Thursday, July 30, 2009

Choices

I have been really emphasizing to Ashton that he always has a choice. He can choose to take a toy away from Isaac and get time-out, or he can choose not to and keep playing. He can choose to color or read books. He can choose to be mad or happy. He can choose to wear his shoes outside or not (he always chooses to wear them because we have mostly pokey hurty weeds in our yard), he can choose to obey and get the corresponding consequence or he can disobey and get the corresponding consequence. You get the idea.

This weekend I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Tyler worked 90+ hours last week and he is my best friend, I LOVE BEING AROUND HIM and I MISSED HIM!!! (In fact, when I asked Ashton Friday night what he wanted to do on Saturday he said "I wanna see Daddy!!!". "Me too!" I said... Plus it gets a little tiring doing ALL the stuff for the kids and the house etc. I was grumpy and gloomy. Monday morning I was telling Ashton of his choices as he was getting frusterated while we were playing and then I realized, I have a choice too. I can choose to be bummed, irritable, impatient etc. during these residency years, OR I can choose to enjoy what I've got. I made my choice and it's been a good week. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for helping me realize this and also for giving me agency to choose. The journey is what we make it!!!

6 comments:

Rebecca said...

Holly, you sound like such a great mom!! Your kids are lucky to have someone like you. I'm sure it's very hard to be alone so much while Tyler is gone...but it seems like you handle it really well!

bekahjr said...

I should be better at choosing to be happy too! Our Vacation was just postponed indefinitely bc they threw Beau into a last minute training. I think you are right though, we can all choose the look at the positive (=

Kirst said...

Thanks for the reminder...I definitly need to choose to do more fun things with the boys and have a better attitude about housework. I know you are a wonderful mom. Ash and Isaac are lucky to have you to care for them.

becca said...

Wow, 90+ hour weeks! That would be so hard on both of you. I often grumble about how often Gabe is gone, what with his job, YM calling, vball, etc, but thanks for giving me some perspective. We do have a choice...we can find joy where we look for it. Thanks!

Emily S. said...

nice thoughts, Holly. THanks for the reminder. HANG IN THERE!!!!

Mindy said...

Wow! Great point. I have been feeling sorry for myself lately over the beginning of 3rd year, and I need to choose to get over it.

We're running again, and I have been missing you and Chelsey in our little group! Your kids are beautiful!