Believe it or not, sometimes I tend to be dramatic. I look at my little world and go crazy thinking things are out of control.
But in reality I have a great life. Yes my house is usually a mess and my clothes rarely match but those are just momentary annoyances. They’re just part of the phase I’m in (I hope).
The truth is my family is healthy. We have a great home and neighborhood. My oldest two boys are thriving in school and the youngest two are my favorite things to spend time with at home.
I get to read books, take pictures and work in my yard.
I have food on my table and heat (or air conditioning) in the air vents.
We laugh, we play and we drive each other nuts. What more could you want?
Now I’m not big on making New Year’s Resolutions, but this year I’m making an exception. I’ve been reflecting on 2014 and all the crazy experiences we’ve had and I’ve decided to take a different take on 2015.
Instead of focusing on all the stressed-out, I-want-to-throw-in-the-towel moments of motherhood, I’m going to try to focus on the this-is-the-best-job-in-the-world parts.
I’m sure I’ll still have times when I want to pull my hair out, but I don’t want to make that my focus this year. I want to remember all of the good things that are going to happen.
Our entire family is going focus on the good.
We’ve started a “Good Things” jar. If there’s something we’re thankful for, if we do something fun, if we have anything “good” in our lives, we’re going to write it down. Then we’ll place it in the jar that sits on my husband’s dresser.
At the end of the year we’re going to read about all of our good times and blessings. (And maybe I’ll pull out a few slips of paper to read intermittently to get me through the hard times.)
After all, there are plenty of good times to fill the jar. I know there were in 2014.
Like the moment I heard my little baby girl cry for the first time and they placed her in my arms. Then I got to buy pink onesies and frilly headbands for one of my babies the first time … ever.
Then there’s the time my oldest son got to play the piano in the school talent show. Or when he got to have lunch with the mayor because he showed great respect and kindness to others at school.
Then there was the time my first-grader started reading on an 8th-grade level. And then was selected to be in an advanced writing group at school. You should read his stories!
I’ll never forget when my two-year-old dressed up as Olaf and ran around giving people “warm hugs.” Or when he kept telling me he “needed me” – cuter words have never been said.
My husband and I celebrated a decade of marriage and we found our family a perfect new home.
We’ve laughed, we’ve cried and we’ve fought and played.
We’ve had good times.
Here’s to having more… and here’s to taking the time to write them down.
I hope our jar ends up overflowing.
Boogers on the Wall 