Growing Up

I love watching Chloe and Logan interact. It is one of the most exciting parts of motherhood so far.

Over the last month, Logan has definitely become much more interested in everything around him, especially his big sister. He splits his time about 60/40 between watching me and watching her (which is pretty good for this Mama's boy).

Chloe is a comedian, and thinks she is hilarious when she is not. Like when I'm trying to change her diaper and she runs away. Or, when we go somewhere and she refuses to get out of her car seat, buckling herself back in. Or, when she paints her arms instead of the paper.

But today, she really was being hilarious.

We were playing dress up on the floor in the nursery and trying to get Logan to crawl. But, he wasn't really interested in that, so Chloe and I started bouncing a soft gel ball back and forth. I would bounce it off the wall and she would chase after it. And, then I accidentally hit her in the face when I tossed it. Both of them started laughing hysterically!

That became the game of the afternoon. Chloe totally hammed it up too, becoming more and more dramatic every time I would toss it at her. When she really got him giggling, she would crawl over to him and hug and kiss him.

I would not trade moments like those for anything. Their laughter together makes the whole day seem brighter.

Gratefulness

I want them to learn to be grateful for what they have. 

 

 I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
-Phillipians 4:11-12

I have been thinking a lot about what makes us happy. Actually, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how what we say and do, what we spend our time thinking about, affects our own happiness.

My husband is very much a child at heart. He does not spend any more time than necessary -- read: than I make him -- on things that upset him. He is one of those people that really, truly can just let it go. It's like his sorrows come to him as little blue birds, and after he's done thinking about it (generally, this process takes about 5 minutes), he just sets the bird free and it flies away.

Now, I am guilty of being a generally miserable person. My sorrows come to me as anchors that hold me down in one spot until I decide to cut the chain. There is no peaceful "letting go." It's always a forceful eviction. I am incapable of not thinking about something that upsets me. I feel a sense of urgency to solve the problem, and until I've solved it, I won't stop.

Because we are so different in this respect, I have started thinking about the different influences we will have on our kiddos. And, I have realized that I want to be more like him -- both his attitude and his advice helps me cut the chains that hold me back.

He believes in me, and that helps me to believe in myself.
He wants to make me happy, and that makes me want to be happy.
He interacts with Bear and Bud so differently than I do. He truly enjoys most of the moments with them, while I typically just try to get through each minute of the day. When I see him interact with the kids, that more than anything, makes me want to be a happier person.

In his Letter to the Phillipians, Paul tells us to learn to be content in all situations, both in plenty and in want. We are not supposed to compare our current situation to the past, or covet the things we had before. Because in all cases, God has a plan for us. He has not forgotten about us. He does not punish us needlessly. Rather, we are supposed to always be learning to trust more completely in Him.

Being grateful and content with where we are at in this moment is probably the hardest thing for me. I'm a worrier, and a planner. It isn't easy for me to just accept everything as is. But, I know that in my own struggle for happiness, this is what God wants me to learn right now:

Be happy in the small moments. Like swimming in the kiddie pool with Bear, or teaching Bud to rollover. I need to learn to let those moments fill my heart, instead of trying to hurry through them to get on to the next task.

So, how do you define happiness?

A Few Things

I have learned while living in the South...

1. God, Family, Friends. Always.

2. Be grateful for everything, like the rain, the sunsets, the food on your table, and especially the things you wouldn't miss until they weren't there at all. Trust that God will provide you with the necessities.

3. Everything is better fried. Everything is better with beer.

4. People are willing to help if you give them a chance.

5. No one knows how to drive. Especially in bad weather.

6. Never apologize for who you are.

7. Believe in yourself; no one else will if you don't.

8. We are all human; no one is perfect.

9. Take advantage of every new experience, every new adventure.

10. It's okay to be silent sometimes.

11. There are still good, hard-working people out there.

12. Everyone struggles at some point or another.

13. Learn to see the beauty in everything because it was all created by God.

14. Love is the most powerful force on this planet.

15. Learn to be content in nothingness; then you will always be content.