The Snow Keeps Falling

I clean in energetic spurts. And to the dismay of my children, I don’t like to clean alone. So this usually means an energy rush on my end, followed by a “calling all the children!” moment, and an instantaneous smashing of all whines and complaints. After a frantic thirty minutes of running here and there, I am pleased. I dismiss the minions, um, I mean kids, to whatever they were previously occupied with, and I sit a moment to rest.

Every once in a while, I get on a longer kick, where all-the-things-must-be-cleaned-at-the-same-time!

…only to turn around 15 minutes later and have dishes in the sink, new towels in the basket to be washed, and what do you know, everyone’s hungry again.

Phyllis Diller wisely said:

And then it hit me.

The snow keeps falling.

In my stage of life, there isn’t a break in the constant down-pouring of the frozen bits of water.

The snow around me falls…

• In clothes that need to be washed.
• In dishes that get used.
• In stomachs that beg to be filled.
• In weeds that fight against being pulled.
• In dust that settles on flat surfaces.
• In toys strewn about.
• In brains that need to be taught.
• In disputes that must be settled.
• In boo-boos that ask to be kissed.
• In imaginations that long to be heard.

The snow keeps falling. Cold and relentless.

Twenty minutes ago, in the midst of a blizzard in the kitchen, I escaped to my room to reflect. My mind was a whirl of thoughts and I couldn’t get them straight. I literally just locked my door, turned on an instrumental Christmas Pandora station, and began browsing our family photos of winters past.

Building Snowmen. Sledding Fast. Making Angels.

I smile. I breath.

I remember the peacefulness that can hug me on those rare 35 degree days with some flurries and a sun that shines brightly in the white sky. For some reason, thinking of it this way seems to settle my soul. The flakes aren’t all bad. Sometimes, they feel more like white powdery pieces of heaven, sent by my loving God.

In my thankfulness, I begin appreciating the other flakes that fall, side by side with the rest.

• The arms that reach up to be hugged.
• The smiles that brighten the dinner table.
• The hands that eagerly help with meals.
• The legs that run in circles.
• The snuggles by a fire.
• The intelligence that’s learning to read.
• The fingers trying to braid my hair.
• The competition of a game well-played.
• The companionship while walking our dog.
• The tears of friendship that are shared.
• The joys.
• The laughter.
• The thrills.

I embrace it all.

One day, when they’re grown, there will be quiet days when the snow doesn’t fall. And I know I’ll miss the cool, individual flakes that line my lashes. The special ones that land on my heart. And the overall joy of a snow fall that brightens my day and makes my life sparkle.

So fall on, snow. And I will raise my head, spread my arms, and enjoy it for all that it is.

"Ding!" Time to go potty!

Every 20 minutes around our house, a timer goes off.

Every 20 minutes for a week.

Sounds fun, right?

"Why?" you ask.  Well, I'm potty training my two year old, of course!

It's the method I've used w/ my other three kids. I don't know where I got the idea, but for us, it works.

Basically, when I think he's ready, I put him in underwear and try to stay home as much as possible. While home, every twenty minutes, a timer goes off and I have him sit on the potty. He gets a jelly bean for trying. If he happens to go, then he gets two! And he gets to help flush it away. That is very exciting.

The first two days are, well, messy. He's learning what going potty is all about. It takes a bit of time to move from, "Uh Oh, mess," to realizing the feeling before he has to go.

I'm on day 3 right now, and it's going well. Last night, he was dry for about 5 hours straight!

Hopefully, by the first of next week, I'll stretch it to 40 minutes and he'll start to tell me, rather than relying on the timer. That's the goal, anyway.

And to be honest, the timer is really for me. I'm just too distracted with life to remember to have the little guy try! So the timer reminds me  that, "Hey, easily distracted mom, you're potty training, remember?"

What advice would you give someone who was potty training their child for the first time?

When life throws you on your knees

A couple of weeks ago, our daughter K disobeyed, and I was devistated. Both my husband and I were. It caught us off-guard, and I was in tears, at a loss as to how to handle the situation. I collapsed on the floor and rested against the couch.

On my knees.

And I realized, this is what has been missing.

I pray for my kids, occasionally, but most days, I think I can do it on my own. I know how to be a parent. I've read the books and have been to seminars. I have my "techniques" down perfectly, and I can share them with others.

But when it comes down to it, I realized again that I can't do it on my own. I am an imperfect human being who will mess up. I will fail them. I will be inconsistent. I will lose my temper. I will give bad advice.

What I need to teach her is what I've not been doing myself. I need to teach her to not try to be good on her own strength, because she can't. None of us can.

So I repented there on my knees, of trying to do it on my own, and my husband and I prayed for her. I am embarrased to admit that our time spent on our knees together for our children has been very limited.

Then I repented to her, and I asked for forgiveness for not setting a good example of relying on God's strength.

How many times I do I tell my kids, "Jammies, Teeth, and Bed" when I'm tired? Then after a quick blanket prayer for everyone, I rush out of the room and move on to more important things... like Facebook.

Well since that night, my habits are starting to change. I want to spend those precious, quiet moments praying over them. It's a perfect time to seek out God's help for each of their lives. As they hear me talk to God on their behalf, I pray they'll be strengthened and grow to love and depend on Him more.

Practically speaking, I even posted a page of verses in the bathroom for me to read through as I'm getting ready in the morning. It is a plain reminder that I need Jesus's help in every area of my life, and my kids do too.

I have seasons of prayer and seasons where I lack. Do you go through this too? How do you stay consistent in relying on God's power? Coasting isn't an option... we need to be seeking His daily bread -- well -- daily.