Planting Seeds

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.  --Robert Louis Stevenson

This is like my motherhood mantra this time around.  I think I pretty well held it together with the other babies.  I showered every day, I ironed the clothes, I mopped the floor. (I posted on the blog!)  These days I consider a spilled cup a favor...a paper towel and a minute on my knees and I have at least one clean spot on my kitchen floor...and I'm getting pretty good at calling a shirt "good enough" before it ever hits the ironing board. 

Honestly, while I've adjusted some of my standards, I hope I am focusing more on the things that count.  It's not always easy to do, but sometimes I just stop and watch my little ones.  They are amazing, unique, spirited little talkers and they hardly ever slow down.  They have great smiles and give amazing hugs (and sometimes a little bit of attitude).  They teach me so much.  I try to be worthy of all I have received from them. 

This year I've been doing things differently.  I'm a work in progress, but it seems I have so few minutes with them (especially the school-aged ones).  I am trying to make every minute count.   I am doing my best to only use words that are uplifting, teaching, loving, modeling, and meaningful.  I try to talk less and listen more.  I'm working on looking them in the eye when they talk to me.  I hold their hands because I love them.  I sometimes watch them sleep.  I hold them in my arms because I still can.  I imagine what they will tell their children.  I tell them that I pray for them (this came as kind of a shock to a few of them!).  I tell them that they are great, wonderful, that they make me happy. 

Striving to plant the seeds of unconditional love....1,440 minutes a day.