A Blast from the Past
You may or may not know that I’ve blogged off and on since 2011. Though it’s gradually morphed into a way to share my Bible study findings, it started out as a chronicle of life with my littles. Every now and again I enjoy reading back over posts from the past, especially ones from when the boys are little.
Since we’re in the middle of Christmas Break (God bless it!!!), I thought I’d share an old entry from December of 2016 (when my kids were 6, 4, and 7 months). So enjoy this blast from the past!
So, let’s just be real for a sec, here.
Just in case you need reminding (because I definitely do): the pictures you and I see on the internet and social media do not necessarily represent reality. Or at least ALL of reality.
Let me give you an example. See this picture?
Precious, right?! It was taken Saturday morning while we were all piled on the couch watching Christmas cartoons together. I even posted this Hallmark family moment on my social media pages. What I DIDN’T post was that this “moment” truly only lasted about that long – a moment. Because immediately after I snapped this shot, Levi poked Abie’s cheeks too hard and she started bawling. Then Jackson got all big-brother-protective and kicked Levi off the couch, which caused a fist fight. See? The picture doesn’t represent all of reality.
So let’s be real. Christmas break is wonderful… and HARD! The last few days, it’s been too cold or rainy (or both) for the boys to go outside, thus my little house has been TORN. APART. The word MESS doesn’t really cover it. And I’ve found myself saying things like:
Levi, go put your pants on. We don’t run around the house naked.
Jackson, don’t pull on Abie’s ears. They’re both infected. Leave her alone.
Levi, take that frog back outside!
Jackson! No more tossing cheerios in the toilet!
And I’ve heard things like:
Mom! Tell him to stop! He just kissed me on my butt!
Mom! Levi just ate a rock!
Mom! The Christmas tree just fell over!
And I’ve done things like… buy a new heat/ac system. And replace the glass on our wedding picture. (It was a casualty of hallway bowling. ?!?! I know. You have so many questions. Me, too.)
Yay. Merry Christmas to me.
Adulting is hard.
Today, 15 minutes into nap time, I heard repeated strange yet loud thuds. I put Abie down in the pack-n-play and walked into the living room to investigate.
I find Levi (who had been sentenced to napping alone in his room due to some misbehavior earlier in the day) dressed in his fireman outfit, running across the room, jumping on the couch, and catapulting into the wall.
Over and over again.
Our brief conversation went like this:
Me: Levi! How does this qualify as a nap time activity?
Levi: Mom! I just wasn’t sleepy, so I thought this might make me tired.
Right.
So nap time ended early and the boys were bundled up and sent outside. And the brothers have played so well outside together in harmony, for about 20 minutes.
Until just now.
Jackson comes in the door and announces that Levi has called him Butt Face. For the 3rd time today.
I march outside to talk to Mr. Big-Mouth. With a strict stride and a serious face, I plan to sternly warn him that any additional ugly talk will earn him soap in his mouth. But you tell me: could you keep a straight face reprimanding this little guy with his fuzzy bear-ear hat? The parenting struggle is real.
Pray for me, and maybe we’ll all survive Christmas break.
Update: Before I could even hit SAVE and PUBLISH on this blog post, Levi came in to talk.
Levi: Mom, do you like worms?
Me: Umm, I guess they’re ok. Why?
Levi: Well, I like them, and I just ate one! (smiling and walking back out the door)
Nice.
