Raising kids, it's good therapy!

Okay, have you ever noticed that raising kids is like going through therapy?  I've been thinking about this alot lately. It seems that when the kids were young I constantly thought about how I reacted so much like one or the other of my parents in each situation that I handled and it forced me to make conscious choices and to set goals about how I would do things differently with them.  I learned so much about children and about what shapes their character and who they become.  I also learned that each of my children had such different personalities and abilities and gifts and that so much of who they turned out to be would depend on what we did with each of these characteristics.  I learned so much about myself and what kind of child I was and what had shaped me.

Now that my children are so much older and they are growing into adults, it's happening again.  It is so therapeutic for me.  I dont know why.  Probably because I am able to advise them on how to handle their choices better than I did.  My kids are so much more wise and on the ball than I was at their ages.  Yet I can see myself in each one of them.  It is so satisfying as we analyze together each situation and I feel this weight lifted from the "what ifs" of my past life.  And I am blessed with the vision of the "whys" and "why nots".  It is very freeing and awesome to see so clearly now what the Lord really had in store for me all along. 

I love my kids more than anything in this world.  They are everything I dreamed they would be and more.  They inspire me to be a better person.  I am so blessed to have been chosen to be their mother.  What an awesome privilege!  The Lord's plan is so perfect and all encompassing. 


"Still learning about myself"!

Nelson = Hopeless Romantic

So, lately I've been dealing with some matters of the heart with one of my children.  It has taken me back to those days and I've been doing a lot of reminising of past relationships I had when I was his age.  But what is funny is that as I look at each of my children and at My Man and I, I can see so clearly what a bunch of Hopeless Romatics we all are. 

My Man cracks me up because he will preach and preach to the kids about dating and not getting caught up in one person too soon. Which is great advice.  But, when it comes right down to it, he is the first person to fall in love with any of the kids' "love interests" that they might bring home.  He said to me not too long ago after one of our sons ended a relationship that he was in, "Honey, I dont think he should bring anymore girls home to meet us, because this is too hard".  I totally got him!  I really did.  That's the sad truth about it all.  Even Michael said to me the other day, "I swear I cant help it, I take after you and Dad, I'm so impatient I cant wait to fall in love".

Well, it's so true.  Nelson = Hopeless Romantic.  I do love that about my boys though.  They will each make wonderful husbands because they love with all their hearts and so very deeply.  My Man and I fell in love so quickly and we couldn't wait to be together forever.  We preach to the boys to be patient and not to rush things but then when you look at us, after 3 dates we knew we were hooked and there was no turning back!

 I have to admitt it is a bit heart wrenching going thru the process of watching our oldest date and break up and learn and grow as he is seeking to find that special someone whom he will spend the rest of his life with.  Hopefully he will soon find that special someone and my heart can take a break!  Love sure can be a roller coaster ride!

"Still a hopeless romantic"!

Maybe I'm Amazed From Joyful Noise With Lyrics Featuring Jeremy Jordan

Recently saw this movie "Joyful Noise".  One of the best movies I've seen in a long time.  I always love this kind of a musical.  Awesome one of a kind song!  Listen and enjoy!

"Still enjoying good music"!