You get what you focus on

April 29, 2009

Wednesday~April 29, 2009

The extra long hugs, the wiping of tears,
the in-depth answers to the many “whys.”
the playing at the park,
the looking long into blue eyes,
and many “I love yous.”
The dancing in the kitchen,
the ruffling of hair.
The wrapping snug in a towel
and holding close.
The tucking in
and lingering long.
The breathing in.
The heart swelling.

Sure, there are stresses and strains that turn me ugly around every corner, but there are many more moments that are the ones that truly define me as a mother. I just keep forgetting to look at those. My meltdowns are simply inevitable responses to all the plate spinning, balls in the air, tightrope walking, and pressure. The funny thing is, when I accept these moments of snapping and grumping without guilt, they are fewer, and life seems even more full of lovely.

lovely feet

lovely mud

lovely ride

lovely Levi’s diaper butt

{ 47 comments }

Angela April 29, 2009 at 10:05 am

Thank you for this. Loved it…made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Your kids are truly blessed. And you inspire me to be a better mom.

Abra April 29, 2009 at 10:09 am

Lovely – what else could I say?

Peanut April 29, 2009 at 10:27 am

You are such a great mom! I love reading your “mom” stuff :)
I can’t imagine not getting to experience all those little moments and I’ll take the “inevitable meltdowns” just for one more “lovely”.

Kristina P. April 29, 2009 at 11:40 am

Diaper butt is so cute!

Annette Lyon April 29, 2009 at 11:45 am

Diaper butts really are cute–especially when I’m not the one who has to change it. :)

Kazzy April 29, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Are little boys great, or what? I love your poetry.

Muthering Heights April 29, 2009 at 12:16 pm

LOVE this post!

Mylestones April 29, 2009 at 12:16 pm

Awww, diaper butts! little feet! little (albeit dirty!) hands! Lovely indeed!

LisAway April 29, 2009 at 12:18 pm

. . . lovely poetry!

That is so TRUE. When I’m feeling down on myself for what a terrible mother I am I really am worse than ever, but when I’m not worried about it It’s easy to apologize to the kids and move on.

Lara April 29, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Incredibly true. And something I need to remember more often!

Angie April 29, 2009 at 12:42 pm

LOVE this post. And I’m in love with Levi diaper butt. :)

Jen April 29, 2009 at 12:46 pm

now that is a great post and something that we all need to do. Focus on the good more than the bad.

Kate Coveny Hood April 29, 2009 at 1:16 pm

I’ll miss diaper butt… Or really just diapers… The twins are so skinny, I swear that the diaper is the only thing holding up their pants. Never had that issue with their chunky older brother.

Amanda - The Mom Job April 29, 2009 at 1:28 pm

I love feet pictures (baby feet, i’m not a freaky feet person or anything…).

And yummy! MUD!

LexiconLuvr April 29, 2009 at 1:35 pm

It is your soul in these words that gives me hope and the belief in myself to be a better woman and mother. Thank you would never be enough but thank you all the same.
With love,
LT

sara April 29, 2009 at 1:38 pm

it’s all how you look at it!

Loved the diaper butt!

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting April 29, 2009 at 2:57 pm

OMG, i’m still blown away by this design. GORGEOUS

and the diaper butt. K.i.l.l.i.n.g. me oh.my.word.

Kimberly April 29, 2009 at 4:29 pm

Not only are you a beautiful blogger, you are such a poet as well. Lovely!

Jillene April 29, 2009 at 4:51 pm

What a GREAT post. But I will have to say that I love the Lovely Diaper Butt. It made my day!!

T & T Livesay April 29, 2009 at 5:13 pm

fancy new blog you got here lady.

T & T Livesay April 29, 2009 at 5:13 pm

fancy new blog you got here lady.

T & T Livesay April 29, 2009 at 5:13 pm

fancy new blog you got here lady.

mama-face April 29, 2009 at 7:17 pm

Hold them on your lap for as long as you can. You won’t believe how much you will miss that.

good post…love the poetry.

