Comparison Chart

 

Comparisons.  We all do it. We all struggle with it.  Social media makes it so much worse.  They have such a nice car.  They have such a nice house.  Her husband is so sweet.  She has great hair, skin, abs, whatever.  They go on so many vacation etc etc etc.  It is truly toxic! Do we really think about what is going on in those photos we see? Do we really need to compare our clothes, kids, cars, homes lives to those of others?

It happened to me.  I caught myself (in church nonetheless).  I am human.  Thankfully I am also SAVED and God showed me quickly.  Don't do it; appreciate the things you have; you're doing a great job mama.  

So what happened exactly.  Well...... For Sunday night service we take our kids to Children's church.  My son is three and my daughter is two.  This night there were three other children in class besides mine, two at age four, and one at age two.  The teacher told a story and asked questions.  Do you know who this is?..... BABY JESUS two of the kids yelled (not mine).  And who is this..... BIG JESUS.... and what is he doing.... TEACHING.... and what is this?? THE CROSS... and what did Jesus do here?  HE DIED FOR US....and what is this?  THE TOMB! and what happened here?  JESUS ROSE!  My kids didn't utter the first peep.  (side note: I stayed in class because my kid wrapped around my leg and started to cry when I tried to leave).  Anyway, next task, color the pictures from the story we just discussed, cut them out, and let's make a book.  My son, out loud, for the teacher's and other mom to hear "I don't know how to color!" my response, "yes you do silly, here hold your crayon like we work on" ... my son "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HOLD A CRAYON"
So at this point I'm looking at my son like:

Because I'M EMBARASSED! Because MY KID doesn't know/feel comfortable holding a crayon.  Because MY KID does not know how to/like to color.  And because MY KID can't talk fluently about Jesus like I THINK he should....Because MY KID wrapped around my leg and threw a fit when I tried to leave....

So on the way home I start telling Adam about how far behind Cray is and how he can't color, and he can't answer questions like the other kids.  COMPARING HIM TO OTHER KIDS, AND COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHER MOMS BECAUSE I THINK I HAVE FAILED.  And this is why I love my husband so much... he says "Tiff don't compare Cray to other kids, he's fine, we're fine... you need to ask yourself, will cray be where those kids are in ten months?"  So I say Cray, can you tell Dad what we learned in class.  He gets out his little book "Dad, this is baby Jesus, and he died for us, because he loves us so much, and then he Rose and went to heaven, and we will see him one day" 

Thanks God.  Thank you for reminding me.  Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it Proverbs 22:6.  

Thank you for showing me that their may be reasons why my kid doesn't write as well as other kids.  Maybe because instead of doing writing lessons we play super heroes.  We chase each other through the house fighting crime, saving the day, with dart guns, ducking behind the island while Adam tries to chase us.  Thank you God for showing me.

 

 

 

There may be a reason my kid wraps around my legs and won't let me leave a room.  Maybe it's because I work all day every day and when they see me they want to hold on a little longer.  Thank you God for sweet hugs and kisses and loving smiles that prove how much my kids adore me.  Thank you for that assurance that I am doing a good job; regardless of how many story questions they can't answer, and what kind fit they throw when I try to leave.   

 

 

 

Don't compare mama.  Don't wish you had what they have, don't wish you're doing what they're doing.  God has you exactly where he intended you to be.  Your little family is doing exactly what they need to be doing.  And if you are teaching them the best you can to Love Jesus, and Love others HE will continue to keep things just so.   

Ever have one of those days...

I know from the title you must be thinking she's had one of those awful terrible days.  But no, not this time, there was nothing in the world that could have ruined this day. This was one of those days that God created for your family to enjoy each other, enjoy the company, enjoy the smiles, every single giggle. 

 

I normally work Monday-Friday every week but this week I had a customer flying in from MA to pick up a van; so I swapped my Saturday for an impromptu Friday.  Bill is the customer's name and he flew into Atlanta from Brewster Massachusetts to purchase a van from me.  Another reason why I love my job, getting to meet customers from all over the place! Thanks Bill! And thanks for coming on a Saturday so I could have an amazing Friday with my family.... story continues.

So we decided randomly to head to Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, TN.  and my good ness did we have a great day!  Here's me and my babes before the adventures started. 
 

 

We played and played and played some more.  This was both of my kids first time at a waterpark.  While we played at the kiddy section my husband, his sister, and cousin rode all the big rides.  The adults had a blast too!

 

 

 

After a couple hours Cray-man zonked out!

 

After FIVE HOURS at the park we headed to have some dinner and had a great time walking around the Island. See Palmy and her handsome daddy. These two melt my heart.  I never knew it was possible to love someone more and more every day.

 

There was this really cool mime.  HE looked so much like a statue it was incredible.  Palmer didn't think he was too cool.  

 

We wound down the day with a crow-nut from this awesome sweet shoppe.  If you haven't tried one you haven't lived.  GO NOW!  And of course some Palmy lovin.

 

I as a mom (a working mom especially) long for days like this.  When my kids are happy, when my husband is having fun and happy.  Those days that are full of smiles, and hugs, and love yous.  The days that you look at your husband in those swim trunks; and even though he doesn't look the same as he did 10 years ago he's still the most handsome thing you've ever seen. Those days where everything is appreciated, everything is cherished, and everything is enjoyed. This was one of those days that God created for your family to enjoy each other, enjoy the company, enjoy the smiles, every single giggle.  

 

Enjoy them mama.  They are precious. 

It's been a while.

I haven't blogged in a long time....
Well FOREVER. I have totally dropped the ball.  My last post was from 2013.

A lot has happened since we last met.

I had a little girl.

This is Palmer McCall Tallent.  She is almost TWO now.  She's the most awesome little girl on the planet.  She loves to read books.  She's SASSY.  She's sweet. She's HILARIOUS.  I call her a little pixie cause she's so tiny.  She's just wonderful.  She has my heart.

And this is Cray.  Ya'll haven't seen him in a while.  He is three now! He is such a SWEETHEART! He is the most kind child you will ever meet.  He loves everybody, and everybody is his friend.  He has my heart too.

And here's Adam. still doing his thing.  Coaching.  Being an awesome dad.  and still melting my heart every single day.

We sold our house.  Rented for a whole year.  and built a brand new house.  On my great grandmother's old property.  In the "holler" where I grew up as a child.  My kids love it as much as I did. 

 

I am back at it and promise to do better this time.  Looking forward to starting to blog again! Stay tuned.