I originally posted this at Extraordinary Mom's Network 9/8/08
10) They make me laugh. - It’s true, every day. for example. My oldest has a speech delay (among other things). One day out of the blue he started walking around saying “I’m sauced Momma! YEEESS MOMMA!! I’m sauced!!” (we’re teetotalers too!) It took me about 2 weeks to figure out he was repeating me saying “I’m exhausted!” ~~ we still say we’re “sauced” around here!
9) They give me the priviledge to witness miracles. My pregnancies and deliveries were hard and dangerous. I know just how lucky we are to have living, thriving children. Each of these babies is a miracle. How fortunate I am that God has allowed me to watch grow 3 of His Perfect Miracles.
8) I always wanted to be a cheerleader. But never went out for the team. Now I am able to be a cheerleader every day..while wearing the much more comfortable uniform of JAMMIES! The most often repeated phrase in my house is “You can do it! Try again! You can do it!” Maybe I should invest in pompoms!
7) They bring me closer to God, daily. One of the blessings of parenting SNKs (Special Needs Kids) is that you slowly learn that you have no control over their development. You have no control over their potential, we don’t even know what their potential is! I have no plans for my children’s future, as I have no idea what that future may look like. But see, this is how it’s SUPPOSED to be. We’re told NOT to plan for the future, just to trust that God will supply our needs. Learning to let that go is a painful but wonderful blessing.
6) I am never bored! About the time I think “This is alright, I’ve got this down…” something new comes up. A new experience, a new developmental hurdle, a new attitude, a new behavior “issue”, a new topic of conversation to get repeated over and over again….life is an adventure; my adventure is exciting.
5) I’ve learned to rejoice over every little thing. I appreciate each and every milestone that my kids reach, even something as “minor” as saying “ready…set..” and having the kid say “GO!” will bring tears of joy to my eyes. And this carries over into my whole life. The adult surgery patients I take care of think I’m strange when I do a victory dance over their first post-op poop. But to me, now, every triumph deserves a victory dance, take NOTHING for granted!
4) Raising SNKs inspires creativity. I’ve carried weighted backpacks to church because it helped with my middle child’s sensory integration problems, I bought a bounce house to help with my oldest’s low muscle tone, I’ve put tape on the living room floor to make a track for my oldest to work on physical therapy goals while playing “follow the leader” …(Mom was the leader), I created “Mama’s Special Sauce” out of nothing but vegetables, then substituted it for ketchup when the middle kid refused to eat even the most hidden vegetable, (yes, it worked, we used it for almost a year before starting to once again force the veggies). I’ve been told I “think outside of the box”. My response to this is “where’s the box?? Did your kids come in a box??”
3) These kids have given me many opportunities to teach. Because my kids “look normal” most people don’t understand their needs. No, baby girl isn’t saying “mama” at 18 months…nor is she walking. No, middle child can’t tell you his name. No, oldest isn’t going to look you in the eye and answer your question…he’s just gonna repeat your question back to you. But. the boys are both in regular classes in Pre-school. That middle child at 3 1/2 can not only count to 12, and tell you the alphabet, he can identify all the numerals and letters, as well as most shapes. My oldest can remember every word to every video and every song that he’s ever heard. He understands things (like Jesus’ booboos) that have never been told or explained to him. He knows where we’re heading by which streets we take, and if we pass an exit we normally take, he knows where we are and what is down that exit. These are the things I find myself teaching to others. And I teach a lot, so that others will understand and will not jump to conclusions the next time they come across a SNK.
2) My kids have blessed me with muscle tone and endurance. My middle child’s online nickname is Gator-boy, or Alligator. He came by this name when he was about a year old. He didn’t like being held, (sensory integration issues) always wanted to be on the go. When he decided it was time to get down out of Mama’s lap he would squirm until he was laying sideways across my lap….then start rolling around in place to loosen my grip. Have you ever seen the shows about Alligator Wrestlers? or Crocodile Hunters?? That’s exactly what he looks like. Yes, he still tries it…but it doesn’t work– in case you ever need to know, the secret is to pin the shoulders and hips…then they can’t roll over. You do this by putting one arm between their legs and the other across one shoulder, under the head. Then you hold your hands together at their belly and pull the kiddo in to your trunk. one…two…three….YOU WIN!
1) The number 1 reason why I feel blessed to have these children is that they have strengthened my character. Every parent’s worst fear is that “something” will be “wrong” with their child. For most parents this is nothing more than a fear that passes away as the child grows. For those of us with SNKs that fear is a reality. It does something to a person when they face their worst fear, then live through it. Your whole perspective on life changes. I used to be upset by little things, now, it’s much harder to get me discombobulated. I mean. I’m raising (with my wonderful husband) Three Special Needs Kids. All the other upsets in life pale in comparison. I am a better person for knowing these kids, and I am blessed, truly blessed, that God saw fit to name me as their mother. For that blessing, I am eternally grateful.
Showing posts with label Extraordinary Mom's Network. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Extraordinary Mom's Network. Show all posts
Friday, August 4, 2017
Thursday, April 7, 2011
10 Blessings from raising Special Needs Kids
I originally posted this at Extraordinary Mom's Network 9/8/08
10) They make me laugh. - It’s true, every day. for example. My oldest has a speech delay (among other things). One day out of the blue he started walking around saying “I’m sauced Momma! YEEESS MOMMA!! I’m sauced!!” (we’re teetotalers too!) It took me about 2 weeks to figure out he was repeating me saying “I’m exhausted!” ~~ we still say we’re “sauced” around here!
9) They give me the priviledge to witness miracles. My pregnancies and deliveries were hard and dangerous. I know just how lucky we are to have living, thriving children. Each of these babies is a miracle. How fortunate I am that God has allowed me to watch grow 3 of His Perfect Miracles.
8) I always wanted to be a cheerleader. But never went out for the team. Now I am able to be a cheerleader every day..while wearing the much more comfortable uniform of JAMMIES! The most often repeated phrase in my house is “You can do it! Try again! You can do it!” Maybe I should invest in pompoms!
7) They bring me closer to God, daily. One of the blessings of parenting SNKs (Special Needs Kids) is that you slowly learn that you have no control over their development. You have no control over their potential, we don’t even know what their potential is! I have no plans for my children’s future, as I have no idea what that future may look like. But see, this is how it’s SUPPOSED to be. We’re told NOT to plan for the future, just to trust that God will supply our needs. Learning to let that go is a painful but wonderful blessing.
6) I am never bored! About the time I think “This is alright, I’ve got this down…” something new comes up. A new experience, a new developmental hurdle, a new attitude, a new behavior “issue”, a new topic of conversation to get repeated over and over again….life is an adventure; my adventure is exciting.
5) I’ve learned to rejoice over every little thing. I appreciate each and every milestone that my kids reach, even something as “minor” as saying “ready…set..” and having the kid say “GO!” will bring tears of joy to my eyes. And this carries over into my whole life. The adult surgery patients I take care of think I’m strange when I do a victory dance over their first post-op poop. But to me, now, every triumph deserves a victory dance, take NOTHING for granted!
