Our Family Moments: 2015

So yesterday when I was driving while my children were riding in their car seats in the backseat I heard my sweet Abigail softly ask me, "Mommy, how do you become a princess?" As I was trying to concentrate on driving and changing lanes I gave her the quick answer that just popped into my head. I simply said, "You have to either marry a prince or you are already born into being a princess." I thought I would just hear, "Oh, okay mommy." Instead I heard my little girl correct me by saying, "Or you can do thoughtful things for people, mommy." she went on saying, "You can help people with disabilities and then you are a princess." I was blown away by this response. I stopped at the next stop light, turned around, looked at her and said, "Yes, baby girl, you are so right that is how you become a princess."

When I am with Abigail I am in awe of her spirit. I feel like I have nothing to do with her sweetness and this is definitely how God made her. People often comment on how sweet Abigail is and what a nice job we are doing raising her. However, I give all of the credit to God because she has always been this way. I have learned so much being a mother and my children teach me everyday. Abigail and Eli light up our world and have changed Clayton and I for the best.

I look at my children and I still cannot believe that God picked me to be their mother. I thank Him everyday for trusting me with them and I just hope I am doing the best job that I can. I sometimes feel as though I am failing because there are times when I am too tired to finish laundry, too tired clean up the toys, too tired to work on school work with Abigail or help Eli learn sign language. The worse is when the day runs out and we haven't worked on Abigail's therapy exercises. That is the absolute worse feeling. I try to do a little stretching or exercises with her at least once a day but sometimes this doesn't happen for about a hundred reasons. However, there are the times that I think we are doing a pretty good job as parents. Such as when Abigail corrects me on what it takes to be a princess. When Eli gives his sister continuous hugs and kisses, when he climbs into my arms and snuggles up, when he approaches any other child he sees and tackles with a hug, when he shares his toys or even when he blows kisses. When Abigail helps her brother, teaches him and always protects him. But most of all I know we are doing a pretty good job when I see the smiles on their faces realizing that having a spotless home, consistent schedules does not matter in the end. All that matters is that we are together, we are all healthy and as happy as we could ever be. These certainly are the days that He has made and we will always rejoice.

So my advice to anyone is simply this. Remember these days for the memories that are made and leave the house the way it is. Don't worry about staying on your schedules, let the kids and yourselves play for just a few more minutes. It is okay to have dessert before dinner sometimes, they will remember those moments always. Our children teach us something new everyday, but if we are too busy dealing with the crazy that life can sometimes bring you will miss the lesson. This advice is for myself as well and I am going to live by it. Now off to go play with my babies. :-)