Reluctant Housewife April 29, 2009 at 7:40 pm

Lovely little pictures of lovely little people.

I get what you’re saying about the guilt making things worse. Guilt – party of momhood, but not a helpful part. At least I don’t think so.

MommyTime April 29, 2009 at 7:53 pm

This post is perfect. You are so right. I’ve been reminding myself of this a lot lately, and it has been leaving me an awful lot happier. Thanks for reminding me too.

mrs boo radley April 29, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Cute bummies. Just yesterday my little sister was running around with platinum blonde toddler hair and not a care in the world, and next month she becomes a teenager. And still has not a care in the world, bless her heart!

Heidi Ashworth April 29, 2009 at 8:40 pm

Guilt is such an energy sucker! Guilt be banned! I have missed your posts so much! I have hardly been reading blog posts for nearly there weeks! Ack!

Melanie J April 29, 2009 at 8:53 pm

The only thing I love more than diaper butt is summer butt when you see those cute white bums inside the tan lines. Love it.

wendy April 29, 2009 at 9:20 pm

Hey you changed up your blog look —I notice things like that!! I love those photos, and good for you to recognize the IMPORTANT things over the silly things that get under our skin and we ask ourselves “why”

Tiaras and Tantrums April 29, 2009 at 10:56 pm

VERY sweet post!

Debbie April 30, 2009 at 7:18 am

Awww. This was so great. I love all those things!
Plus, the new photo on the sidebar. Very chic:)

Bonnie April 30, 2009 at 8:33 am

This really hit the spot for me this morning! Thank you for making my day. I’m going to focus on the good and not my shortcomings today!

Megan@SortaCrunchy April 30, 2009 at 9:12 am

so lovely and SO TRUE. great reminder this morning. thank you.

Mammatalk April 30, 2009 at 9:47 am

Very good point. Self acceptance makes us lovelier people, doesn’t it?

charrette April 30, 2009 at 10:35 am

This is beyond lovely. Your introduction just pulled me right in with all that poetic reveling in the joy that is mom-ness loving kid-ness.

Growin' with it! April 30, 2009 at 11:04 am

looking long into those blue eyes….definitely my favorite on the list!

CC April 30, 2009 at 11:09 am

Awwww! The lovelies within the everyday. ;)

Eowyn April 30, 2009 at 11:40 am

I echo Heidi’s “Guilt be Banned!” I think I’m putting it on my blog.

Beautiful post Heather.

Joanne@ Blessed... April 30, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Heather,

So nice to know that I am in good company with my control-freakitis condition. Thanks for your comment over at LWG today my friend.

..and I have to say that your last picture posted of your little guy in his padded levis shorts is so precious. Almost makes me want one that small again…I said ALMOST.

Mrs. Dunbar April 30, 2009 at 3:24 pm

You always see the same things I do. Perhaps because we are living similar lives across the country from each other. May God be with us, the mothers of boys.

Blessed April 30, 2009 at 3:53 pm

I’d say there’s a bunch of fun going on there! Awesome pictures

nikkicrumpet April 30, 2009 at 6:43 pm

that was so beautiful! And the denim diaper butt picture is priceless!

Jenni Jiggety April 30, 2009 at 8:12 pm

That was REALLY lovely!!!

pam at beyondjustmom April 30, 2009 at 8:26 pm

Oh! I’m so behind but want to tell you this:
1) LOVE the new look–so simple and chic
2) My daughter and Miles would be VERY scary negotiating together. They should start a firm or something.
3) Your poetry makes me cry, and that’s a beautiful thing (not me crying, but the poetry)

Izzy 'N Emmy May 1, 2009 at 10:16 am

You been tagged for meme. Check my blog out if you want to play along. have a great weekend!

Mommy Mo May 2, 2009 at 8:53 am

So very true. When I actually slow my pace down and “let the little things go” and spend time with my many munchkins, then I am astounded by brilliance and smiles and giggles and hugs and warm moments. I need to do that every single day : ).

Tooj May 2, 2009 at 12:05 pm

Mud is great. And diaper butts are even better.

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