4) Raising SNKs inspires creativity. I’ve carried weighted backpacks to church because it helped with my middle child’s sensory integration problems, I bought a bounce house to help with my oldest’s low muscle tone, I’ve put tape on the living room floor to make a track for my oldest to work on physical therapy goals while playing “follow the leader” …(Mom was the leader), I created “Mama’s Special Sauce” out of nothing but vegetables, then substituted it for ketchup when the middle kid refused to eat even the most hidden vegetable, (yes, it worked, we used it for almost a year before starting to once again force the veggies). I’ve been told I “think outside of the box”. My response to this is “where’s the box?? Did your kids come in a box??”
3) These kids have given me many opportunities to teach. Because my kids “look normal” most people don’t understand their needs. No, baby girl isn’t saying “mama” at 18 months…nor is she walking. No, middle child can’t tell you his name. No, oldest isn’t going to look you in the eye and answer your question…he’s just gonna repeat your question back to you. But. the boys are both in regular classes in Pre-school. That middle child at 3 1/2 can not only count to 12, and tell you the alphabet, he can identify all the numerals and letters, as well as most shapes. My oldest can remember every word to every video and every song that he’s ever heard. He understands things (like Jesus’ booboos) that have never been told or explained to him. He knows where we’re heading by which streets we take, and if we pass an exit we normally take, he knows where we are and what is down that exit. These are the things I find myself teaching to others. And I teach a lot, so that others will understand and will not jump to conclusions the next time they come across a SNK.
2) My kids have blessed me with muscle tone and endurance. My middle child’s online nickname is Gator-boy, or Alligator. He came by this name when he was about a year old. He didn’t like being held, (sensory integration issues) always wanted to be on the go. When he decided it was time to get down out of Mama’s lap he would squirm until he was laying sideways across my lap….then start rolling around in place to loosen my grip. Have you ever seen the shows about Alligator Wrestlers? or Crocodile Hunters?? That’s exactly what he looks like. Yes, he still tries it…but it doesn’t work– in case you ever need to know, the secret is to pin the shoulders and hips…then they can’t roll over. You do this by putting one arm between their legs and the other across one shoulder, under the head. Then you hold your hands together at their belly and pull the kiddo in to your trunk. one…two…three….YOU WIN!
1) The number 1 reason why I feel blessed to have these children is that they have strengthened my character. Every parent’s worst fear is that “something” will be “wrong” with their child. For most parents this is nothing more than a fear that passes away as the child grows. For those of us with SNKs that fear is a reality. It does something to a person when they face their worst fear, then live through it. Your whole perspective on life changes. I used to be upset by little things, now, it’s much harder to get me discombobulated. I mean. I’m raising (with my wonderful husband) Three Special Needs Kids. All the other upsets in life pale in comparison. I am a better person for knowing these kids, and I am blessed, truly blessed, that God saw fit to name me as their mother. For that blessing, I am eternally grateful.
10) They make me laugh. - It’s true, every day. for example. My oldest has a speech delay (among other things). One day out of the blue he started walking around saying “I’m sauced Momma! YEEESS MOMMA!! I’m sauced!!” (we’re teetotalers too!) It took me about 2 weeks to figure out he was repeating me saying “I’m exhausted!” ~~ we still say we’re “sauced” around here!
9) They give me the priviledge to witness miracles. My pregnancies and deliveries were hard and dangerous. I know just how lucky we are to have living, thriving children. Each of these babies is a miracle. How fortunate I am that God has allowed me to watch grow 3 of His Perfect Miracles.
8) I always wanted to be a cheerleader. But never went out for the team. Now I am able to be a cheerleader every day..while wearing the much more comfortable uniform of JAMMIES! The most often repeated phrase in my house is “You can do it! Try again! You can do it!” Maybe I should invest in pompoms!
7) They bring me closer to God, daily. One of the blessings of parenting SNKs (Special Needs Kids) is that you slowly learn that you have no control over their development. You have no control over their potential, we don’t even know what their potential is! I have no plans for my children’s future, as I have no idea what that future may look like. But see, this is how it’s SUPPOSED to be. We’re told NOT to plan for the future, just to trust that God will supply our needs. Learning to let that go is a painful but wonderful blessing.
6) I am never bored! About the time I think “This is alright, I’ve got this down…” something new comes up. A new experience, a new developmental hurdle, a new attitude, a new behavior “issue”, a new topic of conversation to get repeated over and over again….life is an adventure; my adventure is exciting.
5) I’ve learned to rejoice over every little thing. I appreciate each and every milestone that my kids reach, even something as “minor” as saying “ready…set..” and having the kid say “GO!” will bring tears of joy to my eyes. And this carries over into my whole life. The adult surgery patients I take care of think I’m strange when I do a victory dance over their first post-op poop. But to me, now, every triumph deserves a victory dance, take NOTHING for granted!
4) Raising SNKs inspires creativity. I’ve carried weighted backpacks to church because it helped with my middle child’s sensory integration problems, I bought a bounce house to help with my oldest’s low muscle tone, I’ve put tape on the living room floor to make a track for my oldest to work on physical therapy goals while playing “follow the leader” …(Mom was the leader), I created “Mama’s Special Sauce” out of nothing but vegetables, then substituted it for ketchup when the middle kid refused to eat even the most hidden vegetable, (yes, it worked, we used it for almost a year before starting to once again force the veggies). I’ve been told I “think outside of the box”. My response to this is “where’s the box?? Did your kids come in a box??”
3) These kids have given me many opportunities to teach. Because my kids “look normal” most people don’t understand their needs. No, baby girl isn’t saying “mama” at 18 months…nor is she walking. No, middle child can’t tell you his name. No, oldest isn’t going to look you in the eye and answer your question…he’s just gonna repeat your question back to you. But. the boys are both in regular classes in Pre-school. That middle child at 3 1/2 can not only count to 12, and tell you the alphabet, he can identify all the numerals and letters, as well as most shapes. My oldest can remember every word to every video and every song that he’s ever heard. He understands things (like Jesus’ booboos) that have never been told or explained to him. He knows where we’re heading by which streets we take, and if we pass an exit we normally take, he knows where we are and what is down that exit. These are the things I find myself teaching to others. And I teach a lot, so that others will understand and will not jump to conclusions the next time they come across a SNK.
2) My kids have blessed me with muscle tone and endurance. My middle child’s online nickname is Gator-boy, or Alligator. He came by this name when he was about a year old. He didn’t like being held, (sensory integration issues) always wanted to be on the go. When he decided it was time to get down out of Mama’s lap he would squirm until he was laying sideways across my lap….then start rolling around in place to loosen my grip. Have you ever seen the shows about Alligator Wrestlers? or Crocodile Hunters?? That’s exactly what he looks like. Yes, he still tries it…but it doesn’t work– in case you ever need to know, the secret is to pin the shoulders and hips…then they can’t roll over. You do this by putting one arm between their legs and the other across one shoulder, under the head. Then you hold your hands together at their belly and pull the kiddo in to your trunk. one…two…three….YOU WIN!
1) The number 1 reason why I feel blessed to have these children is that they have strengthened my character. Every parent’s worst fear is that “something” will be “wrong” with their child. For most parents this is nothing more than a fear that passes away as the child grows. For those of us with SNKs that fear is a reality. It does something to a person when they face their worst fear, then live through it. Your whole perspective on life changes. I used to be upset by little things, now, it’s much harder to get me discombobulated. I mean. I’m raising (with my wonderful husband) Three Special Needs Kids. All the other upsets in life pale in comparison. I am a better person for knowing these kids, and I am blessed, truly blessed, that God saw fit to name me as their mother. For that blessing, I am eternally grateful.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Grandparent Magic!
