Thursday, April 30, 2015

Smacking Melons!

If you ever see our little family out around town you will more than likely notice two things; we are always learning something, and we use ASL & English. So if you see us, say hi! We also try to give our kids a good mix of individual attention & family time...one way is to split off while shopping.
The other day this is just what we did...it was Bubbles' turn to go with me to the fresh market while daddy took Beauty & Baby to the Pet store in the same shopping center. Bubbles is Deaf and like a super awesome kid! As with all of my kids I try to teach little life lessons as we go...in between hearing all about school, fairies, friends, dreams, new dance moves, art, and of course what they are going to be when they grow up~ which seems to change daily!
We went on with our shopping and I let her pick some of the fruits & veggies for the week.. Then it was time to pick the watermelon~ and I was like hmm??? I remember growing up hearing learning about smacking watermelon and listening for that "thump" that meant is was sweet. Not sure of the Science behind it but I come from a long line of Southern people that swear by and who am I to argue?!? I wanted to share this with my daughter...
I was like 'I got it!; we will feel for it.... So there I am smacking the melons while holding my hand on the other side to feel the vibration going through the melon, and yes it took a lot of concentration and quite a few melons before I could feel the difference.... and then I taught my daughter, who was now out of boredom~ twirling beside me! We stood there smacking the melons and discussing whether this one or that one would be sweet...the color and designs on the melons and so on... We were all smiles as we walked back to our cart with the perfect watermelon!
As we walked on I shared the story of to picking melons with my dad as a kid...
I also learned that watermelon is her new favorite food!
I feel like I'm learning everyday! Most of the time it comes from having no idea what I'm doing!!! I'm simply doing what I can and trusting God with the everything else... I still worry that I am not enough, that I'm not mother enough for her not being Deaf myself, but at least she will grow up learning how to smack melons!
Yeah, and she can say she got that from me!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

I Said the "F" Word to my Daughter...but never want to say again.

So you read the title...I said the 'F' word to my daughter. My face immediately turned a few shades of red...as my mind went back to hearing the same words growing up.
It may not be the "F" word you are thinking of it's the one where the 'F' come at the end...it's the word "IF."
It seemed growing up I heard this 'IF' word from everyone...family, friends, teachers, and even people at church. Mostly it was about my weight or how I looked, but there were others as well concerning my lack of social skills or education.
"You would be pretty IF.."
"You have a pretty face IF only you would...you might"
"IF you only tried harder...."
"You could...."IF" only you..."
I honestly grew to hate the word... I know it's meant to help ease the pain of the statement, but does it?
Let's compare: The blunt version:
    You need to lose weight so myself and others will find you more attractive.
The so called kind "IF" version:
     You are somewhat pretty in the face, but you are still lacking any real beauty of any value because you are so overweight.
As a grown woman I can't imagine saying either to a child....
Then again, I did...
I said it to my own beautiful daughter. It was concerning her behavior, and it was wrong. As soon as I said that dread "F" word I hugged her and re-formed my statement. I purposed to guard my words more carefully.
I can't change the past, but I will change the future. I never want my daughter, any of my daughters to feel that they are incomplete because they are enough. They are beautiful, funny, and smart...each one different and blessed with special gifts from  God.
There is no "IF" needed.

Monday, April 20, 2015

When Teddy Bears Go To Church...

This weekend seemed to go by in a blur....doesn't every weekend?!? I don't know about you, but I start my 'Weekend To Do List' on MONDAY! There is just never enough time and I am always running behind....but am I?
Sunday morning I was so tired...my eyes seemed to scream to close as I shuffled to the bathroom. A splash of cold water~ looking at the tired, haggard woman staring back in the mirror~ she needed to get her children ready for church. I will be honest, Sunday morning are a lot of work, blessed work, but work just the same! I pick the dresses, fix the hair, and find the shoes....all while dealing with meltdowns, keeping kids from making art on the walls, stopping fights, feeding the dog, getting breakfast, drying tears & soothing hurt feelings, and a million other things! So yeah, I'm that mother that kind of collapses in to the pew with a sigh of relief and then looks down to find someone else's booger on her dress!
So you may be wondering why I do it?!?
Well, it's simple~ I love God and I want my children to love Him too!
I saw this simple lesson unfold before my eyes early this last Sunday morning~ when the teddy bears were going to church!
I heard silence~ which is never a good thing around here! Well, this particular moment it was just the good thing I needed....my youngest two children were in their room dressing their Teddy Bears for church! They were encouraging them to put on their shoes quickly, sang 'Jesus Loves Me' as they brushed the fur...even added a bow on an ear, and repeated the little life lessons they have heard so many times... They were telling them all about God and how much He loves them! I just stood there and smiled...it was a simple reminder of what is really important!
 So, hopefully if you ever feel that it's just too much...just not worth it...I hope you think of this little story.
I may feel that I'm running behind, but I'm running toward HOME and I'm taking my children with me...and maybe even their Teddy Bears too!