On being a mother and a child of God

Sometimes I wonder if everyone else's mind is as busy as mine. All day long I have so much running through my head! Maybe it's because most of my conversations are with a toddler. I don't know. Today as I watched Baby happily spinning around with only a diaper on (sadly, she often only has a diaper on) and stickers on her belly (she has found the wonderful world of stickers), I just had to take a photo in my mind. Who could miss these times? These wonderful, challenging, tiring times. At the end of the day my body aches (could it be because I'm 30?), but I am satisfied. Being satisfied. I also think of that about 100 times a day. Because truly I am. Without the whole the Iraq issue, of course. But little things. For instance...I make lunches for work/school days. And I was satisfied that I was cutting strawberries and tomatoes to go into Baby's lunch (my lunch has m&ms and chips, but it didn't when I was a child!).

I'm thrilled when Baby takes my hand to lead me around the yard. She finds such treasures in the yard! I call them her outside treasures, because they do not belong inside. Leaves, acorns, sticks, an occasional bug and once her hand in a cactus plant (that one wasn't actually a treasure). She collects them carefully and then without notice...she dramatically messes the whole pile up with her hands. Then, as a lady, wipes her hands against one another to clean off the dirt. It has become quite a chore to get her inside, where Baby is promptly deposited into the bath. Which is another opportunity for discovery.

What a change has taken place in the past month. Certainly the prayers have been answered. And I guess Baby just had to work through some issues with Hubby/Daddy being gone.

So, what about this being a child of God. I wonder if all parents have some of these thoughts. But I think that being a mother has helped me "get" a little bit more of what it is like to be a child of God. It's just a different sort of love you have for your child. And it actually didn't come easy for me. I really had to grow into it, and I fully believe that it will just keep growing. When Baby was only about 5 days old I started praying (begging?) for God to grant me "whatever it is I need to do whatever it is I need to do today". Sorta vague, but the Holy Spirit knows much better than I do what I need. I still often pray that prayer. And you know what, God has answered it every single day. Every single day. Every day. I don't always feel successful at the end of the day (I do today, though). And sometimes I have to pray that God will fill in the blanks for me when I can't/don't give Baby what she needs and deserves. And I also pray that God will fill those empty places I have when I think about Hubby and the Iraq (see original post on why "the" Iraq). Sometimes I feel called to this period in my life (could it be one of my Egypts?), and other times I feel like a victim of circumstance.

Sometimes people say, "I couldn't do that," or, "I don't know how you do it." Well, you could if you had to, and I don't know how I do it either. Which just makes it all clear that I'm NOT doing it, and God is. Which brings me to another point. I'm not a real out loud Christian...I have all those problems with being meek. But, I do know this...I MUST make it clear that God has given me "whatever it is I need to do whatever it is I need to do" and currently, that is to parent my child in the absence of my husband and still provide love and support to him while he is away. Ponder that for awhile. I'm open to suggestions if you have any on how to be successful. Or forget pondering, and just pray!

Tomorrow I'm off to my "other" job...the one that supports all my recent shopping :)

Arboretum and other activities

Today I met up with some friends at the Arboretum for the Autumn Blooms. Everything was so pretty! Baby had a fair time...not great, but fair. Momma had a good time. Here are some photos of the day and also some from the weekend.

I love my baby

I do. I mean, even after long hard days I love my baby. But today, I just really love my baby. It certainly helps that she has been a pleasant little girl, I'm sure. She "let" me read the paper while she played happily (putting my shoes and socks on!). After I turned on some music, she danced for me awhile until I felt compelled to dance with her. What fun! Also, as it turns out, it is a great work out. Dancing while hoisting a 27 pounder around really takes some strength. And if you've never shared an ice cream sandwich with a toddler, let me encourage you to do so immediately. I almost (almost) didn't even mind that I hardly got a bite. What pleasure she had! And I really didn't mind the messy clean up. Isn't that what being a kid is all about? So, even though the day is only half over, I felt the need to write about this. Who knows, the joyous feelings may not last until the end of the day!

Roomba is dead

This is not a confirmed fact, but I'm afraid it might be true. As soon as I take him off his charger, he refuses to start. And he has been charging all day after a 2 hour power outage (details next) and he STILL isn't charged up. I'm afraid. Maybe I'll get him out tomorrow to confirm.

OK. Power outage. This is out light a sleeper I am. I woke up because the electricity went out. You know...that soft hum of the dvr, the whir of the fan...those noises. Well, when I no longer heard them, I woke up. And glanced at the clock. And noticed I couldn't see the clock. Or hubby's clock. Odd. I quickly figured out (even at 5 AM) that something was amiss. My brain goes straight to the "someone must have cut my electricity to come get me mode" and naturally there is no sleep for me. Who needs electricity to sleep? That's like the perfect time for it to be out. Anyway. I'm up running around with my cell phone as light to get the number to report an outage. I never did learn why it was out, but it came back on before 7.

So my day started out messed up. But overall it wasn't a bad day, just sorta weird. Little Gym was today, and Baby was back to loving it. Then, when I thought we might get a marathon nap as we often do on Friday's, the carpet cleaner showed up not just ON time, but EARLY! Who ever heard of such a thing? Between 2 and 6 means like 5:45 if you're lucky! The carpets did turn out nice, but a 45 minute nap wasn't what I'd hoped for.

