Parenting 101: Lost & Found

As most of you know, I'm a mom of three beautiful girls ages 4 1/2, 3, and 1. These girls have kept me on my toes since the day they were born. I would not trade them for all of the money in the world ... maybe a little rest ... I'm kidding. These girls have changed the way that I view others, the way that I view the world around me, and my outlook on life in general. They have molded me into a better person, someone that I could have never become without them in my life.

Over the last 4 1/2 years, I realized that a part of me has been lost. I also realized that a part of me has been found. These lost and found chapters of my life make me the person that I am today.

Here is a (very incomplete) list of things that I have LOST after becoming a parent:

1. My sanity
2. My patience
3. Plenty of sleep
4. A clean house
5. An organized house
6. A crumb free floor
7. The freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want
8. Eating at a leisurely speed
9. Enjoying a meaningful conversation with my husband before the kids go to bed
10. Quiet
11. Watching what I want to watch on TV
12. Alone time with my husband
13. Drying my hair before it air dries because I'm too busy getting little ones ready for the day
14. Doing just about anything outside of the house after 8pm
15. Listening to my music when the girls are in the car
16. Getting anywhere on time
17. A clean floorboard in my car
18. Clean windows
19. Focus
20. Going to the bathroom alone
21. Relaxing on the couch
22. Being spontaneous

Here is a (very incomplete) parallel list of things that I have FOUND after becoming a parent:

1. Better judgement on what really matters in life
2. A new, deeper kind of patience
3. Middle of the night meetings with some special ladies
4. A messy house filled with toys that are lovingly played with and books that are eagerly read
5. A house with a messy kind of organization ... I can find a lost shoe in no time flat
6. Crumbs remind me that my family is fed
7. I truly enjoy doing whatever my kids enjoy doing
8. I will only shovel down my meal while hand feeding my last baby for a short time longer then it will be over
9. It's OK to keep your kids from interrupting a conversation between you and your spouse
10. A quiet house makes me suspicious
11. I enjoy watching Disney shows/movies, and sharing my old favorites with my kids
12. Watching my husband interact and love on his daughters makes me love him more
13. I will live if my hair is not properly dried
14. Nothing happens outside of my house after 8pm that's more important than tucking my kids safely in bed
15. Listening to my kids sing bible story songs is music to my ears ... even if they sing the wrong words
16. The fact that the five of us make it out of the house without forgetting something is a miracle. We will still arrive, whether it's on time or not
17. Toys on the floorboard of the car are a great distraction while traveling
18. Tongue licks and kisses on the windows can be easily wiped off
19. I can multitask like no other
20. If the kids are in the bathroom with me then I at least know that they're not getting into trouble
21. Playing tag leads to lots of giggles
22. Planning events around my kids naps is best for them and me
23. Sloppy wet kisses are awesome
24. It takes endless energy to keep up with my kids
25. Love that passes all understanding
26. Three new best friends for life
27. I'm blessed beyond measure
28. I am becoming my mom ... and that's a good thing

Yup, parenting is absolutely worth every moment of insanity, impatience, and overwhelming love.

Psalm 37:26 - "...their children will be a blessing"