Fail Safe

Ephesians 6:1-4 (NKJV)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

James 3:2-3,6,10,17-18 (NKJV)

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

***

My children provoked me to wrath this morning. Becoming a parent means you will do and say things you never thought possible. For better, for worse. Children teach you both about utter unconditional love and utter frustration.

I tell my students at school that I have a jar of patience. I let them know when it is close to being empty to help them know when they have worn me thin. We are all human after all. I tell them my jar of patience can be filled by their choices and I could use their help with that. I also inform them that my jar of patience refills over night.

Today I woke up and my jar of patience was empty. Whining and tantrums had filled my night. Oh, and feeding Addisyn, but that didn't empty my jar as much as the sleeplessness caused by the former.

My alarm clock this morning was more fits of screams from Rylyn. I don't whether this is symptomatic of her eating gluten or toddlerdom or both. I guess I will find out in a couple of weeks. I do know, after a week full of episodes like this, and a full night of being patient, I had no more patience for screaming or tantrums.

I plopped Rylyn down at the table to eat breakfast, gave a consequence on which I would not be able to follow through, and attempted to work through my frustration by failing to accomplish morning routines more quickly than usual. Chris brought Addisyn down and left with a kiss and the reminder to call if I needed him today.

I sat on the couch and thought, "What I am doing?" I needed to refill my jar. I prayed. I repented. I read the words from the Bible I posted above. I apologized to my children for not being the role model I should have been this morning.

One of the wisest things I have read was said by a God-loving man named Oswald Chambers: "Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action." God's grace covers our failures so we can move on. Today, I filled my jar of patience by remembering this. Through His grace I bridled my tongue and actions and made peace with God, myself and my children. If by God's grace, we do not let the sense of failure corrupt our new action, then we have not failed at all. I would call that success, my friends.

Pre-op and Shop!

We had Rylyn's pre-op appointment today.

Everything is in order for her scope on June 27th to confirm Celiac Disease.

Chris and I made sure we arrived at McMaster Children's Hospital early to allow for traffic and feeding Addisyn before the appointment. We were sitting in a rest area in main lobby. I watched several parents with their children walk by; some had tears in their eyes and others had smiles. Nonetheless, I felt like I was in positive place for my child to be receiving medical care.

The anesthesiologist we met today further confirmed this feeling. He had a terrific bedside manner. He was the first doctor since the start of Rylyn's concerns to talk to us like we were loving parents and like he cared about our family and the outcomes. I know the other nurses and doctors mean well, but I feel defensive the way some go about asking their questions.

Doctor: "What did she have for breakfast this morning?"

Me : "A glass of milk, a banana and Rice Krispies."

I questioned whether that was the correct answer or not, which is absurd. I know the health professionals are doing their jobs and I imagine they deal with many hard-to-serve parents. The nurse we spoke to today looked surprised when we were comfortable with and understanding of the rule where only parent may be with Rylyn before and immediately following the procedure.

Leaving the appointment we felt reassured that we are on the right path.

After a picnic lunch at a nearby park, we stopped off at Limeridge Mall's Gymboree for their "Nothing Over $13.99 Sale." I bought the girls almost $200 worth of clothes, only paid $88 and received a coupon for $25 off of a $50 purchase in July. I saved over $100 today buying six outfits. Chris would argue we would have saved more not going at all.

I bought each of these in 2 sizes so the girls can match.

Left for Addy and Right for Rylyn

Bible Reflections:

Psalm 61:3-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

³ For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
⁴ I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

⁵ For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

-My daily morning devotionals this week have been about "abiding" in Jesus. We abide in Jesus not when our devotions to Him take the greatest amount of our time, but when our power and strength are found in Him (Chambers, 1963). When we abide in Him, power and strength comes from trusting in His shelter.

Nursing-Friendly Summer Outings

...or maybe just kid-friendly?

I like to get out and about even with two under two. However, with Rylyn suddenly toddling about on two legs (Aside: Yay Rylyn for walking! She must be feeling better. Although we are still waiting for her scope for Celiac diagnosis, and thus, are feeding her gluten, she has put on a pound! I think no gluten for or after dinner and one Pediasure a day are helping!) and one to breastfeed, planning for safety and sanity are important.

If I don't have someone else with me to chase after Rylyn, I find, bringing a snack or meal for her to eat in the stroller while I nurse Addisyn works well. Rylyn is just learning to run away, so I can hardly expect her to understand boundaries, although the teaching has begun.

We are enjoying:

1. Classic car shows - Our favourite is the local one at Grimsby Gateway on Tuesday Nights. We can enjoy DQ for dessert! This is fun for the whole family to get out, walk and socialize.

D.D. checks out the cars at her first car show

2. Hidden Parks - The one below is part of Green Acres Park in Stoney Creek. It is a menagerie between apartment buildings near Second St. off of King St. We also enjoy a couple parks in the Beamsville surveys, including the one off of Cedarbrook Lane. There are tons of these little gems spotted throughout the region. Lunch, shade and green space makes for a great adventure for a mom with two in tow. Especially, since there usually are not huge audiences when disaster strikes....

Keeping walking and you will hit Green Acres Pool, a lovely park and picnic area trails behind

Rylyn rides a Little Tykes Pony at the park

Bible Reflections:

"O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You." Psalm 69:5

-I have been amazed at God's grace of late. I would be lying if I said I have not looked to my own sin to blame for Rylyn's illness. You know, was it something I did? God does not work that way. He wants me to choose to love Him and receive His grace on my own. He does not manipulate with ultimatums. When I feel hidden in the beauty of a park, I know He is there. I cannot hide my imperfections from Him, but that is okay, because His grace covers them completely.