Oh hail to those moms who have more than one boy in their family! I am struggling with just one little boy, and I question his sanity (and mine) daily. The male brain works in mysterious ways and the things that drive Ayden just make me shake my head. I never thought as a mom I would say some of the things I have, but I say them and I really do not analyze it that much because then I look like the crazy one.
Eating is always an adventure in the Evans house, and on Christmas Eve I had made us a vegetable pizza. It was quick and easy, but Audrey and Ayden were quick to tell me all the parts they did not like about it, which basically was the vegetables. Audrey ended up refusing to eat and that was her choice, but I think Ayden got scared of the no snacks at church so he was then more of a curious eater. He definitely enjoyed the crust and the cheese and carrots. However it was the broccoli and cauliflower that had him unsure. He ended up eating that cauliflower, but the broccoli was a challenge. With Audrey and broccoli I simply tell her they are trees and she just munches away. However with Ayden I knew I had to be more creative, so here is my motivational talk to Ayden to get him to finish his broccoli.
M: Please eat up your broccoli and we can go get ready for church.
A: No thanks.
M: You know I heard that broccoli makes you fart. Do you want to be a farting machine?
A: Me, me want to be a fart machine.
M: Okay, then eat up that broccoli.
A: Okay momma.
Yes friends it was that easy. Just tell the kid he could be a farting machine and he was all over that broccoli. If I knew things were that easy, I would have told him tons of other things would give him gas too!
He was a little disappointed though because he only farted a couple times for the rest of the evening, but guess what, I didn't completely lie since he managed to have some success.
There you go. The male brain works different than a females and this is why I sometimes don't know what to do with my little tornado. However, now I know at this stage of life anything that is related to gas may be my only way to getting him to do what I want.
Here is to all you mommas out there who have this boy thing under control, and well to the rest of us, here is to thinking outside the box!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
My attempt to be a "yes" mom
Lets be honest here, I really wish I was a fun mom that said yes to all those fun, messy, chaotic, crazy ideas children come up with, but I AM NOT! I am the "no" mom. I answer my children with the word "no" a lot because the things they want to do are messy and lets face it, those things stress me out. But I am trying to be better because we all have room for improvement, right?
Last night my kids talked about sleeping in the same room together. Audrey had it figured out. They were both going to sleep in her room. She would sleep on the floor and Ayden could sleep in her bed. The problem is is that Audrey's bed has no railing and Ayden would roll off the bed onto Audrey on the floor if they executed her plan. I blew off their idea, but it resurfaced as a topic at dinner. Ayden was determined to sleep on the floor while getting ready for bed. He set up his make shift bed on the floor with his stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows. It was then I decided to be a yes mom. I asked if they wanted me to move Audrey's mattress into Ayden's room on the floor. They both could sleep on their mattresses on the floor next to each other. They were pumped and I felt like such a nice mom, double bonus!!
Bed time routine was fabulous. They brushed their teeth, listened to three stories, and they were so excited to go to sleep, first time ever, by the way. We get them covered up and that is when the chaos began. They giggled, moved around, commented on how the barking dogs were waking them up (even though they never fell asleep), the door was not cracked enough, the light was on, then the light was off. The list of craziness continues for forty minutes. I could tell Ayden was ready for bed, but he kept going until Audrey finally realized it was time to sleep and Ayden was no longer going to participate in the shenanigans.
There were two things learned from this entire experience. Number one, being a "yes" mom is hard and I don't think I am cut out to be the "yes" mom. I may be a good "maybe" mom, but a "yes" mom takes a lot more energy than I think I will ever have. Number two is that if I wasn't a "yes" mom this evening we may have not heard the most precious prayer from Audrey's mouth. Audrey was quick to tell me how we forgot to do our thankful prayer, but she was ready to take on the job because she thrives on being in charge. (A trait by the way she inherits from her father...hehe.) She asked Ayden what he was thankful for and he responded Audrey and she responded that she was thankful for Ayden. Her prayer was as follows: "Dear Lord, Thank you for allowing Audrey and Ayden to love each other. It is great that we have each other. Amen."
Now if that doesn't make the chaos of being a "yes" mom for the night worth it, I don't know what would.
