Boys and Being a Mommy

Boys.

Boys are my life. 

Dirt.

Cars.

Sticks.

Energy.

Star Wars.

Swords.

Footballs.

Trucks.

Basketballs.

Nerf guns.

Lightening McQueen.

Legos.

Stinkies.

Phineas and Ferb.

Superheros.

Rocks.

Blue.

Fishing.

Baseballs.

Wrestling.

Outdoors.

Running.

Soccer balls.

Never stopping.

When I first saw that ultrasound screen with boy parts on it, I don't think I could have anticipated the joy that would come from being a Mommy of boys. 

I love being a play at home Mommy.

My boys are sweeter than honey.  

They make my life better. I hope I make their little lives better as well. But let me tell ya, being a Mom of boys can be exhausting! Actually, being a Mommy can be exhausting. Period.  At times, I find myself at the end of the day wondering, "have I done any good in the world today?" Many little mishaps of tiresome sibling rivalries wear on me. The word "no!" or "please don't do that" are too often friends of mine. The evil Mommy "don't do that stare" finds itself on my face too frequently. Sometimes I feel like all I do is "Nag-a-gate" their tiny little lives. Doing dishes and keeping up on house becomes more important than playing on the floor with legos. I so wish I had a moment to pee by myself.  But, while in the midst of these tiring days daydreaming about when they can make their own decisions or pour their own milk or  let me pee in peace without asking, "Mommy...are you going pee or poo?" I remind myself why I am a Mother. 

I am a Mother because I wanted to be! Because I LOVE to be! Because these little guys need me to be. Because I am the hand that rocks the cradle that will some day rule the world. In a world where being a Mommy is oftentimes belittled, I find strength knowing that I am raising a generation of Men who will some day call me blessed. Men that will stand for something when everyone else is falling. Being a Mommy may have it's hard times, but the joys that come are FAR more than none! 

So to you Mommies out there wishing you could pee by yourself, do the dishes, tackle that mountain of laundry, or just have a moment to breath, remember. Remember you are doing a glorious work. Remember that your gonna miss this. Remember that it all passes too quickly and the next season of your life will be here before you know it. 

Get down and PLAY with your little ones. It really makes a difference! I've noticed because I started doing it! 

Things that help me get through the long days:

1. Running up to them and giving them random kisses! (so fun to see them light up when you do!)

2. Listen to them... 

3. Play legos with them. Just playing with them creates happy memories. They just want to be with you.

4. Hug. Always hug. I like the random, just because ones. ;) 

5. If you think you are going to yell, STOP and SING what you have to say instead. This helps me ALOT and the boys even sing what they have to say back. 

6. Be a kid with them.... try to look at life from their little view. 

7. Most of all, LOVE. Love Love Love them with all your heart! 

8. Oh and read "The 5 Love Languages of Children." It's a great one! 

9. Be in the Moment more.... here and here are some great talks about Motherhood. Here is a quote I like: 

First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made as a parent is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of my three children sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” (Loud and Clear [2004])

10. Praising them for the good things they do do! It always makes them smile.

Anywho, I am not an expert! As a matter of fact I fail at being a Mommy every day. But, Im trying. Im trying to be better. Im trying to do the above a lot more and be a "Nag-a-gater" ALOT less. 

How do you try to be a better Mommy???