Lessons

A funny thing happens when you are either trying to conceive or, like myself, trying to adopt. You start to see babies EVERYWHERE. It may seem like I'm diminishing things, but I think it's somewhat akin to the moment you decide to buy a blue.... (insert make and model of car here). You make that decision and it's like wherever you go, every freeway, driveway or parking lot is full of that darn car. Dealerships are everywhere and that one desire seems to be front and center being showcased everywhere you go.  

Sometimes it's hard to see these babies, mothers, children, children's stores, and pregnant women everywhere you go. It creates a sense of need that seems to be bred into women. A deep longing that is almost indescribable.

Rather than succumb to the various bouts of self-pity, tantrums and otherwise general pouting I could lend myself to, I'd rather make a decision. I'm going to make it my goal to learn from the abundance of mommy knowledge I have around me. I want to take this opportunity to see the things that I have a bright new focus on and learn new and exciting things. Who knows? Maybe it will come in handy some day.....

Lessons for today:

#1 Parenting is best done proactively. The more you can tire your children out with play, imagination and exploration, the less difficult down times are. Play them into the ground and you'll rarely have trouble with bedtimes. 

#2 Enjoy the little moments. Children grow so quickly and it is so easy to miss the little moments. Sometimes the moments that make you frustrated and angry will eventually be the moments you laugh and share for generations. Take the time to remember and enjoy them. There will never be a time when you say a moment wasn't worth remembering.

#3 Children are little people with astoundingly good memories and perception. Be careful of what you present in their lives. Someday you may see evidence of that presentation in a way you never expected. Be mindful of the way the decisions you make affect others and remember that, even though these little people may not seem to take everything in, they really see the whole world with a clarity that many of us lose over time. They are extremely vulnerable to the influences around them.

What lessons do you learn from the people and things around you?

Drink It In

I have a new goal. Inspired by a few of my friends who are amazingly wonderful mommies, wives, friends, and, most importantly, fantastic "do-it-allers" I am trying to take notice and enjoy more of the little things in life.

I know I am a fairly busy woman, but the fact is that I take way too many moments for granted. I don't pause enough to take in the moments that are so important and deserving of my attention. So I recently made it my goal to pause, take notice of the world around me and drink it all in.

So today on my way home from work I forced myself to look around a bit more. I was definitely rewarded for my attention. I live in the mountains and today I was blessed with one of my favorite sights up here. I just normally tend to pass it by realizing that I live up here, and I know I'll have the chance to see it again.

Today I took the time to stop. I've been carrying my camera around a lot more just so I can catch these little moments as I see them.

This is what I saw....

As people "down the hill" as we call it, were more than likely having a gloomy, cloud-covered day, I got to see the other side.  

I love this sight. It always looks as if you could leap right off the mountain and land on this pillow of clouds.

I hope you enjoyed this sight as much as I did. It certainly made my day.