Giving Thanks

This morning I was inspired to keep a 2 minute Grateful list.  The idea is to take two minutes and write down as many things as you can that you are currently grateful for.  Kids can do it, too!  Here’s mine:

• checkbooks that balance to the penny
• children that play together quietly
• checking things off the to do list
• my grown son sitting next to me for lunch
• soft, soaking rainfall
• homemade food
• sticky kisses
• coffee
• flavored creamer
• scales that give good reports
• empty clothes baskets
• calls from my married daughter
• google
• women’s Bible study
• unlimited texting
• tiny arms around my neck for a long hug
• crushed ice
• sleeping baby that wakes happy
• freshly bathed kids

So, I guess the lesson I have learned from mothering is:

• I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY CHILDREN

Clear the Calendar

Whenever I feel that we are getting “too busy” and a sense of dread that I will for sure forget something important, then God clears my calendar.

I don’t always like the way this happens, but I am always relieved days later when I realize we had too much planned.

• WHOLE HOUSE ILLNESS IS A CALL TO REST, ACCEPT IT AS A GIFT

It isn’t always illness, sometimes it is family relationships (ie: sibling rivalry) that wakes me up to our need for a refreshing change.

• FIGHTING WORDS AND NEGATIVE ATTITUDES IS A SURE SYMPTOM OF HEART PROBLEMS.

This is where the prayer for wisdom comes in.  My words and attitudes tend to mirror–or even set off–the problems around me so I must be careful to “listen first…pray/think next….talk last”

I am not afraid to lay aside other *good* and *important* parts of life in order to focus on trouble spots before they become disaster zones.

The Children Are What YOU Eat!

You are what you eat.  We have all heard it.  But do you realize your power as a parent?  The children are developing eating habits from us! (YIKES!)

• WHATEVER THE CHILDREN SEE US ENJOYING, THEY WILL TASTE.

Doritoes, donuts, dum dums, cookie dough, Dr Pepper……

Carrots, celery, steamed veggies, fresh juices, nuts, seeds, green salads…..

My 21 month old son has been a real eye-opener in this area.  We have always kept easy-no-more-than-4-ingredients-type meals for the kids since they are “so picky”.  Well, that is where we are wrong!  They do love the occasional bag of chips, pan of mac n cheese, frozen pizza and pop.  But they are very hungry for the whole foods!

They will eat my homemade bread, if I stop buying the store-bought kind!

They will eat banana chips instead of potato chips!

Skip the microwave popcorn and cook it on the stove top!

That hotdish will be more filling and healthier with brown instead of white rice!

I don’t feel guilty letting a child have an apple 10 minutes before supper….because IT IS FOOD! Cannot hardly “spoil your appetite” by feeding it!

Pizza night is not going to include pop anymore….we can make our own lemonade!

I am so relieved to discover that it isn’t impossible to change to healthier eating habits for the whole family!  I am just sad that it took me 21 years to learn it.

Calendars

Time is a concept that most children take awhile to fully understand.  The calendar is irrelevant to my children, I have come to realize.

• ON YOUR BIRTHDAY YOU ARE NOW “GOING ON” THE NEXT AGE

Never fails, blow out the candles, eat some cake, open some presents, have a date with Mom or Dad….and you are almost ANOTHER year older!

So after a whole year of calling the 8-year-old “almost 9”, then when she TURNS NINE, I think she must be 10!!! It doesn’t help an over-forty-getting-forgetful-already-have-enough-ages-to-remember-type-mom.

Can we at least have SIX MONTHS of the actual age?

Poor things, a year is a long time….not to mention a month, a week, a day, or even an hour!  But none of us are perfect in the patience category.

Next month marks the “Birthday Marathon” in our house –at least one birthday each month from March to September.  It is a huge year. Pink 4 will be old enough for a real job. Pink 3 will get her driver’s license, Blue 2 will graduate high school, Pink 1 will be 21.  I hope I have what it takes to make these hallmarks special for each one.

• MOMS LOVE TO WATCH THEIR CHILDREN GROW AND ACHIEVE

It is a privilege to have a part in these precious lives.  And how sweet to watch the younger children look up to the oldest four.

• IT CAN BE A PAINFUL JOURNEY AT TIMES, BUT IT WOULD BE MORE WORK TO KEEP THEM ALL YOUNG!

A mom’s place is a blessed place.

 

What a Mom Can Count On

• THERE ARE DAILY THINGS THAT MOMS CAN RELY ON

Like Legos underfoot, socks left damp and smelly in the toe of any boot, empty cookie jars, sticky doorknobs, empty toilet paper rolls, spills during the meal, phone calls that wake babies, dogs that run out every time a child opens the door, sickness when planning a day out, and seldom getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep.

• THESE THINGS CAN GET REALLY ANNOYING!

To have at least 18 years of these same things over and over playing out nearly every day, a woman can reach her limit of patience!

