Slow Ride-Quick Temper

I lost my temper with JD yesterday. I have apologized to him...and he "forgived" me. Yet, I am still frustrated with myself. We had packed up our bikes and gone to a local bike trail. JD has a great little red "huffy" complete with training wheels. Daddy took Nate and Caleb in the bike trailer and went on ahead. I stayed behind to ride with JD. Now, I knew he would be slow. I was prepared for that. But he went e-x-c-r-u-t-i-a-t-i-n-g-l-y s-l-o-w. I have seen him pedal faster than that on our small patio. We've been on rides before and he's gone faster. But, for some reason...he was bound and determined to go slow. He even told me "Mommy, I'm going to ride slow." I did not expect him to be Lance Armstrong...but GOOD GRIEF...he was barely pushing the pedals. I tried a myriad of things to get him to go. Finally, I just grabbed the bike, snapped at him and marched back to the car. I heaved the bike on the roof of the SUV and waited on Daddy so JD could ride in the trailer. I was mad, really mad. I said things I shouldn't have. I acted harshly. I was impatient and unkind.

Once JD was in the trailer, we were able to take our family bike ride. JD had a blast in the trailer...and we had a great time as a family. The frustration was forgotten as we enjoyed riding past the river, we saw a beaver and a crane. JD chatted happily and begged Daddy to "go faster..." It was a great way to spend a Saturday evening.

Today I have mulled over how I could have handled things differently. I know JD was probably reacting to riding in a new place. He's my cautious one. I knew that he was fully capable of the ride, I knew the trail was level and easy. I knew he could do it. However, he was nervous and did not react well to my frustration (well...duh!)

Today I have thought about my relationship with God. I am fully aware that there have been times in my walk with Him, when He has asked me to do something and I refused because I was scared...or stubborn...or a mix of both. He knows when I am capable of riding the trail, and He knows when I need to ride in the trailer. He is wise and He knows the plans he has for me. I'm so glad God treats me differently than I treated my son. He is kind, he is patient. He is tender and compassionate. How much I have to learn. He is the perfect parent....Lord Help me be like you!

Sand, Chocolate Eggs and Iguanas

I do have to tell this story, but it deserves it's own blog. Any mother of Pre-Schoolers will appreciate this day....

It was a nice afternoon. The kind of afternoon where the kids can run around outside and play. It was hot enough that I decided to let the kids fill up their plastic Wal-Mart pool. I was inside feeding baby Nate when it dawned on me. "Ya know, I've told the boys that the sand stays in the sandbox, I've told them not to put sand in the pool, but I've never told them to "not put water in the sandbox..." I set Nate down and walked over to the back door. Sure enough, JD was standing with the hose...happily filling the sandbox with water. I quickly ran out, turned off the water and began the process of draining the sandbox. I got most of the water out..and took some of the sand out and laid it in our smaller plastic pool, so it would have a better chance of drying out. During this process, I had sent JD inside to watch Dragon Tales. I managed to salvage most of the sand...and got the patio swept off.

I entered the house and assumed I would find JD sitting in front of the TV enjoying his show. Instead...I heard noise in the kitchen (never a good sign) I askedJD..."What are you doing?"; as I sprinted into the kitchen. He responded... " I'm making Chocolate Eggs..." Sure enough, there in a pan, were four eggs (minus their shells, which were placed nicely in the trash) and a TON of chocolate syrup. He was happily mixing them up...and eating spoonfuls of it. EWWW! I quickly took those away, explaining that Goldfish crackers and apple juice might be a better choice. I had to laugh at that point...cause He really did do a good job not getting shells in the pan.

We got that all taken care of and the doorbell rings...it was our 13 year old neighbor girl...bringing her 4 foot iguana over for a visit. The boys thought that was pretty cool.... So, the iguana crawled all over our floor and my kitchen counters. She left and went home...and I decided to grill burgers. We were all outside playing/grilling when JD comes sprinting across the yard yelling "the poop is coming..." Well, lets just say the eggs did not agree with him, and I had to hose off my patio again...

All that to say...everyday is an adventure with my children. I decided in those moments...that I would not "loose" my sanity. But, chose to remember that there will be a day when I will long for JD to be in the kitchen making chocolate eggs....

Excited

I sit here and wonder... "what should I write about today..." I don't feel like I have much profound to say. I'm just thankful. I'm thankful for the change that God has brought to my heart over the past few months. I've always believed and have supported Monty's calling to the chaplaincy. Yet, in the past two weeks I've actually gotten EXCITED about it. I've gone from being "scared", to being very anxious for that chapter in our lives to start. I beleive it is "our " calling. I'm excited to be a military wife. Thanks God!

Late Night and Random Thoughts...

So, it's been a few weeks since I've taken the time to sit down and write. So, now at 2am, I can't sleep. This is due to the fact that I have stayed up late finishing a great novel...and now I'm still wrapped up in the characters plight....and I'm forcing myself not to start the next book in the series until tomorrow. If I did start the novel, I would not get any sleep, because I would read it start to finish between now and when the kids get up. So...in an effort to find my "sleepy place", I thought I would ramble to you, my faithful readers... Here are a few thing's I'm thanful for today

1. I have so much to be thankful for these days. I turned 36 last week. Funny, cause I think mentally, I still think I'm 26. I had a great birthday though. Monty was out of town for his yearly paintball trip (He's the chaplain for D-Day, it's a huge deal) Anyway, my wonderful neighbor took me out for two days of pampering! She treated me to a manicure, pedicure and she also took me to her stylist and we got the "works" done on my hair...and to top it off, she paid for a massage for me. This Mommy of three boys did not quite know what to do with myself. This was a HUGE treat for me...I'm so thankful. It was nice to feel like a "girl" and not just a frumpy Mom of toddlers.
2. I'm also thankful for this new Bible Study I've been going to on Wednesday nights. It's called "An Excellent Wife". I've learned much already...and have much to learn. It's challenging to take a real look at what God requires of me as a wife. I am feeling growing pains...yet seeing cool changes in our marriage already. Thanks Lord.
3. I'm also excited cause I've run across a couple of current chaplains wives blogs. It's been encouraging to read what they have been through, and to catch a glimpse of what life as a chaplains wife will look like.
4. I'm grateful for Monty. He is trying to get some sleep (obviously), because he leaves early tomorrow morning to report for training with the National Guard. He has accepted a temporary job with them as a chaplain recruiter. He will be based from home, but traveling a bit. He'll do this up until he goes to Chaplain/Officer basic training this fall. It's a great opportunity for him. So, yes our lives are in a bit of "flux" right now, but it's a good change.
5. I'm thankful for our boys...who are a constant source of laughter and prayer. They are so different. I love JD's tender heart. I love Calebs infectious laughter. I love the way Nate's eyes light up when he see's me. What a gift being a Mom is!

Anyway...I should get to bed. I'm back on the blogging bandwagon now...more to come I'm sure...