One of the Most Overlooked Essentials in the Parenting Tool Bag

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Parents of littles, if you don’t own an otoscope yet, I highly suggest you order one now.
Like RIGHT NOW, before it is 11pm on a Friday and you need to check your 2 year old’s nose
to :
A) Figure out which nostril the popcorn kernel is in, if she did in fact put one up there.
B) Be sure she didn’t stick more than one popcorn kernel up her nose, even though she’s denying there
are any up there at all, but you’re sure by the look on her face there IS at least one. <– How’s that for a run-on sentence?  Pretty good, eh?  I just want you to read it fast and feel the anxiety I did for a sec.
The verdict:  One kernel, easy to dislodge after spotting it in her tiny little nostril, covering the opposite nostril and asking her to blow hard.
#toddlersmakemesweat
The thought of trying to explain at the ER why my 2 year old is even up at 11pm, that was just unfathomable.  I don’t think they’d be that understanding of my honest excuse:  “Uh, well Doc, because it’s summer and any sort of regular evening routine or schedule has been completely thrown out the window.  Tonight it’s 11:30pm, tomorrow may be 7:30pm.  Oh, and the popcorn? Well right now she’s terribly picky, so we just feed her whatever she wants to eat so she doesn’t die of starvation or something.  I mean how long can a kid live off of Larabars, popcorn, pineapple, and marshmallows?”
Just save yourself the trouble and order an otoscope, okay?  Now I do have a slight background in nursing which helps slightly with checking for ear infections, but anyone can use one of these.  They do come with a handy visual chart that is all sorts of helpful.  We’ve also used our otoscope recently for checking out a bee sting to the eye, a sliver to the foot, and details on bugs.

I’ve had mine (the same one in the link) for just over 3 years now, and it’s still working just like it did the day I opened it.

Purchasing through my affiliate links will not cost you any extra. Amazon gives me a small portion of each sale made through my referral links, which helps me run this blog, and support our homeschooling.

Sweet Graycie’s Baptism Anniversary

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Happy 2nd Baptism Anniversary to this little cutie! 2 years ago we dedicated you to the Lord in front of our great big church family. We had no idea that just three days later we’d almost lose you. This day reminds me to love you while I can, because even though I say you’re mine, you’re not. You belong to Him, Our Gracious God, and I am just the lucky one who has gotten to spend my days watching you grow. I love you, Sweet Baby Graycie.

Mom Needs Shoes

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So there we were, a family of 5, hauling butt through a parking lot so I could make an impromptu stop at the shoe store, and still get everything done on my errands list.
In our Circus Operation we had:
  • A dad head up, looking forward, strutting his stuff with a new haircut.
  • A preteen holding her phone and glancing down to check it every few seconds
  • A toddler in a stroller trying to pull her socks and shoes off.
  • A frazzled mom (me)
  • A carefree little guy who shouted out:

“Hey MOM! Do you want to take a picture of me sitting on this rock?”
I took a breath, smiled and choose to say “Of course I do!  Hop up there!”
He did, I snapped they picture with my cell phone, it was over in 10 seconds and we kept moving along.  His fun tank had been filled and he was SO HAPPY.
I recently became aware of the alternative to “Fake it Until You Make it” & that’s this: “Fake it Until You Become it”.
5 years ago, actually even 3 years ago, or perhaps just 1 year ago I was a very different person than I am today.
I’ve been realizing how much I like who I’m becoming through these little changes and moments of saying “yes” and choosing “patience” and “grace“.
Surround yourselves with encouragers, choose to say yes, and above all, just keep breathing.
Mothering isn’t easy or picture perfect, even when you’re the type that nurturing comes naturally to.  I can assure you this though:
 There are no moments of ease and glimpses of picture perfect.
I’d love to hear your happy moments, if you’re willing to share.

Through The Dish Water

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“Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.” —P.J. O’Rourke

Tonight after my brother’s birthday dinner, I dried a few dishes while my mom washed them.  Mostly I just stood there admiring her hands as they scrubbed the plates.  Her hands are so familiar to me, but tonight I really saw their beautiful.  My mom is truly an amazing woman, and I think I just fully realized that a few hours ago.
I wish I could undo all the yelling I did at her during my teen years, but I can’t.  I guess I’m going to have to spend the rest of my days loving on her that much more!

