get real, he can't go to college in diapers!... though he might be the first! ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

Sometimes when you've had 2 days straight of tantrums, fits and whining you go to Target to get potty training supplies and let your kid pick out underwear and stickers in an attempt to get him excited about going potty. And in all that exhaustion you give up and eat dinner at Target.


Let's get real... we've all been there. The fun of twos and learning and playing is great, but the bad of twos is really bad... you feel me? We attempt a 4 day weekend of potty training this weekend. Pray for me. :)

This is him saying "cheese"

 

Let's Get Real Thursday

Other parents of littles in public places... For the most part, parents are unified. We all "get it" and are in this "brotherhood" type of bond called parenthood. Most the time a mom and I (total strangers) can look at each other in the store during either of our toddlers' tantrums and sympathize or encourage the other. Most the time, I can rely on other parents/adults to help me to stop my child run into a busy street or out the automatic doors.

But let's get real, there's always one parent that just isn't in this category. I'm always encountering that one parent that just doesn't want to "parent" their kid, and therefore causes me great stress and frustration. You know what I'm talking about? Have you witnessed those few (lovely adults that God loves even though they cause me great frustration) that just don't' really act like parents or don't discipline or just have no concern at all of what their kid is doing at the play place/park, even when it is causing another child harm?

So last night we went to the mall for a couple of things and we always let Grayson play at the play place for a little bit. I took Grayson alone, while Tony went to a couple of stores. As soon as we get there G goes to play on the first slide thingy and there's this little, maybe 3-4 year old that pushes him off and won't let him play on it. So he runs to me scared and I tell him to ignore him and play on something else. Well, this kid follows him and scares/pushes him off every single thing to play on. Just being a big bully to my little 2 year old. G runs back to me scared. I look at the parents who are on their phones and not caring at all about any of this. So I hold G's hand and tell him that mommy will go with him and protect him. So each time the "bully" comes to scare G off of the slide or whatever I give him my meanest "parent face" and he shy's off. Until he suddenly decides to run up and just whack my kid in the face! (If you know me at all you know that I'm already a little defensive and protective in the first place, but then when my momma bear claws come out, it's just bad). So I look at the parents who are ignoring all this and I yell at them (not to be mean, but b/c I'm across the room and there's other people) that they need to keep an eye on their kid b/c he just hit mine. The mom rolls her eyes at me. Awesome parenting mom!

I would have left it at that, but the kid hits G again, and this is after I just saw him hit another kid even littler than mine. So I yell with my sternest parent voice at the kid (since no one else wants to discipline him) that it is not kind to hit and not to do it again.... And he does it again. So I put G's shoes on (who is terrified at this point) and begin walking out to leave as I tell them they need to do something about their kid (in a very Christian-like way of course).

Ugh! So frustrating!! Anyone else experience these things?? I hate when I'm at the park or play place and I'm actively watching my child and I see parents all around just on their phone and paying no attention or not caring what's happening! Ok.. rant over. ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

The morning drop-off. If you are a working mom/dad, then you know what I'm talking about. Most mornings go great; we skip, hop or run into school, wave hello to the front desk, Grayson happily sits at his seat and waits for breakfast and blows me a kiss goodbye. But then there are those few days that aren't so great... the days that leave my momma heart broken and me bawling in my car after drop off... Those days suck! :(

Tony is off this week from work, so I've been taking G to school alone (usually we go together). Tuesday was G's first day back to school for the week as he got to spend extra time with daddy for a loong weekend. I pulled up to school and got out, he didn't want to jump out of the car like normal, he wanted to "cuddle". So I held him and we prayed in the parking lot and I started walking in with him hugging my neck... He started whimpering before we even got to his classroom. When we walked in it was full blown crying, with big tears. I whispered I loved him and I always come back for him and how much fun he was going to have today. His teacher had to peal him off of me and he was crying so hard with the saddest little face. I blew a kiss and walked out, watching from around the corner. The teacher set him down in his seat so she could serve breakfast, and I all saw was more poor baby sitting at the table crying his eyes out. I lost it! I ran to my car, called Tony and was weeping! Weeping for my child's broken heart in that moment. Weeping  that I have to leave him everyday and go to work. Heck, I'm tearing up just typing and remembering it all.

