One of the best yet!

Sometimes, it seems the ones that give you the hardest time can turn around and be the sweetest ones ever!  Emma completely embodies that old nursery rhyme, "There was a girl who had a curl right in the middle of her forehead, and when she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad she was horrid".

Yesterday, was some-what of a rough day for her but, today she was so loving and sweet!  At one point today she threw her arms around my neck and gave me a big, giant hug and said, "Mommy, you're my favorite, best friend, ever!"  Talk about melting my heart!

This brought tears to my eyes, and a smile to my lips...all I could do was squeeze her!
Love that girl!

Mama, You're making me cry

This statement came from our beautiful three year old, Emma, today.  We've been having a serious struggle with her about going on the potty.  

Now, before you start telling me that she's not ready and to give her time (yada, yada, yada), she KNOWS what she's doing.  It's just that she doesn't want to stop whatever she may be doing to go.  Also, I think she still wants to hold onto being a baby for a little while longer.

Anyway, we've started disciplining her when she goes in her pants because we can tell it's not because she doesn't know any better.  Today, while I was dealing with this situation, she looked up at me with a pitiful, tearful expression and said these words, "Mama, you're making me cry".  It was so heart-wrenching, and it broke my heart but, I knew I was doing the right thing.  I thought to myself, "No, Emma, you chose the punishment, when you chose your behavior."

Isn't that just like us as Christians in our relationship with God, our Father??  We choose to disobey God.  We choose to ignore Him because we're just too busy.  Then, when things don't turn out the way we want...we blame Him.  

Having children has, in so many ways, made me look at my relationship with God in a completely different light.  God, please help me to make time for You!  

"You're the mom that knows everything"

This morning while riding in the car with my three little kiddos, we were singing along to Patch the Pirate "Down Under".  Every time they're in the missile, Hope asks me, "Mommy, what's wrong with Captain Patch and PeeWee?"  Usually, I respond with telling her that they're scared or something like that.  Today, I responded, "I don't know...you tell me."  to which she replied, "Well, you're the mommy who knows everything...you tell me."

My mind immediately said, "I wish I knew everything".

I don't know everything and I would never claim that I did but, I'm glad that she thinks that I do.  I hope she keeps that attitude. I hope she keeps seeking my advice in her life.  Not that I again, know everything but, there's so many things that a girl can learn from her mother.

Also,  I may not know everything but, I have a God who does.  I love that song, "I don't know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand".  God knows EVERYTHING and He's the one that's in control.

Thank you, Hope, for the reminder that God is my heavenly Father who truly knows everything that lies before us.  And thank you for thinking that I know everything!

what do I have that's worth writing about?

As a girl, growing up, I always dreamed of being a wife and mother. I dreamed of being the wife of someone in the ministry with our little brood following behind us, in perfect order (of course).  Needless to say, for anyone who has little ones....nothing is ever in "perfect order".
A few months ago on a particularly crazy day, I sat in tears and it dawned on me..."Why am I not the mother I always imagined being?"  "Why am I not happy as I thought I would be?"  Then I realized the answer..."because you're not choosing to enjoy what God's given you".
Thus, the inspiration for this began. I don't want to be one of those moms.  I don't want to look back in regret to the times I failed to enjoy my children when they were small.  I don't want to waste my time looking back.  I want to enjoy each moment, each day I have with them because, as every mom has heard "Enjoy it....it goes by so fast."
There are so many "Mommy blogs" out there that are just complaining about their kids.  I'm choosing to have joy in my children.  They are truly the inspiration for me to be a better person.
So, Hope, Emma, Liam...I love you with all my heart!  Keep saying those funny little things and Mommy will write them down so everyone can enjoy them!