Wednesday, April 29, 2009

No judgement here


Nathan, my two year old and most precious boy, has taught me a few things. But, the one I'm learning more than ever?? Not to judge. :) I no longer judge parents quietly in my head. "I can't believe their kid is behaving that way....why don't they control their child?!" Mackenzie was "controllable"...very much the pleaser. Nate, not so much.

I love that kid. He's full of life, energy, excitement. Just this morning he came in and immediately put on his crocs (with his jammies still on) so he could go straight outside when we got out of bed. Sure enough, straight to the garage he went - to catch flies on the window sill. His new fave! (Gross!) Ryan and I now are calling him: Fly Guy.

But, there was a turning point in this new stage of parenthood. What made me come to this state of no judgement?

The Bite.

Yes, my son bit a sweet little friend recently. I was that mother. The one who couldn't control her child. We even talked about biting before we went to this friend's house! Ryan and I sat this sweet boy down and said, once again, that we don't bite our friends. And he did it anyway. He didn't listen - at two he rarely does.

So, when children misbehave, it isn't always because their parents don't discipline or don't try to corral. Sometimes that kid is just spirited - full of life, energy, and excitement!

One thing is for sure - Nate keeps us busy. He is so fun - so on the go! I love him with everything in me. Surprisingly, even when he acts out and embarrasses me like never before. :)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Aunt Kat came!



Last week my little sis, Kathryn came to visit for a whole week! It was a blast. Can I just say how honored I am that she chose to come to my house? Kat is 22, graduating from UGA in 2 weeks (with honors!), and is totally cool. She had a week off before finals and she thought, "hmmm...how about I go visit my older sister and her THREE kids - yeah, the one in Kentucky who never leaves this little small town - the one who is a total mom and uncool now. yep, the one who drives a mini-van." (Catch my drift?!) We had so so much fun.

We....

went grocery shopping together, shopped at Target with all the kids, shopped at Target without all the kids (!!!), walked Mackenzie to school, ate at Subway, then walked home, (clocking over 12,000 steps on our pedometers - ha!), made a late night run to Dairy Queen for blizzards, cooked together, sang in the car, chased Nate together, brought and picked M up from school every day, made our own laundry detergent....the list goes on!

I cried when she left. She cried when she left. How did I get so lucky to have not just one, but two sisters who I love so dearly? (Don't worry brother, I love you too!!) I'm so proud of Kat - she looks to the Lord for guidance and is so pleasant to be around.

Thank you Kat for coming. You made my week. You are so fun - and are welcome back at any time!! We all miss you!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Funnies

A conversation with my 5 yr old on a very hot, sunny day....

Mom: "Mackenzie, you smell like sweat!"

Kenz: "That's because it's freazing hot outside!"

Mom: "Freazing Hot?!"

Kenz: "Yep, Freazing HOT!"