The mom I was never going to be.

It is funny how everything changes when you have kids. I am amazed everyday at the things that I once thought were so important that really aren't. Growing up, it was so easy to judge the way moms raised their kids. I had it figured out...at least I thought. Here are just a few of my pathetic LONG list.

My kids faces were always going to be clean. Specifically noses.
Their hair was always going to be done.
Their clothes were always going to match.
They were never going wear dorky Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, or action figure clothes.
They were never going to sleep in my bed.
They were going to have 3 healthy meals a day.
I was going to be a "hot" mom, always dressed and ready for the day-never shop in my pj's, etc.

You know the list. Everyone had one, and maybe we still do. But here is one thing I have learned in my 3 short years of parenthood. As long as my kids are happy and healthy none of those things matter. I bought Logan a spiderman sweater that lights up for Christmas, and I couldn't wait for him to wear it. I gave both Logan and Dylan a bath this morning, and couldn't get their faces washed the rest of the day, at least they started clean...right?!? Logan had chicken nuggets for breakfast, after he got in bed with me at 5:30 when he heard his Daddy leave for work. I didn't comb Logan's hair after his bath, and Dylan's looked great after her first nap, after her second nap...not so much. I thought I was going to really care what I look like, and try to be that "hot" mom, but I read once that when you become a parent every time you walk past a mirror you look at your kids reflection and not your own. It is so true, I looked in the mirror at my own reflection twice today. When I got ready for the day, and when I just brushed my teeth for bed. I probably looked at Dylan's reflection 5 times today. She even left a bunch of fingerprints on my mirror in the kitchen (fingerprints was another thing on my long list-but after President Monson said I didn't need to worry about them so much because someday I would miss them, I am getting over it) Anyway, this doesn't sound like I thought it would in my head-I really try to be a good mom, (and I do get ready every day) But what I am trying to get at it is what was so important to me before I had kids is not at all what I want for them now. All I want for my kids is for them to know that I love them, and that their Heavenly Father loves them. That is really all I want/need to accomplish. I could have fought with Logan about having nuggets for breakfast, or just compensate and give him something better for lunch. I am definitely learning to pick my battles because almost always the things that I argue with Logan about are usually so pointless when you look at the big picture. So here is my new list.

I want my kids to know I have a testimony.
I want to always be able to feed my kids by being prepared and working on my food storage.
I want my kids to always be comfortable enough with me that if they feel insecure, sad, or scared they can still crawl in my bed-even as teenagers.
I want them to know that I care about my body by being a good example of eating and dressing appropriately, and working out. But I also want them to know that there is much more to life than what you look like.
I want to have no regrets, and always be a positive example for them.

There are alot more things on this second list as well, but I will spare those of you who have even made it this far. I want to be a good-patient mom, and am learning that patience is something that I need to always be conscious of. I sure love my kids, and want to do everything I can to provide a bright future for them. So here is to a new year, and a new list.