Today is Gator's 4th Birthday!!
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 12/8/08
Here we are, celebrating Thanksgiving with the grandparents.
Each kiddo has a small helping of meat, veggies, green bean casserole and crawfish dressing on their plate.
I keep trying to encourage the Gator-boy (age 3 1/2) to try his food. He'll eat all the meat but nothing else!
I point out that crawfish is meat....."NO!"
wanna try some off Momma's fork?...."NO!"
I'm gonna steal it if you don't eat it....mmmm mmm...so good....here, you wanna bite? ... "NO!"
OK, fine, I give up! eat the meat leave the rest, at least you're quiet and happy and not starting a food fight in Mimi's formal dining room.
Then I get caught up cutting meat for Sonshine......
That's when I hear it.
"crawfish!...giggle"
huh????
I turn around to see that Grandad is helping Gatorboy search for, find and EAT all the crawfish out of his dressing.
I may have to change my name.
signed.....Nolongermighty Mom.
:-) Grandparents have magic!
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 12/8/08
Here we are, celebrating Thanksgiving with the grandparents.
Each kiddo has a small helping of meat, veggies, green bean casserole and crawfish dressing on their plate.
I keep trying to encourage the Gator-boy (age 3 1/2) to try his food. He'll eat all the meat but nothing else!
I point out that crawfish is meat....."NO!"
wanna try some off Momma's fork?...."NO!"
I'm gonna steal it if you don't eat it....mmmm mmm...so good....here, you wanna bite? ... "NO!"
OK, fine, I give up! eat the meat leave the rest, at least you're quiet and happy and not starting a food fight in Mimi's formal dining room.
Then I get caught up cutting meat for Sonshine......
That's when I hear it.
"crawfish!...giggle"
huh????
I turn around to see that Grandad is helping Gatorboy search for, find and EAT all the crawfish out of his dressing.
I may have to change my name.
signed.....Nolongermighty Mom.
:-) Grandparents have magic!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Mass Adventures, verse two
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 12/15/08
Who remembers the Hooligan Mass Adventure? Well, we have a sequel!
We’ll call this one: “How the kids behave at 8:00 AM Mass before Preschool” (on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is why we went to church before school started).
For the sake of convience we went to a church that was new to us.
The Good:
We had an entire pew to ourselves. This was really good during the prayer intentions, as Sugars decided that the missilette books needed to be rearranged in the pew holder.
Every … single … one….
So each “Lord hear our prayer” found me taking a step further down the pew to keep up with her … and Sonshine moving down to stay by me. During the Gospel reading we made our way back to our starting positions as she decided that all those little books looked better in their original positions.
Just call us the Hooligan Family Pew Travelers.
The (could have been) Bad:
As is our norm Subvet carried Sugars to get in line for communion and I stayed in the pew with the boys. Before I was able to position myself between them Gator-boy went to follow Daddy and got in line too. Five people behind Dad, with Dad having no idea he was in line. Instead of going on up and getting with Dad he stood there, patiently waiting his turn……
Fortunately he looked at me and actually MINDED when I gestured for him to come back and kneel with me and Sonshine. Divine Intervention? I’d say so.
The (not really) Ugly:
There were only a few worshippers there on that early Monday morning … and no choir. It was very very quiet. I was missing the choir and realizing just how much they add to the service. Half way through everyone taking communion in silence, Sonshine must have decided that he missed the choir too … as he started singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in a lovely carrying voice.
Maybe we should start going to Mass before every Preschool day … it’d make for an interesting start to the day for sure!
Who remembers the Hooligan Mass Adventure? Well, we have a sequel!
We’ll call this one: “How the kids behave at 8:00 AM Mass before Preschool” (on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is why we went to church before school started).
For the sake of convience we went to a church that was new to us.
The Good:
We had an entire pew to ourselves. This was really good during the prayer intentions, as Sugars decided that the missilette books needed to be rearranged in the pew holder.
Every … single … one….
So each “Lord hear our prayer” found me taking a step further down the pew to keep up with her … and Sonshine moving down to stay by me. During the Gospel reading we made our way back to our starting positions as she decided that all those little books looked better in their original positions.
Just call us the Hooligan Family Pew Travelers.
The (could have been) Bad:
As is our norm Subvet carried Sugars to get in line for communion and I stayed in the pew with the boys. Before I was able to position myself between them Gator-boy went to follow Daddy and got in line too. Five people behind Dad, with Dad having no idea he was in line. Instead of going on up and getting with Dad he stood there, patiently waiting his turn……
Fortunately he looked at me and actually MINDED when I gestured for him to come back and kneel with me and Sonshine. Divine Intervention? I’d say so.
The (not really) Ugly:
There were only a few worshippers there on that early Monday morning … and no choir. It was very very quiet. I was missing the choir and realizing just how much they add to the service. Half way through everyone taking communion in silence, Sonshine must have decided that he missed the choir too … as he started singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in a lovely carrying voice.
Maybe we should start going to Mass before every Preschool day … it’d make for an interesting start to the day for sure!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Just say NO to Mommy Guilt
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 10/20/08
The number one thing I've found about being a Mom is the colossal amount of GUILT that I carry. I'm not talking about things that I just wish I'd done different...I'm talking about true haunt your dreams..cry in your pillow guilt.
Now, friends. Here's my advice to you.
Just Say NO to Mommy Guilt!
To help you gain perspective and win the battle over guilt, I'm gonna share with you things that I've felt guilty over.
1) Lifting my 2lb weights while pregnant (surely it hurt the baby and caused the miscarriage??)
2) Those 2 Advil I broke down and took during the 8th month of pregnancy when my hips hurt so bad I couldn't move or sleep.
3) I drank Chocolate Milk every morning I was pregnant...and over the last 6 months my 4 year old has refused any kind of milk EXCEPT Chocolate Milk!!
4) My 4 month old breastfed baby CRIED FOR 20 MINUTES before my stepmother realized that the bottle I was trying to feed him needed to be warmer.
5) I hadn't changed out the extra clothes in my son's backpack so when he got his long sleeved shirt all wet the only thing he had was a short sleeve shirt...and he was COLD ON THE PLAYGROUND!!! (please note that it was NOT cold enough for me to have sent him wearing a jacket)
6) In my battle against cradle cap I scrubbed all my 1 month old's hair off.
7) When walking in to put the baby to bed for the night I found the cat asleep in the crib....and didn't change the sheets!
8) I realized that my kids were watching movies (Berenstain Bears) that I HADN'T previewed!!
9) I have 3 kids, the oldest of which is almost 5 and I've ONLY ever made 3 pair of shorts. No other kids clothes!
10) All 3 kids have had to wear those shorts so I can say they wore mommy-made clothes.
Now, folks, I hope you see how not a one of these things will amount to a hill of beansprouts in 5 years. Not a one. As a matter of fact. When I think of how guilty I felt over every one of these (and many more) I just laugh. I mean REALLY!!
