Tuesday, May 13, 2008

My kids

My kids wake themselves up to play at the crack of dawn, and see nothing wrong with this annoying habit.

My kids make their own waffles and smear peanut butter all over the counter. And they never clean it up when they're done, either.

My kids climb trees in our backyard.

Then come in crying when they get a scratch.

My kids make huge messes. Especially in their rooms.

My kids track mud all through the house. I honestly believe they have no idea what a doormat is for.

My kids do not want me to come with them to the bus stop. They want to do it all by themselves.

But they do require that I stand at the window and wave as the bus passes.

My kids currently do cub scouts, swimming, baseball, and ballet.

My kids whine when they have too much homework.

My kids splash water all over the floor when they're in the tub.

My kids grow out of their clothes faster than I can keep up with.

My kids crave sweets, sugar, suckers, and gum. And they get it more than they should.

My kids tell the dumbest knock-knock jokes.

My kids fight with each other.

They absolutely detest running errands, unless it's to Target, and then they beg and whine to go down the toy aisles.

My boys love Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and World War II.

My girl loves dress-ups, dolls, and High School Musical.

My kids color with markers that sometimes leak onto my desk.

My kids break expensive electronic things.

My kids wear holes in their jeans faster than ice cream melts.

My kids cannot fall asleep without a kiss and a hug from me.

***************

This morning, my mind and heart is full of all the things my kids can do. We made our semi-annual trip to Children's Hospital for McKay's asthma and allergy check-up.

And as we sat in the shared waiting room, I couldn't help but look around at the other kids. Many were in wheelchairs with contorted, mangled limbs. Many were there getting their heart checked, because the core of their body just doesn't work like it should. A few were bald, with patchy tufts of hair the only remnant of what they looked like before the cancer reared its ugly head. Some smiled. Some looked sad. Some didn't look like they knew where they were at all.

And I have never in my life been more thankful for what we don't have.

So today, I will clean up that peanut butter. I will wipe the marker off my white desk. I will hug them when they slip and fall. I will probably still get mad at the mud they track through the house. But I am eternally grateful for all the annoying, physical, happy, healthy, busy things my kids can do.

And my heart just aches for the moms who have kids that can't.

50 comments:

Annemarie said...

This really is sweet, Christie. I was laughing and then teary! I went through a similar experience a couple of years ago and it truly makes you grateful for your sometimes messy, whiny sweet little kids!

Jana said...

I don't know if it was Mother's Day or Springtime or Allergies but I've been feelin' all weepy and grateful for my kids for a week or so now. And I didn't even go to a sick ward. Thanks for putting into words, so many things I've been feeling. We are all so blessed.

Lindsey said...

I am soooooooo glad that my kids aren't the ONLY ones who do all that TOTALLY annoying stuff. And although we have a son with Autism, we are ETERNALLY grateful that it is what it is and it is not something worse. :) Thanks for reminding all of us of our blessings.

ashli said...

isn't this the absolute truth! i read this list and checked off almost every single thing that my kids are as well. i too am sooooo grateful for all the naughty and annoying things that take place in a day and that i too am blessed with healthy kids who love me. thanks for this reminder! you put it so well.

Kristin said...

Thank you for reminding me what to be thankful for. I checked of everything off your list, except for the ballet lessons, hopefully someday.

Unknown said...

I ran in the Race for the Cure last Saturday and bawled as I read the backs of everyone's shirts that said who they were running for. It's so easy to take normal life for granted! Thanks for the sweet reminder!

Celia Fae said...

Children's hospitals are way more traumatizing than the actual check up. I call it the Little Shop of Horrors. I try to focus on the courage and fortitude of the children and parents so I can get around the sadness.

Thanks for reminding me that crummy counters aren't the end of the world.

Amy Jorgensen said...

You hit a homerun today with your post! Loved it. I just got back from a trip to the local childrens hospital, and even though my daughter has a host of problems, it is always such a reminder of how bad things could have been, and it makes me grateful for the little things she can do. Each time I get annoyed at the very slobbery kisses she gives, I have to remind myself that she couldn't say "I love you" til she was 4. Great post.

Annie said...

Absolutely true. Yay for aggravating, active, messy, lovable kids. And for good reminders of it. Thanks, friend.

Sincerely Anna said...

Such a good post.

Ashlee said...

Seems wierd that we should be grateful for such things doesn't it? But I have to wholeheartedly agree. :0)

Chatter said...

Thanks for the reminder :). This pregnancy (hormones of course) has made me incredibly unappreciative (at least I feel that way) and I really need to stop and slap myself throughout the day. Great post! Thank you!

Kate said...

Thank you for this sweet reminder! I'm going to try and be less annoyed at the mess today and just be grateful!

Hillary said...

Thank you! I need to be thankful for who my children are and what they can do. I am truly blessed!

Hoolie said...

I found your blog through Chandra's and I've been "lurking" for some time. Of all the links from her blog of people I don't know, this is the one I most enjoy. This entry hit home, so I had to respond. I have 3 kids and cannot tell you how many times I have thought the same. I would give anything and everything in my life for my kids' continued healthy and happiness. God has truly blessed us.

Becky said...

Thanks Christie- love it. Agree. You helped me remember this today. Much appreciated.

Tina said...

thanks so much for that reminder, I needed it!

Jake said...

Love you and your kids!

Thanks for reminding us that our "troubles" are our biggest blessings!

Holly said...

So true, so true friend. Thanks for the reminder to look up out of my day-to-day perspective and be thankful for the very day-by-day stuff I often complain about.

Amanda D said...

What a great post, Stie. I know that I needed the reminder. I am guilty of taking everything for granted, and being annoyed at little things that in the big picture don't matter. Thanks for the reminder.

