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The Evil in Toilet Training.

Carma — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Here I go again…I feel like writing every time I have a major problem. But maybe it helps to let out my thoughts. So my sweet Brooklynn is 4 1/2 and we continue to struggle with going to the bathroom. I wouldn’t say she has accidents really, but she wets enough to be uncomfortable, and sometime show through to her pants. This has happened off and on since she was toilet trained just over 2 years ago. From day one of trying to train her I felt like it was a struggle. I didn’t know how to do it and I lost my patience easily! I wish so much I could go back and do it again! With Braeden I have been so relaxed and he was so so so easy to train! There was almost zero stress and it has been a breeze. I know what you’re thinking, whats the big deal about a pee spot on the underwear? I don’t even know! It’s just this thing that has consumed both me and her, I think. She has to go, she squirms and worms forever and finally either gives in herself or I try to drop major hints about going to the bathroom. I bribe with candy…trying to not make a big deal about it. But inside I am going nutty! Usually by then though, she needs new underwear, which just drives me crazy. Why can’t she just wear one pair of underwear a day? Is that not too much to ask out of a 4 year old? AHHH! I try to relax about it, not remind her for a few days, and it usually gets better for a time, but somehow we slip right back. She has a friend over, gets waaay to busy and has wet her underwear too much has to change them. I remind her of my dislike about it (in a calm way usually) and still we slip back into the “I must hold in my pee for all time mode” Yikes.
Tonight at Bible Study though we were talking about how Satan uses pain in our lives so that we can blame God or others causing more confusion and craziness in our lives. I got to thinking right away how this problem we are having is exactly that! Not that I am blaming God or anyone else for what Brooklynn and I are going through, but maybe Satan is using this “painful” experience to bump me off course, to take my focus off my goal of being diligent servant of Jesus by being the best Mom I can be. When Brooklynn is in the thick of her struggle I can only think of one thing…Oh please oh please God let her get to the bathroom on her own with out a push or struggle! When I write this down it seems so silly, but really this is a big deal if its distracting me from who I need to be. I wish I had a nice ending to this post. But I don’t so far. All I can do is start again tomorrow. Pray that God will not only help Brooklynn make right choices about getting to the bathroom on time, but pray that my God will free me from being consumed by this silly thing. If Satan is mucking around in the situation, I want him GONE! (Since when did Satan concern himself with potty training? I suppose he can show up any place a Jesus follower like me will be, in everyday life) Tomorrow is a new day. His mercies are new every morning, Great is thy faithful oh God my father.

4pm

Carma — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:33:00 +0000

It’s been so long since I’ve written here. I don’t even remember the last time I wrote; maybe even over a year ago! Wow! Anyways, let me just right back into the swing of things here…4pm. 4pm is not a good hour for me. Neither is 4AM actually, but I usually don’t have to deal with too much anymore at 4AM. 4pm is when my household seems to be breaking at the seams. Does this happen to you? Morning is great, the kids are generally happy; they watch a show or two; eat breakfast from 7:30AM till about 10AM and play a little; eat a snack at about 10:30AM, color, draw, do play dough, destroy whatever area of the house I am not cleaning; then we have lunch. After lunch we maybe play outside for a bit and come in chill with a snack and show around 3pm and then something magical happens around 4pm. I don’t know what it is; and let me tell you it’s not the magical in the conventional sense. Like the kind you think of in the fairy tales, like when Cinderella’s fairy godmother shows up or sleeping beauty awakes from the kiss from her true love. This kind of magic is very very dark, not sparkly or cheery. 4pm rolls around and Braeden suddenly realizes he hates the bowl his snack is in. Brooklynn starts yelling that she is still “drinky” and I haven’t gotten her water yet. Or else for some strange reason I am trying to accomplish something like preparing supper and I have two helpers that cannot agree on which stool they should each stand on or where it should be placed. All hell seems to break lose and time and time again I find myself looking at the clock after I have thrown up my hands and said, “I’m going crazy!”; IT IS 4:02PM! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why this happens really. I mean, its just that point in the day where everyone could use a nap. We’ve been together all day doing normal, everyday, non-exciting things and now we are tired and the kids basically bored. So today when that time hit, my super mom powers kicked in…well maybe it was a little idea from the Lord, but nonetheless, it was a great energy boosting activity and before I could snap back at my kids in their crazy hour, I popped in some tunes and we danced our frustrations away. There was no boredom, no worries about drinks, or colors of bowls, and best of all no crying! It was so fun!!! We blasted the tunes and sang some praise songs! I even got in trouble for turning the music down! The kids had a blast and I even snuck away a few times to peel a few potatoes for supper. So I think my next step is to just come up with a list of crazy fun activities to do in our 4PM hour. It may not work everytime, but it may just bring a little joy and save a few hairs on my head somedays.