So, the next time something happens and you feel that stomach-clenching-guilty feeling stop and ask yourself: "Is anybody other than me gonna remember this in 5 years?" Most often the answer is no and you can then stop the guilt train we seem to ride way too frequently.
The number one thing I've found about being a Mom is the colossal amount of GUILT that I carry. I'm not talking about things that I just wish I'd done different...I'm talking about true haunt your dreams..cry in your pillow guilt.
Now, friends. Here's my advice to you.
Just Say NO to Mommy Guilt!
To help you gain perspective and win the battle over guilt, I'm gonna share with you things that I've felt guilty over.
1) Lifting my 2lb weights while pregnant (surely it hurt the baby and caused the miscarriage??)
2) Those 2 Advil I broke down and took during the 8th month of pregnancy when my hips hurt so bad I couldn't move or sleep.
3) I drank Chocolate Milk every morning I was pregnant...and over the last 6 months my 4 year old has refused any kind of milk EXCEPT Chocolate Milk!!
4) My 4 month old breastfed baby CRIED FOR 20 MINUTES before my stepmother realized that the bottle I was trying to feed him needed to be warmer.
5) I hadn't changed out the extra clothes in my son's backpack so when he got his long sleeved shirt all wet the only thing he had was a short sleeve shirt...and he was COLD ON THE PLAYGROUND!!! (please note that it was NOT cold enough for me to have sent him wearing a jacket)
6) In my battle against cradle cap I scrubbed all my 1 month old's hair off.
7) When walking in to put the baby to bed for the night I found the cat asleep in the crib....and didn't change the sheets!
8) I realized that my kids were watching movies (Berenstain Bears) that I HADN'T previewed!!
9) I have 3 kids, the oldest of which is almost 5 and I've ONLY ever made 3 pair of shorts. No other kids clothes!
10) All 3 kids have had to wear those shorts so I can say they wore mommy-made clothes.
Now, folks, I hope you see how not a one of these things will amount to a hill of beansprouts in 5 years. Not a one. As a matter of fact. When I think of how guilty I felt over every one of these (and many more) I just laugh. I mean REALLY!!
So, the next time something happens and you feel that stomach-clenching-guilty feeling stop and ask yourself: "Is anybody other than me gonna remember this in 5 years?" Most often the answer is no and you can then stop the guilt train we seem to ride way too frequently.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Things I learned from Grandma.
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 11/3/08
My Grandma taught me …
To speak softly and carry a big jar of cookies.
The amount of time it takes to put on a pair of knee-highs and keds is exactly equal to the amount of time it takes to start a conversation that’ll last all day.
There is never any reason to be jealous, for you will always have a special place in the heart of someone who loves you, a place that no one else can ever take.
Homemade pickles taste better.
The best beginning to any sentence is “Say, how’s so and so doing (or such and such going) these days?”
How to handle walking in on two kids (my brother and cousin) after they’ve used the wheel of your stationary bike to grind an entire package of cheetos into a big pile of dust…on your white carpet….”Well, you’ve been having fun!”
Talking about your hurts doesn’t make them go away, but focusing on your happys will make the hurts smaller.
Rolls can be bought frozen ….but cookies must be made from scratch.
Every morning when you wake up, you decide if you’re going to have a good day.
Make each child feel as if he or she is your favorite. (This from a woman with 5 kids and 11 grandkids.)
Putting a lit match behind your teeth only makes you look like a jack-o-lantern if you have a really big smile (she did).
You can get glad in the same shoes you got mad in.
Spraying perfume on the yarn flowers we'd just made makes them “just like real.”
Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you up or polishes you up depends on what you’re made of.
My Grandma taught me …
To speak softly and carry a big jar of cookies.
The amount of time it takes to put on a pair of knee-highs and keds is exactly equal to the amount of time it takes to start a conversation that’ll last all day.
There is never any reason to be jealous, for you will always have a special place in the heart of someone who loves you, a place that no one else can ever take.
Homemade pickles taste better.
The best beginning to any sentence is “Say, how’s so and so doing (or such and such going) these days?”
How to handle walking in on two kids (my brother and cousin) after they’ve used the wheel of your stationary bike to grind an entire package of cheetos into a big pile of dust…on your white carpet….”Well, you’ve been having fun!”
Talking about your hurts doesn’t make them go away, but focusing on your happys will make the hurts smaller.
Rolls can be bought frozen ….but cookies must be made from scratch.
Every morning when you wake up, you decide if you’re going to have a good day.
Make each child feel as if he or she is your favorite. (This from a woman with 5 kids and 11 grandkids.)
Putting a lit match behind your teeth only makes you look like a jack-o-lantern if you have a really big smile (she did).
You can get glad in the same shoes you got mad in.
Spraying perfume on the yarn flowers we'd just made makes them “just like real.”
Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you up or polishes you up depends on what you’re made of.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
OH Fun!
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 12/1/08
Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."
Cue the music....sing along with me folks, the tune is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...
There was retching and puking and cleaning the carpets.
washing the sheets and changing the diapers...
But the best of alll..............are the blessings I can recall.
(Ba dum dum dum)
Sick kids are very snuggly
Even those who usually aren't
Husbands are very handy
Renting carpet cleaners fast.
Bath time is lots of fun
even several times a day
it makes you smell so yummy
and washes all the sicks away.
Then there's one very big...Blessing I must share
I would up and go to work..Leaving hubby there
(he's the best!)
Now all the kids are better
Eating all the food they can
Running around like banshees
Playing hard and chasing cats!
Yup, life moves pretty fast, remember to stop and count your blessings during this busy season folks.
Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."
Cue the music....sing along with me folks, the tune is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...
There was retching and puking and cleaning the carpets.
washing the sheets and changing the diapers...
But the best of alll..............are the blessings I can recall.
(Ba dum dum dum)
Sick kids are very snuggly
Even those who usually aren't
Husbands are very handy
Renting carpet cleaners fast.
Bath time is lots of fun
even several times a day
it makes you smell so yummy
and washes all the sicks away.
Then there's one very big...Blessing I must share
I would up and go to work..Leaving hubby there
(he's the best!)
Now all the kids are better
Eating all the food they can
Running around like banshees
Playing hard and chasing cats!
Yup, life moves pretty fast, remember to stop and count your blessings during this busy season folks.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
No! Mom!! Not the Eyebrows!!!
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 10/27/08
So, Subvet was gone providing parkinglot security for the Saturday night Mass and as per the instructions he left, I fed the hooligans&hooliganette pizza for supper.
Now, the boys performed their usual magic trick flawlessly, not a bit of pizza left to be found after 2.4 seconds.
Sugars’ pizza, however, put up a fight. Apparently it did NOT want to be disappeared and, from the looks of things, fought tooth and nail against such treatment.
Once I pronounced the fight over. There was pizza sauce from stem to stern on that girl. Which left her with a slightly orange/yellow skin tone.
So, Mightymom takes rag in hand and proceeds to start at the bottom and work my way up.
My kids have long since decided that my name stands for Mean Old Mommy…especially when it comes to cleanup time. I mean to tell you I CLEAN the kids! I get between the toes….between the fingers….between all 4 chins….and yes, even between the eyes!!
