Playing Doctor

If you are a mom or dad or have a mom and dad you have heard of the good old past time of 'playing doctor'. Fisher Price even sells a great play kit. I've considered getting one for my son since his dad drives an ambulance sometimes. Bryston has his own very real stethoscope. He'll listen to my heart and his. Innocent fun right?

Today Bryston and I had a play date with my best friend and her sweet kids. We went to McDonalds since it was nasty outside. Bryston and his friends had a great time. They were the only kids there for a while. As our play time was winding down Bryston came to me with his pants unzipped and said "Mommy, my pants are unzipped." (I had just taken him to the bathroom and first thought maybe I forgot to zip them) Nearby a mother was sitting and listening (only one other child was there, a girl about 5 or 6). I asked Bryston how they came unzipped and he said "That girl unzipped them". Oh my. I'm ashamed to say that my first thought was his overactive imagination. (I was a teacher for peets sakes! What was I thinking? Children don't make things like this up.) As I was talking to Bryston and having him explain to me exactly what happened the mother of the girl told me that her daughter is going through this playing doctor phase and that she did believe her daughter did that. She had her daughter apologize to Bryston and promptly left. I'm thankful to that mother for being honest. It's a simple and innocent game BUT I don't want my child to think that is okay.

After they left I told Bryston that no one is to ever touch him around those areas and that if that ever happened again he was to scream for me because I'm never far away. (I didn't see this because it was at the top of the play area's slide/tube contraption). I learned a valuable lesson. I will never doubt my child or second guess myself.
Later my best friends precious and caring daughter felt really bad that she didn't see what had happened so she could stop it.

I watch my child very close, almost to the point of being over protective. But I didn't think to have other children on my radar for that kind of behavior. From now on before we play anywhere I will add this new concern to my preteach before we play. Thank you Jesus for watching out for my child.

10 year reflection

Ten years ago I was a senior preparing for the big bad world. Graduation was finally a reality. After 13 years of school it had come down to one moment...high school graduation. I was living with my parents and driving a paid for GEO Metro. I was working at Interior Outlet and going to school only 1/2 days. College applications were a real fear. Here are some Praises from the past 1o years.

1. I was fresh off a mission trip to Guyana, South America. I had sworn off men after reading a great book by Joshua Harris. My goal was to not date again until God had the right person for me. I was content to serve, be with friends, and go to college. Just 4 months after graduation I met Jason. We dated for nearly 3 years and married in 2002 after purchasing our first home. (No, I didn't live with him until we were married)

2. I completed my Bachelors in Education.

3. I worked for nearly 5 years in 2 schools in the great Fort Smith Public Schools.

4. Jason and I welcomed our son in 2005. He is such a wonderful blessing.

5. Then in 2009 we welcomed a daughter. Never did I think my life would be so full.

6. I've been blessed with the most wonderful Best Friend. We have been inseparable since the 7th grade. Even though we both have families and busy lives (hers more than mine:) we still talk nearly every day. She has been there for the birth of both of my children (with our son she had to travel 3 hours to be there).

7. I'm embarking on a new journey as a stay-at-home mom.

In 10 years I've learned that only God can sustain me. He is teaching me about life everyday. I'm learning how to be a better person. I love my husband and children, I thank God every chance I get. I'm humbled by His forgiveness and blessed by His Grace. My husband and I have been led to a Great Church and are excited to serve the Lord. 10 years has flown by. Has it really been ten years?

I'm excited to see what God has planned for the next ten.

Early Spring Cleaning

Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom I have this overwhelming urge to clean and have a clean house. So, I started Spring Cleaning early. Why so early, well, it's going to take me forever, take a look at the picture above. This is what my daughter does if she is not being held or sleeping. When she gets like this...she doesn't stop...my son would stop and give it up...my daughter will keep going till she is blue. The doctor told me not to let her do this to much or she would be very insecure. So, I work around this and between this.

First impressions are the most important, right? So here. My linen closet, I'm such a neat and tidy person, that it always looks like this. NOT! I'm a sloppy person who married a sloppy person, we don't stand a chance! (Can you see the dump truck in the pink room to the right, my son is trying to take over his sister's room already, can't wait for those boundary battles.

This is what my linen closet looked like before.

'I think it is time to go grocery shopping'. This refridgerator took me nearly 3 days of working off and on. Meredith wakes up about 8 in the morning to be fed but then she takes a nap shortly after, so, this was my morning work. I washed each peice carefully I even put some in the dishwasher and this worked GREAT! Then I saw that on the bottom of each peice it says "Wash with warm soapy water, DO NOT put in dishwasher" Well, it didn't hurt this time. And I'm sure it will be years before I do this again:)

This is what my poor refridgerator looked like before. I'm surprised a HAZMAT team didn't come and shut us down or the health inspector.

Well, you have seen just 2 peices of the mess I live in (for now). How long do you think it will take me to get the entire house finished? I'll give you and inside tip so you can make a proper estimate. My daughter's and son's room are very clean (exception of toys in Bry's room). The rest is needing attention. Remember the precious face from the beginning AND the activities of an almost 4 year old. Any guess? Aahh, How does Kate plus 8 do it?