One of those days...

It has been one of those days. The type of day where you look at the clock and think, "It's only 1:00 pm?" Today I blog for sanity.

It has been one of those days. When all the little things have surmounted you. Rejection for a job. Broken down cars. Sick pets. Laundry.

It has been one of those days. When you have been waiting for the rain to go away to enjoy warm weather and the sun comes out strong enough to burn you if you dare. The heat is so heavy you can't breathe.

It has been one of those days. Where Ry cries even if I look away from her. So here I am. Past noon. Still in PJs with a baby strapped to my chest. In need of a shower.

It has been one of those days. Where I need to count my blessings. Be reminded that my days here are numbered and short compared to the eternity in heaven.

1) Chris, Rylyn and I all have clean bills of health.
2) When Rylyn cries it is because she needs me.
3) The roof over our head isn't leaking yet.
4) We have two vehicles that are drivable, most of the time.
5) I am in walking distance from everything I need.
6) All of Rylyn's grandparents, aunts and uncles are alive and healthy.
7) We just celebrated the marriage of two people we love dearly and have another wedding to celebrate this weekend.
8) One month until we vacation in Sauble Beach with family. Which is a vacation that is already paid for and will not incur debt.
9) When I stop typing to bounce Rylyn, she smiles a toothy grin and giggles.
10) Jesus loves me and nothing I do or that is done to me will ever change that.

There. 10 things. I will count them again. Life is good. Even if it is one of those days.

Bible Reflections:

Matthew 6:19-21 (English Standard Version)

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

 ¹⁹"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

-I read somewhere to imagine whatever you own as already broken. Then, when its time has expired, you won't be as disappointed when it is gone. This laptop will one day need to be replaced. If I prepare myself for that, when it dies I won't be as frustrated. More importantly, one day I will not need this laptop. I must realize what treasures can be stored in heaven if I long for them to arrive either ahead of me or thereafter. I have many blessings here on Earth. Aside from the people I love and my virtue, even they don't really matter.

Hair

Rylyn loves to explore people. She wants to touch, smell and taste just as much as see. Getting to know Uncle Jon is my new favourite pic. She loves his hair! But look at it, who wouldn't!?

Bible Reflections:

Matthew 10 (New King James Version)

³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
-I am losing hair enough hair to make a wig (post-natal symptom). If God can look at me and know the number of hairs on my head at any given time, I cannot doubt that He is my creator and that I am valuable to Him. I couldn't even accurately count the number of hairs in one of Rylyn's eyebrows, nor would I care to try. I am thankful He created us. Our recent trip to McMaster Children's Hospital to have Ry's hips checked out, revealed nothing to worry about. I carried her small during the pregnancy. We  have an exercise to do with Ry to improve her range of movement in her hips. I am thankful we are of more value than many sparrows and He took care of this concern.

Super Faux Pas

Today, I would like to say, my baby is super and makes me a better person.

We have a few weddings coming up, and I was reflecting on my wedding faux pas of the past. Consider this a formal apology if you recognize these faux pas. If you are thinking, "Was that at my wedding?" Don't worry about it, it probably wasn't, we've been to many.

1) Bringing two McDonald's cheeseburgers to the head table for my husband who was in the wedding party, because I was afraid he wouldn't eat anything being served.

2) Wearing a hoodie over my dress (probably on more than one occasion) because I was cold and warmth was more important than looking nice.

3) Purchasing an accessory (a sheer scarf to cover some bacne about which I was embarrassed) for my bridesmaid's dress without consent of the bride and asking her if it was okay to wear it the night before the big day.

4) Disappearing during wedding photos. (I seriously would have peed my pants...er...dress).

So to prevent future faux pas, I have devised a short list of things NOT to do if bringing a baby to a wedding.

1) Wedding vows are not an appropriate time to draw attention to your child. E.g. "She just blew the cutest raspberry! Did you see it? Hey, you with the cam-cord...did you get that?"

