What do you want your child to appreciate?

My husband was currently taking a sociology class online. 

Considering I studied it in college, it interests me. 

Therefore I've been eavesdropping on the video's he's been listening to. 

Some of the things I heard have stuck with me.

Last night as I was listening the woman said, "If you want your children to appreciate something, they have to see your appreciating it."

This got me thinking about what I want my children to appreciate. 

I want my children to appreciate many things.

I want them to appreciate the things they are given, whether big or small.

The clothes they have, the toys the play with, the roof over their heads, the food on their plates.

I want them to appreciate the people they have in their lives.

My husband and me, their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, all people they come across. 

I want them to appreciate learning. The fact that they can learn.

That they are able to go to school, reading, writing, having a passion and learning about it. 

I want them to appreciate the things we do.

Vacations, being outside, spending time together. 

I want them to appreciate the fact that daddy works hard. 

For us, for them, for our life.

I want them to appreciate that because of that, I am able to stay home with them.

I want them to appreciate affection.

Hugs and kisses, being cared for, being loved.

I want them to appreciate God and His word.

To read it, to know it, and live it. 

I want them to appreciate everything, to be grateful because this life, all we have, we don't really deserve it. 

As I think about this, I know though, that if I don't appreciate these things, then how can I expect them to? 

I can't, not really. 

I know these things are important and good. 

I know these things are meant to appreciated and I'm meant to be grateful. 

So, I need to work on appreciating and being grateful. 

So, I will....starting today... I will have a grateful heart for this life I have. 

Parenting advice. Sometimes I want it, sometimes I don't.

"Parenting is the hardest job you will ever have."
Heard it. Lived it. Believe it.
Especially these last few weeks when it comes to me being a stay-at-home mom.

He cries. He screams at me. He hits me. He just doesn't want to listen to me.
He listens to dad way better, which I understand.
I may understand it, but its not going to work that way.
Yes, I know dads are more of the disciplinary, but he has to listen to us both.
It's something we will work on time and time again, I know.

It gets overwhelming sometimes.
Especially when its day after day.
I've needed an outlet, which usually is saying something on facebook, twitter, or blogging about it.
Maybe not the best option for me because it leads to advice.
Sometimes parenting advice is welcome, sometimes its not.
Today, its definitely the later.
I'll take it somedays. I'll follow it somedays.
But you know what I really want?
Sometimes I just want to SAY that its a rough day.
I just want to SPEAK the words, that this is hard.
It doesn't mean I want advice. That, at times, just adds to the frustration.
I know people mean well, but...
Sometimes I just want someone to say, "I get it." or "I'm praying for you."
Somedays that's all I want, that's all I need.

Braden's first haircut

Sadly, today the time came to cut Braden's hair.

I didn't want to cut it, but he pulls it out.

I dislike finding huge clumps in his crib, so it was time for a trim.

Not sure why he pulls it out. I think he gets a little anxious maybe or just does it when he's tired.

This is how it went

Such a sad face. Gosh, please don't think we are torturing our son by the look on his face.

I'm pretty sure the sound just scared him.

He looks much better and hopefully doesn't pull on his hair as much.

Water table fun!

If you read my blog regularly you know I've been a bit clueless on what to do with this little guy.

Well, on pinterest I saw a water table and thought Braden would love it!

We got him one last night... its perfect for our deck and for him because he loves water! 

He loves his new water table.

Splishing and splashing.

Dumping the water on the deck.

Kissing his animals, of course.