Reverend Mama
To Click It Is the Ticket
Before I could turn off the water in the sink, my 3-year-old son opened the restroom door and ran into the restaurant. By the time I caught up with him, he was already in the middle of the room. He ran to his grandparents, proclaiming at the very top of his lungs: “I PEED IN THE POTTY!”
I stopped dead behind him, noticing that all the tables were looking at us — clearly these folks were morally offended that such talk might accompany a plate of spaghetti. My son and I were undeterred. I clapped and yelled: “He did it”!!! Moral sensibilities be damned. This was a time for celebration.
This day was a very long time coming. As all parents know, the potty struggle is a true test of grit and love. For months, we’ve tried all the methods that worked with our oldest. Then, we tried the ones that didn’t work with her. Then we tried the ones suggested in the myriad of books, which all claim to have the perfect solution for potty training your child. Public Service Announcement: they are ALL wrong. No one knows what they are doing.
In truth, my 3 year old son is the wisest of us all. A few months ago, when asked why he goes potty at preschool but not at home, he said with as much certainty as a 3-year-old can muster: “Because it’s a mystery.”
It’s a mystery why it won’t work, and then it’s a mystery when it does.
New Year, Same Me
The second day of the New Year was the last day of winter break. Since we had been traveling and visiting family during the holidays, we were excited to spend a full day in our pjs, watching movies. We had the movies all picked out, starting with what my kids call “Stage Encanto” (Or Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl on Disney+). Clearly, we needed to start the New Year with a 10th viewing.
At 8am, we were snuggled in. Jammies. Coffee. Apple juice. Cheerios. Mirabel was singing about “waiting for a miracle.” Then poof.
The power went out.
With movie day gone, we thought this was an opportunity for a different kind of family day. We pulled out our new LEGO sets from Santa, spread out the bricks on the dining room table, and started to build.
It was fun. For a while… Let’s just say: attempting a LEGO set for the 12+ age range with a 5+ child and a 3+ child is interesting. Miss 5+ had completed a LEGO FRIENDS Set (for 6+) the night before and was therefore convinced she could do this one herself. Inevitably, when it became hard, she stomped around the house, took some pieces, and hid behind the pantry. Mr. 3+ wanted to help build, so sat on my knee flailing his octopus-arms about, grabbing pieces too small for his little hands, and accidentally knocking them on the floor, one after another, after another, after another. Which led to more yelling from Miss 5+ about her brother’s inability to build the LEGO.
Hurry Up And Wait
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, my daughter and I went on a quick errand to the craft store. As we walked in, my daughter grabbed my hand and pulled me back.
“We can’t go in there,” she said.
“Why?” I asked, looking around for danger, “What’s wrong?”
“That!” she proclaimed, pointing to the display window. “Look at all that Christmas stuff. It’s not Thanksgiving yet! Santa shouldn’t be there. We can’t go in.”
I laughed, because clearly she’d heard my ranting about rampant consumerism pushing Christmas a full month early. “I’m know it’s ridiculous,” I said finally, “I don’t like it, but we need to get the candles for worship on Sunday. We have to go in.”
She gazed up at me, worried. “You’re going to be okay, then?” she asked, before offering a solution: “Should we hide our eyes from the Santas?”
“Good idea,” I said. “Let’s just not look at it.”
I’m very proud to be passing down my sincere dislike for holidays out of season to the next generation. It was a pet peeve my grandmother and I shared.
As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-18
This Blog chronicles the life and times of this Pastor, Mama, Wife, and Child of God
Welcome to our chaotic and funny, yet always blessed life. I hope you find God’s presence in your life through our family’s stories.
Reverend Mama 