All posts in Mama Heart Mushings

Cousin Buddy

by admin on April 25, 2011 in Four Little Eggs In My Nest, Little Things, Mama Heart Mushings, People In My Heart with No comments

It is a good thing I know these two sweet cousins are good and well behaved together… otherwise I would be concerned they are sitting together hatching a plot. There is a lot of hand waving going on, many giggles being shared, emphatic gibberish being exchanged and it all adds up to TWO buddies having a good time together.

I have waited for this all winter! Endless time sitting on the front step, watching the kids play. Listening to birds singing. Smirking at the last bit of snow with no hope of lasting the day. Cleaning out my flower beds and showing the kids the little tulips peeking and the lady bugs climbing.
I have been waiting rather patiently, I might add, and as always spring is worth the wait!

TTFN

Romanticizing Memories

by admin on April 21, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Life Keeps Changing, Mama Heart Mushings, People In My Heart with 1 Comment

No one had to tell me… I knew when I weaned my last baby that I would miss that stage of life. I had enjoyed pregnancy, birth, and nursing enough to know I would miss it, the nursing in particular… At first it was a hurt birthed out of fear of leaving the familiar behind. Now, with the advantages to this new stage in life obvious to me, the hurt has changed to a longing. Suppose it will always be a time of my life that has a sentimental and bitter sweet hurting to each memory from it. It would appear that I am getting close to being able to romanticize those years in my mind.

TTFN

Part of My Job Is Knowing

by admin on April 11, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Feeling It (Thankful), Mama Heart Mushings, People In My Heart with 3 Comments

“Quite well, thank you, how are you today?”
I always answer,
I always tell them,
If they ask me
Politely…
BUT SOMETIMES

I wish

That they wouldn’t”
from a poem by A.A. Milnes called ‘Politeness’

Part of my job, as mommy, is knowing when it is all getting to be too much, and that you are only falling apart because you are in need… in need of time alone, in need of a hug, a drink, some food, or in need of things going your way just once in a while.

When I rush you in spite of knowing that ‘you need’ I rush you because I am rushed and, by golly, I am always disappointed when this happens… disappointed that I am rushing, that you are being rushed… when it hits me that you just wish the whole world and all its ‘to dos’ and ‘must dos’ would go away, I too wish it would all go away…

I wish that we would be left alone to just console one another…
rubbing one anothers backs and talking gibberish,
left alone to squish bugs on the front step,
oblivious to time while we share a snack.

A reminder to myself to put the daily chores on hold when my actual purpose needs me. My children are my purpose… my husband is my purpose. My house will wait and full fill its role whether it is dirty or clean. Christ is honored when I am able to choose the better way… relationship always trumps tasks.

TTFN

Little Snippets Of Relationship This Week

by admin on April 2, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Little Things, Mama Heart Mushings with 2 Comments

It is such a happy sight to see, for me… the sight of my kids getting along. I am one tired mommy this Friday but it was a good busy week. Managed to seize many little moments with my children.

My littlest man and I worked on a river in the snow… connecting puddles to help the water flow down hill to the drain at the end of the block. We got wet, found a rock and a couple leaves and he was so thrilled.

My littlest daughter and I snuggled on her sick day and I brushed her hair slowly while chatting with her… she adores both her hair being done and direct attention involving conversation.My eldest boy showed me some new dance moves that made me laugh so hard I was going to loose it and I, in response, showed him Mama knows how to do a hockey shirt hold.

My eldest daughter and I sat in a coffee shop together the other night, sharing ice tea and vanilla scones. We opened up our table to a stranger and got to know the sweetest women.

Little man and I laughed ourselves silly when we found two little rock star dolls and talked to one another in gibberish, thrashing the dolls around as if they where dancing. This little game went on for twenty some minutes!

My biggest man lost another tooth making his toothless grin complete. He proudly brought it home to show me, as he had lost it at school.My oldest daughter broached the subject of racism as I brushed her hair just this morning. She graced me with her wise concerns and questions and we had plenty of time together to talk about it.