I called the front desk 10 minutes later to see if he was okay and they told me he had stopped crying and started eating breakfast before I even left the parking lot. :)

Let's get real, we've all been there at one time or another. Either at Sunday school drop off, Mother's Day out drop off or daycare/preschool drop-off... Sometimes it's just hard and it sucks. So let's give ourselves a big hug for the hard days.

... Also, you know you're a mom when you are crying in the car and you have no Kleenexes and have to use a diaper to absorb your tears before your makeup is completely gone before you get to work.

Let's Get Real Thursday

Two words: Terrible Twos. Two little words that hold such truth about your once perfect little baby... the moment (or for us, a couple months before) they turn two cause havoc in your house. Why oh why must this year be so terrible!?

Actually, I have a love-hate relationship with the year of two. I love all the new things Grayson is doing, learning, and saying. I love how much we can play and pretend play is beginning and all the fun and laughter that turning two and communicating/understanding better brings. But I hate the "no!"s and the screaming and the tantrums... Oh my word, the tantrums! I hate how this little two year old can rip out my heart and stomp on it with his hurtful eyes and screaming in my face and not wanting me. Then I love when he returns to his sweet self and tells me sorry and gives me the world's best hug and asks to cuddle. It's such an emotional roller coaster!

Grayson actually threw a fit last night in the car because he didn't want to ride in the car, he wanted to walk home.... I mean really, where does he come up with this stuff!? And he was legitimately upset that I wouldn't let him walk. Right now we are in the middle of a tantrum marathon... isn't that awesome!? Praying it ends before I lose my mind.

Let's get real, I know I have some momma friends in the battlefield with me this year! Praying for you all! ;) I hear three is even worse. :(  For now, I'm going to enjoy two, tantrums and all - and hold on to the smiles and giggles and hugs.

Let's Get Real Thursday

If you've read many of these, you know my feelings on the show Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. After reading my last post on Daniel Tiger, it should be no surprise to you that I got a little more excited than the normal parent when I saw new episodes on Netflix this weekend! New episodes!!! Ya'll don't even know! We have been watching the same 10 episodes for months! I may have even texted Tony in my excitement to share the wondrous news!



Let's get real... someone has been there... right!? Please, anyone? Tell me I'm not alone in my crazy! ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

My son is a momma's boy through and through. Sure, he loves his daddy and he even has some days/nights when he only wants daddy - but for the most part... it's all momma.

Yes, this is absolutely adorable and sweet and makes me all gushy... most of the time. I appreciate our bond and I'm trying to hold on to every second I get, knowing that it won't be forever. However, if you are a momma to a momma's boy/girl - you also means that it's a lot of work that only you can do.

Too many times does Grayson tell Tony, "No, Mommy do it" ... every day, multiple times a day... Which means I'm doing all the diaper changes, clothes changes, putting shoes on/off, cleaning him up from dinner, giving him medicine, reading his bedtime stories, putting him to bed, and it goes on and on. I always have to be the one to hold him; when Tony holds him he reaches and jumps out of his arms for me... The kid is getting heavy!  Don't get me wrong, Tony is awesome! And he helps me soo much, I am beyond blessed and spoiled... But Grayson insisting on "mommy do it" can get really tiring.

It even went so far the other night that the three of us were on a family date at the mall and I was between my two boys walking, holding both of their hands. Grayson noticed that I was holding Tony's hand, and tried to swat at us to separate and said "no, stop it. my mommy" ... I tried telling him I'm holding my husband's hand... but he kept at it. Dear Lord that kid has a hard time sharing me.

