Unwind

To unwind each day I have been listening to a lot of classical music lately.  Primarily piano...
Clay Giberson, Robin Spielberg, George Winston, Ludovico Einaudi, Dustin O'Halloran,and David Lanz just to name a few.  Pandora has been my besty lately.  We are able to have it stream through our DVD player to our TV and it is awesome!  No add interruptions like on the computer. SO. NICE.

The music not only helps me to unwind, but also the kids.  Gabriel especially loves piano, and classical in general.  He has been a bit grouchy and whinny lately, so this helps us all :)  His molars are S.T.I.L.L. coming in.  Holy goodness these things take foooooorreeeeeeverrrrrrrrrrr.  At least it is just in little spurts....a week here, a week there.  Although I wish they'd just pop in and be done already! Allergy/headache season is apparently setting in again with the weather having all the changes lately.  So this too has been taking it's toll.

I have really had to be even more aware of my own emotions and general grrrr-ness this week.  Been in more prayer and study which has helped so much.  I started doing more study while the kiddos are napping too.  Just as a pick me up, refresher, to get myself back on track and in check.  Because if mama gets testy, everyone will be grouchy-er.  Even though sometimes all I really want to do is through a fit too. lol  Unfortunately I'm not 2 and would really have no excuse.  oh well. HA!  So as my own words ring in my mind "an out of control parent cannot teach a child self control" I breathe, turn on some worship or some classical music and get back to Parenting.  The right way.  The way God wants me to.  Taking captive my emotions and thoughts and giving them to Him each and every morning...and all day long.  

I have another saying that I have told the girls in my life group and that is "remember your morning attitude".  I came up with this after a couple of my first real challenging stay at home mama days.  I would notice that I was so cheery in the morning, nothing much bothered me, whatever was being whinned about or fussed about wouldn't get to me, we'd just move on, patience that reaches the sky, it's a new day.....but by the time that 3pm or 4pm came around...not so much.  Then I would notice that when Chris got home around 6pm, he would be so excited and loving....kissing and cuddling, tickling and wrestling with the kids.  It really made me think.  He is acting like I do.... in the morning!  Hence my "remember my morning attitude" saying.

Being a stay at home mama is literally one of the greatest gifts God has given me.  Yes, there are great days and other days that are a challenge, and it's SO CRAZY worth it.  All of it.  The laughter. the cuddles. the whining. the crying. the joy. the tears. the fort building. train choo choo-ing. the time outs. the picnic parties.  You name it.  It's all good.  And I believe one of the biggest, greatest callings a woman can have.  Think about it.  We have been trusted by God to raise His children...all day long.  Isn't that amazing?  Wow, really! so cool

And this is probably why I never say I'm having a bad day.   Even when my patience may be dwindling from telling Gabriel, Asher or Trinity for the zillion-pagillionth time to not leave there sippy cups lying around on the floor....b/c they know that they belong on the table, or to stop using the ottoman as a high jump, or the chairs as a means to reach anything and everything they aren't s'possed to......I may get a smidge aggravated or annoyed....but that never makes my day bad.  It may be a bit more challenging that others, that's for sure.  But not bad.  Everyday I wake up and have nothing better to do than spend time with our instant little family God gave us is always a good day.  A blessed day.  A day to be thankful.  A gift and treasure. 

And may I never forget it.


Love me some good Word!
Psalm 119:5  Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes to see  the wonderful truths in your instructions
Ephesians 4:29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 
2 Corinthians 6:6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.