Over the past few years I have grown so much as a person. I have laughed harder than I have ever laughed before. I have smiled harder than I have ever smiled before. And I've also cried harder than I have ever cried before. And through it all, I have learned some important life lessons.
I have learned...
that nothing will melt your heart more than a hug, or a smile, or a kiss from your child
no matter how "child proof" you think your marriage is, things change after having kids. It's then, that it's most important to guard your marriage and make a real effort to keep it fresh and happy.
that 2:00 in the morning, when your 3 year old is once again wide awake, is the worst time ever to try to talk calmly to your spouse. Being overtired will cause you to unnecessarily snap at each other. It's best to leave the conversation alone until you are more rested and you are thinking with a clear head.
that sometimes Google, and the doctors, and all of those parenting books will not have the answer as to why your child is doing what she is doing or acting the way she is acting. Children are just little people...they have their own personality just like you and me. Sometimes the answer is really "that's just how she is" and that's okay!
that 2:00 in the morning, when your 3 year old is once again wide awake, is the worst time ever to try to talk calmly to your spouse. Being overtired will cause you to unnecessarily snap at each other. It's best to leave the conversation alone until you are more rested and you are thinking with a clear head.
that sometimes Google, and the doctors, and all of those parenting books will not have the answer as to why your child is doing what she is doing or acting the way she is acting. Children are just little people...they have their own personality just like you and me. Sometimes the answer is really "that's just how she is" and that's okay!
that it is so so so easy to judge, but is so hard to be judged.
that sometimes its okay to stop and enjoy the moment....usually more than sometimes!
that some friends are just "circumstantial" friends, and some are lifelong friends. And there is a big difference between the two. Circumstantial friends you often see a lot of, but once a particular circumstance changes (You move out of the neighborhood or they get a different job. You have a baby or they have another baby. Your interests change or they get a new hobby), you'll start seeing them less and less and the friendship will begin to fade. Lifelong friends are those amazing friends that you can see every week, or go months and months without seeing, and nothing ever changes. And even if your circumstances change tremendously, your friendship will never change.
that I just don't have time to do it all. I have to let go of something. Recently, it has been this blog. It might be something else further down the road. But in the end, I am not superwoman, and I need to prioritize and let some things go.
that my baby girl's smile always, always, always makes everything okay...
that sometimes its okay to stop and enjoy the moment....usually more than sometimes!
that some friends are just "circumstantial" friends, and some are lifelong friends. And there is a big difference between the two. Circumstantial friends you often see a lot of, but once a particular circumstance changes (You move out of the neighborhood or they get a different job. You have a baby or they have another baby. Your interests change or they get a new hobby), you'll start seeing them less and less and the friendship will begin to fade. Lifelong friends are those amazing friends that you can see every week, or go months and months without seeing, and nothing ever changes. And even if your circumstances change tremendously, your friendship will never change.
that I just don't have time to do it all. I have to let go of something. Recently, it has been this blog. It might be something else further down the road. But in the end, I am not superwoman, and I need to prioritize and let some things go.
that my baby girl's smile always, always, always makes everything okay...
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| Image credit Nina S. |
