The Joyful and Tired Mom
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Glimpse into My Future
As I write this tears are streaming down my cheeks. Only kidding. Just trying to be dramatic...maybe even prophetic as I am sure many tears WILL BE shed as my boys become teenagers and think they own the world and everything in it, and want nothing to do with me or Mark.
How do I know this? Because last night I got a taste of "Teenage Zachary." Sad, I want my sweet baby back.
Yesterday Zachary went to one of his best buddies homes. He had a great time with Dylan and they played hard all day. When he came home he was totally wiped out and didn't want to get off the couch to even go to the bathroom. He was cute and sleepy till he opened his mouth...full of attitude. (To be honest, I don't know where he gets it...stop laughing mom!)
I kept asking him what was wrong. Was he sad? Tired? Mad? "What's wrong buddy? What's wrong? Are you sure you're ok?" He snapped, "I am fine. Nothing is wrong with me. Quit asking me if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong!" To which I responded as any good mother would, "Ok. Come here buddy. We are going to hang out and talk about our feelings." He didn't laugh. I actually got a deep sigh and an eye roll. Already...at 5 he rolled his eyes at me.
Oh well, he will miss me when I'm gone.
Lord Have Mercy on Me,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
How do I know this? Because last night I got a taste of "Teenage Zachary." Sad, I want my sweet baby back.
Yesterday Zachary went to one of his best buddies homes. He had a great time with Dylan and they played hard all day. When he came home he was totally wiped out and didn't want to get off the couch to even go to the bathroom. He was cute and sleepy till he opened his mouth...full of attitude. (To be honest, I don't know where he gets it...stop laughing mom!)
I kept asking him what was wrong. Was he sad? Tired? Mad? "What's wrong buddy? What's wrong? Are you sure you're ok?" He snapped, "I am fine. Nothing is wrong with me. Quit asking me if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong!" To which I responded as any good mother would, "Ok. Come here buddy. We are going to hang out and talk about our feelings." He didn't laugh. I actually got a deep sigh and an eye roll. Already...at 5 he rolled his eyes at me.
Oh well, he will miss me when I'm gone.
Lord Have Mercy on Me,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I'm OK with You Thinking I Am Nuts...This is Too Wonderful Not to Share
Nine years ago our old pastor's Wife, Julia Pickerill, taught at the Breathe Festival. During her teaching she talked about how our generation has become a generation where we are constantly seeking the grandiose experiences with God. However, for her, the most spiritual experiences she has had in her lifetime had often been the most simple expressions of love from others.
This teaching has always stuck with me because I love to see God in the small things. It helps me to appreciate that even in this fallen world He still cares for me and my family, and He absolutely hears our prayers. I wanted to share this story of how God worked in the life of my little guy, Zachary. He heard Zachary's prayers and showed Zachary that He heard him, cares for him, and listens to the cries of His children.
(I realize that there may be readers that think I am totally nuts after this post. Or others that say, "Are you kidding? That wasn't God, that was coincidence." If I chose to see things that way then I would miss out on a lot of amazing things that God does around me...I don't want to miss out on how the God of the universe cares for me in such a way that he would bless us in ways only we care about.)
For those of you that have young children you are aware, maybe even painfully aware, that when they have a stuffed animal they are attached to, it is not merely a stuffed animal, but a very real member of the family. We have just recently discovered how Zachary viewed his favorite stuffed animal, Panda.
Mark and I knew he loved this stuffed animal. My mom had gotten it for him for Christmas. He had to sleep with it every night and he carried it with him all over the house, in the car, etc. Well we took Panda to Disney World with us and lost him on the way home. Ugh. He spent nights and naptimes sobbing because he missed him. I mean, sobbing so loudly that he woke his baby brother in the room next door. There was the temptation to tell him to just get over it, but we couldn't. It wasn't his fault he was lost, it was ours...and now my child was devastated every day and every night because his best friend, Panda, wasn't with him.
So my mom and I did what any rational adults would do. My mom went out in search of panda. She bought a replacement, but it wasn't the right one, and Zachary knew it right away. "Now I can sleep with this panda and Panda when we find him." Our hearts sank again. So then we spent the night scouring the internet for a replacement. We discovered that my mom had gotten a panda that was made exclusively for one store, and it was their holiday stuffed animal, and there were no more left...anywhere. Fortunately, we found one. ONE. There was only one of these new pandas on ebay and so my mom graciously, regardless of price, bought Zachary a new Panda.
