26 January, 2010

mess of a mother.

I'm so grateful for all the "mom praise"
I've gotten from so many of you lovelies out there.

But just so you know. . .
I'm a mess of a mother 99% of the time.

For example,
once I couldn't find my (then) 3 year old
outside of Costco.

I was searching around the food area
for about 30 seconds
and panic was about to ensue.

I frantically turned the corner.

I found my son.

Peeing.

on.
the.
ground.
right.
at.
the.
entrance.
of.
the.
warehouse.

True story.

Told you.
Mess.of.a.mother.
.

35 comments:

Steve Gravano said...

Oh Natalie, that's a cute story...hey when nature calls, one should listen.

Snapshotsofhappiness said...

LOL HAHAHAHA!! Yesterday when leaving a friends house I mentioned to my 3 year old that I had to go to the bathroom. His response, "Jus go pee in da grass Mommy" Ahh got to love those boys! :-)

Heather said...

Let me guess...Cardon?

Laura said...

Priceless! I saw a kid peeing outside the small cart doorway into a WalMart once... it happens! Life is messy and motherhood seems that way too. I'll know someday. I think that you do a spectacular job of it all.

Anonymous said...

Natalie,

If that is the worse thing you have done, then you are doing really well. I admire your honesty. Many moms hide their imperfections but we all know that no mommy is perfect!

Shannon said...

LOL!!! That's a boy for you! One time my son tried to pee on his Grandma (outside) when she wasn't looking. Thankfully his aim was a little off and she moved quickly!

Melissa said...

awesome, just awesome. mine have yet to pee at the door of costco, but we are the ones opening everything and feeding it to them to keep them quiet.

"um ma'm do you want us to get you a different box of peaches one of these is damaged?"

"oh, so that explains the orange smear on his shirt!"

Scott & Tami said...

If that is what makes a "mess of a mother"....then I'm guilty over and over and over again!

Meg-D said...

Children are great teachers! They keep you humble for sure!

Jill said...

this makes you more real for me. still praying for you as you adjust to your new reality.

The Tesimales said...

Haha I love it. I've been thinking about you a lot lately. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It has made me more aware and a better mom. I was thinking last night about how wonderful of parents you and richie are. You and your family have tons of fun and are laid back, and your boys, well CArdon mainly I think, pee in the doorway of COSTCO, but at the same time they know the gospel. I hope we can be like that in our family. You and richie are wonderful teachers. By the way, we are planning on moving back in July if all works out accordingly.:)

Kahilau said...

Haha! At least you live in Hawaii where people are a little more likely to laugh about things like that. Who isn't a "mess of a mother" with 3? Hey, not that this is vital but I have been thinking about it all night. So, your "I know, I shouldn't have named my son Gavin" comment, don't hate me for saying this and know that I don't mean to be out of line BUT... I know that the reason YOUR GAVINS died was because Heavenly Father needed them, it was their time, not because of their name. I KNOW YOU ALREADY KNOW THIS! I just feel like it is important for you to know that WE ALL KNOW IT TOO!

Ashley said...

funny, my morning began with my two year old pointing to a corner of her room and declaring,
"I poot!"

Nice little gifts on the floor.

Rach said...

HAHAHHAHAH I love it. I never understood until I had Shae & he has to pee so often!! Like how we went to the beach last week & he had to pee...so he run right into the water..and instead of sitting & being discreet about peeing the water...he stands at the edge of the waves rolling in & pees a nice fountain into the water...with everyone watching. Yes I think I am a mess of a mother too. Or maybe a LOUD MESSY MOTHER.

Unknown said...

Right when I first started reading I thought, "Oh NO! She's going to think he died because he had his uncle's name." You know it's not true, you know it.

I love you for your honesty. I think people crave that, you know? To know they're not the only ones struggling.

Sometimes I feel like I'm TOO honest, but then again, it's what helps alot of people. You have that same gift.

I am so glad you are using it!

LOVE that you admitted your kid peed on the floor at Costco.

Laughing so hard over here, and continuing to lift you up in prayer!

Ann and James said...

LOVE this story! i really cant believe that our boys have the same name! we really must be soul sisters! just want you to know, now that i've stumbled on your blog, i really just have to check it everyday! i think you are such and amazing photographer and writer and have learned soooo much from you in just the few days i've been reading. i hope to have even half your talent one day! keep up the blogging, even if it is just writing. i know it will help you heal and your thoughts are always so powerful and inspiring. i think a lot of people, from what i've read, need you to do exactly what you are doing now. i personally have never lost a child, but many have, including my mother in law, and i can only imagine that if they had this technology 30 years ago when she lost her daughter to SIDS, she would have found comfort in this. in a way, i think by taking this time and utilizing this blog to heal yourself, you are helping others to heal as well.

Unknown said...

hi-freaking-larious.

Fran said...

