Heart Happy Memories

When I see my children smile, it brightens my day. It seems I get too busy with my schedule, have too much to do, and get frustrated too often.

When I slow down, look at my family...really look at them, I feel so blessed. Watching them smile, listening to them laugh, and seeing them play are all priceless moments in my life.

I wonder if I offer those moments to my children. Will they carry memories of me smiling, laughing, playing with them? Will they remember musical happy tones in my voice? Will the tired, weighed down tones win out in their memories?

I am working this year on slowing myself down a bit to play with my children.  Read to them. Make things with them, and really experience life in a special way.

We have tried to build those memories recently by playing games, building blocks, and having a candlelit dinner. We have been reading through Little Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. That has been both heartfelt and fun. I hope we can continue in this pattern and I encourage others to do the same.
Here are some other ways you can get thoughts about Making Life Meaningful Monday.
~~Melissa

If At First You Fail...

Try, try again!

It has been a year since blogging and I have been inspired to begin again. My husband says I could write books and books, but I will begin with blogging. I am sure I have said this before, but opening up and speaking about my life is something of a roadblock for me. I feel that God wants to work in me and also use me in some way through this blog. I anticipate many good things.

My family has changed a lot over the past year. Two of my sons now tower over me in height. I feared these teenage days so much, but so far I find that they are very enjoyable. Did I say time consuming?  Ha! Truthfully, I learn so much from them daily, and desire to be a better person. They inspire me and challenge me and bless me. My oldest is going to be 15 "in 44 days," he just told me. Then I have a 13 year old. Next comes the 11 year old, my 9 year old and finally my 2 and a half year old.  We have a mix of Toby Mac, Math Quizzes, random scientific trivia, loud singing in the shower, and Thomas the Train all thrown in our every day. We are enjoying life and I desire to share a little with you. Hope to see more of you. Feel free to comment if you wish.
Melissa

Letting Go...Holding On

It has been so long since blogging. I am considering giving this another try at my husband's suggestion. I love to write, and have a lot on my heart and mind. I am so hesitant to say much. I have been in a learning phase for so long now. I have tried to be quiet, seeking knowledge and trying to gain maturity. I have been thinking so much about what life means, and more specifically, what my life has meant to me. I have gone over the details of my life, crying inside over many things and learning how to let go. Other details of my life I have felt overjoyed about and am trying to hold on to those. I have felt so weak and have made so many mistakes. I still do not feel strong enough to say that I could lead anyone in a straight direction at this point, but I am willing to share some things and hear from others as well.

I am learning to let go of:

1. Striving for perfection
2. Looking to people to validate who I am
3. Holding everything inside of me
4. Control
5. People who have hurt me
6. Thinking every day has to be happy
7. I might add more later...this list could get too long.

I am learning to hold on to:

1. God's strength in all things
2. God's love that carries me through all things
3. The love for others who have been there for me
4. The love for others who need me
5. Gratefulness and love for my husband who is truly the best
6. Precious moments with my children who are growing too fast
7. Moments that teach me something new...even things that hurt or days that are unhappy
8. And more to come.....