Thank You for My Children

I got the opportunity to help at Keyton's Preschool Thanksgiving feast. At the end of it, they all sat in a circle and told what they were thankful for. It was so cute because instead of saying, "I'm thankful for....." they would say, "thank you for........." Their answers were so precious to. Pets, parents, pillows, the world, toys... Keyton's answer was Jesus. How sweet is he???? So today I am saying, "thank you for my children" I think I take for granted how easy it is for me to get pregnant, how well my pregnancies have gone, and the fact that I have two amazingly smart and healthy boys. After seeing friends who have struggled with all of these things lately, it makes me soooo grateful to hear those screams that they can produce. There is a poem that my sister showed to me, and I wanted to share it with anyone reading this too:

How do you think of your children? On any given day, would you say your children are a blessing or a burden? Here is a challenge to you... How are you?... How is the baby?...How are your kids?...We all hear these questions every day. Do you know a mom who always answers something like this: "well, I haven't killed my 2 year old yet, so i guess that's good." or , "I'm just exhausted," or "Things are absolutely crazy- I am so stressed out" Maybe that frazzled haggard, bewildered mommy is someone you know. Maybe it is you. I know, I've been there. Here is my question to you today... are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Those babies that we dreamt of and prayed for, that we had so much fun choosing names for, that we counted the days to meet... are they burdens to us now? Those homes that we were ecstatic to move into... are they burdens now? That husband that we couldn't live without, that we picked out the wedding dress for, that we cried and ached and waited by the phone for... is he a burden now? That job you needed, you wanted and prayed for, that provides food and clothing for your family... is it a burden now? Sometimes it seems to me like a mantle we as moms must carry. We must be tired, we must be stressed out, we must be hurried and frazzled, we must be lucky just to make it through the day. Are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Are we tired? Absolutely. As moms, we know about the 2 a.m. feedings, the nightmares, the wet beds, the midnight curfews. Do things get a little stressful between PTA meetings, dance class, the T-Ball game, and dinner on the table at 6? Sure they do. Are husbands always a joy when they get home from work? No way. Is scrubbing the potty, doing the laundry, an cleaning the high chair tray the greatest thrill we've ever known? Of course not. So how do we look past the burdens and see the blessings of our families and our homes? Do you know any women who would give anything to have a baby to nurse at 2 a.m.? Anyone who would love to have those clothes we are sick of washing, or that house we just can't keep clean. Do you know any women whose husbands aren't coming home? I challenge you to bear your burdens as blessings and watch as they multiply. And the next time someone asks you how you are, throw off that identity of stressed out, frazzled mommy, find your smile and answer, "I am blessed!"

I know that I am soooo blessed and am very grateful for the wonderful things in my life. I hope you all feel the same too. Happy Thanksgiving.