Happy dancing, Carma

Check out ManitobaParkland.com

Carma — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:25:02 +0000

I started using this awesome new community portal website called Manitobaparkland.com. It is a great place to find out what is happening around the Parkland. It’s brand new so check it out and tell your friends! Like I’m doing!

www.,manitobaparkland.com

Desire for Growth

Carma — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:26:14 +0000

First of all, its been forever since I have posted something. I think about it a lot, but have been ummm distracted with life! I feel like this post will be different than others in the past. In my past posts I try to have a theme and write with the best of my ability. Today I am tired. So tired, physically and emotionally, and I am sure in other ways too! Being a mom to preschoolers is so hard! I don’t want this to be a ‘cry-fest’ or a self pity party, but its going to turn into that. Everyday I wake up and the same thing fills my day. Trying to respond quickly and fast to the demands being thrown at me. The whining, the crying, the messes, the snacks, the discontentment, the laundry, the constant runny noses and the ongoing colds, the dishes, the meals, the diapers and the list goes on! I feel like my household is going crazy and I feel out of control lately. I try to blame it on things like our house is too small and there is limited space to play and live, or we can’t spend enough time outside cause its not yet nice enough be out for super long periods of time. Or maybe the problem is that Braeden doesn’t walk yet and that is why he is so discontent. Or maybe the problem is that Brooklynn gets up to early in the morning and doesn’t get enough sleep. I seem to find many problems and complain or whine to my husband. My husband is amazing and does encourage me, he does. I am so thankful for that. But I know it comes down to my relationship with my Lord. What can I say…it lacks. But then again I want to blame that on my busy, child filled life! I know that I can find time to spend with my ever-loving and caring Father. My spiritual life is evident in my day to day responses and attitudes. I need Jesus to renew and fill my life with the fruits of the Spirit. I desire so badly to raise my children the correct way. I desire with all my heart that they will come to know the God that I know and follow and serve him fervently! And as it stands now, I believe, my love for Jesus is not shining through to them as much as it should be. Things need to change around here…we need peace in our household. I read a devotional the other day, and walked away with this – “Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” Galatians 6:7. My children are my garden and I need to be very conscientious of what I plant into their lives, so that a great harvest willed be reaped of their lives! Today will be my first, new day of being very conscientious of that. I will try to be disciplined in my walk with the Lord so that He will shine through my life to my children.

Mommy, we all like you… We love you.

Carma — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:51:12 +0000

I feel like its been so long since I have posted anything. But I have had a lot on my mind, though just one thing at a time I will write about here. Since this is fresh in my mind I would like to blog about it now…my daughter encouraged me tremendously the other day. Now you have to know that my daughter, Brooklynn, is only two and a half…well I guess almost three now. But I believe the Lord used her to really open my eyes to my sad, grumpy and sinful state. I was just having a rough day. I had been to the dentist in the morning and had gotten two fillings. So when I returned home, my mouth was still frozen, I couldn’t eat and I was just exhausted…and there to greet me were my wonderful, yet energetic but also somewhat discontent children! They had a good morning with their Dad, Braeden had a little nap, Brooklynn played nice, as she usually does in the mornings. But when I got home it was just that ‘special’ time of day, the time right after lunch when Brooklynn is tired, yet not tired enough to give in to a nap, and Braeden wanting mommy only for one reason, to fill his tummy. So I had two choices, I could ask God to give me strength to get through the afternoon, or I could try to do it on my own strength. I chose the latter…not a good choice and my actions reflected that. Brooklynn spent a lot of time crying, as did Braeden and even I ended up in tears on the couch when Daddy came to the rescue. But in that moment when I broke down, my sweet, soft hearted little girl comes over to the couch when she sees my tears, “ooooh mommy it’s okay, we all like you…I love you and Daddy loves you and Braeden loves you too.” This child has no idea how that hit me! The wisest thing I heard all day came from a two year old! My family loves me, even when I make mistakes! They love me, even when they’ve had a visit from monster mom about 15 minutes before that! I felt like God was speaking through Brooklynn in that moment as well. God loves me even when I blow it…even when I ignore his open arms saying, “Carma, my child, give your frustrations and grumpiness over to me, let me carry you through the tough day, I want to be your rock to rely on, I love you.” I have such an awesome and caring God. And I feel so blessed also, to have a little girl in my house hold who is letting the Lord use her, even if she doesn’t really realize it yet. I see her spiritual gift perhaps of encouragement coming out in her, even at such a young age.

