Mommy Moments

There are times when I feel like I really stink as a mom.

I'm not patient enough.

I sometimes lose my temper and yell at my kids.

I huff at them. A lot.

I've even resorted to rolling my eyeballs at times.

Yes, it's true. Sometimes I'm a downright terrible mom. But you know what? Kids are the best thing in the world and it's no wonder the Lord wants all of us to be just like them. In my new favorite book, "Spiritual Lightening" M. Catherine Thomas pointed out the fact that children are given a special ability to forget bad things really quickly, to forgive easily and to bounce back. I realized how true that was a couple of times recently. I was less than patient and far from gentle and loving with Melody one morning before school and I hated myself when she climbed the steps to the bus after having such a terrible morning with me. I prayed the whole day worried that somehow I was going to crush her spirit with my perfectionistic ways. Then, she came home, happy as could be. The morning was forgotten (by her, not by me. I still felt terrible!) About a half an hour after she got home she came to me, hugged me, and said, "This is for you, Mommy."

My heart melted. I was so grateful for the gift of repentance and forgiveness, even between a terrible mother and her strong-willed daughter.

Last night Roman was digging in the trash, pulling out stuff I had thrown away. This is a pet peave of mine and I have gotten in trouble many a time for throwing away Happy Meal toys and other such 'treasures.' Anyways, I huffed and grumbled at him for digging through the trash as he scurried away with an armful of Melody's graded assignments from school. A little while later he proudly presented this picture to me. He explained it was me giving him a hug. [I tried not to care that he drew me so GINORMOUSLY compared to himself, but whatever! :) ]

These are the Mommy moments that give THIS real-life Mom hope that maybe, just maybe, I'm not totally screwing up afterall. Every mom has them. What are some of yours?