So here I am scrubbing away trying to get all that orangeness/yellowness off of her. I’m scrubbing and scrubbing…she’s screaming for Child Protective Services to save her…or at least for Daddy to come home! and I finally have all the yelloworange stuff gone…except her eyebrows. I just can’t get them to come clean. No matter WHAT I do they still look a bit yellow-y.
As I sit and ponder what I can use that’ll get her clean and not require a full bath it dawns on me…..
SHE’S BLOND!
Her eyebrows are SUPPOSED TO BE YELLOW!!!
Uh, oops.
Sorry, babe.
So, Subvet was gone providing parkinglot security for the Saturday night Mass and as per the instructions he left, I fed the hooligans&hooliganette pizza for supper.
Now, the boys performed their usual magic trick flawlessly, not a bit of pizza left to be found after 2.4 seconds.
Sugars’ pizza, however, put up a fight. Apparently it did NOT want to be disappeared and, from the looks of things, fought tooth and nail against such treatment.
Once I pronounced the fight over. There was pizza sauce from stem to stern on that girl. Which left her with a slightly orange/yellow skin tone.
So, Mightymom takes rag in hand and proceeds to start at the bottom and work my way up.
My kids have long since decided that my name stands for Mean Old Mommy…especially when it comes to cleanup time. I mean to tell you I CLEAN the kids! I get between the toes….between the fingers….between all 4 chins….and yes, even between the eyes!!
So here I am scrubbing away trying to get all that orangeness/yellowness off of her. I’m scrubbing and scrubbing…she’s screaming for Child Protective Services to save her…or at least for Daddy to come home! and I finally have all the yelloworange stuff gone…except her eyebrows. I just can’t get them to come clean. No matter WHAT I do they still look a bit yellow-y.
As I sit and ponder what I can use that’ll get her clean and not require a full bath it dawns on me…..
SHE’S BLOND!
Her eyebrows are SUPPOSED TO BE YELLOW!!!
Uh, oops.
Sorry, babe.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Mightymom's Silly Slimmers
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 10/13/08
OK, folks, let’s face it. As we get older we get wider.
I don’t know why that happens, but it does.
After 3 kids, a combined total of 19 weeks on bedrest, and 2 cesarean sections I got quite a bit wider. “Broad in the beam,” you might say.
Yet, when on earth am I supposed to exercise?? I mean REALLY!!?? I had 3 kids under the age of 3 1/2. Sheesh.
So, I started doing some very silly little things that would increase how often I used certain muscles throughout the day.
Now, I will tell you that this ain’t the way to get the scale to plummet, but it has strengthened some of the major muscle groups and given me more tone. Plus, after awhile, it becomes habit….which is good, cuz those kids bankrupted my memory bank. That, however, is fodder for another day.
So, here you have more or less 10 things to do throughout your day to help strengthen the body and increase the metabolism.
When my oldest was a newborn I started lifting him over my head using both hands while sitting or lifting him straight up while leaning back in a recliner. 10 times in a row. Now, at that time he weighed less than six pounds. This wasn’t too hard. Now that my youngest weighs over thirty pounds, it’s a bit more of a workout.
But here’s the thing. Just do it everyday at a specified time of day. (Mine was before that early-morning feeding when my children were newborn, then that after-dinner-not-yet-time-for-bed-time as they got older). As the kiddo grows, you get stronger and it won’t be long till your arms and shoulders show it. This, by the way is a modified bench press and the kids LOVE IT.
The next thing I started doing was to squat to pick things up off the floor instead of bending at the waist. Come on, Moms, how many zillion times a day are we picking things up off the floor? OOO my legs ached when I first started this! But today I can squat with relative ease, this works the thighs, hips, and (oh the bane of a woman’s existence) the droopy buttcheeks.
Speaking of droopy buttcheeks. There are two very easy ways to fight the droop.
One, when you walk somewhere (everywhere), with each step clinch the cheek of the rear leg as you “push off” to take the next step. Make it a part of how you walk. John Wayne had the swagger, Mightymom has the step and squeeze.
Two, while laying in bed, waiting to fall asleep, squeeze each cheek 15-30 times. Every night. Buttcheeks are muscles, and if you use them they will shape up and start fighting gravity. (Boobs, I’m sorry to say, are NOT muscles … there’s no fight in them, no matter what you do.)
Now, the other thing that starts to droop is the belly. Cesareans are wonderful things….but they leave a crease over which that belly just wants to flop. So, to keep the belly flop in check, I started holding in my stomach like a teenage boy at a pep-rally. But I picked specific times of the day to do this. It seemed like I spent a fair amount of time either fixing meals, standing at the stove, stirring something or waiting on the microwave. So this became my ab workout time. Anytime I found myself standing in the kitchen I made a determined effort to hold my belly in tight. I noticed that when I stirred or brushed my teeth my belly jiggled….so that was a good time to hold it in too. Nowadays, my hubby does all the cooking, but I do spend a goodly amount of time programming those stupid IV pumps…so that’s now my ab workout time.
Also, when laying in bed waiting for sleep (I spend a lot of time waiting for sleep) I will lay on my back and just hold those ab muscles tight for a count of 30 or 50 or 100…..it’s a combination of an ab workout and counting sheep, clench the butt at the same time and you get a 3 for 1 combo pack.
When you have 3 rugrats crawling around and playing on the living room floor you tend to vacuum rather frequently. Now, as much fun as vacuuming is…you can up the workout by simply grabbing one of those hooligans and putting them on your hip for the ride, keeps them out of trouble too! I honestly don’t think I can remember how to vacuum without holding a kid…..just feels like I’m forgetting something. (FYI I started this because the baby (all 3) would always cry when the vacuum was going….but was ok being held.)
Another function of having 3 very young kids is how to go to the store. Mostly Subvet handled this, but every now and again you just have to go. Well, I usually had all 3 sit in the buggy….but getting them in and out of the buggy and getting the buggy put away was always a hassle. So I started parking next to the buggy bin in the parking lot. Even if it meant parking WAAAAAY FAAAR AWAAAAY from the doors. This way I could just grab my buggy, throw the kids in from the van and be on my way. Of course this resulted in doubling the amount of parking lot walking I did with each trip. But it was much safer as I never worried about one of them waltzing in front of an oncoming car.
I have also found myself spending a fair amount of time waiting in line for one thing or another. So I started going up on my toes and down the whole time I’m waiting. Looks impatient to the others in line, but really I’m just toning my calves a bit. Note, when you do this make sure and lift your toes too to stretch out those calves and prevent shin splints. You’ll look like a kid rocking on your heels teeheehee.
Being a stay at home mom gets lonely at times. When I get lonely I tend to get on the phone and start yakking with people. I usually have my knees crossed and a kid hanging off my foot while I yakk, and am lifting said kid up and down. Remember to change legs periodically and this is just as good or better than the weight machine at the gym for working those thighs.
The other thing I tend to do is to dance. I dance all the time…to anything. The kids and I know all the dance routines to all the Wiggles and Barney songs….and we make up routines to everyone else’s songs. Not to mention the radio. It doesn’t matter what your dancing looks like, if you’re up and moving it’s more than you’d be doing otherwise.
OK, folks, let’s face it. As we get older we get wider.
I don’t know why that happens, but it does.
After 3 kids, a combined total of 19 weeks on bedrest, and 2 cesarean sections I got quite a bit wider. “Broad in the beam,” you might say.
