The Value of Family

How do you measure a year?  For me, life is a matter of moments.  You hear, “Life is short,” and, “Make each moment count.” 

 I have three beautiful girls.  Each day is filled with surprises, as well as a few challenges, maybe a headache, and the occasional tear.  However, at the end of the day, I can close my eyes knowing that I made each moment count.  It can be challenging to divide my time between three of them and my husband, but I do my best.  At eight years old my oldest is into all things Hannah Montana and High School Musical.  She is brilliant and has many interests.  Our time is spent doing craft projects, playing at the park, baking, or doing manicures and pedicures on each other.  Sometimes I fear that I’m not doing enough, but we love each other and it is that unconditional love that makes every instance icing on the cake.  I tell her every chance I get that she can tell me anything, even if she thinks it might hurt my feelings.  I didn’t have that with my mother although I longed for it. 

 Next in line is our little fireball, nearing two years of age.  This one is a little more difficult.  After the screaming, the tantrums, the toy throwing, sometimes just a silly face from mom changes everything.  And that mischevous little smile just melts my heart everytime.  No matter how long we battle at naptime and how terrible I feel after threatening to take away her ni-night bunny if she gets up again, she still wakes up her cheery little self and runs in to give me a hug.  What more could a mommy ask for?  We baked cookies together for the first time yesterday.  A HUGE mess, but completely worth it.  I had to fight back tears as she began counting the cookies on the cookie sheet!  I may be biased, but I have the most amazing and smart little girls.

Last but definitely not least, our baby coming in close behind at nearly six months old.  The smiles, the laughter, knowing that mommy can always make it better.  What a blessing!  A simple game of pat-a-cake and her “troubles” just seem to disappear. 

 My point is this:  We spend so much time worrying about ellaborate vacations, Christmas presents, extravagant birthday parties, when all we really need is to connect to our children on their level.  My husband is an amazing and BUSY man.  He works full time, is completing his Engineering degree, works part time for an elderly friend keeping the books for his business, yet we, his family, always come first.  He always has time for us.  He never uses school or work as an excuse to miss a soccer game or dance recital, or even reading stories to our little ones at bedtime.  I am not claiming to be a perfect family, we are far from that.  I think that what we do that is different from a lot of other families is that we put our family first and STRIVE for perfection.  We have love in our home and no matter how short on money or how close to home our vacations end up being, we have each other. 

The economy is troubled at this time to say the least.  Let us use this as a reason to redevelop our family relationships.  Learn something new about each of your children.  If you don’t have children, focus on your spouse.  You married them for a reason, right?  Believe it or not, they might have something interesting to say once in a while!

Make memories, and make each moment count.

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