Yes, I am proud of poop. Gross, weird, and demented; perhaps. We might be entering a new phase here in the Miedema household. Caleb has decided that he will use the potty (with my prompting) and actually go in it! It's like a miracle has occurred! It seems like a miracle to me at least, because he has had so many issues with poop.
I never thought I would say poop so many times a day. Or rejoice at the consistency or frequency of a bowel movement. Or be so worried about a bodily function that I start fearing there is a serious problem with my child. Nobody ever told me that raising children involves a great understanding and appreciation for poop.
I would just like to say these 3 things:
Thank you to my mom and dad for changing my diapers and potty training me. And cleaning up my puke. (Specifically you, mom!)
I am not weird or gross or demented.
I like when my oldest child poops.
That is all.
"WOW!!! LOOK AT THAT POOPY!!!"
~A direct quotes from yours truly~
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Brothers
I do know a thing or two about having brothers. But, I'm not a boy, so I think the relationship between brothers is probably quite different then it is between a brother and sister. It's fun to see Caleb warming up to his little brother, and I'm sure as Luke gets older he will look up to his big brother. I snapped a few pictures of the boys together, and I just want to say...I have the cutest boys in the world! :)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A good reminder for moms
1st Corinthians 13 is known as the Love Chapter in the Bible. I love this version of 1st Corinthians 13 adapted for moms.
I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing “Ten Little Monkeys” until I want to call the doctor–but if I don’t have love, I’m as annoying as a ringing phone.
I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child’s temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don’t have love, I am nothing.
Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it’s 30 minutes past curfew.
Love is kind when my teen says, “I hate you!”
It does not envy the neighbors’ swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.
Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.
It doesn’t boast, even when I’ve multi-tasked all day long and my husband can’t do more than one thing at a time.
Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, “What have you done today?”
It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he’s going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.
Love does not give up hope.
It always protects our children’s self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleep overs.
Love never fails.
But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away.
Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please, Lord?)
Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.
For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don’t end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear. (Thank you, God!)
When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that
we’re parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love But the greatest of these is love.
~Author unknown
I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing “Ten Little Monkeys” until I want to call the doctor–but if I don’t have love, I’m as annoying as a ringing phone.
I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child’s temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don’t have love, I am nothing.
Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it’s 30 minutes past curfew.
Love is kind when my teen says, “I hate you!”
It does not envy the neighbors’ swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.
Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.
It doesn’t boast, even when I’ve multi-tasked all day long and my husband can’t do more than one thing at a time.
Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, “What have you done today?”
It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he’s going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.
Love does not give up hope.
It always protects our children’s self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleep overs.
Love never fails.
But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away.
Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please, Lord?)
Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.
For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don’t end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear. (Thank you, God!)
When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that
we’re parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love But the greatest of these is love.
~Author unknown
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
One of those days
We all have them. You know. One of those days. The kind where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed (in my case after lacking a full night's sleep for going on 6 weeks), and the world and everyone in it is bad. You just feel ornery, emotional, grumpy, or ungrateful. Well, yesterday I pretty much felt all of those things. My lack of sleep, seemingly constant days filled with crying/whining, feeding children, changing poopy diapers, and looking at my flabby stomach caught up to me. Good thing no one really saw me yesterday...except for my dear husband, who sometimes must take the brunt of my moods. Ok, he is a little to blame. It just isn't fair that he gets to enjoy his hobby (hunting) while I tend to my never-ending job! But, after a decent night's sleep and a sunny day, I feel better.
Last night before I drifted off to sleep for a few hours, I decided to look back in a book Jeff gave me for my birthday. I have referred to it in past posts, and probably will again, but when I read the book I folded over specific pages that spoke directly to me. I thought maybe reading through a few of those folded-over pages would help clear my head. That it did.
Two things struck me particularly last night:
1. Love is much easier to give and receive when we don't let it get too messy. So often we (uhhh...I) overanalyze our kids', husband's and our own behaviors. We mothers make everything personal. We have expectations for our kids' behaviors, our husband's behaviors, and ourselves. When they all fall short, rather than stepping back, we get angry. I really need to work on letting go of those expectations. Even if you don't realize you have them, it's a good idea to step back and realize that expectations and love don't go together very well.
2. Focus on the big stuff and let the small stuff go. Wow, I really need to work on that sometimes! We create barriers for ourselves if we constantly allow ourselves to critize our spouse and kids. Complaining does no good...although it might make me feel a little better at the time. Dismissing character flaws, attitudes, and temper tantrums, and focusing on the good will help us appreciate loved ones even more.
This is all nice and good, and something to aspire too. Yet, it's very difficult when you're caught up in day to day life. Most nights I say a little prayer, asking God for patience, kindness, and courage. I think I need those things the most these days.
"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed."
Last night before I drifted off to sleep for a few hours, I decided to look back in a book Jeff gave me for my birthday. I have referred to it in past posts, and probably will again, but when I read the book I folded over specific pages that spoke directly to me. I thought maybe reading through a few of those folded-over pages would help clear my head. That it did.
Two things struck me particularly last night:
1. Love is much easier to give and receive when we don't let it get too messy. So often we (uhhh...I) overanalyze our kids', husband's and our own behaviors. We mothers make everything personal. We have expectations for our kids' behaviors, our husband's behaviors, and ourselves. When they all fall short, rather than stepping back, we get angry. I really need to work on letting go of those expectations. Even if you don't realize you have them, it's a good idea to step back and realize that expectations and love don't go together very well.
2. Focus on the big stuff and let the small stuff go. Wow, I really need to work on that sometimes! We create barriers for ourselves if we constantly allow ourselves to critize our spouse and kids. Complaining does no good...although it might make me feel a little better at the time. Dismissing character flaws, attitudes, and temper tantrums, and focusing on the good will help us appreciate loved ones even more.
This is all nice and good, and something to aspire too. Yet, it's very difficult when you're caught up in day to day life. Most nights I say a little prayer, asking God for patience, kindness, and courage. I think I need those things the most these days.
"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed."
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