Reflections 2010

I’ve always loved this quote.

Be the change you want to see in this world. ~Ghandi.

Reflections on 2010:

I’ve learned:

That I love my husband more today than I did seven years ago. Back then I thought I could make him into the man I wanted him to be, today he is more than the man I could have ever dreamed up.

I can plan life all I want, but God is seriously in control and His plans don’t always match mine. 

I can’t make my kids into the kids I envisioned them to be, they are who they are, personalities, traits, bodies and minds. God created them, not me, and its my job to mold them and teach them and love them the best I can with what I know and when I don’t I need to find unbiased educated resources to help.

I’ve learned that what you see on the outside is not necessarily what is going on on the inside. You have to invest in people with your time, your heart, and your efforts. Sometimes your money, too. How you spend your time and your money, says more about you than your words.

Keeping your mouth closed more than open is a good thing. It dissipates drama and gossip and hurt. And that’s among the adults. For my kids, by listening I’ve learned that I no longer have two babies, I have a Pre-pre-schooler and kid. Like a true kid. All of those baby rolls and chubby parts are gone. All of those babbling words and baby snuggles have been washed away. What’s left in his place is a child who is seeing parts of the world that went unnoticed 6 months ago; bullying, how far the mall or Chuck E. Cheese is from our house, saving money for a big ticket item, or the fact that our family dynamic is going to change drastically have all been verbalized thoughts that have come out of Monkey’s mouth recently.  

Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Say what you mean and mean what you say-KINDLY.  Kids pick up on your cues very quickly.

I’ve learned how to go without. My “without” may be much different than others, I know. I started to list what I went without, but then quickly deleted it, because what I did get was much more important and valuable then what I did not.

I’ve learned this year what I want to be like this upcoming year, in 10 years, in 20 years, and if I make it; 60 years.  I’ve seen more of what I don’t want to be in this world than what I do want to be. How sad is that? 

I’ve learned that mumbling, grumbling, complaining adults are worse than mumbling, grumbling, complaining kids. Get over it. It’s a choice.

I am the only one who can create the environment I want for my own home. And I have a LONG way to go  and a lot to work on,  to make “home” the place I’d always want to be. Home being a place I want my kids to always feel comfortable coming back to, a place where I will be, but most assuredly I tell you its their dad they’ll always want to come home to.   

A quality life is chosen each day.

Can’t wait for 2011!

~mrs. dunbar