Challenges and Joys

• Keeping a 10 month old safe but yet not confined.
• Putting food on the table that the 4 yo will not only try but actually eat.
• Keeping TV time to a minimum even though it is quiet time for me. ;-)
• Challenging the children to learn new things on a regular basis while still making it fun.
• Being honest with all dealings with people, without necessarily sharing every thought in my head.
• Putting yourself out there to try new things on a regular basis.
• Patience in many many many things that I would rather NOT be patient about.
• Being at peace with "where" I am at the moment.
• Holding my tongue when I have something I feel needs to be said, though it probably only feels that way to me.

• Watching the baby do something for the first time.  
• The joy in your child's face when they reconnect with you after a day away.
• Knowing that you made a difference in someone's life today.
• Connecting with loved ones, especially ones that you haven't talked to recently!
• Having a productive conversation with someone whom you have a strong difference of opinion.
• Healthy children
• Wonderful friends
• Stepping up to a challenge and succeeding!

Mother's Day

As I check on my babies before going to bed myself, it strikes me...I always wanted to be a mother.

I can remember wanting to hold my children in my arms and love them with all that I am.  I wanted to teach them as much as I could, the best way I knew how. 

Though, my life isn't what I had envisioned, God entrusted me with these two souls.  It is my job to try to mold them into fully functioning, happy, well adjusted adults.  I will always do my very best to do just that.  I know I am not perfect, nor will I never make a mistake...probably many...but I can do my very best!!!

I am so blessed!!   I go to bed tonight with just that thought.

Ya know there are just some days where you have to hit the restart button....sometimes multiple times. 

Today has been one of those days!  Two sick kids, a car in the shop, a loaner car with a spare tire because the other one went flat and a dizzy head makes for a lousy day.  Waiting to hear from the dealer about the car makes me cranky....cranky kids makes me cranky....a lousy soandso makes me really cranky!  I keep trying to start this day over and over again and make it a happy day.  Well, easier said than done with all of this!

So, when I am just about to loose my cool {;-)  or actually just as I am starting to rant like a crazy person}  I get a call from the most wonderful neighbor asking what I need for help today.  She is a good listener and makes sure to tell me that she is here to help with whatever I need.  Her phone call was just the reminder I needed that there are many wonderful people in my life that are there to help out, even if it is just another person on the end of a phone or the Internet to give comfort or just to listen.

I will not say this day has started over and is all better....because I have had to "reboot" this day twice in the couple of hours it has taken me to write this blog.  I will say that I recognize a blessing and feel better knowing that I have what I need, I just have to tap into it when I feel like I am going to crack!

This is going to be a Serenity Prayer day.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.