My precious Katie turned 2 last week. I had high hopes for her birthday. Hopes that she would look like this…
My 2 year old! THE cutest toddler in the world 🙂
Instead, Katie looked like this…
She needed daddy 🙁
When Katie threw up at our new friends’ house the night before, I should have known that she was graciously forewarning me. (It’s not embarrassing at all to have your child throwing up on the Hostess’ dining room floor the first time you are invited over for dinner… sigh)
I should have let go of my mommy desire to “give-her-the-best-party-ever-even-though-she-has-no-idea-what-is-going-on-because-that-is-what-everyone-on-Pinterest-is-doing” kind of birthday celebration.
And yet, as soon as I looked into her blue eyes, I knew that poor Katie was sick. Instead of giggles, presents, and Chick-Fil-A playground Heaven, I found myself covered in her throw up and on my knees cleaning the carpet.
{trust me, you don’t want me to post a picture of what I looked like here}
By lunchtime, I started feeling sad for her and me, frustrated that the day had been ruined until it happened. I shook the can of Woolite carpet cleaner, aimed at the puke stain in the carpet and sprayed. Within seconds, I skillfully coated my fingers, the wall, and the kids’ toys with cleaner instead of the ghastly puke stain.
Note to self: check to see where the cleaner actually comes out—is the hole in the side or top of the bottle spout? Also, note that it is dangerous to be in the middle of a pity party while cleaning.
The offending spray can! See, doesn’t it look like the spray should come out the side? Just sayin’…
I gotta confess to you: Looking at the foam covered walls and toys made me… laugh. My 3 year old son looked confused as he said “mommy made a mess, Oopsie!” Then he started to laugh at me too.
Sometimes our intentions at grandeur are just going to FAIL. In the midst of the “puke” we may need to stop and just chuckle. Laughter is good medicine. Trust me…
I know that Katie won’t remember this day, but I pray that I will. I am learning to let go of expectations of doing things “Pinterest perfect” for my children. Puke is just going to happen. Katie didn’t want balloons or color coordinated napkins and plates. She didn’t notice that we weren’t at Chick-Fil-A. She would have noticed though if I withheld my arms and kisses.
In the end, I gave Katie lots of snuggles. I gave my son the opportunity to laugh at and with his mommy. I think her birthday turned out to be a success, don’t you? All because of a Woolite spray can…
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
~ Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Have you ever had a moment where you just had to laugh at yourself? Perhaps you are in a season where it is hard to chuckle. I pray that this post has given you something to laugh at, if only for a moment. God sees and He knows. May a bit of laughter lighten your load today…
Oh my gosh, my heart goes out to you, yet our Precious Lord has given you memories and laughter in what you and I would call His silver lining! Praying that she is much much better and that I along with you will remember your memories in the times when it is hard to laugh and will never look at a can of carpet cleaner the same way again! Love you all!
Hi Terry! She is doing better and back to being her bouncy self 🙂 Thank you for your prayers and have a blessed evening. Woolite rocks!
Ah…I hope Katie is feeling better. I had to laugh at this post because just last Friday, I was laughing at myself. My husband wanted a pecan pie. I was bound and determined to make the “perfect” pecan pie from scratch (instead of taking the much easier route of buying the perfect pie at Sam’s Club). I even attempted to make my own crust…three times. FAILURE! By the third pie crust try, I sort of had a crust and then proceeded to dump the filling in. The filling that I forgot to put eggs in. How in the world do I think pecan pie is going to turn out without eggs?????!!!!! It was all I could do to just fall on the counter and laugh. Hysterically! It was so funny. My husband, who could tell through all of this that I was getting VERY frustrated, was able to laugh too. It was such a relief. In the end, I went to the store, bought a pie crust and remade the filling, with eggs. The pie turned out great and he ate every last bite of it!
Stacy-I LOVE your story and I am laughing with you. Thank you for sharing with us-I appreciate you :). I also applaud you for actually cooking a pie…3 times! Baking scares me, so I can relate to the store bought crust:) God bless!
I am laughing out load! Mommy made a mess. Love you Tracy!
What a perfect birthday!!
I concur…I hope this post encourages other mommies out there. We all have “pukey” moments-I know you can relate J! Have a blessed evening 🙂
What a memory that will be! 😉 I can picture you girl, laughing and learning, and spraying away the yuckiness. I love how God knows how to use it all! You’re a blessing in my life Tracy. ~ Love from Maine, Amy
Amy-yes, this post was kind of “random” but I just had to share! God definitely saw my heart and knew it needed to “chill.” He is so good! Hope it encouraged your momma heart up there in Maine 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Ya, life is never Pinterest perfect, eh? Happy 2nd bday to your daughter!!!
Yep Shannon-you know Jack has probably been waiting for a moment like this lol. Love ya too 🙂
Hi Alison! Thank you for the birthday wishes. I will pass them on to the red haired princess :). No life isn’t perfect. Thankful we have a God Who is though-amen? Blessings to you 🙂
Awww, c’mon…where’s the Mommy-covered-in-Woolite picture? What a great memory for you, Tracy. Glad you could laugh at it all in the end. I love how God used little Jack to deliver the punch line! “Oooopsie!”
Thanks for sharing your less-than-Pinterest-Perfect side 😉
Blesssings,
Dawn
Dawn, little Jack is certainly used by God to challenge and bless me. He is also used to hearing “Oooopsie” ALOT! Praising God for laughter tonight, and blessings to you as well!
Hi Tracy!
You’re so right… laughter is the best medicine at times like these! Love your blog! 🙂
Thank you Christy. I appreciate you reading, laughing with me, and for commenting. Have a blessed evening 🙂