Today I found a blog mentioned in this month's latest REAL SIMPLE magazine (which I love). It is called the Happiness Project. Check it out at www.happiness-project.com. There is an interesting one-minute video about a mom finding happiness in taking her daughter to school on the NYC bus each day. It made me think differently about getting my kids ready for school each day, packing lunch, shoes on, backpack ready, scooters ready(which they love to ride to the bus stop) and stroller out and ready for baby. I was reminded watching this video that it is the little things, like walking to the bus stop, that make parenting special. Moments that ARE parenting. Its the little things (hence my title again) that make life joyful and fullfilling. So instead of trudging through the preparation and walk on Monday morning, I am going to see it differently and with a little more fun.
In addition, I started my day preparing for a stressful school meeting about our oldest. My neighbor, Patti, who is a special educator came over to help me review my son's IEP and offer suggestions. She offered some invaluable ideas, but yet afterwards I was struggling with worry. Seems I am constantly second guessing my "parental intuition" about my son.
This concern basically plagued me all day until I got a call from my mom about 3pm. She was in tears and gave me a quick update that my nephew was suddenly very sick and was being taken to a hospital in Tampa, FL. It was not good news, but we agreed to take it to God in prayer and ask others to do the same.
Suddenly, with information like this, it made all my worries and concerns melt away,or at least seem insignificant in the midst of what my brother and sister-in-law were experiencing at that moment. Tomorrow we will know more, but for now we are trusting God to intervene and heal little John.
So tonight I am hugging my kids a little tighter, letting them stay up a little later, and thinking of all the things I am grateful for. Like 3 happy and healthy prized little "projects"!
that's a great post, honey. this morning was the first time I read it.
ReplyDeleteall the repetitious, potentially mundane tasks of parenthood can and should become our joy because is where we will spend the majority of our child-rearing years (in our case, at least 24 years of our lives!)
I pray that we are able to keep this perspective in mind and allow it to cause our hearts to truly enjoy the simple and "regular" moments with our wonderful kids. Their childhood is too brief to miss these opportunities.
May your day and theirs be filled with smiles and very special simple moments.
I love you and thank you for your constant sacrifice to be the best mother and nurturer for our children. I believe you are absolutely the greatest wife and mom on planet earth!