Stages of Life and Conversations with Joseph

I have a 3 year old. Need I say more? This age and stage of life has really made me feel like a mom. I actually have to be a parent now and it's not like just having a baby around who you just have to make sure is fed, bathed, put down for naps, and make sure they don't get themselves in to too much danger. Having a three year old keeps me busy, tired, on my toes, holds me accountable, basically, I have to do my job.

I love my little big man, but this age has had its ups and downs. I remember my wonderful sister in law, Lindsay, telling me a while back that it wasn't the 'terrible two's' for her, it was the three's that were hard. I couldn't agree more. I once had a professor that told me that she loved having children because they cause you to go through so many different feelings and emotions. They can bring love, make you laugh, cry, and even make you mad. I feel like I have finally reached that point.

You know those phrases you have heard throughout your life and you wonder, "Where did that come from?" Maybe they were said to you or maybe you just heard them in passing. For example: (Some, I am not going to finish because I try to adhere to Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up....") (FYI, I have never said any of these to any of my children.)

-"Don't make me break my foot off in......."

-"Boy, I brought you into this world, I can take you out."

-"Don't make me go country...."

-"Man, if I had a rubber hose, I would beat...."

I have come to the conclusion that these phrases were coined when these individuals were parents of three year olds. Just the down right defiance and sassiness can be challenging. But as much of a challenge this age is, I love being with him and can't imagine my day without him. Now as a mother of a three year old, I am seeing Proverbs 22:6 coming to life, "Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Before I had children I couldn't imagine at what age you would start pouring the word of God into a child's life, and now I am amazed that it starts at such a young age. As much as I want to say, "Because I said so," I am trying/learning (after all, I have only been a mother for only 3 years) to bring scripture to surface since that is more effective than the four words above.

Having a 3 year old has its challenges, but it also has its fun times, and one of those right now is the conversations we have. Below are some conversations that I wrote down the day he said them because I thought they were worth remembering.

Me: *opening up my birthday card which contained money* "Woohhooo!"

Joe:"What Mama?"

Me: "Mimi and Papaw gave me a lot of birthday money."

Joe: "You going to give it to God?"

Me: "Ummmm....."

M: *I see Joe taking bread into his room, which is a no-no* "Joe, take your bread back to your room."

J: "Huh?"

M: "Take your bread back to your room."

J: "It is!"

M: "No it's....oh, I mean take your bread back to the kitchen."

J: *See's a hummer* "Mama, look there's Papaw."

M: "That's not him, but you are right, he drives a hummer and Mimi drives a car."

J: "No, Mimi not drive a car."

M: "Yes she does."

J: "No, Mimi drives a race car."

(I tried posting a picture, but she drives 2009 Honda Accord...pretty sweet ride)

J: "Mama, can I have a drink of your coke?"

M: "Nope."

J: "Mama, you're not going to share your coke?"

I love this kid!