Aerospace Museum Mayhem

Good Morning. Yesterday was a great day for me and my big boy. We went to the Aerospace Museum of California. He got a chance to have a story read to him about astronauts flying to the moon. Then, we explored the museums displays of real planes used by our country's military and space programs. He actually explored the insides of World War II aircrafts. He was excited. I was excited. Gosh! Just seeing his face light up made my whole day.

Now, mind you, I was with a 4-year-old boy...open space...and aircraft. Yes, I had to chase him down a couple of times threatening to end our visit short. He was determined to run the whole entire experience. Many times I had to deepen my voice and command attention and obedience. It was hilarious. I couldn't let that show, of course, but it was funny at how excited and motivated he was to explore this space.

It was our first activity of the day. And, actually, our only outside activity for the day (our plans were thwarted). But it was a great day. One of my New Year's Resolves is to have more fun with my son!

Happy New Year's Eve Mommies!

Blessings,
Aurellia

Christmas for the Little One

Hello Moms! How has your Christmas season been thus far? Well, it's almost over. Are you excited for Christmas? For those of you who celebrate the Christmas holiday, I must tell you, this Christmas season has not been the cheeriest for me. I have been sick with an ear and sinus infection. Caring for a preschooler when ill is not the easiest. However, I have managed. I will say that being sick and having a demanding work schedule has taken a lot of the enthusiasm for Christmas out of me. But I am not complaining. I say all this to say that I have reflected on the meaning of Christmas through all of this.

I was the one who, while my son was in the utero said I was not going to participate with my child in the commercial nature of Christmas yet I found myself every year making a list of gifts for him. How far I strayed from my initial plan. But I found myself the last couple of days wondering how much of a Christmas I wanted my son to have. I wanted him to know that Christmas was not at all about getting a whole bunch of toys, but it was a birthday celebration for Jesus...Emmanuel...Messiah. I want him to know that. I don't think he really does. I have time, right?

As you and yours settle down and anticipate the morning light to gift each other with items of love, I want you to remember this: They are just that, gifts of Love...full of passion and sacrifice.

Blessings to you Moms out there in Cyberspace...Merry Christmas,
Aurellia

A Weekend of Mayhem

I don’t know about anyone else but being a mother of a 4-year-old is a lot of work. This past weekend was a tough one because I had so much to do around the house and I wasn’t feeling all that well…and none of this mattered to my son. He still wanted to carry on life as usual. He wanted to play…and play rough. He wanted to eat…and was very picky about what and when exactly he wanted to eat. His desires and my desires were on two different pages…all weekend.

And then comes Chuck E. Cheese…the place where a kid can be a kid. Really? Not my son. He had a birthday party of one of his classmates he was invited to. I reluctantly agreed to take him. He clung to me for dear life while all the other kids were being kids. Why was he so clingy you ask? Because he has this phobia of mascots. The moment we walked in his focus was on NOT seeing Chuck E. Cheese. He stomped and he cried, cried and he stomped to stay AWAY from the mascots on the stage (who by the way cannot move). To stay as far AWAY as possible from Chuck E. Cheese. I tell you, it was so aggravating. I maintained my cool as best as I could but it still irritated me.

And then I reminded myself (hours later while at home), he is 4-years-old. He flies by the seats of his initial emotions. His ability to control himself with a rational thought (“Mommy has a lot of work to do, let me go play by myself” or “This big thing they call Chuck E. Cheese is not going to eat me alive”) is VERY limited at this age and stage in life. So who needs to get a grip? Mom. And then I laugh at myself and re-commit to have empathy and think like a 4-year-old.

Have a great day, Moms.
Aurellia

Missing him at this moment...

Good Evening Moms! As you can see, I have changed some things about the blog. Hopefully this appeals to you.

Currently, I am away from my son volunteering for my church. Normally he would have been with me but the play our teens are putting on has a older person content that I would not like to subject him too. But nevertheless...

I definitely miss him. I have not seen him since last night. (He was sleeping when I left for work this morning.) You know what I miss most? His naughty antics. Missing that is weird, I know. But it is who he is right now. He is in his naughty antic stage right now and that is who he is...and I miss him...and naughty antics is him now. Lol.

What do we outside of the home working moms do when duty calls but so does the longing in our hearts to be with our children? For me, I pray. For me, I have to tell myself that both working and being a mother are my calling. It doesn't get easier but it helps.

Blessings to you working moms,
Aurellia