Hey Natalie, You crack me up!
I have gone from tears to laughter reading your blog. As Dolly Parton says, "It's my favorite emotion." As a mother of 3 boys 4 and under, when it comes to potty matters it's like housetraining a new puppy. I am sure my 4 year old has marked his territoy all over town. That thing is just too darn accessible.

Anyway, I always enjoy reading your post, and I pray that you and your family continue to have peace and healing.

Love and hugs, Fran, NC

Tristan said...

We are definitely our own worse critic when it comes to being a mom. None of us are perfect and little boys will be boys!

The Garner Family said...

Hilarious!!

Natalie. said...

Ann! I still cannot get over the fact that your son is Gavin Bruce. What's even more interesting is that Ann is my middle name. . . what the HECK!?

Anonymous said...

HAHAHAHAHAHA, I'm waiting until I find my son doing that!

Natalie. said...

Heather, it was actually Richie. SHHHHHH.

Just try to imagine what that would have been like if it were true. :)

Katie said...

Hi... I went to high school with you at AF our sophomore year. We had a class together, and I'm pretty sure I never talked to you... or anyone really. HAHA Too shy I guess. I think you were on Heritage Tours with me to?? maybe? Not sure....

Anyway, I found out about your baby Gavin, and it hurts my heart. I think you are amazing. I love your courage to fight on, and you inspire me to be a better mother each and every day. Just thought you should know... you are amazing in my eyes.

PS... my nephew peed at Boondocks right in front of the front doors. HAHA... those boys and their weeners.

PPS... Mrs. Woolsey is my Aunt. :)

Natalie. said...

Katie Jo,

I hope I talked to you even if you were too shy to talk to me. But I probably didn't. Which makes me sad. We could have been the best of friends! :(

Mrs Woolsey is your AUNT??! Oh good heavens. Kiss her for me twice. One for each cheek, and tell her thank you for teaching me to reason and to write.

LOVE,

Natalie

Tina Harden said...

Well based on this story I'm a mee of a mother too. Mine used to pee out the back door. I kept wondering why I smell urine when I walked outside and one morning I caught him... then approximately 3 too... midstream! I startled him so bad he let go a shot himself in the face. I will have a lifetime of laughter from that 10 seconds.

Brady and Rachel said...

Okay, just one more comment. :) If your a mess of a mom, you are SO NOT THE ONLY ONE. On a road trip we stopped at a gas station half way there, and they had a playground. It was PACKED with other restless crazy kids with parents watching, hoping to get some of the energy out of them before continuing on. I turned to talk to Brady for a few seconds and turned around and there was Tayson in the middle of the playground, kids running all around, pants dropped and peeing on the wood chips on the playground. I was mortified. I also lost both my boys at different times in Target and had another mother find them and bring them back looking for their mom. So embarrased. Lost Camden in Michaels craftstore and started to panic that someone had taken him, then he comes wandering back in the door. what the? Just decided to go outside for fun and..... uhh, I better stop. Yikes, I hope I'm doing enough good to make up for the mommy brain lapses I have. :) You're an AWESOME mom, AWESOME friend, AWESOME speaker to the youth, and oh so much more!! I remember watching you with your boys at the beach, they ADORE you.

sarah said...

Hey, peeing in Costco is hardly a reflection of your abilities as a mommy! Twice recently I have caught my three year old son PEEING IN THE LITTER BOX. The cats probably loved that one....
Glad to see your sense of humor is holding up. You show an amazing amount of strength.

Bridget said...

Ha ha ha...thanks for the laugh. I was mortified about a year and a half ago when I went to the post office. I had to drop off a letter and ran in. I got back (max 2 minutes later) and found that my sweet little boy had gotten out of our car, taken a dump next to the door and gotten back in and buckled up. I made mention of my discovery to my children and they all denied it. Well only one of them could get out of his seat, so the culprit was obvious. It was super disgusting.

Natalie. said...

Bridget! OH MY GOSH!!!! That is hilarity at it's finest.

Katie said...

HAHA don't feel too bad, I'm sure we exchanged something or other during American Academy. That class was a beAst. HAHAHA

I will tell her hello for you... she's technically my Dad's cousin, but I call her my Aunt, it's close enough. My mom watched her kids when they were little... so we're pretty close to all of them. She is amazing and I'm sure she would be honored that you think so highly of her.

Oh, and since my blog is inaccessable... it's kfrans.blogspot

stef j. said...

pwah ahahhaaHA!!

Ams said...

That's hilarious!
I love when people say "aw, you're such a great mom!" and in your head you're thinking... "mmmhmmmm... if you only knew!"

Leslie Houx said...

So hilarious...just made my day!

Annie Link said...

Thanks for not mentioning the time I lost you at Sea World. Talk about Mess.of.a.mother.

(Does the fact that you weren't peeing on anything when I found you, absolve me in any way?)