💩 "A Case of the Poo-tastic Monday's." 💩

It started off as normal as humanely possible. Feeding 5 kids Wild Berry Pop Tarts, filling and refilling water bottles & sippy cups. Then plopping down on my "Momma Perch" (a chair and a half that is like jumping on the lap of a life size teddy bear)

As the 3 younger ones finished, the 2 olders sweetly played a game of "catch" with their England hats (from their Nanny), and a ball. Then one-by-one, the toddlers entered the room. The lone Pop Tart eater was the beloved Squish. Then, as she finished, Daylon got a wet paper towel, and helped me wipe off the jelly goodness, that had encrusted her lovely wrist rolls. We laughed, joyfully doing this task together. All 5 were playing sweetly together. Fun games of "chase me" and "watch this". Then, the oldest came to report.

"Momma, Edyn pooped!"

"Okay, buddy! Let's make sure she's done, then I'll change her!"

He runs off. Then right after he exits the room, Daylon enters.

"Hey! Umm Momma! Edyn pooooooped! It's stinky!"

"Okay, bud! Khai just told me, I'll come check her, and make sure she's done!"

As I'm walking towards the giggles, and noise in my bedroom, I spot the Squish. She looked up at me with a string of snot out the left nostril, and a toothy grin so wide, her chubby cheeks squinted her eyes nearly closed.

"Maaa maaa maaa maa!"

"Squishles!"

She was crawling, so I scooped both my hands under her belly, and flipped her onto my shoulder. She squealed with delight, and I reverse flipped her, as I laid her on the floor in her room to change that burn-your-eyes sensation that was caged in the beloved diaper. 

At this point, I felt like a rodeo cowboy trying to wrestle a baby calf into the perfect position, so I could get those two sides off, to begin inspection.

Then she, like a good Squishy calf, did a 180, and was belly down, trying to crawl away. That's when I saw it. POO ON THE CARPET. 

What the whiskers? Size 6 diaper, don't fail me now!!!

And then I saw it. The cute purple "Wilderness Safari" tshirt she was wearing, had a chunky green goo ALL THE WAY UP HER BACK.

"Oh no," I said audibly. 

"C'mon Squish! Time for a happy bathy!"

I gingerly scooped her up, and was holding her about a foot away from me, as not to smear anything, ANYWHERE.

I walk through the pile of kids, in the middle of my living room, and a game of 20 questions ensued.

"MOM! Why does Edyn have green pudding all over her?!"

"Momma! SHE STINKS!"

"Yucky!"

"Das gwoss!"

"Guys! She pooped, its all over, I need to give her a bath!"

I started rolling the tshirt inside itself, as a way to corral the stinky goo, then stripped of the leggings that are SO skin tight, they look painted on, then took off the diaper, threw it in a Walmart sack, and chucked it near the trash can. I used the nozzle, so I could get a steady spray going on, to act as the most efficient way to remove the goo that was all the way up to her neck. Poo goo was on my sink, on my counter, on my hands, and all the while, she just kept cheerfully jabbering, and smiling at me!

Then my oldest walks in the room. 

"Uhh Momma??? What. Is. that."

I could tell he was alarmed, but was too busy de-gooing everything. My ponytail tried slipping over my shoulder, into the mess. 

NOT TODAY. 

I swung my long pony tail, over my shoulder, and looked at my son. His eyes were the size of quarters. 

"What's what babe?!"

He put his hand over his mouth, and pointed towards me.

"THAT, on your shirt!"

"My shirt??"

I glance over my shoulder, and see it.

A streak of poo goo all.across.my.shoulder. 

How could this happen?

How does POO get on my shoulder???

Why is it in a perfect, 6 inch long line?!

Then my Mommy brain started firing. Remembering back a mere 6 minutes before, and retracing my poo goo steps.

Mommy.Stinky.Okay.Scoopherup. THROWOVERSHOULDER. Laughing. 

When I threw her over my shoulder, the diaper that had reached max capacity, gently oozed a perfect line that would make cake decorators jealous, onto my shoulder.

"At least my HAIR is in a ponytail." I thought to myself. 

Then that silver lining was quickly debunked faster than the two guys from Mythbusters, as I remembered it almost dipping into the watery mess, and I swung it over my shoulder. 

No, friends, not the poo-free shoulder.

I asked Khai to stand watch as I ran to my bedroom, tore off the goo dress, wrapped my ponytail into a bun (SURVIVAL MODE, PEOPLE), and threw on the closest tshirt, and skirt I could find.

I ran back out, finished hosing off the Squish, got her washed, dried, clothed, and snuggled, then laid her down for a Happy Nappy.

This all happened the first 26 minutes of me being awake. 