These moments that seem small, because of how quickly they pass, were for sure important. Life is about relationship… with my kids and beyond.

TTFN

Be Well

by admin on March 29, 2011 in Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Four Little Eggs In My Nest, Mama Heart Mushings with No comments

Dear little daughter, I am sorry you are ill today… sorry I made it about me the moment I realized you where going to loose your breakfast. It didn’t ruin my day to stay home with you, it just changed the day. Today is about you getting better.

I keep peeking in on you and sigh with thanks that you are sleeping comfortably long into the day. You managed to keep some food and drink down, and took your medicine like a gem. You amaze me with your ability to smile at me when you are sick. As I tucked you, once again, under the blue patch-work quilt we both exchanged love you’s and I felt the shame about being selfish in my reaction this morning slip away. You feel no ill will, just ill tummy and I love you for it. Be well little lady… be well daughter of mine.

MY GIRL –“Mama I think I am sick.”
MYSELF — “Where is your sick honey?”
MY GIRL –“Right here in my belly button.”

TTFN

The Curlers

by admin on March 7, 2011 in Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Little Things, Mama Heart Mushings with 1 Comment

These three dainty little photographs of my teeny tiny four year old tug at my heart. She is so sweet and pretty and full of joy in them.

When I put them in she was thrilled and apparently thought the curlers where the hair style itself. “I look beautiful!” she exclaimed as the last curler when in.

“Oh honey you leave them in till your hair is dry and then you take them out so you can see the curls.” I explained.

She looked at me very seriously and responded “Oh.” I could tell she was a little disappointed at the idea of removing the strikingly red curlers… “They match my dress.” she said.

All was saved when I suggested a little photo shoot while they where still in. I have to admit, I suggested this partially to cheer her up but also for my own pleasure. I couldn’t get over how cute she looked with all her hair up in curlers.In the end she took them out too soon and her hair was full of body but not curly… and yet that didn’t matter to me. We had such fun together doing this and she was so sweet in the curlers the result didn’t matter. I know for sure we will try this again, since she is such an agreeable little patron.

(I have to point out my dear four year olds cheeks! She has always had the sweetest and plumpest cheeks.)

TTFN

New Tea Party Recruits

by admin on March 3, 2011 in Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Foodie Like Me, Little Things, Mama Heart Mushings with No comments
(Yes they drink their tea by the tea spoon full, not very refined, but I will take what I can get if it will get more tea partiers in my corner!)

I am pleased to announce on a particularly miserable day near the end of February I was able to finally convince my two little men to tea party with me.

Coconut sugar sweetened rooibos tea with an abundance of cream was served with crackers and melted cheese on top. By simply melting the cheese upon the crackers I also convinced my two year old to finally eat cheese and crackers! A grand day of victories. Amidst a blustery blizzard-y day I shared food, drink and sweetly calm conversation with two of the sweetest little men I know.

Here’s to tea time with the boys!

TTFN

Pedicures

by admin on March 3, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Mama Heart Mushings with No comments

It took a lot to get me painting my daughters nails. Having never painted my own nails or had a pedicure till well into my adult years I found it an odd idea. I still have trouble imagining I will be up for them using make up on their face any time soon… one, because they have such perfect complexions at this age what ever is the point and two I have to admit I find it kinda gross on little girls.

Perhaps that is the tomboy in me talking, after all I hated it as a child, the feeling, the look. YUCK with a big tongue sticking out kinda yuck was my thoughts on the subject… until, that is, after my second baby I started to feel old, warn out… my skin just wasn’t what it used to be… I asked advice from some ladies I trusted, who’s make up was very nicely done and never over done… and learned you can have small doses of make up, that it doesn’t have to completely change what you look like or feel heavy and itchy.

