Monday, April 11, 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Hilariously-angry moments!

I was going to start this post off with a question. But then I decided that this is more of a fact of life when you are a "GROWING"Parent!

In the time that Ryan and I have been parents we have had some moments that make you just want to whip out the paddle from your purse or just crack up laughing all at the same time. Tonight was one of those moments.

I decided that since Ryan was going to be working late and the boys and I would need more then a full day of R&R. we would go to the hot spot, "Target." Every mom loves a good trip to Target.

For some reason, Target shopping is just not like it used to be before kids. Unless you get a chance to sneak away alone. Before, it was like taking all the time you needed in any section of your choice. Then taking more time in the places that you thought you might need something in.<Anybody with me?
 I know my brother in-law Bob is. Cause he was always getting after me and my older sister for going and spending all his and Ryan's money on a bunch of nothing. That still makes me laugh!  No, now its like when you are out with the kids Grabbing much needed things for home or whatever. The best chance you are going to get at a new tank from the women's section is anything within grabbing distance from the main isle.
Target did a great thing when they put in that snack bar and made all the kid friendly things super cheap! It just makes for a trail of popcorn all throughout the store when we are done though.

Tonight I was getting the boys some flip flops when my boys are sitting quietly sipping on their ice's that had been served by a crooked boy who decided that it was a good idea to flirt with a grown women with 2 kids. Flattering, but umm no thanks kid!

One of my long time friends called on my cell phone so I decided to answer. You can imagine what happens next. All the sudden it was like these 2 caged animal's were wanting to be set free in the shoe section and didn't care that momma was calling all sorts of threats under her breath to get them to come to a halt. I struggled my way through the conversation with my friend in a couple minutes then hung up the phone. It was like the calm after a huge storm! Both of the boys were just as still as could be and quiet. I just rolled my eyes and moved on.

Twenty minutes later we are all strapped in our seats and ready to make the trip home. Then my phone rings again. Its my BF who I have been playing phone tag with for the past few days. I pick up. What do ya know! Those rascals are at it again. But this time Micah is laughing his head off at the silly words kenan is saying. Then they both are in fits of laughter. Constantly........
 I am trying to get them to calm down while my friend is talking about her life a bit when I just can't stop smiling at what's going on in the back seat. But I want to pull my hair out and give up and just hang up the phone till these boys are home asleep.  What do I do? Muscle through it an listen and talk to my friend. Why? Because I know that this is not the last time this will happen. And I am crazy enough to just let them yell in the background. Tonight anyway.

The other day I had one of those moments when you take yourself completely out of the situation you are in and look at it for what it is. I have a poo pee life!
I am in the middle of what seems like forever potty training time. Micah has done a great job. But lately I have had to encounter a little more then a mom should have to in the poop department. When does the buck stop is all I have to say?!  Sunday was a catastrophic ordeal. That kid thinks he is pooing paint I tell ya! It was so bad I didn't know weather to clean him up first or the floor so I could get to him. That boy ended up stripped down and got the sink bath at church. Then the next night him and kenan are on their way up the stairs to get a diaper for "another"!!!! That kenan Pulls on his underpants and what do you know its allover the stairs!. I just sat on the stairs didn't know weather to laugh or cry about it again and asked myself. Where in the WORLD is Ryan when all this is happening????? It seems like that man is always gone when this is going on. Lucky!

My kids are going to hate me for blogging about them when they are older!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

What's been going on!

Hey,

It seems like forever. I am sorry I have not been keeping this up as I had planned. 
The past month I have logged on in hopes of writing something, and ended up with a bunch of drafts. I don't know why I didn't end up posting anything, other then the fact that I have a million things to say but only a few that actually hold any weight.

Here's what's going on lately.

Last week I started the Daniel Fast with a friend. We are going to be doing it for 40 days. A friend of mine was telling me that she was going to do it and I just jumped on board with it. At first I has no clue as to why I was going to do it. ( Most of us have a particular great Godly reason for Fasting. I, at the time didn't really. But as I have taken a week of Fasting and focusing on the foods that I can eat, I have learned something. "That its what you put into it, that counts". <The outcome is always great when you take the time to invest in something.

Things have a crazy way of working them selves out when it comes to life. And they really have a crazy way, when it comes to Gods timing inter twined with our lives.

Monday was kickoff day and Tuesday was when I attended bible study. I missed the first week of study so this last week I have had 2 weeks of study to catch up on. I don't know if any of you have taken a Beth Moore study. But if so you know that it is a good 45min a day devo time. 

It has been great for me though. I have really been challenged this week. Not only in the Fasting period but also in the study we are taking. I have never really read the story of Jonathan and it totally blew me away.  If you have not read it you should! 1Samuel 14:1-23  

The thing that totally got me was when Jonathan told his armor bearer this "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf." "Nothing can Hinder the Lord from saving" weather by many or by few."