The hilarity of it all, is I've got something huge, spiritually, physically, and mentally starting tomorrow.

So today was going to be my "rest day" L.O.L.

But you know what? Rest day, or not, I'm going to choose Joy today! 

I'm thankful for warm running water, to hose off whatever human needs it, whenever we need it. I'm thankful for size 6 diapers from Sam's club, that hold *most* of our needs, when we, at all times, have 3 kiddos in diapers. I'm thankful for the honesty of a 6 year old. (Who KNOWS how long it would've taken me to notice!) I'm thankful for the squishiest, loveable Squish you ever did see! I'm thankful that I'm at home, and could take care of this mini emergency, in the four walls of MY nest! I'm thankful for the strength God gives me each day. This season is where I earn those Mommy stripes! If it were easy, I'd get bored. It's definitely NOT easy, and I'm NEVER bored! And finally, I'm thankful for Light Roast Hazelnut coffee, French vanilla creamer, and Hershey's chocolate sauce. So that I could make the adult version of chocolate milk, to ease me back to a state of Joy. It's a choice, folks.

I have people warn me that I'll miss this phase. And I know without a shadow of a doubt, I will. 

And for all the rest of you "Survival Mode" seasoners. I see you, I know how hard it is, and I promise to tell you you have a cheerio stuck to your rear, if you'll inform me of any goo on my shoulder. 

👊🏻👱🏻♀️

Choose Joy. Speak Life. And Keep Marching.

Our footprints are leaving a legacy for our kiddos to follow. May it be a Godly one.

Oh... and happy Monday, folks! 

Share with a friend who *might* need Survival Mode encouragement!

Happy Fall, Y'all! Sweet Apple Butter, and Bittersweet Memories.

Fall is my absolute favorite season. My birthday, 3 of my kids' birthdays, my parents anniversary, my sisters' birthdays, GOOD GRAVY. LOT'S O' CELEBRATING.

However, even in all the celebrating, what I feel like God is revealing to me, as He gently whispers "Be obedient.", is that Fall, for some, is painful.

As the gently warm breeze switches to a harsh wind, no amount of pumpkin flavored everything can take away the pain.

A miscarriage, an excruciating memory, a difficult child, a feeling of inadequacy. All these things can't be brushed away, as quickly as we sweep leaves off our porch. They can't be erased, even as we try and flood our mind with new memories. The decadent smell of the perfect cinnamon/apple/crust ratio, can't cloud the imperfection of whatever we're carrying. For some, it's just not a Happy Fall, Y'all.

As I type this, I'm flooded with people who've asked me to pray.

A friend who has a toddler at Children's Hospital, trudging through the uncharted waters of all that is involved in every tiny decision made, that is quite literally, life and death.

A Momma who has a strong willed child, and is stomping through a dark forest, quietly whispering "Help!", as she waits for the tiny sliver of light to pierce through, revealing wisdom in how to reach this child's heart.

A mom, and wife, who recently found herself questioning every decision she's made, as her pastor husband revealed his addiction.

A woman who's fears and failures always reveal themselves, like clock-work, right at this time.



And even though I love fall, I can feel it. The bitterness of the cold. As you round a corner, that has been filled with warmth, only to hit the wind, and draw in that deep, freezing cold breath. It's often debilitating. Causing you to lose strength. Whatever bag, scarf, child you're carrying, you squeeze close to you. To try, with no avail, to avoid the harsh bitterness of the cold day.

But as I said, it's to no avail.

I'm not enough.

That Momma in the hospital, is not enough.

That Momma with the strong child, is not enough.

That woman with a book of lies, opened before her, that she'd never seen sitting on her bookshelf, is not enough.

And yet we keep trying to be enough.

We think if we just do more of _____, then the memories will fade. The bitterness will seep away, and we can go on, enjoying life, one bite of sugary pie at a time.

But you and I both know the roller coaster keeps on going. Gary Chapman has a book called "The 4 seasons of Marriage.", which you can find here. And quite honestly, it could be renamed "The 4 seasons of Life." Because whether we're married, single, divorced, a Mom, a daughter, or an estranged child, I feel as though we've all walked through these seasons:

Winter:
Emotions: Hurt, anger, disappointment, loneliness
Climate of Relationship: Detached, cold, harsh, bitter.

Spring:
Emotions: Excitement, joy, hope
Climate of Relationship: Vital, tender, open, caring.

Summer:
Emotions: Happiness, satisfaction, accomplishment, connection
Climate of Relationship: Comfortable, attached, supportive, understanding.

Fall:
Emotions: Fear, sadness, dejection, apprehension, discouragement, resentment, feelings of being unappreciated.
Climate of Relationship: Drifting apart, disengaging.

