I'll never know.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were convinced you just knew how future events were going to play out?  You just had a hunch based either from instincts or past dealings that somehow made you "know" what lied ahead? Yes, me too.

Well, this story is not about one of those times.  In fact, quite the opposite.

This is about Titus and how he continues to surprise me.

About two weeks ago, my friend Lydia told me about the swim lessons she had signed her girls up for.  They sounded perfect and I have been wanting to get the boys in a class for sometime. So I decided to follow suit an inquire about getting them in too even though it started the very next week.  The only other tiny snag was that the children needed to be potty trained.  

And then there was silence....

If you remember about a month or two ago Titus and I attempted Potty training 101 and it turned out more like Potty train-wrecking 103.  

Needless to say, I told Titus that if he wanted to take the swim lessons he needed to learn to use the potty.. all within 4 days.  (I sometimes like challenges.) 

Mommy: "Titus, if you want to take swim lessons, you need to use the potty from now on.  Do you think you can?"  

Titus: A slow nod in the up and down direction

Mommy:"Okay, let's take your diaper off."

And here is where the story pretty much ends.  

Titus never looked back.  He had a few minor accidents the first two days, but overall there was no training involved.  No liquid force feeding.  No reward stickers or incessant candy consuming.  No potty bear video's to watch.  No bribery at it finest.  Really, not even reminders or asking if he needed to use the potty. 

He just did it.  One day a diaper consumer, the next a potty professional.

Was it the swim lesson incentive?  Or maybe it was that he had just turned 3 and three seems to be the magic number with many boys?  Or maybe both?  Really, I don't know.  And I'm okay with that.  After all, I haven't changed a dirty diaper in almost two weeks.  Why get bogged down with needing all the answers?

If any of you are secretly upset I have gotten off easy, I can assure you it's all been made up for at those swim lesson that Titus has so been looking forward to.  We have had three sessions and he's cried and protested at every one of them!

In the words of my sweet mother, "If it's not one thing, it's another." ;)

Here are a few pictures from Jarrod and Titus' favorite passtime...CAKE!  They shared a birthday cake at Meme and Poppy's house! 

Yes, you are seeing a 2 and a 7 on the cake.  Jarrod prefers to keep his age private from now on. :)

Cousin Mattie!

Josiah and Aunt Tidy (Tyree).

Cousin Josie and MeMe!

Speaking his language...

Happy Birthday my Love...

You are the honey on my waffle with peanut butter.....

You are the blue cheese in my salad.....

You are the cream and xylitol in my coffee...

You are the lemon and cilantro on my tilapia fish....

You are the brown sugar in my oatmeal....

You are the artichokes in my pesto pasta....

You are the soy sauce in my stir-fry....

Bottom line___________________________________________

Everything is better when you're in it.

Food in the hierarchy

Several nights ago,  Jarrod was out of town and it was one of those days that warranted a blue chicken dinner.

Josiah was in heaven.  At the end of the meal he said, "Thanks for dinner Mom.  I love this dinner." 

Trying to be cute, I replied with "and I-love-YOU."

Josiah said, "No mommy, I didn't say I loved you, I was saying I love the chicken and the bread and the lettuce."

okay..well then...

I know my place in this family.  Food always comes first.

Happy Mother's day...to me

I've been blessed with a sweet mother's day-probably the best yet. Now I know as I write this it's not actually mother's day yet. And it is only my 4th time experiencing the holiday as a Mom, but trust me... it's been a good one.

To tell you about it I must first fill you in on last thanksgiving. In particular, Josiah's school thanksgiving program. The preschool he attends put on a thanksgiving recital type thing and about 25 or so of the 4 year old's sang a few songs for the parents. As I sat in the auditorium with all the other Moms and Dads, I was prepared for a sweet mommy moment, but a few minutes into it I braced for something quite different. As Josiah made his way up the bleachers I noticed he had a deer in the headlights look on his face. His big eyes were scanning back and forth the auditorium looking for me. As soon as we made eye contact it was all over. Tears started forming and his little face read fear all over it. He tried to wade through, but the terror only worsened and he broke into full fledged crying. After what felt like an eternity, the director walked over and lead him off the stage. We spent the rest of the program sitting in the audience watching the other children sing.

As soon as we left and headed home, I called Jarrod who was out of town at the time, and shared what had happened. In a classic mommy moment I tried to conceal my tears, but lamented about how his fear of being on stage was some how a result of my poor parenting skills, blah, blah, blah. Jarrod in no way minced words and basically told me to stop being ridiculous. I think his exact words were "Christie, you need to repent." :) I love my husband, really.