Yet, when on earth am I supposed to exercise?? I mean REALLY!!?? I had 3 kids under the age of 3 1/2. Sheesh.
So, I started doing some very silly little things that would increase how often I used certain muscles throughout the day.
Now, I will tell you that this ain’t the way to get the scale to plummet, but it has strengthened some of the major muscle groups and given me more tone. Plus, after awhile, it becomes habit….which is good, cuz those kids bankrupted my memory bank. That, however, is fodder for another day.
So, here you have more or less 10 things to do throughout your day to help strengthen the body and increase the metabolism.
When my oldest was a newborn I started lifting him over my head using both hands while sitting or lifting him straight up while leaning back in a recliner. 10 times in a row. Now, at that time he weighed less than six pounds. This wasn’t too hard. Now that my youngest weighs over thirty pounds, it’s a bit more of a workout.
But here’s the thing. Just do it everyday at a specified time of day. (Mine was before that early-morning feeding when my children were newborn, then that after-dinner-not-yet-time-for-bed-time as they got older). As the kiddo grows, you get stronger and it won’t be long till your arms and shoulders show it. This, by the way is a modified bench press and the kids LOVE IT.
The next thing I started doing was to squat to pick things up off the floor instead of bending at the waist. Come on, Moms, how many zillion times a day are we picking things up off the floor? OOO my legs ached when I first started this! But today I can squat with relative ease, this works the thighs, hips, and (oh the bane of a woman’s existence) the droopy buttcheeks.
Speaking of droopy buttcheeks. There are two very easy ways to fight the droop.
One, when you walk somewhere (everywhere), with each step clinch the cheek of the rear leg as you “push off” to take the next step. Make it a part of how you walk. John Wayne had the swagger, Mightymom has the step and squeeze.
Two, while laying in bed, waiting to fall asleep, squeeze each cheek 15-30 times. Every night. Buttcheeks are muscles, and if you use them they will shape up and start fighting gravity. (Boobs, I’m sorry to say, are NOT muscles … there’s no fight in them, no matter what you do.)
Now, the other thing that starts to droop is the belly. Cesareans are wonderful things….but they leave a crease over which that belly just wants to flop. So, to keep the belly flop in check, I started holding in my stomach like a teenage boy at a pep-rally. But I picked specific times of the day to do this. It seemed like I spent a fair amount of time either fixing meals, standing at the stove, stirring something or waiting on the microwave. So this became my ab workout time. Anytime I found myself standing in the kitchen I made a determined effort to hold my belly in tight. I noticed that when I stirred or brushed my teeth my belly jiggled….so that was a good time to hold it in too. Nowadays, my hubby does all the cooking, but I do spend a goodly amount of time programming those stupid IV pumps…so that’s now my ab workout time.
Also, when laying in bed waiting for sleep (I spend a lot of time waiting for sleep) I will lay on my back and just hold those ab muscles tight for a count of 30 or 50 or 100…..it’s a combination of an ab workout and counting sheep, clench the butt at the same time and you get a 3 for 1 combo pack.
When you have 3 rugrats crawling around and playing on the living room floor you tend to vacuum rather frequently. Now, as much fun as vacuuming is…you can up the workout by simply grabbing one of those hooligans and putting them on your hip for the ride, keeps them out of trouble too! I honestly don’t think I can remember how to vacuum without holding a kid…..just feels like I’m forgetting something. (FYI I started this because the baby (all 3) would always cry when the vacuum was going….but was ok being held.)
Another function of having 3 very young kids is how to go to the store. Mostly Subvet handled this, but every now and again you just have to go. Well, I usually had all 3 sit in the buggy….but getting them in and out of the buggy and getting the buggy put away was always a hassle. So I started parking next to the buggy bin in the parking lot. Even if it meant parking WAAAAAY FAAAR AWAAAAY from the doors. This way I could just grab my buggy, throw the kids in from the van and be on my way. Of course this resulted in doubling the amount of parking lot walking I did with each trip. But it was much safer as I never worried about one of them waltzing in front of an oncoming car.
I have also found myself spending a fair amount of time waiting in line for one thing or another. So I started going up on my toes and down the whole time I’m waiting. Looks impatient to the others in line, but really I’m just toning my calves a bit. Note, when you do this make sure and lift your toes too to stretch out those calves and prevent shin splints. You’ll look like a kid rocking on your heels teeheehee.
Being a stay at home mom gets lonely at times. When I get lonely I tend to get on the phone and start yakking with people. I usually have my knees crossed and a kid hanging off my foot while I yakk, and am lifting said kid up and down. Remember to change legs periodically and this is just as good or better than the weight machine at the gym for working those thighs.
The other thing I tend to do is to dance. I dance all the time…to anything. The kids and I know all the dance routines to all the Wiggles and Barney songs….and we make up routines to everyone else’s songs. Not to mention the radio. It doesn’t matter what your dancing looks like, if you’re up and moving it’s more than you’d be doing otherwise.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
You Might be a Mommy....
originally posted at Extraordinary Mom's Network 9/15/08
If you have to make an intentional effort to take a shower at least every 48 hours … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you go out for a dinner alone with your husband, hear a kid scream and have to look over just to make sure it isn’t one of yours … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you no longer put “laundry” on your to-do list because by the time you get it folded, the hamper is full again … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you’ve ever been so tired you turn off the hot water in your attempt to warm up the shower … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you’ve ever written your shopping list in crayon … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you’ve worked hard to change all your swear words to repeatable phrases such as “God Bless America!” … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If this is your idea of multi-tasking …
Yes, you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you can come up with more than two potential reasons for a child’s “emergency bath” … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
(This one’s for my wonderful husband)
If you’ve ever been awakened from much-needed sleep by the sounds of an emergency bath…you MIGHT be a Daddy!
If you have to make an intentional effort to take a shower at least every 48 hours … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you go out for a dinner alone with your husband, hear a kid scream and have to look over just to make sure it isn’t one of yours … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you no longer put “laundry” on your to-do list because by the time you get it folded, the hamper is full again … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you’ve ever been so tired you turn off the hot water in your attempt to warm up the shower … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you’ve ever written your shopping list in crayon … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you’ve worked hard to change all your swear words to repeatable phrases such as “God Bless America!” … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If this is your idea of multi-tasking …
Yes, you MIGHT be a Mommy.
If you can come up with more than two potential reasons for a child’s “emergency bath” … you MIGHT be a Mommy.
(This one’s for my wonderful husband)
If you’ve ever been awakened from much-needed sleep by the sounds of an emergency bath…you MIGHT be a Daddy!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Taking the Hooligans to Mass
this was originally posted 9/1/08 on Extraordinary Mom's Network.
Taking the Hooligans to Mass
It's quite the adventure. Let me tell you about it.
My kids all have developmental delays. Speech, socialization, physical, sensory integration, think kinda like mild autism and you'll have the right mental picture.
For starters, our church is one great big echo chamber. I’m telling you, the squeaking of my shoes echoes in there! Now, I spent 3 months trying to teach Sonshine to say “go” back when he was almost 2 and only had 4 words. I will remind myself of those 3 months of prayer and struggle to teach him to talk every 6.7 seconds from the opening of the church doors to the pulling into my driveway.