Perhaps because I started to delve into the world of make up around the arrival of my second daughter and third child that that is why I started painting their nails. All I know now is that it is a relaxing event for us three little ladies. We pamper one another, read magazines and chat endlessly while we wait for the painted toes to dry. Need some quiet time with my girls? Pedicure day! Need some talk time with my girls? Pedicure day!

Although it took a lot for me to warm up to the idea of make up and me, let alone make up and my DAUGHTERS, I have to admit there is value in the time spent together; because we spend it valuing one another.

My parents told me NO make up till I was 16 and I didn’t even want to once that birthday hit… I don’t think I will go that route with my girls… I think I will raise the age requirement higher (wink)!

TTFN

The Littlest Gentleman

by admin on February 11, 2011 in Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Four Little Eggs In My Nest, Mama Heart Mushings with 1 Comment

They all get too big for me to be carrying regularly. My poor little men never like the learning curve involved in giving mommy a break. Both boys where BIG smugglers and thus I carried them through out the day while working, in order to get things done, well past there second birthdays. With my oldest I put my back out picking him up one day and that made the process of ‘cling-on independence training’ much more of a crash coarse. With Baby Boy I have been more willing to put up with pain as he is my last baby and I can’t help but want to encourage the luv bug stage to last with my little guys. With hip problems since my last childbirth I now have to admit it is time.

The process is cute really. Step one start talking to him about mommy’s need to stop carrying him so much because he is such a big boy now. Mommy must stop calling him baby and start encouraging him that being a big boy is so much better.

Finding new solutions to their snuggle needs is the big thing. With both trying to sit when ever he wants up and let him sit till he is done worked well. Baby Boy likes it when I will ask for a leg hug instead or get down to his level and let him hug my neck when ever he asks, squeezing till he is done. Extra time is given to him in the morning. Letting him climb into my arms and snuggle on the couch during an early morning nap will often meet his snug quota for the whole day.

Finally, in public my best solution has been ‘you can always hold my hand’ and he does! More then any of my other children he just loves to hold Mommy’s hand. This has become an at home solution too and I am back to one armed cleanup as my two and a half year old follows me around, holding my right hand.

He is getting over the angst that this stage first caused him and is actually a happier boy now. We both are seeing we get more real snuggles this way, it is far more affectionate then just carrying him 24/7. His maturity level has gone up in response to my encouraging him that he is now a big boy and he is becoming as sweet a gentleman as his older brother.

Like his brother he is starting to become very aware of my needs. He will ask if he hurt me when I do pick him up and he with stroke my hand when holding it. My boys are the first to notice a new necklace or outfit and to compliment me. I can’t tell you how fast my heart melts when my Baby Boy says ‘nice neckwace mama, preeeetttttyyyy.’ or when his big brother says ‘oh mom that is a really pretty shirt, is it new?’ I see some serious wife winning skills developing here!

As hard as it is for him, it has been hard for me to convince myself that it was time to stop calling him my baby. It is necessary as with every other opportunity a parent takes to teach their child to live independently of them. My reward is how much happier he is as his desire to be acknowledged as older is granted.

With that, as I changed Big Girl to Eldest Damsel this year; Baby Boy’s blog pet name will now be Little Gentleman.

TTFN

Childhood (eight)

by admin on January 25, 2011 in Feeling It (Thankful), Four Little Eggs In My Nest, Mama Heart Mushings, People In My Heart with No comments

I was trying to get a nap in after a very busy weekend when I opened one eye and spotted you fishing from the couch. Totally in another world, your world, you where very determined and dedicated. Apparently the blue paper fish was a real fighter for you struggled and complained ‘Come on, come on!’ as you reeled it in. The fish appeared to be crying as you took it off so you smiled at it put it back on the string and returned it to the water. This game went on and on and you where oblivious to my gaze so I had time to find the camera and snap away. Many of the pictures captured your concentrated pucker expression that I love and all caught a piece of this little moment of beautiful childs play.

I have the chance to watch you grow and to enjoy being part of the world of a child again thanks to you. Thank you Jesus that my kids have had many years to just be kids!

TTFN

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