October 19, 2011 · 5:30 am

Same-Side Couples

Did I catch your attention with that title? Well, then this post might not be about what you think it is. 🙂

My hubby and I took our 2 year old out to dinner the other night (his big brother was at a birthday party) and we enjoyed some family time at our favorite Mexican place in town.

Toward the end of our meal, my hubby says to me,”Don’t look now, but I think the couple behind us must be a new couple.”

This has become a little game for us. Even when we were dating, when we were out in a restaurant, we’d watch other couples and determine what was up with them.

I remember one time when we were engaged, my hubby pointed out a couple near us in Ruby Tuesday’s. “They’re fighting,” he said.

“No way. No they’re not.”

“Watch. He’s not going to order food, but she is. Just look at their faces.”

Sure enough, Hubby was right. Guy didn’t order while gal ordered something and stabbed at it like she was trying to kill it, and they barely spoke two words to each other the entire meal.

So at dinner the other night, I waited until we were leaving to casually stand up and do a little “I’m-wiping-off-Little-Man’s-face” spin to check out the couple behind us.

And they were both sitting on the same side of the table.

In a booth.

On the same side.

“Nope, not a new couple,” I said. “New couples like to look at each other.”

“Then why would they sit on the same side?”

“I have no idea.” I shrugged. “Because they’re weird?”

Now, no offense to any of you who might be same-sided in preference. But I find it weird. Totally weird.

Sure, sitting on the same side of the table might give you more touchy-feely time (watch out for guacamole!) but it leaves two seats open across from you. Noticeably and obviously open.

And when I’m talking to my hubby over dinner, I want to face him so that I can look at him. I want to see his eyes, read his expressions, and watch him laugh.

Perhaps they were waiting for another couple to show up, you might reason.

Nope. They’d already received their entrees when we were leaving.

Share with me: Are you a same-side couple or an across-from couple? If you’re same-side, what’s up with that? Why do you prefer it?

Inspiration of the Week:  I’ve been catching up on episodes of Hawaii Five-O, and I think Alex O’Loughlin is pretty. Very pretty. 🙂

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October 17, 2011 · 5:00 am

Heaven’s Warmth

Heaven. Such an amazing place, such a welcoming place–the place of perfection. Home.

The place where I’ll see my savior face to face.

Wow. (Deep breath.) When I think about that–that moment when I’ll see Jesus in all his glory, when he calls me by name and welcomes me into his kingdom…well, it’s overwhelming.

Because I’m so not worthy.

And it’s only by his grace and gift of redemption that I’ll be able to get to heaven at all.

And I am so grateful.

I don’t want to go to heaven any time soon. I don’t think anyone does. But when I think about what it’s going to be like–that moment when I meet Jesus, I imagine warmth.

Like a fuzzy blanket on a cool morning. Like towels fresh from the dryer. Like hot chocolate on a freezing day.  Like the sun on your face.

The radiance of God will warm me, through the eternal son.

We sang this song at church recently, and it’s one of those that made me think of that moment when I’ll meet my savior.

What A Day That Will Be

My grandaddy passed away last February, and he was a huge fan of the Gaither Vocal Band and traditional hymns. When I hear this song, it makes me think of him, and of the moment when he surely felt the warmth of Jesus Christ’s arms wrapped around him. 
I look forward to seeing my Granddaddy again, too, and feeling the warmth of one of his strong bear-hugs.

Share with me: When you imagine meeting Jesus face to face, what comes to mind?

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October 14, 2011 · 5:00 am

The Potty Party

Log this post under Parenting 101. I’m letting you in on what’s going on in the Hale house, and hoping to start a discussion that will help some of my mom-friends.

In case you haven’t read my profile, lemme drop some Jennifer K. Hale basics on you. I am the mother of two young boys, ages 5 and 2.

We’ve recently started talking “potty” around the house again, preparing the 2 year old to ditch the diapers and graduate up to the Mickey Mouse & Thomas underwear.

In fact, for two days last week I started the potty training process, but after disasters both days, I quit. I think he’s still too young.

My oldest was nearly 3 before he was fully trained, so I’m not worried about my 2 year old. He’ll get there.

But when I was first thinking about potty-training my oldest, I did a lot of worrying about “how long” the process should take, “how old” was an appropriate age, and just “how to” do it.

All things considered, when I buckled down and did 4 straight days of nothing but hard-core potty time, my oldest was in dry underwear with no accidents and we never looked back.

Some friends and I were discussing the whole potty training issue over dinner the other night. (My, how girl-talk changes when the kiddos come along!) Several of us all had baby boys within a few months of each other, and one of those little guys, only 2, is completely potty trained, setting the bar pretty high for the rest of his buds. One of my friends hasn’t started the potty training process at all, so we were discussing techniques, incentives, and appropriate expectations.

Here are a few of my thoughts:

  • I don’t think it’s a good idea to push potty training on a kid who’s too young.
  • Letting my son “shoot” things in the toilet (like cereal) worked great for him.
  • Pull-ups are a lot like diapers. Some kids don’t feel the difference and won’t treat a Pull-up any differently, so sometimes just going straight to real undies works best.
  • Expecting your kid to be day-trained and night-trained at the same time isn’t a realistic expectation.
  • If you really want your kid to get it, you’ve got to be willing to stay home and work on nothing but potty-training for a few days. (For working moms, this might work best over a long weekend or holiday.)
  • My boys always preferred to be on the “big potty” rather than a plastic, small one, so we got one of the little seats that sits on the real toilet. 

P.S. Obviously I have no idea what it’s like to train a girl. I hear they are easier and potty train earlier. If you have a daughter– lucky you. 🙂

Share with Me: How old were your kids when they were potty trained? What are your potty training secrets?

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