We waited and waited for it to arrive. While waiting Zachary continued to cry about missing Panda.
Well, yesterday I told him that he was not to cry during quiet time. And then I told him that when I get sad and cry I pray because it makes me feel better. He said, "I prayed last night." You did? "Yeah. I prayed that panda would come home tomorrow." I told him I loved him, gave him a kiss, and then went downstairs. Not 5minutes later my mom showed up at the door with Panda in tow.
She took Panda upstairs to Zachary and he was just silent. He hugged Panda and Nanna so tightly, and then started to cry. As he told me later, "I was just so happy."
I love that God heard Zachary's cries. I love that He knows how much Zachary loves his Panda and how he sees Panda as a legitimate member of our family. I love that when Zachary was specific about asking for Panda to come home the next day...he did.
I realize tht people will say this is just a coincidence, but I won't see it that way. After all that we have been through in this lifetime I don't believe there is such a thing as "over spiritualization." God moves in mighty ways, and in the most simple ways. I am just thankful to be a part of God's work this side of heaven.
Now on a lighter note...are we overdoing it if we install a pet microchip in Panda's ear so we never lose him again?
The Grateful,
Joyful and Tired Mom
This teaching has always stuck with me because I love to see God in the small things. It helps me to appreciate that even in this fallen world He still cares for me and my family, and He absolutely hears our prayers. I wanted to share this story of how God worked in the life of my little guy, Zachary. He heard Zachary's prayers and showed Zachary that He heard him, cares for him, and listens to the cries of His children.
(I realize that there may be readers that think I am totally nuts after this post. Or others that say, "Are you kidding? That wasn't God, that was coincidence." If I chose to see things that way then I would miss out on a lot of amazing things that God does around me...I don't want to miss out on how the God of the universe cares for me in such a way that he would bless us in ways only we care about.)
For those of you that have young children you are aware, maybe even painfully aware, that when they have a stuffed animal they are attached to, it is not merely a stuffed animal, but a very real member of the family. We have just recently discovered how Zachary viewed his favorite stuffed animal, Panda.
Mark and I knew he loved this stuffed animal. My mom had gotten it for him for Christmas. He had to sleep with it every night and he carried it with him all over the house, in the car, etc. Well we took Panda to Disney World with us and lost him on the way home. Ugh. He spent nights and naptimes sobbing because he missed him. I mean, sobbing so loudly that he woke his baby brother in the room next door. There was the temptation to tell him to just get over it, but we couldn't. It wasn't his fault he was lost, it was ours...and now my child was devastated every day and every night because his best friend, Panda, wasn't with him.
So my mom and I did what any rational adults would do. My mom went out in search of panda. She bought a replacement, but it wasn't the right one, and Zachary knew it right away. "Now I can sleep with this panda and Panda when we find him." Our hearts sank again. So then we spent the night scouring the internet for a replacement. We discovered that my mom had gotten a panda that was made exclusively for one store, and it was their holiday stuffed animal, and there were no more left...anywhere. Fortunately, we found one. ONE. There was only one of these new pandas on ebay and so my mom graciously, regardless of price, bought Zachary a new Panda.
We waited and waited for it to arrive. While waiting Zachary continued to cry about missing Panda.
Well, yesterday I told him that he was not to cry during quiet time. And then I told him that when I get sad and cry I pray because it makes me feel better. He said, "I prayed last night." You did? "Yeah. I prayed that panda would come home tomorrow." I told him I loved him, gave him a kiss, and then went downstairs. Not 5minutes later my mom showed up at the door with Panda in tow.
She took Panda upstairs to Zachary and he was just silent. He hugged Panda and Nanna so tightly, and then started to cry. As he told me later, "I was just so happy."
I love that God heard Zachary's cries. I love that He knows how much Zachary loves his Panda and how he sees Panda as a legitimate member of our family. I love that when Zachary was specific about asking for Panda to come home the next day...he did.
I realize tht people will say this is just a coincidence, but I won't see it that way. After all that we have been through in this lifetime I don't believe there is such a thing as "over spiritualization." God moves in mighty ways, and in the most simple ways. I am just thankful to be a part of God's work this side of heaven.
Now on a lighter note...are we overdoing it if we install a pet microchip in Panda's ear so we never lose him again?
