I have.
And here is what I’ve found.
My children have taught me…
…that it is important to laugh.
…that prayer is part of every single day. Every moment.
…to set my mind to accomplish my goals.
…to embrace my creativity.
…to slow down and listen.
…to not take life always so seriously.
…that time moves first – birthdays keep coming.
…to never give up.
…that sometimes pancakes for dinner are okay.
…that spending time with them is more important than the perfect home.
…to embrace being a mother.
…that the little things matter.
…to always buy them new crayons without dull tips.
…to take moments alone with them.
…to not take life for granted.
…that their hearts are more important than stuff.
…to want to learn more about what they love. They value.
…to remember their little voices
…that being a mother is a gift.
…that each of them is unique and I get to help them discover their gifts.
…to love. Deeply.
…to praise them for for their work and effort and creativity.
…to read my Bible. Every single day.
…to find little ways to surprise those I love every day.
…to say, “I love you…” even on the hard days.
…that sometimes it’s good to stop for ice cream as a surprise.
…that I need to fight for them.
…that family is ultimate of importance.
…that I love being called “momma”
…and that childhood — every stage — is a beautiful gift.
*****
what have you learned?
I’m linking up with my in real life and super dear friend, Carissa, today.
16 comments
“…have you ever thought about how your children have helped you grow? How they bring to attention parts of you that need to be fixed or polished?”
Yes!! So much so that I’ve become convinced that most adults don’t really mature until they’ve had children. I know I didn’t!!
I love this whole list of what your kids have taught you. But “to fight for them” & ” to buy new crayons without dull tips” were 2 of my fav’s. These are all so great and something I need to remember. 🙂
Rachel,
The book that your Samuel is looking at is the same one that my Landen has……get ready to read it 15,676,454 times a day! He loves opening and shutting those doors and saying, “Bye!”. Isn’t 2 great?!? 😉
Yes! To pancakes for dinner! 🙂
I love this list. So many of these things my children have taught me.
My daughters have taught me to get lost in the moment. To be present in that very moment, and not to think about the things I need to do, but think of the things I should be doing…like coloring with them.
True, true, and true again!!! Jamison taught me last week to stay true to my word…when I say I’m going to do something I need to follow through. Happy Monday!
What a beautiful post and precious photos! Thanks for sharing:) My girls have definitely taught me to find the joy in each day!! I am so grateful for the chance to spend each day at home with them.
Love it – and I am still learning all of these things, too. What a journey Motherhood is!
Beautiful post. So heartfelt and such sweet words.
And yes, pancakes for dinner is awesome!
This gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. After 7 short months, I’m learning many of these myself! Thanks, Rachel!
This is SO beautiful!!! And quite timely 🙂 I’m reading the book “Sacred Parenting” with my small group and it asks the same question – what have my kids taught me?! LOVE your answers.
beautiful post, as always.
So, true.
I especially love that you buy them new crayons without dull tips. I hate dull tipcs.
one should indeed never go through life with dull crayons! i agree with these – especially to enjoy simple things and to laugh. a lot. and yes, to read the Bible every day and to read it aloud to them every day. hunter is teaching me how to pray simply and with child-like faith – to not get puffed up about using fancy words but to simply speak to Jesus. those pumpkin baskets look adorable. what fun! i always appreciate that you don’t mind children making things, including messes. : ) i was never allowed to do many crafty projects at home because it would make a mess. maybe that has helped me let go of worrying over messes. – i hope so. that last sweet picture of your two year old baby samuel (he’s still a baby – the baby is always the baby, right?!) is so cute. you are such a good, sweet mama. i know you are teaching your kids so much, too.
This is such a great post. It’s hard sometimes to think of what our kids have taught us when so many times we are looking at the bad that our children are doing. Thanks for the reminder. I really learn so much from my girls when I really think about it.
Love this so much…and my girls (ages 18, 20, 23) STILL get excited over a new pack of crayons!…come to think of it.. I do too! 🙂
Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I remember melting the crayon pieces into a big multicolored chunk. Maybe if you look it up online you could find out how to do it. That way they’re not wasted.
Know that I’m still here praying for your family!
2 Samuel 22:29-33 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
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