Thursday, August 11, 2011

Life Challenges

Emma doesn't take a bottle. Well, let me restate that. Emma WON'T take a bottle if its from me, no matter what is in it. I have to make sure I'm not without her for more than an hr and a half at a time, just in case she needs to eat.
SO, my very first challenge was Jamie and Ty's wedding. Josh kept her occupied pretty well, and I didn't have to leave the ceremony at all to feed her! The next challenge came when Brandon and I were desperate for a date night. We saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows pt.2 in 3d, my brother said it was filmed in 2d and the 3d effects were added later, which makes the 3d effects less desirable; I suggest seeing it  in 2d. Anyway, we left my mother-in-law with the challenge of feeding Emma at her next feeding... I thought she would do great and be super patient with Emma. And ya know what!? EMMA ATE FROM A BOTTLE WITHOUT A FIGHT! I could not believe it! However, we are back to no bottles for Emma...
Kyle. I love my baby Kyle. But my oh my, have his terrible twos set in and he isn't even a year and a half! He is getting harder and harder to take places, because you never know when he is going to break down and throw a ROYAL fit! We try doing a reward system (we find his love language to be affirmation) and he does well with it, so far. For instance, we bought him a potty that cheers for him when he goes, "Yeah! GOAL!" Its a soccerball ok? Anyway, he has pottied 3 separate times on it, and even asked to use it one of those times! Proud mama over here! I just hope he continues to enjoy going on the big boy pot and will prefer that soon over his diaper!
Being optimistic. Sometimes I have a VERY hard time seeing the good in things. This hasn't always been a challenge for me, but somewhere over the last year and a half or two, I've had a hard time looking for the best in people, hoping for the best in any situation, or even being nice. I thought a lot of it was due to my pregnancy with Kyle, and maybe its still hormonal, but I don't see that as an excuse! I want to allow the Lord to work through me and be able to use me, but how can I when I am stopping Him from doing so? I want to be the best wife and mother I possibly can, but sometimes my anger gets the best of me and I say things that are rude and don't even apologize at times.
Folks, if you love your spouses and kids, make sure they know it. Not by just what you say, but by your actions. ACTIONS. They do speak louder than words you know. And without trust in these relationships, its harder to love, submit, respect, and encourage. That is, to give AND to receive.

1 comment:

  1. Oh Crystal! I remember when Ayden was Emma's age and the challenges that I faced when trying to go ANYWHERE. Frustrating for sure.. kinda feel like a cow, right? He's 11 months now, and still eating every 3 hours! He's hardly started the weaning process.. which honestly, I'm okay with at this point because I'd love to nurse him through another cold & flu season! :)

    ANYHOW!
    I understand what you mean completely about sometimes letting your anger get the best of you. For me, I feel like I focus so much of my attention on Ayden through the day that by the time Jaymes gets home I just don't have any "nice" left. I hate how that sounds, but it's true :( I've been praying about it for awhile, and I think things are slowly getting better.

    I love you! I think you're an amazing mother, and wife.. your family is BLESSED to have you!

    Remember that we are human, and even though that's not an excuse for when we fall short, God certainly forgives and helps us to make things right again! XOXO

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