I'm soaking up this stage of life as much as I can, knowing that in a year or so, he will be attached to daddy and not needing me as much. I love watching him now trying to be just like dad and copying him. I love watching them wrestle and "fight" and play. Daddy is our hero. But there is nothing like the bond of a momma and her son.

 


Let's get real, any other mommas out there that are their sons one and only? Any advice or tips on helping him see that mom and dad are first for each other? ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

Remember this post about toddlers in public restrooms? Let's take that a step further and talk about toddlers in airport restrooms... or really airports/planes in general, shall we? :)

So last week I took Grayson by myself to Illinois via airplane. Which means lots and lots of time in the airport, the airport restrooms and the airplane. First, let me jump on my small soapbox to say that airports need indoor play places! Malls have them, why not airports? It's genius - let the kids run all their energy out before jumping on a plane... That would have been helpful to me. Otherwise you will find me "racing" up and down the airport repeatedly trying to run off some of Grayson's energy... and I was not the only parent doing so. Okay, stepping off the soapbox.

Then when either of you need to "go potty", it's a hot mess! Why aren't airport bathroom stalls larger than the average stall? I mean, you literally have baggage to take with you - you need more room! So I'm trying to shimmy myself and Grayson and both our carry-ons into this little bitty stall and attempt to finagle it all onto one hook (and that's if your lucky enough to have a hook in your stall, most have broken off), trying to sit myself onto the "potty" and watch that Grayson doesn't drop his bear (that he just had to hold onto and not pack into some bag) onto the gross bathroom floor. And then the same goes for when we tumble out of the stall to change his diaper.... Where is a mom to put all the bags and bears hanging off her shoulders and arms to do a diaper change!? Why aren't there hooks or a shelf or something!? A. Hot. Mess.

Running after my energetic two-year-old, because he is SO excited about getting on the airplane, I am wiped out from the bathroom experience and having a hard time keeping up with him! I even bribe him with a new toy from one of the shops if we can just sit down for a minute! Then we finally get to board .... Thank God for family boarding! Really, I appreciate it, however, why does it have to be after the A group when half the plane is full already? You get on and get situated - paci or sucker in mouth for take off, ipad/dvd player on the ready... just to wait a half hour before we actually start moving... and toddler just love that! ;)

Also, what in the world did I pack in my carry-on before I was a mom!? Because now I have Grayson's little backpack (which I imagined him holding himself... NOT) filled to the brim with diapers and wipes and then my backpack filled with toys, books, dvd player, dvds and snacks.

Grayson eating peanuts and enjoying some cars. He loved having his own seat!

 

What would we do without video entertainment?

 This is back in December when we flew for Christmas

And when waiting in the airport, never forget the stickers! 

Anyone else have some fun stories of toddlers and airports? Let's get real, we have all been there or will be there one day... Let's share the tips... and the recovery chocolate! ;)

Let's Get Real Thursday

Dear writers of Daniel Tiger:

Your show is great, really. My son loves "meow" (as he so affectionately calls it). My husband and I enjoy your show and most of the parenting techniques... Really, the "when you feel so mad and count to 4" song saves us daily from tantrums; and the "try new foods" song saves many a dinner battle.

However, we feel you are lacking in a few things that you definitely need an episode for. Sometimes, Daniel Tiger needs a little more discipline... I mean would a lesson on timeout really be so bad? The cat never gets in trouble! Selfishly, I would love if you would do an episode and song to END WHINING. Oh my word... My two year old has enter the stage of whining for and about everything and anything! It's driving me insane! The "count to 4 song" stops tantrums soo effectively, please help me with this area! Let's have an episode where Daniel whines too much and learns how not too. Also, Daniel needs to have a baby sister/brother. You could do soo many episodes on this transition... I mean why keep him an only child when you could open up to so many new parenting areas!?

