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.

Grayson-isms

Those with littles know how funny and random they can be as they begin talking and having conversations... I decided to start sharing some of the good "Grayson-isms" with ya'll so you can laugh with me... and I just don't want to forget some these!


Convo #1:
Seeing a bunch of balloons caught up in a tree...
Grayson - (Pointing up at them) Balls!
Me - Those are balloons.
Grayson - Balloon-y-balls!


Convo #2:
Me - having a coughing fit
Grayson - You K? K? Mommy, K? You K?....
Me - Yes, Grayson,  I'm okay.
Grayson - K! :)
my child is the sweetest most caring little human ever!


Convo #3:
Giving Grayson milk first thing in the morning
Grayson - I want coffee.
Me - ......

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!

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend! The weather was absolutely beautiful and you just couldn't help but smile and thank God for such blessings!

We went to an egg drop held by one of our other campuses on Saturday. It was amazing to see how many people showed up and how much our other campus was able to reach the community!

It was so much fun - very quick, but worth it! Grayson had so much fun and sat and went through all his eggs.

 

 He even learned how to roll down hills!

 

 

I was probably more excited for Easter morning than the boys in my house. We placed eggs from his door, down the stairs and leading to his basket for him when he woke up Sunday morning. He was so excited when he saw the first egg! 

  His basket definitely had a super hero theme .. Avengers bucket, Ninja Turtle eggs and toothbrush, Spider man and Wolverine cars, balls, Superman and Batman Golden books and Avengers and Ninja Turtle pjs. I also got those 3 faith based shirts from Walmart that I posted about on Facebook and the Jesus Calling Storybook (just started it and love it!) 

 

 

We had awesome church services and beautiful weather and the happiest sugar-high 2 year old!

 

I cannot believe how much family pictures have changed in 3 Easters!

 

Grayson was just a few weeks old here!

First Easter at Houston's First. Grayson had just turned 1 a few weeks ago.

 

 Look how big this kid looks!! My big 2 year old!

 

I am incredibly blessed!

Let's Get Real Thursday

After a week hiatus I have about a dozen different ideas for a Let's Get Real post and had a hard time sifting through which one I actually wanted to take out of my head and type out!... Haha, I'm a mess... So I'm going to get real with you on how my crazy mind thinks...

I'm a hot mess - nearly 99% of the time I have about a kazillion things I'm thinking about at any given moment. But really, aren't all of us ladies like this? I don't think we (women) have an off switch for our brains like men.  I so envy Tony when he can just "turn off" and fall asleep the moment he lies down in bed, while I lie awake processing all of my dozens of thoughts, plans, ideas, conversations, etc. Anyone else? Maybe I'm just crazy.

I spend a lot of time Monday - Friday driving to/from work (about 40ish minutes in traffic). Half the time I'm carpooling with Tony, while half the time I'm alone on the trek. I'm not really one to turn up the music and sing the whole time (at least, not in the morning), so I think... a lot. While I know this would be a good time to be having my time with the Lord and praying and talking with him... I'm way too distracted by my kazillions of thought and/or people watching. Here is an example of my crazy inner-monologue on a normal day of driving to work:

While people watching (b/c we are only going 5-10mph) I notice an alarming number of people who pick there nose! This should be a Get Real post! Having you ever noticed how many people pick their nose on the morning commute!? It's comical! I should extend it to just people watching on the morning commute in general! I just saw a guy driving with his leg hiked up and foot sticking out the window!... How is that even possible? I don't think I'm that flexible to even attempt that, let alone that being comfortable for driving... And what if they wreck while like that!? They would lose their leg... Oh look another nose picker! Nobody looks happy. Everyone is either glaring b/c of this traffic or that it's morning, or the sun that we are all driving into. Actually, if anyone was to watch me while driving they would probably get one of two typical Diamend's while driving. You could catch me clapping and singing or reaching in the back seat too many times than what's safe... anything to pacify my toddler. (Side note: While thinking of typing out the word pacify and thinking of what it means - I just realized why it is called a PACIFIER... haha!) Or you could catch me glaring ahead, music on low in the background hating mornings and staring into the sun on both commutes... or half asleep in the passenger seat b/c Tony is driving. .... Thinking of posts, I should really write down all my thoughts of Grayson being sick and how blessed I am that he's just sick compared to too many friends dealing with serious health issues with their littles... Remember to jot that all down and process it ... But I should wait another week for it for the Get Real post because I don't like to do too serious/heavy Get Real posts in a row... I should have lighter ones between the heavy ones.... Like taking toddlers to the movies.. I still need to write about that!.....

