The Mess You Never Thought of...

So as a parent you realize there are going to be a certain amount of messes you will have to clean up dirty diapers, mud, paint, Sharpie (if your three-year-old happens upon one) and of course the countless toys that seem to multiply while you sleep. Then there are those messes that are just, well unbelievable. Today was one of those. Today I had a migraine; nothing terribly out of the norm but never less I was in bed (with the kids) until noon. I got a call from my husband, so I am talking on the phone when Laine decides she is done with the bed and leaves the room. This in itself is no cause for alarm she often goes to play in her room alone, but then things got quiet and she would not answer me, so I know something is up. I call she finally answers and tells me she is “sweeping”, hmm, why is she sweeping? I think. Then she runs back in my room not a minute later telling me she “meeds” the diaper bag because she “meeds new panties” well at this point I realize I need to go find out what happened so I go to the kitchen; she comes with me and said, “look at the pretty colors, mommy, it’s pink and orange” to which I response yes that is correct. On the floor I find where Laine has discovered a large pack of Orange Jell-O that is now spilled everywhere, but wait there is more, remember how she said she “meeds new panties”? Yes she has peed on the Jell-O, making for a very sticky, very orange paste all over the kitchen floor. Oh the wonders never cease.

We are all different people...

It seems funny to me that two people can create two very different kids. Other than one is a girl and the other is a boy, their personalities are almost completely different. There are a few similar things, they are both pretty adaptable, they both have blond hair and blue eyes and they both like to be ahead of the curve. Beyond that, not much else is the same. Lainey is a very independent child and always has been, never wanted to be held, was okay whenever I left her with a babysitter, very verbal at a very young age, plays alone well, really likes to sleep and is really into music; even when she was in the womb. Eliot, now obviously he is still really little but the things I have noticed so far, he wants to be held most of the time [and by me no less], never wants to be alone, is very aware of me not being in the room with him, he doesn't respond to music much but loves color and textured, and is not really that keen on sleeping but does sleep late in the mornings.

They are great kids and it is awesome to see the giftings that are developing in them. I have been thinking about how Nathaniel and I have been trusted to bring these two little ones up and how we have to be able to recognize there gifts to help them cultivate their callings. What an amazing responsibility that is; parenting is really one of the greatest things we are called to. I know these are all things you have heard before, but when you begin to see it for yourself it is sobering, in a good way. Sometimes we, well at least I, get caught in the monotony of daily life we forget the big picture. There is nothing easy about what we as mothers and fathers do, but there is a purpose in it all. I am really grateful that I have good examples of parents in my life; they have taught me so much about myself but also how to raise my own kids.

The busiest time of the year...

It is has been a little while, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, yes I know for most of you the holidays are long past, but for us things are just now beginning to return to normal. It all starts back in November when we celebrate Nathaniel's birthday and Thanksgiving, sometimes on the same day. Next my birthday, usually nothing big; I am not much of a party person. Then Christmas of course and the day after we usually fly to WI for more Christmas and a big New Years celebration. Finally, Laine's birthday which is usually celebrated at least twice once in WI and once here with a party. So after a solid 2 and 1/2 to 3 weeks of gifts every other day, Lainey becomes quite difficult to handle, as you can imagine. Then there is little Eliot, sweet Eliot; I think maybe we are getting back to a good schedule, which is wonderful I didn't know how many more nights I could take of getting up every 2 hours. So today I think I have my little girl back; there have only been a couple of very minor melt downs and the baby took 2, yes 2, good naps. Now if I could only find my living room floor.

Here is to a great 2009!