Grocery store nightmare

I had only been in Walmart around 5 minutes when I confirmed to myself that this was getting ready to be a rough trip. lol - If you are a mom you know exactly what I mean. Some trips to the store are peaceful, pleasant, productive...you use your coupons, get everything you need, and get home in time to fix everyone lunch before they are super hungry. And then on some trips when you leave the store you feel like everyone is applauding the fact that you are FINALLY leaving.

 I have had some rough trips before....now humorous of course, but at the time really taxing. I remember one trip when Scott was a new born and he cried the entire trip because Ryan had hit him shortly after entering the store. As we were leaving somehow my 2 carts (why did I have 2 carts?? That was crazy) got separated while I was trying to drive both of them and Scott's when out in the middle of the road.

On another trip to Lowes  Josh and I were picking out carpet for the house when Ryan bent down and bit Scott's toe "to see what would happen" which resulted in a commotion that I'm pretty sure the entire store heard. We had to just leave on that trip.

But there are some trips when you are determined to get everything you need REGARDLESS of what happens. This trip was one of those trips. On the coffee isle for some reason Scott decided to head bang in the grocery cart while I was discussing Reach Out plans with a friend from church. (Head banging is NOT advisable for babies.) He landed his mouth right on the grocery cart handle and busted it right open. Blood galore. People concerned. Mother embarrassed. And then I did the only thing I could do...which was commit the cardinal sin no mother should ever do with a kid in the cart at a grocery store....I got him out...!!!!!!This resulted of course in a kid who was determined to not get back in to the cart for the rest of the trip. Shortly after the head banging incident, it became apparent that Ryan needed to go to the bathroom (and stay a while if you know what I mean). However he denied it although looking pretty uncomfortable for most of the rest of the trip. At this point I was totally ok with the denial just to get finished. Getting Scott back into the cart could only be done with bribery of things like keys, chap stick, phone, etc. Which all ended up being thrown eventually. To end the trip my debit card wouldn't work right, people waiting behind me, child on my hip wanting down, a long wait at the deli, Ryan taking off with the cart and the groceries and there you have it. I got everyone and everything in the car sat down, turned on the radio and heard these words...

Bless the Lord Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Worship His holy name

The sun comes up
Its a new day dawning
Its time to sing your song again
Whatever may come and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Tears filled my eyes and I was reminded that God has his hand on it all. From the inconveniences and struggles at the grocery store to news about a friend with a serious illness. Living for him means finding joy in him and remembering that momentary troubles will pass away. Our relationship with him is everlasting.

Beach Trip

I always look forward to going to the beach. The food, the sound of the ocean, the smell of sunscreen, laughter, games, and unforgettable memories. This is the first year we have had 4 boys that can all walk under the age of 4 so we knew it would be a wild trip and it proved to be just that! =) Here are some of my favorite and funny photos.

Smiles with daddy

First salt water splash!

Exploring

I am always the ONLY one looking in these photos. =)

Sand mud

Josh calls this the "Moses picture".

Best Buds

Story time

Love this face.

My boys

A little distracted.

Cousin love

Sweet Blakey chillin' with a 101 temp.

Watercolor painting

Little artists

And of course a little Math - perimeter

Just hanging out

Josh makes the best horse =)

Riding a ferry

Aquarium adventure!

Checking it all out.

Ryan thinking about touching a horse shoe crab

Sting ray

What a great time we had! It was a lot of work with all the boys, but certainly worth it. Sometimes the things that seem like the most work are the things that end up being the very dearest and yield the greatest blessing. 

Dinner and a movie

                                                                           Rain

Salad

Baked Spaghetti

Rocky

I've got to admit, I'm excited =)

Just Ride

     Cannot tell you how many times these words have come out of our mouth to our 3 and half year old Ryan. It is becoming next to the norm for Ryan to check with me to see if I have keys when coming out to the car, make sure we are on the right road to get to Walmart, and to make sure I have right cart and Scott secured safely. I would say that it is all part of just being an older brother and learning to look out for him and everyone else....BUT Ryan has been doing this type of thing since he was 18 months. I can still remember him pointing and crying when we wouldn't turn on Mamaw's road. Since that time he is super attentive about where we are going, why, who's going to be there, and how will we return home.  Josh and I have become so accustomed to hearing him try and make sense of and control all situations that we just laugh to each other and say, "Ryan Just RIDE!" :) We know where we are going and we will take care of all the details you do not know! lol - Another glimpse, as Jerry mentioned in his sermon, of how God views us.
       Jesus told Martha, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her." Luke 10:41 Not sure if this describes you, but it certainly does me.  God in his grace looks down on me and says, "Carrie, you worry about many things..." He is in the driver's seat and knows exactly where he is going. I'm so glad for that.
   