Memories For My Baby Girl: Daddy Twirls You Around the Kitchen

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My memory may fail me at some point.  I know this, because it has before.  This little blog is not only my place to encourage others, but to chronicle my thoughts and store my memories, in case I ever forget these sweet moments.  I have no idea how long my posts will stay on the internet.  It’s my hope that someday my children can see these and know they were so very cherished.
This Thankful Thursday is dedicated to my amazing husband.  He does so much to help me keep this house running smooth, clothes on our backs, and food in our bellies.  I thank him for those things, although I don’t say it nearly enough.
The thing I want to thank him for today though, is dancing with our daughters and rocking around the kitchen with our son.
 I’m blessed to have a fun husband, even if sometimes that means I feel inadequate for being the party pooper.
They really would listen to music and dance all night if I weren’t here to stop them and call for bed time.
Our youngest loves to shout “let’s dance!” in the bathtub with her duckies.  She then giggles and twirls them, or stirs the water to make the little plastic duckies dance.  The ducks are dressed as a bride and groom (a gift from my brother and sister-in-law around the time of their wedding).
Even more special is when that same little girl runs into the kitchen and asks her daddy to dance.
“Dance?” She says with a smile and her hand held out high to meet his.
And even more special than THAT will be the day he twirls her around the dance floor at her wedding reception.  We’re in no hurry, and I’ll savor each day between now and then.  I am still greatly looking forward to that day though.
You see, these moments are special and great, and I love every bit of it.  You know what though? I know there is far greater to come.  What a great promise to believe in.
Greater things are yet to come.

The Ball Player’s Passion

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I hope I never forget the way he carries his hooded sweatshirts around on his head, when he doesn’t want to wear them.

Today he teared up because although we have a ramp on our front stairs, we don’t have one for the basement stairs.  This means his best friend who is in a wheel chair right now (broken leg) can come over, but can’t play down in his room. He wishes we never built this stupid house and feels all sorts of angry.  He questioned why we designed the house how we did.  Eventually we talked through it, and came to a resolution.  This boy has passion like no other boy I’ve seen before.

He is a crazy wild 7 year old with a huge heart.

I see his compassion.  I can appreciate the feelings my boy feels, and even more so I appreciate that he shares them with me.

He’s the first on the scene when a friend gets hurt, and doesn’t waste time in getting them care.  He is a do-er.
This boy has my whole heart.
This boy is The Ball Player.

The Cars Are Taking Over! #boymomprobs

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The Tooth Fairy left 5 new Hot Wheels cars here this week.
This rekindled The Ball Player’s love of toy cars. So he brought them ALL upstairs to play with today.
I don’t know if this collage of pictures better illustrates how boys play vs. how girls play, or first born vs.middle child.  Either way, they did have a lot of fun together while the baby napped.

Side note:   With the special Thirty One ran last month we ordered a few red junior duffle bags for “organizing”, well concealing, some of our toys.  I think the boy will be quite pleased when those arrive and he no longer needs to use this hot pink large utility tote! 😉  I’ll be happy to have my favorite grocery tote back!
If you’re curious, the final count was 157 cars! & I’m sure there are some more in the baby’s room, but I’m not letting anyone go in there to check while she’s sleeping.
I have been asked why I still buy these when he has so many already.  The answer is, it’s something we already own, so there’s no problem finding a place for it when a new one comes in the house.  He knows right where to put them.
Also he loves them, and I’m sure one day he will play with these same cars with his children, just as his dad plays with him.  And yes, some of these cars are almost 30 yrs old.
Hot Wheels and Matchbox never go out of style.
#boymomma

Enjoy the Journey, Heaven Awaits

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For Christmas we gave the baby a stroller for her own babies.  It took her less than a week to figure out she fits in her new dolly stroller.  Oh boy. 
The last doll stroller we had (about 10yrs ago) was held together with massive amounts of duct tape by the end of its life (well, its life here.  Believe it or not, a kind grandma bought it on our garage sale, for her grandbabies to play with).  I imagine this one will be in the same shape within a matter of time.
You see, even though I know it won’t last forever, or even a long time, this stroller is worth it, for the experience.  For the lessons it teaches, and the compassion & confidence it creates.
She’s changing as a little mommy, as she uses this stroller.  She’s independently taking her baby on walks across the house, saying ‘so long’ to us, and confidently going on her way, stopping every few feet to check on her “sweetie”.
I pray each of you have times in your life that you go for what you want, even though you know it won’t last forever.  Experience life.
Experience the joys, even knowing the end may not be your ideal ending (covered in duct tape, heart ache, whatever it may be). 
Life is worth living.  Just as our old doll stroller had a life with that kind grandma, after it left here, there is life after our lives here on Earth.
Smile.
Enjoy the journey.
Heaven awaits.