Last night my kids talked about sleeping in the same room together. Audrey had it figured out. They were both going to sleep in her room. She would sleep on the floor and Ayden could sleep in her bed. The problem is is that Audrey's bed has no railing and Ayden would roll off the bed onto Audrey on the floor if they executed her plan. I blew off their idea, but it resurfaced as a topic at dinner. Ayden was determined to sleep on the floor while getting ready for bed. He set up his make shift bed on the floor with his stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows. It was then I decided to be a yes mom. I asked if they wanted me to move Audrey's mattress into Ayden's room on the floor. They both could sleep on their mattresses on the floor next to each other. They were pumped and I felt like such a nice mom, double bonus!!
Bed time routine was fabulous. They brushed their teeth, listened to three stories, and they were so excited to go to sleep, first time ever, by the way. We get them covered up and that is when the chaos began. They giggled, moved around, commented on how the barking dogs were waking them up (even though they never fell asleep), the door was not cracked enough, the light was on, then the light was off. The list of craziness continues for forty minutes. I could tell Ayden was ready for bed, but he kept going until Audrey finally realized it was time to sleep and Ayden was no longer going to participate in the shenanigans.
There were two things learned from this entire experience. Number one, being a "yes" mom is hard and I don't think I am cut out to be the "yes" mom. I may be a good "maybe" mom, but a "yes" mom takes a lot more energy than I think I will ever have. Number two is that if I wasn't a "yes" mom this evening we may have not heard the most precious prayer from Audrey's mouth. Audrey was quick to tell me how we forgot to do our thankful prayer, but she was ready to take on the job because she thrives on being in charge. (A trait by the way she inherits from her father...hehe.) She asked Ayden what he was thankful for and he responded Audrey and she responded that she was thankful for Ayden. Her prayer was as follows: "Dear Lord, Thank you for allowing Audrey and Ayden to love each other. It is great that we have each other. Amen."
Now if that doesn't make the chaos of being a "yes" mom for the night worth it, I don't know what would.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Sweet Moments
Currently I am battling some news I am not ready to share, but lets just say I am really struggling on how to make things better. I am a person who wants things to be better and everyone to be happy. I hate seeing people hurt and I just wish I had a magical wand to fix it all. However we all know that this is not possible, so I am working through it.
With all that is running through my mind, I was able to sit and be still for a little bit during church the other day. I was listening to the message, totally self absorbed as I was relating it to my life, when a teenager came into the pew in front of us to sit with his grandmother. Now I was a little annoyed because he began talking to his grandmother, but then my annoyance soon went away when I saw him put his arm around her. She began weeping quietly and my heart melted. The church recently lost a sweet, gentle man on Christmas day and the emotion was raw with a lot of members. This young man knew his grandmother needed comfort and stepped up to the plate. It took just a simple embrace to make her feel that she was not alone to deal with her grief.
My next sweet moment was this morning when I had finished playing Hi-Ho Cherrio with Audrey for the fifth time. (Nice present idea Santa!) We were waiting for Ayden to wake up, and this morning I let Audrey go get him from his room. Now I figured she would go get him and then the chaos would begin. It actually started a little differently today though. Audrey began calling Ayden's name from the stairwell and Ayden was calling her name from his room. They did this until she reached his room and opened the door. They quickly embraced and she helped him find his blanket and five stuffed animals to bring downstairs. They come down stairs and were just happy, and not for any particular reason except they were with each other. Now I know this happiness will end quickly after they decide to fight over something, but the fact that they truly do care for each other makes me realize how glad I am that they have each other.
If you haven't noticed I am trying to focus on the good right now and when you go searching it is everywhere. Therefore this is my outlook, I will encounter bad, but the good will over come and I will take time to see the good in everything.
With all that is running through my mind, I was able to sit and be still for a little bit during church the other day. I was listening to the message, totally self absorbed as I was relating it to my life, when a teenager came into the pew in front of us to sit with his grandmother. Now I was a little annoyed because he began talking to his grandmother, but then my annoyance soon went away when I saw him put his arm around her. She began weeping quietly and my heart melted. The church recently lost a sweet, gentle man on Christmas day and the emotion was raw with a lot of members. This young man knew his grandmother needed comfort and stepped up to the plate. It took just a simple embrace to make her feel that she was not alone to deal with her grief.
