What they don't tell you about being a mom.

1. It is incredibly hard. Harder than you think it will be. And then even harder than that.


2. You will cry.


3. At least once a day you will wonder how God ever saw fit to give you a child and if you even have what it takes.


4. The harder it is, the more rewarding it is.


5. You will sacrifice. Then you'll sacrifice some more. Um...and then some more!


6. The lines are never as black and white as you once thought. Wrong sometimes seems very right or maybe just not so wrong or maybe just not wrong yet...


7. Take any and all appreciation however and whenever it comes. Sometimes it's big (flowers and breakfast in bed kind of stuff) but most of the time it's just a little smile, or a hug, or a "Thanks, Mom," in passing. It all counts. Treasure it.


8. Don't always count on a nap. Take them if they come but don't be surprised or upset if/when they don't. (see number 5)


9. The doctor doesn't think your child has a fever until it's over 100 degrees. (Didn't know that until my baby had one!)


10. The best parenting books in the world aren't always the best. Your mom and your friends aren't always right. Your heart might even steer you wrong, but God will always come through and He knows and loves you and your child best. Really.


11. You are NOT alone. Your child is NOT the first one to ____________. No mother worth her weight in salt will judge you for your child's temper tantrum OR for dragging your child out to "have a talk". (If they do, you shouldn't care or listen to them, anyway!)


12. Pray. A lot. Often. In detail. For big and small things. Out loud and silently. With your child and without them. On your knees and while driving. For them and for yourself. For the present and the future.


13. When your child is in a "stage" and everyone tells you it gets better, it does.


14. When your child is in a "stage" and everyone tells you it gets worse, it does.


15. I've often wondered if my child is in a stage or if I am.


16. They don't always cry because they're sad or because they need you. Sometimes when they cry the wisest thing to do is to shut the door and let them have it out.


17. Your husband really can do some things you can't with your child - and that's good! Let him.
Show him how you do it, then let him do it his own way and don't say anything.


18. Having a child is probably the best accountability you'll ever have. Everything you say and do, they say and do. And they'll call you on it every time!

Do you have any to add?

Happy Mother's Day to all the past moms, present moms, and future moms!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Viva Mexico!

Y gracias a mi mama para los vestidos! Estan perfectos!

Serendipity!

I have many of those days where I quickly begin to wonder if I really should have even gotten out of bed because things just go from bad to worse! This past Saturday, however, was not one of them! What a terrific day that I had not planned for whatsoever!

The only thing I had planned on doing that day was going super early to a garage sale at St. Laurence Catholic church. I am on the hunt for a small upholstered chair for my bedroom. Anyway, I did not find my chair but I did spend two dollars. Two! Two very well spent bucks, mind you! One dollar was for this:

Who doesn't love Lite Brite?! I knew she would. Score!
The other dollar was for a little purple car for her Polly Pockets. It has gotten a lot of play time, too!!
As I was coming home from the garage sale I saw a little sign that said, "Dragon Boats" and an arrow. I followed the arrows and subsequent signs (and cars) to find that there was a Dragon Boat Festival going on at Lake Pointe that day. I stopped and asked a man directing traffic what time it all started. He said at about 8:30 or 9 and to bring a lunch! Great!
So I went home to my snoozing hubby who reluctantly got up and made us some biscuits for breakfast and then Evy and I went out (umm...Reed got to work more on the dining room ceiling. He's a good man.) As I pulled into to a parking place I saw a familiar van! Friends!


And here they are watching the dragon boats. It was really cool! Apparently, it has been held every year downtown but with the recent rains and flooding, they moved the festival to Sugar Land this year! Total happenstance! There was origami, bubbles, coloring, games, freezy fruit and an entertainment stage where we were front and center to see this:

For some reason, Evy really liked the girl on the front row, so when it was over we got her picture taken with her and she says she wants to do that now, too! Uh...ok!

A very fun, serendipitous morning...if you believe in that sort of thing, I guess! ;-)