It’s Friday which means it is time for Bron‘s grateful link up via Kidspot.
As Lulu turns seven this weekend my grateful mind can go nowhere else but to her and her sister.
As someone who struggled so severely with staying in this world I owe these girls my life.
They love me, teach me and inspire me daily.
What do I love about my girls? I love . . .
the way they explore their natural talents- I am in awe as I watch Alice draw and create, and as I listen to Lulu play drums or make up songs so good I assume she learned them somewhere.
the calls for cuddles that walk the line between needing me and nurturing me. One minute I am soothing and loving on them and the next they are the ones caring for me, stroking my hair, whispering sweet nothings. Alice recently changed our staring contests into kissing contests – who can kiss the other the longest, the quickest peck, the lightest or the most intense smacker! Her capacity to love me takes my breath away.
their laughter, silly jokes and made up stories which all tell me to stop and enjoy this time. Plenty of time later for homework, sleep or tidying up.”Just one more…” goes on for ages and I know how happy it makes them to have me stop and stay a while.
It is such a cliche to talk about how fast time flies, but I swear it was just yesterday my babies were born and now they are 7 and 8 1/2. It’s a good thing I finally learned the secret to slowing down time – simply slowing down myself.
What are you grateful for this week?
Find your simple,
Deb
Image: Bees Knees
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Thats a lovely blog Deb. Like you I am also grateful for my girls, they give me my reason to keep going on the days I struggle with, but without my hubby standing by me through my struggles with depression, I would not have made it to where I am today. So I am so, so, so grateful for my Hubby, Barry, who has stood by me through some absolutely nightmare times. I love my family so much and owe them everything….They are my world! xxx
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 11:40 am
Yay for the wonderful people who stand by us, hold us up and love us through the dark times – truly special people right? I am so glad you came into my virtual world too Tracy as you make me smile each day and I thank you for that!
Debra Dane recently posted..How to organize a pantry – tips and a tour of my pantry
Awww Thank you Deb. Thats made my day, I’m smiling from ear to ear! So glad I found you on here too your energy is contagious and your words inspirational. Thank you xxx
Twitter: mummy__issues
February 17, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Happy birthday Lulu! Lovely post Deb. I am still learning the art of slowing down…definitely a work in progress.
Lee @ mummy issues part 2 recently posted..{SYL12} 2012 Goals – the big picture
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Me too Lee – it is still a struggle for all of us (i notice the girls now rush about and as a side effect are accident prone like me). I would love to stop uttering the words “hurry up” so have actually been saying “slow down” as much as possible. I figure the more I say it and we all hear it the more we might start to actually DO it. Good luck -remember progress not perfection!
Debra Dane recently posted..Piquing my pinterest {Kids Arts and Crafts}
Lovely post Deb.
I am grateful for my sweet girls too, they are 3 and 5 months. They are our miracle babies, whom my husband and I couldn’t imagine life without. They bring us much joy and laughter each and every day.
Julie recently posted..Having a bad day — am I depressed?
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Got to love those miracle babies – I hope you have a fab weekend with those girls xxx
Debra Dane recently posted..How to achieve your goals – 7 tips to set yourself up for success
All the good stuff, Deb. I have never been as proud of my own achievement as I am of the little things my kids do each day. Being with them is both humbling and ego-soaring all at the same time. x
PS – I just went ahead an ordered that Bee’s Knees print!
Maxabella recently posted..Newborn mums
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm
humbling and ego-soaring for sure!
I am so glad you ordered that print- I hope your weekend is a good one after today-must start planning our adventures!
Debra Dane recently posted..Tips for decluttering and getting organised- feeling like you never get ahead
Twitter: parentingfiles
February 17, 2012 at 4:04 pm
sometimes it is pinching myself how grateful for the little person in my life. Even when times are tough and just want to give in, I have to pull myself back and realise the little things. Kids have a funny way of teaching and inspiring us xx
tahlia – the parenting files recently posted..Little Colour Fairies – review and giveaway
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I agree 100% Tahlia. We are so interconnected with our little ones
Debra Dane recently posted..How to achieve your goals – 7 tips to set yourself up for success
What beautiful girls you have! Their cuddle contests etc remind me of my little minions – can never get enough of that.
Mindfully slowing down…something that often we don’t do enough.