My next sweet moment was this morning when I had finished playing Hi-Ho Cherrio with Audrey for the fifth time. (Nice present idea Santa!) We were waiting for Ayden to wake up, and this morning I let Audrey go get him from his room. Now I figured she would go get him and then the chaos would begin. It actually started a little differently today though. Audrey began calling Ayden's name from the stairwell and Ayden was calling her name from his room. They did this until she reached his room and opened the door. They quickly embraced and she helped him find his blanket and five stuffed animals to bring downstairs. They come down stairs and were just happy, and not for any particular reason except they were with each other. Now I know this happiness will end quickly after they decide to fight over something, but the fact that they truly do care for each other makes me realize how glad I am that they have each other.
If you haven't noticed I am trying to focus on the good right now and when you go searching it is everywhere. Therefore this is my outlook, I will encounter bad, but the good will over come and I will take time to see the good in everything.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The Finishing Touches
Okay, are there any of you out there that are going crazy over the finishing touches of Christmas? I know I totally am! I have completed our baking experience this season. Probably the only thing that is completely done on my list. I am attempting to wrap up our crafts, which by the way I hate doing. Thank goodness for my mother in law sending a few easy things to do in the kiddos Christmas box because I am running out of ideas! The wrapping, well....Santa has a lot of work to do, and I think I have finally bought the last gift!
I really feel like this stocking thing has me stumped though. Girls are so easy to buy for when it comes to stockings, but with Ayden's stocking I found it hard to come up with the right things. Then I begin to find all sorts of stuff at the last minute for both kids and now I think I have too much. Seriously this is getting to be too much for me!
Then I get to thinking of trying to get everyone to Christmas Eve service at 6, and how this does begin to dip into bed time because remember we no longer nap so 7 pm is bed time. However are they really going to fall asleep at 7 on Christmas Eve?
Seriously this list could go on and on. Just when I think I have everything almost done, something else pops up. Guess what though? I really don't care. I am so just going to go with what I have. I am going to keep the kids entertained and happy. We are going to have the best Christmas ever with what we have, and it will be just fine!
With all that being said, I hope that all of you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Embrace all those moments, even the messy ones, because it is the moments that give us the memories!
I really feel like this stocking thing has me stumped though. Girls are so easy to buy for when it comes to stockings, but with Ayden's stocking I found it hard to come up with the right things. Then I begin to find all sorts of stuff at the last minute for both kids and now I think I have too much. Seriously this is getting to be too much for me!
Then I get to thinking of trying to get everyone to Christmas Eve service at 6, and how this does begin to dip into bed time because remember we no longer nap so 7 pm is bed time. However are they really going to fall asleep at 7 on Christmas Eve?
Seriously this list could go on and on. Just when I think I have everything almost done, something else pops up. Guess what though? I really don't care. I am so just going to go with what I have. I am going to keep the kids entertained and happy. We are going to have the best Christmas ever with what we have, and it will be just fine!
With all that being said, I hope that all of you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Embrace all those moments, even the messy ones, because it is the moments that give us the memories!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Holding My Breath
I have to be honest with you all. Whenever my children go up to the front of the church for children's time, I always hold my breath. Half the time I miss what is going on because I am little saying a prayer that they don't do something crazy and I am also light headed from not breathing.
Why do I hold my breath you ask? I do this because I never know what is going to come out of my children. My kids have never been shy when it comes to talking about things at the front of the church. I think Audrey won a lot of hearts the first couple of weeks we began going to our little church when she described the major crisis of the lost Jasmine and how her Daddy rescued her from underneath the couch. Sure that story is cute, but I am afraid the crazy stories are going to come out. You know, the stories that would probably get us that extra eyebrow raise and we may be questioned on what we are doing raising kids.
Fortunately, we have steered clear of the embarrassing stories so far, although I am sure a few are coming. However I had a proud moment last Sunday, and I was actually able to breathe. The question was that of what Christmas was all about, and I thought for sure Ayden was going to yell "Ho, Ho" and Audrey's response was going to be presents. To my surprise Audrey beat the older boy and told Ms. Cathy that Christmas was about Jesus. I was able to smile and think...yeah she is understanding some of the things being taught to her.
