This lil light of mine.......

I brought children into this dark world 

because it needed the light that only a child can bring.  

~Liz Armbruster

 

 

I don't know ow many times this saying has rolled around in my head, for some reason its just one that sticks with me. It rings very true to me despite the fact that its meaning has changed for me over and over. 

Years ago when I wasn't sure if I wanted children I used to have these deep conversations with myself about how awful it would be to bring a child into a world full of uncertainty, conflict, and hate. Then of course LOVE for my husband over ruled that, made me believe in the good in the world and all that jazz. When i found myself pregnant all the fear of raising a child on todays world turned into hope of all the wonderful possibilities in humanity. Love can sure turn things around huh?

After JoJo was born was when I first read the saying above and it justified any previous worry over raising a child, it almost gave me courage that procreating WAS the right thing to do. Then of course natural (or neurotic) worry came into play.....what if I lose my child to some horrific accident, what if he gets childhood terminal cancer, what if I outlive my child or he suffers some violent crime as a adult? Am I the only one who  has such awful things cross there mind? The bigger question is would the life I've lived with my son be enough to carry me through whatever horrific events awaits me? Oh dear, life has been so good up until now I must be due for some tragedy.........or maybe I need medication, LOL! I remind myself.....

 

I brought children into this dark world 

because it needed the light that only a child can bring.  

~Liz Armbruster

 

There is nothing I can about any of the above scary scenarios. What I can do is love my child each and every day so that every moment I have control over is one that he will know he is loved and was brought into this world only by love. 

 

However this past week I have learned something from my child. Maybe it is hormones, PMS, the changing of the seasons but I've been feeling blue this past week. Not depressed, just mopey and not sure why. My husband noticed and like the great man I married he  offered me a little more  love then usual and let me work through my emotions while letting me know he was there.

Anyhow JoJo........my light in this dark world showed me that he too won't let a day go by without showing me that I am loved. Like I do for him,  he ensures that I am reminded that I am loved by a family and mean something. Not only is HE my light in this dark world, our home and family is like a beacon in the dark night of our world, always showing me where I am loved. 

 

 

 

 

A Toddler Holiday!

Oh boy I am so excited for this Christmas with JoJo. He will be two in February so this is the first year he really gets to dig into his presents and is really aware of what is going on. I did my best to plan everything out so that I wouldnt be stressed out and could make it a magical time for him. I did a lot of my shopping early so I wouldnt be running around like a crazy person and I love that he is still young enough that I can even buy his presents with him present and he forgets about them so i can go home and wrap them while he is sleeping.
Some things I have found to make Christmas easier with a toddler is.......

-Dont even attempt to wrap presents while they are awake......just dont do it to yourself!

-Split up the visits with friends and family members if you can so that your child isnt overwhelemed by presents and company. I know it can be hard when you have a big family. However for the friends that we bought for and visa versa, I made a date with each of them to come over on seperate days so JoJo could spend some time with them and exchange gifts. That way he also understood better who the presents came from.

-If your cooking, try and make a dish or two that you can prepare a day ahead.


-When its time to meet Santa it can go one of two ways so make sure your child has already had their nap and is fed so you can bribe them with candy if need be, LOL. When we got to Santa's workshop we hung back for a minute so JoJo could see what was going on and that Santa wasnt eating children. I then gave Sante a candy cane and asked JoJo if he wanted to go sit with Santa and get a candy. It went rather well.....even if he didnt smile!


-DONT FORGET BATTERIES for any toys you bought. Nothing stinks more then opening a present that can't be played with because mommy and daddy forgot batteries.

-I am planning on assembling any toys the night before so that JoJo dosnt have to wait for us to pull them out of the box. I know patience is a virtue but he's only two.

-Lastly....my favorite quote for the holidays is "Christmas should be a feeling, not a season". Take time to make Christmas magical and to share traditions. I want his childhood Christmas memories to be full of lovely smells, bright colors, and quality family time. Kids need our time more then they need our dimes!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!

I'm Baaackkk!!!

I am back and we had a fantastic vacation! We were on a road trip to So-Cal and did the obvious Disneyland/San Diego stuff. A lot of people told me to wait until JoJo was older to take him because he wouldn’t remember but I think that is silly. We had a fantastic time and were able to do it at a adults pace….meaning if he was older he would have tired me out rather quickly, LOL!
Here are some highlights from the trip….

Free at last from the car!

My new favorite picture!

Surprise Surprise, the monkey's were his favorite!

Pardon me while I......

Go on vacation with my lovely family! Thats right, its our first real vacation since Joey has blessed us with his presence and where are we going you might ask?........Disneyland of course!

We were going to wait until he was a bit older but then I realized he will have his own agenda. so we are taking advantage of his youthful ignorance and are going to spend a couple days at the pool in between park attractions!
Be back In a week....or so.


I wouldnt think of leaving you without a wild Angel Quote to think on. Most of us DO have young children so lets do better to live in the moment.....


If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Food for thought.....

As more and more of my friends are becoming mothers and embarking into this journey filled with diapers, eskimo kisses and scraped knees I find myself comparing each with each other and myself.  In my head  I ponder their way of doing things, praise their achievements and sorry to say…grimace at some things. Then I remember what it is like to be a new mom ( I still am considering JoJo’s age) and remember that “deer caught in the headlights look“, that odd yet warm sensation of a new baby in my arms, and most of all the fear of screwing up! I also remember all of the unsolicited advice I got from friends and strangers. Despite how hard I try to not be THAT person I find that when I’m faced with a new mom I become THAT person, my own experiences just fall out of my mouth. So if you’re a new mom, smile, nod and store that wild antic that was just shared with you in the back of your head. The crazy dry cleaner or retail clerk may have diarrhea of the mouth but her comment may just save you one day. Who knew that five years down the road her story of how to use peanut butter to get gum out of a child’s hair will save you, LOL!
    I guess what I am trying to say is it is natural to offer, seek, and ignore advice from others. I’m not sure what it is in us that makes us do it but I’ve come to accept it as a right of passage into motherhood. I’ve come to realize that every mom needs to succeed and fail on her own and most important, every mom deserves the right to BE a new mom her own way. Isnt that what makes al of our wonderful children unique? Their unique upbringing? Veteran moms also need to conceed that it is possible to learn from the newer moms, it would be silly to deny ourselves any insight that may help our children. So before you think “oh what does she know”? Maybe you should have a listen.
    Someday, if not already there is going to be something you envy in her child or in the way she handles a situation and lets pray we are wise and open enough to know how to apply that success to our own family. Just like or friendships, we will never agree on everything and that is ok so take the good, forget the less then desirable and let your relationship with your friends and family be a example for your children.