Like Mother Like Son

I’ve been told that as a child, I had a tendency to sit down whatever was in my hand when I spotted something else more interesting. I think a lot of kids do this. My parents would often find my toys in strange places. Once, I was holding our poodle, Shelly, and decided to get a snack out of the refrigerator. Later that day, my mom found Shelly on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, shaking. Who knows how long she’d been there.

In the early 80’s, there was a commercial on, staring an Olympic runner. She was promoting the newest maxi pads. It was about this time that my parents found me putting maxi pads in my tennis shoes because I thought they’d make me run faster!

My mom used to tell me that I’d get payback, as a mother, for all of the headache that I caused my parents. I didn’t believe her until after Gabriel was born. I should have known that parenting him would be a glimpse into the life of my parents when I was young. He wasn’t even 10 months old (barely walking) when I found him sneaking into the refrigerator to steal a push up. There was also the time that I found him hoarding Smarties in the grill under the refrigerator and in his toy box so that he’d have a stash of candy for when he got a craving and we said no. He also thinks that he can read Keely’s mind and until recently, referred to himself as Gabriel Dufus Martin. His middle name is Joseph and he’s named after my very spirited Great Uncle Joe. Watch out who you name your kids after! Just kidding!

I have no idea why Matt and I were so surprised when a few weeks ago, he exited the bathroom, screaming and shaking with fear, because he thought he’d seen a lobster in the toilet. For the next week or so, he would only potty outside and would stand to poop. The most logical way for us to help him overcome this fear was teach him all we could about how impossible it would be for a lobster to live in our toilet. We spent a lot time talking about how lobsters and crabs only live near the ocean or at the beach, unless they are a pet, and how they’re more afraid of us than we are of them. We rented books from the library and even watched a documentary on animals that live at the beach. Matt even went as far as to give Gabe a lesson in the process of how our septic system works.

He started asking for a pet lobster and we decided that hermit crabs would be a good birthday present for him. In just a few days he was taking them out of their cage and letting them crawl all over his room and all over his hands and arms. The fear of using the toilet was also subsiding. Last week, we made our weekly grocery trip to Meijer and after one look at those lobsters in the seafood department; his fear was back in full force again. He’s still not afraid of Crabby and Frosty the hermit crabs, but is afraid of something coming up through the pipes and biting his privates went he’s on the toilet.

I don’t think I’m afraid of anything….except snakes, being in an ocean or lake when I can’t see my feet, ferris wheels and losing my kids in a public place. Okay, maybe a few things, and if can’t get over my fears, then I guess I can’ t blame Gabe for his. When I don’t know what to do about something we’re struggling with, I hand it over and stop worrying about it. I know it will pass.

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

So, here’s to lots of accidents because he holds it in when he has to potty, lots more reading and talking about how LOBSTERS DO NOT LIVE IN OUR TOILETS, LOTS OF PRAYER AND PATIENCE, and a really good story to tell him when he brings home his first girlfriend!

Some of our Fall/Halloween activities

Family Day last week: Matt took the day off and we went to a pumpkin patch and spent the day enjoying the beautiful fall weather. The kids were tired from all of the festivities so they had to ride the wagon to pick their pumpkins!

I'll keep the comment Matt made when I took this picture to myself!

This is Gabe's most wonderful class! Because of the most awesome Miss Nancy, I got to go with Gabe's class to the pumpkin patch last week, too! Aren't they cute?

Happy Halloween!

Spider!

While searching for Halloween costumes on the internet and in a magazine, Adri informed me that she didn't like any of the ones we saw, so she decided to create her own costume. She said, "I'm a silly princess!" She did a good job!

Mario! This is the first year that Nate didn't think it was too cool that we don't 'buy' our costumes. We use what we've got or I copy something that we find. Personally, I think this Mario is way cooler than the $40 ones we saw at the costume store! Nate later informed me that he noticed how original his costume was. "I saw a lot of Marios out there and no one had one like mine. I guess that makes mine even more special!" He's so awesome! It took a while, but he came around!

Matt and I are off this weekend to a marriage retreat in southern Michigan. Right now, the weather looks good up there and we all seem to be getting over our bug. Thank you and good luck, Mom, for taking on the challenge of caring for these monsters all weekend!