Overall, I think what I learned from this experience was I truly need to stop holding my breath to see if my kids are going to make the right choices or say the right things. More than likely they will, but there will also be times that they won't and I need to use that as a teaching opportunity. Therefore, maybe this needs to be a New Year's Resolution for me. I need to stop holding my breath and just breathe and live for the moments because I bet I am missing out on a lot of little things because I am so focused on what I hope they will say or do.
Why do I hold my breath you ask? I do this because I never know what is going to come out of my children. My kids have never been shy when it comes to talking about things at the front of the church. I think Audrey won a lot of hearts the first couple of weeks we began going to our little church when she described the major crisis of the lost Jasmine and how her Daddy rescued her from underneath the couch. Sure that story is cute, but I am afraid the crazy stories are going to come out. You know, the stories that would probably get us that extra eyebrow raise and we may be questioned on what we are doing raising kids.
Fortunately, we have steered clear of the embarrassing stories so far, although I am sure a few are coming. However I had a proud moment last Sunday, and I was actually able to breathe. The question was that of what Christmas was all about, and I thought for sure Ayden was going to yell "Ho, Ho" and Audrey's response was going to be presents. To my surprise Audrey beat the older boy and told Ms. Cathy that Christmas was about Jesus. I was able to smile and think...yeah she is understanding some of the things being taught to her.
Overall, I think what I learned from this experience was I truly need to stop holding my breath to see if my kids are going to make the right choices or say the right things. More than likely they will, but there will also be times that they won't and I need to use that as a teaching opportunity. Therefore, maybe this needs to be a New Year's Resolution for me. I need to stop holding my breath and just breathe and live for the moments because I bet I am missing out on a lot of little things because I am so focused on what I hope they will say or do.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Random Act of Kindness
Okay if any of you are military and reading this you know how important your military ID is.
I had an appointment for Audrey the other day and as usual we were rushing out the door to be on time. I had grabbed a different purse because I needed to ensure I had the diapers and wipes, snacks, and a couple books to keep the kids entertained. Everything was in the purse and ready for the trip to the doctor.
We arrive at the clinic, I unbuckle the kids and ask them to get their coats on. I grab my purse to find my wallet to get the id out for the door check and guess what? No wallet! We were ten minutes early for the appointment, but twenty minutes from home. Ugh...total panic sets in. I decided to get the kids out of the car and attempt to get the door security to allow me to at least get to the front desk to reschedule the appointment. It was my fault that I forgot the wallet, but I just wanted to see if I could get a later appointment for the day. It was a long shot and I just prayed things would at least work to this point. Hesitantly I was allowed to go to the front desk to ask because the gal wanted the kids out of the cold.
Once I explained at the front desk of how I needed to reschedule the gentleman, who sees us on at least a monthly basis, explained to the security gal that I was safe and okay. He then proceeded to tell me that there was no need to reschedule my appointment because he knew me. Seriously, I thanked him profusely and held back the tears because at this point of the day I was defeated and this was my glimmer of hope.
This may not seem like a big deal to many, but it was my blessing for the day, heck the week, and it restored my belief that there are folks who want to do good. The thought of having to cancel the afternoon playdate and attempt to haul the kids back to the clinic that day, seemed exhausting, but I was willing to do that because I had forgot the wallet. However, the fact that two people had a heart and help out the frazzled mom, made my day.
It is the little things in life, and you better believe I will be finding a way to pay it forward because I know I am not the only one out there who has bad days!
I had an appointment for Audrey the other day and as usual we were rushing out the door to be on time. I had grabbed a different purse because I needed to ensure I had the diapers and wipes, snacks, and a couple books to keep the kids entertained. Everything was in the purse and ready for the trip to the doctor.
We arrive at the clinic, I unbuckle the kids and ask them to get their coats on. I grab my purse to find my wallet to get the id out for the door check and guess what? No wallet! We were ten minutes early for the appointment, but twenty minutes from home. Ugh...total panic sets in. I decided to get the kids out of the car and attempt to get the door security to allow me to at least get to the front desk to reschedule the appointment. It was my fault that I forgot the wallet, but I just wanted to see if I could get a later appointment for the day. It was a long shot and I just prayed things would at least work to this point. Hesitantly I was allowed to go to the front desk to ask because the gal wanted the kids out of the cold.
