Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Making the Best of it...

So, i've kind of been having a hard time, perhaps a mild depression (not real serious) but i could not get out of having negative feeling, thoughts, or just plain feeling unappreciated and like i couldn't accomplish anything. I just felt like i couldn't smile or laugh. (I know, like my mom always tells me if nothing else gets done, the laundry will wait, the house cleaning will still be there its most important to care for my kids.) But once those feelings come, they are hard to get rid of without giving in to woe is me. Of course i love my kids to death and wouldn't trade them for the world, but Lizzy has been going through another tantrum spell, mostly in the middle of the night, so i have a serious lack of sleep. My usual angel baby has been sick with a bad chest cold and I need my angel baby to keep me sane. He has wanted to be held constantly, hasn't slept well, another contribute to my sleep deprivation. (actually it is 5 in the morning and i am up with him cause he won't sleep....see blog title) So I finally had enough and had my breaking point, prayed, went to the temple and then watching Monk of all things and the character Randy, one of the cops, was talking about an epiphany he had when he saw a bumper sticker that read," Happiness is a Choice" (of course i've heard this idea before, but I know Heavenly Father is guiding us and knows when we need to hear things again) It just hit me hard, So with praying to have a desire to change and trying to make that choice everyday, or 10 times a day, i feel i am doing much better. Happiness is a Choice and its not always easy with everyday life, when i look at my house everyday and see a TON of things to fix, clean, organize, and attend to. Or when my kids are screaming, whining, complaining, crying(and i don't know what to do to help). Or when my hubby is gone long hours, and its not easy I can still be happy, and Smile. And here are some pics from the month:

So hard to believe these to cuties are anything but that!Lizzy with her cousins- Always having a good time together.

We like to call them the OREO!

My little flower princess for Halloween, actually turned into a butterfly princess, (i think cause she didn't want to hold the flower.

Lizzy even won the cupcake in the cake walk at our ward Halloween party. She LOVES frosting.Oh and her mom won best chili! (sorry don't ask for the recipe, i've been swore to secrecy with it- unless you beg then i may give in)
Mom- a hawaiian dancer, of something, its what i had and Caleb my little all-star baseball player. Notice his glove, its a teething ring. I actually lost this for a couple weeks before Halloween and was so sad, i have to admit i prayed where to find it, i didn't think i was gonna find it and finally a few hours before the party i 'remembered' to look in the pool bag...there it was.
My mom is the greatest, i love her visits, she is so good with my kiddos, Here she is dancing with Lizzy. We even had a great girls trip (my mom, sister, and I) to Laguna Beach for the night. It was awesome, but another post, and i need to get pics from my mom!
Finally my two sweet (when they want) kids, we often sit outside and enjoy the nice San diegan weather. It is a blessing i admit, i hate to be cold. And this pic was october, but even last night, nov, it was so nice, i cut some rose bushes and the kids played. the only crazy thing is it drops 20 degrees within days or sometimes over night. it is a little hard to acclimate to but, i'll take it over all you people out there freezing in snow and wind.

Alright, 3 hours later, Lizzy bumping the keyboard and turning my screen off, thank goodness for autosave, and i finished this post, Caleb still has something going on, i keep expecting teeth, but we'll see. When Caleb gets upset, Lizzy is usually close behind. I admit i lost it again this morning, so it is obviously a continual battle, but anything worth having is worth working for right! HAPPINESS and DETERMINATION!

Hope you are all well, I know we all have struggles and issues we usually hide from the world, but sometimes it helps to talk or write it out. So Thanks to my hubby for letting me talk it out with him and Thanks to you that read this long post for your support. I know i'm not the best and keeping up with all you friends and family out there, but i cherish our friendships and the times we do and have spent together. They make Happy Memories for me! Thanks And thanks to a loving Father in Heaven that knows me and is providing comfort for me, and a beautiful knowledge of the importance of temples, making good choices, and the perspective the gospel gives me about this life and the life to come. With all these things I will make it and I WILL be Happy!

9 comments:

Megan said...

Loved reading the post, Lace, because I can relate so much! I've totally been in a funk lately too. Partly 'cause I've been sick, but also just because I'm feeling like, blah. My poor kids have had a grouchy mom for like the last two months.

It is also so hard when you are on little sleep because it makes it so much worse when you're tired. What's up with Lizzy throwing tantrums in the middle of the night? Maybe you should start drugging her before bed :) Hopefully things will get better soon for you! because you're right, happiness is a choice! Thanks for the post. Miss you!

The Meaniwacs said...

Hang in there...you are doing a great job! There will be a day you can look back and wonder how you got through it all and will be so proud! Caleb is getting so big..we look forward to seeing everyone at Christmas!

erika said...

Lacey you are awesome, and I'm so glad we are related :) Great post. (even though you may not think so) Love you!

Da Denninghoff's said...

So True! I feel yah:)

Meghan said...

Oh Lacey, thank you for sharing this post. It's like a breath of fresh air. I often feel that way too and I'm not even a mommy yet. Yikes! I think it's always comforting to know that it's in those moments that we lean on Our Father the most and he carries us through it.... always bringing restoration and an even deeper appreciation for His amazing love for us. Your kiddos are so cute! Love the new pictures!

kyndra_dalton said...

This was a great post--thanks for sharing what you guys are going through, and as you can tell from all the posts from the other moms, everyone has so much empathy for you and understands! You do such a great job and have wonderful children who are learning from their mother to love the Gospel. I know you may feel like you're at your end many times, but I have seen more patience in you with your children than most moms, and know that although it seems like your days go unnoticed, one day they will sit around when they have had kids of their own and talk about how amazing you were and are (just like I love to hear you Dalton siblings talk about your mom and dad!). AND, what I've noticed about motherhood, is almost anything is possible as long as you have SLEEP and prayer, so make sure to take care of yourself in the sleep department since it sounds like you have the prayer part mastered for the moment. A friend and I were talking yesterday about taking care of ourselves so that we are able to take care of our children... Don't be afraid to leave the kids with CJ (when he's home LOL) and take a walk by yourself... even if it has to be scheduled for every night after dinner or something. You're amazing, and although I may now know what exactly it's like for you going through this, most days I feel like I feel the same :)
Love ya!

Oh, sorry for the advice... I wanted to just get on here and support and love you and thank you for this message as a reminder... sorry! :)

Stephanie said...

You sound like me Lacey! Being a mom is the hardest job i have ever had! Miss you!

Smiths said...

I feel like surviving the first year of having two kids was the hardest thing I ever went through. You're definitely not alone, unfortunately. The great news is that with determination and support you can get to the other side and feel that much more greatful for every part of life on the other side.

ashley said...

hey lace! hope things are on the up and up, hate it when those tantrums rear their ugly head! love ya and thanks for the reminder that happiness is a choice, sometimes i forget that!