Confessions of a Formative Conscience:

So lately Shayne will say to me very seriously, "Mommy, I have something to tell you." I get very attentive and nervous when she does this. "Yes, sweetie." And then she begins to tell me things that she needs to confess. Sometimes telling on herself, sometimes telling on others. Sometimes telling the truth, sometimes making up stories.

This is greatly beneficial to me as a parent because I find out things that I wouldn't have known if she didn't confess. Then she usually ends with "Mommy, I am so sorry."

And then I am good enough to forgive her and throw in a gentle lecture about not doing that next time. It's a feel good session all around.

One I can think of right now:

Shayne: Mommy, I am so sorry I touched my (preschool) teacher right here (pointing to her chest).
Me: (What??!!) Why did you do that sweetie? What did your teacher say?
Shayne: Nothing.
And then I proceed with the lecture about everyones' special bodies and how we don't ...... you know the drill. And I think this one might have been a tall tale. At least I am hoping.

Note to Self. . . .

When trying to convince your 3-year-old that green beans are delicious, do not take a bite of a raw one to show her how much you like them because you will only end up rolling down your car window to spit it onto the street due to the fact that it has the taste and texture of a brittle stick. I really tried to swallow it, I really did.

Best of Family Pics

Things I never thought I would do.....

All of this is true and given in raw detail. And this all happened during a single trip.

1. Allow my child to enter a McDonald's public restroom with bare feet, while double-fisting chicken nuggets. At least I did say, "Don't touch ANYTHING!"

2. Have a child whose favorite place to eat is "Old McDonald." And go there when we need to kill a hour or two if my husband's out of town or busy and get a "meal" in too.

3. Have a child who has an accident while at "Old McDonald," dry her pants in the bathroom hand dryer, and call it good. Reassure her that her pants are fine when she protests.

4. Have a child who has a screaming melt down when I throw her toy away because she isn't complying when it is time to go. I know, I am the meanest mother, but this is a recurring problem EVERYWHERE we go.

And this one is just for the record books under the title "Things I never thought MY child would do." While I was talking to my neighbor outside, my daughter came up to me and matter-of-factly said, "Mom, I pooped in the bushes and Ally (our dog) ate it."  You what??? She did what??? Oh. my. gosh. I am never touching that dog again. Ever.

I love my kids and I love being their mom. They are ridiculously cute, bright, and fun loving. But they are also thoroughly embarrassing, stretch the lengths of my patience almost everyday, and have changed my life more than I thought they ever would. It's a mixed bag sometimes, but I am grateful that I get to be their mom.

Dedicated

After watching general conference this weekend (some of it-I'm not going to pretend like I got all of it in), I was reminded of my dedication to the Saviour. I feel like I was able to rededicate myself to him. And I know that this is really for my own benefit. It feels freeing, enlightening- I don't know how else to describe it. Like I know that I can handle what life will hand me because I have his help. As the MoTab sang 'O thou Fount of Every Blessing" the words "here's my heart O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts on high" really resonated with me. I'm not one to talk about this stuff much, but I just wanted to record my feelings in my cyber-journal.

Child, oh child of mine

Here are Brooklyn's goals each day:

1. Locate the mothership. That's me. Especially if out of sight.

2. Hold hands. All day. All around the house. Even with a strange man at the park once.

3. Follow the leader. That means do whatever Shayne is doing and how ever she is doing it.

4. Forage for food. In the cupboards. In my purse. Anything anyone else is eating. Since I've been writing this she's brought 3 bags of trail mix and a box of Ritz crackers for me to open for her.....

5. Avoid solitary confinement at all costs. Especially when the warden really, really, really wants to get something done or take a nap herself.

And that's about it. Oh the life of a 1 year old.