Thursday, April 23, 2009

Simple things. . .

It's the simple things, right?

Yeah, it is. And, I am not talking about sunsets and pitchers of ice cold lemonade.

No, I am talking about empty laundry hampers, clean toilets - void of little boy tinkle stains, actually being able to sit down for a meal, a solid night of sleep, uncluttered counters and floors, the ability to wear a shirt without peanut butter, pureed sweet potatoes, or spit up on it, the ability to slowly sip a hot cup of coffee on a Saturday morning, an uninterrupted adult phone conversation ~ w/o having to hide in the closet (you know you've done it, too! :-), time to actually use a blow dryer on my hair, and. . .

the ability to take a shower without fear.

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful, thus we played outside for hours! We went out in the morning and then again for several hours in the afternoon. All that to say, I had the great desire to take a quick shower before we went to church that evening. So, I corralled the boys and brought them in around 5 to feed them an early dinner and to get them ready to go. After I fed those sweet hungry little animals, I took them upstairs to play.

Erik and I have gotten quite comfortable letting the 3 older boys play upstairs alone with the baby gate up to keep Elijah from wandering down the steps. Our stairs are hardwood and the foyer floor is stained concrete. It has all the makings of an ER visit, thus the baby gate.

So, I put the baby gate in place, and I had a little talk with Joshua. I told him that Mommy wants to take a very quick shower, and that I will come up as soon as I get out and dressed.

With that done, I stepped over the baby gate, and went downstairs with Erik Daniel in my arms. I placed him in his crib in our room with a few toys. Then, I took the monitor that monitors Joshua and JCT's room into the master bath and turned it on. After that, I proceeded to take a quick shower all the while trying desperately to discern whether what I was hearing was laughter or loud talking or yelling or crying. I cut my quick shower short and was pleased to hear that it was laughter coming from the monitor ~ loud belly laughs with long sighs in between followed by another uproar of hysterical laughter. At first, I was relieved. . . but then I began to think. . .

Laughter isn't always a good thing when coming from little boys. . .

Then, I heard JCT say, "He's stepping in it! He's stepping in it!!!" And, that sealed it for me. This could not be a good thing. I grabbed my towel, wrapped it around me, and took off like a shot into the foyer and up the stairs to see what "he" was stepping in. I knew who "he" was ~ no doubt. Elijah has replaced JCT as "the one." I didn't even look as I passed our double front door windows to see if any of our neighbors were walking their dogs and happened to see me dash upstairs in a towel. As I reached the newel post, I yelled up, "JOSHUAAAAA, WHAT IS SO FUNNY????" I was met by 3 not laughing little boys at the baby gate. It didn't take me long to figure out what "it" was. . .

All I had to do was follow one of two things. . .

A.) the diaperless 2 year old with a bottom in need of wiping. . .

or

B.) the little brown footprints on the sisal carpet leading straight to a dirty diaper in the middle of the big boys room.

Enough said.

So, as I cleaned, resolved, wiped, and bathed all effected areas while constantly adjusting and readjusting my towel with my hair piled on top of my head and mascara running down my face, I smiled to myself. My, has my life changed. Or, should I say. . .

My, has my life changed me. . .

Gone are my diva days. . .

Now I clean poo poo footprints off carpet and tinkle stains off toilets, and, occasionally, vomit off big brother's hair after little brother woke up in the middle of the night and threw up on his head, and I don't even flinch.

But, you want to know the truth?

I'm glad.

I don't want to be a diva. I would much rather be the me that I am today than the me I was 6 years ago. They make me better. These crazy wild little Indian boys. . . They make me better.

And, you know what, I am thankful for tinkle stained toilets. Well, not so much for the tinkle stains themselves, but for what they represent. . .

Little boys.

Little boys who think that their sweet God in all His infinite wisdom blessed them with their very own toy hose!

It really is the simple things, you know?

10 comments:

Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart said...

Erin, this post was so lovely. The love you have for your boys always shines through in your writing. It encourages me to appreciate those simple things as well.

Jenn @ Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land said...

Oh, so true! I am amazed at how far I've come since I first became a mother. I only have to look at my newlywed sister who is frantic at the mere sight of drool or spit-up to know how much I've changed.

Even in the midst of cleaning up after a diaperless boy, I am thankful!

PS. I know I don't comment nearly as often as I used to, but know that I'm praying for Erik's parents.

Erin @ Closing Time said...

Oh Erin! I love reading your little boy stories. They are so sweet (and messy)!!

You are still in our prayers!

Sarah said...

I love this post! Having children has changed us for the better, hasn't it? And you were already pretty terrific when I first met you :)

Sam said...

Great post, Erin! :-)

Jenny said...

You... are... awesome! I love how you keep it all in perspective. And I too love little boys.

Sunshine said...

I was laughing so hard through this whole thing - I KNEW when they said "he's stepping in it" - I KNEW you had a HUGE mess on your hands. The ending though - as a mother of all girls - the ending took the cake - this post is GREAT! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Sunshine

Taunya said...

Erin, my name is Taunya Lovelace and I found your blog after reading Jason's entry yesterday on the progress of his parents. My husband has taken several classes under Dr. Dukes and thinks very highly of him and his family. I have been keeping up with the progress and praise God for it!!We are praying for you and your family and look forward to visiting when we are in N.O. for graduation.
About the post, how precious to hear that what I am experiencing with my boys is normal. Your post was refreshing to read. And, my my, how we have changed and we are definitely better because of it. I have 3 children: Sabrina 10, Ryan 5, and Nathanael (the one) 3 and they are such precious gifts from our Heavenly Father. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Jill said...

Isn't it amazing what we do as moms and think it is perfectly normal.
Can't imagine what my 12 year old babysitting self would think of the things I've done as a mother.
Gotta love boys.
My first is a boy, 2nd and 3rd girls and one day I found the middle child standing up trying hard to "go" like her big brother.
Poor Girl.

Paula said...

I am laughing very hard because I have been there one to many times. Sweet post and perspective. Still praying for your in-laws!!


My photo
Hi! I live in a sweet country home overflowing with love and laughter. I have been blessed to journey these days beside a man that I love, respect, and admire. He is my soul-mate and best friend. Together we are seeking to raise our seven children to be lovers of God, to be wise and discerning, and to be all that our sweet God created them to be.



 

Designed By:

Munchkin Land Designs
 
Designed by Munchkin Land Designs • Copyright 2012 • All Rights Reserved