They're Just Kids

Kids. Sometimes they're angels. It's rare, but sometimes. Sometimes they're like rabid raccoons that just ate a 5 gallon bucket of Pixy Stix. And that's most of the time! ::wink:: 

The other day I was about to fly off the handle and lose all my grace. I had been getting on to one of my sons repeatedly because he was in his own world and there were chores to be done before we could leave. Hello! Doesn't he know we have places to go before it's the two year old's nap time? We're on limited time here!

After telling him to straighten his room up, and walking by it to see zero progress, I was fed up. I had had it. I was ready to get his attention and let him know Momma means business. 

Then it hit me. 

HE IS JUST A LITTLE BOY. 

He is seven. 

He laughs when somebody says 'butt'.

He still sleeps with a nightlight. 

His favorite animal is a bunny. 

He's still missing his front teeth. 

He still believes in the Tooth Fairy. 

He still wears superhero underwear. 

He still wants a bedtime story every night. 

He is not an adult who can spotlessly clean a room in 20 minutes, while simultaneously getting ready to go to town. He gets distracted. Even I still do and I'm 30!

What stopped me dead in my tracks before I laid into him was what he was wearing. He had on his little boots and some Wrangler jeans with the knees knocked out of them, with his favorite Santa Claus t-shirt (even though it was well after Christmas. It's his favorite :) Then I noticed a little Mickey Mouse flashlight hooked on his belt loop. That did it for me. HE IS JUST A LITTLE BOY. It made me stop and think. Wow. He's just a little fella. Ease up. 

That little Mickey Mouse flashlight and Santa Claus shirt served as a reminder. An eye-opener. Sometimes I expect too much. I can let things go. I can choose my battles. Do I think he will be a horrible adult because I let him occasionally slide and treat him like the child he is? No. Absolutely not. He gets plenty of love and hugs and discipline to even it all out. And IF he is a horrible adult it is because he has too much Caleb Crawley in him. ::wink::

I tend to treat the boys like twins and expect the very same from both of them. Rowdy is 9 and Cash is 7. That two years makes a big difference! But I often forget that. They may can do some impressive things physically, but they're still young. 

I'm thankful I was distracted and noticed his outfit before I might have gotten mad at him for just being seven!

He still is expected to do his fair share and behave like a little gentleman, but that doesn't mean I have to be a drill sergeant and make my children afraid of me to make respect me. 

For the record, I am all for spankings and discipline, but not for every little thing they do wrong. HE IS JUST A LITTLE BOY. They're just kids! 

Overall, I think -scratch that- I KNOW I have good kids. 

Kids. 

Not adults. 

Not robots. 

They're just kids and they mean the world to me. 

They remind us to say the blessing before supper if we forget. They hold the doors open for ladies. They carry their little sisters to the car when it's raining. 

They'll be ok.

That's a fact.

I pray for them, take them to church, smother them with kisses, give them a good example and correct their bad behavior. That's all I can do. 

I do my best. 

They'll be ok. 

I know they will. 

But for now, THEY'RE JUST KIDS. 

XOXO, Jenn

Tired Momma Reminder

Hey y'all! I have gotten out of the habit of blogging, but here I am!

Have you saw the pins on Pinterest and the shared posts on Facebook about kids growing up and not needing Momma anymore?

They crush me. 

I live for my kids and a momma is all that I am. Who will I be when my kids no longer need me?

Time is fleeting. 

I love spending time with the kids. I love just being with the kids. 

Do they drive me absolutely insane? Yes, almost daily!

A few evenings ago, Remmi brought me a book while I was washing dishes.

"You read me dis?" 

I told her I would before bed and I finished up the dishes. An hour or so later it was time for the kids to get in bed.

I was tired. Like, real tired. 

Tired of telling kids more than once to do their bedtime chores and things not getting done. I just wanted to get in my bed. I was making my rounds giving kisses and hugs and I came to Remmi. She was laying in her bed, holding the book. Not a short board book. This was one of those looong books. She asked me again if I would read it to her. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I instantly regretted saying them. 

"No, not tonight, baby. Momma is SO tired." 

Why did I say that?! No, I didn't mean that! Please don't let me get away with this. There's no way I could just go get in my bed after doing that to her. I felt like a piece of crap mom. This isn't how I want to end our day.

"But you said you would read it to me." 

Yep, you're right. I did - AND I WILL. 

I sat on her bed with her and the other kids came running in as soon as they heard me start the story. I LOVE reading to my kids at bedtime. Maybe to them it just puts off having to go to sleep right away. I don't care. I'm going to do it as long as they ask. For how long do kids want Momma to read to them? Not long at all. 

This is a good reminder. 

Our babies are growing up. Fast! 

I know I sound repetitive at times, but kids just don't stay little for long! I want my kids to have good memories. Not memories of a mom who was too busy or too tired to keep her word. 

Embrace today. Linger a little longer tonight at bedtime. You won't get that moment back. You may have another chance to read the book tomorrow night, but then again, they may never ask for a bedtime story again. It could be the last time. Choose wisely.

Pick up a new book at Walmart. Make sweet memories before it's too late. 

Enjoy those babies. 

XOXO, Jenn