Froglegs Had a Dream…

Froglegs is growing up. Fast. Way too fast.

The boy is seven now, and tomorrow is his last day of First Grade. I know…such a huge milestone. Do you remember all the things you learned in First Grade? What was the most important thing? For me, it was READING.

And for Froglegs, learning to read has been liberating and validating as the Big Brother.

Somehow reading is a lot more fun when you read to your little brother…do you see a little bit of hero worship here???

Froglegs used to be a little stinker. He still CAN be, but he has adopted a new role…man of the family. Without a dad, he feels a lot of responsibility for his brother and sister. He almost panics when they are out of sight. That is an awful burden for a seven year old. But Froglegs is adamant about watching out for them and making sure that they tow the line on staying safe.

And how he loves his brother and sister…when he isn’t trying to throttle them for something. But somehow, he just needs to let them go to Sunday School without him…seriously, they will be ok.

But the reason I am blogging today is because of his dreams. For a little boy, he has some pretty mature dreams. And that is not really a blessing…

Last week, he had a very bad dream. Not the monster kind, or the zombie kind. No. This dream was very realistic and very bad. He dreamed that his little brother died. I know. What an awful dream, no matter how young or old you might be.

He was moaning and thrashing in his sleep, and breathing really fast. His mom was afraid he was having a seizure, but he woke up and out spilled the description of the bad dream.

My daughter tried to comfort him, but he was not to be comforted until both his little brother and sister were in bed with him.

He told his mom, “Put Dancing Eyes in bed, right next to me, not by the edge. I want to be able to check on him.”

So, all four “slept” the remainder of the night in that not-so-very-big bed…and Froglegs continued to check on Dancing Eyes until morning came.

When Froglegs woke up, he told me about his dream. This Nana gave him an extra big hug and reminded him that there is Someone else who truly watches out for all of them…his Heavenly Father.

Froglegs is learning that even in the absence of his earthly father, he has the perfect Heavenly Father watching out for him. He is omniscient–He knows and understands everything. He is omnipresent–He is everywhere. He is omnipotent–there is no end to His power. Those attributes bring a lot of comfort to a little boy with a big heart with a huge chunk of hurt.

As we discussed his dreams and how much his Heavenly Father loves my dear little Froglegs, he said very softly, “But Nana, I really want a dad.”

And I just hugged my little grandson a little tighter and didn’t say anything else.

Parenting…realitatem ferit suspendisse…

You know “those” kids who learn everything easily? How “they” make parenting look like anyone could do it and have a genius for a child?

You know “those” parents with that child who learns everything so easily, and somehow these parents act like they have that whole parenting thing down? And how they readily spout off their “knowledge” learned through their “vast experience” as a parent (usually of one child)? I can see your eyes as they roll with eyebrows raised…you know who “they” are.

Then these parents have a second child. Or a third one. I can hear you snickering, and I see those nodding heads…;)

Eventually these parents have to come to terms with the fact that their parenting skills are actually seriously lacking. They no longer are the “go to” parents for those parenting dilemmas afflicting their friends. And, in all honesty, they never should have been the “go to” parents…You know who they are…I can hear you guffawing…

These once-masterful parents begin to question their parenting history. Maybe their memories were clouded by some hormonal overload that made everything appear to be rosey and right.

Or it could have been that in their sleep-deprived state they created faux happy memories?

Did you know that in early parenting, the revisionist tendencies are often used as a coping mechanism for survival? Are you aware that an actual psychological disorder has been identified that explains these suffering parents? Seriously. It’s called–realitatem ferit suspendisse, translated–reality strikes parenting.

I confess that I once suffered from that disease…many, MANY years ago. Thankfully, I received the early cure when our second child joined us.

You know how they say the cure is worse than the disease? Well, I would disagree with that only because at least you have the blessing of the child as a part of both the disease and the cure.

Now my third grandchild, Curly Top, is giving all of us a run for our money. Considering that she is remarkably like her mother (our second child) …well, let’s just say that nothing surprises me too much any more.

don’t all princesses play soccer while dressed in their gowns?

who? Me???

As you already know, if you’ve been following this blog for awhile, Curly Top has had some “issues” reconciling that she is a GIRL.

