Summer thunderstorms come out of nowhere. One minute the sky can be perfectly clear, bright and sunny. Then the next minute, without any kind of notice, the clouds will roll in covering the area with darkness and booming thunder. I love it. I love the mystery, the intensity, the power behind every lightning strike. It just amazes me how something with so much energy could just come out of nowhere.
The other day we were on the way home from the pool and one of those summer thunderstorms started rolling in. We told the kids that we needed to give them a quick bath before the storm came. That's all Griffin needed to hear to launch into one of his Griffinisms. (Yes, that's my new word to describe my son's awkward reactions to things.) He started crying and asking us not to let it storm. He obviously doesn't share my sentiments. We had to explain to him that mommy and daddy couldn't control the storm.
I started thinking...maybe it would be nice if we could control the storms, if we could determine exactly when each storm would come and how long it would last and where exactly it would hit. Although it's a nice thought, in reality it would be a mess. I would want to plan the storm to hit during nap time so it wouldn't ruin the kids' pool time, but the mom down the road would want to the storm to come after her kids had their picnic lunch. The coach would want the storm to hold off until after the game. We would be in constant conflict with each other, and the earth would never receive the nourishment and refreshment it so desperately needs during the hot months of summer.
While it's hard for us to think of storms as refreshing and nourishing, that's exactly what their purpose is. If God never made us go through anything difficult, we would never grow. Instead complacency would set in and dryness would slowly wilt our spirits, and we wouldn't even notice it until it was too late. Although it's frustrating when things are going well and then life gets interrupted by an unexpected, powerful storm, those are the very things that keep pushing us closer and closer to where we need to be. They cause us to seek Him, His answers and His guidance. In turn He provides exactly what we need exactly when we need it.
When you're soaking wet from the pounding rain, it's hard to see all the good you're receiving. You just have to wait until the storm has passed. Then you can look back and appreciate the blessings it delivered.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Really?
If you ever want to frustrate me, please do any or all of the following:
1. Park right beside me as I'm trying to load/unload my car.
Whenever I park, I purposely look for spots away from other cars because I know I need a lot of room. Not only do I need to fit a massive infant carseat through the door, but then I have to literally climb into the car in order to buckle the twins in their seats in the third row. Then sometimes I have to fold up the stroller and stash it in the back.
The other night at Zaxby's some lady watched the five of us...Javin holding Griff and Gretchen's hands and me toting Grayson in his carseat...walk to our car. Then as we were trying to load up, she parked right beside us. There were at least five other open parking spots, and still she chose to park right beside us. Really? Hope you enjoyed the view of my very large rear end poking through the door I tried to close as much as possible so YOU could get out of your car.
2. Crowd around me as I try to calm a crying baby.
So Grayson is an amazing baby. He is happy, playful, talkative, and just super sweet. However, when he gets upset, he really gets upset. He doesn't just cry, he screams. When he gets upset like that, it also bothers me...not because I'm angry with him but angry with myself for allowing him to get that hungry or that sleepy. When those moments come, I just need a minute to either make a bottle or put him to sleep. I do NOT need onlookers huddling around me asking what's wrong. Really? He's upset and you're not helping.
3. Tell me my baby needs a bottle whenever he starts crying.
Now granted, I just admitted that Grayson does get ill when he needs a bottle. However, that is not the only reason he cries. It doesn't matter what we're doing or where we are when he starts crying, someone always says, "I think that baby needs a bottle." Really? And we blame our growing problem with obesity on the lack of activity? Uhm...maybe it's because parents are too eager to stuff a bottle in a baby's mouth instead of figuring out why the baby is really crying. Parents begin soothing their infants with milk and continue to use food to calm them as toddlers. See the pattern? It's not healthy. Sometimes babies need to burb or their tummies are just gassy. Sometimes they have dirty diapers and a lot of times they are just sleepy or over stimulated. They do not need a bottle every time they cry, but if it makes you feel better, like you are somehow helping, then my all means say it. Just don't be surprised when I roll my eyes.
