It has begun… The bathroom is about to become a whole new world in more ways than one! We are redoing the tile floors AND slowly introducing potty training. I thought this day would never come… For both adventures!
My birthday present from my husband is starting to become a reality! In the words of Chip Gaines: “It’s demo day!” Well, demo week really. We are SLOWLY busting up parts of the old tile to get the guest bathroom ready for new flooring next week! I’m ecstatic; borderline, want to throw a party just to celebrate our biggest fixer upper project to date. 
As you can see, we have very dated tile that will be replaced with gorgeous gray squares. While I certainly wish this could just be a two day event and get it done… It simply cannot happen that fast. An active two year old prevents us from tearing our bathroom apart in one big commencement, because there are naps and safety to consider. Trust me… You don’t mess with that boy’s naps. We are just grateful to get new floors… So, we will take our sweet time and enjoy what God teaches us through each step.
The same goes for our newest parenting adventure, and possibly our toughest thus far. That’s right, we are introducing (dun, dun, dun) THE POTTY!!!
I’ve heard mixed reviews on this testy little stage. Some suggest to just knock it out in a couple of days. Could I be so lucky? Some say it will take months. We are getting SO close to his second birthday. Thus, why we are starting this new endeavor.
I have a feeling that my child will embrace “the potty” in true Griffin fashion: he will do it when he is darn good and ready. That might mean tomorrow, or maybe in 6 months. Every step of the way, he has surprised us with his timing: unplanned pregnancy, delivered almost three weeks early, waited to fully walk until fourteen months, and just started REALLY jabbering in the last 8-10 weeks. There’s one thing for sure, he has a mind and plan of his own.
I pray for little frustration and a whole lot of understanding and grace. I’m not super excited about the potential of having urine all over my house. Not to mention, I already have a cheering section when I go to the bathroom: little eyes peeking around the sink and little fingers under the door. I suppose, now he can do something besides just watch me with bewilderment or roll the toilet paper off in the floor.
Can you just feel my enthusiasm to start this??? Insert sarcastic face here. We’ve already reached new levels with learning the words to the “Potty Song” and salsa dancing to “Let’s tee tee in the pot-tay!”
I am, however, excited to help coach him through another “big boy” activity. We are always so impressed with how much he changes and learns with each day passing.
I have no doubt that both, potty training and retiling the floor are going to teach me patience. God will undoubtedly mold me in this “grace period.” Yes, I wish I could snap my fingers and both be done. There’s something God is doing inside me as we pursue the process. He often does something BIG in between the starting line and the finish. From a runner’s perspective… That runners high and heart comes in the middle of the race when you’re really digging deep and struggling to defy the odds. So, I know God has the greatest of intentions as we embark on each of these expeditions.
We all have prayers we want answered quickly, some more crucial than others. But, faith in God means faith in His timing. He teaches us patience, grace, courage, and strength. He molds us from the inside out. It’s in the “mean-time” that we learn to fully rely on Him and let Him bear the burdens of our worries, fears, and frustrations. Only when we love and trust God in those moments, can we fully appreciate the blessings He offers and prayers He answers. The Lord promises us a future of hope and goodness, if we can cling to His faithfulness while we wait.
So bring it on, potty! Bring it on bathroom floors… Both of you are NO match for this God fearing mama! What I learn in the “in between” will far surpass any crap you can throw my way! PUN INTENDED!
house of stain 