Tales of an Honest Toddler

Many of you know that I love babies, but I have to say that I really love toddlers.  There’s something about watching the facial expression of someone who is desperately trying to develop their verbal skills.   And this past year, I was introduced to Honest Toddler.  I follow Honest Toddler on the Twitter, and he keeps me laughing almost every day of the week.  Who is this toddler?  Well, I don’t really know, but his Twitter profiles states that he’s not potty trained, and he’s not trying.  Here are a few of his recent thoughts and concerns…

• Naptime. Daddy just tried to put me in my bed and walk away. LOL. Skipped like 28 steps! Start over. From the top.
• As if Santa cares whether I finish this sandwich or not. The man is swamped. He's not watching me eat.
•  My love don't cost a thing but if it did it'd probably be like four cookies and a bike.
•  There's so much pressure to have a favorite color. Wish people would stop asking. #life
• I feel like when I share it sends the wrong message to my friends. Yes, I want them to be happy, but not happier than me.
• Stop crying. Oh ok let me find the button that TURNS OFF MY FEELINGS.
• Toddler Tip:  Don't bother helping an adult to wipe in the bathroom. They're far too proud.
• Hearing two people argue over who has to come get you in the morning is not a good way to build your child's self esteem. smh
• But no, take your time. Hash it out. I'll just lay here and brainstorm ways to rebuild my self-worth.
• And my personal favorite…she's on Pinterest again. Looking at pictures of dresses and wavy hair is more important than getting my snack together.

But I'm also lucky enough to have my very own honest toddler.  He's my nephew and his name is Micah.  He's the third child, and we all know that no one is especially picky about their third child. At this point, he's just thankful to be alive.  I don't think he has his own Twitter account but if he did, he would have tweeted this on a recent visit to Auntie's house...

 

 Sure, I don't mind sleeping in the laundry room. I'm sure it's okay with DHS if I sleep in room with chemicals and no windows. SMH.

 

Happy Wednesday!

10,000 Reasons

I never knew or understood anything about grief until this past year.  What I’ve learned is that it’s a singular process.  No one can walk through it for you, no one can make it go away, and no one can really get out of it.  I tell myself that it’s fading and time heals all wounds, but then it pops back up in the most intense and unexpected ways. 

I feel like every year God gives me a song that speaks to my heart every time I hear it.  In 2010 it was “Oh How He Loves Us” by the David Crowder Band, in 2011 it was “Thanks Be to Our God” by Travis Cottrell, and the song for 2012 was “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redmond.

And it’s this line that has captured my heart for almost an entire year…

Those words…for all Your goodness.  That God is still good even when I’m frustrated over all the crazy and ungodly people He leaves on this earth.  Yes, this is the conversation I’ve been having with God over the last month.  Why does He take the good people that make handmade cards for missionaries and faithfully serve Him through thick and thin?  I’m still talking to Him about this, and I can think of at least 100 reasons to tell Him every day that it isn’t fair that my Mom died.  We go through this at least once a month when my sadness crosses the line of grief and turns into what some might refer to as hormonal issues. And He listens to it…I’m thankful.  And you should be thankful that He listens to it too or there would be way more blog posts about death and dying. 

All in all, when I look back on 2012, I will always think of my Mom and the sadness of losing her.  But in the deepest part of my heart I know that for every reason I find to be sad about…they never amount to the 10,000 reasons I have to sing of His goodness.