LIFE ISN'T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF. LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Shit My Kid Says...Part Deuce

I did a post roughly 6 months ago about the shit my kid says and I feel that it is time to do another.  It is amazing how much our children's vocabulary expands in a mere couple of months and their ability to construct full sentences explodes.  I have to chuckle to myself when I hear my son playing in his room.  I am also dumbfounded at some of the things he says directly to me and my husband.  Somethings are funny, some are innocent and some are darn right shocking!  Here is another collection of ridiculously crazy & cute things my babe says:

- Come look Mom!  I took a hundred poops!
- That was a bad choice Mom.
- You and Daddy are being rude to me.  (this is whenever we discipline him)
- Mommy, your hair is beautiful.
- You can't say that.  Its naughty.  Go to time out.
- I pulled my pants down and showed Leah my underwear at school today and she was happy.  My response: "Did you only show her your underwear or did you show her your wiener too?"  Cruz: "Hahaha, oh Mom.  I didn't show her my wiener, that would just be weird."  (WOW, that conversation blew my mind!)
- I pooped my pants, change me.  (pre-potty trained days)
- I want to go to Disney World right now to see Dan & Brittni!
- You legs are poky Mom.  (note to self, shave legs more often)
- Can I put your hair in a pony tail?
- Is your wiener bleeding?  (after sneaking in on me in the bathroom while changing my tampon...I lock the door now!)
- I'm going to marry my Mommy.  (Cruz's response to his teacher's question)
- If I become a runner like them and win, will you be so proud of me?  (while watching Olympic Track & Field...my heart melted!)
- Mommy, leave.  (choosing to play with my beautiful girlfriends over me, bummer)
- I like to poop it, poop it.  (Cruz's version of Madagascar's: I like to move it, move it song)
- Mommy, you be nice and happy to Daddy.
- Daddy, you kiss Mommy.
- I lost.  (Cruz's response after he broke our 5 day old  iPad and I asked him why he threw his monster truck at it...we are working on his sportsmanship!)
- Me: "Cruz, would you like a kitty or puppy for a pet?"  Cruz: " Panda Bear."
- Daddy, it's frickin' cold outside.
- Is there a baby in there?  (Cruz commenting on my full tummy after a potluck, thanks buddy)
- Is this cool or weird? (Cruz's common question to lots of things)
- The carrots in my mouth are icky because they are mushy and crunchy carrots taste yummy (all done in a singing voice)
- But I can't go to bed yet, the sun is still out.  (well played my smart little one)
- I don't have a big wiener like Daddy has because I'm too little. 
- Me: "What do you want to talk about?" Cruz: "Horse's poop."
- Why do we poop?
- Why don't you have a wiener?
- Stay careful Mom!
- I'm really getting older.

There will be so many more things my little Cruz will say that proves to be nothing short of entertaining through the years to come...can't wait!

xoxo
bj







Friday, August 3, 2012

Daddy's Hands

The saying, "Daddy's little girl" rings true for me.  My father has always held a special place in my heart.  He has taught me so many valuable lessons throughout my life and continues to provide insight that I treasure.  He is kind, loving & the hardest working man I know.  When I think back on some of the things I've learned and who was the first person to teach them to me, the answer usually is my dad.

Running a farm and having 5 kids roaming around would prove to be a challenge for most people but that was just what life was for my father.  Between him and my mother, they ran a dairy farm to make a living and provided for the children they had.  Not only did my dad manage this, but he also took the time to bond with us all in unique ways. 

One of my fondest memories as a child was when my dad would need a particular tool to fix something in the barn and would ask me to run up to the machine shed to get it.  He would literally time me on his wrist watch and made that mundane task into a fun game for me.  Instead of telling me to get him something, he made it engaging and rewarding for me.  I can thank my father for my driven nature to race against the time that would tick away on the clock during races.  He made me a better athlete/runner without even knowing it!

Another first that my father taught me how to do was whistle.  While milking cows dad would always be humming a tune, making up songs or whistling.  I was daddy's little girl so I naturally wanted to hum, sing & whistle like him.  The only thing I couldn't do was whistle.  Dad would stop in the middle of milking to take 2 minutes here and there to show me how to do it.  Before long, I was whistling right along side of my daddy.

Being a farmer meant working 24/7 and 365 days a year.  My father would work from before sun up until long after sun down.  He was always fixing something, doing crops or milking cows.  There was never a lazy day in his life.  That is just how my dad is...working, working, working.  I attribute my hard working attitude, determination & drive to my dad.  He provided an awesome example for me to follow.  I wouldn't have been able to do half of the things I've accomplished without that "can do" spirit I gained by watching him.