Tis the Season

Carma — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:36:04 +0000

Does anyone else out there get completely overwhelmed with the expectations that are placed on you? Lately I have been feeling like every area of life is bombarding me to be at the top of my game. Eat healthy – don’t eat processed food, only homemade and organic food! Be the best parent – have disciplined and obedient kids! Be a great wife – be everything they need you to be! Be a great friend - be there always! Be a godly woman – read my bible everyday, pray and put God first always! Be fit – workout everyday! Be organized and clean - keep the house clean, change the sheets every week, never have laundry sitting around, and never have dishes sitting in the sink for more than an hour! AHHHHHHHHHHH! I think I might just be making you all overwhelmed just by reading the last few sentences! But seriously, at times in my life I look at these several areas and think, how can I do it? How can I be a godly wife, parent and friend? And keep up with all things! Reality is that we can’t right? So what do we choose to put first? For me it changes. Sometimes during the year I feel like I can have time to focus a little more on health and fitness. That time is not now (especially not near Christmas!) I still try to make sure we eat some fruit and veggies eat day, but sorry, no homemade bread here in the last few weeks. Is it really a big deal if I make a store bought lasagna versus a homemade one? Not really. This season of life is not really allowing for much time for workouts or intense walks to burn off calories. My husband and I have good intentions of doing some type of routine workout after the kids go to bed, but always end up chilling on the couch or catching up about our days. This is the season to focus on raising my kids. We are still figuring out how to discipline and what parenting is beyond those baby years! This is the season to be a great wife…actually its always that season! And of course its always the season to put Christ first too. Sometimes, though, to be honest, that doesn’t happens. But as I write this I am reminded that if I always make Jesus “the season”, those other areas will happen as they should. So, Tis the Season to put Jesus first.

Everything Christmas

Carma — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:50:23 +0000

I remember being so excited to set up the Christmas tree when I was a kid. And much to my dismay we were probably the last people to get around to buying a tree and setting it up! Often we just had to wait until my Dad was home from being on the road to get the tree inside and into the flimsy stand. Then it was agony waiting for it to thaw enough to start decorating!! I remember digging through the box of old Christmas decorations we hadn’t seen in a whole year! Some were homemade; (they seem to have disappeared from my Moms collection now??) some were those balls with the miles of thread wrapped around and if it snagged it didn’t look so pretty anymore and then the fewer nicer ornaments that were probably gifts. But I remember that feeling of maybe what some may call, ‘the Christmas spirit’. As time went on and I grew older this feeling faded. Even my first Christmas married I was so excited that I could decide when to put up our tree…I think it when up not too long after Halloween! But Christmas wasn’t the same – there is something about kids and Christmas. Richard and I began to see that in Brooklynn this year. When we pulled out the tree and all the decorations she was so taken back by the beauty. And believe me our tree is not much to look at! But she was just in awe of the beauty of all the cheap ornaments, garland and dollar store decorations. She has redecorated the bottom half of our tree many times in the last 2 weeks because it so fun for her. Every where we go she is amazed by the lights, Santa and reindeer decorations, the Nativity scenes, candy canes and any thing Christmas. Brooklynn tells me every few days, “Mommy its going to be Christmas soon.” We have even been practicing singing Happy Birthday to Jesus about 5 times a day. (I light candles to blow out for an after potty reward and before they can be blown out I must sing along!) Thanks to all the commercials on a new kids channel (treehouse doesn’t have too many commercials) she is learning to tell us what she wants for Christmas. When we made a list for Grandma she knew exactly what to put on it, anything princess! So we now have our work cut out to make sure in Christmas’ to come to be teaching our kids the true meaning and reason to Celebrate! Its hard to compete with the worldly reasons of course, which of course are not all bad. But we want to instill in our kids how to give generously to others and be thankful to God for sending his son as a baby. All this said it warms my heart to see my daughter laugh and smile at every thing Christmas; from lights, to candy canes; from Santa and his reindeer to her asking to sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus just one more time.

A Child’s First Prayer

Carma — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:32:50 +0000

Have any of you Moms or Dads out there experienced the blessing of your child praying for you? I did for the first time the other day. Brooklynn (2.5) has been learning about prayer since we brought her home from the hospital. In our house we pray before meals and we pray before bed, but we also pray about things during the day. We pray and thank God for the sun, or we pray and ask God to send the sun on a cold and cloudy day. We pray sometimes when we get mad at each other. We pray if we have lost something and need to find it. We pray for animals or sometimes I have been asked to even pray for a stuffed animal. I have been trying to get Brooklynn to pray, but she has never wanted. She just you, “No you pray Mommy.” I have explained that God likes to hear from her, and its just like talking to Mommy. Just say what you want. So finally the other day, I was having a lot of pain in my neck and had mentioned it a few times that I was hurting. Brooklynn wanted to kiss it better, but I told her I needed more than that. “We could pray” I told her. “Do you want to pray?” “No you, Mommy.” She said. I told her she could try if she wanted too. I paused. Then came the sweetest prayer (at least to my ears, and I am sure it made God smile too to hear from this little child!) “God make Mommy betterd” (betterd, that how she says better ) It was the best feeling ever, to have my child step out and bring my hurt and ask God to make it better. She soon wanted to run down the hall with me, an activity I had been reluctant to do before because my neck hurt so bad, but unfortunately God didn’t heal me instantly. Although what testimony if he had. Nonetheless it was an amazing experience and I only pray that Brooklynn’s faith will grow and grow and grow, and I look forward to many more chances to hear her prayers and see her growth in my Savior. And my biggest prayer is to see Brooklynn and my son, Braeden come to a knowledge and belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. But for now I will rejoice in their innocence as small children and know that my God cares for them, and if I and my husband are faithful in raising them right in the Lord’s eyes that he be gracious to us. It reminds me of the song, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it, he who started the work will be faithful to complete it in you!”

