We had a lot of special days in a row. A cookie decorating party. An ornament making party. Grandparents. Swimming. Special PJs for Santa. Santa's big arrival.
"No," I told him. "Every day can't be special. Today is just an ordinary day."
Remember my post about delighting in my children? I still make that a goal every day. I forget. I still yell. I still get impatient and overwhelmed, but I have started and stuck with one new daily practice. Right before I sing their lullabies each night, when I give each of them a tight hug and smell their yummy baby hair, I tell them something that delighted me that day. I keep it simple so that I don't get angsty about it.
You delighted me today when you told Miss K thank you.
I loved it when you cleaned up without whining.
I loved how patient you were with your picture drawing.
You delighted me today when you kissed baby Nate when he cried.
I thought it was no big deal until I forgot it one night and they all protested in their loud, whiny protest voices. "You didn't tell us what we did, you didn't say what you loved today."
On the fourth day after Christmas, at bedtime, I hugged them all tight and I said one thing that I loved that day. Garret said, "I love you, twinklelopalotus," and Saige said, "I love you mommysapasourus," because they think that is hilarious.
My dear little Quinn, he kept it simple. "Mine love you too," he replied.
He isn't going to say "mine" instead of "I" much longer.
As sappy and corny as it is, I fought tears and I said, "today was a special day, Garrett, because I got to spend it with all of you."
If I have one hope for myself in 2010, one prayer for my family for this new year and one wish for all of you, it's that. That you spend your days with the people that make them special.
And if I have one resolution, it's that I remember that every day is a special day.
Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for being part of my life in 2009. I have very high hopes for 2010.
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31 comments:
Thank you too. I said to a friend today that so often I start posts telling about something negative that happened but then I end up tagging them "gratitude". That's my word for 2010. I always am, but I figure the reminder never hurts.
Happy New Year.
sorry, no judgement here. you're still my hero. happy happy new year to all of your beautiful little ones + pick up man. love from paris. hx
So sweeet; Happy New Year!!! No bashing from me about CIO (I'm the same and I'll say it out loud.) :)
How sweet. I really need to remind myself to do this.
All your holiday pics are great!
Oh, look at the adorable skull xmas jammies! And how freaking skinny you are.
Happy New Year!
Great reminder.
Hope 2010 is good for all of you.
In 2009, I loved your writing: your honesty, the way the love for your children shines through even when you are talking about your frustration with them, your humor whether about tantrums, poop or trucks, and your willingness to put it all out there with full knowlege that you may be castigated for your actions/words. Thank you for all you gave to me in 2009 and I look forward to reading in 2010.
"May you never have an ordinary day".
Happy New Year, my friend. I love this post, in part because I have been trying to find my own wells of patience and demonstrativeness more lately. I think I'm going to steal this from you and do it too. I try to murmur something along these lines to my son, in particular, in that quiet moment before I leave his room each night, because he hears things best at those moments, and I like the positive reinforcement parenting a lot. But this kind of ritual, I think, would be even better.
One thing we do that I like: at dinner, we take turns asking each other "what was your favorite part of your day today?" It makes for good conversation, and usually a different person remembers to kick off the question each night. (Whoever gets asked gives an answer, which we sometimes have to discuss at length and reminisce over, and then that answerer asks the next person.)
Great set of posts. I did CIO too--no regrets. Happy new year to you and your family.
I've had "delighting in your children" on the brain ever since you first mentioned it. I love your idea of telling each child something special that you observed about them that day. Plus, maybe it will save me from an hour a day of child directed play time....
Oh, those photos are great! The one of dancing... (so precious). Happy New Year to you S. I'm sure you're in for a great year.
Um... they're right and combining your name with part of a dinosaur
IS hilarious.
That's awesome... something that they will remember mom doing forever. Thanks for sharing the great pictures of your beautiful babies!
mine love you, too.
that tugs on my heart.
I love that nighttime ritual!
I adore that first picture. Your daughter? With the bandana around her hair? OMG. She is absolutely adorable...do you spend your entire day kissing her cheeks?
Have a wonderful 2010. I look forward to reading more of your family's adventures. I'm thankful to have found your blog.
Hugs to you and yours, Anymommy! I love reading your posts and feel glad that you are my Interweb friend! xoxo Nis
i'm so glad i found your blog this past year. i've loved getting to know you and your family through your wonderful writing.
happy 2010
Thank you for a wonderful year. I am grateful for you and for your writing about life!
Happy New Year. Lovely post Stacey.
Happy new years!
And holy sh*t does Nate look huge next to Ess!!
So beautiful.
Happy New Year, STacey. The pictures are beautiful! Love seeing how the kids looked in their finery and jammies. Have a great year!
Oooo I love that. I may have to start that, as Mister Man needs some extra encouragement right now.
And Santa? Santa did good, I think! I love all the photos of you and your family!
i loove the matching pj shots.
~adriana
www.justbyliving.blogspot.com
Thanks for the reminder! Happy New Year.
You weren't kidding about having a clean house. You would have a heart attack in mine.
Happy New Year to you!!! Thanks so much for making me laugh and touching my heart. You are thoughtful and funny and and intelligent and I'm glad I'm stumbled upon your blog. Can't wait to read more!!
Here's to 2010!
Sweet, sweet, sweet! Happy New Year to you too, my dear friend. Hoping to see you at some point during the year, because I miss you! XOXO
This was lovely. Mine love you too!
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