Potty Training and Grocery Shopping

As I thought about what I would give the girls for lunch yesterday, it was obvious that we were in need of a trip to the grocery store once again. There weren't any options to give them for lunch.

I decided to stop at McDonald's before the grocery store because it would help make the time in the store a bit easier. The girls and I ate lunch there but I should have allowed more time. Just as we were about done eating, Jaycie decided it was the appropriate time to identify her bodily urges.

"Mommy, JayJay potty," she informed me. "Seriously?" was my first thought. It has been a battle to get her to inform us of the need to go potty BEFORE she actually goes. Tempted to just let her go in her pull-up so we could get on with our errand, I made the decision instead to be a good mom. I cleaned up our table and took the girls into the bathroom. Surprisingly, she didn't yell when I lifted her above the big toilet. Her pull-up was dry and we quickly heard her say, "Jaycie did it!"

It was a good start to our trip to the grocery store. Looking at my watch however, it was now almost noon. We had less than a half an hour to obtain everything on the grocery list and still get Nikelle to Kindergarten on time. Informing the girls of the need for their cooperation, we hurried through the store.

They both reminded me of their "need" for Pop Tarts, as well as other items they like to have at home. For the second grocery shopping trip in a row, they were very well behaved. We even had Nike to school on time!

Thinking back on these last couple of trips, there may be a couple factors that helped make things a bit smoother. First, I shopped off of a grocery list rather than wandering down the aisles. Second, I had both of them helping in some way, shape, or form. Third, I didn't deny much of what they asked for. This third factor, in and of itself, may just be the key to grocery shopping and avoiding problems with the kids!

Fighting the Cancer Giant

For the past couple of weeks, Dad Carlson has been undergoing radiation. He has also been continuing the dialysis for his kidneys. Radiation occurs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dialysis is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. His only day off is Sunday. To say his body is exhausted would be an understatement.

At church yesterday, I heard our Pastor say something like this: "You may die fighting the giant, but if you don't fight the giant, you will surely die." That made me think of my dad as well as Rod's. Dad Tuttle would have died a year earlier had he not underwent all the battles to fight the giant of cancer in his life. God blessed us with the additional year with him. Dad Carlson is facing a similar situation right now. He has to undergo dialysis and other treatments in order to continue fighting.

It's hard to see what these different treatments do to a person. I know he is anxious for the radiation treatments to be completed. He's hopeful that he will be able to do more in life when chemotherapy begins as the treatments won't be as constant as the radiation. He is weak and thin. His back has been his main complaint and continues to be. Today he is meeting with doctors and we are anxious for some reports.

I'm grateful research has come so far and they are able to treat so many different diseases. At the same time, it's disheartening that diseases attack and that there are so many lousy side effects to so many treatments.

Where'd my mornings go?

I've always been a morning person. I think that I still am. I just wouldn't be categorized as an early riser anymore. Most mornings, I lay in bed drifting in and out of sleep because I just don't want to get out of bed. Possibly, this pregnancy makes it difficult to pop out of bed in the morning. It could be that losing my dad has brought a bit of depression with it adding to my lack of desire to start my day. At some point, I hope I'm able to get back to my morning schedule where I have time by myself. Without my morning, I have no time of day wherein I am productive. It's been proven over and over again that I'm not a night owl. Often, I'm asleep by 9 p.m. (if not earlier). These are just the thoughts going through my mind this morning. It's 7:00 a.m. and I just recently woke up. Most mornings I'd at least have had some quiet time by now. We'll see if this changes after the baby is born (likely it won't until the child sleeps through the night, though.)

Comments

To those of you who have had problems commenting on this blog, I apologize. I have no idea why some can and some have difficulties. Comments or not, I appreciate your reading and attempts at communicating.

Dad can fix it

Throughout these past weeks, many of my thoughts have been filled with my Dad. I've struggled to experience much more than sadness, pain and confusion. Honestly, there have been some truly tough times since I've lost my dad. It was never something I could imagine...until now because I have no choice but to face the reality of it all.

Lately, I've been thinking about the way God gifted my dad with so much wisdom and skill. If something was broken, we'd call Dad or take the item to him. Even as he battled cancer, he replaced our front window as well as a sump pump and dryer vents. Now, as I experience life and come across items needing repair, I cannot help but think of how easy it would have been to turn to my dad.

All of this has turned my thoughts to the brokenness inside of me. Despite the wisdom and skill God provided my dad, he would not have been able to fix this. I cannot fix my broken heart either. So, I prayed to the only Father who can.

"Lord, only you can make me whole. I know I'm fighting everyone on everything. My heart hurts and I simply do not want to feel. Still, I want You to fix this brokenness inside of me. I want to be able to feel more than hurt, pain and confusion again. I want to experience love, joy and peace. Open my mind. Soften my heart. Change me."

I know He will heal the brokenness inside of me. He simply needs me to be willing to accept the change and allow Him to work in His timing...now matter how long that might be.