A Few Important Reminders

I've had long nights the past few nights...and while I can't claim any shred of sense or sanity during the night, thankfully,God has a way of bringing important reminders into my mind during my more sane daylight hours:

• Kids are God's way of perfecting parents. Kids make parents less selfish, and therefore more perfect. It's silly for me to think their task of making me less selfish should fit into a 7am-7pm window.
• The fact that I cherish my evenings SO much makes them a perfect target as an area in which I need to give of myself.
• I've already resigned my days to the kids...that's their time and I don't really concern myself much about what *I* need to get done then....but I need to remember that parenting is a whole gift of self...meaning, when kids needs their Mom at 4 in the morning...that's also their time because I am here for them.
• Conclusions I come to at 4:00 in the morning seem so ridiculous during the day when my mind isn't so raw, when my emotions are so frayed, when daylight chases away sad thoughts...therefore, I should regard any thought held prior to the onset of rational thinking as complete nonsense and not a serious life decision.
• While I am upset in the middle of the night because my baby won't sleep in his bed, or he needs to eat again, or I don't know what's wrong with him, I have to remember that there are many married couples out there desperate for even one baby who would give the whole world and then some to have a baby to keep them up at night. I need to shut up and stop complaining.
• Matthew doesn't understand the concept of "brother" or "Mom has other responsibilities during the day." I should cut him some slack.
• He's only just now 4 weeks old.
• Time goes by fast. It won't be long before he's bigger, more predictable, and less needy.

And of course the most important thing I need to remember:

• God provides the grace. Last night, I could have sworn today was going to be a real stinker of a day. I was tired, poor Matthew had pink bags under his eyes, I had so little sleep and Michael only has one nap during the day..only one period of time where I could take a nap....this was the second night in a row of this....etc, etc, etc.

But today has been such a fun day, even being in the apartment because of the rain, baby Michael is as sweet as can be, Matthew has been sleeping in his bed, Michael Sr. brought me home lunch, and today I feel like I've actually been able to attend to both the kids equally getting good quality time in with Michael, and being a good Mommy to Matthew. And I'm not even that tired! God provides the grace.

So, someone call me tomorrow morning at 4am and remind me of that ok? Chances are good I'll be up, and chances are good I'll need the reminder!