I have gained "a little perspective." Thank heavens! Tuesday was a bit of a reality check for me - and it wasn't the most pleasant. But in the last few days, I have learned some lessons that I would like to share. First and foremost, I have learned that I have lots of friends who are in tune and concerned about me. Thank you. I have really appreciated your comments about "hanging in there." Next, I learned that I need to just be grateful. Cadence is amazing. I can't imagine my life without the energy and excitement she brings into every situation. I love seeing the world through her eyes. I love being the one who kisses her pain away. I love holding her. I love waking up in the night to her crawling in bed between us. I love holding her hand when we cross the street. I love feeding her big bites when she won't eat. I love having to tell her to be gentle to her sister when she loves on her too much. I love getting little notes she's written to me. I love, I love, I love. . . And if she acts up because it's hard to share her mom, or because it's hard to share her space, or because she wants things to go her way, I've learned that I need to gain some perspective and just be grateful. Grateful for her need to be with me. Grateful that she loves me so much that she would try anything to get my attention. Grateful that she loves her home. Grateful that she has an opinion. Grateful that she is healthy and happy. Grateful that she is Cadence - a unique little lady who was given to me for a reason - so that I could teach her and she could teach me. This quote by Sister Hinckley really sums it up. . .
"As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things
that have no meaning for you or your family.
Don't dwell on your failures,
but think about your successes.
Have joy in your home.
Have joy in your children.
Have joy in your husband.
Be grateful for the journey."
- Marjorie Pay Hinckley
What is most important in our lives? The relationships we have. I certainly have a long way to go, but I know how much I love Cadence and I know that she loves me. That's what matters. Nothing more, nothing less.
Today, Joy School was better. Not because Cadence was better, but because I could stand back and understand where she was coming from - thanks to many of your comments and advice. We had fun making these little bird feeders for the birds who don't fly south for the winter and will be in need of food.
Expertly spreading peanut butter on a pinecone. (Try it, it's TRICKY!!)
Rolling and covering it with bird seed.
Here little birdies - come and get it!!!
8 comments:
Beautiful, Brooke! Thanks for sharing that perspective. I often have to remind myself of those things as well. You are a GREAT mom. Thanks for the quote too! I might have to steal it for my own blog. It is so great to be back in touch. I remember why I love you so much. It is so fun to see you as a wife and mother. You really do amaze me.
Very Well said! It's always so fun reading up on what you have to say because you are so wise :) I love the quote too. It was great chatting with you today!
Oh, you make me cry. It probably doesn't help that I'm a LITTLE hormonal these days, but you are so smart and sweet and I love you!
I love your loves, and I love your gratefulness. I needed this perspective. THank you for sharing yours words, and Sister Hinkley's words. I guess we all need a change of perspective every now and then... unfortunately mine gets thrown off all too often. I think I too need to be thankful for the journey. Thank Brooke... I miss you too! Like crazy! The more I think of it , the more i regret not spending more time with you after you moved to IF. We were really only 20 minutes away. How dare I! I am so sorry. Hopefully we can come back here after our 8 month journey back to cold weather. Then you guys can come visit on the beach and stay with us! We would love it!
Loved your blog. Wish I could express my self as well in script . REALY enjoyed all the pictures . Danee when she was a very smart teenager would say " Mother in a hundred million years will it realy matter" So dont worry be happy . love ya guys, Mom
you are the greatest! the greatest mom & the greatest person. we all have "those days" when we question our abilities as moms/wives/daughters, etc. or question what our kids will grow up to become. and then the next day we can wake up & get some perspective. just like you said. you love those girls SO much...it is so obvious and that is what is most important!
love ya!
ps-i sure wish we lived closer because your classes with those cute kids look AWESOME!
Thanks so much Brooke. I have always looked to you for advise and more importantly a good example of how I should do things. I am totally going to steal that quote for my blog and the LOVE idea. Made my eyes water-if you know what I mean. You are so much more than you realize! Love ya!
As I watched you teach your little class today and then read your post,my high water content came streaming down from the eyes. How can it be possible that I am the mom to this amazing mom??? I really loved your loves because I have those same loves for my daughter, Brooke. And though times spent at my house now are different than when it was just you and a roommate---It is soooo much better because that is a little eternal family that comes to my home..An eternal family that I can be part of if I get it all together.--- And your gratefuls
WOW That is something your grandpa taught me later in life. As we all stood around his hospital bed after her had had surgery,he told us to hold hands to pray and the pray could only be a prayer of gratitude. No asking for anything. Just gratitude! I understand probably better than you, since I had 3 kids in 3 years(as you well know) I spent a few times sitting with you in a dozen broken eggs and shedding a few tears. But how grateful I was you were healthy and strong and could climb up the shelves in the refrigerator. Now those 3 little babies are all grown up. Each chose to serve the Lord on a mission, each chose a worthy companion that completes them, and each is trying there very best to raise righteous children to the Lord. You think you have things to be thankful for now--yip you do, but just wait.It will be so much better because you are the MOM and the TEACHER and you have parents you love you and pray for you and have no doubt in your ability to LOVE and TEACH your children. I still can't believe how much I love you after having you in my life for 30 short years. Here's one more HANG IN THERE. God did not give you these sweet packages so you would fail. He sees you and knows what you have the potential to become and He can see you that way through His Eternal Eyes.I LOVE, I LOVE, I LOVE Brooke
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