So, my friend Amy posted this list of questions on her blog and I had so much fun answering it that I decided to post it here too. If you know Amy, make sure to send your responses to her by email.
The last time my child made me laugh had to be the morning Alex told me he was sure that he actually had the force, see previous posting for details!
I carve out time for myself the same way Amy does, by running at 5:45. In addition to being quiet, it's also not 4000 degrees outside before the sun rises.
The television mom I'm most like has got to be Mrs. Incredible/Elastigirl: I'm married to a guy who does it all, I occasionally lose it, and boy do I wish I could stretch like that!
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my child is going for a great hike. Alex has been a hiker since he was a baby. All my kids learn to love the Kelty backpack at a young age.
The one thing I wish I had known about parenting before I became a parent is the sheer volume of poop that is involved! Actually, I wish I'd known how much I needed to learn all those lessons about patience that God was trying to teach me. I never considered myself an intemperate person until I had kids.
The most important life lesson I want my child to learn...well there are lots of candidates: You don't have to agree with people about everything in order to get along and be friends, Never be afraid to admit you don't know, Women deserve your respect just because they are women, but not all of them will deserve your trust (for my sons), God ALWAYS keeps his promises....
The invention I wish I could create to make my life easier is a laundry folding and pressing machine. I hate folding laundry and I hate ironing. I never feel like the laundry is actually done..
My most embarassing parenting moment is the time that the lady at Target had to ask my kids to behave themselves. You know things are bad when an employee at big box store notices anything, let alone how poorly behaved your sons are.
The future parenting moment I fear the most is the boys first encounter with pornography. Will I have taught them well enough that they'll make the right choice, or will they ruin their lives in that brief but fateful moment?
My proudest moment as a parent was just last week. We were out for a walk and Ryan crashed on his bike about 100 yards ahead of Mom and Dad. I watched with wet eyes as Alex jumped off his bike, scooped his brother off the ground and held him close until Mom and Dad could get there. Oh, he also moved their bikes out of the road so that they wouldn't get run over!
The thing about my younger self that I'd like to reclaim, other than my waistline, is my ability to let the yellow come out in my personality. I don't spend as much time just laughing, enjoying where I am and doing spontaneous and silly things.
If I could change places with anyone, living or dead, it would be...still a mystery, I couldn't come up with someone.
The most fun thing about being a Mom is being able to be at home with my kids. I know all about them. I know what little things they like, I know their favorite foods, shirts, toys, movies, songs, etc. I know what makes them happy and sad, and how to read the emotions on their faces (most of the time). I get to watch them as they learn life's lessons and learn lessons from watching them.
The hardest thing about being a Mom is wondering if you've spent the time the way you should. There's never enough time for everything and I sometimes wonder if we've done the most important things..
I realized I had turned into my mother when I look at my calendar. My Mom is the world's busiest lady. She tells me she does it to avoid the family curse of laziness. I think I'm doing the same thing.
I get my kids to eat fruits and vegetables by cooking good food. I don't have to twist arms, they've just learned to eat good stuff. The other night, Josh looked at me weird because I told Alex he had to eat his meat before he could have any more carrots!
The last books I read to my kids were, for Alex:
The Indian in the Cupboard, The Witches, Treasure Island, The Tale of Despereaux and
Stone Fox; and for Ryan:
Honey, Honey, Lion, The Berenstain Bears, The Little Duck, Eating the Alphabet, and
Dr. Suess's ABC Book.
Before I turn off the lights at bedtime, I say to my boys: "Don't get out of bed again unless there's a fire." Then after I calm down, I go in and say, "Good night, Mama loves you."
The favorite traditions I share with my children are celebrating Birthdays, including Luke's, watching Star Wars on sick days, and Family Home Evening.
My favorite place to take my children is home to my Mom and Dad's house.
Something that no one knows about me.... is still a secret. What you think I'm going to tell you?
I hope my kids inherit the guilt-free attitude that I inherited from my Mom. What a gift! I don't spend a lot of time feeling guilty, being depressed or agonizing. I just get up and get going and hope to do better today than I did yesterday.
The kids toy or game I will never understand is Candyland. That must be the dumbest game ever invented! I also don't understand how boys get so into video games that nothing else in life matters.
The most ingenious invention for kids is the "Toothtunes" toothbrush. I love that thing! No more arguments over brushing.
The kids snack that I am most likely to be caught eating is Cheez n' Crackers. I can't help it, even with the processed cheese!
If I had an "I'd rather be" bumper sticker on my car, it would be... naturally gorgeous! Wouldn't it be nice just to pop out of bed and skip the morning routine, not to mention slog through the night-time routine before you fall into bed?