We spent quite a bit of time outside (Baby had her first experience with chalk) before heading to one of the local dive drive-ins. I tell you Baby is no fool. She knows a good meal. Who could resist a grilled cheese with all that butter Momma would never dream of serving? Baby would've eaten the whole thing if I hadn't of saved her from herself by eating part of it myself. And it was goooooood. Even after my burger :).

Man things I did today. Scooped doggie poop, scooped a mouse head (yes, a mouse head) and killed a roach. Only 342 days left. Can't come soon enough!

Just normal stuff

The wii party was fun! And not impacted by the hurricane. Check out the cupcake cake I made. Baby really liked it. Momma did too! So, Saturday started with a mostly unsuccessful trip to the mall (Baby was a little cranky), but then a loooong afternoon nap was perfect given the yucky rainy weather.

Sunday also included a long afternoon nap. I gotta say, this paci thing might just stick around. Monday started out with a trip to my gym then Baby had her 18 month check up. Where did the past 18 months go? She is getting so big! 70% in weight (have I mentioned her appetite?), 50% in height, and 15% in head circumference. Her head doesn't LOOK that small, but I guess it is. Then we made a trip to the park to celebrate her good behavior at the doc. She really has been a good girl.

Nothing that interesting to report, I guess. I've been doing some online shopping, and my purchase keep arriving. It is so fun! T shirts, shoes, even a bean bag chair on the way. Nothing like a little (or a lot?) of retail therapy.

Today was a very good day

For no reason in particular. It just was. We were busy but not too busy. We went to my gym and Baby's gym (she LOVES the Little Gym). It is hard to get her out of the gym! And on gym days she usually takes a long(er) nap. Maybe that was why it was a good day. Anyway. Oh...and Baby had her first experience with cake batter! Oohh...I tell you what. She sure liked that. The big dog went to the groomer today for a bath and is now indoors in preparation for this hurricane. Now, isn't this talk about a hurricane here plum silly? I hope I'm not eating my words tomorrow. Anyway. I did bring in the lawn chairs and took down the wind chimes. Hope it doesn't get in the way of my wii party!

New things

Baby is learning new things. She can point to her head, nose, belly button, and toes. She can say toe. She was a sweet girl today holding my hand and walking around the yard. We continued our Wednesday night tradition and dined at Super Salad. Baby enjoyed mac and cheese and drank her milk from the carton. Baby went to bed (uh, was PUT to bed) early in the hopes that she might sleep past 6 AM tomorrow. We're trying that whole "early to bed, later to rise" thing. I hope it works. This 5:50 AM business is making one tired Momma.

Open House

Today was Baby's first Open House at school! It was fun. Well, I guess it wasn't really all that exciting, but it was fun because it was the first. Of course I didn't know about it until I took Baby to school today since she hasn't been in a week, but oh well, we made it work. Oh, but that was the fun part of the day. Let me back up to how I found Baby this morning.

When I went to get Baby up (ha ha...she got ME up), her diaper as at one end of the crib, and she was at the other. A diaper disaster! I don't think she had it on at all last night. I'm not sure if it was user error or if she took it off. Either way, I had a wet (thankfully not dirty) mess on my hands. So, the day started the same way it usually ends...with a bath. A load of laundry later (down to the stuffed (not dust!) bunnies, which actually made it through the machines OK), we are all put back together.

Between school and open house, we made a trip to Chick-fil-a (have you ever goolged this misspelled? you get ALL KINDS OF THINGS YOU DON'T WANT). Chick-fil-a is the best place to take a toddler. Healthy(ish) kids meals with a sticky mat. And the one I went to had cheerios for waiting and a play place. Good times...until it was time to leave play place to go to open house, anyway.

Well, that's probably enough adventure for one day.

Back to normal

What peace I have in my heart, currently, anyway. Baby is back home with me, and I'm finding that I don't mind stepping over toys again. I wonder how long this will last! At any rate, I was glad for the break, and now I'm glad to get back into a routine.


Lots of fun has been happening. I got to see Hubby once more before he headed out of state for more training. Comment or email to get his latest address. He would love to hear from you all! And with my parents, I got to take Baby to Fiesta Texas! She had a great time...uh, er...at least her mom had a great time. I think she enjoyed a few things, too...like the ice cream.


So, God is continuing to be faithful, and I'm continuing to ask for and receive his mercy to get through each day. Baby was an angel baby on the 5 hour drive home, and she let me read to her and rock her before bed. It has been so long since she has behaved that way! Maybe all she needed was a week with Grams. What a sweet girl.


Check out the photos for the good times we've enjoyed.

she sat in her own truck!
she was more interested in the instruments (background) than the ride
country girl!
playing in the dirt

hubby enjoyed an evening with friends
I had to drive us home
cooling off after a hot afternoon at play
are we having fun?
yes!

I miss my baby!

So, it's been awhile since I've posted. Most notable things are that I got to see Hubby last weekend, my stroller arrived, and Baby has been at my parents for nearly a week! I miss her! And with her being gone, I miss Hubby even more. Only 363 days left, says the chain. Less than a year! I'm sure it will just fly. Mmmm. It has been nice to recharge, but I'm ready to see my family (such as it is) again. Wow. I'm even up late. Better go finish up those brownies I'm baking. Yummy.