Child Smiles Are Joy To Me

My girls are the best. Sure, they can be difficult sometimes...

but when I see their beautiful smiles, radiating with absolute joy, shining in the fresh new morning...I am content.
Nothing else matters.

They are blessings I count daily. Blessings I am truly thankful for.
Those smiles...even if only for a second, pick me up...give me strength.

I know what I am and what I am not.

I am brave.
I am willing.
I am focused on the task.

I am not a multi-tasker.
I am not a 'supermom'.
I am not a perfectionist.

I am willing to let things slide, even though I know it will drive me crazy later. Like piled up laundry, no food in the house and forgotten field trip permission forms.
All for the sake of the PROJECT!!
But I will put off the project for a day (if I absolutely have to) to play catch up.
It is my nature.
I have tunnel vision. I can't do 10 things at once. I don't know how people can, but I admire the ones who somehow manage it.

I am drained.
This morning, Megan smiled at me. She is usually very difficult to wake up, but today she got right up and did everything without me bugging her...(to those of you who don't have kids in school yet, you have NO idea how wonderful this is!!).
Katie played a song in the car that made me smile. I can't stand Shania Twain, but for some weird reason...'UP UP UP' hit me just in the right place...the funny bone.

I laughed and I smiled.
I reminded myself...happiness is a choice. Let's be happy.
I can't remember when I last smiled like that.
Have I really been that down the past few days??
I guess I have.
Yesterday I threw a fit because I couldn't find my nail set... (a tool to drive finishing nails just below the surface)
I also ate a brownie from the deli (knowing it had milk in it) as a sort of lashing out rebellion. I paid for it in the way of a major side cramp.

Mad, sad, frustrated...kind of goes with the remodeling territory.
Like the upset golfer who throws a club across the green, I've been the do-it-yourselfer wanting to hurl a hammer into the ocean.

Somehow all the anger melted away when I saw their smiles.
Bright sunny smiles.
Man, I love my kids!!