Patience and Poop!

Well, yesterday morning when I went to get Noah up, his diaper had overflowed up the back and there was poop all over his crib. What a way to start the day! He ended up getting a bath, and I had to wash all the bedding - sheet, pillowcase, bed cover, crib pads, etc. Fun, fun.

Well, I didn't think anything else of it until after nap time yesterday afternoon. When I went in to get Noah up from his nap, he had somehow managed to get all of his clothes and diaper off, and guess what? Oh yes, there was poop all over the place again, even on the walls! Well, Noah looked at me and said, "Bath!" Who'd have thought that a 22-month-old could be so clever? He loves baths, and he had discovered a way to get one!

Suffice it to say that it was more of a hosing off than a bath that time, and I was a lot less patient than I had been in the morning! Again I had the joy of washing all of his bedding again, along with the wall.

Oh, the joys of motherhood. I should have taken a picture, but I wasn't feeling very "capture the moment-y" at that time! (This photo is actually from last week, not yesterday.)

Fingerprints of God

Adam received some fingerpaints in his stocking for Christmas, and he loves to use them! I just love to see the joy on his face when he's playing with them. The bottom photo reminds me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Fingerprints of God". It basically talks about how we are God's masterpieces. The chorus says, "I can see the fingerprints of God when I look at you." And that is so true. Looking at my boys, I can see God's masterpieces. They are fearfully and wonderfully made. I feel so blessed and thankful that God gave them to me to be their mother. They are such special boys. The joy they bring me is indescribable.

Joyful Children

The boys were in swimming lessons for the past two weeks. They had so much fun! Look at those smiles!

This was Adam's first time in lessons by himself, and he was pretty nervous at first. The first lesson, he cried the whole time and refused to go in the pool! Eventually, he relaxed and enjoyed himself. He likes splashing and jumping into the pool (though the teacher did not always share his enthusiasm for splashing!).

This was also Noah's first time in lessons. Ian and I took turns going with him in the pool. It is so much fun to take him in. He's fearless! He went down the slide with me with no problem! He loved jumping to me into the pool, and had no problem with having his head dunked underwater (although he needs to close his mouth when we do that!).

They both had tons of fun. It is so nice to see them smiling and laughing and having fun. God must see us that way when we are joyful. If I delight in my kids' happiness this much, then how much more must God delight in us when we are full of joy and exuberance for Him? I'm so glad I have a loving Father God who has given me these great kids and who loves me as His own child.

Being a parent has helped me understand God's love so much more (though I am still far from understanding completely - and will be until I get to Heaven!). I love my kids so much, and if God loves me even more than I love them, then it's a pretty big love!

On Being a Mom

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I have two boys - Adam is three and Noah just turned one. I love them more than life. I never thought that it would be possible to find joy in wiping snotty noses or having my shirt soaked with tears or, even worse, vomit! Having a tiny head curl into my shoulder with two tiny arms wrapped around my neck - what amazing bliss! I know they have no idea that tomorrow is Mother's Day, but I do. I know the strength of a mother's love. I know the pain when a big boy doesn't want a hug from Mommy. I know that the power of a kiss can heal a hurt. I know the special smile a baby has for his mommy when she walks into the room. I know that when they are older, they will understand how much I love them, but for now, all they know is that Mommy is always here and she takes care of them. And that's all they need to know.