Your gratitude posts are always a favorite with me x
kirri recently posted..How can I improve my life with music?
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Thanks Kirri! (and I am grateful that miss about to turn 7 loves to cuddle now because as a baby she was very spirited and never slowed down for a cuddle -always on the move)
This week has been very slow as I am sick, sore throat… but I do think this whole year needs to be slow, then I can enjoy, really focus on these amazing little people and the two big ones… who need us to be fully present… to be slow… it’s weird to think that we mums grew them in our tummies. And amazing.
Seana Smith recently posted..Grateful for the Great Outdoors
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Amazing indeed! I hope you feel better Seana!!
Debra Dane recently posted..How to organize a pantry – tips and a tour of my pantry
Your girls sound like treasures Deb and I hope that the weekend sees you all enjoying lots of fun times together.
Happy days!
Felicity recently posted..Gathering Gratefuls – Beyond The Fenceline
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Thanks so much Felicity. We will be in party mode – tomorrow is baking and gift wrapping etc and Sunday is party day (arts and crafts for 11 6-8yo kids! messy and fun)
Debra Dane recently posted..Food, Glorious Food
What a lovely post. You sound like you have so much fun with your girls. These are the times they will remember. These children of ours teach us so much don’t they. x
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Thanks Milina – I am trying harder to relax and have more fun and I think it is getting easier for me to do that now – when my attention was divided I was never relaxed. Mine are the greatest teachers I will ever have.
Debra Dane recently posted..Vision Boards – the process of dreaming big and still being grateful
Beautiful post. Makes me want to go and cuddle my girls
Lipgloss Mumma recently posted..Grateful for … home
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Thanks Jodi – so nice to see you – I am happy you are doing well with your new business but miss reading all your wonderful insights on life!
Debra Dane recently posted..How to achieve your goals – 7 tips to set yourself up for success
Hi Deb,
Sam
I’m glad that I just found your blog, our kids are like mirrors aren’t they? I think that is a wonderful perspective to have, that in order to slow down, we need to slow ourselves down, I’ll be taking your advice, have a lovely weekend
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 17, 2012 at 10:29 pm
You have a lovely weekend too – i have noticed that ever since my kids started school time was rushing away – being busier = time speeding up in a frenzy.
Debra Dane recently posted..How to organize a pantry – tips and a tour of my pantry
Twitter: ameliamw
February 18, 2012 at 7:43 am
Such a beautiful post. I’m grateful for my daughter this week too. And how could we not be. Parenting is so rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the love you have for your child. Happy weekend.
xx
Amelia {Weddings, Babies… Everything} recently posted..This girl…
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Thanks Amelia – and your daughter and you look so adorable together!
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify Your Life {Week Seven: Creating a Vision Board}
Beautiful words Deb…agree, life wouldnt be life without my kids
Jen R recently posted..Grateful for nature all around us near our home…Naturehood….
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 2:56 pm
No matter what they change our lives forever – have a great weekend Jen
Debra Dane recently posted..How to achieve your goals – 7 tips to set yourself up for success
Happy Birthday Deb to your beautiful daughter. I love the idea of slowing down time by slowing down yourself, that is just sooooo true. I hope you have a wonderful weekend celebrating with her. Xx
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Thanks hon and hope you have a fab weekend and get some rest and relaxation
Debra Dane recently posted..Vision Boards – the process of dreaming big and still being grateful
Twitter: Miss_Mandy76
February 18, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Just gorgeous. I’m sure they will be grateful when they are older and they too can read these words.
Mandy recently posted..Grateful for Celebrating with Nature!
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Thanks Mandy – i think i will be grateful too that I can have these words to look back on (a great benefit to blogging!)
Debra Dane recently posted..How to organize a pantry – tips and a tour of my pantry
Twitter: muminsearch
February 18, 2012 at 7:04 pm
I like the kissing contest idea! I already haev a kissing monster coming around when the kids are in low mood, but it hasn’t crossed my mind to turn it into a contest
Children really keep us going, don’t they, even when nothing else does.
Twitter: findyoursimple
February 18, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Love the kissing monster idea and may use that on my younger one who tends toward pouting and whinging at low times. She will resist but I bet the monster will win out!
Debra Dane recently posted..How to organize a pantry – tips and a tour of my pantry