I believe children are angels sent to show the rest of us people how to live. I believe they are indeed a reward from the Lord, and that they are the reason many of us are who we are today. I'm not talking about you're a "Mom" because you have a child. That's now the "who you are" I'm talking about. I'm talking about your character; your beliefs; your value system. Children really do help shape that. When I'm in the car and an inappropriate song comes on, I'm ashamed if my son has to tell me it's inappropriate in order before I change it. I just hope they won't hear or understand the "naughty" parts. But they know, and it has edited what I listen to, and I believe the same goes for my husband. I re-think my urges to go out and hit the town whenever I think of it-what if they wake up sick and need me? What if there's a fire and I'm not there to save them? You start thinking a little more clearly and hyper-sensit

Today was terrible. I'm sitting now finally having gotten through it, with "Sex and the City: The Movie" playing in the background, my hair damp from an aromatic shower, and my honesty about to boil over and burn your lap. After a nearly two-week streak of overwhelming joy and happiness, hope for new possibilities in my life, today I crashed, and I mean h-a-r-d. Today mommy-ing was so rough. My son seems to never stop calling me. The cat never stops play-biting. My daughter gets clingy and whiny from getting up too early and wanting to nap before lunch. The long list of things to do on my day off (written by me, of course) is slowly being completed, but my fatigue isn't melting away. In fact, even after 9 hours of sleep, I was so tired today I was disappointed in my body, of all things. This is not an ordinary tired. This is a I've-been-trying-to-figure-out-why-I've-been-fatigued-for-over-a-year-and-my-doctors-don't-seem-to-care-or-know-anything-and-I

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."-Bible Today I was overcome with gratitude. I may be a tired, busy-dreaming-mama, but I am an extremely grateful one. I opened my fridge today to pour my kids milk, and thanked God for having food inside of it. I pay rent today, but I am grateful to have a comfortable and safe place for my family to live. I am grateful for the simple antics of Kittle, our 5-wk-old kitten because He exercises our command to take care of the creatures we are given dominion over. I got my period today (!) tmi? But I am grateful because although I secretly hoped for our third child, I know God is in control of the numbers He desires for our family, and will extend it when He sees fit. I am glad with the two beautiful children I now have. I am grateful to be a mother, and for awareness in my parenting. I am grateful to have a committed partner, although we have definitely fought to get where we are now. I am grateful for the cou