Mother Manifesto'd

It's been one crazy week. Kid crazy. Busy. Stressfull. Tiring. Patience stripping. Just hard. Living in survival mode is taking its toll and sitting down tonight with all three gorgeous babies of mine finally asleep, it's time I write in stone/cyberspace something/anything that I can chant/pray/grasp so when I look back at these "best times of my life" I can say.... I tried... Hence, my Mother Manifesto... Drawn from my tiny perspective of the unimaginable love God has for His children in hope that I reflect even the smallest glimmer...

1. The love I have for my children is spelled S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E. I need to come to terms to the reality that I can't have it all, but what I can have, I want it for my children.

2. I want to be so consumed with raising my children that I have no time to critique how you raise yours.

3. I will parent out of confidence in God's plan for my children, not out of fear of mistakes they might make.

4. My home and heart will be safe places for them to share their dreams and worries, their victories and setbacks, their passions and hurts.

5. I will be honest with their hard questions and proactive in protecting them from truths they are not ready for.

6. I will celebrate how God made them by encouraging growth in gifts and growth in weaknesses.

7. I will not define them by their gifts nor weaknesses.

8. I will be slow to anger and give mercy freely - and teach them to do the same.

9. I will discipline to teach not to vent my frustrations or appease onlookers.

10. Love wins. No matter what we say, do, or think. My love for them is constant and unwavering.

11. I will be present in their lives everyday. Be it morning snuggles, lunch box notes, goofy dinner joking, evening walks and/or bedtime talks, my love will be shown through time spent and pure interest shown in their lives.

12. I will tickle, hug, kiss, squish, etc. all.of.the.time.

13. I will work hard to protect their hearts, provide for their creativity, and encourage their security in who they are.

14. I will screw up, but I will show them it's inevitable and show them mistakes can be opportunities to grow.

15. I will pray. Everyday. That they desire to know their Creator, that they grow from all life's experience, that learning never grows old, that they serve with thanksgiving and joy, that they love and know love like I have for them, that they see light in darkness and cling to faith in a harsh world, and that they leave this world more beautiful than when they entered...because of them, I know I will.

I know it's a little reaching and that I've probably missed some things. I know I will fail, but still, having these ridiculously high expectations hopefully will lead to higher achievements. Right?