Being Intentional

Over the past week I have tried my best to be intentional about my time with Caid and Ethan. With the birth of baby number 3 only a week or so away I wanted to make the most of my time with the boys before I become a very sleep deprived and busy mommy. It made such a difference in our days, there was less fighting and arguing between the boys themselves and I found myself getting less frustrated with them. If my goal of the day is to be present in their lives and not to get this little chore done or catch up on this e-mail or whatever it is the day goes so much smoother, and in the end, is much more fun for us all. Our play together was filled with imagination guided ideas from Caid and Ethan, playing with toys - mostly all of Caid's different building things and all of Ethan's cars and trucks, and games with their different beloved stuffed animals. 

Of course the week wasn't perfect, arguments still arose and my patience still ran thin at times but all in all it was so much calmer. I am home to be their mom and a lot goes into that but sometimes I loose sight of the most important thing and that is to be present with them in what they are doing. There were so many benefits and it was most apparent to me at the end of the day when Jamie would come home to us happily playing instead of us all (well maybe just me) being at the end of our ropes.  One surprising outcome was that the boys played really well by themselves and together more often when I did have things I needed to do or wanted to do. I am thankful for the perspective I took heading into last week and I am going to try my best to keep it up.

Bringing in the New Year

January 1, 2009

Last night we sat around talking about New Resolutions and of course I had none. After I thought for a while about the general ones: be a better mom, read my Bible more, get in shape (post baby), and so on, I came up with the idea of trying to journal about my life as a wife, mom, friend, and most importantly, a child of God for one year. First I must say that I am not a journal keeper. I wish I was and I have tried, but I am not. Recently thought, I have been reminded of the precious gift that life is and the lives of my children are and how much I should saver them and hold the day-to-day dear to me. So, without further delay, I am going to give it a try!

Welcome 2009! This morning I started the first day of this new year in the best possible way. Jamie got up with the boys and let me sleep in. A  short while later I heard Caid say that he wanted to come and get me. He came into our room and climbed into bed with me. Ethan followed right behind him. I spent the next 15 minutes or so laying in bed with them pretending to look up at the stars, the moon, and all the planets. (We even saw dragons!)  We counted shooting stars and all sorts of things. We had to get out of bed when tickle bugs invaded and were attacking me. Really, is there a better way to start a new year than your husband letting you sleep in and then later being awoken by your two favorite boys?