Thank You!

The past couple of days we have been having to teach our children to say "Thank you!" Here are a couple of examples. Our youngest could not scoot himself at the table the other night as my husband and I were trying to help serve and get dinner situated for our children and some guests. Our youngest kept impatiently yelling for us to help him. His brother who is usually the arch nemesis came over and pushed him in for us without even being asked, to which the youngest began to wail at the top of his lungs that he had wanted mom or dad to do it. My husband turned and said "Now is a good time to say thank you."

Our daughter asked for a candy the other day after finishing her chores and I gave her a piece. She didn't like what I gave her so I put it back, and took out two more to give her a choice. My daughter didn't like either of them and decided the first piece was what she really wanted. By this point I decided she didn't really need the candy. Later when we were readying for bed and doing our family prayers she was still moping. My hubby asked her what was wrong. As she told him how unfair I was he replied "The better response would have been thank you, don't you think?"

Yesterday our married son and his wife had some extra laundry due to an unfortunate mishap in their bathroom so they asked if I would mind them doing laundry at our house most of the day. I said sure, they thanked me and went about doing laundry all day. In the evening I thought I might try to get a load in so I wouldn't be too far behind today. However the hubby asked if he could sneak a load in so he could have some pants for work.

This morning with the two loads of clothes I didn't get done and two more needing to be done my youngest announced he had wet the bed last night I was feeling like laundry was taking over my day. After taking the kids to school I went to throw his bedding into the wash only to find my hubby's cloths still there. When I went to throw them in the drier I found it full of his pants. I am pretty sure I was a little frustrated and said something under my breath. My youngest over heard and said "Mom, now is the time you say 'Thank you.'"

He was right I should be thankful that my husband helps me with the laundry, and that I have another day to play catch-up.*sigh* Thank you Dear for helping with laundry!

Motherhood

While scrolling on Pinterest the other day I found a pin that said to list the things you enjoy most about motherhood. I stewed about it for a while and then put it to the back burner(isn't that where most Pinterest ideas go?) Any who, I thought this would be a great one to put on here. So, here goes.

Things I enjoy about Motherhood:

- I love tucking my children into bed and hearing about their day. (I can do better at this.)
- I enjoy reading books with them cuddled up to my side or on my lap.(What a warm fuzzy!)
- When My children run up to me after school to show me what they accomplished in art or on a spelling test.
- It can be annoying at times, but I love when my little guy is trying to get my attention and grabs my chin to help me focus.
- I love hearing my children laugh. (Seriously, it is therapeutic.)
- When a teacher tells me they think my kid is pretty great!(because sometimes you wonder how their quirks are going to rub others.)
- I love watching my children play together and laugh together(all eight of them).
- I love going to choir concerts and watching them beam, cause they know they did great!
- I love rocking the little ones to sleep and singing to them. I realize it wont last forever.
- Listening to them express themselves trying to be big like their bigger siblings.
- Holding them on my lap when we are watching a movie.
- Watching our teenager get excited about funny things he witnessed at school.
- I love watching my children in programs.
- It is fun to watch them interact with their peers.
- I love watching my daughters eyes sparkle as she explains how she did her last art project.
- I love being able to be there when they fall and skin their knee and need a kiss or hug.
- I love watching them become independent little souls(though lets be honest, this tugs at those heart strings as it happens.)
- The memory of the first time each of the children has said they loved me.(Really, who doesn't like knowing they are loved and appreciated.)
- The time I asked my little lady if she knew I loved her and she replied;"How could I not, you tell me EVERY single day."
- The time I asked my littlest man if he knew I loved him and he said "yes" and gave me a huge hug.
- The day our second young man returned home from his mission and hugged me like he meant it.
- Our first sons wedding day and he asked me to dance the Mother Son dance.
- That Christmas when our oldest daughter made me a beautiful quilt for my youngest baby to be.(After having a horrible summer together.)
- The week our second daughter was struggling due to a guy and called or texted me every day.
- How about the time my little man asked if he could put his idiots in another bag, only to find out he was referring to a box of Nerds.
- Remember this Christmas when everyone was content and happy to be together. Yeah, it was great!
- The letter I received a letter from Boy #2 telling me that I am one of the best things that has happened to him and he will thank Heavenly Father...forever.
- Watching the older children grow and be close to one another.
- Holding my youngest's hand when going places. I cherish those moments.
- When one of the little boys tells me a knock-knock joke they have made up and watching them laugh their heads off at their own cleverness.
- You know that time when the child behaves a little like a dork and you realize you did the same thing at their age...and you are glad the apple didn't completely leave the orchard? Good times!
- When your teenager thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread, because he drove a vehicle his brothers weren't given a chance to drive...cause he is the best thing...*grin*
- Watching your older children beam because they nailed getting the perfect gift(s).
- Watching the younger children choose "the perfect gifts."
- When your older children act like those "perfect gifts" were perfect.(And knowing they appreciate the thought behind them.)
- The dreaded day when my youngest daughter learned how to make sugar cookies...by herself.

There are so many reasons I enjoy being a mother and step-mother. The ride has not always been blissful and perfect as I imagined that it would be. However I will tell you I have loved every bit of it. Including the painful parts. It has helped me become who I am. It will mold me into the cherished woman God wants me to become, and along the way I have a family to enjoy the ride with.