Dirty Diapers and Preschool Jokes

Preston finally started walking a few weeks ago! Which is to say, he's capable of taking 6 or 7 steps but still crawls most of the time.

He is 15 months old...and getting super heavy to carry around (cut to us after church yesterday - Andrew had a meeting, so I was carrying 3 big bags, a scripture case, the nursery snack container and 28 pounds of man child encased in a puffy winter coat. Poor Asher tripped and fell in the snow trying to keep up. I felt bad, but since I was on the verge of dropping everything, just shot him a big smile, said, "You're alright!" and kept walking). So his mobility is quite welcome.

Until I'm trying to change his diaper.  Then I wish he was a paralytic.

Preston's outgrown his changing table, so we're in the stage of diaper changes on the ground.  For someone who's a little obsessive about floors, the experience of removing a feces-filled bundle from a writhing child over carpet is slightly stressful.  Although almost always without incident.  Anyway, a couple days ago I was in the process of changing Preston, who per usual, was rolling away like a tumbleweed with a train to catch. Asher was on the scene in order to perform his ritual shaming: 

"Oh no, Preston! No!!" 

(shakes his head and purses his lips with mock concern)

"You have to learn to go poo poo on the toilet, like me!"

"I'm a big boy, but Preston isn't." 

I'll often have Asher try to distract Preston with silly tricks, and this day, exasperated, blurted out, "Asher, tell Preston a joke!"

Of course, I didn't really expect him to.  He's three.  But to my surprise, without missing a beat, he said,  "Why do chickens sit on their eggs? (pause) 

Me: "Why?"

Asher: "Because they don't have any chairs!"

Hahaha, what??  I had no idea where he'd heard that.  Maybe not the best joke, but it was so cute and well delivered.  I suspect that little guy will keep us laughing our whole lives long.

Cannot imagine life without these two boys!

P.S. Edgy alternate title for this post: "Sh**s and Giggles".  Too bad I'm so darn classy. 

Dream a Little Dream

Anyone who thinks being a stay-at-home mom is easy has never been one.  My days are filled with dirty diapers, runny noses, temper tantrums, public humiliation, skinned knees, scattered toys, sippy cups and snack requests.  I constantly tend to the basic needs of two little boys, and beyond that, labor to see they are being played with, read to, kept clean, taught, taken out, tickled, hugged, and kissed.  The days are long, the nights are short, and usually punctuated with the cries of a distressed child.  There are always errands to run, meals to make, messes to clean, laundry to be done. Where is the fabled couch-sitting, bon bon-eating housewife? I could use her help.

Caring for our children is a joy. I love it.  Homemaking may not win society’s esteem, but nowhere are my efforts more important now than here with my family. While I am deeply grateful to be afforded the luxury of nurturing our children during these tender years, I do have life goals outside the home.  For nearly a decade, my dream has been to obtain my master’s and doctoral degrees in order to become a college professor when our children start school.  Most days found me wondering about how and when I’d obtain my education.  But “someday" thinking never satisfies.

I must have bemoaned this fact to Andrew one too many times, because he filled out the request for more information about master’s degrees primarily done online. It might have been a harried attempt for peace more than an act of love, but either way, I’m glad he did it.  Otherwise, I’d likely still be in a holding pattern within my comfort zone.

I started my master's degree in Communication Management through Gonzaga University in March and will graduate around the same time Andrew does in the spring of 2015. So I'm about a third of the way through. The realization life only gets busier really compelled me to knock it out now while I still only have two children who both nap (plus Preston also takes a morning nap while Asher is in school...score). I figure they sleep roughly 28% of my waking hours, so I have to make good use of this time! I want to be prepared and qualified to take care of our family in case something ever happens to Andrew. I want to use my mind and become a more substantive person, better able to contribute to my family and community someday.

Over the past few years I have developed a deep admiration and respect for all good women. Rather than feeling divided by faiths, cultures, career choices, parenting styles, etc., I feel closer to others knowing that life is hard for everyone, and we're all just doing our best.

We all have different paths and this is mine. It has been really stressful at times, and I have struggled to find balance between school, family, church, friends, fitness, etc. But I have learned to rely more completely on my Savior, better manage my time, and appreciate more fully what a wonderful, giving husband I have who always picks up my slack. He is such a beautiful constant in my life....and is never more beautiful than when seen cleaning up dinner, bathing children, or putting away laundry I have neglected for a week. I love that man. 

So here's to working towards dreams, and the people in our lives who make achieving them possible.