Yes, she has two older brothers. Yes, she knows that brothers are boys. Yes, there are certain anatomical distinctions between boys and girls. Fortunately for all of us, she has reached a point of realization that she is a GIRL.

Unfortunately, she seems to think she is a girl D-O-G. (And it doesn’t help that her brother, Dancing Eyes, just hooked her up with a leash…)

Today, the crazy child-dog laid a good-sized pile on the driveway and covered it up with grass. I am still too shocked to even try to make sense of it.

But considering all the things I DON’T write about, I am beginning to sincerely doubt that Curly Top is going to make it to her third birthday…And I am investigating a newly identified disorder–realitatem ferit avis–reality strikes grandparents.

 

 

 

Changes

The season is changing here in the midwest. And I am very thankful, let me tell you! After the Winter that wasn’t, we had such an awesome Spring that changed into half of a great Summer. Unfortunately, Summer turned into the Drought/Heat Wave of 2012.

But NOW, the air is brisk. Leaves are changing color and beginning to fall off the branches. Acorns and black walnuts are falling off the trees. Squirrels are scurrying. I have enjoyed seeing several large flocks of migrating birds visiting my bird feeders here and there. It also means that the hummingbirds and butterflies have journeyed to their Winter homes down South.

I continue to coax a bit of life out of the garden…hoping for some color for a few more weeks. And am still awaiting the opening of the mums.

Yesterday…FROST on the windshields! It was so wonderful!

There is something about this season that I find absolutely INVIGORATING! Coffee is especially great on those cold mornings. Snuggling under the blankets (and not suffering from heat flashes) and actually having a fire in the fireplace. I love this weather.

It isn’t just the weather that is changing.

Froglegs has learned to READ! It is a special experience now at bedtime to hear him reading to his brother and sister. There are times that childhood changes are mixed with sadness at the loss of that baby sweetness, but I must say hearing a child learning to put letters and words together is something very, very special for this Nana.

I remember when my oldest child learned to read. Shopping for groceries suddenly took A LOT LONGER because she wanted to read every. single. sign. On each and every aisle, every time we went into the store. You could see the smiles on other parents’ faces…they knew exactly what was happening. Such pride in those first successes at reading.

And pretty soon we were struggling to keep up with her. She read every book she could lay her hands on. She sacrificed recess to work on her school work. It had to be PERFECT in her mind. You know how those perfectionists are, don’t you?

Eventually, all three of my children were reading. Some enjoyed it, others tolerated it. Even my oldest one eventually began to HATE it because reading changed from something almost magical into the whole “read a book, write a report” scenario, and the joy of reading was temporarily lost. For about 15 years…

But now, she is a mommy and reads to her own baby…continuing to see those developmental changes for herself. They live so far away, but it was so much fun to get to hear her when they visited us over Labor Day.

And every day, I now get to enjoy listening to Froglegs reading his stories to me, and trying to sound out the words. And even better, trying to read his original stories that he writes out on his fabulous drawings.

I guess, for me, this season of Fall/Autumn has always meant “school”…memories of learning and playing with friends and reading contests at school and gold stars on worksheets… The awesome changes that came from LEARNING new things…

And…since it is Fall, I am reminded that I continue to learn…just how awesome God is, how very blessed I am, and how thankful I should be…

I hope I never get tired of learning. Are you still learning?

It’s Hammer Time

Awwww…so cute. NOT!!!

Ok, I have a bone to pick with toy manufacturers. Actually, probably a whole skeleton of bones…

Someone PLEASE tell me why hammers are considered an appropriate “toy” for children? In their product research and development, do these manufacturers even CONSIDER alternative uses for their products? You know what I mean…the same way pharmaceutical companies discover alternative uses for aspirin (headaches, flu, HEART ATTACKS) or anti-depressants? Do the companies not even consider that children have HEADS, houses have WINDOWS…that all seem to attract hammers??? And WHY would you ever engineer a toy to make a really awesome noise when you hit your buddy on the head???

How about baseball bats? Why on earth would anyone approve PLASTIC bats for children? And do you think these kids read the warning labels???

Golf clubs? Shouldn’t the word “clubs” serve as a subtle clue that MAYBE THE KID WILL CLUB SOMETHING ELSE??? DO YOU PEOPLE NEVER WATCH ‘AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS’??? My little buddies do…it should be rated MA for Mature Audiences only…these kids don’t even have to TRY to come up with alternative ways of playing with their toys!!!