Mother Daugther- Girl Talk

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My oldest daughter is officially a middle schooler.  Don’t ask me how this happened, I probably blinked or something.  I have so enjoyed raising her and getting to know her.  I think that last part is almost more important than the first right now (almost!).

One way I actively get to know my daughter and nurture her heart is through what we call our GIRL TALK.  About once a week my husband takes the little kids and makes sure that this girl and I get alone time for an hour or so.  Sometimes we go somewhere, other times, like this week he just takes the two littlest outside to play while she and I sit on the couch and chat.

I start with a simple “So what’s on your mind?” or “Hey I noticed you _________ (insert just about anything here- um like- hit the neighbor kid, yelled at your brother, stomped away when dad was talking to you, etc, etc, etc. these are just examples) the other day, what was going on there? Do you want to talk about it?”  Our conversations get pretty silly with loads of giggles, but also pretty deep.  Sometimes there are tears of relief and understanding.  We always end or start our time in prayer.

Lately I’ve learned she’s pretty freaked out about the changes her body is going to be making as she hits puberty.  I remember for me it was such a traumatic experience where I went from being the annoying little sister to the disgusting little sister.  I shot up to being the tallest kid in my class (boys included!) in 4th grade and then REALLY felt like a freak.  I still feel that way when I tower over people around me.  I just want to be a cute teeny tiny Polly Pocket with delicate fairy wings!

It’s natural for any girls in this situation to be a little freaked out, but I do want to answer my daughters questions and ease her worries in an appropriate way that glorifies God and explains why HE designed her body this way.

We are working through the book called The Body Book (The Lily Series).  It’s been so informational and I love that it answers questions about puberty without hitting the topic of s.e.x. too much.

This book has been a game changer!

This book has been called the Christian version of American Girl book: The Care & Keeping of You.  We haven’t read that one, but I bet it’s great too.  We’ve loved the American Girl books!

My daughter is constantly carrying this book around and has her nose in it every chance she gets.  As a mom, that is a win!

Now I don’t fully agree with EVERY single word in the book, but I’ve only seen about 2 or 3 lines that I sort of shook my head at.  Not too bad if you ask me!

If you are a mom to a girl, I recommend this book for you!

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Head Down, He Walked Away. he.was.mad.

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As I was sitting on my back step, planner and pencil in hand,
I listened to the group of neighborhood children playing baseball in an adjacent yard. The breeze blew past and shooed the flies off of my sun tanned feet.  I looked down at my chipped bright pink nail polish {hmm, I should touch these up. Repainting just seems like too much work right now}.  Then I heard my daughter yell out in a very
compassionate tone “What’s wrong?  Are you going home?”   She sounded so sweet.
I looked up to see a neighbor boy walking, head down, straight towards home.  He.was.mad.  As I thought back a few minutes to what was going on, no one was being outwardly mean, but the other boys were making up their own rules as they went.   Maybe they were actual rules, I really don’t know.
My son and his buddy (the one walking away) just wanted to play.  They really weren’t that into the game, but they needed more players.
I called out to see if he was alright.  He peeked in my direction for a nanosecond, then put his head back down and kept walking home.
I smiled.
 I smiled because I’m proud that he doesn’t blow up in anger when things don’t go his way.  But then my smile disappeared as I wondered how HE felt inside.
Sure, it’s more convenient for everyone when we just walk away.  And surely it feels better than someone blowing up at us.  I think there is a middle ground somewhere though.  You can’t run and hide when you’re upset, and you can’t explode like a volcano.
If you live life ignoring your problems, the problems don’t really go away.  They’re still there, somewhere, maybe in the back of someone’s mind, maybe in someone’s heart.  Maybe still in your own?
Here’s to finding the middle ground in conflict resolution.  For all little kids out on the backyard ball fields and for all us adults navigating the battlefield of daily life.

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