You're gonna miss this

So, I'm driving home from work one night and I hear this song. It's a song that makes me realize there are priorities in life. Priorities that you must make, where you must make a choice.  Because, for people like me, who try to fit every possible social event on the calendar, who try to clean way too much, and who try to extend themselves way past their own limitations, priorities must be set.  The point of all my rambling is this: my family is my priority (well, second to Him). Work is not my priority, and as stressful as it's been, there's so much to say for that when it's constantly trying to make itself my priority, against my say so! Simply not fair. 

Anywhoo! I bet you're wondering the song, right? Maybe not, well I'm gonna tell you anyways. And as I tell you, you might even think, hasn't she written about this before? The answer: probably!  But I guess that's because this topic is on my heart all the time. And honestly, I think it is on a lot of mom's hearts a lot of the time. Do I take precious time away from my kiddos to clean or prepare fancy meals (the latter, of which I never do!) Or do I spend that time snuggling with a sweet smelling toddler, who amazes me?  Do I take the time that's given to me in the form of kids napping quietly and start marking things off of a never-ending list or do I catch up on much-needed rest that I never seem to get enough of? Sadly, I dont have the answer to these questions, and if I did I would definitely be marketing a book or a seminar or something to help all the people out there who struggle with the same questions. But I do know you have to make choices, you have to make priorities.  And sometimes you hear a song that makes you realize your priorities.

Take time to listen to this, it'll be a good thing
Trace Adkins, You're Gonna Miss This
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBDN8yWyNYU&ob=av2e

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

these are some good times

so take a good look around
you may not know it now
but your gonna miss this

White line!

Routine conversation with a 4 year old… Last night Ava and Mommy are driving down some beautiful country road with windows down and she says from the backseat “Mommy, what's that white line in the sky?” And I couldn't see this line, so I blow her off and say it's the clouds.  Then she says to me, “No, mom, not the clouds-- that white line.” To which I say “what white line” as I’m straining to get my neck like a giraffe, out the window of the car….but still don’t see it.  So I make up something...and say “It’s the moon”. And she is like “NO MOM! That white line!” as she points out the window up to the endless sky.  And I say to my sweet persistent inquisitive little girl, “Ava, I don’t see it babe.”  This is just about the time that I finally see it and it’s the white streak behind the plane. 

A jet stream…something we adults know of, have seen before and have no questions about.  Well maybe one question- what exactly causes it, I don’t really know.  Anyways, I just love these conversations, cuz number 1- this little girl is so inquisitive and number 2, you cant make up anything or she will call you on it. And just any old answer will not do for that little brain of hers, she wants to know the exact reason and if you don’t give it to her she’ll keep on asking!

But the best part of the conversation was definitely the very end where she asked, “how does that white line get there mom?” to which I replied, “ask your daddy!”

Priceless!

This morning's status report from Daddy:

 

"Ava said when she grew up she was going to marry me.

I told her she could not marry me. So she said she was going to marry you.

I told her that she could not marry her mom, so she said she would marry her parents.

I said you have it all figured out don't you Ava..."

 

 

Perspective...

• I am so tired… but I’m thankful I had a warm bed to sleep in last night
• I don’t want to get up and go to work…but I’m thankful I can take a hot shower before I go
• Yuck, it’s raining and cold outside today… but I’m thankful I have a warm coat AND covered parking at work
• I am so tired…but I’m thankful for a sweet hubby who made coffee for me, complete with yummy white mocha creamer
• I hate packing my lunch…but I’m thankful that I’m not hungry and wondering where my next meal will come from
• I am annoyed that my kids are whining… but I’m so very thankful that I have two healthy children that go from whining to giggling in 10 seconds
• I don’t like the way I look in the mirror…but I’m thankful I can stand at the mirror on my own two legs
• I am so tired…but I’m thankful that I got to wake up before Isaac did this morning, beating him to the punch!
• I hate driving 2.5 hours every single day to work and back and then to get the kids from school…but I’m thankful that we have 2 cars and I don’t have to drive even more by taking Jason to school first!
• I wish I had some PTO at work so I could take a day off…but I’m thankful that I have a job and that I had a splendid 10 weeks off with each baby after they were born
• I wish I was a stay at home mom…but I’m thankful that I have a job.
• I am so tired…but I’m thankful to wake up period AND that my sweet hubby gave me a little back rub before I had to get out of bed.

It’s all about perspective, don’t you think?  There are soooooo many times that I get caught up in thinking negative, degrading thoughts about life.  I know that most of it has to do with the fact that I’m sleep deprived and not always able to choose my own priorities because of things I can’t control.  Which normally leads to a not very good feeling of being overwhelmed and then I start to feel bad.  Bad that I’m not focusing on the blessings that I’ve been given, that life could really be so much worse, and that all this time spent whining is really quite pointless! And then I’m mad at myself for being sad and overwhelmed and it really is a vicious cycle that is no fun at all, but I’m certain I’m not the only mommy out there dealing with this!  That is a tad comforting in itself.  What are some things you’ve said to yourself lately that you’ve got to put a little perspective on?

Motherhood

I promise to write a real blog post soon but time is of extreme value these days so you're gonna get this!

A quote I am in love with: "Motherhood is about letting go of perfection and just going with the flow!" Can I get an AMEN?!

And some pics to get you by....

Storing up that energy, seconds at a time!

Lovin like there's no tomorrow, you really should see this...it's incredible

Bringing this mama so much joy sometimes I wonder if I'm either gonna cry or explode with squeals of thanksgiving!

And in case you missed it, we welcomed another blessing from Him into our world: Mr. Nathan Patrick.

 Ava thoroughly enjoyed him, to say the least.

 And finally, a sneak peak of the Halloween festivities.. Hopefully there will be more before Thanksgiving rolls around but I can't promise anything!

More to come soon!   And also, I'm curious; would you rather have a quick pic post with some random thoughts or a real blog post? Leave me a comment and let me know!  One more thing, I want to wish a happy anniversary to the best parents around, you know who you are! Love you Mom and Steve.  Enjoy your day.  And to the rest, have a fabulous day!

I want to be this!

 Please take the time to watch this before reading below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F4SABpfUpI

I want to inspire....

I want to encourage...

I want to encourage confidence....

I want to dream...

I want to surprise...

I want to bring joy and happiness...

I want to love...

 I want to treasure...

I want to never take a single moment for granted.



Works for me Wednesday!

Got one little boy gigglin in his high chair at Daddy's goofy faces, one little lady having a very in depth conversation about being naked and a sweet hubby bringing me java. Works for me Wednesday!

What's working for you this fine Wednesday?!!