The joy & the Pain

Being a mother has brought immense JOY... First smiles, First Tooth, blowing kisses, snuggles throughout the morning, Watching them discover their reflection in a mirror.

So many fun, happy moments.... Then the opposite can be said as well, Sick babies, emergency rooms, 31 days in ICU, disappointments, postpartum depression, sneaking out (teens), ornery neighbors that seem hell-bent on torturing your children ;)

what do we focus on? Where do we linger?

Natural man tendency is to linger on the negative. Which then creates a stronger memory of that negativity. We as mother's need to fight the impulse to linger in the mire. We need to take out those happy moments like a treasured photo and bask in that glorious memory. To look at it from every angle.

It is this method of noticing the GREAT times, the GOOD deeds, and the HAPPY moments that we will then be led to smile more.... and ENJOY our journey of Motherhood. I pray that you will make a list of all the finest moments in your recollection as a Mother. Go ahead. Right now. Bask.....

red heads, new teeth, warm newborn breath, nursing sounds, First coo, the first moment you held your babe, giggles, crawling, fascination with ceiling fans, first outings, park days, first words, mama, dadda, creativity, hard work,

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so abundantly blessed. We decided that the Holidays would be dismal if we were not able to break bread with our close friends (might as well be family) So we saved our pennies, and packed our car, and drove 10+ hours I WILL say I did not enjoy the drive, I was already stressed by the time we hit the road, and my energy has been depleted since I had walking Pneumonia last month. It took all I had just to ensure everyone had clean clothes and undies. But persevere we did, and we arrived last night at 2:39 a.m. Tuesday. (ugh) All the Grove kids were awake and awaiting for our arrival....we hugged, squealed, and promptly sent all the littles to bed.... Today was a typical day of relaxing, and energizing at once. the Wonderful Daddy's took all but 2 kids to Timbertown play area while Sasha and I visited on the couch and Madi & Jolie made pies.... We couldn't ask for a better afternoon. (OK massages and a shopping spree would have been fun...BUT) Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we have more food than many 3rd world nations see in a month on the menu. We are so very blessed. Food to eat. Family to enjoy it with. Warm and safe beds to rest. Freedoms. Testimony. Love. Hope.