Sweet vs. Naughty

It's my bedtime, but I just had to write something down while it's fresh in my thoughts.

Recently, Caleb has been some what of a naughty boy. He has begun to not listen, and throw a fit when things don't go his way. Tonight at dinner we had one of these epidsodes, and as Jeff and I sat at the table eating dinner, listening to Caleb's screaming and crying, we didn't have much to say to eachother. It's pretty hard to talk over that noise, let alone try to ignore it. Not knowing how to discipline Caleb is tough. Do we spank him? Do we try to use the time out system? It's stressful, and very trying on the patience to deal with a tantrum throwing toddler. I decided to go the route of ignoring, and proceeded to give Caleb a bath, put his PJ's on, and put him to bed all while he was crying and whining. I didn't really say anything to him because that only escalates things. I told him I loved him when I layed him in bed, and left the room, knowing I made it through another test.

Just a few mintues ago I went upstairs to check on him before I head to bed, as I do everynight, and it just struck me that he's still so little. And innocent. And temper tantrums will soon be the very least of my worries. He was sleeping soundly, clutching his little stuffed puppy, and I just want to freeze him like that forever. Forget the fact that I can lose my mind dealing with his moods and needs everyday. The fact that I have the blessing to watch my beautiful son grow up is more than enough to sweep away the hard times.

"Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it."

Happy Father's Day

Another Father's Day has come and gone, and I just want to take moment to thank and admire my own Dad, and the Dad of my children. You have no idea the influence and vital part you play in the lives of your children! Well, maybe you have some idea, but words can never express the love a child has for their father.

I'm so grateful to have you, Dad. There isn't any person I could ever imagine who would do as good of a job as you have. Here's a short poem for you:

"A little girl needs her daddy
To love her with manly charm,
To soothe her when she's hurt,
And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad
To show her a man who's good,
To help her make right choices,
As only a father could.

A woman needs her father
Just to be aware,
He'll always be there for her
To sustain her and to care.

You've been all these things, Dad.
I hope that you can see
How much I treasure you;
You mean everything to me."

To my Jeff, I'm proud to call you my husband, the father of my children. You are a wonderful Dad, and I can't wait to see how your journey of fatherhood grows in the years to come. I love you!

Check out these pictures from one of my favorite sites. Photos to honor all Dads.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/

"To her the name of father was another name for love."

Adult life

It's been awhile since I've written, but things have been a steady, kind of boring busy around here. Jeff is in full swing at the farm, leaving me for a widow most days of the week. It's ok though. I appreciate all he does to bring home the bacon for us! The weather has been on and off nice, just as it always is in Michigan, and Caleb is growing and changing like a weed. Oh yeah...I'm growing like..like..an elephant. Or something large like that. My sleep is very disturbed, and I realize this is just in preparation for the many times I'll be awake at night in a few months. I feel unprepared in some ways for this new baby, but in other ways, I'm hoping my perspective on the newborn/baby stage is different this time. Maybe I'll be able to look at sleepless nights and constant feedings and diaper changes as a fleeting moment. Or maybe not. Only time will tell!

Jeff and I have been contemplating a piece of property for a future home as well. It just seems like life is all about adult choices now. I know we are fortunate to have choices in our life, but man, they are hard for me. There are so many unknowns, and that makes it hard to keep a clear mind. I'm not a very good risk taker, so making choices is that much harder for me.

I suppose life is all about choices and risks. Maybe the older you get, the more clear those become. Maybe I should start doing yoga. Or meditation.

"Being an adult simply means that we now know what we should be doing and we move ahead without supervision and do it, even when we really may not feel much like doing it at the time. And so it is and should be in all aspects and areas of our life."