So, would you like to join us on a trip to Mass??
We go through the same thing every Sunday. It starts outside the doors with Mom announcing “We are now going into the church, this means you need to be QUIET! Do you understand?” A rousing chorus of “Yes Ma’am” a grin from Subvet and OFF… WE…… GOOOOOOO!!
Due to sleep schedules (I work nights and the kids nap) we go to the 10AM Mass…..the most crowded one…the one where if you don’t get there early enough, you’re gonna be standing in the aisles. Well, as you can imagine, trying to get through Mass without the visual and physical barriers of the pew just isn’t going to happen so we always make sure to get there early….Plus, we need to be up close so the kids can see what’s happening. This helps them stay focused and attentive (more or less). So all in all we get to church about 30 min early. Which is just about the time that the Family Rosary starts up.
Sonshine, (at a louder than normal volume) “Look Mama! It’s JESUS Mama! YEEEEESS It’s Jesus on the Cross Mama! Jesus with Booboos on the Cross Mama!!”
Mom, (in a frantic whisper) “yes dear, now we need to be quiet and take our seats come on”
Did I mention the words ECHO CHAMBER?
Everyone, (in prayerful mumble) “Hail Mary, full of grace..”
Sonshine, (in normal speaking voice…and 5 words or so behind everyone else) “Hail Mary full of grace, it's Jesus Mama!! Jesus with BooBoos!! Blessed are thou among women Mama!! I'm saying Hail Mary Mama!! and it's Jesus and GOD on the CROSS Mama!! with BooBoos!! “
Mom, (still with that frantic whisper) “very good, now say your prayers QUIETLY please”
This continues until the rosary is finished, he’s always about 4 or 5 words behind…always with interjections…always at a volume sure to make echoes in the near empty church.
He’s even learned to cross himself now…of course he does it with his left hand (not right) and smacks himself almost hard enough to leave a mark, but still!.....
Future interview with Child Protective Services—“Ma’am, your son has bruises on his forehead, shoulders and chest…” “Well, see...um…..we’re Catholic and…..um……..”
Then Mass starts.
Very early in the Mass Father Tim blesses the children and sends them to the chapel. This is good, Mom takes both boys and we join the other kiddos in our child oriented lesson. During which my 2 sons studiously attempt to unweave the wicker on the chapel seats. Raise their hands to volunteer to read the scripture (Sonshine is –at 4 years old—4 feet tall, so I have to keep saying no….sorry…they can’t read) and generally attempt to focus on whoever the teacher is that week.
I do know that Sonshine listens, even though he doesn’t appear to. For example, one day the story was about courage. One part says that it takes courage to tell your parents when you do something you shouldn’t, such as breaking a glass. Now, all during the story the boys are..um…shall we say otherwise occupied. Generally being wiggly, noisy, and distracted.
Then we rejoin Mass at the beginning of the Eucharist (Communion).
Mom, (once again) “OK boys, we’re going back into church it’s time to be quiet. If you’re not quiet we will have to leave before it’s over. Do you hear me?”
Boys, (cheerfully, with big smiles) “Yes Ma’am”
Deep breath, quick prayer…...or two….
The congregation is usually singing as the kiddos (and this mom) come back in. We get to our pew, Subvet and I exchange thumbs-ups to say that Sugars was marginally quiet during the Homily and the boys did not succeed in destroying the chairs in the chapel….this week.
We’re half way there.
We kneel, the church gets quiet as Father Tim begins the Eucharist.
Sonshine, (LOUDLY) “Look Momma!!! It’s the Body and Blood of Jesus Momma!! YEEEESS Momma! The Body and Blood of Jesus Momma! Jesus with BooBoos!! Jesus Died Momma and God put him on the cross with Booboos Momma!!!“
Mom, “yes, now be quiet or we will leave!”
Remember 3 months of begging God to allow this child to talk???
A few moments of quiet pass during which Gator-boy (y’all better pray for my sanity once he starts talking) starts getting fidgety. Out comes Momma’s purse. Some women carry makeup and wallets in their purses….I carry……..
Church appropriate (ie, quiet) entertainment. (if ever you need such items…the calculator and tape measure work the best)
Then begins the weekly wrestling match. WWF has nothing on Mightymom vs the Hooligan Duo in the pew. Trying to teach them to kneel has been a challenge, to say the least. Usually finds me with a boy on each side of me (toy in hand) on the kneeler with a handful of the backs of their pants and pull ups. This way I can “apply gentle pressure” should they decide they don’t want to kneel anymore….
(I’ve never faced the folks who sit behind us….better not to know) I will say that since we started going to Mass, my shoulders, hips and back have gotten much stronger. (It’s all about counting your blessings, folks!)
Sonshine, (when do they learn to whisper?) “Momma! You broke the glass momma!!”
Mom, “WHAT?”
Sonshine, “YEEESS! Momma! You broke the glass and was COURAGE Momma!!”
(Oh, the story book…..got it)
Mom, “ssssssshhh, it’s time to be quiet, see Daddy’s gone to get the Body and Blood of Jesus, we have to be quiet now”
Sonshine, (even louder than before) “Have to be quiet Momma! Have to be quiet and break the glass Momma! And Jesus has Booboos Momma!!!”
Mom, “hush now or we’re gonna have to leave. “
Sonshine, (WAILS) “NO Momma!! Wanna see Jesus!! Momma Wanna see the Body and Blood of Jesus!!! PPPPLLLEEEEAAASSSSEEEE!!!!”
(Oh yeah….worst mom of the year award coming my way.)
Mom, “we’re almost done. Please just hush for a few minutes”
Sonshine, “sssshhhh Momma.”
On come the announcements….Sonshine (of course) has a comment for each picture they project on the wall to go with the announcements but by this time I’ve given up and am just trying to grab up all our stuff so we can make a quick getaway. I sincerely hope the poor guy who usually sits in front of us is hard of hearing. I figure since he doesn't bust out laughing or show signs of irritation he MUST be!!
Father Tim says those blessed words “Mass has ended, you may go in peace”
We head out the door, load the clan in the van. Subvet looks at me and says “Well, we made it through another one! Shall we stop at Sonic on our way home?”
You’d better believe it! Momma needs a treat!
Thank you Dear Lord
For these precious children
For the special encounters we have with them
For the lessons they teach us.
Thank you for their ability to talk…..even when they talk too much.
Amen.
Taking the Hooligans to Mass
It's quite the adventure. Let me tell you about it.
My kids all have developmental delays. Speech, socialization, physical, sensory integration, think kinda like mild autism and you'll have the right mental picture.
For starters, our church is one great big echo chamber. I’m telling you, the squeaking of my shoes echoes in there! Now, I spent 3 months trying to teach Sonshine to say “go” back when he was almost 2 and only had 4 words. I will remind myself of those 3 months of prayer and struggle to teach him to talk every 6.7 seconds from the opening of the church doors to the pulling into my driveway.
So, would you like to join us on a trip to Mass??
We go through the same thing every Sunday. It starts outside the doors with Mom announcing “We are now going into the church, this means you need to be QUIET! Do you understand?” A rousing chorus of “Yes Ma’am” a grin from Subvet and OFF… WE…… GOOOOOOO!!
