Smarty Pants

Motherhood Monday

Matthew 25:36-40

"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me, I was in prison, and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer Him 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? The King will answer and say to them "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

I haven't felt like the world's greatest mom lately. In fact, I've felt quite inadequate. This bit of scripture was a big wake-up call though. What I do to my children (the least of them) I do to Christ. I do not think He would have appreciated being, well, yelled at this afternoon. I was tired, the children were overtired (thank-you day light savings time) and they were not following The Nite-Nite Rules.
1. Lay down the right way (no head hanging off the bed - half on the floor kinda thing)
2. Be silent (no screaming, no talking, no noises, no singing)
3. No playing (snuggle your stuffed animal, don't make him to the Hokey-Pokey)
4. Go Nite-Nite.

Seems simple enough, but not simple enough for 2 three years olds (or their Mommy. I didn't do such a good job following rule number 3). After having a Mommy Time-Out (going into the kitchen and crying) I returned to the twins room, apologized for yelling and told them why I was so upset. They both apologized for yelling at me and for being mean. I was proud at that moment because their apologizes were completely unsolicited. They both took a couple of deep breaths, as did I, we went over the rules again, and I said night-night to them. They followed the rules exactly, fell asleep on their own, and took a good nap. Mommy and baby brother snuggled together and took a nap as well. Its amazing what a little cry and a good nap can do to improve your day.

As soon as they woke-up, I made sure to thank them for doing such a great job following the rules. We talked about how we could have followed the rules without the screaming, and made plans to do a better job next time. I think, event though I had a bit of a tantrum, that eventually I handled the situation fairly well. We shall see how tomorrow goes!

WIP

Me. I am a work-in-progress. My Motherhood is a work-in-progress. Some days I think I've got it all figured out; I'm Super Mom! Other days, I call my husband at work for moral support because everything has gone horribly wrong. The kids are all crying. I'm crying. All I can think is that God must have gotten it horribly wrong. Me a mom? Seriously? 3 kids? 3 young kids? But then I take it to Mary in prayer. When I doubt my own ability and the Father's plan for my Motherhood only the Mother of God can console me. And she does it such beautiful ways.

A couple of weeks ago, on one of those horrible days, Leo grabbed a book off the table. I yelled as he pulled out my bookmark and threw it on the floor. I shoved the bookmark into the book and hauled Mr. Grabbyhands off to time-out. Later, after I had calmed down and said a few prayers to the Virgin Mother, I opened the book to the page I had so hastily shoved my bookmark, a page that brought my little tantrum to a screeching halt. It talked about the philosophies that Maria Montessori and Edith Stein had about children and the formation of the human person. Nothing like the Father smacking you upside the head with a 2x4 to make you stop and think.

I must remember that my children are a gift from God. Even the bad days are worth every moment. How I handle things models to my children how they should handle themselves. No matter how many times I tell them to take a deep breath and use polite word in a polite, calm voice they will not listen if I do not use my own polite, calm voice. If I do not respect the dignity of my children and treat them with respect, how can I expect them to do the same?

I need to work on my consistency. Set rules and do a better job of enforcing them. I need to spend a little more time taking care of myself. Running after the dog (Jack Russel Terriers just don't listen) does not count as exercise. Leaning over the sink while I drain the pasta does not count as a facial. Eating the leftovers from the twin's lunch does not count as portion control. I need to keep working at what promises to be a life long process. Motherhood is wonderful, but a lot of work. A lot of work and a lot of wonderful reward!

Motherhood Monday

Some days I question God's sanity. This may sound like a very strange thing to say, but if it does, then you don't have twins. The idea of twins, let alone identical twin boys must have come to the Father on the same day He created the platypus. Just after He created hallucinogenic plants. My identical twin boys are 3 1/2 and so these thoughts cross my mind.

Papa's Tractors

I just found these pictures in a draft post from last April.....
wish I could figure out how to rotate the pics...

Brotherly Love

It amazes me how good the twins are with their baby brother!

Thankful Thursday

When I struggle, as I have this week, with all that has been placed in my care, I try to stop and think about those things I should be thankful for. All the things that I could complain about seem insignificant in the face of my abundant blessing!

1. My 3 healthy boys, so full of energy and smart as can be!
2. My wonderful husband who is an amazing dad!
3. My wonderful husband's job and health insurance! :-)
4. Spring rain, green grass and amazing wild flowers!
5. Fresh baked, homemade bread.
6. Did I mention what a blessing my boys are!? I'm just in love with them and how wonderful they are! How they run up to me and ask if they can give me a kiss!
7. Friends who show up or call just when you need them to.
8. Chocolate ice-cream and birthday cake!
9. Little babies giggles!
10. A dog who loves to play with toddlers as much as they love to play with her.

And so many more things that make the troubles of this present time seem small. I'd rather count my blessings and offer the pain up in service of my family.

Motherhood Monday

I feel my motherhood threatened once again by the failings of the body that brought 3 beautiful children into this world, but also failed others. The babies I miscarried are daily in my thoughts and prayers. I pray too for the 3 healthy little men I have been entrusted with. It is my prayer that my Lupus remains manageable, and that I am able to be the mother God is calling me to be. The more I learn about this disease, the better I understand the struggles I have been through over the last 20 years. From migraines, to fatigue, to vision problems, and my miscarriages. Even the pre-term birth of Baby Oliver. I struggle with the idea that God gave me these children, the desire to raise them a certain way, and then allowed a huge obstacle to be placed in my path. I know it is only through Him that I will have the strength to do what He is asking me to do.

Cute Little Man

A better picture without tubes or monitors!

Motherhood Monday

The little man has arrived. Oliver was born 3 1/2 weeks early, spent 10 days int he NICU and got his first cold at 3 weeks old! Then developed a touch of bronchitis! Not to mention the postpartum complications that have helped to create a very tired Snuffin Mommy! But in the end, the sufferings of this pregnancy and birth have been nothing in comparison to the wonderful blessing I have been given; the privilege to be mother to a beautiful little boy!

Motherhood Monday

Recent Mondays have been filled with trips to the grocery store, the park and home baked bread. Today; nothing so adventurous. Instead I am happy to still be pregnant with a healthy baby, but frustrated that I will be on bed rest for the next 10 weeks or so. I still have 12 weeks left until due date on April 12th, but will be very happy to make it to 36 or 37 weeks. My twins were born at 37 1/2 weeks, were very healthy and went home 2 days after their birth.
Now, pregnant with one, I have been put on bed rest for a mild placental abruption. The risks involved with placental abruption include premature birth, fetal death, hemorrhaging and increased c-section rate among other things I would rather not think about. Unfortunately I have plenty of time to think about these and other things. Like the fact that I can't take care of the twins on a day to day basis. Although I will be at home for the next 10 weeks, the boys will be going to day care. This breaks my heart. They haven't been to day care, or even had many babysitters. A little time with Nana or an Auntie here and there, but nothing like 8 hours of day care!
I know that I will be doing what is best for my littlest one, and for my own health, but it doesn't mean it will be easy! I keep thinking about what my sister said... In a few months I'll hardly be able to remember what I was so worried about, and all I'll want is some quiet time to rest. I pray that is the case!