Little Chicklets

There aren't many things in life that motivate me more than my children. Never have I wanted to be healthier, stronger, more available emotionally, and more intentional. When I am faced with circumstances in life that are challenging and rough, I almost always think of how my decision will translate to my children. And even more simply than that when I think of giving up, I dig deep. Because of them I am seeing there is more to me than I ever imagined possible. I never dreamt when I looked in their little eyes I could love this big, be this devoted, this fierce, this real. Raising children has a way of showing you all your weaknesses as a person and forcing you to decide what you are going to do with those weaknesses. It is vulnerable and humbling all at the same time. And yet I am a much better person today than I was 10 years ago. I love the me today much more than the me 10 years ago. I think it's so important for my children to see me as person who makes mistakes. Big ones. Because when they are faced with mistakes and frustrations, I want them to think of me as someone who can listen without judging. They will remember mom didn't have it together too well sometimes, but she loved them with every part of her being.

I talked to one of my favorite people in the whole world today and some of the struggles each of our children are facing. And how we would much rather have the child who has to work a little harder in life than the one who everything comes easy to. The child who has to dig deep and face things that will mold them into a person of character. Life is not about what is handed to you. It certainly isn't easy to see your children struggle to find their footing, but my children will know that their mom and dad are right their with them. And even more than that, they have a God that will never leave them. The footing is always there.....we just have to be open to finding it.