One thing I have learned about life is when things aren’t going my way or I am feeling down, I have to change my focus and start choosing joy and thankfulness.
The weather the last few days has been dark, rainy, and dreary and I don’t do well in those conditions.
I would rather stay in bed, not exercise, not cook, eat junk, and sink deeper and deeper into my couch and the depression that pulls on me.
So, today, I am choosing to change my focus to things I love about being a mom!
Why don’t you join me and add things you love about being a parent in the comments below!
- I love snuggling up with my kids on the couch to watch a movie or one of the television shows we watch.
- I love when Ty gets to giggling at himself.
- I love when Anne tries to be annoyed with Ty and I as we sing “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, but she can’t help but smile as she rolls her eyes.
- I love tucking my children in to bed.
- I love watching my children “get it” when it comes to the things of God, the things of life, and more.
- I love taking them to school every day, dropping them off and telling them that I love them.
- I love picking them up from school and hearing about their day.
- I love seeing Ty’s mind at work.
- I love watching Anne cheer.
- I love playing games with my children.
- I love sitting on the deck watching them play outside.
- I love sitting on the trampoline and having fun with them.
- I love doing new things with my kids.
- I love doing the same old, same old with them.
- I love just being with my kids.
- I love the people who my children are growing up to be.
- I love teaching my children.
- I love the ways that my children teach me.
- I love Anne’s creativity – drawing, rainbow loom bracelets, crocheting, and so much more.
- I love Ty’s spontaneity.
- I love that our family has its own language (lots of sarcasm), inside jokes (crapplesauce in the hillbilly briefcase, anyone?), and so much more!
- I love that my children love their family – grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins – and want to spend time with them.
- I love how my children love their friends.
- I love that my kids can have conversations with adults.
- I love that my kids love Jesus and His church.
I could go on and on. The point isn’t to number the list, but rather to make the list so that I can see all the good things I have in my life. And this is just about my children! When you make a list like this, you can’t help but smile and be joyful. In fact, now all I want to do is go hang out with my kids and have some fun!
On those days when the kids are acting up, I can come back to this list.
On those days when I am questioning my ability as a parent, I can come back to this list.
On those days that just downright are terrible, I can come back to this list.
Thank you, Lord, for my children, and for the joy that the bring into my life.