• ONE DAY A MOM WILL REALIZE SHE MISSES THOSE SAME, ANNOYING, DAILY, RELIABLE THINGS.

She will turn around in her empty nest one day and find that she misses baking for her crew, meals are dull and boring, there is no one to run the dog, and it is too quiet to sleep.  She wishes she was still needed.  The doorknobs and laundry stay clean longer.  The bathroom stays stocked longer. And her phone is quiet.  She would love the chance to rock a baby to sleep.

We are blessed dear friends with these houses full of children and different “annoying” things that fill our days.  And one day we will be blessed to welcome grandchildren to fill our homes with the noise and clutter that accompanies these young families.

Let’s not wish away today, tomorrow comes soon enough.

Unmaned Kitchen

I have noticed that I have a much easier time in the kitchen if I don’t leave it unsupervised for very long.  The older the kids get the better this will be, right?

• TAKE FIVE MINUTES EVERY HOUR TO RINSE DISHES, WIPE COUNTERS, SWEEP, START THE DISHWASHER, OR WHATEVER IS NEEDING ATTENTION.

Yes, there are little elves taking out the peanut butter, jelly, bread, and several knives EVERY HOUR!!  You would think that I make them skip meals all the time!  I used to HATE the apple cores, cereal bowls, empty wrappers, banana peels, drink cups, mugs, bottles, sippers and anything else that habitually appears…but I now know that it is a sign of my blessings!

• TAKE DELIGHT IN CLEANING UP YOUR LIVING SPACES.

A dirty kitchen is a….dirty kitchen!!  I can explain: If you walk into a clean space you automatically are inclined to keep it clean, right?  The opposite is also true!  If you see that no one else has wiped up their mess, taken out the recycling, or put more butter in the dish…then neither will you.  The job just looks enormous!  But five minutes can do wonders in an already ‘clean’ kitchen.

This goes for the bathrooms, garage, van…yeah, everything.

Your. whole. life. can. be. kept. clean. five. minutes. at. a. time.

Could Someone Please Send Me to My Room?

Less than 24 hours have passed since I decided I would stop yelling at my children…or, phrased better, speak in a quiet and gentle manner toward all people.

• ANY RESOLUTION I MAKE TO CHANGE A NEGATIVE HABIT WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE TESTING…THROUGH THE CHILDREN.

Did I make that decision ‘in the flesh’?  This morning I am a complete failure in this resolve.

Yes, it is Sunday, which is normal ‘Mom Testing Grounds’.  I should have just “not come out of my room until I could be good.” –a quote from myself, today.

This is the first weekend in Mighty Man’s schedule rotation…2 months of working overnight on the weekends.  I just remembered that I hate this schedule.

• WHEN ADULTS GRUMBLE IT SOUNDS IN GOD’S EARS AS WHINING.

Time for prayer and a session of counting my blessings.  And someone to rub the tension out of my neck and jaw.

I Only Have This Moment

I began to learn this lesson when Pink 1 got married and moved more than 1200 miles away….but I can call her anytime and look forward to a visit one day.

But my experience doesn’t even begin to touch what my dear friend is facing as she mourns the sudden loss of her firstborn son.  Matt, 16 years old, was healthy, blessed with friends and a new job, and 3 brothers and 3 sisters that all adored him. His attentive and loving parents had raised him in the love and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ.  One moment he was there…then he was gone, before they could even say good-bye.

• I ONLY HAVE THIS MOMENT WITH MY CHILDREN

Can we ever hug our children enough? or say “I love you”? or sit up late and listen to what is pressing on their young heart?  For sure we as mothers must strive to enjoy each moment.  Never let sour words be your last.  Be thankful for each day, each smile, each hug, each phone call, each inside joke, and each opportunity to sit and hold your children, no matter how old.

Excuse me, I need to go hug a few kids…

Proof of This Next Lesson

Just the fact that I haven’t posted for over two weeks proves my next point.

• A MOM’S LIFE IS NOT PREDICTABLE…EXCEPT THE UNPREDICTABLE PART.

Picture this: I slide into bed, baby is asleep, the whole house is quiet.  I drift off to sleep while I imagine my peaceful morning.  I am going to sneak out of bed before anyone wakes, get a shower (I deserve 2 or 3 a week, right?) and then read the Bible while my straightening iron heats.  With clean hair and outfit I efficiently make a healthy, hot breakfast for the family.  My coffee is never cold when I am drinking it….the children wake up happy….

oops…that was the dream.

Reality: yep, you guessed it…that doesn’t happen very often.  See how you can predict the unpredictable?!?

Baby cries most of the night and could only be comforted by me.  3 year old wets the bed because no one remembered to potty him before bed.  I struggle to get even 2 hours together of sleep before the littles start fighting and asking for cartoons and candy.

oops…I might have just been too open.

• A MOTHER’S LIFE IS A MARATHON

To each mom there are different things that pose a greater challenge.

• A MOTHER’S LIFE IS A MESSAGE

A message of God’s Grace, His Blessing, and His Protection.