Late Night Epiphanies

Why my late night epiphanies/confessionals always seem to come at the most inopportune time—when my "little angels" are in a "perfected state" (aka asleep), and my drool has a date with my pillow (aka exhaustion)—is a question that will haunt me till the day I retire from mothering (aka NEVER).

Okay enough with the "aka's". The epiphany I had as I lay in this pitch black room next to my comatose husband (who is richly blessed to give in to slumber) is:

Look for the opportunities each day presents to either ignore, tear down, OR build up the character of your children.

In my often failed attempt to do better at this thing called parenting, I realize just how furtive these moments are—how numerous, yet how quickly they come and go (from an accidental spill, to a quarrel with a sibling).

It is time to revamp the new year resolutions, and make it my mid-new year goal to take a moment—before the moment ignites a reaction— and process the situation, to ask "as their mother—the person who wants them to succeed most in their life, the person that wants to help them grow into GREAT men (cause God knows we need GREAT men in this world)—is my reaction conducive to lifting them up? Is it helping define their character? To build trust, love, and respect?"

I know it's a goal I will most likely fail at miserably at least another 100 times before 8am tomorrow morning, but the epiphany has at least sparked an interest, a resolution, to proactively do better at loving these little men God so kindly entrusted to my care.

—Sleepless in Alabama signing off

#theepiphaniesofmotherhood

Amanda's 34th Birthday

It was a nice, low key birthday this year.  Mike took the day off and we started the day by opening gifts—Mike surprised me with a mini ipad (he spoiled me) and a beautiful, heart felt letter.  Beckahm, the night previous—all on his own—gave me a back massage and drew me an awesome picture (totally made my day when he said he wanted to do those things for me). Beckahm was so excited to open my gifts and to celebrate the entire day with me :); the funniest thing he said was "mom, when are your friends coming over?"

I went to yoga in the morning and then we went to breakfast at Tropical Smoothie as a fam.  I then had a last tint appt at the Aveda Institute and then I came home, got ready while Mike took care of the kiddos and I went shopping, picked up a few clothes, got my makeup done at Mac, and got a pedicure at the Aveda Salon. Then I picked up Mike and Corrie babysat the kids while we went to dinner at Red Lobster.

I am so grateful for all the wisdom that comes with aging.  I am grateful for the trials I have overcome in my life, that I had the gumption to get myself out of some difficult situations.  I am forever grateful to the Lord who had faith in me to send me here, knowing I would have the ability to pull myself out of difficult situations and try to make better choices.  I am grateful for my mother who brought me into this world 34 years ago and all of the great sacrifices she made to raise me, support me, sustain me and see me grow.  I am grateful for to now be a mother of two beautiful boys.  I am grateful that motherhood pushes me to be better.  And I am grateful for my amazing husband and how close we have become in our relationship.  I truly love that he is my companion and most importantly I person I consider my closest friend.

I hope within the next year that I learn how to slow down and enjoy life more, that I continue to try to be a better mother, that I keep growing in my communication, honesty, and connection with my husband, and that I serve others and open myself up to the countless possibilities of growth and change.

Mike was so sweet to stay up late after he got home from work and put up some decorations

I wanted carrot cake and Mike insisted on making it for me but he was getting home so late the night before so I made it myself :) (he did frost it however :)

Dinner with the hubs; loving my new neon shoes