Miscellaneous Moments . . .

The title of my blog was chosen years ago as a way to help me be more aware of the "thankful moments" that are around me everyday that often go unnoticed.  It has done wonders for my perspective and outlook on life.  But every now and then I don't feel so thankful for the moments that I experience but instead feel they are just "moments".

 

Like the morning I found glitter all over the kitchen floor after driving Elizabeth to school. Note to self: maybe it isn't good to leave Sarah home with Rachel after all.  

 

Or like the day I found Jacob in my bathroom emptying out the cupboard.

I found myself wondering, why do I see these things as merely "moments" instead of "thankful moments"?  Well . . . frankly because I am exhausted and tired of picking up messes as I attempt to keep my house in some reasonable state of order and cleanliness.

Then I came across a quote the other day that I want to have in flashing lights by the front door (for others who enter my house), the garage door (for me as I enter the house), and on the walls of every room (as a constant reminder)

So now, when John has shredded every last piece of paper in the house and asks to make "tooty noises" as he sucks the paper up with the wand end of the vacuum or my big girls are unwinding a ball of yarn around and through the door ways to the kitchen & living room (for those who have not been to my house it makes one big circle and you can continue around and around 'til your hearts content), I will stop, smile & remind myself the children are making memories.

And then perhaps I will see the creativity and imagination that exist in a child's mind as they explore the world around them!

And realize the glitter was an attempt to make a beautiful picture for a beloved school teacher, the empty cupboards are the only way to create new hiding places, the shredded paper and horrible noise from the vacuum are a way for a boy with autism to calm his over stimulated sensory systems and the yarn wrapping was a way for two sisters to hear giggles and laughter from their baby brother.

So the next time I see one of my kids outside without shoes (we have scorpions and poky weeds you know), find that they have dumped out every toy that we own, or anything else that would fall under mess making and ignoring their mothers wise counsel, I will remember there is great purpose in their other wise quirky and annoying behavior.

Instead, I will smile because they are being children

and they are making memories!