The Pout Pout Fish

On a recent trip to the library, Addy and I checked out The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. I had read online that it was a good book for toddlers so we gave it a shot.

The book ended up being one of our favorites. We've since returned it but based on the number of times we read it, I could probably quote every line.

It's about a fish with a pouty face who is encouraged by all his ocean friends not to be so down cast all the time. He responds to each one saying that all though he'd like to be different, he simply can't help it.

"I'm a pout pout fish

with a pout pout face

so I spread the dreary wearies

all over the place.

Blub...

Bluuubbb...

Bluuuubbbbbb."

I'm afraid I've become the Pout Pout Fish.

I haven't kept it secret that pregnancy number two has been a little harder than the first one was. I've done a lot of grumbling and complaining the last couple of months. Matt and Addy have probably gotten the brunt of it but I haven't hesitated to tell anyone else who asks exactly how I feel. I figured everyone probably wants to hear about how I had a cold for two weeks or how just walking is a struggle and my hands hurt when I wake up in the morning. After all, I am pregnant and don't I deserve a little whining time? Blub, bluuubb, bluuuubbb!

Ugh! I hate to think about how ungrateful I have been this pregnancy, all the while trying to encourage my two year old to have a joyful heart. I should have been preaching to myself!

At the end of the book, a shinny silver fish comes along and plants a kiss on the fish's pouty face and suddenly he realizes that he'd had it wrong all along.

"I'm a kiss kiss fish

with a kiss kiss face

for spreading cheery cheeries

all over the place!"

So, yesterday, after whining on the phone to my Mom once again, when I really didn't feel that bad, I decided that I'm done being the Pout Pout Fish. No more spreading the dreary wearies, I'm going to be all about the cheery cherries! 

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18

What better day to have a change of attitude than the 4th of July when we get to celebrate America's independence with swimming, hot dogs, watermelon and fudgeciscles? 

Happy 4th friends! Thanks for putting up with my grumpiness. Hopefully, it won't be a theme around here anymore.  

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." 

Romans 12:12