Sometimes I Don't Mind the Messes

There was a day last month when I put my LO to bed (I'll call her CB) and came out of her room to find remnants of her all over the house. It made me smile. To me it was just sweet little evidence that our home has been blessed with a little angel to play here and bring new life into our family.

But more recently, today I sat CB on the floor with some toys while I practiced piano. She was being unusually quiet and good...I thought I was being blessed to be able to get in some good practice time because I had been kinda praying for it. I've missed it. Every time I looked back she was quietly playing with something. I thought to myself, "Ha..all those moms that say it's time to worry when your child goes quiet. My daughter is just being good." Well life went on as normal all day. Tonight I was kneeling on the floor next to our plants, looking at them. Then I noticed one of them tipped over on the floor under the table. I hadn't seen it because it blends in with both the table and the carpet. There was dirt all over the place and the plant was no longer in the little pot. I think she ate it. It was parsley. My DH and I just laughed.

Taking a Break

Tonight I'm procrastinating. I'm procrastinating the sink full of dirty dishes, the dishwasher full of clean dishes, and the clutter that needs to be picked up. I feel thoroughly exhausted. It is still early but I could fall asleep for the night. That would be rather lovely actually. But tomorrow is Sunday and I want things to be nice in the morning so I suppose I'd better buck up and get my work done. If I  hurry maybe I can still go to bed early. :)

A Mother and a Wife

I have been thinking today about my responsibilities as a wife. I think an important key to good mothering has to do with the kind of spouse you are. While chasing my child, I can't leave my husband behind. I believe that the more stable and happy my relationship with my spouse is, the more stable and happy my whole family will be. The parents are the foundation for the family and if their relationship is not strong, the family weakens. Because of this, my husband should be my priority, and my relationship with him should be paramount. Obviously there will be times when my children will come first because they are so young and dependent. In fact, most of my time will have to be devoted to my children. However, in my day to day hurrying to meet their needs I can't forget my spouse; I can't forget his needs and I can't forget to devote a portion of my day to meeting those needs. Yes my children will keep me busy and yes the work I do with them is extremely important. But my husband likewise is giving his all for our family in a different way. He's working, he's going to school, he's gone most of the day making sure that his family has food on the table, a warm place to live, and clothes on their backs. He's giving his all just as much as I am. These sacrifices we are both making are only worthwhile so long as we are in it together. And being in it together means that we must keep our own relationship strong. We must put each other first. I believe as I put my husband first my children will not feel less secure, but more secure. My husband and I will provide the foundation they need to stand strong in a weakening world.