I think I ought to counter that last post with one that reminds me and everyone who might read this, that I am actually thankful for so many things.
I'm really not always overwhelmed, sad, or pessimistic. In fact, even though I've had a very busy summer working many more hours than I think I "should" I am capable of looking on the bright side of things.
Today in fact, I'm thankful for things I didn't even remember to be grateful for last week.
Take the van, I drive, for example. After a week of charging the battery nearly everytime I wanted to go somewhere, today I finally got a new battery. Now every time I get in the car it starts all by itself. I'm grateful!
I'm grateful that I have a bike I could ride to work this morning. I'm grateful that my body was healthy enough to make that happen.
I'm thankful for good people in my life who call at "just the right time" and friends who are willing to help watch the kids when I need it most. I don't mean to get teary eyed while I write this, but in the last several months I've had so many people care for me. Their kindness overwhelms me. I have such a desire to be cared for and they remind me that I am.
I'm thankful to have a job that I enjoy and people who appreciate the things I do.
And despite that last post, I'm thankful that I have 3 great kids. I remember a time before I had children when I wanted so much just to be a mom. It's good for me even now to remember that deep longing and desire I had. That's when I'm sad that I've not done better, but that's not what this post is about.
This post is just about being grateful for the things I sometimes forget to be grateful for. There are so many.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
I had one of those Sundays...
when I think not trying so hard would be a lot better.
I know, I have nothing to complain about. I have not forgotten how hard it was to take a newborn baby, a two-year old, and a five-year old to church. That was six years ago. I remember being exhausted, but I especially remember wanting a rest on Sunday. There was no rest. Sunday was just harder than other days.
I remember a year later when Connor and Breanne were both in nursery and I was their nursery leader. I was exhuasted, especially on Sunday. Yes, I needed a nap after church. I remember thinking, "Some day these kids will all be able to put their own shoes on and buckle themselves in the car, and then I will not be so tired."
Someday has come. Not only can they all get their own shoes on, they can all walk to and from church with little supervision. But, I have not succeeded yet, in teaching them how to open the door for others when they walk into the building, or in how to sit quietly in the meeting. I'm still using that, "I'm so tired" excuse.
It doesn't mean I don't put SOME effort into teach them.
Like today, when I told them they will not be getting up and going out for drinks and to the bathroom 400 times during the course of the meeting. Instead, I announced that if they want to leave sacrament today in order to get a drink or to go the bathroom they would lose 10 moolah points. They had the choice, but there would also be a consequence. The kids have been earning moolah points for doing their jobs. I learned all about it from my friend, Corinne, from this website http://www.goalforit.com/. For two of my kids it works pretty well. For my one child who has run ins with the principal at school, it's been much harder.
So I should have known that this wonderful child would start to blow his nose into his hand during the meeting. I let it go the first few times until people's stares started making holes in my back. I finally said, "Go get a tissue" much too loudly. He retorted much louder, "I can't. I don't want to lose my moolah." Before he finally left, he wiped his snot on his sister's leg and she poked him with her pencil.
Gotta love Sunday!
I know, I have nothing to complain about. I have not forgotten how hard it was to take a newborn baby, a two-year old, and a five-year old to church. That was six years ago. I remember being exhausted, but I especially remember wanting a rest on Sunday. There was no rest. Sunday was just harder than other days.
I remember a year later when Connor and Breanne were both in nursery and I was their nursery leader. I was exhuasted, especially on Sunday. Yes, I needed a nap after church. I remember thinking, "Some day these kids will all be able to put their own shoes on and buckle themselves in the car, and then I will not be so tired."
Someday has come. Not only can they all get their own shoes on, they can all walk to and from church with little supervision. But, I have not succeeded yet, in teaching them how to open the door for others when they walk into the building, or in how to sit quietly in the meeting. I'm still using that, "I'm so tired" excuse.
It doesn't mean I don't put SOME effort into teach them.
Like today, when I told them they will not be getting up and going out for drinks and to the bathroom 400 times during the course of the meeting. Instead, I announced that if they want to leave sacrament today in order to get a drink or to go the bathroom they would lose 10 moolah points. They had the choice, but there would also be a consequence. The kids have been earning moolah points for doing their jobs. I learned all about it from my friend, Corinne, from this website http://www.goalforit.com/. For two of my kids it works pretty well. For my one child who has run ins with the principal at school, it's been much harder.
So I should have known that this wonderful child would start to blow his nose into his hand during the meeting. I let it go the first few times until people's stares started making holes in my back. I finally said, "Go get a tissue" much too loudly. He retorted much louder, "I can't. I don't want to lose my moolah." Before he finally left, he wiped his snot on his sister's leg and she poked him with her pencil.
Gotta love Sunday!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Might as Well Be Christmas
Today Connor woke up before 6am, was dressed and had breakfast by 6:05. He didn't even need to meet at the church until 6:30 but he wanted to have time to get ready. Do you think he's a little anxious? Today is cub scout day camp. His first ever opportunity to do archery, and a whole host of other boy activities that may include fishing, sling shot, bb gun shooting--you get the idea. Like I said it may as well be Christmas.
Is this even the same kid who has been waking up sometime around 10am for the past several weeks?
I can't help remembering several weeks ago when I went to wake Connor for an early Saturday morning swim meet around 6:30am only to find him snoring through his alarm. I felt sorry for him and left him home to rest.
He was determined not to let that happen to him today. Have fun sweetie!
Is this even the same kid who has been waking up sometime around 10am for the past several weeks?
I can't help remembering several weeks ago when I went to wake Connor for an early Saturday morning swim meet around 6:30am only to find him snoring through his alarm. I felt sorry for him and left him home to rest.
He was determined not to let that happen to him today. Have fun sweetie!
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