I don't have long to type, but I wanted to spend a few minutes typing some of the lessons I've learned since Chloe was born. I think I was supposed to learn them after Brooke but failed to do so. So God had to give me a second child one year later. :)

1) As the wife, I set the tone of the home. Someone said that at a Bible study I went to this week, and it really hit home. So if both kids are fussy and over-tired, Matt doesn't have to come home to a stressed out environment. If both kids are fussy and over-tired, and Matt walks in the door, and I throw the kids in his face, and say, "Here! I can't take it anymore!" (yes, I've done this) THEN I'm creating a stressful environment. I CHOOSE to have peace, joy, and rest in this home.

2) I cannot always make my kids happy (also something touched on at the Bible study but one I've been thinking about a lot since Chloe's birth). And why should I try? When they get older, the world is not going to go out if its way to make them happy. So if I let them live their first 5 or 10 years, always being happy, I'm not only spoiling them, I'm giving them a wrong view of life. My job is to train them, first of all, how to be followers of Christ, and second of all, how to be disciplined and loving women.

3) I've always felt a lot of guilt about being a "bad mother." I don't know why. If I don't feel like I'm spending ALL my time reading, playing, and loving on my children, then I feel that they are going to grow up lost and neglected. (Yeah, right... as if Brooke has been neglected a day in her life! She's spoiled rotten!) But God has shown me how to resolve my guilt. Put Him first and Matt second. Somehow when the kids are in the proper order in my priorities list, I realize that they don't need 100% of my attention. And letting them fuss while I prepare a meal for my family is GOOD for them. It's teaching them the importance of someday preparing meals for THEIR family. So bring on the fussing during cooking and laundry. I can take it!

4) Finally, (I think I've touched on this before in my blog), take joy in the good moments. When Brooke points out a "duck" and makes me laugh. When I get a jog, shower, and Bible reading in by 8am (like I did this morning). When Matt gives the dinner I've made a "10 out of 10." And in these moments, have joy and satisfaction with abandon... don't fret because tomorrow may not be as good. There are going to be good days and bad days, so rejoice in the good, and don't dwell on negative thoughts in the bad. After all, my kids are a BLESSING and a joy. I'm allowed to enjoy the times I'm sharing with them.

So I'm off to work on a casserole to stick in the fridge... makes lunch-after-church so much easier if it's already prepared. Hope these lessons are able to help another struggling SAH mom.