Fast forward to last month, I got a newsletter from the school announcing the children would be hosting a Mother's Day Tea. My heart sank after learning that yet again they would be singing songs.

Needless to say, Josiah consistently came home practicing his songs. We talked about the tea and what it meant to be brave even if we were scared. We prayed about the tea. I wouldn't be surprised if we dreamt of the darn tea party.

A week before the tea, Josiah finished practicing one of his songs and said, "Mommy, you'll be so happy if I sing the songs?"

Yes, I will be so happy."

"Mommy, you will be so sad if I don't sing them?"

I'll be a little sad, but I'll love you no matter what Josiah."

"Mommy, he said, I'm going to sing them."

Of course that conversation was enough for me no matter what the outcome. But what unfolded at the tea will always be one of my most prized memories.

As I approached the classroom, Josiah's teacher was standing at the door, and before I knew it Josiah came darting out the door to meet me. His smile was gigantic. I could tell he was a little nervous, but more excited. He took my hand and lead me into where we would sit. I think his teacher had instructed the kids to pull out the chair for their mommies. However, when we got to my chair we just stood in front of it for a few seconds and then Josiah looked up at me and said "I love you Mommy." I'm speculating that he forgot about the chair, but was remembering he was suppose to do something nice at the moment :) And nice it was indeed.

As we waited for the other mom's to arrive Josiah told me all about what was to happen. He was going to bring punch from the punch bowl and then bring me four cookies. I can't describe the joy I felt watching my little man bring over the punch and cookies. I think what made it so special was the skip in his step and what appeared like the pride and joy he had in serving his mommy. (at least that's my story which I'm sticking to.)

As we enjoyed the punch and cookies, of which he ate 3 and half (he is after all a boy), I received multiple unsolicited hugs. I felt like an adored queen.

And then the time had come....to sing.

As His teacher called the kids up Josiah and I looked at each other and and in a blink of an eye he was gone. He was the first one to make his way up there. Who was this child?

Here they are singing "I Have a Friend." (Josiah would be the tall one by the way).

For some reason the Tea was a most unforgettable time for me. I can't find the words to describe it completely. No tangible gift could ever surpass it. I am so thankful.

I am also grateful for Josiah's first real lesson in "facing fears and second trys." I imagine, for him, the experience was triumph at it's best. For me, it was the grace of God epitomized.

Thank you Jesus.

Josiah's Artwork. A self-portrait in the center.

This was taken right before they sang...

Josiah and Mommy enjoying the Tea!

the both-same

I love this picture Jarrod's Dad took.  There is something peaceful about it.  I also love how it captures just how much Jarrod and Josiah look alike.   I am still fascinated by Josiah's resemblance to Jarrod.  Sometimes I'll just stare back and forth at them in awe.  And what's even more amazing is how similar Josiah and Jarrod are in their behavior and personality.  They are two peas in  pod!  
I know that technically and scientifically I contributed chromosomes and DNA to Josiah, but sometimes I wonder....  I mean, I've yet to see any evidence.
Except.. for the "bothsame" discovery that happened not too long ago.  I can't describe the joy I felt when I stumbled upon it.  It was by accident.  I think Josiah and I were snuggling on the couch and I was holding his hand looking at his fingers.  Somehow his thumb bent backward and my thoughts jumped to make the connection.  Josiah has the same double jointedness in his thumb as me!!  The proof is in the thumbs. 

 

I'm sure he thought I was nuts at how excited I was, but I showed him how Mommy and he had the same thumbs.  I'm sorry if this grosses you out a bit, but I need to show you all..

    

          This is my hand.  My thumb use to be more flexible, 

           but has gotten more rigid  in my old age.

Here is Josiah's.  Note the flexibility.

Suffice it to say, I've completely capitalized on this commonality of ours.  I love making a big deal about it.  Josiah's joined in too.  Every few days he'll randomly call out to me and say "Mommy, we have the 'both-same' thumbs." 

 

That's right buddy, you really are mine.

Jones Family van dancing

A classic! Josiah and Titus (and Jarrod) in the van singing and dancing to Mat Kearney's Closer to Love.

for daddy

Dear Dad,

Mommy has told us all about your trip to kigago  (chicago).  She told us that you are very, very busy.  Thank you for working hard so that we will have food and a house and toys.

We want you to know this... 

p.s will you be home tomorrow?