Advice From Your Mama

"Sierra, just remember the sins you commit in your youth might reappear in your dreams when you are older. This might not be a good thing if you are married and talk in your sleep." 

Enough said... Love, Mama

Joshua and Hannah's Day

Last night, Joshua and I were discussing something that he had done. After a few minutes, I said, "Joshua, why are you starting to cry?"

Choking back the tears he said, "Because I think, by the look on your face, you think I am lying."

Wow! I really need to watch what my face is saying!!

He was surprised when I told him that I knew he was being honest. Not only was he being honest but he spoke from his little heart.  Way to go!!!

Today, while I was at an appointment with Katie, Sierra was babysitting Hannah.

Hannah decides to RUNAWAY. She runs and sits down in the neighbors yard two houses down from ours. 

All Sierra wanted to do was check Hannah's blood sugar.

Tonight, when I was putting Hannah to bed, I asked her why she wanted to runaway and she said," I just don't like Diabetes. I am tired of getting my finger stuck and I WANT SOME CARBS!! Mommy, I am just having a BAD Diabetes day. I will get over it."

Bless her heart. All I could do is give her a hug and tell her that she is braver than me.  Then, I gently reminded her that she could not run away from Diabetes and if in the future she wanted to runaway not only would I find her but I would bring the insulin pin. "Hannah, you have to check your blood sugar and take insulin if you do not -- you will die."

"Well, then I want have Diabetes anymore!" , was Hannah's reply.

Yes, I would agree -- It has been a bad Diabetes Day.  Let's just say - SHE GOT SOME CARBS!

My Great Grandmother Knows About Suffering - by Sierra Miller

Suffering is something usually felt by all. Everyone seems to deal with suffering in their own way. One person, I have seen suffer is my Great Grandmother. She has gone through many trials throughout her life. But, she has still remained strong and a faithful Christian through everything. She lived through the Great Depression during the 1930's. She has helped her daughter through two divorces, has dealt with the death of her parents and the death of the love of her life. Recently, she dealt with some loss of vision in her right eye and many effects of old age.  For as long as I can remember, no matter what my Grandmother has been going through, she has been there for everyone.

One trial, I have personally seen her go through is the death of her son due to cancer. This year, she went through a whirlwind of emotions because of his death. Even when people were rude, hurtful and overbearing, I never saw her grow bitter towards them. Even with the emotional stress she was going through, she remained strong and was always there to listen and talk to everyone that came in her home. As I watched her deal with this hard time, I saw her inter strength come out. I saw how she handled pain and how she never tried to act miserable even when her heart was breaking.  The months after her son's death were also painful. But she handled them with grace; she has been forgiving and has now made it through the trial.

My Grandmother has taught me many things. One of the things she has taught me is how to be strong. She has gone through so much but has never given up. She has inspired me to always keep moving forward, to cling to God and to always remember that whatever trials I am going through, I will come out braver and stronger. My Grandmother Skelton continues to inspire me. She is strong, independent and sometimes stubborn. She is the kind of woman I would love to become.

Really?! I Didn't Know

"Mommy, you know what?"

"No Hannah - what?"

"Right now, somewhere in Africa an elephant farted."

"Really, I didn't know."

It is stuff like this that keeps me smiling.

Jacob

This evening, I looked out our kitchen window to see Jacob hit Joshua in the face. Palm open and square on the face. It didn't take me but one second to get on the deck and yell down for both boys to come inside.
I asked the boys if they had been wrestling to which both replied yes.

We have a rule -- NO Wrestling.

And this is why - SOMEONE GETS HIT IN THE FACE!

Anyway, I asked the boys if they were treating each other the way they wanted to be treated.

"NO".

Well, why don't you both go put on your pajamas and get in bed. You will have some extra time to think about how you should treat people and how you should follow the rules.

About an hour later, Jacob comes upstairs. I was lying down on our bed and he stopped at our bedroom door and said, "Mom, I just wanted you to know that I started the fight."

Fight? I thought it was just wrestling that got out of hand. Hmmm...

I asked Jacob to come get on our bed. I wanted to use this time to reach Jacob's heart. It really wasn't about fighting or wrestling. It was about the fact that this was Jacob's first time in 2 1/2 years to come tell me that something that was his fault and he was being honest. I NEEDED to reach his little heart. He NEEDED for me to hear him and he NEEDED me to love on him when he was the most vulnerable. (even it he didn't know he NEEDED ME.)
I asked Jacob why he felt like telling me it was his fault. "What is your motive?" "No motive, Mom. I just wanted you to know that I started the fight. It was me."