Quite honestly, I was shocked at his interpretation of Fall! I couldn't believe that he thought this is how Fall felt! Has he never been a part of #pumpkinallthethings ??? Apple Butter! Has he never experienced APPLE BUTTER? That's Fall to me!

But then, as I've been walking through Fall with others whom I deeply love and care for, I realized, maybe there's some truth to it.

And then I really searched my own heart.

And I realized, maybe I struggle with this, too.

Celebrations, apple butter, and everything pumpkin might just be my way of choosing joy, in the hard stuff. 

I wouldn't even call it avoidance, because, as I'm scooping apple butter on a biscuit, I can feel the spiritual attacks in my life.

Fall can be hard. First off, the LAYERS. For me, socks, boots, slip, dress, jacket.

Then multiply that by 7. Because, family.

The chill in the air is bitter. So much so, it causes me to RUSH the kids in and out the door. And the chill makes my bones hurt!

Look up at the list of "Climate of Relationship": drifting apart, disengaging. Fall causes a season of hurried business. So I sometimes forget to be intentional with my kids, and with Mark. Which inadvertently, causes us to drift apart.

And if left unattended, causes us to drift into Winter, where the Climate of the Relationship is detached, cold, harsh, bitter.

And if we're speaking honestly here, that scares me.

I don't want those things to happen!

You know what else he says? It's dangerous to stay in the seasons that we love. Look up there at Summer: Comfortable, attached.

The last thing I want, with my walk with Christ, is to feel comfortable. Like I've got it all figured out. Every time I pridefully think "Hey, I've got this!",  I'm quickly brought back down to the awkward self that I am. I fail daily.

So, what can you do?

First off, you are not enough to do anything. If you're reading my blog, and don't believe in God, that's your right. However, I do. I believe that in this life, as we all haphazardly try and trudge through, doing the best we can, we all begin to sink. We all begin to feel that feeling of inadequacy. Like we're not good enough. So for me, I go to God.

I have begged Him, on a regular basis, for a revelation.

"God reveal a word I can speak into this woman's heart, so that SHE KNOWS she's incredible."

"God reveal a moment I can pray with this woman, so that SHE KNOWS she's not alone."

"God reveal my selfishness, pride, and arrogance, so that I KNOW how foolish I'm being, and then give me the courage to seek forgiveness."



And then, that tiny little word, that feels like the warmth of a home, as you scurry in from the cold, or like the relief you feel when you pull the perfectly designed, and executed, apple pie from a warm oven.

That small reminder, that we are His:

Grace.

Grace is a nurse at the Children's Hospital, who just loves on you. Your worn out, no makeup, exhausted you.

Grace is a friend praying against the schemes of the enemy, in you and your husband's life.

Grace is God reminding you that the demons from you past, the painful memories, are not who you are, but rather, what He has given you the strength to walk through.



And Grace, sweet friends, is a big ol' dollop of apple butter, on a piping hot biscuit, that you eat all to yourself, after the kids go to bed.


My prayer, as we enter into Fall, is that we'd not dread it. Not avoid it. But also, not completely distract ourselves from the hard things.

I pray you'd enjoy that pumpkin candle, filling your house with delicious aromas. I pray you make that dessert, and enjoy it with friends.

But most of all, I pray whatever you're walking through right now, that you'd remember:


You're not enough, but thank God He is.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."




.   .   .   .   .   .   .





I thought I'd add my recipe for Apple Butter on here! Enjoy it, and if you make some, tag me on Instagram (@sierrajodominguez) , so I can see your deliciousness!


Apple Butter

-5 1/2 lbs. apples (Whatever kind you like! I use Gala.)
-1 1/2 Cups White Sugar
-1 Cup Brown Sugar
-2 Cups Water
-1 tsp. Nutmeg
-1 tsp. Ground Cloves
-3 tsp. Cinnamon

Turn your Crockpot onto Low. Add water to Crockpot. In a bowl, stir together sugars and spices. Core apples, and cut into 1 inch chunks. Add all apples to Crockpot and pour sugar mixture over them. Stir until apples are nicely coated. Place lid on Crockpot, and simmer 8-12 hours. (Or overnight.) Remove lid, turn Crockpot on High, and cook 2-4 more hours. Apples should be a dark brown color, and smell like heaven! Take an immersion blender, or ladle mixture into food processor, blend until smooth. Ladle into storage container, and keep in fridge for 30 days. Or ladle into glass canning jars, place lids and rings on jar, boil in water bather for 15-20 minutes, and will keep for up to a year! Spread on toast, hot biscuits, or just eat like applesauce! Enjoy!

-Sierra for Dojo's Designs