Thankful

Each day is a roller coaster. Continuous ups and downs. There are good moments and frustrating moments. Constantly. And just when I think, “Wow, we are having such a great day,” the mood switches and I find myself getting frustrated with my children. And, by the end of the day, after I have tucked them into bed, I wonder, am I a terrible mother? Am I messing up? What am I doing wrong? Every.single.day. I feel the same way. {And I want to go wake them up and give them a big hug, and tell them “I love you.” But I don’t cause I really don’t want them to be awake.}

I have started reading a blog. She {Shawni} is insightful. Fun. Honest. And so stinkin cute! What I think I love most about what she writes about is her honest, tell it like it is, day to day busyness. I feel the same way and I relate to her in so many ways. And I realize, most of us relate to her in so.many.ways! She is enjoying the journey motherhood and, although it is challenging, it is also very rewarding. And she is so darn optimistic! I love it. And, I want to be optimistic, too.

I love my family. I have so much to be thankful for. I have 4 beautiful children, who I am so thankful Heavenly Father has entrusted them to me. I have an amazing husband who listens to me, encourages me, strengthens me, loves me.

For FHE this last week, we tried to once again teach our children that it is important to make good choices. For example, sharing, being nice, taking turns, helping out, using nice voices, ect. We made them each a CTR Chart to keep track of their “good choices.” We make charts for them all the time to reinforce good behavior. But, for some unknown reason, this completely back fired. As in, they would gloat when the they got a sticker and their sibling didn’t. Or they would “tell” me every time they did something so they could get a sticker before their sibling did. They would start whining if someone else got a sticker. Which wasn’t the point. It was actually getting very frustrating. Why wasn’t it working?

So, I had to brainstorm again. What has worked in the past? I took their charts down. And made a Family Chart. One chart. That they could all work on together. Within minutes, the atmosphere changed. Immediately, no joke! They started being nicer to each other. They were excited when the other one got stickers. They were wanting to help each other out. And be nice to one another. Funny how that works, right?

This reminded me of a conversation I had with Parker a while ago. I was talking to him about when Paisley was born, and he and Preston went to stay at Mamaw and Papaw’s house. I was asking if he remembered it. He told me he did. Then we started talking about when Preston was born, and if he remembers that. He asked me if him and Paisley stayed at Mamaw and Papaws house. It hit me—Parker doesn’t remember a time when it was just him. It’s the same for Preston, and also Paisley. They have always had each other.

My kids really do love each other. They stick up for each other. {If anybody even threatens to be mean to Parker, Preston freaks out. Literally!} They are best friends. And they work better together, as a team. They may be little, but we have already instilled in them the importance of being a family, and loving each other. Friends come and go, but family will always be there. And, as much as they fight, or tease each other, they really do love each other.

So, this morning, after they were fighting, and after I redid their behavior charts, and when they started getting along, I couldn’t help videoing Preston and Paisley. I know it’s not much of a video, but when I watch it, my heart swells with love. Here’s Preston, playing with his sister, and here’s Paisley, who isn’t afraid/shy in front of the camera.