Let me just say, THERE ARE NO SAFE TOYS! Even books are flying missiles. Foam balls are choking hazards, sand boxes? Let’s just say some of that sand will never see the light of day again. Xylophones with strings??? They have a battering ram for a mallet…

The Velcro Wall is about to become a reality, folks…please don’t report me.

Please Pray–Update

I know so many of you have been praying for a young man, David Hanson, who suffered a devastating fall from a great height while working as a lineman. What the Lord has done and continues to do is nothing short of miraculous.

Wedding Joy on June 16, 2012

The original report was nothing less than hopeless. Doctors gave no reason to believe he could recover. The brain stem injury was extremely serious. Multiple fractures requiring multiple surgeries. It was overwhelming just to figure out how to begin to pray.

The family set up a David Hanson Update page on Facebook. In just a matter of a few days, nearly 3000 people had joined the page, praying and encouraging the family with passages of scripture, songs and words of hope and praise–even in the knowledge that David’s chances of survival were so very slim.

Daily, thousands of people have prayed all around the world. Total strangers to this young man and his wife. Coming together to pray for God’s will and His pleasure through this tragedy.

Initially, the reports gave no hope, yet still the people continued to pray. David tolerated various surgeries well. He has been, after all, a very healthy and strong young man.

But several days after the accident, there was that great gasp of excitement when Rachel posted her update:

I am very excited to give a good update today! David was initially not breathing on his own at all and needed the vent to sustain life. Two days ago, I thought I saw David take a deep breath on his own but thought, “That can’t be possible.” and dismissed it. Yesterday, I noticed his respiratory rate was changing a lot and thought that was funny because the vent should be giving a constant rate of respiration so I asked the nurse and she said David was breathing some on his own but not enough to sustain life because he would breathe fast, a little or none at all. Today, he has been breathing consistently on his own and they plan to wean him off the vent, Lord willing, in a couple days!! He is still in a coma but we’re praising the Lord for the great things he is doing.

You could truly feel the praises going up into the heavens as people gave thanks to the Lord for His mercy. It was the first big physical indication that there was healing going on inside David’s brain. Words truly fail me in expressing that joy that I felt when I read her post. I cried. I rejoiced. I prayed.

Of course, this battle is like so many…you gain ground, then lose some ground, then push ahead further. Then it’s time to regroup and plan the next attack. In just two short weeks, David has moved so far forward. And he has a long, long road ahead.

A few days later, we saw the following update:

There hasn’t been a lot of new things with David lately. He has been having trouble tolerating the tube feeding. He has had a bronchoscopy and chest x-ray which are both clear…so no pneumonia, which is good. He is completely breathing on his own with some supplemental oxygen! But his breathing has been a little labored and congested. The last two days, he has been opening his eyes some (mostly slitted) but not really focusing on anything. He will squeeze my hand occasionally but not with commands but it is still really awesome. 🙂 He seems to calm down when his parents sing softly to him. He must find some comfort in hearing their familiar voices and the sweet words of hymns. Please continue in prayer. This battle is far from over.

It was like going over the top of a roller coaster when your stomach jumps. How easily I could have just given up hoping, yet the Lord God is the one who is directing this–He is the One who has the plan. Again so many prayed and praised and thanked the Lord, again encouraging the family, regardless of the ultimate outcome.

And again Rachel posted a sweet update that showed how encouragement so simply shared can lift spirits:

Kids are just the best! I was praying with a friend this morning and we both started to cry a little and her little boy comes up to me and said, “Are you sad? Jesus loves you!! Yes, Jesus loves you.” Sometimes it’s the little things that just make a day better. 🙂

Update: David is back on the ventilator for some support breathing because he has been laboring breathing a bit. He is still not tolerating the tube feeding and has been vomiting several times a day. They are wondering if he has a bacteria in his digestive tract. Last night, they did a CT scan of his chest to check for a blood clot in his lungs. We should get results this morning but last night, nothing serious was brought up, so I think he should be clear of that. Last night, when I saw him, he looked peaceful and was breathing evenly. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away…may we still remember that He is faithful, merciful and good even though every day seems to take us on a roller coaster.

