Chaos and Celebrations

Parenting is full of surprises.

As my little ones are getting older, I find myself saying some of the craziest things.

Here are a few from just this week:

• Don’t ride the xylophone like a skateboard!
• PLEASE stop licking the baby.
• No, your brother doesn’t like being pushed down the steps. Would you?
• Please leave his eyeballs in his head. He likes them there better than on the floor.
• Don’t even PRETEND to poop on your brother. We don’t poop on other people. It’s just not nice.
• Don’t eat that!
• Why are you licking the baby’s head?
• The CD player is not a bat.
• The slide whistle  is not a weapon.
• I don’t think we need to cry about play-doh.
• The baby CAN’T taste that good! Stop licking him!
• Seriously, Bud, we don’t lick play-doh. Or the computer. Especially the computer.

That’s how we roll around here. In addition to strange sayings, there are plenty of strange sights to amuse those who may peek in. Sights such as:

• Both older boys dancing, fully clothed, with underpants on their heads.
• Both boys parading around the kitchen and living room wearing my pumps.  Pants optional.
• Scrunch randomly spinning in circles until he falls down laughing – only to get up and do it again.
• Both older boys creating tents and hiding places out of everything.

But, in all this zaniness, love abounds.

Sure, I lose my temper. I’m not SuperMom, though I long to be.  I fail. I fall. I feel like I am a horrible mother.  I need to remember that it isn’t about ME. It’s about growing these little ones to love the Lord. Thankfully, there is Grace! His mercies are new every morning!

We have been blessed with so many sweet times.

• Stolen moment snuggles far past bedtimes.
• Family cuddles all in one bed early in the morning.
• Seeing each boy grow and learn and have fun each day.
• Being amazed at how quickly they grow.
• Moments to tell each one how they were like Jesus that day.

We’re often too hard on ourselves as mommies – always striving toward perfection. We can easily get burned out. We don’t take the time to celebrate. My boys are so good at celebrating. Nearly every day they are baking a play-doh “cake” and decorating for a party or celebration of some sort.

Let’s take a moment to bask in something we’ve done well this past week.

Where have you succeeded? What has been a “shining moment” in your parenting this week?