Tuesday, June 5, 2012

5 Things I've Learned


I felt like this would be a good time to stop and reflect on some things I've learned and share with you in my '5 Things I've Learned' feature - which has no rhyme or reason to when I post it! I post when I feel like I some things to share and pass on. Right now, I'm having that feeling, so here goes:

1. Family is everything - I've always known this I suppose, but as I get older, it really rings truer. This past weekend I spent in Oklahoma at one cousin's wedding and another cousin's baby shower. I was surrounded by my aunts and uncles, cousins (new second cousins), parents and Grandmother. It really hit me when my aunt looked at the 4 of us cousins (there are only 4 on my my Moms side) and said, "One day all you will have is each other. It's important that your keep these relationships strong." Being so far away from everyone, it's easy to lose track and not make the time to catch up and check in. But as we all start new journeys in marriage and motherhood, it's so important to me to keep these people close and ensure our kids have amazing bonds as well.

2. Just go with the pitch - My 11 year old summed it up best on a out of town trip Memorial Day weekend. I tend to get uptight, obsess, worry and want everything to be done perfectly. I'm a huge control freak. My Dad was chastising me again for not just being able to relax and enjoy things when Derrick piped in and said, "Amanda, you just have to go with the pitch." And how right he is. Sometimes we just have to let go and live and take what life hands us. He's a pretty smart kiddo, that one!

3. Your gut is almost never wrong - This is one I've known for a while - that little thing called intuition. I never gave it much thought or listened to closely to it until the kids came into my life. What I've learned is that 9 times out of 10, whatever my gut is telling me is dead on. I suppose your children don't have to be biological to have a 'mothers intuition.' David hates it. However, it makes me feel better knowing that when something doesn't feel right, more than likely there is a reason and to investigate and put my guard up.

4. It's okay to ask for help and to not feel guilty - I want to be Wonder Woman and do it all. The control freak in me does not like turning the reigns over to anyone else. I want to know what is going on at all times with everyone and hate to not be 'in the loop.' I won't even let anyone else make a grocery list. But I kill myself by doing this and sometimes I need a break. And that's okay. It's okay to let David take over. It's okay to have our oldest daughter make dinner. It's okay to enjoy a date night out with my honey and leave the kids at home. Sometimes it's fine to stay home and miss one of the 1,000 baseball games the kids play so that I have time to recharge. I'm only human.

5.  Laughter really is a good medicine - David and I went to see What to Expect When You're Expecting last week for our date night. I honestly haven't laughed so hard in ages. I had tears rolling down my face. I would hit David or he would nudge me during certain parts and we would just laugh and smile. It felt good. It was like a release of a lot of negative emotion I've had built up. P.S. It is a really good movie (and not all funny) and I highly recommend it!

You're turn! You tell me - what have you learned lately?

1 comment:

  1. Really good post !!

    Thank you for sharing...

    I have learnt to trry and over come my fears....

    Love and hugs x

    ReplyDelete