I marvel at the grace and peace that the Lord has granted. Pain that I cannot truly even imagine in the lives of this newly married couple. Family members and close friends driven to their knees in prayer during this aptly labelled “roller coaster” ride. And yet, hope remains.

So often we hear and read about Christians and their divisiveness. How un-christian the Christians behave. People who bear the name of their Savior, yet who can’t seem to bear their brothers and sisters in that very same Savior. And yet, this situation with a critically injured young man has allowed the light of Jesus Christ to shine through the lives of thousands all around the world.

Mark Sutherland, a family friend who I do not know, shared a tremendous post of encouragement and exhortation for all of us:

For many of us watching this Divinely purposed situation unfold, it has been most thrilling to our hearts to see such a coming together of the Body of Christ, such wonderful distancing of ourselves from religious labels (that will blow off on our way up anyway), to support and surround other members that are in pain and great trial. Members that have hardly any other connection than that we are “members one of another.” To Him that gave Everything for us, be the praise!

So many people, all brought together through their faith in Jesus Christ, crossing so many man-made barriers to fellowship. United in their purpose of praying and petitioning Almighty God on behalf of a fellow-believer in need.

It was particularly uplifting to read posts from David’s parents yesterday:

Update from Joel Hanson (David’s dad) on 8/24/12:
“I just talked to Dr. Yasbeck who said David is more responsive the last few days and his eyes open spontaneously now. I asked if he is [e]merging from his coma and he said it is difficult to know that. He said he would not be surprised if David responds more, to voices and singing. He also stated that there is slight improvement in David’s right arm movement.
Things to pray for: David has been battling a fever, Dr. thinks it may be bronchitis or an infection in his digestive tract.
Good news: today David was transferred to [the] Rehab facility at 10:45PT.
With the Dr. sharing a more optimistic report this time, it was encouraging to hear a confirmation of what we have observed as David’s parents. We thank God for His mercies.”

From Annette:

Joel and I are very thankful to all of you who have been joining us in prayer for David and Rachel. Seeing a glimpse of the Lord’s body around the world is an amazing blessing. What joy it will be when we are all together with Him one day! Until then we want to be “trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by, trusting Him whate’er befall, trusting Jesus…that is all.”

Yesterday, David was moved to a rehab facility to begin the next phase of his healing process. Interestingly, Rachel is a Physical Therapist. Ironic? Coincidental? I don’t think so. I believe it was all part of God’s plan in bringing these two lives together.

David is settling in at his new “home”. They are going to take it easy on him this weekend and not progress things much, but next week they will start bumping up his Physical Therapy, working on getting him more independent with his breathing, and starting him on some drugs that should make him more alert and stimulate neurological recovery. I am very pleased with the competency of the staff there and look forward to working with them to help my husband come home! 🙂 I have a LOT of driving ahead of me in the next few months because he is 2 hours away from home and 2 hours away from my work so pray that my trusty Honda gets me the places I need to be and I have [the] endurance to keep this marathon up. Thanks again for all your prayers so far! It really is a miracle that David is at [this facility] and I feel bouyed up on God’s strength.

This post is already quite long, but I wanted to give as thorough an update as I could while also providing a glimpse into what the Lord has been doing, and CONTINUES to do. David’s brother, Nathan, shared a quote from Rachel early on that sums up beautifully what this entire battle is about:

We are reminded of our human frailty and how our lives are held in a fragile balance. If David could have one wish out of this whole thing, I believe with all my heart that it would be that souls would bow their hearts before the Creator and Saviour of the World and accept his propitiative work on the cross for their sin and make Him Lord of their lives.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers on behalf of David and his family. Please continue to pray. The needs are very great. May many lives be turned to the Lord Jesus through the testimonies of this family. Truly, our God is a most Awesome God!

Please Pray

It has been almost impossible for me to write since my last post. I learned that a family, whom I have loved my whole life, is being tested in an excruciating way. Old sorrows have crept to the surface of my heart as I have been in prayer for this family. And losses that are decades old feel fresh and brand new.

This post is limited to soliciting prayer for a young couple, David and Rachel Hanson (pictured below at their wedding just a few weeks ago).