Once I explained at the front desk of how I needed to reschedule the gentleman, who sees us on at least a monthly basis, explained to the security gal that I was safe and okay. He then proceeded to tell me that there was no need to reschedule my appointment because he knew me. Seriously, I thanked him profusely and held back the tears because at this point of the day I was defeated and this was my glimmer of hope.
This may not seem like a big deal to many, but it was my blessing for the day, heck the week, and it restored my belief that there are folks who want to do good. The thought of having to cancel the afternoon playdate and attempt to haul the kids back to the clinic that day, seemed exhausting, but I was willing to do that because I had forgot the wallet. However, the fact that two people had a heart and help out the frazzled mom, made my day.
It is the little things in life, and you better believe I will be finding a way to pay it forward because I know I am not the only one out there who has bad days!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Tis The Season
Ugh...I don't know about you, but I am feeling the high anxiety and stress of the holidays. The crazy thing is I think I have most of my Christmas shopping done, but its the finishing touches that are just consuming my thoughts. I could go on and on with all the things I still need to do, but I figure I may hyperventilate or pass out from stress if I list it all, and you all know how much I love my lists.
I think I am writing this post, not for anyone in particular but myself, however I am sure there are a few of you out there that may have this feeling as well. With that being said, things I must remember at this point of the crunch time of the holiday season:
* It doesn't matter if I make all the different kind of Christmas cookies I had intended too. Santa will have cookies, and do I honestly need more cookies?
* My children do not need to have any more presents. I am only allowed to get two more things for stockings. Repeat only two more things!
* The sweeping and mopping needs to be kept up, but I need to not freak out when there are pine needles everywhere. Seriously I was the one who thought a real tree was a good idea.
* The wrapping will get done. Stop buying crap and it won't seem overwhelming.
* Breathe and enjoy the season with the kiddos. They are only little once, and even though their their high energy I become overwhelmed, I have to remember they are just excited. As Audrey said earlier today as baby Jesus went flying across the room, "I have great news Mary is having a baby!" (Added visual, Ayden was Mary and he threw baby Jesus across the room...maybe it was a quick delivery?) Can you tell we memorized every one's parts in the Christmas play? (Just a small snippet of my tired day of being the no mom.)
I am sure I need to remind myself of many other things, but what it breaks down to is it is not about the perfect, but the memories. Making memories during this time is what it is all about. Creating our traditions and embracing the holiday season is what is important and all the stress can be saved for something that is actually worth stressing about. With that being said, I will be only making one more batch of cookies, okay probably two, and then I am off to make great memories.
I think I am writing this post, not for anyone in particular but myself, however I am sure there are a few of you out there that may have this feeling as well. With that being said, things I must remember at this point of the crunch time of the holiday season:
* It doesn't matter if I make all the different kind of Christmas cookies I had intended too. Santa will have cookies, and do I honestly need more cookies?
* My children do not need to have any more presents. I am only allowed to get two more things for stockings. Repeat only two more things!
* The sweeping and mopping needs to be kept up, but I need to not freak out when there are pine needles everywhere. Seriously I was the one who thought a real tree was a good idea.
* The wrapping will get done. Stop buying crap and it won't seem overwhelming.
* Breathe and enjoy the season with the kiddos. They are only little once, and even though their their high energy I become overwhelmed, I have to remember they are just excited. As Audrey said earlier today as baby Jesus went flying across the room, "I have great news Mary is having a baby!" (Added visual, Ayden was Mary and he threw baby Jesus across the room...maybe it was a quick delivery?) Can you tell we memorized every one's parts in the Christmas play? (Just a small snippet of my tired day of being the no mom.)
I am sure I need to remind myself of many other things, but what it breaks down to is it is not about the perfect, but the memories. Making memories during this time is what it is all about. Creating our traditions and embracing the holiday season is what is important and all the stress can be saved for something that is actually worth stressing about. With that being said, I will be only making one more batch of cookies, okay probably two, and then I am off to make great memories.
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