You know-there are several things I've been thinking upon lately that no one really prepares you for as a mother. For instance:
1. The intricacies of disassembling and then reassembling sippy cups. Who tells you that it takes a rocket scientist to put together these 'no spill' cups?!? And the husband doing it?!? Forget it. The directions need to say: "Must have a lot of patience and be very detail-oriented to do this correctly." It's really not that each one is difficult. It's when you buy a variety of them (trying to find the most non-spill kind), and then you unload the dishwasher and see the mountain of cups, lids, valves, straws, etc. looming in front of you.
2. Having to explain to your four year old about cars. All the questions about windshield wipers (why none on the sides?) and brake lights (why are their red lights on?) and blinkers, seatbelts, horns, filling up with gas, you name it. Had no idea the curiousity about vehicles.
3. Koolaid! I made them Koolaid for the first time this week. Abby saw the packet in the store and asked about it. In my mind I thought, "I drank Koolaid all the time growing up...why not?" Then I made it and realized you put in a WHOLE CUP OF SUGAR!!! (Mom-this is not a judgment on you). Somehow we weren't allowed to drink soda growing up, but we could have Koolaid?!? After giving my kids a glass each and then dealing with them bouncing off the walls for over an hour, I poured the rest down the drain. Thanks, but no thanks.
4. The magnetism to toilet water. I know I would've freaked out more if it was my first child...but my dear son seems to love toilet water. Let's just say I'm taking a supersonic fast shower, I hear the toilet mechanisms and realize 10 seconds too late that Ben has a Dixie cup in his hand, a mouthful of water, and a wet shirt up to his elbows. Yes, I'm assuming he got thirsty and decided the toilet was better than nothing. How do you undo the damage that has already been done? All while being wet and naked jumping out of the shower to stop the fella? Gag a few times and pray that the immune system works the way God created it? I swear I watch him like a hawk and he still gets things past me. It hasn't just been a one time occurrence either. (And I have to add...this is in a house where you have to still remind the 4 year old to flush....thankfully the two occasions have not met each other).
5. Explaining the story of Jesus. Oh-this was a heartwrencher. I was coloring with Abby the other day and we started talking about Easter. I asked her if she knew what Easter was about. I took a deep breath, prayed a quick prayer for just the right words, and told her about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and why He did it...Him rising from the dead, being in heaven, etc. (Talk about feeling so vulnerable and inadequate right then and there.) She even said, "Jesus lives in heaven, but He also can live in people's hearts!" I explained that a bit more in very elementary terms. I asked her if she wanted to pray to Jesus and ask Him to live in her heart. She said, "No, not right now. Maybe later." Then we kept coloring. A few days later, she randomly said, "Mom. How did Jesus get to heaven? Did he grow wings and fly up there?" So I know the thoughts are still churning in her mind.
There's more...but I have to start dinner now.