What I took from that is that Jonathan had so much "faith" in God that he was totally confident in what he was about to do. I also took that He "REALLY" knew what and who GOD was. Enough to have that confidence in God to just climb up that wall and tell his bearer to come on up behind me.

This is something that Beth Moore wrote in my  work book.

Consider how ^ these statements reveal Jonathan's distinct perception of God's ways: Jonathan knew the Lord could save, no matter who or how many were fighting in the battle, In fact, he knew that if God chose to save, nothing could hinder Him. His faith in God's strength and determination was Solid: God could do anything. His only question was weather God would choose to do it through them that day. Re read Jonathan's words: Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf." He knew God could do it; he didn't know if He would Weather or not He did, Jonathan understood God's response to be based on sovereignty, not weakness, Jonathan's attitude reminds us of many other young men in the bible that faced the strong possibility of death.

I would like to have a faith like that. That would just climb up to any defeat and say what Jonathan said.

Shadrach,Meshach and Abendnego did the same thing in Daniel 3:16-18

Shardrach,Meshach and Abendnego replied to the king,"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. (18) But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

("But even if he does not" "We want you to know") That takes guts! 


Only in a week I have learned so much in some scriptures that I have skimmed over a million times. God is good and Faithful when we have an open ear to him and are willing to make a change in our lives. I am in the process of an entire life overhaul. Everything about my life has changed since we have moved to Georgia. Not that my life was bad before. Its just totally different. I have challenges now that I have never had before. From not having a job and staying home full time to making new friends and finding my place in the ministries that God has place before me.< I have never been in charge of a ministry before and I have just taken over the Hospitality ministry at our church. I love it, but also have no clue how to do it.    It's safe to say that God is stretching me and building me up to what he has planned for my life. And I know this is all part of the plan.

until next time.


Monday, January 31, 2011

Toddler training!

Well, it has been way to long. I feel like I have been in a warp zone the past couple months and just slowing down again. Even though I couldn't really tell you what I have truly been busy with other then the basics of life.  We have been loving Savannah and the church we are serving at. We have made some great friends here and continue to build relationships with people in the community. God has blessed us so much in our lives and we are truly thankful.

What's going on lately?

Well last tuesday I decided it was time to potty train Micah. He has been mildly interested in it and could care less if his pants are full of that (You know)...... Anyway I gave it a good go for the entire week. Everyday we got up and slipped on some of Kenan's transformers of army undies and set the 20min timer. We had luck by thursday he went on the toilet for the first time....;) since then it has been an upward battle.

Many people have asked me if it is harder with the second Kid. I think for me and Ryan it has been easier. Partly because we know what to expect. Plus when we had kenan NONE of our friends had kids except my older sister's. So we were learning together. Thankfully I have 2 laid back boys! That does help in the matter.

As of now we are loving life and we are super thankful for what God is doing in us and through us.
If you have a minute please pray for our house to sell in Wichita!

And if you are wanting to potty train or know someone who is.

All ya need is:

Timer
undies
toilet ring
step stool.
And be patient. Worked 2 times for me.:)

Monday, January 3, 2011

Don't Hit!

Tonight I got a text from a friend asking me how I got my boys to stop hitting. And I have to say that as much as I would like to blame it on the fact that my boys rough house a little to much. I do believe that Hitting is a Phase that most Toddlers go through. Sometimes you got to do the best you can do and wait it out.

 Micah just hit to hit! He didn't care if the kid was bigger or smaller. That kid would lay one on any poor kid just for being there to play.<I'm not saying that Micah has not had his fare share of being bullied. Micah has an older brother and a daddy who like to mess with him all the time.

I grew up in a good ole spanking kind of family. We all lined up for a good whoopin when no one would come out with the truth. So I have been known to take a hand to the butt a few times. But for this particular situation I had to get smart about how I was going to discipline.

When Micah would hit other kids while playing, I would walk over to him and take him by both arms. Sit his butt down on the floor and look him in the eyes. I would say Micah "We do not Hit"< If he was not looking I would make him.< I know it sounds mean but how can you spank your kid for hitting. It just seemed weird to me and I never felt like I was going to get my point across, hitting for hitting? Nahhh     If that didn't work and he kept hitting. I would take him from the area he was at and tell him that he needed to "play something else or take a time out". I would also say "if we hit we can't play".<One other thing I find myself saying to my boys all the time is "If you can't share your toys then you can't play with them". Imagine a play date without toys...... No fun for me or them.

