What I Learned, Month 5, Showing Love Through Acts of Service

This month I involved God a little more in the selection of what I was to work on, and this has been my best experience yet. 

I learned:

1)  By showing more love to my kids, I feel more love...and I think the feeling is mutual!

2)  I was doing many more acts of service than I thought I was-- the simple act of recognizing each thing I do for them as an act of love changed my approach and their reception...dramatically changing the feeling of my day and changing my whole perspective about what I do every day.  Even ordinary tasks like laundry and dishes are easier and more meaningful when I realize I am contributing to my little one's well-being and happiness and self-esteem!

3)  Little things can make a big difference-- paying attention to a child's favorite color (when purchasing clothing or something similar), adding that tiny sweet or note to their lunch once in a while, doing an ordinary activity with extra love, focus, and attention can make a big difference in every one's day.

4)  Even some of the harder acts of service (for me, being a chauffeur) can become easier if I think about what I want to help my child become.

5)  It helped me to imagine the way I felt as a child when someone did something kind for me...I especially envisioned my own parents and remembered the things they did that I appreciated, even though I didn't always express thanks at the time. 

6)  Doing acts of service can be exhilarating and habit forming!

7)  Everything I sacrifice for my kids comes back to me plus some when I see the happiness in their faces.

8)  Recognize that what I do does make a difference.  A huge difference.  Don't forget that on discouraged days.  I realized one of Satan's biggest weapons against mothers is to make them think that what they do doesn't really matter.

Little things, done with love, can change my kids lives forever for the better.

I loved this month!   

(the photos are of my nieces)

Goals for Month 5

It is month 5 already!  When did that happen?  We have had such a wonderful summer.  I'm sad to see it go!  But I love the crisp golden feeling of fall in the air. 

I am about to send my three oldest off to school.   My six year-old will be starting first grade!  I have really mixed feelings about this.  I feel it is time to start giving more attention to this little girl:

And I am so desperate for a good nap (not happening, with five active kiddos, a certain single fly that seems to know where and when I'm trying to sleep, and my new TV rule!).  And less chaos.  But, at the same time, I always feel sad for a week or so after my kids start school, especially first grade.  Reality hits:  time is marching on whether I want it to or not.  This little one will not be home finger painting, singing Kindergarten songs, going to the park or story time at the library with me any more.  Those days are now over.  Though good ones are ahead!  It's just-- a special little time is over. Have I made the most of this time?  Did I cherish it enough?  Did I teach her enough?  Will she go forward feeling confident and brave as she faces some of life's realities?  Will she remember our times together, our laughs, our walks, our happy and quiet times?

This morning we sat at the breakfast table enjoying slurpy chunks of dripping watermelon, her little elbows resting on the table next to mine.  I enjoyed her golden-ish hair and gray-blue eyes, her tiny sprinkling of freckles, and a new little tooth squishing itself in amongst her baby teeth.  We laughed and talked and slurped our watermelon, dripping on last night's dinner crumbs.  We talked about school and sisters and Satan. :)  (don't ask me how these topics interwove)  Will I be ready to let her go? 

Sorry....I have digressed so much.  But there is (sort of) a point.

I have debated much internally over this month's goals.   While there are things I need to work on a little more urgently, I've decided to re-focus this month on showing love, as inspired by The Five Love Languages of Children (Chapman, Campbell).   Specifically, as my kids go back to school, I want to focus on a few areas.  (The five love languages they talk about are: quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, and gifts...I've already worked on two of these)  Here are this month's goals:

1.  Warm greetings (as inspired by the sneak peak from Gretchen Rubin's new book - Happier at Home) ....specifically I want to hug my kids as they come and go, and focus on smiling more.
2.  Acts of Service - create an after-school routine, including a moderately clean house, healthy prepared snack, and a few minute chat.
-- Do little things they need when they need them instead of putting them off.
-- Create a better bedtime routine (including making dinner on time so kids have plenty of time to get ready for bed).
-- Have myself or the kids prepare their own lunches every day this year.
-- Get back in the habit of doing my girls' hair!
-- Use what I learned about positive words as I leave my kids at least one note a week in their lunch or bedroom.
3.  Children's charity of the month-- as part of this blog I'd like to start learning about a new children's charity each month and use the money I earn that month to donate toward said charity. 
4.  For my husband and myself-- make something  to display that encapsulates the family goals we talked about in Month 3.

What will you miss most about summer?  I will miss fresh tomatoes, swimming, going places when we want to, and no homework!