M for Mommy: Reminders

It may sound arrogant, but I'm stuck on today's challenge (well, kinda): the challenge for today is to take 10 minutes to reflect on any mistakes made over the week and to ask myself: What did I learn? What will I do differently and better as a result of what I know?

Provided it's only Hump Day and there are still several days ahead of me this week, I have a hard time coming up with any mistakes made this week. Having said that though, the 'think' part of the challenge is something that is worth looking at:

"I am able to learn something useful from every situation."
With Kai sick yesterday and with the semi-finals of the World Cup Soccer, I felt as if the day passed by without me noticing. At the end of the day I was still wearing my lounge pants, hadn't brushed my teeth yet and hadn't even combed my hair. I felt like an absolute slob who hadn't gotten anything done.

I shared my frustration with David over dinner and he reminded me that sometimes it's okay to have a day like that. Afterall, the Netherlands had won the semi-finals and with that placed itself in the Finals for Sunday. I did get my laundry folded:

But most importantly, I cared for my sick toddler who really needed a dose of mommy-love. He was so right and that, my friends, is one of the biggest lessons I learned over the past few days: sometimes it's okay to cuddle up with your baby and watch movies the entire day (although I am soooo trough with Thomas, Finding Nemo and Cars). Sometimes that's the best thing you can do for a day. The bottom line: every situation provides us with an opportunity to learn. It's not easy to always remember, but worth the try.

Tomorrow's challenge:

Abundance
Abundance is to see that there are endless possibilities before us. And at the same time, still see an incredibly rich existence right where we are. It is a feeling of gratitude for everything and everyone we have in our life.

Click here for the 'pause - think - act' elements of the challenge. signature2

I am following this awesome blog called 'The Mommyhood Memos'. Adriel is an amazing mom, who yesterday struck a nerve with her post "You are a great mum. (can you please tell me again?)" In her post, she described the vulnerability, the frustration and the tiredness, resulting in doubt and confusing I had been feeling for the past two days. (I never knew that a 'baby not napping' could drive a mom to all that, as Kai has pretty much always been an amazing sleeper.) Thanks to Adriel, I was reminded that children don't always fit in the box that we would like them to fit in and that this whole experience as a mother is indeed a life lesson. A journey during which we fall, stumble, get up, and learn, but we're doing it all for one reason and for one reason only: the precious gift(s) we have received - our child(ren). Today I have made it a point to go more 'with the flow' and so far, it's a good day. Even Ryder not wanting to nap (again) didn't bother me. (He is asleep now, by the way.) Thanks Adriel.

After reading her post, I remembered the '25-Day Challenge'. Every day I receive a 'Thought for Today'. I have to admit that I don't take the time every day to really read them, let alone follow through with them by remembering them throughout the day. But, having said that, they are great and really are a wonderful way to start the day, before leaping into all the things we "should" (hate that word) be doing. In collaboration with 'Inner Space' they recently sent out the '25-day Challenge' to their subscribers. The basic idea is to daily pause for a moment, think positively and act by doing something in light of that day's challenge. I have to admit that I didn't last long as I forgot, didn't have time [blush], or whatever.

So, here's the deal. Tomorrow is my birthday. A wonderful day to start re-taking the challenge and this time I am going to complete it (actively). I am going to blog about it on a daily basis. It may be all I write about, it may be part of my post. I will post the challenge, including the link. That way, if you want to join me in this challenge, you can.

Speaking of my birthday: I just received my first wonderful birthday gift. A few days ago I became a member of MBC (Mom Bloggers Club) and in the few days of being a member I have already met so many lovely people, awesome writers and found some amazing blogs. One of these lovely people is Neel, who awarded me with this amazing award. Neel, thank you so very much for appreciating my work, for reading and following me and for giving me a great birthday gift. I am honored to receive this award, especially so soon after meeting you.