Giving our kids what's (really) best for them

     I think there is something in all mothers, and in all parents for that matter, that wants our children to have things and get "nothing but the best" or better than what we had growing up. I can't help myself but to pause and almost give in when Ryan and I ride by Jack Frost or the toy section in Walmart. Something inside of me wants to see his face light up and smile and be satisfied (atleast momentarily.) And to be real honest occasionally I just want to avoid the tantrum or sad face that results by me saying "no not today." But what I have found as a parent is that the more I say "no" the more Ryan seems to be content and satisfied with that answer. Hearing that word often seems to do him good. However, the more I give in and say "yes" to something that I know I shouldn't say yes to, the more expectant and entitled he seems to become. For example it makes sense to me that after watching two of his favorite TV shows Ryan would be happy and content the rest of the day. He would not ask for it anymore because he has had his fill. It always surprises me that when he gets what he asks for (TV, a toy, icecream, etc.) he is usually not content and satisfied with it. Instead after the show goes off and I turn the TV off feeling happy that he got what he wanted, I am shocked by the fact that he falls in the floor and seems mad. I want to say, "Are you ever satisfied?? Can you not be content with what you are given??" The sin nature in Ryan (and all of us) is so strong to selfishly push for whatever he wants and then not even be satisfied when he receives it but instead just want more and more. Isn't this in all of us? Without Christ giving us his spirit and the self control to make decisions according to the spirit we are the same. That new bedroom suit only makes us desire a new comforter set and curtains to match. 

Growing up I remember asking my parents for things and frequently hearing "no we can't", "no not today", or "no we don't have money for that." When I was very young I remember thinking that when I grew up and had children I would try harder to provide for them and give them more to make them happy.

But from this, I developed something that I would only realize was there as an adult. I developed the ability to tell myself "no" often in life. Because frivilous things that I had whined for had frequently been "shut down" so to speak I began to shut them down myself as I grew older. I also became resourceful as an adult and if I didn't have something I would try to create something that would make due or just wait it out until a birthday or Christmas. I am now extremely thankful for the "NOs" I often heard growing up because what I have found is that true satisfaction does not come from anything of this world. I hope to instill this into Ryan and Scott as my parents did for my sister and I.

To make this practical: 

It is really healthy to take your kids into the Dollar Store or even ToysRUs and let them know ahead of time that you are there to pick out a friends birthday present. Getting in the habit of thinking about someone else in our favorite store is so good for them. 

Refuse to pick up something in Walmart to appease your child just so you can accomplish your shopping. Let them know that you only have money for the items that you came to buy and nothing else.

Make special trips to Jack Frost or the Dollar Store for things just for your child. Don't just swing by or give in because your child thinks you should. You are in control of the car and where and when you go somewhere. 

Say "no" to things more often than you say "yes". That sounds harsh doesn't it? Living your life in honor to Christ will force you to say "no" more often than "yes". Let them get into the habit of that. 

What a face! =) 

A surprised look! =)

A laugh today

This is what Scott, my 14 month old does when I say "Smile!"

This is what Ryan, my 3 and a half year old, does when I say "Smile."

lol - Every time I look at Ryan's I laugh. These pictures are soooo him and for sure the stage that he is in. In the past I have gotten frustrated with Ryan for not making that "picture perfect smile" during photo shoots. But I am learning.....When doing the professional photo shoots don't say "Smile!!" Just say something like, "Squirrels poop in the woods!" That is sure to guarantee a true laugh and smile, not to mention your perfect photo. =)

Just to see you smile...

Today Scott smiled on command for the first time while we were having snack time. I grabbed my camera and captured a few shots and then got tickled as I remembered Ryan at this same age smiling for the first time. They have the same smile!

This is Ryan smiling for the first time on command at 13 months.

Chin up high!

This is Scott smiling for the first time on command at 13 months.

He is so full of himself!

Can you tell who is who? =)