The Grateful,
Joyful and Tired Mom
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Prayer Warriors Needed
Here is my attempt at writing a more serious blog...(deep breath) whew.
Exactly 2 years ago Mark and I faced a crisis in our marriage. It was our darkest hour. Each day my goal was to survive. I survived. Mark survived. And our marriage survived and then began to thrive because of the unwavering love and support from family and friends; and because our God feverishly pursued us and restored us. Because of our understanding of how eaily sin can creep into our lives and destroy, and because of our immense gratitude for those who helped us, and especially for a God that never failed us, Mark and I have decided it is time we offer ourselves, our story, and our lives to marriages/couples in crisis.
We have just decided to join the Crisis Marriage Program at our church as coaches. No, we don't have all the answers. But I will say that when you experience God's faithfulness, restoration, reconciliation, and redemption the way we did it is difficult to not want to shout from the highest mountain top what He has done in our lives, and try to offer hope to other couples that are hurting. In the midst of our crisis one of my best friends said to me, "Let me be the voice of hope for you." It is our desire now to be the voices of hope for those that may have none...or very little.
I am sharing this because we need prayer. We believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-merciful God that loves us inspite of ourselves, and forgives us despite all we say, think, and do. We also believe that the bible is the infallible Word of God. Because of this we know that there is an evil force at work on this earth. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
No, our enemy is not an opposite evil equivalent of Jesus, but he is powerful none-the-less. And we know that if our desire is to bring glory to God, he will try to stop, hinder, or slow us down in some way. Because of this we ask for your prayers. Prayers of protection for: our family, our marriage, our children, Mark's job, our friendships, etc. Anything that the Lord may place on your heart to pray, please pray.
We desire for God's truth to be known. His sovereignty to be evident and trusted. And his love to be experienced in very tangible ways for those that need Him to reveal Himself in mighty ways...just as He did for us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you even more for taking the time to pray.
Blessings,
Lindsey (and Mark)
Exactly 2 years ago Mark and I faced a crisis in our marriage. It was our darkest hour. Each day my goal was to survive. I survived. Mark survived. And our marriage survived and then began to thrive because of the unwavering love and support from family and friends; and because our God feverishly pursued us and restored us. Because of our understanding of how eaily sin can creep into our lives and destroy, and because of our immense gratitude for those who helped us, and especially for a God that never failed us, Mark and I have decided it is time we offer ourselves, our story, and our lives to marriages/couples in crisis.
We have just decided to join the Crisis Marriage Program at our church as coaches. No, we don't have all the answers. But I will say that when you experience God's faithfulness, restoration, reconciliation, and redemption the way we did it is difficult to not want to shout from the highest mountain top what He has done in our lives, and try to offer hope to other couples that are hurting. In the midst of our crisis one of my best friends said to me, "Let me be the voice of hope for you." It is our desire now to be the voices of hope for those that may have none...or very little.
I am sharing this because we need prayer. We believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-merciful God that loves us inspite of ourselves, and forgives us despite all we say, think, and do. We also believe that the bible is the infallible Word of God. Because of this we know that there is an evil force at work on this earth. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
No, our enemy is not an opposite evil equivalent of Jesus, but he is powerful none-the-less. And we know that if our desire is to bring glory to God, he will try to stop, hinder, or slow us down in some way. Because of this we ask for your prayers. Prayers of protection for: our family, our marriage, our children, Mark's job, our friendships, etc. Anything that the Lord may place on your heart to pray, please pray.
We desire for God's truth to be known. His sovereignty to be evident and trusted. And his love to be experienced in very tangible ways for those that need Him to reveal Himself in mighty ways...just as He did for us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you even more for taking the time to pray.
Blessings,
Lindsey (and Mark)
Opposites
We have been working on opposites with Drew. Thought these pictures were too funny not to share. He is such a ham.
"Drew, show me your happy face."
"Now show me your sad face."
The Forever Laughing,
Joyful and Tired Mom
"Drew, show me your happy face."
"Now show me your sad face."
The Forever Laughing,
Joyful and Tired Mom
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Where is Candee Jones When You Need Her?
So today was our first time taking all three boys to the pool together...and it was a SUCCESS!!!!!
We are fortunate enough to be able to go as guests to my parent's neighborhood pool and we are so thankful! But even with a heart full of thanksgiving it doesn't take away my stress at being in a pool with three children-none of whom are independent in the water. (Sidenote: Drew thinks he is. He was putting up quite the fight to jump off of the diving board by himself.) Also, everytime we have gone to the pool in the past I become to consumed with mommy guilt that I can't enjoy my time.
