I do what I do...

It was brought to my attention today that there are blogs out there that rip on women who like to do special things for their children. That some mom's seem to "overdo it".

WHAT?!?  Everything I do...EVERY SINGLE DAY...is because of my children and Ben.

I get up at 5:30 every morning so that I can elliptical and watch the shows that I love. It's my time of peace during the day. I don't have to think about anything except what Walt is up to on Breaking Bad, or what theme Glee is going with this week. It's all mine.

Once my kids are up at 7:05 my day begins.

I've wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I wanted 12  kids. That changed drastically after the birth of Olivia when I was positive my butt was on fire. Yes, fire. I quickly changed my mind and thought 1 would be great. As you all know, 5 children later and I still wish I could have more. I praise God that women have that built in switch in their heads that easily helps them forget about the pain of childbirth.

I live for my kids.

I am the mom that makes cookies 4 times a week. I make special shaped pancakes on Saturday's. My children know that there will be Valentine's waiting on the table February 14th. They know that Erin O'Lucky will show up on St. Patrick's Day with gifts...the Easter Bunny will hide eggs Easter morning. They will have matching shirts for the 4th of July. On Ben's birthday we decorate and make special cake for him to share at the racetrack. On my children's birthdays I decorate the dining room, they get balloons, they choose the flavor of cake I make and whatever they want for dinner. They each get a shirt or new outfit on their birthday to wear to school...I make skirts for Olivia...I color rice so that they have a different sensory activity. I make their Halloween costumes. I display their artwork. We have an Elf on the Shelf. I paint with my kids. I sing and dance with my kids EVERY DAY. I could list way more...but you get the point.

And people actually blog about this being a bad thing?!?

I DO NOT do those things with my children to make myself look good. or to make others wish they did more. I am sure there are PLENTY of mom's out there that do WAAAAAAY more than I do.

I made the decision 9 years ago that I wanted my kids to know how much they are loved. To never question that love, and become strong and confident through my actions towards them.

This doesn't mean that I spend a ton of money on my children. Actually the dollar store has become my favorite place to shop for decorations and small items I might need.  

This is why I do what I do...

My goal is to create positive memories. No matter how little time I have left after cleaning, taking my kids places, running errands, making dinner...I can fill more time with realistic, simple, and fun gestures and activities that my children will not ever forget. I never know what silliness or gesture will become embedded warmly and happily in  my child's mind forever. Simple acts (not expensive gifts) have a way of becoming treasured memories of growing up and of ME. For me, it is all about the little things.

I can. I don't do everything perfectly. But I sure am going to try. I fall flat on my face at times. I fail...I am NOT perfect. But my kids sure do love me.

I choose to do these things with my children because:

THEY WON'T BE KIDS FOREVER.
THEY WILL GROW OLDER AND START THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

One day I will wake up on St. Patrick's Day and not have a reason to set out Lucky Charms. But I will smile at the memories and happiness that they had opening the box of cereal that became a tradition. And know we celebrated for Grandma Hildebrandt.

One day I will not have a reason to play an April Fools Day joke on my kids...but I will ALWAYS have the memories of them trying to drink out of a cup filled with Jell-O!!

One day Olivia won't want me to make her skirts and hair pretties. But I will always have pictures of how sweet she was in the items I was able to make her!

One day my kids will want a store bought Halloween costume. But, wow, I sure did make a some good attempts. And they will know this, too.

Some day I won't have a child at home to decorate my dining room for on the day God gave them to me. But THEY will always have the memories of how proud I am to call them mine.

One day I won't have a reason to hide the Elf on the Shelf. But I am so excited for next Christmas. The joy that Elf brings to my kids is priceless. I hope that they can feel the same joy someday with their own children. I know they won't forget it.

Someday my kids won't want a "birthday shirt"...or a homemade birthday cake...so till then I'm going to sew and bake my heart out. They will always hold those memories dear.

Soon my kids won't want to finger paint with me...or color in a coloring book...but to look back in those books is priceless.

Someday my kids will have their own families. And I sure hope I have given them memories and shown them the love they deserve.

So yes. I may "overdo it" according to some people. But I will never have any regrets for what I do for them. How could you have regrets for doing simple, loving and awesome activities with your kids? We were all kids once...and what great memories mine will have.

I will always be proud for the kind of mom I strive to be...to show them love, give them attention and help to guide them through this crazy world.


I have come to these realizations over the years:

YOU are the only person who can change YOUR life.
In every situation you have ever been in, positive or negative, the one common denominator is YOU.  It is your responsibility, and yours alone, to recognize that  you are capable of making choices to change your situation, or to change the way you think about it. Don’t let the opinions of others interfere with this  reality. What you’re capable of achieving is NOT (and never will be) dependent of what others  think. You can achieve anything...it just depends on what YOU choose to do with YOUR time and energy. 

Society can SUCK!
When you find yourself stuck between what moves you and what society tells you is right, always choose what drives you. That is unless you don't care about your own happiness.  No matter where life takes you, you will come across people who think they know what’s best for you ... people who believe they are better than you ... people who think everyone has the same definition of happiness, life, success and beauty.

We all have our own niche:
Have you ever met someone who tries to measure peoples worth basked on what they have, rather than who they are? Material things don’t matter.  What truly matters to me is having a strength of character, an honest heart, giving grace and having a positive sense of self worth. If you have ANY of those things, hold on tight...never sell yourself short. 

I have NOTHING to prove.
My husband always says "the only time you start at the top is when you are digging a hole." Everyone wants to be the best...to be the first to achieve a task and have people look at them. But you know what the truth really is?  Your happiness and inside growth happens while you’re working to achieve something, not while you’re done.  Enjoy the climb up...enjoy each step...don't rush and miss your life. As hard as it can be, let the need to prove yourself to others go. You'll accomplish what matters most to you. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing or trying to do.

You will NEVER please everyone.
Some people always want to rain on your parade. They want to point out what you did wrong, and then never compliment you for the things that you did right.. Try not to be one of those people. Do not try to win someone's approval who disrespects you or treats you badly. And don't ever consume yourself with trying to change them. Please don't leave room in your heart to hate them. This energy is wasted and will consume you.

I'm off to bed...but you can bet I will be up early tomorrow morning ready to rock this mommy world...

XOXOXO