Due to sleep schedules (I work nights and the kids nap) we go to the 10AM Mass…..the most crowded one…the one where if you don’t get there early enough, you’re gonna be standing in the aisles. Well, as you can imagine, trying to get through Mass without the visual and physical barriers of the pew just isn’t going to happen so we always make sure to get there early….Plus, we need to be up close so the kids can see what’s happening. This helps them stay focused and attentive (more or less). So all in all we get to church about 30 min early. Which is just about the time that the Family Rosary starts up.
Sonshine, (at a louder than normal volume) “Look Mama! It’s JESUS Mama! YEEEEESS It’s Jesus on the Cross Mama! Jesus with Booboos on the Cross Mama!!”
Mom, (in a frantic whisper) “yes dear, now we need to be quiet and take our seats come on”
Did I mention the words ECHO CHAMBER?
Everyone, (in prayerful mumble) “Hail Mary, full of grace..”
Sonshine, (in normal speaking voice…and 5 words or so behind everyone else) “Hail Mary full of grace, it's Jesus Mama!! Jesus with BooBoos!! Blessed are thou among women Mama!! I'm saying Hail Mary Mama!! and it's Jesus and GOD on the CROSS Mama!! with BooBoos!! “
Mom, (still with that frantic whisper) “very good, now say your prayers QUIETLY please”
This continues until the rosary is finished, he’s always about 4 or 5 words behind…always with interjections…always at a volume sure to make echoes in the near empty church.
He’s even learned to cross himself now…of course he does it with his left hand (not right) and smacks himself almost hard enough to leave a mark, but still!.....
Future interview with Child Protective Services—“Ma’am, your son has bruises on his forehead, shoulders and chest…” “Well, see...um…..we’re Catholic and…..um……..”
Then Mass starts.
Very early in the Mass Father Tim blesses the children and sends them to the chapel. This is good, Mom takes both boys and we join the other kiddos in our child oriented lesson. During which my 2 sons studiously attempt to unweave the wicker on the chapel seats. Raise their hands to volunteer to read the scripture (Sonshine is –at 4 years old—4 feet tall, so I have to keep saying no….sorry…they can’t read) and generally attempt to focus on whoever the teacher is that week.
I do know that Sonshine listens, even though he doesn’t appear to. For example, one day the story was about courage. One part says that it takes courage to tell your parents when you do something you shouldn’t, such as breaking a glass. Now, all during the story the boys are..um…shall we say otherwise occupied. Generally being wiggly, noisy, and distracted.
Then we rejoin Mass at the beginning of the Eucharist (Communion).
Mom, (once again) “OK boys, we’re going back into church it’s time to be quiet. If you’re not quiet we will have to leave before it’s over. Do you hear me?”
Boys, (cheerfully, with big smiles) “Yes Ma’am”
Deep breath, quick prayer…...or two….
The congregation is usually singing as the kiddos (and this mom) come back in. We get to our pew, Subvet and I exchange thumbs-ups to say that Sugars was marginally quiet during the Homily and the boys did not succeed in destroying the chairs in the chapel….this week.
We’re half way there.
We kneel, the church gets quiet as Father Tim begins the Eucharist.
Sonshine, (LOUDLY) “Look Momma!!! It’s the Body and Blood of Jesus Momma!! YEEEESS Momma! The Body and Blood of Jesus Momma! Jesus with BooBoos!! Jesus Died Momma and God put him on the cross with Booboos Momma!!!“
Mom, “yes, now be quiet or we will leave!”
Remember 3 months of begging God to allow this child to talk???
A few moments of quiet pass during which Gator-boy (y’all better pray for my sanity once he starts talking) starts getting fidgety. Out comes Momma’s purse. Some women carry makeup and wallets in their purses….I carry……..
Church appropriate (ie, quiet) entertainment. (if ever you need such items…the calculator and tape measure work the best)
Then begins the weekly wrestling match. WWF has nothing on Mightymom vs the Hooligan Duo in the pew. Trying to teach them to kneel has been a challenge, to say the least. Usually finds me with a boy on each side of me (toy in hand) on the kneeler with a handful of the backs of their pants and pull ups. This way I can “apply gentle pressure” should they decide they don’t want to kneel anymore….
(I’ve never faced the folks who sit behind us….better not to know) I will say that since we started going to Mass, my shoulders, hips and back have gotten much stronger. (It’s all about counting your blessings, folks!)
Sonshine, (when do they learn to whisper?) “Momma! You broke the glass momma!!”
Mom, “WHAT?”
Sonshine, “YEEESS! Momma! You broke the glass and was COURAGE Momma!!”
(Oh, the story book…..got it)
Mom, “ssssssshhh, it’s time to be quiet, see Daddy’s gone to get the Body and Blood of Jesus, we have to be quiet now”
Sonshine, (even louder than before) “Have to be quiet Momma! Have to be quiet and break the glass Momma! And Jesus has Booboos Momma!!!”
Mom, “hush now or we’re gonna have to leave. “
Sonshine, (WAILS) “NO Momma!! Wanna see Jesus!! Momma Wanna see the Body and Blood of Jesus!!! PPPPLLLEEEEAAASSSSEEEE!!!!”
(Oh yeah….worst mom of the year award coming my way.)
Mom, “we’re almost done. Please just hush for a few minutes”
Sonshine, “sssshhhh Momma.”
On come the announcements….Sonshine (of course) has a comment for each picture they project on the wall to go with the announcements but by this time I’ve given up and am just trying to grab up all our stuff so we can make a quick getaway. I sincerely hope the poor guy who usually sits in front of us is hard of hearing. I figure since he doesn't bust out laughing or show signs of irritation he MUST be!!
Father Tim says those blessed words “Mass has ended, you may go in peace”
We head out the door, load the clan in the van. Subvet looks at me and says “Well, we made it through another one! Shall we stop at Sonic on our way home?”
You’d better believe it! Momma needs a treat!
Thank you Dear Lord
For these precious children
For the special encounters we have with them
For the lessons they teach us.
Thank you for their ability to talk…..even when they talk too much.
Amen.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Mighty Mom Mondays
It's Monday again!!
This week I relay another trip to church. This happened the first week of December. Check it out! Hopefully I can still make you laugh...........
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mighty Mom Mondays
Well, it's Monday again and I, Mightymom, have another post up at Extraordinary Mom's Network.
This week it's information about a wonderful way to support our injured troops.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
MightyMom Monday
Saturday was All Saint's Day, and Sunday All Soul's Day. A day of rememberance of people that we've loved and lost.
This week at MightyMom Mondays I remember one of the biggest influences of my life.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Mightymom Monday
Well, Here's a Mommy gaff that I made a couple weeks ago....
go on over and have a laugh in my general direction (or at my expense) :-)
go on over and have a laugh in my general direction (or at my expense) :-)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
MightyMom Monday
This week at the Extraordinary Mom's Network is a new one titled Mighty Mom's Silly Slimmers.
Ever wondered how a mom of 3 special needs kids under the age of 4 finds time to workout?
Read all about it!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Mighty Mom Mondays
Go on over to Mighty Mom Monday and relive highlights from our attempt to potty train Sonshine.
By the way, he's getting BIG BOY UNDERWEAR for his birthday Nov 25th....we've come a long way!
Don't forget to leave a comment or I won't know you went over there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)