Wedding Joy

This couple has now, in just a few short weeks, had their lives unalterably changed by grief. David, a lineman for a company in California, suffered a very serious fall. Reports have varied as to the height of the fall–I have heard 40′ to as high as 60′. He suffered skull fractures and serious fractures to pelvis and other bones. He has also suffered an apparently devastating brain injury.

As I write, members of the family, mostly in Wisconsin, are gathering to be with this injured son/brother and his young wife. I confess I have never met either of these two young people, but I have loved David’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and father as if we were related by blood. One day I will write more about that.

For today, I plead that as you read this post you lift up this family to our great God, the great Physician. The Lover of our souls. I do not know what purpose God has in this tragedy. But I do know that David and Rachel have lived their lives to honor and magnify their Savior, Jesus Christ. Wholly His.

My prayers now are more like groanings. Words fail me as my heart overflows with grief and my eyes repeatedly fill with tears. Please join the over 2500 people who have come together, literally from the ends of the earth, in prayer for this family.

Bring the Rain
by MercyMe

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You
with all that I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what’s a little rain
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Is the Lord God Almighty

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Is the Lord God Almighty!

That Girl is a Wee Bit Mixed Up

So we are in the throes of potty training Curly Top. She is doing a great job using the potty for her pee pee. Woo hoo! Not such an expert in the other area. But she does an awesome job hiding where it lands. There is a little problem, however.

She thinks she’s a boy.

don’t all princesses play soccer while dressed in their gowns?

I know…she also thinks she’s a princess.

who? Me???

She likes her fancy party dresses, her tutus and sparkly shoes. And the boys’ boxers and briefs with Thomas the Train and Spiderman and all the other super heroes…but I digress.

My crazy little granddaughter has brothers…and they have to take careful aim when they go pee pee. Ahem, there is a REASON for aiming with care. And it isn’t optional.

But my crazy girl thinks she needs to aim, too. She sits on the potty backwards, and aims. All over the back of the toilet. Ugh. So much for her older brothers setting an example for her to follow. Or maybe they actually DID…I see some retraining in their future.

But it could be so much worse…Australia, who has been away for the summer, apparently thinks she goes potty out of her belly button. I just don’t think she will be trained before she starts back with me in a few weeks. And that’s ok. One at a time is a lot easier to manage anyway.

So here I am, after all these years of training little people on the finer points of potty training and the appropriate decorum that accompanies said activities, perplexed and totally confused, and without an idea as to how to proceed.

Stop laughing…I know you don’t want to trade places. Or maybe you do??? Anyone? Please??? I know you can’t see me, but I am on my knees…

Psyching Myself

We are getting ready to take a mini-vacation. Not really sure vacation is the appropriate word, but nonetheless, we are driving to the Twin Cities to visit our daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby {not necessarily in that order 🙂 }. The normal driving time for my husband and me is about 9 hours. We don’t stop too much, and when driving through the heart of Iowa, there isn’t much to look at but farm fields. They are very pleasant, but after awhile…well a cow or horses would be a welcome change of scenery.

THIS time, our daughter and her three cherubs will be driving with us. I am already bracing myself for the dialogue along the way. (Are we there yet…I’m hungry…I’m bored…She’s annoying me…) We won’t be leaving until later in the day, so everyone will be awake. Wide awake. And Curly Top is potty training. Glory. I think we will need to stop more than midway through the drive. Ugh.

So you can appreciate why I am preparing myself in advance. But you know what is a tremendous motivator for me? When we arrive, I get to see…

Janielle, Ben and little Isaiah

Don’t you think this is a good reason to drive for nine hours with crazy little people complaining, laughing, sleeping, annoying, fighting, singing, screeching and whatever else they will do in the car?

Or maybe this will be good enough…

my sweet daughter and her baby

Or maybe this???

little man so sweet

Or maybe this one?

such innocence and trust in those eyes

Or certainly this is…

jolly sweetness

I am preparing everyone for the fact that I will be holding my little guy the entire time we are in Minneapolis. I miss them all so much, but I don’t think Janielle or Ben want me to hold them. And I don’t think my back could take it anyway. So I will be enjoying some nana time with Isaiah. And I don’t plan to share.

So I am going to soak up all that sweet innocence as much as I can…and when the going gets rough on the way to Minnesota, I will just remind myself of the sweetness that awaits. And I am investing in a great pair of ear plugs. I haven’t figured out the motivation for the return trip yet…I am open to suggestions.

