Too often I get caught up in all the yelling, fights, fits and complaining. It takes a camera and good archiving discipline to remind me what is getting shoved aside…the reason I became a Daddy.
I catch us complaining quite a bit, and it is WAY too easy to forget that others aren’t as fortunate, or have significant tragedies. So as I thought about my brother and his family tonight who are dealing with an aggressive son, or the families who can’t have kids, or the family who just lost a baby, I am reminded. To be thankful. To sit in front of my pictures, and find my favorites. To remind myself what is important, and what isn’t. To know what is small, and what is big. And to once again remind myself that it could all be gone in an instant, and how important it is to leave everything on the field.
And tomorrow, hug them as tight as the law will allow. And start again.
I am reminded tonight as well. Too many babies are sick or dying. Watching my daughter glow when her Daddy told her she looked beautiful in a new dress certainly helped me savor the small things a little bit more.
Thanks for another great post! Yes, we all need to be reminded of how lucky we have it and what is really important. Off to hug my kids one last time before I go to bed! Thanks Jay
Being a parent is hard and it is easy to get wrapped up in the things that drive you crazy about it instead of the thing that make it all worth while. I have to catch myself and every know and then with a little reminder to savor it because I am lucky to be a mommy and give the love that I give and receive the crazy unconditional love I receive.
Sometimes things just get too routine and once in awhile something will happen–a blog post, a news story, a memory, a giggle–and I stop for minute and think about how lucky I am. Thank you.
Oh, goodness, that boy’s gonna break some hearts…as if the girl isn’t!
Thanks for the reminder. Counting my blessings right now.
Your little girl is SOO cute.. I love her little smile!
Had a day like that myself yesterday. I had to remind myself that some people have it worse & I have a lot to be thankful for.
btw, those are some adorable little ones you have!
Awesome post. Enjoy what you have.
Amen, Brother, Amen. I wish I had read this post at 5:00 am when my darling felt it was time to get up…I might have appreciated him more in all his early morning enthusiasm for playing cars.
And your children are adorable!
Its always good to get some perspective. Sounds like you have a great way of getting there.
That shot, and post, did my heart some good.
You and Better Half make some beautiful babies!!
Sometimes it takes a second to step back before you have happy thoughts. All too many times like you said you get caught up in the everyday that you miss what’s really around you.
So true but I think of it as “The Good Stuff”
Your kids really are adorable. They clearly don’t take after you.
They are beautiful. What a great post.
what cuties
For me, it was watching Little Man blow raspberries on his mom’s pregnant belly last night. He thinks he’s the funniest man alive right now with that gag.
And he’s sorta right.
Beautiful…Grazie for the NEEDED reminders…Kudos!
good stuff, jay…what sweet kids. even when they whine…like one of my 4 are doing right now. hmmmm.
Nice Jay, very Nice.
Great post. We should all remember to be thankful for our blessings.
I think I just wiped tears from my eyes. So touching.
My hubby reminds me all the time when he hears the frustration in my voice that he would gladly trade places with me, he is currently deployed and he has missed so much in thier lives not just this deployment but the many before this one and thats usually all it takes to make realize Ione of the lucky ones, I’ve never missed any part of thier lives and so many parents out there have missed or will miss so much.
This post caught me on a very emotional day and I just wanted to let you know that it made me smile. I needed that. Thank you Jay.
You’ve motivated me to pull out the camera. I took many photos of my first child, but the two younger ones have gotten the short end of the stick. I need to create special memories of them also.
that’s a great post, jay. i’m trying not to let my kids stress me out so much, but they really are trying my patience lol i’m going to practice being more grateful.
I have taken most everything for granted in my life at one point or another, but my children, never. I feel eternally blessed to have been given the gift of being their mother.
Nice pic and geat post, It is easy to get caught up in the complaining and forget what is important. At least you realize and that is what is important. Happy FF!!! If you get a chance check me out at http://www.pbandsmellysdad.com/
Great post! I think you reminded many of us what’s important
Such a sweet picture!
Great post…and adorable kids!
I don’t know how she does it, but when I’m teetering on the edge of frustration, my little one will give me a look or do something super-cute that melts my heart…and reminds me how lucky I am to have her.
Happy FF!
Great photo!! And thanks for the reminder! We could all use that daily, couldn’t we?
They look like they would be some awesome huggers! Cherish them. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, that’s why today is the present.
Great, honest post. I don’t have children yet, but I hope one day to remember always how precious they are and to never take them for granted.
Hope you and Mrs. Lessons have a wonderful, blessed Easter! Think of me, I’m working a 12-hr shift, making life better for children
Sweet and touching. I think I’ll go wake up my teenagers now.
Amazing picture, life often gets so busy that it’s easy to forget how blessed we really are. I’m so grateful for my baby girl! Such a gorgeous photo of your kids!
We know what’s important.
But the fights CAN be fun sometimes……especially now that they are older and we can LAUGH in the middle of them….
awe jay, a sweet sensitive side.
This was a great post…as always.
aawwww…..your kids are too cute!!!
They are precious. Good reminders Jay.