Kimberly said...

I, too, feel so blessed to have such happy, healthy, sometimes naughty-get-on-my-nerves, adorable, loving kids!

Lisa-Marie said...

Reality check.

Thank you.

Anna said...

I don't believe that your children would do any of that.

HAHA! So you beautiful children are totally normal. I promise you it does get better. Enjoy your "mommy" years. There are times that I really miss having little ones around. Meaning I would go back and do it again if I could (relive those years at that young age). I would never do it now, I'm way too old and tired to be raising little ones. What's that they say about never say never? If you put a hex on me and I end up pregnant I will send the baby to you.

the wrath of khandrea said...

yeah, isn't it sad that it takes trauma to make us appreciate what we have?

Bridget said...

It is SO sad. Cole has to go to a children's hospital for checkups on his reflux. I have all the same thoughts when I am there. Thanks for putting things in perspective.

mahina said...

thanks for the great reminder! it may be annoying all of the messes and fighting our kids make and do, but i am so greatful that they can physically make those messes without worrying about handicaps or diseases!

kelly said...

amen! sister.

Musings of a Housewife said...

Perspective. It's priceless. :-)

3leftturns said...

The first bit sounded like a Proctor & Gamble commercial.

The rest was very touching... I can't imagine something like that happening to little 'D'.

Thanks,

Emy5 said...

Being healthy is something that can be taken for granted. Thanks for the heart-felt reminder to be grateful for our rambunctious HEALTHY kids.

danandcindy said...

Enough with the heart-warming posts. There is nothing negative I can say about this. And that's what I do, I can't be sensitive. So, yes, that was a nice post, and it tugs at the ole' heart-strings, but please get back to your normal posts, so I can get back to my normal replies.

Jessica said...

Gabe had a serious bone infection a few years ago and during the whole thing, I would literally whisper prayers of thanks for a disease that could be cuted and prayers of comfort and healing for little children and parents I would never meet.

There but for the grace of God go I.

Hollyween said...

During John's cancer year, we were in and out of LOTS of hospitals. And there was always a sick child or two to look at that made my heart ache. NO where is more heartbreaking than Primary Children's hospital. I always said lots of prayers in my head for the families of those kids when I walked by.

Thanks for the reminder that kids that make messes are kids that are healthy.

Emily said...

Thanks for the reminder Stie. Although, seriously, I have yet to see any evidence that your children smear peanut butter, make huge messes, and track mud into the house--you are my ultimate tidiness queen!

Lisa said...

Ditto.

Wendi said...

Beautiful!

Sniff..

Wendi said...

I really needed to read this post today.
I will probably need to read it again tomorrow.
Thanks for the reminder of what really is important and how much we have to be grateful for.

2happy+2 said...

Thank you for your wonderful blog today. I am having a issue with my oldest. She thinks I am a nag and I told her "I am not a nag and I am definately not your maid". So thanks for the pep talk. I will over look her faults and love her for all the things she does do right. I am going to go into her bedroom and give her another 3 bedtime kisses. Thanks again.

Michael said...

I get the feeling that every once in a while you put a post like this up so that if Dan does respond in his usual style he'll sound even worse to all your blogger buddies. Okay, now seriously, aren't those eye-opening experiences great? Hopefully they'll be enough for us so we don't actually have to undergo our own trials.

Family Adventure said...

You said it perfectly!

Heidi

Lauren in GA said...

I am crying really hard right now. I sincerely thank you for this post. I get so caught up in the day to day...I need to be mindful and grateful for what I don't have to worry about.

You said it so beautifully...thank you.

Stuart♥Maren said...

LOVE this post. Being a Mommy is the best... thank you!

PS Also... I love that you got Dan to be sweet!☺

Diane said...

What a heart-felt post. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

You post is so touching. I spent time in a hospital and every time I think of the less fortunate people I met there I am overcome with gratitude for all my blessings.

kathi said...

I remember being in the hospital with my baby girl was was 10 1/2 months old and she had meningitis. A boy who was dying told his mama that he was so glad he didn't have what the baby had because he didn't want the IV in his head. His mom would have traded me places in a minute. My daughter grew up beautiful didn't you! Love Ya!

CJ, The Purple Diva said...

Beautifully written; nice reflections;couldn't have said it as good if I tried. Thanks for the reminder. Everyone is beautiful in their own way.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

When my oldest was born he needed open-heart surgery. I was so grateful that his condition was "fixable" (if serious open-heart surgery can be called that!). As I sat in the NICU with my ginormous 8 lb 11 oz baby and knew that we would take him home in a few weeks, I felt guilty, and my heart ached for those parents who wouldn't take home a healthy baby. There were so many tiny babies with so many issues that would not be corrected by one surgery.

Until I went through it, I never would have considered his condition a blessing. But, compared to what it could have been, we are eternally grateful.

Kristy said...

Ditto all the other comments. Thanks for reminding me that the daily annoyances are also blessings of happy, healthy children. God provides lessons for us in so many things.

I have a hard time watching things like the Children's Miracle Network marathons. Although, I'm amazed & touched by the families with terminally ill children who are grateful for the time they had with their children, not to mention the strength & endurance of those special children.

Lynsie said...

Love this post!!
Its times like those we need to take a look at our life, and realize its not so bad afterall.
I try and observe other kids, or less the fortunate to remind myself that throwing countless tantrums is not that bad, theres worse, and to be grateful that he is even here with me to throw tantrums.

Susy said...

That was very well put. An older gal that I worked with once told me,
(when my kids were small), "I would rather spend my money on toys for them, then hospital bills on them....Just food for thought