4. Tell me anything about how to raise kids when you don't have any.
Yes, some non-parents can know a lot about children. There are teachers, daycare workers, etc who spend excessive hours with children, but working that job 40 hours a week doesn't make you a parent. It teaches you a lot about parenting and dealing with kids, but it's different when you have children of your own. Now, I do need advice. I love when other parents give me tips, but when a non-parent says something like, "You should never blah blah blah," I just want to scream. I'm not dumb. I am definitely not a perfect mom, but I sure as heck am doing the best I can. So back off...
Sorry this blog is so negative, I just needed to vent. Here's a positive thought to end on:
Kids make life more full. My car isn't the only thing that is overcrowded. My heart is truly full. If you already have children of your own, try to overlook the little frustrations and concentrate on all the good things...the hugs, the kisses, the random remarks. Tonight as I was putting Griff in his carseat, he said, "Mommy, you are my best friend." Wow...any stress I had in that moment completely disappeared. In the end I know people will continue to say and do things that will frustrate me, but I can choose how I react. While I will probably still get frustrated, I refuse to let it steal away my joy.
1. Park right beside me as I'm trying to load/unload my car.
Whenever I park, I purposely look for spots away from other cars because I know I need a lot of room. Not only do I need to fit a massive infant carseat through the door, but then I have to literally climb into the car in order to buckle the twins in their seats in the third row. Then sometimes I have to fold up the stroller and stash it in the back.
The other night at Zaxby's some lady watched the five of us...Javin holding Griff and Gretchen's hands and me toting Grayson in his carseat...walk to our car. Then as we were trying to load up, she parked right beside us. There were at least five other open parking spots, and still she chose to park right beside us. Really? Hope you enjoyed the view of my very large rear end poking through the door I tried to close as much as possible so YOU could get out of your car.
2. Crowd around me as I try to calm a crying baby.
So Grayson is an amazing baby. He is happy, playful, talkative, and just super sweet. However, when he gets upset, he really gets upset. He doesn't just cry, he screams. When he gets upset like that, it also bothers me...not because I'm angry with him but angry with myself for allowing him to get that hungry or that sleepy. When those moments come, I just need a minute to either make a bottle or put him to sleep. I do NOT need onlookers huddling around me asking what's wrong. Really? He's upset and you're not helping.
3. Tell me my baby needs a bottle whenever he starts crying.
Now granted, I just admitted that Grayson does get ill when he needs a bottle. However, that is not the only reason he cries. It doesn't matter what we're doing or where we are when he starts crying, someone always says, "I think that baby needs a bottle." Really? And we blame our growing problem with obesity on the lack of activity? Uhm...maybe it's because parents are too eager to stuff a bottle in a baby's mouth instead of figuring out why the baby is really crying. Parents begin soothing their infants with milk and continue to use food to calm them as toddlers. See the pattern? It's not healthy. Sometimes babies need to burb or their tummies are just gassy. Sometimes they have dirty diapers and a lot of times they are just sleepy or over stimulated. They do not need a bottle every time they cry, but if it makes you feel better, like you are somehow helping, then my all means say it. Just don't be surprised when I roll my eyes.
4. Tell me anything about how to raise kids when you don't have any.
Yes, some non-parents can know a lot about children. There are teachers, daycare workers, etc who spend excessive hours with children, but working that job 40 hours a week doesn't make you a parent. It teaches you a lot about parenting and dealing with kids, but it's different when you have children of your own. Now, I do need advice. I love when other parents give me tips, but when a non-parent says something like, "You should never blah blah blah," I just want to scream. I'm not dumb. I am definitely not a perfect mom, but I sure as heck am doing the best I can. So back off...
Sorry this blog is so negative, I just needed to vent. Here's a positive thought to end on:
Kids make life more full. My car isn't the only thing that is overcrowded. My heart is truly full. If you already have children of your own, try to overlook the little frustrations and concentrate on all the good things...the hugs, the kisses, the random remarks. Tonight as I was putting Griff in his carseat, he said, "Mommy, you are my best friend." Wow...any stress I had in that moment completely disappeared. In the end I know people will continue to say and do things that will frustrate me, but I can choose how I react. While I will probably still get frustrated, I refuse to let it steal away my joy.
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