Thankful Thursday

We were out at the Children's Museum this past week and had one of those "proud mommy" moments. You know the ones...when your children behave like little angels and someone else actually notices!! :) Naomi was getting pretty cranky as it was nearing nap time and was looking through the diaper bag for a snack. In the process, she emptied out a few things onto the floor around the stroller (which was parked about 10 feet away).  I almost jumped up to go pick up the mess she made, but instead decided to have her do it herself. She walked up to me with her snack, saying "Open...peez...mommy...open...peez." I told her that I'd be happy to open it for her, but that she just needed to go pick up the mess she made on the floor. She turned around and ran to the mess, picked it up and did exactly as I had asked! :)

The woman sitting next to me giggles as she exclaims, "Wow! That was impressive!" I just smiled. Then she asked, "How old is she?" I answered, "She's 21 months." She shook her head and said something along the lines of, "Wow...I can't even get my 3-year-old son to do that! You guys must be doing something right! Good job!" I thanked her and then said something about how thankful I am for them. It was one of those moments where I had to just smile and thank God for creating my precious kiddos so wonderfully...AND thank Him for being my guide and teaching us how to raise them.

These little "proud mommy" moments are what encourage me to keep on keeping on. Because trust me, for every moment like this one, there are about 10 others that evoke the opposite response! Hehe. If you've had a toddler, you know exactly what I'm talking about! Those moments where they've done something that makes your face turn red...moments when you'd rather not claim them as your own...moments that can make you feel like the worst mommy on the planet. But when things are going well and they are joyfully obedient, it just makes my heart swell with love for them. And it makes all of the other not-so-wonderful moments almost disappear!

Today, I am thankful for grace and wisdom as I struggle through this parenting journey. And I am thankful for moments like these that help to encourage me that I might be doing SOMEthing right! ;)