Friday, May 7, 2010

To Give from a Happy Place!

As a Mom...
Something to work on and something to be proud of !
* A Mother's Day post linky party thingy from Jen over at Denton Sanitorium*

Silly face ME!



I want to be more giving!
And in being more giving, I want my children to become more giving! I am a believer that children will learn much more from what you do, and how you live, than by what you say or teach. For some reason, though, I am always telling, teaching, correcting, suggesting...and skipping right over the showing.
I want us to be excited about giving... Have so much fun giving that we can't wait until we can give again.
Giving to those wo are in need (that we may or may not know). Also giving to those who are just appreciated and loved by our family...for who they are and for what they mean to us.
I want to give stuff. My children's gently worn clothes (that normally go to be consigned), childrens books, the free one..of the buy one get one free, pies and baked goods, grocery gift cards, lunch with a friend..on me. The list should go on and on!
I want to give time. Time at my children's schools...to chaperone, proctor tests, help out at the school store.
I want to give more of my self. Myself as a child, a wife, a friend and a Mom! A listener...helper...soulmate...playmate.
Most of all, I want the giving to come from a place within me...that gives because I have been given much...and have been blessed with much.
I want to be more giving....of stuff, of time, and of self.



I am Happy!
I am very glad that my kids know that I am happy. As the wife of their daddy, as their mom...and as me. I want them to be secure in the fact...that at my core, I am happy!
I love to be silly. I love to play, dance, sing, do silly skits in the kitchen, and just get right in the middle of the action. I have fun most of the time, but even in the moments of temporary sadness, anger, frustration, and defeat.....my kids know that I'll be okay. My happiness is based not on circumstances, but on the truth of God's word and his promises for me.
Of course, there are a few other things that I could brag about too. (We were told to brag!) I can make a good meatloaf. I can get stains out of their favorite shirts, I can find the stuff that they lose, I can fix the computer when it goes "down", I can think of good school project ideas, I can talk Dad into letting them have sleepovers, and I can put together those really crazy lego kits. Those things may mean more to them now.
But it means more to me that they think...
I am the happiest person they know! 


I'll be linking this to "Denton Sanatorium"...if I can figure out how to do that!

11 comments:

  1. Jen, you are a gifted writer & so inspiring to me! What a super lovely post! It is evident that you have a normal, loving family. I know if we lived closer that we would be buddies. You could show me how you find all that stuff that your kids lose. {couldn't find a neoprene knee brace this am, searched all over & Mr. F had to go with an ugly ace bandage~oh well!} and of course I would love to do lunch~even if you aren't buying!

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  2. you can email me (on my blog) & i can help you link to Denton San...

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  3. Jen, loved the giving idea. . .so important if we want our kids to make a difference when they grow. So challenging to teach them that they have soooo much!
    Gabe

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  4. A happy mom is indeed a great gift. Your children are blessed!

    =)

    PS. And I want to be more giving, too. I am good at emotional giving, but I want to do more, actual physical giving. More service to people not in my family or among my friends.

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  5. This was great, Jen. I wish my kids could say the same about me--the happy part. That's a gift, and you're blessed to have it.
    Giving is another thing I've been working on--it seems I am especially selfish with my time. And the two times this week that I have been generous with it when I really didn't want to be, I was glad.
    Thanks for writing, and Happy Mother's Day!

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  6. Stopping by from Jen's blog. This was a beautiful post. I'm thankful for all the mothers I can learn from. A happy mom is truly a blessing!
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  7. great post! that's what we are teaching our kids too....the joy it feels to give! just knowing you are helping out or sharing your love means more than anything!

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  8. Hopped over from jen's blog-I loved your post! A happy mom means a happy home, and that is truly one of the greatest gifts we can give our families. This was a great post. Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

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  9. You exude pure and simple joy, and it's contagious in your posts! Thank you and have a Happy Mother's Day!

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  10. That was beautiful. I want to be more giving too. Wonderful pictures...your family is precious.
    Happy Mother's Day.

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  11. Hi Jen,
    Newbie here! I can't remember how I found your blog, but I am glad that I did; your posts are so upbeat and you sound like such a fun and happy person! You have such a beautiful family. :)

    Anyway, just wanted to say hello and introduce myself!

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