The past couple weeks have been full of excitement at the Terrebonne house. Nanna and Pappy came for a quick visit because THIS happened.
Brie was so excited to complete this milestone, but it was also bittersweet because all her friends will be going to different schools next year.
On the last day of school, the 5th graders got to do a final walk-through of the school and I was there to capture the big event. Honestly, it was a little over-the-top (the principal announced each 5th grader’s name and they ran through the halls as the rest of the students in the school lined up, cheering them on), but it was a fun memory and a great way to start the summer.
But do you know what’s not a great way to start the summer? Having your three-year-old pee in the Chick Fil A play area. Yep. That’s right. After Brienne’s final walk-through, we decided to celebrate with chicken nuggets and fries. After the kids finished eating, Jonah wanted to go play. I sent him into the play area and then noticed that Vivienne’s diaper was very wet. I took her out to the car to get another diaper and I realized that I didn’t have any more size 3 diapers in my bag. I did, however, have some of Jonah’s size 6 diapers, which I thought was strange, seeing as how he’s “potty trained” and all. Anyway, I did what any good mom would do – I put Jonah’s ginormous diaper on Vivienne. It practically swallowed her, but what else was I gonna do?
I went back into Chick Fil A and Brienne greeted me with the news that Jonah had peed in the play area. Fantastic. I watched him happily come down the slide and noticed that his shorts were soaked. This was not an “Oops I just had a tiny little accident” accident. This was a major soaking. Like he had been holding it in for hours. (And, come to think of it, it had been quite a while since our last trip to the toilet. Oops. Mommy fail.) I scooped him up as he kicked and screamed that he didn’t want to leave, I grabbed my purse and my half-eaten lunch (because, hello, we don’t waste Chick Fil A), I ran to the counter to tell them about our “little” accident, and then I headed to the car to find some dry clothes. And this is when I realized that I desperately need to restock my supplies. The only thing I had for Jonah was a pair of jeans that were two inches too short. Great. All I could do was laugh…
I’m pretty sure I won’t be winning any super mom awards anytime soon.
You know what else is not very fun? Listening to your kids fight over toys. Honestly, sometimes I just want to go hide and see if they can work it out by themselves. Without having to transport someone to the ER. Sometimes, they figure it out, but other times, someone gets punched or kicked. I tell Jonah quite often that he is the big brother, that he needs to set an example, and that he is Vivienne’s protector. I even bought him a superman cape so he could be her “hero.” This is how that worked out.
I’m not sure which kid is the bigger bully.
Sometimes in life, we are met with the unexpected. It might be a “good” unexpected. Like when the hubby brings home your favorite cupcake (chocolate cream, please and thank you). Or it might be a “not-so-good” unexpected. Like when you put on your favorite pair of heels and realize you now have old people feet and can no longer wear cute shoes. (This may or may not have recently happened to someone I know.)
Anyway, it’s impossible to be completely prepared for everything life throws at you. And that’s ok. We were never meant to have all the answers. (Although a fully stocked diaper bag would be a good thing to keep handy.)
I recently came across a scripture out of the book of Psalms:
“I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Psalm 94:18-19
Isn’t that an amazing promise? Even if we feel like we’re slipping, like we can’t keep up with everything the world thinks we should be, God is always supporting us. When we fall, he catches us. When we doubt our abilities as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, He gives us the hope we need to keep going.
Sometimes all we need to do is ask for wisdom. Because He is faithful to show us what we need in order to prepare us for whatever unexpected thing life throws at us. He is faithful to lead us down the right path. He is faithful to renew our hope. He is faithful to support us.
Hear me on this:
He is faithful.
So, my friends, this is my prayer for you:
“(I’m) asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
Ephesians 1:17-18
(Now go restock that diaper bag.)