Tales of a Thankful Mom

           My Dad has nicknamed my youngest child “Sunshine.” She reminds me to slow down and smell flowers, literally, and she likes to take pictures of them too. Her eldest sibling inspires me to try new things, and she challenges me to broaden my perspective. Their brother teaches me something new daily, and asks his teachers when they are going to learn about higher level science topics such as physics. My children truly are my sunshine on a cloudy day. They are my laughter and dancing. My art and the music in my home. Right now, they are on the other side of the country visiting their Dad during Summer break. I hope that they each realize how much joy they bring to my life. I will close with the classic song, “My Girl”, but I feel this way about all of my kids nor just my girls. Do you have someone in your life that reminds you of sunshine?

       I am writing these words on a Monday, instead of last Friday, because I didn’t have the words last Friday. I was cleaning my son’s room today when I heard the below song and felt inspired to write. The last few days I have been allowing my fears and doubts run amuck through my mind. My therapist told me during my last appointment that I am not always kind to myself. I needed to be reminded that “there is nothing louder than the song of my Father.” “My life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) Thank you Lord that my life is not my past, my fears or my doubts. We are each God’s workmanship. God’s call on each of our lives is irrevocable. I am going to try to remember that when anxiety is running rampant, that if I stop and listen to my Heavenly Father’s song over me, I will find rest in the shadow of His wings.

              I find it interesting that each of us have a different perspective about time. Today seemed to fly by for me. I felt like I had a lot to do today- hello laundry- and  thinking about tomorrow, I expect tomorrow to be busy also, My youngest daughter at one point today told me that she was bored on the first day of Summer vacation. Fortunately boredom can be the springboard for creativity, if the statement of boredom isn’t taken as invitation by your older brother to pester  I mean entertain you. My children are very excited. They will be traveling out of state to see their Dad in six days.  My kids are looking forward to spending time with  their Dad, Grandparents and their New Mexican pets. I want to slow down and enjoy every moment with my kids, knowing how much I will miss them the approximately fifty four days that they will be away. I joked with my already taller than me son about how much taller he will be by the t...

          I did not want to go to my counseling appointment this week. I had the opportunity to work, and I was so tempted to reschedule my appointment and to go to work instead. I didn't cancel my appointment though. I owe my children a mother who is working on healing, especially as two of them are on their own healing journeys. I want to encourage them in prioritizing their mental health. I am glad that I kept my counseling appointment this week. I didn't realize how much I needed it until I was in the office with my counselor unpacking my fears and worries that I tend to stuff down rather than deal with them. This isn't the first time that I took steps toward wholeness and life, because my children needed me too. In fact, many of the steps that I have taken into freedom in the past five years has been because it was what was best for my children. I am not perfect at this and have made plenty of mistakes along the way. Yesterday, I made the right decision....

 The word chapters reminded me of the journaling exercise that I used to do entitled, "These are the days of . . . " So without further ado here is the list. These are the days of slime made with Elmers glue. My youngest bought slime kits for them to share with their oldest sibling. They both had fun making slime today. These are the days of award ceremonies, graduations (elementary and middle) and end of the school year activities. These are the days of my youngest discovering that she enjoys putting together power point presentations about animals and other topics that interest her. These are the days of my son saying, "Hey Mom come look at this!" requesting that we can watch a science video so that he can discuss it with me. These are the days of watching my children share their creative gifts whether that is watching my youngest prepare a presentation, my eldest sketch, or my son create video game fan art. These are the days that I am trying to slow down and sav...

          "So is there anything that we (my eldest and I) need to work on this week?" I asked. "You need to practice more self care. It is important that your children see you taking care of yourself and managing stress better." I promised my eldest's counselor that I will try. It is hard to practice self care though, when I constantly feel like there are other more pressing tasks that I should be doing. It is a deliberate choice to take a break, when there is still so much to do. I told my child's counselor that my youngest especially would like more time with me, and that I would invite them into the self care activities. My youngest loves beauty and at times feels lonely as the only one of my children that will be at elementary school next year. Learning to take time for fun to better manage stress will be good for us both. One of the ideas that we are already doing that I want to increase the frequency of is going for walks. My children love pointing out...

          Many times, one of my kids will ask me when we will do a certain activity. I used to answer them, "Soon." Even if I wasn't sure that it would be soon. The problem with that is that sometimes the "soons" get swallowed up by the never ending to do list, and I forget the things that I promised to do sometime soon. I now evaluate whether the activity is important to them, and doable at that present time for me. If the answer to both of those questions is yes, than I ask them, "How about now?" Time passes too quickly. I want to make the most of the opportunities to make memories with my children. So, yes to, "Let's go for a walk," and yes to "Mom, do you want to watch this with me?"  Yes, to "Mom, will you make this with me?". and yes to "Mom come here and listen to my favorite song." I want to remember that time is precious and that one day sooner than I realize my children will be young adults. I want ...