Enjoy the Little Things

Sometimes I have just horrible weeks. Not because it was an awful week, but just because I had an awful attitude about the week. I've mentioned in my motivation blog post that I let too much get to me. Fast forward a week and I'm feeling much better. Last week still had its tough moments, but I really worked on my attitude through hard times. It's a trying process. I haven't perfected it, but I'm learning and growing a little more each day. I know now to focus more on the little things and less on the negative things. One of my sons' giggles can instantly put me in a better mood. Reading an extra devotional because I'm having a rough day can flip my mood around, but the little things my family does during the week is what really helps. When your 3 year old son can sing the entire "That 70's Show" theme song or can clap at just the right time at the "Friends" theme song, that can change your mood. Reading a book or singing to your 1 year old just to see them smile, laugh, and look at you with such an adoring expression like you're their favorite person in this world. Yeah...that can change that bad mood too. When Roman pees in the potty and still says "good job!" to himself. When Axel crawls up to me and while on his hands and knees starts head-butting the back of my legs over and over while laughing. When Roman sneaks into our bedroom in the middle of the night or early in the morning just to give us kisses and snuggle with us even though he won't stay because he refuses to sleep anywhere but his own bed. When Axel plays peek-a-boo with me in his crib. Those are the little things that make me so happy. Not just my kids, but my husband also. Every act of kindness he does for me lifts my spirit a little more, because I know he sees when I'm struggling and he shows he does care.  Last night Roman pushed our patience all evening. While making dinner he was of course "starving" and would not stay out of the fridge. When I told him no because dinner is almost done, he would go and throw something on the floor or knock something over to make a mess. It ended with us sending him to his bedroom several times in which he would be back for round 2 to 34,234 in just a few seconds. Axel was clingy and kept grabbing at my legs or would sit right behind me, causing me to keep tripping around him. I was getting really frustrated with both of them and let it get to me too bad. Dinner was delayed, so I was upset with myself since I was trying to cook for James for Father's Day. Both kids were crying. James, being the amazing father and husband he is, stepped in, helped get the boys more settled, and helped me keep an eye on everything cooking so I wouldn't get too caught up with the boys and ruin dinner. Dinner turned out good, but it was definitely a trying time. My goal this week is to endure situations like these while keeping my patience and remembering the little things that help me get through the hard times. I'm not a perfect mom, but I can tell you I try to be the best mom I can be daily. Sometimes too hard. When you have these moments, remember that no one is perfect. Whether or not you can get through the situation with patience and keeping your cool, you're still an amazing parent. You experience these moments and get through them, because you are a trying parent. You care enough to get through them. The next time you realize you're losing your calm, try thinking about the little things that mean so much to you. Years down the line, those will be the big things that stick out the most to you. 

Roman helping rinse the silverware. Since he wasn't behaving
I told him he would have to help with dishes. Joke's on us because he
enjoyed it. 😂

Roman has been obsessed with "The Secret Life of Pets" so of course when
we found all the key chains he had to have them...ALL of them. 

Mommy made chocolate chip pancakes and Axel approved!

I count this as a "little thing" that does make me happy,
because even though it's so stressful seeing the messes
they make...especially together now, just look at those faces!

Axel playing peek-a-boo with mommy, even though he's supposed to be napping!

Right after Axel started crawling his favorite place to be was the bathroom.
It was frustrating. I was constantly getting him out of there. Thankfully he still
never messes with the toilet. He would go in there because he wanted to have
bath time. 😂 I still hate him going in there. I just know I'm going to catch him
playing in the toilet. We never had this issue with Roman. The bathroom was
always baby gated. You can't do that when you have a toddler now that waits
till he's about to pee his pants before he takes off running to the bathroom!

Day at the park with Mommy. Our local park has a swing designed to where it has
a baby seat on one side and I place for you to sit on the other side. Roman joined us.

Potty training has been the biggest struggle with this boy. He is
so stubborn. He'll be 4 in August and yet here we are still working
on it. He pees and poops on the potty, but he still sometimes waits till he's dribbling
or starting to poop in his "undies" before running to the toilet.
His faces still keep us laughing and bearing through it, but some nights are still rough. 

The joy these boys get from snapchat is enough to
bring a smile to your face.

There are relaxing times too.

Roman is our little "Linus" when he wants blankie to go bye bye
too. 😂