Inspires me to be the mom I am and want to be for him:
Thank you, and Happy Mother's Day Mom!
Happy Mother's Day to all women out there giving your time as "mom" in fashions both traditional and not, in ways you know and ways you'll never see.
*Be sure to stop by Natalie's blog today to wish her an early Happy Mother's Day and find out how we'll be spending at least one evening this summer. And yes, Mom, you are invited!
We arrived just on time this past Sunday for our normal Mass time and decided, well I decided, that it would be a cry room day. I just wasn't ready to leave Church in a mood less than wonderful if W wasn't feeling the be semi-still for at least and hour routine. We walked in to an empty cry room which was odd in itself but I thought, well this could be nice.
We found ourselves settled in as the procession began, and The Sheriff climbed up onto one of the chairs. He sat for a second but wasn't content. As I helped him up to look through the glass, he pointed that tiny finger and said "in," "in urch." Cowboy looked my way, and we both laughed as we realized that he did not think by being in the cry room that we were attending Mass and indeed, in church. Who was I to stop the Lord's calling of a little one into his Presence right? So in we went into the main part of the church.
We squeezed in beside a woman who didn't want to lose her end spot on the pew. Before you judge her (because yes I did in my mind the entire beginning of Mass! Shame on me!), the first time Cowboy had to get up with W she not only said, "no problem" as he made his exit but kindly asked if we'd rather sit on the end when he returned. It wasn't in an annoyed manner either. She was just one kind soul looking out for the sanity of a couple of young parents I think, and W did us proud when he impressed all of the ladies around us by exchanging "Peace" at the appropriate time. Our distractions were forgiven.
To be fair, he wasn't too "bad." Granted, he didn't sit on our laps listening attentively or allow us to hold him when it was time to stand. He played with a small page of Thomas stickers, the old college IDs I keep in a small wallet that also houses all of those store cards to get discounts or whatnot. He also flipped though his Bible a couple of times all the while occasionally looking up to check out what was going on. But for about 45 minutes, he was quiet and content.
At 45 minutes, though, all bets are off, and it's unfortunate that the most prayerful aspect of the Catholic Mass often begins about this point in our church. So one of us gets up with W a few times and we always manage to somehow make it through. I think that's what matter--making it through and doing it again next week.
Jacob and I have differing views on toys/books for Mass, and I'm coming around to see it more his way -- don't bring them! But for now we usually bring one book and maybe some stickers along with our snacks and whatever else I might dig out of my purse in desperation. This has proved much better than bringing a small bag for W which he thinks holds infinite amounts of toys and wants to search through and dump it out the entire time. Problem solved.
I also want him to associate going to church with that feeling of contentment, and if at this moment in his childhood he needs something to occupy his attention in a huge room full of hundreds of people where he isn't totally sure what to focus on even with guidance, then I say ok. Church shouldn't be an hour plus of us trying to contain him and shush him and lose our own patience trying to get him to sit or stand. Why would he want to do that once a week?
There will be a time for that. He will understand one day.
Speaking of "one day," I also thought before walking in Mass that we'd stop by the nursery after and pick up a registration form. It's free after all. I've just got to fill out the paperwork. I thought maybe that's the best place for him to be and we can "teach" him when he's a bit older and understands more of how he should behave. I am by no means saying that keeping your child with you or sending him/her to the nursery is better. After Mass my heart was peaceful at the thought of having him with us in church, no matter what effort it took. He's just shy of 2 but is at the age where he's taking so much in and learning acceptable behaviors. He won't get it right every time, but he can start figuring it out.
For me and for our family, I feel called to keep The Sheriff with us at this time in our lives. That may change. Perhaps even next Sunday! Totally kidding.
Writing this post will help me to remember at that 45 minute mark, the innocent face of a child wanting to go "in" Church and be just where God calls him: into His Holy Presence. And it's our responsibility and blessing to help him get there each week. I also glanced back at Allie's post full of excellent tips on children in church. I'm looking forward, now that W is a bit older than when I originally read it, to making some daily prayer time which will help him carry the meanings he does start to find at Mass into his life.
And if we're all lucky (and well-behaved) there will be many rides in the Jeep "parked" outside the church in the play area.
I'm keeping it short and sweet this Tuesday, and in case you are nauseated with The Sheriff pics and adoration around these parts, today I uncover two Sheriff facts that given the right day can annoy the grits out of us. We're equal opportunity here, so I give you one from each of his loving parents.
From Daddy: Whether it be in frustration or exertion or simple vocal exploration, W has taken to panting. I actually think it's pretty funny, but Cowboy finds himself asking, "Why the heck is he panting while opening that Ziploc bag?" Or "Does he really need to make that noise climbing into his high chair?"
From Momma: When moving on to another toy/activity, W must, and I mean must, give me whatever is in his hand with the words, "hold, hold." He won't put it on the floor. He won't put it back from where it came. I must become the proud of owner of, let's say, a dripping wand of bubble solution. Um, thanks W.
Seriously, we realize you may do this for some time or maybe stop tomorrow, but it makes you who you are, Handsome, and we love every bit of that little boy with all our hearts! But with the "hold, hold"-ing of the bubble wands already!
It's been a while since I've linked up with Ashlee and Savanah, so here goes.
You'll be totally shocked to see that my best iPhone pics of late are those of The Sheriff, I know, but come on, you really don't want to see pictures of a Christmas gift for W I found in the clearance section of Walmart and sent to Cowboy for him to give the go-ahead. But hey, look at me shopping waaayyy in advance.
Back to the story. Or rather the pics.
I call this one "faces of summer" and want to start a hashtag project via IG. Anyone in? Come on, we can play all summer long!
And this one? Faces of garbage day.
How handsome are these two?! We had such a great play date with our friend Liam. A wagon ride was the order of the day for these two gentlemen.
