"Thank you"

Something really beautiful has started happening lately. I remember a while back, I read a facebook post from a friend about how her daughter asked for something with a "please" and then responded with a "Thank you, Mommy" after her need was met. I remember thinking that this little girl was so young to be saying things like that already and that this woman must be a really great mom (which, of course, she is).

Then, when a year passed, and then 18 months passed, my boys still weren't saying much at all. I've always known that boys' speech development tends to be more delayed than girls', but then I read that twins' speech development is also delayed because they have a language of their own with each other. I could see this in my boys for sure, so I wasn't really worried about their speech development too much. I was, however, concerned that they were still grunting and whining when they wanted something instead of saying "please" and that they couldn't say "thank you" to someone after they gave them a drink or a bite of their food. So, a few months ago, I really started trying to get them to say "thank you" after I handed them their drink. After we got that down, I worked on getting them to say "please" before I filled their drinks for them. I was so happy when I got them to do all of those things, and it made me feel a little better... about MYSELF as a parent, which is kind of silly.

Recently, though, something has happened that I didn't teach them. They now say "thank you" every time I do ANYTHING for them. They say it after I put them in the swing and when I take them out of the swing (if they have asked to be taken out). They say it after I wash their hands. They say it when I hand them a toy. They say it when I hug them. They say it AFTER EVERY DIAPER CHANGE. That's probably my favorite one. I absolutely love changing diapers now because I get to hear a cute little "thank youuuuuuuu" afterwards. Did I teach them to say thank you for every little thing? No. I think God knew I needed to hear it a little more often. It's not because I'm a good mom. It's because He's a good God, and He loves me a lot. Oh, and it's also because my kids are awesome.

A little pregnancy craziness for you...

A couple of weeks or so ago, I was under this cloud of morning sickness(all-day sickness, actually), exhaustion, and general moodiness. One night I burst out crying at the dinner table. This is actually a funny story now, so I'll go ahead and tell it. Joshua was starting to get stressed about whether or not he would be placed in a good school. Now, Joshua is not a worrier. When he does worry, it means the situation is BAD, and with me being sick and tired and moody, it made me stressed. He had Pandora playing while we were eating, and "our" song came on.

QUICK (or not so quick) BACK-STORY:

It's pretty cheesy, but before Joshua and I really started dating... you know, that period of time (which didn't last long for us) where you don't tell the person you like them, but you do everything possible to make yourself seem like the most perfect person on Earth so that they will fall head over heels in love with you and you will live happily ever after? Yeah, during that time... Joshua came over to my apartment and we were hanging out with the rest of our "group," and he sang a few worship songs and then played a couple of love songs. This was the first love song he sang, and my guy friend at the time informed me through Facebook messages that the song was totally intended for me. Sigh. It was sweet and cheesy and pretty much sickening for everyone around us, but I just dearly love the song because of it.

END BACK-STORY

So, the song starts playing and Joshua looks at me and suddenly a peace comes over his face. "Oh, it's the song. You know, everything is gonna be okay." My head hit the table and I started crying. I mean, heaving sobs. The boys looked confused. Joshua ran to get me tissues and tried to console me, but I think I sobbed for a good five minutes straight, but it felt more like ten.

So, I tell you this story so you can get a picture of my craziness during my first trimester. Also, because of the sickness and exhaustion, Joshua did most of the cooking and cleaning... because he's amazing that way.

For the last couple of weeks, though, I've been back to the whole mom and wife thing. I even made cookies after dinner tonight! (I know, supermom material here.) It's nice knowing that I can do my "job" again. :) I'm just so happy to be feeling better. God is good.

Contentment

It seems that I'm learning the same lesson over and over again lately. Then again, it's one of those lessons you only learn after being beaten over the head with it a few times, because life can be scary. Being married is a big responsibility, but being a parent makes those responsibilities seem more real. These responsibilities make us worry. In the last few months, we've worried about Joshua being placed at a decent school, paying bills, whether or not I could be on his insurance plan through his employer because of the pregnancy (don't worry-- that worked out:)), and even getting groceries or gas at times. It's funny how no matter how many times God answers our prayers with a much better situation than we even thought to ask for, my first reaction to any sort of adversity is worry.

I'm happy to report that these moments of panic are slowly but surely becoming moments rather than days or months. Sure, my first reaction is an increased heart rate and a feeling of utter dread, but it is now quickly followed by a reminder that He has never let us go without. I don't lie awake at night worrying. I can't say that this is something I have worked hard to achieve. Like I said, it's simply a result of month after month of seeing God do amazing things for our family. It's kind of getting hard to NOT trust Him. Am I really starting to feel thankful for the hard times? Wow, I think I am.

These verses have been running through my head for a month or so now:

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

Contentment. That is the lesson He is teaching me.