Motherhood

Why I’m Happy Wednesday

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I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. I think the transition of having all three kids home for the summer while still attempting to get work done has been much harder than I imagined. The girls have only been out of school for a week and I find myself trying to scramble to keep them busy while trying to maintain my deadlines. It’s a tricky balance. But in doing so, I’ve found myself a bit more negative than I’d like to be. And in doing so, that usually gets the kids in a bit of a wonky mood too.

This morning, in order for me to get me out of my rut, I decided to let others share with me something good that happened to them.

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By sharing these happy stories, I’d hope that all of the good news would lift me out of my bad mood. And boy was I surprised when everyone pulled through. The response was amazing and it left me smiling all day long.

People told me about everything from sleeping in, to finding out they were pregnant, and even shopping a good sale online. It didn’t matter what it was, it was a good thing that happened in their lives and it was spreading joy to others. By sharing something good, these people were spreading the good as well.

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After the great response today, I’ve decided to make this a weekly series that I’m calling “Why I’m Happy Wednesday.” I’d love for you to join in and tell me something good that’s going on in your life. Let me know why you are happy. It can be something as simple as having enough coffee to make one cup (that happened to me this morning and I was thrilled) or even something huge that’s going on in your life like finding out you’re pregnant (I’m not, I swear.) But whatever it is, I want you to share it so that we can be happy with you!

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You can participate by sharing a photo on Wednesday with the hashtag #WhyImHappyWednesday and tagging me @amommyinthecity or feel free to write it in the comments below. I do read them all and am happy to reply back on your good news! You can also join in the conversation on my Facebook page!

As parents, it is very easy for us to get down on ourselves or frustrated in the day-to-day activities. Believe me, I get it. But what I didn’t realize what that by focusing on the good and why we are happy can make a huge difference in our attitudes.

So help me in sharing the good. And spreading the positivity so that all can enjoy.

Let’s be happy.

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Motherhood

Soccer Superstar

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“Harlan gets control of the ball. Here she goes. She shoots. She scores!!!!” 

I sat outside on our back porch yesterday while I watched Harlan play in the backyard. We were the only two in the house that were up and everyone else took their Sunday afternoon to partake in a nap. This time of year, we take advantage of nearly every second we can be outside, so when we saw a break in the rain yesterday, we ventured into the backyard.

Harlan immediately took her soccer ball and set up a goal for herself so that she could practice her skills. She gave a recap of the play-by-play as she played in the backyard. With no opponent, she won the game very quickly.

She started playing at the beginning of Spring for a league in town and got bit by the bug quickly. All she talks about is soccer. She wants to watch it on television, play it in the backyard, asks when the next season starts. She loves the sport.

Growing up, I was always the athletic one in my family. Tennis was my sport and I wanted to play it often. The spark that I had in my eyes for the 15 years that I played tennis, I see in Harlan’s eyes too.

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Each game that we watched Harlan play, her confidence in both her skills and the sport became more and more evident. She was making friends on the team and loved being able to see them twice a week. Once a girl that merely ran on the sidelines after the ball, was now the girl running down the field dribbling the ball between her feet and getting hat tricks at the games.

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Her cheering squad sat on the sidelines every single game and cheered her on.

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She smiled shyly as we cheered loudly and chanted her name.

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I never thought I’d be a soccer mom. Maybe a gymnastics mom or a ballet mom as those were the activities that Harlan always expressed interest in. But after watching her enthusiasm for a sport that took her by surprise, I’ve come to realize that I will happily whatever sport mom she wants me to be.

We don’t choose the activities that our children excel at or enjoy. So whatever that may be, it’s our job to be there to support them every single way.

And I’ll always be on the sidelines to cheer you on.

 

 

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Family, Motherhood

The Last One: How Do You Know?

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“Do you want anymore?”  

“He’s our last.”

I get this question often and this is the canned response that I answer with. I keep thinking to myself that maybe if I say it enough times, then I’ll actually believe it. I want to believe it, but deep down I just can’t.

When I was pregnant with Macks I felt so certain that he was going to be our last baby. Perhaps it was because pregnancy and I don’t get along and I was miserable nearly 100% of the time. Being as sick as I was, the last thing I wanted was to go through another pregnancy. As soon as Macks was born, my heart grew with so much love for him. Bringing a child into the world fills you with a happiness unlike any other.

As I watched him grow for those first few weeks, although hard, I was on cloud nine. This was the first time that I truly enjoyed the baby stage for everything. Knowing he was my last, I cherished every single second of those moments, even those middle of the night no-sleep parties that panicked me with the girls. I wanted to soak it all in. He completed our family. What more could I want? I had everything I needed right in front of me. And to this day, I know that’s true.

But as the months went on, those feelings of being certain Macks is our last baby slowly started to fade and baby fever started to creep in. How do I know that we’re done having children? I mean, really know.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately as I watch Macks grow. He’s talking, walking, and really able to understand nearly everything we ask him. At 16 months old, I see more of the toddler stage in him than I do the baby stage. It’s hard for me to take in.

I love every stage that my children go through, but it’s leaving the prior stage that’s hard for me to stomach. And as Macks get done with each stage, knowing it might be the last that feels like a punch in the gut.

I always thought I’d just know. That the feeling of being done would be there. But it’s not. And now I sit here confused and wondering if that feeling will ever come.

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Who knows what the future brings for our family? But although this feeling of uncertainty remains, I choose not to focus on that and focus on my three amazing children that I am blessed to call my own. Because I am so lucky to be able to call them mine, for that I’m certain.

 

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