Careful In My Way With Potty Training

Carma — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:29:04 +0000

Okay people I have waited long enough – here comes my thoughts about potty training. I despise it. I would rather do dishes all day than have my daughter come and tell me shes had another accident. Well actually I can be happy that she at least tells me. And at least we are past the stage of just peeing and not even noticing and just going about playing with wet pants and it not being a bother! I was so excited when it finally clicked with her about 2 months ago. I was so ready to put away the diapers and the useless pull-ups (really they are just an expensive diaper right?) I am still happy she is working at it, but I honestly thought we could declare Brooklynn “TRAINED” by now! Tell me why do children hide when they have to go? I have heard of other kids doing this. Why does Brooklynn go and hide under her little table or behind the coffee table and “do her business”?? Why?? I am so confused, like sometimes she tells me she has to poop and I come with her to the bathroom to make sure she is getting her pants down and up on to the toilet, and then she’ll ask for me to leave if she wants to poop. She sometimes likes to be alone…but why does she sometimes hide and do it in her pants. Then she just has to come tell me right away and hear me go on and on and on about how important it is to use the toilet, how its not a good idea to poop or pee in her pants! It’s more work for her too! AHHHH! So these are some of my recent frustrations about potty training my daughter. We are through with the treats and making a big deal about going. She knows what to do. She just needs to remember to take the time, even when she is busy to use the bathroom. It now needs to click that its more work to clean up a mess, than to run to the potty! I just need to be patient. It will come. I cried out to the Lord this afternoon after a large, disgusting and messy accident. I asked God for patience and self control. I gave him this situation. It felt funny, I mean does God care about Brooklynn and potty training? Of course he does. I was then reading in Haggai later just some key verses I had underlined years ago. It said again and again, “Give careful thought to your ways” I didn’t take the time to read the whole thing (later tonight), but it hit me. I need to be careful of my way with Brooklynn. I know it doesn’t help to get mad when she has an accident. She is still learning. I am thankful that God doesn’t get mad like I do when I have accidents. So I gave this potty training stuff over to the Lord today. Lord let me be careful in my way when I help Brooklynn potty train!

Wet Socks

Carma — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:37:46 +0000

How many times did I change my socks today? Okay only three times, and one of those was putting socks on when I got dressed this morning. But I think normal people only go through an average of one pair a day! But today Richard decided to clean down the hall. We work and live at a Bible Camp and actually reside in one of the camp buildings. We call it home, its nice and cozy and during non busy season its quiet and just feels like a normal place to live. Anyways, Richard decided to clean outside of our apartment down to the other end of the hall and his office…so he was vacuuming and then mopping. Brooklynn decided she needed to be trooping around on the freshly mopped floor, so I put her slippers on. (Which are a garage sale find – huge Clifford dogs, which look hilarious when she has only a t-shirt and underwear on!) Her feet were staying dry and my were okay until she insisted on trying to mop her self. I showed her how to use the mop pail but my socks had no hope!

The next pair had to be changed around bath time…does anyone else have this problem when their kids bath. There is just about as much water on the floor as in the bath tub? Oh my word, both my kids splash like there is no tomorrow! Braeden, he is only 6.5 months, so his splashing is expected. He loves the bath and vibrates every time I take him near the tub and turn on the water. Brooklynn, her splashing is more to do with her wild imagination. She is usually pretending to be swimming in a large pool, hopping like a frog, diving like a mermaid (by the way, thanks Little Bear for teaching my child about weird mermaids, and not to mention goblins!) or she just gets carried away playing with her horses and ponies. Tonight I actually remembered to lay down a few more towels on the floor than usual, which saved the floor, but not my socks!

Socks are a small price to pay to enjoy watching my kids having fun in the tub or learning to mop a floor. (I don’t think Brooklynn thinks that mopping is a chore, she was having so much fun! She may think otherwise when she is 15 and its been on her list of chores for the past 4 years!) Today I was in awe of how God has blessed my family…wet socks were probably the worst thing about today. Nothing to complain about at all. Thank you Lord for health, safety and your loving hand on us. God is so good, so good, He’s so good to me.