Racing to Win–Remembering Paul

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (English Standard Version)

²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Yesterday I wrote about races in the context of marriage. But honestly, throughout the day, I watched a very real race, with a very real finish line.

A family from our church has two sons–both boys battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy–Paul, age 19 and Andrew, almost 18. To say that these boys and their parents have been inspirational would be a vast understatement.

Paul, Jane, Phil and Andrew Marler

As a mother, I don’t know how I would be if I knew that my child was sick, suffering and dying. That almost from birth my child would suffer. To be a mother with two children, both sharing the same terrible diagnosis, could break me. To carry that burden for so many years, the decisions to be made…I just don’t think that I am that strong.

Jane and Phil, parents of these two very special boys, have not only inspired me, but they have ministered to so many through the years. Most recently, I have seen the impact this family has had in the life of my daughter, Stephanie. Through the forging of their friendship, I have seen my sweet daughter through a different set of eyes. Her passion and compassion have been used by the Lord in and through the pain of this dear family, finding creative and truly useful ways of helping them throughout these last several months. While I know that her compassion and efforts have been a blessing to the family, their lives have moved her forward in her own race in life.

Andrew, Stephanie and Paul at Paul’s high school graduation, May 25, 2012

Yesterday, Paul crossed the finish line in his life race. His body could no longer fight the effects of the disease. He said he was ready to leave this world behind, all of the pain and suffering he had known, in exchange for a new, glorified body in the presence of the Lord Jesus. His condition, while it had been deteriorating steadily, took a sudden and definite turn during the afternoon, and he was translated into the presence of his Savior.

Psalm 116:14-16
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁴ I shall pay my vows to the Lord,
Oh may it be in the presence of all His people.
¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His godly ones.
¹⁶ O Lord, surely I am Your servant,
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,
You have loosed my bonds.

Paul’s bonds were loosed. No longer was he chained to a body that failed him. No longer chained to a wheelchair. He was truly free to enter into that perfect rest that can only be found in Christ’s presence.

For Phil, Jane and Andrew, along with their family and friends, it is a most bittersweet time. The joy that we had in Paul’s presence is replaced by memories, and that for us is sorrowful. But remembering Paul’s faithful witness for the Lord Jesus all through his suffering, the many lives he influenced…the reality of his presence now in Glory with the One he served and loved…In this, we find that there is sweetness and joy and hope and peace. Paul finished his race. Gracefully and completely. He has heard the Lord’s “Well Done…”

How are you running YOUR race? Are you running for that imperishable reward? Keep running, do not falter. Cross the finish line faithfully!

links:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/muscular_dystrophy.html

Sharing–It is VERY OVERRATED

So one of the lessons that gets repeated each and every day around here is the importance of sharing. I don’t know WHY each child seems to need so desperately what someone else has…and why they ONLY want it if someone else has it…but that seems to be the cycle we are riding around here in the 18 to 30 month age group.

this look familiar?

The ironic part of the whole sharing dilemma is that it is usually the least attractive item that these little miniatures go nuts over…the ride on tractor that no longer makes noises and goes too slow…the bat with the dog-chewed grip…the green chair that is just like two other green chairs…the one block of 500 blocks that are strewn hither and yon…I don’t know what the deal is, but if they see you with it, be prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep it. Or cry a river of tears and wail loudly as if you are dying a very painful death.

bam bam…lost the battle for the tractor

Toys…they are oozing out of every conceivable corner of my house and deck and garage and yard. Sharing them should not be an issue. Why do they not “get it” when I point out that I share all of MY things with them as a good example? I am seriously considering loading all my “lessons” into the squirt bottles and water pistols to see if that makes more of an impression when I douse them with the contents. Hmmmm, I am getting some ideas…

Unfortunately, they DO understand enough about sharing to pass along every germ they have on their seemingly clean little bodies and create miniature (or ginormous) petri dishes of breeding grounds for every imaginable virus. These children will be immune to just about everything by the time they are done at Nana’s House. Unfortunately, my own immune system will be shot to pieces by then. Apparently, my success will be that I have created toddlers with amazing capabilities of sharing the very things we DON’T want shared while NOT sharing the things we DO want shared.

Sigh. My throat is feeling scratchy…

too late…