Sincerely,
Loving fans who want more :)

We have only watched season 1 from Netflix and have no idea how many seasons you have done yet.. so maybe some of this letter is pointless and you have already addressed some of these things... But if not, please head my advice and help a momma out!

Let's get real, who else uses this show to help them in their parenting!? What would you want to see on here?

Let's Get Real Thursday

Let's get real, making friends as we get older is harder. When we are younger we make friends based on similar likes/dislikes, what "clique" they are in (or not in if you were me), sports and/or sports teams, etc. As we get older, I think, we crave deeper more significant friendships. As you become a mom, it can be even harder to make friends, or keep old friends. And it can get even harder if you are a working mom to make new friends... because hello, who has the time!? Am I right?

My friend, Cathy, always says that friends are in your life for a reason, season or lifetime. I never understood just how true that was until we uprooted our lives to move to Texas, then as we entered ministry and again as I became a mom. I would much rather have a handful of some amazing depth-filled friends, framily (friends that are your family) and prayer warriors. And I have come to appreciate and celebrate each friends, whether they be for a particular reason, season or lifetime.

Tony and I have been blessed by some incredible friends in all areas. We are blessed to have people in our lives that cry out to God on our behalf, that love us like family, that love our son as their own.... I am blessed to have some amazing sisters who constantly encourage, uplift and point me to the cross.

I have had friends in my life that were for a reason. To help me get through a particular chapter or crossroads, or were going through the same things as us. Friends for a season of life.... Seminary friends (some that will be lifelong), momma friends, high school/college friends. Lifetime friends are a treasure though. Those are the ones that you can live thousands of miles apart and still pick up right where you left off with with every phone call and/or visit. Those are the ones that you know are praying for you and your family, even if you haven't gotten to talk in a month.

There is a group of us from our high school youth group (and spouses) that we have kept up with and get to have a reunion with each one's weddings. We hope to be able to have yearly (lets get real, every other yearly) reunions together and have our kids run around. We have ministry friends from different churches, all of us moving to different parts of the world, that we keep up. Tony has a few good men that he calls weekly/monthly to catch up with and pray with. There are seminary friends that text each other and pray with each other. I am making some amazing friends here at work during this season that are ministering to me and encouraging me. Groups of momma friends always ready for texts for prayer, advice, vents or laughs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I praise God for how blessed we are with all our friends from each reason or season of life. How about you.... Do you have a few good friends? Do you have a hard time making new friends like I do?

 

*Not all friends pictured.... do not be offended if there is no photo evidence of our amazing friendship :)

Let's Get Real

I know I haven't blogged this week, I've been super busy with work and life... BUT also because THIS week's let's get real is being featured over on the Houston's Mom Blog! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to be guest blogging for them with a little Let's Get Real post! So head on over there and check it out! Hope it gives you a laugh and hoping to do it again sometime! :)

 

Let's Get Real Thursday

Let's get real... You may have a coffee problem/addiction when you bring your toddler milk/juice first thing in the morning during cartoons and he asks for coffee. :/  Haha... Really, every Saturday morning the three of us sit and watch a cartoon or movie, me with my coffee and Grayson with his milk... I must ask for it a lot or talk about my love affair with coffee a lot for him to start picking it up. Awesome.

What are your addictions or habits that you kiddo picks up? Let's get real, we've all been there!... right!? :)

Let's Get Real Thursday

One day I will remember to blog on another day of the week besides Thursdays... But let's get real... Some weeks it's just not going to happen! ;)

So last week I talked about how much Grayson is like me in the strong-willed/bull headed department. Now let me explain how he is like Tony... ORNERY! Sometimes he gets this sneaky little smile on his face - and he looks just like Tony! It is hilarious.

