Thankful Thursday

1.  my husband the handyman - Ok, so he wasn't born a handyman nor trained to be one.  However, he's very willing to attempt fairly high skilled jobs around the house.  YouTube videos have been a big help with his current house project. 
2.  when the first number on my alarm clock is a 6 before either of our kids get up
3.  hanging out with grandparents and cousins
4.  Our kids will snuggle in our bed for awhile before begging for breakfast.
5.  snow - Call me crazy, but I wanted more.  Our winter bucket list includes making a snowman and sledding.  We still haven't gone sledding.  I sure wish we had a University 40 around here!
6.  I'm going to be an aunt again!  My sister and brother-in-law are expecting baby #3 in late September! 
7.  our sweet neighbor Mr. P - Lance did clear our sidewalk, but it snowed a little more and drifted after he did.  Our neighbor cleared it again for us later in the day.  He's very thoughtful and energetic for a man of his age!

8.  dinner with friends and their kiddos - Micah learned a new way to play with the wagon thanks to the W boys! 

9.  a post on a blog called Stay Calm and Mother On.  The following part caught my attention.

"In our fast paced times, Facebook and other social media tends to give us a voyeur’s glimpse into the lives of many others – yet what we see is still only what they choose to share. Conversely, if you only show that perfect snapshot of that perfect moment, when you and your children are frozen in time doing exactly what you had envisioned – well, that’s what they’ll see and expect of themselves. Never mind that it took three days, umpteen tries, tears, shrieks and a dozen retakes."

It caught my attention because I only post "good" pictures on my blog.  I don't photograph temper tantrums, yelling, tears, Pinterest recipes gone bad and cereal for supper instead, urine accidents on the floor, finger prints all over the windows, laundry piled up, toys EVERYWHERE, losing patience way too quickly, etc., etc., etc.  So FYI, we don't have it all together in this family.  I'm very willing to share more stories to prove it in case you don't believe me :) 

This next part from the blog was encouraging to me. 

She discusses how women "...are often too hard on ourselves because of the notions we have about others. Instead of making comparisons with only a tiny fragment of pure data, why not go for ‘personal best’. Relish the learning curve, the journey, the experiences…that way you’re only worrying about your own reality. Simply challenge yourself to be the best you, you can be! Love your husband into growing old together. Feast on each meal in the company of those you love, however it comes out of the oven. Make your house a home – no matter how humble. And most of all, love those little blessings from God – tears, tantrums, sloppy kisses and all. Stay calm, Mama, and mother on!"

So this week I have taken on that challenge, and I also encourage you to also no matter how old you are or how old your kids are.  "Stay calm, Mama, and mother on!"