10.21.2009

Yesterday I heard a comment from a young mom with one baby: "I just don't understand when I see parents being rude to their kids."

Ah. . . I remember the days when I, too, couldn't understand the impatience and imperfection of the parents around me. I could respond gently and lovingly to my one year old practically all the time; why couldn't these other parents get their acts together?

Those fantasies of Perfect Motherhood began to unravel the day my 18 month old figured out her newborn sister wouldn't be leaving the premesis anytime soon. She also decided, that same day, that it was time to start practice being a Two Year Old, and the word "no!" and tantrums commenced. My sweet girl became more uncontrollable than she'd ever been.

The Uncontrollable factor has exploded exponentially since. And frankly, sometimes I don't respond all that well when things are not under my control.

Welcome to Motherhood: God's daily reminder that we are not in control.

At the height of the family craziness, when I still believed it was my job to singlehandedly fix my broken marriage and my kids' broken hearts, I was, to but it bluntly, Insane. I had it in my brain that if I could just control the people and circumstances around me, everything would be Hunky Dory.

Problem: I cannot control the people and circumstances around me. It wasn't for lack of trying, I can tell you that.

Someone said to me, "Krysta, there's a God, and you ain't Him. Let go, and let God."

I tried it, and you know what? It worked. God is so much better at ordering the details of my world than I am.

Because I know it's not my job to "make" my kids be a certain way, I'm a lot better at accepting them, and a lot calmer when doling out necessary consequences.

Not that I don't have my moments. But when I find myself beginning a Control Binge, I know what to do. Let go, and let God.

10.20.2009

The Joys of Phonetic Spelling

Banana, who is five, is on a Spelling Tear. This week, her favorite activity is writing down the thoughts that float through her little brain. This is especially fun because Banana talks like Elmer Fudd, which is reflected in her spelling choices. See if you can decipher this one:

I aim soow icksidiud dat my toof is loos.

The accompanying drawing on this precious piece of paper depicts a sleeping, smiling Banana with backward zzzzz's coming out of her mouth, and the Tooth Fairy, carrying a wand and some money - a 10 dollar, 50 dollar, and 15 dollar bill.

Dream away, Banana. The Toof Fairy ain't made of money.

Banana is my baby. This is the last time I will be able to delight in the Phonetic Spelling Phase, which has always given me inordinate amounts of joy. I'm sucking the marrow out of this bone.

10.18.2009

Pumpkin Farm Day!!!!!!!

Because I probably wanted to go as badly as the kids, I announced that today was Pumpkin Farm Day. There were no behavioral requirements.

Outings such as Pumpkin Farm Day are the places I get to sneak in my homeschooling, which I miss terribly, even though the kids don't.

I saw a real chicken lay a real egg. It looked dry from the get-go, which surprised me.

The kids had great fun letting the chickens peck their jacket zippers through the wire, at which point they yelled, "This chicken is pecking my zipper into a nub!" - a reference that will only make sense to a true Junie B. fan.

We chose our pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, went on a hayride, and fed cow treats to real cows - some of which had horns. Apparently lady cows can have horns, too, which I did not know.

I realize that the term "lady cows" is redundant. I'm using it anyway.

We also went through a Myrtle Maze. Apparently, some species of worm had destroyed their corn crop, and they got creative and planted Myrtle instead. I respect a person who can roll with adversity and come up with a creative alternative.

Tomorrow, it's back on the Hamster Wheel of school, homework, chores, activities, a sliver of Quality Family Time, and sleep.

Days like today feel to me like coming up for air.