I could go on and on about all of the things my dad taught me through the use of his hands, heart & mind.  Even though I've grown into a young woman and he gave me away at my wedding last fall, I will forever remain daddy's little girl.  He is always going to be closest to my heart.  I've strived to make him proud of the person I've become and I hope that he appreciates the qualities I posses came from simply being his daughter.  I am grateful for his guidance, respect & love that has always remained strong. 

You never truly understand the love your parents have for you until you become a parent yourself.  I can full heartedly say I now know the overwhelming emotion of love you feel for your own and how my parents feel for me.  I can only hope that my son feels for me the way I feel for my parents.  I want to be able to teach him all of the things my parents gave me through my childhood: the ability to love with everything you posses, be honest, gracious, accepting, hard-working, dedicated, persistent, humbled, determined and lend a helping hand when it isn't asked of you.

{Dad: I treasure the incredible bond we share and want to thank you for always being there for me.  You and mom have always been my biggest supporters and fans.  I am blessed to have had the childhood you provided and the wonderful life lessons that came with it...all the love in my heart!}

The lyrics to the following song have always stuck with me and remind me of my dad.  You can tell a lot about a person by their hands.  His have years of stories from being a husband & father that are beatiful memories for me and my family.

xoxo
bj

Daddy's Hands songwriter: Holly Dunn

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands




Thursday, August 2, 2012

Like My Mother Does

Sometimes I wonder if my mother truly knows the deep amount of appreciation and love that I hold in my heart for her.  There are just some things that go without saying but why not say them sometimes too?  This post is a reflection of some of the great, wonderful & loving attributes my mother possesses and has shown/given to me through the years.

As I get older I find myself becoming more and more like my mom.  This is said as being a good thing.  I love everything about her.  I am lucky in the sense that I have always had a wonderful relationship and bond with my mother.  We never went through that stage of fighting or hate when I was a teenager.  She has always tried to show me how to live by providing an example of herself.  She may not even know that she taught me some of the things I learned because she didn't activity try to teach me lessons; but rather, I observed and emulated her.

My mother taught me to be gracious and humble.  I would see her kindness shining while talking to strangers or helping those in need.  She would never boast of the good things she did, she would simply do them.  I would think to myself, I want to be like that. 

She taught me to be loving and accepting.  I don't recall her ever looking down upon someone because of materialistic values.  Her spirit is non-judgemental.  She does not judge due to the way a person looks or lives; she sees people as equals.  I would think to myself, I want to be like that. 

My mother taught me to find the positive in everything and to have patience.  My entire life my mom has always been encouraging.  "You can do it Britt!" or "Great job hun!" is what I would hear.  I was surrounded by hugs, high fives & kisses.  When I would fail at something she would be there to tell me to try again and keep my chin up.  You could say this is also where I got my persistent attitude.  {I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.  Thomas A. Edison}  I would think to myself, I want to be like that.

She taught me the importance of my inner worth and beauty.  I was a tomboy as a kid and she would constantly remind me that God made me that way.  That there was something hidden within being a tomboy.  I now know it helped me be rough and tough on the farm and that transpired into my attitude in sports.  I wasn't afraid of hard work in order to succeed.  I would think to myself, I want to be like that.

Out of all of the years I spent growing up and watching my mother I was continually learning from how she would handle situations and think to myself, I want to be like that.  Now that I am an adult I can say that I am like that.  I am loving, driven, gracious, humbled, confident, whitty, funny, smiley, persistant, understanding, accepting, positive, strong and hard working... just like my mother!

{Mom, thank you for being a wonderful guiding light in life and being a amazing example of how to live.  I attribute all of the good that is within me to you & Daddy.}

Nothing says it better than the lyrics to this song, please take the time to read it and fully appreciate these songwriters' ability to capture a topic like this so beautifully!

xoxo
bj

Like My Mother Does Songwriters: Nathan Chapman;Elisabeth Rose;Nicole Williams

People always say I have a laugh
Like my mother does
Guess that makes sense
She taught me how to smile

When things get rough
I've got her spirit, she's always got my back
When I look at her I think
I want to be just like that

When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does

I've never met a stranger, I can talk to anyone
Like my mother does
I let my temper fly, but she can walk away
When she's had enough

She sees everybody
For who they really are
I'm so thankful for her guidance
She's helped me get this far

When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does

She's a rock, she is grace, she's an angel,
She's my heart and soul, she does it all

When I love, I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does

Like my mother does
I hear people saying
I'm starting to look
Like my mother does