I am so full of guilt that Zachary doesn't know how to swim. He just turned 5, and hasn't been exposed to swimming that often, but still...I spent every day during my summer vacations at the pool: playing mermaids with Emily Ray, wolfing down dry Jello with Tracey Albanese before a swim meet, watching my parents friendships evolve with others into best friendships as they all cheered us on at our meets, getting tossed in the water by my dad, having chicken fights with neighborhood friends, playing 'sharks & minnows' or the 'greased watermelon' game in the deep end (and watching my dad lose a contact lens while playing), spending the day eating awesome snack bar food (hot ham & cheese, pizza, and candy lipstick) and the evenings spent with all of our family's best friends having picnics on the pool patio.
Almost every one of my most treasured childhood memories involves swimming or the pool in some way or another. And because we don't belong to a pool yet, and don't take our boys swimming all the time, I feel like I am robbing them of some of the greatest childhood experiences a child can have.
Now granted, our children are 5, 2 1/2, and 8 months. It isn't as though they are teens and have never swam before. I just want them to enjoy summer vacation like I did when I was growing up. And I know that they will. I know they will. But for now, I just have to shove the mommy guilt aside and know there will come a day when our boys will spend their days doing whatever it is they want to do in the pool (because they will know how to swim). In the meantime though I am going to try to enjoy my time with them now in the water...and wish that Candee Jones were here to teach my children to swim, just like she taught me.
Putting my Best Foot Forward (in the water ofcourse),
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Talk About Strong Genes
Holy Moly...Talk about some strong genes.
Whenever anyone sees our children they always say,
1) "Oh my gosh, can you tell they are brothers, or what?!"
2) "He is definitely his father's son."
3) "No need to go on Maury, you know who that baby's daddy is."
Yes, I must say that Mark and Zachary are clones of one another. My mother-in-law recently gave me a picture of Mark when he was in preschool and held it up next to Zachary's preschool picture and it was astounding...the two look exactly alike! Good thing for Zachary because his dad is a pretty handsome dude, but...it is unreal how much Zachary favors Mark in the looks department.
However, I have always thought that all of our boys had their own distinct looks; and I have had a difficult time seeing the similarities between all of them that others see. Until today...
I came across some old pictures of Drew that look so similar to Nate. I truly had no rememberance of Drew looking so much like his baby brother. But the proof is in the pics. Enjoy!
Drew
Nate
Drew
Nate
Drew
Nate
Hope you enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane with me today. Gosh, they are so cute and they grow up so fast.
Much Love,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
**And Yes, I swear that they are mine, although they look nothing like me. I have pregnancy horror stories to prove it. HAHA!
Whenever anyone sees our children they always say,
1) "Oh my gosh, can you tell they are brothers, or what?!"
2) "He is definitely his father's son."
3) "No need to go on Maury, you know who that baby's daddy is."
Yes, I must say that Mark and Zachary are clones of one another. My mother-in-law recently gave me a picture of Mark when he was in preschool and held it up next to Zachary's preschool picture and it was astounding...the two look exactly alike! Good thing for Zachary because his dad is a pretty handsome dude, but...it is unreal how much Zachary favors Mark in the looks department.
However, I have always thought that all of our boys had their own distinct looks; and I have had a difficult time seeing the similarities between all of them that others see. Until today...
I came across some old pictures of Drew that look so similar to Nate. I truly had no rememberance of Drew looking so much like his baby brother. But the proof is in the pics. Enjoy!
Drew
Nate
Drew
Nate
Drew
Nate
Hope you enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane with me today. Gosh, they are so cute and they grow up so fast.
Much Love,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
**And Yes, I swear that they are mine, although they look nothing like me. I have pregnancy horror stories to prove it. HAHA!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Ramblings and Reflections
Wow-It has been a LONG time!
I kept holding off on writing because, to be honest, I really didn't have much of anything to say. I mean...I always have things to say to anyone who is willing to listen. But I don't think that many people would want to read my ramblings as I try to process what I have been learning in the last month about myself, about my faith, and about parenting our children.