I'm sure every toddler goes through this stage where they think that if they hide something, or if they themselves hide, no one can see them. Grayson will even just close his eyes and stand along the wall, thinking we can't see him. So while eating dinner one night, Grayson said "all done!"... and I told him he needed to eat one more chicken nugget or green bean before he was done and could get a "snack". So he put it up under his arm (like in his armpit) and said "Where'd it go!?" Like it had suddenly disappeared! It was the funniest thing! He also does this with foods he doesn't like, sneaking them in his seat in the hair chair and says "all done!"

He was eating a sucker for his "snack" after dinner one night and wanted to get down. I told him he had to eat it in his chair so he didn't get sticky all over. So he stuck it in his armpit to make it "disappear" so he could get down.

He also loves to run into his room and sneak his pacifier out of his crib and he'll come back in the room where we are covering his mouth. He's also been known to hide rocks and/or cars in his pockets and I don't find them til laundry day.

Can't wait to see his little imagination and sneaky-ness grow. Tony's already giving him pointers! :)

Let's Get Real Thursday

God punished blessed me with a child who is just as bullheaded and strong-willed as I am. So sometimes Grayson and I will have a stare down on who's will will win. It's almost always momma's; but sometimes I'm just too tired. Ya feel me mommas?

So let me paint a pretty picture of how some nights go...

At the end of most nights, Grayson must help pick up all his toys before bath/bedtime.  Most nights he is great about singing the clean up song with me and putting all the Lego's in one baskets and blocks in another and books on the shelf, etc.  Some nights... It's not so much a picture perfect, hallmark-y moment. :) 

Me: Grayson, it's time to clean up! Can you help me pick up the blocks?
Grayson: No.... continues to play/watch Daniel Tiger.
Me: Turns off tv... Grayson you need to help mommy clean up. Come on. "Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere...."
....
Me: Grayson do you want to sit in time-out?
Grayson: yes. walks over to sit in timeout.

At this point he is on the floor along the wall and I am sitting on the floor in the middle of the room in the middle of the mess.... staring at him. And he's staring right back at me. We don't talk, smile... just stare each other down in a battle of wills. (It's really funny if you were watching - not so much when you're in it.)  2 minutes go by....

Me: Are you ready to help clean up?
Grayson: Nope.
Me: Then you can stay in time out. And the stare down continues....

After about 5 minutes, He finally succumbs to my will (sometimes only after I threaten a spanking instead of more timeout).

Momma's will is bigger. Momma for the win!... This time.

Let's Get Real Thursday

I am typically a "glass half empty" kinda gal. I almost never see the positive and think the world is out to get me.  (I blogged about this a little while ago about God is for me.)

So when Grayson gets sick, and especially when he is sick over and over again, or for a long period of time, I start to get tired and weary and I start with the "why me" and whining and beg God to just give me and my poor sick baby a break! A couple weeks ago when Grayson had his stomach bug (which, btw - that is the worst on mommas' hearts when there is just nothing you can do for them).... I was very aware with how blessed I am. Maybe God was speaking into my heart to make it through without whining to Him (or Tony)... But let's get real - I am blessed. If you follow me on facebook/twitter/instagram or know me at all, you know that I am blessed. Yes, I have bad times. Yes, I need better finances. Yes, I could use more time with my husband. But, I. Am. Blessed. I have a healthy, growing sweet boy. I have an amazing husband that serves me and loves me way more than I deserve. We both have jobs. Grayson is being taken care of. We have a beautiful home and two cars that work. I am blessed.

I sat that week in my quiet times relishing and thanking and praising God for that. My child had a stomach bug, but I have too many friends in my life right now that would give anything if their child just had a stomach bug than whatever is going on right now. Too many of my friends are hurting and asking "why" and relying on God to see their littles through right now. Too many people I know on facebook healing from loss or going through health stuff... and it definitely gives me perspective.

How about you? Are you blessed and just aren't aware of how blessed you are? I pray God opens your heart and eyes to see all your blessings. Or are you going through some stuff and just need some help and prayer? If so email me, comment, text me... I would really love to pray for you and/or with you sweet friends!