SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

For about a week now Garrett has been getting up for about 2 hours in the middle of the night, crying/screaming. It was never this bad even when he was an infant. He’s been to the doctor twice in a week. I was pleading with the doctor to find something wrong, and in essence, give him something to make him better. Needless to say, he’s fine. I truly am grateful for that. However, I must be destined to have children that don’t sleep through the night. You know, it’s usually the first thing people ask you after you have a baby, “How are they sleeping”? After about the fourth month after Marschall was born, I began dreading that question from people. Still do, second child still doesn’t sleep through the night. I hear about friends who say after 6-10 weeks, their baby sleeps through the night. To make myself feel better (I say in my head) I think they are lying. I have done everything I feel I can do. Everyone says let them cry it out. I think the ones that say that have never heard a child scream for longer than an hour. It is pure torture, especially in the middle of the night. Pete and I always say before we go to bed, lets try and let him cry it out. Sure enough, 1:00am rolls around and I am trying to do anything I can to get Garrett to stop. Each monthly birthday that he has, I keep hoping that the sleeping will be better. Not too long ago, Pete and I were noticing that Marschall has stopped getting up in the middle of the night and he’s three. Oh gosh, that doesn’t seem to bring me much comfort. Oh well, this too shall pass, I suppose. On a positive note, I have been able to catch some of the late night shows that I use to watch in college. Cable run repeats of Leno and Conan from the 2:00-4:00 am hours. I am like my own TV guide channel, I can tell you what shows come on what time all through out the night.
Thankfully, I don't blog in the middle of the night or I would probably have to change my blog title to, "Take this job and shove it". HA,HA

He is Risen!

Easter weekend has been extra special these past few years for me. Today is Marschall’s Birthday; he was born on Good Friday 3 years ago. We had a really busy weekend, with two parties for Marschall on Saturday and then Easter Day festivities after church.
This past Easter was the first time we tried to tell Marschall what Easter is all about. He watched a children’s version of the Passion movie. Some parts had to be fast forwarded through; even the animated version was pretty violent for a 3 year old. I have these moments that I want to tell Marschall all about Jesus and what He did for him on the cross. We have shared about Jesus with him to some extent. I begin to wonder and think how is he going to understand it all. But then I am reminded that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven”. I am amazed what Marschall can comprehend about a lot of different things. Why should I second-guess what the Lord can do in a little heart that He created? Faith like a child is how the Lord asks us to trust him.
I am amazed at the responsibility, as parents, we have to impart the Truth to our children. I read something in a book recently, “Children learn with ease what they are taught early, whether from TV violence and pornography, or from life-changing biblical information…” Violence and pornography are obvious things we won’t let Marschall be exposed to, but what about things that just distract him enough from the Truth of God? I am amazed that the two biggest Christian holidays that are celebrated have some other secular distraction associated with them. I won’t get into are you for or against the Easter bunny. However, Easter is a celebration of a life-changing event for those who accept who Jesus is. How does the Easter bunny and dyed Easter eggs relate to salvation? Things that make you hummm…..

Suckers and a Fast ride


Yesterday, my mom and I, took Garrett and Marschall to Southpoint mall to meet my sister and her boyfriend for lunch. Of course, shopping was part of our goal too. We do this every so often when my mom is out of school. It’s always an adventure to say the least! I have found some new tricks that work for Marschall to be able to handle a few hours of shopping. We have two strollers, one for Marschall and one for Garrett. I had a bag full of snacks and candy for Marschall. In order to keep Marschall in his seat and hands off the clothing racks we had to stroll him at a fast cardio walking pace and keep handing him suckers. He went through 3 suckers, which lasted about 15-20 minutes each and a bag of mini oreos. So I figured we had about 1 hour of focused shopping time,(I think we were there for about 4 hours.) We really only stayed in the main mall area because we could only go so fast in Nordstrom. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it… but better to go and do what I love, even if I don’t get to peruse all the stores at my own leisure. It beats not going at all. I even made out with a shirt and a pair of shoes that matched!

PS~ Regarding our beach trip, we had a wonderful time away, I think I have unpacked everything by now and the suitcases are put away. The kids did great, minus Marschall’s throwing up virus that lasted 3 hours in the middle of the night on the Friday we left.