In the words of Ice Cube-Gotta Say it was a Good Day

Sorry for the analogy, but that is the first thing that popped in my head, and I cracked myself up a little. Today was a really good day. The weather was amazing for one thing. I think that helps everyone a little. After I picked up the girls from school, we came home and right away went outside. I really spent quality time with them. I mean really good quality time. We played on the swing set, played baseball, and visited with some friends outside. Lately, my oldest daughter plays outside all night with her friends. By the time she comes in, it is time to start getting ready for bed. My youngest one fell asleep early too so my oldest daughter and I had about an hour and a half alone together. When my anxiety is high and my thoughts are racing, sometimes it is easy to forget how important this time is for both of us. I did not worry about anything else except just sitting and holding her and doing whatever she wanted. It makes a huge difference in both of us. It used to be her and I all the time for four years. Now, she and I don't always spend a lot of alone time. Now after she is asleep, I am relaxing on the couch. I can honestly say for the first time in along time, I feel good about the person I am. I know I will have good days and bad days, but I am learning how to cope with every thought and feeling. I am learning to accept them for what they are and not try to fight them. That is a battle that cannot be won.

And the Winner is....

Lacy Roundtree!!!! Congrats Lacy! Please leave a comment or email me with your address. Thanks for your comments!!!

Weekly Giveaway

The weekly giveaway will be at 6:00 pm tonight. Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win. Thank you!!!! Good Luck!!!

Thanks a million...

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the comments that everyone has left on this blog. It truly means a lot to me. I want this blog to be a source of coping for all of us. I love reading the comments everyday. When I first told my friends and family about this blog, they were a little concerned about any negativity I may receive from people. The more I thought about this, I decided that nothing anyone else could say to me is any worse than anything I have said to my own self. So thank you to everyone!!

Sloooow down, sister

I am learning how to just chill. My boyfriend, Brent, is helping me learn to just live in the moment. I always have to go over my mental list with him about six times. Then if I don't get everything done on it, I freak. He tells me to just relax and take a break. So I am now really focusing on not even having a list. I am just concentrating on going with the flow. Every time I give him a list, he always says, "Babe, you don't have to tell me your list or even have one at all. Whatever we get done, than that will just have to do. Let's just relax and enjoy the day." I used to get angry when he would tell me this. Now it helps me so much. We live in a small house with three kids. There's always gonna be something to do. Oh well. Tonight, I am going to dinner with him. Can't wait to just have a RELAXING evening. We don't have any time frame we are following. I feel better already.

Pressed and Perfect

I am learning that my daughter picking out her own clothes for school is not nearly as big of a deal as I thought it was. So what if they don't always match. She thinks she looks fabulous. This was so hard for me to deal with at first because I feel like I needed control over that situation. Many wise mothers whose children are older than mine have told me over again, "pick your battles". The battle over what she is wearing to school is not one that I choose to have every morning at 6:00 a.m. So her clothes may not be pressed (as my grandma says), they may not always match, and she may or may not have worn the same pants twice already that week. As long as they are clean, I feel like this is a way she can express her stylish little self. Even if it is not what I would choose. So I am learning that my children's clothes may not always be pressed and perfect. This has nothing to do with the special little people they are.

It's a Mess...

I am slowly learning that my girls do not care one way or another what our house looks like. I mean, obviously, it has to be sanitary. One of the best pieces of advice I have gotten lately was from a woman whose children are a little older than mine. She said, "I want my children to remember a home, not a house." When I sit back and think, my kids love to be home and our house is "lived in." I have felt so out of control in my mind that keeping my house in perfect order makes me feel like I have some control. By doing this, I am extremely grumpy and irritable. Not only am I worn out physically, but emotionally and mentally too. Every child would rather have a happy mom than a spic and span home. So bring on the mess!!!!