Mama Bear

It is so hard as a mother to see your kids picked on and treated wrongly. It makes your blood boil and makes you want to spit fire. Just as an actual mama bear viciously protects her cubs, we automatically want to protect our children from everything. We are their best advocates and defenders. So when does it become innappropriate to intervene on their behalf?

Picture this. The other day I was in the pool relaxing with Natalie when I looked over at Nolan waiting in line to go off the diving board. He was enthusiastically talking to a teenage boy about something. And for those of us who know Nolan, when he is excited, everyone around him knows. He jumped up and down and excitedly brought his hands up to his face in a fist. After a minute of talking, the teenager proceeded to completely mock and imitate Nolan right to his face. My stomach immediately fell, my heart started racing, and I wanted to cry for him. I wanted to march on over there and give that boy a piece of my mind. "He has autism! That's why he's hopping around. Don't make fun of him!", I wanted to shout. But I paused. I watched and waited to see what would transpire. And nothing else did. So I later casually asked Nolan if someone was making fun of him over by the diving boards. And he was oblivious to the whole situation. He was so excited over what he was telling the teenager, that he didn't even notice him mocking him.

Now as I look back, I wish I would have pulled the boy aside, away from Nolan and explained the situation calmly to him. I wish I would have opened his little teenage mind to educate him a little about autism. But at that moment, I was seeing red so there would have been nothing calm about my response. This parenting gig is so hard sometimes! I just want to put my kids in a bubble and protect them from everything and everyone bad in this world. But it doesn't work like that. I just pray that they learn from experiences like these. That they learn to treat others kindly and fairly. And I pray for the wisdom and insight to handle situations like God wants me to. I sure know I can't do it on my own!

One Liners

To Whom He May Have Offended,

I would like to apologize for my son these days. He is in the habit of spouting off one liners. These one liners are mostly from movies that he watches. And his movie of choice these days is one of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. You see, I've kind of resorted to lazy parenting lately. Him watching this movie over and over again, day after day results in an hour and a half of blissful SILENCE. So he may sound rude and blunt as he recites movie lines, but he means well. That's his way of conversing with people when he doesn't know what to talk about. It's just his way. I'm not making excuses for him. I'm just explaining why he says what he says. So if he says something totally off the wall, which he often does, just smile, nod, and say, "That's nice." It's probably a line out of a movie.

Sincerely,

Nolan's Mom

Another Chance

After many years of discussing having a fourth child, Gary and I were blessed with a pregnancy in July of 2009. Unfortunately, that pregnancy ended in miscarriage on July 12th of that year. Exactly a year later to the day, our fourth child, Natalie Annelle was born. A year ago today she came into the world weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was welcomed into the world by her 3 older siblings. God gave us another chance to be parents again. I choose not to see her being born a year later as a coincidence. I choose to see it as a blessing from God. An answered prayer. She is the perfect completion to our family. And she has brought all of us even closer together. She makes us laugh every day as she develops into her own little person. She's goofy, happy, and curious, and keeps all of us on our toes. We couldn't imagine our lives without her. Happy 1st birthday to my baby girl.

First Time Mom

Ten years ago today, I became a mother for the first time. Brendan William Rogers was born two weeks early weighing 8 lbs. 2oz. And my life changed forever. It changed for the better. I became a little less selfish and a lot more selfless. Gary and I went from a couple to a family. I wanted and prayed for a boy first, and God answered those prayers. He is now ten years later a thoughtful, tender-hearted boy who cares so much about his family. He is witty, smart, and creative and loves trying new things that interest him. I tell him on a regular basis that God gave him to us first for a reason. He is the perfect first born child and usually steps up to his big brother roll. (This includes the typical big brother whopping on little brother.:)) I am proud to be his mom. Even though I sometimes long for those days when he was a toddler traipsing around in his colorful galoshes, I also look forward to seeing him as a young man some day. Happy Birthday to my firstborn son!

Ode to My Second Born

Eight years ago tomorrow (30 minutes from now), we were blessed with our second son, Nolan Laytham Rogers. Because he was breech, he was taken by C-section 2 weeks early and weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. Our lives forever changed. We now had two boys to enjoy. Since that day, it has truly been a joy to be his mother. He has taught me more about life than any of my other children. We have had our challenges along the way, but they pale in comparison to the joys, laughter, and love he has brought into Gary and I's lives. He has overcome so much in the last several years of his life and will have to overcome many more obstacles in life for the years to come. But his family will be here right alongside him. Just a few of the things we love about Nolan:

*The simple things in life bring him happiness.

*He is a hard worker.

*He is sharp and witty.

*He loves to be around other people.

*He would sweep your driveway, take your trash out, rake your yard, or vacuum your house in a heartbeat.

*What you see is what you get. He is an open book. And I love that about him. (Most of the time.:))

*He wears his heart on his sleeve.

*He loves his brother and sisters with all his heart. Their relationship is not perfect, but it will last for their whole lives.

*And he loves God.

Happy 8th birthday to my sweet son, Nolan!

Life in Moderation

Lately I've been thinking about how life in moderation can help me live life to its fullest. Sounds funny, right? Let me explain. Over five months ago I started accounting for every piece of food I put into my mouth. I started eating in moderation and the results are better than I even hoped for. I feel better, have more energy, and can enjoy my life more. Especially when it comes to doing things with my kids. Now I'm looking to other areas in my life where I can do things more moderately. Next up, monitoring what comes out of my mouth. Proverbs 18:20-21 says, "People will be rewarded for what they say; they will be rewarded by how they speak. What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded." This is a CONSTANT struggle for me, especially on those more stressful days as a mother. I am sometimes disappointed in myself at what has come out of my mouth. The words and tone of voice that have not been spoken with care. I am trying to be more mindful about what I say and how I say it. I am a work in progress. And thankfully those loved ones around me are forgiving and love me despite my shortcomings.

Journal for My Kids

After rehashing my blog a few months ago out of boredom, I realized that this place here is a pretty good way to "journal" and document life for my kids. When they are older, hopefully they'll take a gander at some of my thoughts and passions for life and know me better. So after a year of not posting, here I am again.

These paintings right here are the results of a color study I did on miniature canvases. This was the last time I sat down to create, which was over a YEAR ago. I will eventually get back to finding my creative outlet. Life is just busy and a little overwhelming at times right now. But I wouldn't change it for anything. And as a mother I am Blessed to see the ultimate Creator's handiwork in each one of my children. During those stressful mothering moments, I need to step back and remember that they are His masterpieces given especially to my husband and I as a gift. I read a quote about creation a while back that really spoke to me. It's by Max Lucado:

"The hand behind it was mighty. He is mighty. And with this might, He created. As naturally as a bird sings and a fish swims, He created. Just as an artist can't not paint and a runner can't not run, He couldn't not create. He was the Creator. Through and through, He was the Creator. A tireless dreamer and designer." So beautiful and so true.