"Jacob, would you like to tell me why you hit your brother."

"Mama, Joshua hit Andrew when he was not looking. Then he pushed Wesley down for no reason. Wesley and Andrew got mad at Joshua but Joshua just kept teasing them. Wesley walked off and threw a bike and went home. Then, Joshua went to hit Andrew again and I took him down. We started wrestling. He hit me. I hit him. We wrested some more and I got up. Joshua hit me again and I nailed him that is when you called us in. I know I shouldn't have hit him but he was hurting other people and I knew I could take him."

"Well, Jacob. I am glad you want to protect your brother and friend but how could you have protected them and NOT got yourself into trouble."

"I could have pushed him down and told him to stop and then I could have gotten you."

"Yes, that would have been better. Sounds like you knew what to do. Why did you not come get me?"

"I was mad at Joshua. My anger took over. I was wrong."

"Jacob, I really appreciate you telling me the truth.  I love you so much."

Parenting traumatic children is hard but it is days like this that make it easier.
It has taken Jacob 21/2 years to come and tell me the truth without being prompted. He showed remorse for his actions and even realized that anger caused him to hurt someone. I guess all those lessons on feelings really did pay off. LOL It took courage for Jacob to come to me and he trusted me. 

I think I might break out in song - He trusts me. He trusts ME. HE TRUSTS ME!!!

I am not worthy!! But, I am thankful!!

WHAT?!! Were you thinking?!?

This afternoon as I was walking through the kitchen, I heard a blood curdling scream. You know the kind- broke bone, wounded child, bloody nose scream.

Yes, it was a bloody nose scream. (It could have been a broke bone scream as you are soon to find out. )

I ran to our deck to see Joshua holding his nose screaming. After getting him to the deck and cleaning up his nose, I asked him to tell me what happened.

He replied, "Andrew and Levi (family/friend) threw me over the net."

WHAT?!!? (Me, shaking my head.) "Joshua, how and why did they throw you over the net."

Through his tears, he replies, "I don't know."

Long story short, Levi tells the truth. He explains that it was Andrew's idea and that Andrew and Joshua were trying to throw HIM over the volleyball net but he laid down on the ground so they couldn't pick him up. Then, Andrew tells Levi to help him throw Joshua over the net. Hmmmmm...

"ANDREW!!!!"

(deep breath - smile - pray)


"Andrew, why did you throw your brother over the net? What were you thinking?"

"I just wanted to see if he would land on his feet."

(thinking???? --- WHAT?! ---  almost laughing)

"ANDREW!" "Was this a wise thing to do or a foolish one?" "Foolish but I thought he could do it."

"Andrew, what else could have happened?" "He could have (pause) - he did land on his head and got a bloody nose? ."

(DEEP BREATH)

(pray - smile)

"Son, did you know this was wrong?" "Yes."

"Joshua, did you try to throw Levi over the net? " "Yes."

"Alright boys, go get on your beds and try to GUESS how long you are going to STAY THERE for making a wrong and foolish choice."

It is moments like this when I am reminded of the ever present and watchful eye of our Heavenly Father.

Joshua - Mom For The Day

What is it about children wanting to parent their siblings?

I don't have this problem with Andrew telling Sierra what to do nor does she tell him what to do.

But for some reason Jacob, Melissa and Joshua seem to want to tell everyone what they can and can not do everyday.

Maybe it is that they are trying to HELP us out. (No! Don't think so!)

Or just maybe, it is because even after 2 1/2 years of living with us, they still don't trust adults and they NEED to be in control. (Yep! I think I got it! ) I even understand this need but today I had ENOUGH!!

So, after asking Joshua for the third time today, "Are you the parent?", I decided he must be given the opportunity to SHINE.

I so sweetly explained to him that for the rest of the day, he was given the privilege of being MOM.
Before I went off duty, I let the entire family know that if they needed MOM to call Joshua. Joshua was now MOM for the rest of the day.

At first, I think he thought this was going be cool. Oh, but when I gave him my chores to finish, he was not smiling his usual sweet grin.

While I sat down and enjoyed a nice cold glass of sweet tea, some warm sunshine, and read up on my blogging friends, Joshua folded the laundry. He answered all the "Mom" questions, and got people their snacks. My sweet son dusted, swept off the front porch, and made his sister's bed.

I am not sure if Joshua learned his lesson today, but I got some chores marked off my list and was able to take a break.

Way to go MOM!!