^I am not going to say that this worked every time. Our kids are naturally not going to pick the right thing to do. We have to know that we are in charge of their lives and we do know what is best for them in this time. It is up to us how much social time our kids have with other kids. If we are the only people spending time with our kids then more then likely our kids are not going to know how to act around other kids or even people.   Instead of constantly trying to protect our kids from every little situation. Try to make it a teachable moment.    ^One other thing that I have tried to teach my boys is: When you hit someone it hurts them. <I usually have to tell Micah "That hurts" No no and or say "ouch". But for kenan, He is older. He usually does not try to hurt people but sometimes he does. Ryan and I have been trying to teach them the importance of not hurting someone. Kenan it is with our words. Micah it is more physical.

Kenan is 5 now and sometimes kids will say things to hurt one another. Like "I play real sports" or "this is my toy and you can't play with it". Maybe even saying something about another kids looks. <It's interesting when you have a kid with a smart mind. Kenan is EXTREMELY practical. He will say that a kid is lying on a movie. Every time he watches it.< Drives me crazy. But I have to roll with it or I'll be in trouble with things he might say to someone. So we try our best to stay on top of every topic kenan decides to bring up and tell him the good and bad of it.  And in some cases we have to redirect conversations with him because he just won't get it quite yet.

The thing that blows me away about Kenan is that he is so encouraging to All of us. He will say nice things to Ryan and me and also praise Micah. It is a strong quality that he has and always has had. I love that about him. (Encourager).

Micah loves to make people laugh. He is not afraid to sing a song or pray with 10 people at the table and you better hold hands or he will say something. He has been wanting to pray over every meal and pray at nap time and also before bed. He loves to be the one to say the prayer. He also asked to pray with kenan. I know that God has really been doing something in his little heart. Even though he is so young. I love that about him.  (Loves to pray)

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Let's get real for a sec!

Tonight I took my son to the local Wal-mart to get him a birthday cake. While we were waiting our chance to check out, he was standing on the side of the cart checking out the surroundings. As I was standing there  dozing off,  I realized that kenan had his eyes locked on a magazine. When I looked to see what he was looking at I was completely embarrassed, not only for what I would have to say but also for women and Wal-mart, For our entire country for that matter. The cover of this magazine had a ton of almost naked celebrity women on it. "Best and worst bod's" is what it said. At first I didn't even know what to say to kenan.  Just stumbled over my words and said "What are you looking at?" Like I didn't already know. Kenan responded and pointed. "Why are those lady's showing their butts"? "Ummmm I don't know"---------I went on to say that people were taking pictures of them and they didn't know it. Kenan kept looking and making comments. I finally turned the two magazines over and told him we don't need to look at things like that.  Not really knowing how to handle the situation.<besides pray for wisdom.

I am totally saddened by this.

The entire time I worked in the salon business it has been smut magazines. Everyone comes to get their hair done and catch up on the "Gossip". I remember so many of my clients saying "Got anything new? I got to catch up on the gossip.". And at one time I was in that trap as well. We would have some magazines delivered weekly and we would all want to get a fresh look before taking it out to the mag post. It has really changed the way I look at things now. I have never really bought them cause they were always at the shop. And now when I see them I think of all the crap they are filled with.  Anymore I think that there is maybe 1 magazine that have an ounce of truth to their stories.

The main reason I don't read or look at them much is because I do feel that I have conviction in my heart about them. I know that in my heart this can not be right. Even if it's just fun here, fun there. I don't feel right anymore. ^It's not ok to read about someone getting a nasty divorce. I can't explain "why" in detail. I just know. For the same reason it is not right for a magazine covered with almost naked women to be right in an area where I am taking my little virgin eyes.<I don't care what any one says. I shouldn't have to talk to my 5year old about sex. But I have to because it's everywhere. It's even in kid movies.

I ask myself. Are there a there hundreds of other people who walk buy the magazine stand and think the same thing? Are there people who are more aware of it when their kids are present? Is there someone out there who had the guts to call up some CEO and give them a piece of their mind. (Cause right about now this christian lady would like to.) WE ARE RAISING KIDS HERE PEOPLE!!!!!!!! Just saying.

One thing I read in a very worldly viewed magazine once. It was talking about the price a celebrity has to pay for being one. And it was more or less attacking the consumer. I cant remember it word for word but it said that a Celebrity can make millions, yet will pay for it with more then money can buy.< It went on to talk about the private moments that a Celebrity is robbed of. <I am not taking a side here just trying to look at the bigger picture. So those of you that would like to protest to this statement. The opinion is yours.  

^I want to go on to say also, that as a woman who prays . I feel that it is up to us to pray for these people in these magazines. They are actually human even though sometimes we can't see them as that. And also for the companies that claim to be family oriented. I am also going to pray for these magazines to be removed from this particular area of the store. <But I can take anything to the throne can't I. So I'll just be praying that it just be removed all together

. I get a little riled now and then. I guess you did read it though. ;)