Also, there are so many things I do want to share about me and Mark, but out of respect for him and what he is comfortable with, I don't want to share much in that department either. What I can tell you though is that we are getting ready to embark on one of our greaest adventures...and challenges...together in our marriage, and I can't wait. Next week we meet with a coordinator for the Marriage and Family Department at our church to potentially become marriage mentors for couples in crisis. We are both thrilled and honored for this opportunity to walk alongside couples that are hurting, and offer encouragement and hope in their time of despair. But we are also keenly aware that it is going to be difficult to not internalize other's pain and make it our own. We are ready...rather, God has prepared us and made us ready, but please pray for us.
I have also been reflecting on contentment and insecurity in my life. I have definitely struggled with self-defeating thoughts when it comes to my body. As a former college athlete it is still hard at times to look in the mirror and not see the body I once had when I was working out 6-7 days a week, a few hours each day. And in my mind I kept thinking that if I could just regain something that resembled what I once had then I would be happy. But it has recently occurred to me that even if I did look the exact way I looked 10 years ago I would still not be happy...there would be someone else that had a better figure, another image I would try to aspire to emmulate. How do I know this? Because even when I was in the greatest shape of my life, I wasn't content with who I was. Unless I get control of this beast inside my head that tells me I am not good enough, or of much value, or attractive enough, nothing will be good enough-not the number on the scale, not the size of my pants, nothing.
Self-reflection is always awesome, isn't it? HA. In all seriousness though, it has been amazing. I am learning a lot. And I am grateful. In the quieter moments I will get a gentle nudge from God painting a very clear picture of what my desires are for our family, and how we are going to get there. And there is peace and excitement in that. I love knowing I have a purpose on this earth.
The other day I had such a strong need to write down what my desires are for our family. Those desires are now posted on our refrigerator (best place for them since I spend much of my day at the fridge). I would encourage others to do the same. Catch a vision. Make it a vision that thinks beyond yourself, beyond your insecurities, beyond the obstacles you believe could stand in your way, and go for. Live this amazing life you have been given and don't let anyone or anything hold you back.
The Reflective,
Joyful and Tired Mom
I kept holding off on writing because, to be honest, I really didn't have much of anything to say. I mean...I always have things to say to anyone who is willing to listen. But I don't think that many people would want to read my ramblings as I try to process what I have been learning in the last month about myself, about my faith, and about parenting our children.
Also, there are so many things I do want to share about me and Mark, but out of respect for him and what he is comfortable with, I don't want to share much in that department either. What I can tell you though is that we are getting ready to embark on one of our greaest adventures...and challenges...together in our marriage, and I can't wait. Next week we meet with a coordinator for the Marriage and Family Department at our church to potentially become marriage mentors for couples in crisis. We are both thrilled and honored for this opportunity to walk alongside couples that are hurting, and offer encouragement and hope in their time of despair. But we are also keenly aware that it is going to be difficult to not internalize other's pain and make it our own. We are ready...rather, God has prepared us and made us ready, but please pray for us.
I have also been reflecting on contentment and insecurity in my life. I have definitely struggled with self-defeating thoughts when it comes to my body. As a former college athlete it is still hard at times to look in the mirror and not see the body I once had when I was working out 6-7 days a week, a few hours each day. And in my mind I kept thinking that if I could just regain something that resembled what I once had then I would be happy. But it has recently occurred to me that even if I did look the exact way I looked 10 years ago I would still not be happy...there would be someone else that had a better figure, another image I would try to aspire to emmulate. How do I know this? Because even when I was in the greatest shape of my life, I wasn't content with who I was. Unless I get control of this beast inside my head that tells me I am not good enough, or of much value, or attractive enough, nothing will be good enough-not the number on the scale, not the size of my pants, nothing.
Self-reflection is always awesome, isn't it? HA. In all seriousness though, it has been amazing. I am learning a lot. And I am grateful. In the quieter moments I will get a gentle nudge from God painting a very clear picture of what my desires are for our family, and how we are going to get there. And there is peace and excitement in that. I love knowing I have a purpose on this earth.
The other day I had such a strong need to write down what my desires are for our family. Those desires are now posted on our refrigerator (best place for them since I spend much of my day at the fridge). I would encourage others to do the same. Catch a vision. Make it a vision that thinks beyond yourself, beyond your insecurities, beyond the obstacles you believe could stand in your way, and go for. Live this amazing life you have been given and don't let anyone or anything hold you back.
The Reflective,
Joyful and Tired Mom
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