Mother's Day

I've been thinking about how my life has been changed by motherhood.  You know, I haven't had a GREAT night of sleep since September 26th, 2008 or even a GOOD night of sleep for that matter months before because of the joys of pregnancy.  I have come to realize that I may not have another GREAT night of sleep for the next two decades...worst case scenario it could NEVER happen for me again. 

A mother's worries never cease.  For instance, knowing your colors.  We have been working on colors.  I know Chloe Jo is only 2 but I am starting to get a little concerned.  Poor kid has a mother who teaches school so naturally I want her to excel.  I REALLY do NOT want to hear about any other 2 year old who knows their colors at this present time.  I am on blood pressure meds already folks so spare me the worry.  She knows colors...just the wrong colors. 

Head injuries...yet, another worry.   David thinks the reason she doesn't know her colors is because of the number of times she has fallen and hit her head.  She always says she is okay.  Chloe Jo is a daredevil on a tricycle.  She truly has a need for speed.  Lucky for her the Easter Bunny saw a need and managed to bring a helmet in her Easter basket this year.  Now she thinks she is official...she wears her helmet outside all the time.  I really don't care if anyone makes fun of the kid with the helmet on in the neighborhood because this takes away some of my worry.

Manners...I just don't want the kid who makes people cringe in the nursery at church.  My greatest fear is that she would become that dreaded name on a teachers class list.  Yes!  I am teaching her to say yes ma'am and no ma'am.  I make her say please and thank you.  I whisper sweet nothings in her ear when she is considering a fit at the store.  Time outs and "spankins" are proving to help this little red heads short temper.  We pray about being kind, nice and about sharing...

Watching movies and TV...  Does every show have to say bad words???  Really!!!  Don't they know we do not say shut up in this family!  We do not say stupid either!  I'll just give you the run-down of what not to say in this house...
dang        shut up          sucks
crap        stupid            dumb
fart          what the?      doodoo/dookie
Pretty much anything that kids say these days and for sure no KING daddy words...Crap would be my word that I have had to let go. 

Brushing hair...means drama.  Seriously, it all starts with the hair brush.  It cannot hurt that bad.  This is when I have to start reminding myself that we do not say any of the words on the list above.

I know I joke about these things but I wouldn't change a thing.  David and I are truly blessed with a sassy little red head.  Being a mother has made the good things from my childhood even sweeter.  Traditions my parents carried out every holiday...I want all of that for her and new ones too.  I want her to know Jesus.  I want her to express herself but know her limits.  I want her to be confident.  I want her to be a leader.  I want her to know she has unconditional love from her parents.  I want her to know we will always be there.  I want her to do great things.  I want all of these things and hopefully one day she will know her colors too:) 

Motherhood has made me dig deep...Happy Mother's Day to all of you.