I cannot get enough of this face. This is what happens when I sing Laurie Berkner's "I'm gonna catch you. You better run." And it's quickly becoming my favorite song. Gosh, that kid is a ball of happiness.
That looks like Spring for us, and as summer temps creep closer and closer, I have no idea how we'll survive without our multiple trips outside each day. Perhaps we'll still do but with less clothing. Guess I need to start working on my tan and my fitness!
I often wonder how other SAHMs pass the days. A sweet friend, who also stays home with a daughter W's age, asked the other day if I ever get bored and then feel guilty for feeling that way. Yes and yes.
There are some days all I want to do is take care of the household things I want and need to do all morning. There are some days I want to take care of errands instead of knowing the value of staying home and and playing in jambes all morning. There are some days I feel I just cannot draw another helicopter in chalk on the driveway. There are some days we've run the gamut of toys and I'm all out ideas and don't feel like being all Pinteresting in my parenting. You get it right? You have those days too right? Because I refuse to believe my friend and I stand alone.
But these days aren't that often, and we do have lots of fun in the meantime.
W,the little human sponge Sheriff that he is, and I have found some activities that we love for this age/stage:
1. Go for a walk, minus the stroller. Just me, the toddler, and a whole wide world out there. There is an anatomy of a neighborhood walk post in the making.
2. Find a body of water. Be it a community splash pad, your own backyard pool, a neighborhood lake or pond, maybe just a fountain. Magic happens around a bit of splashing or even carefree observing.
3. Run errands. What? Did she just say that? Yep. The errands themselves not so much, but car rides have turned into adventures for locating cement trucks, dump trucks, buses, ambulances, firetrucks, rollers, big rigs, diggers, crankies (also known as cranes), and bulldozers. He's entertained, and oh so proud for finding one of the above and naming it. I even find myself getting excited by each find, and yes, playing along when riding solo.
4. Read books in interesting places. Our current fave is Momma's bed. Reading here often turns into jumping, "seat-dropping,"and pretend sleeping turned ticklefest.
5. Find a passion on You Tube and allow some screen time to be education. One of our favorites:
And yes, it's a series. Kid knows when there's a "new one" somehow. I think it's pretty interesting, and what other almost two-year-old knows what a swashplate is? What non-engineering adult knows that? We've both learned so much! Sometimes you need a break from the likes of Thomas, Elmo, and that jolly Mouse we all know and love.
6. Blow bubbles, lots of bubbles. Visit a dollar store and grab a few different wands to try out. These from Dollar Tree are our favorites. We love them so much we have a reserve since a few have had their last bubble days here on this earth thanks to the neighborhood toddlers.
You've also found yourself another opportunity for learning and reinforcing concepts -- big, small, up, down, float, pop, windy, high, low, you get the idea!
7. Build towers, helicopters, houses, flowers...wherever our minds take us with Legos (or some version thereof). I cannot wait to see where The Sheriff's imagination takes him with Legos as he grows older. For now, I have my own adult fun and invite him to the party. See below:
Winter is coming. Momma, don't think that wall is gonna cut it.
That's for you Game of Throne watchers.
8. Move. We run and dance and jump and do yoga and turn the grout lines in the house into balance beams. We take our helicopters on fly-bys and play hide-and-seek, well, a toddler version of sorts, I suppose.
I feel like this list should go on. Eight just feels wrong like I've said too much and should have stopped at five or that I didn't have enough for a post to make it to ten. But I'll take eight. Maybe you've got some ideas to add. That means at least two people have to comment which will take us to ten, but if more than 2 comment, then we've got to have 7 comments right? Kidding. Unless you're gonna do it!
I want to remember right now, today, this moment, as you approach your second birthday in a couple of months, just how wonderful these days can be when I allow them to be. The coming months and years bring channels of change, tests of patience, leaps of independence, moments of uncertainty. Let's agree to those pretty labels instead of "fits" and "tantrums" for now because, for now, I'd like to anticipate with such joy and such gratitude just how many wonderful memories we'll make.
Remind me that some moments in life call for simply being quiet and and observant. There's peace in the stillness.
I can't wait to see what else the depths of your eyes hold as I view the world again by your side.
As the big "2" draws closer, each day I get a small view into the boy you'll someday be, and my heart fills with pride. Pride not because you are mine, but because God lent you to us for some time here on Earth, and I can't wait to see where He takes you.
I promised Tiffany I'd be back to share a couple of my favorite blogs and am finally cashing in on that promise. It took close to forever, and jotting it down in my planner (the non Erin Condren one. I know; I know. Haters gonna hate!), and a reminder email from her, but here I am, so let's get the flatting started already shall we?
First stop on this little sharing journey brings us on over to Jess from Them and Us (former Dude and T*ree, and showing up on my tab as Wrangling Chaos -- she's in the midst of some blog name changes.). I've been reading her blog like a stalker for a while because I think she's one of the cool kids, but more recently have tried to be a more active commenter, and turns out, yep, she's a cool kid, but she's also super nice, full of great advice, and cracks me up several times a week. If that's not enough for you, her kids are adorable and also quite funny themselves. She tackles daily realities while also being transparent about some of the tougher parts of this whole parenting gig. And....if that's not enough, you can catch her here where you'll find her with several other mommas dishing out what they've learned along the way.
And while you are traveling around, go stop by to say hi to Lindsey at Something's Gotta Give, my in-real-life friend turned blog friend. We met through our moms' group, and our life stories overlap in a number of ways, and I am so grateful for her support and friendship. Lindsey chronicles her busy days of raising a sweet little toddler, cooking with allergy sensitivities, traveling, getting crafty with and without her son, and what I love most -- being stinking witty! She makes me smile; she'll make you smile. It's a win-win!