And this goes on and on all day and night long.... Is anyone else this completely random and spastic in their inner thinking as I am!? Did this just happen when I became a mom or have I always been like this!? .... Oh goodness, pray for me! ;)

Happy Easter ya'll!! Be sure to check in next week for lots of cute Grayson Easter pictures. :)

Toddler Weekend

Sorry I was MIA last week - I was sick all week and ended Thursday going to the Dr. and getting a Z-pack. Then Friday we kicked off the weekend Grayson's 2 year check up. I was so relieved that this appointment required no shots as Friday also kicked off Tony being gone all weekend.

Sitting in the waiting room I was reminded how much Grayson loves babies! There was a little baby that he would not leave her side -- I don't think he likes being an only child ;)  The mother thought it was hilarious and even asked if she could take his picture with her daughter! When the baby started to cry, he ran over to me very concerned and told me "Momma! Baby cwying!"



Everything went great. He is still really skinny, but nothing we are worried about. My little string bean is 28lbs and 38in tall! The Dr. was very pleased with his development and told me we got a smart little one - Yes, I know... Smart and strong willed. Perfect combination. ;)

 

Tony was gone for a middle school boys retreat and I was alone with Grayson and his buddy, Cole. I had volunteered to watch Cole (21 or 22 month old) (part of our family!) this weekend - knowing full well that Tony was going to be gone. How bad could 2 toddlers, 2 and under be!? haha.

Actually, it wasn't that bad at all - these two boys LOVE each other and had so much fun being together! Grayson was so excited and giggled the whole time having a friend in the backseat!

The weekend started out great! My friend and staff wife was husbandless as well on Friday night, so we got the kids together and went to Chuck E Cheese. It was great and the boys had so much fun! I'm so thankful for my friends' kids (who were a little older) shepherding and helping with the boys!

 

 

Unfortunately, that night I was woken up at midnight to Grayson throwing up in bed... And then 2 other times. :(  He seemed fine Saturday all day except for some diarrhea... So we played it safe and stayed home and played.

Grayson taught Cole how to jump off/on furniture (sorry Erika!)

 

 

All in all the boys were GREAT and it wasn't too hard being alone with two toddlers - but it would have been much easier, had I not been sleep deprived and done 3 loads of pukey laundry Friday night.

 Sunday Grayson's diarrhea had gotten much worse and I had to stay home with him from church... But Sunday night we thought it was all better and he finally got down some soup and crackers. But this morning as I was about to leave for work, Grayson threw up all over! :( So my boys are home today doing lots of cuddling and pedialyte.  Please pray with me that Grayson gets better quick (he's been sick and not eating since Friday night) and that Cole didn't catch it!

Let's Get Real Thursday

I've been a working mom now for only 10 months... and I'm continually learning. I'm learning that there are sacrifices and things that, let's get real, just suck (for lack of a better word) and things that are really great and worth it.

Like, I hate that his teachers get him 9-10 hours a day and I only get him 3 during the weekdays.... But my few hours are so much more precious and intentional than ever before.

I miss being with him all day long, but I see how much more he has learned and grown and developed being in a more structured and social setting. And I'm learning that I'm finding more and more of me at work and in my routine.

Sacrifices like having to miss out on Wednesday nights at church with our students, because this chapter of our lives just doesn't work out for me to be as involved with students as I'd like.... But, that means I get more time with Grayson... and that's worth it.

I'm really going to miss my tan this summer.... that's it... no good half to that. ;) Actually I'm going to miss a lot this summer - I enjoyed going to the zoo or pool or splashpad everyday with Grayson and afternoon naps... But I know that God has me at work to help provide for my family. And when we are out of debt and able to go on a family vacation one day... I will be thankful that I'm working now.

Frustrations of letting someone, not you, take care of your kid.

Like getting stuck in traffic when you just want to get to your baby at the end of the day. And after almost an hour and a half when you finally pick him up it is now dinner time and there's no time to cook and bath/bed is in an hour...... You just go get McDonalds. And there is joy on that sweet face when he sees those golden arches (how do kids know about these!?) 

Last night we didn't get home til a little after 6 with our McDonalds in tow and only an hour to be together til bath/bedtime. So we had a picnic on the floor and watched Croods (that's his new favorite movie this week... It changes weekly). And it was great! I might not be mom of the year because I let my two year old eat one too many happy meals and spoil him with chocolate milk... but I don't care. The frustrations and sacrifices and mom-guilt of it all wasn't there and it didn't matter.... It's these awesome picnic on the floor with my favorite little guy that matters the most. He is worth all of it! I'm so thankful for reminder moments from my sweet Father.