2) Asking anyone wearing a tuxedo or little black dress to hold your baby immediately after feeding him or her.

3) Diaper changes should not take place on the tables at the reception. Or on the dance floor...watch your step!

4) Placing any incriminating baby items near the gift table. Wouldn't want to start any rumours!


We plan on leaving Ry with some family during the ceremonies and letting her dance at the receptions with us, because she really is a super baby. Perhaps this video can be played at her wedding.

Bible Reflections:

Philippians 2:3 (New Living Translation)

 ³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

-Following this advice, will prevent (some) faux pas. God made our feet reach our mouth for a reason.

p.s. May I also add asking the question, "Does your baby sleep through the night yet?" to my growing faux pas list? Trust me you don't need to ask...we'll let you know!

Seedling Meets Polish Oak

Oak trees are among the oldest trees common to Ontario, Canada and Poland (Henry, n.d., Wikipedia, 2011). My grandmother born in Poland now lives with Alzheimer's in a long-term care facility in her longtime home of Ontario. She immigrated to Canada as a child and would call this country her home, but much of her homeland would be part of her heritage (like her cooking!)

With flu season rampant in the winter months and Rylyn tiny, we decided to let meeting Great Grandma Anna wait. With Rylyn over the three month hurdle and blossoms on the trees, Mother's Day seemed like prime time. And, it was. Grandma Anna lucidly declared that she was meeting her Great Granddaughter for the first time. Her smiles were larger than when I bring any puppet to visit.

There may be a time when, sadly, Grandma can no longer remember Rylyn. One visit while pregnant with Rylyn, Grandma insisted she would keep "my secret" from the family, not remembering I was married. I felt loved to know she would be in cahoots with "my secret." There could also be a time when Rylyn does not remember Grandma, as our early memories are few. It is important that we teach our heritage to our children. Not just the history, but the love and the people that are a part of it.

I brought Grandma my wedding photos the next visit. She marveled at how she was a part of that day. Rylyn will always have these picture memories below. She will be taught her roots. And to say "pee-rogy" not "per-ogy" just like Great Grandma Anna.

Bible Reflections:

Colossians 2:7 (New Living Translation)

⁷ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

-Rylyn will also be taught that Jesus loves her, so that she has the opportunity and choice to built her life on those roots. The word choice here is honest although not without reservation. Parents hope their children will follow their beliefs. Without choice, you are without love. The second part of the passage is for parents "[their] faith will grow strong in the truth [they] were taught." So too will the faith of a parent grow. Remind me to reread this when Rylyn is a teenager.

Rain and Cups

The sun has finally peeked out from behind the rain cloud that plagued us last week. Here is how Ry spent her rainy week:

"I love to play with my kitty, Quincy. Charlie is still scared of me. I love to grab and pull pet his long fur."

"Since I am 4-months old now, I am a big girl. I cut a tooth. No rash, fever or temper (aside from my usual tantrums). Just a tooth to add to my cuteness." Note from mom: We have also been battling a goopy eye. Remnants of a cold and tear duct that is still developing.

"Happy Mother's Day! Mom made me wear this uncomfortable dress all day. I put on my Sunday best just for mom." Band and bow courtesy of a talented friend.

"When mom is done her water I love drinking those last few drops from her cup!"

Bible Reflections:

Matthew 23:25-26 (New Living Translation)

 ²⁵ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish,^[a] and then the outside will become clean, too."


-It is easy to clean the outside of the cup to hide whatever stains the inside. The cup Ry used in the above picture is clear. Transparent. When Chris drinks chocolate milk from these, the milk settles, dries and must be scrubbed from the bottom. The milk residue is not easy to get out. God sees through. He sees my residue. I have to sterilize Ry's bottles, and even then I can sometimes see residue. God sees through. He sees my residue. I can do my part to help cleanse my inside...get rid of the negative addictions in my life...but there will always be residue. Only Jesus' love makes me spotless. That is why He died. I'd say Jesus is the Ultimate Dishwasher.

Shoo Fly