be a good mother

or do all five year-olds forget the rules and all of their manners when guests come over?

This week my kindergardener has spirit week. Everyday there is something different. Today was crazy hair day. She did so well trying to be still while I put 23 rubberbands in her hair. A squirmy five year-old actually sat through this! It was well worth it when she went to the mirror and giggled and giggled when she saw her hair standing on end.

My husband and myself received two children last February (ages 5 and 1). Unfortunately, we have not been able to have children of our own.

Given the circumstance, neither of us had any type of learning curve for this! I think that we are holding our own and I understand that we will trip up and make mistakes and have self doubt when parenting. Doesn’t every parent feel this way at times?

What I would like to give my children, for however long they are with us, is to know that they are loved. That they are good and can succeed at anything they want to. I would like to see them grow and mature and know, without a doubt, that the world is waiting for them to do what they were born to do.

It has been stressful, and yes, a lot, a lot, of sacrifice. I would not trade it for the world. I am now complete. Even if I talk to a 20 month old all day about peeing and pooping for potty training.

I am content.