why i don't believe in bad days
The "big" girls (6 & 4) are home for Christmas break. I LOVE having all my kids home. I wish that it could be that way everyday (maybe it will?) but, for now I choose to enjoy it when it happens.
After our normal morning, Chloe & Anika said that they were going up to their room. They play together in their room often. I love hearing them pretend or chat as they color together. I try not to stifle their creativity and have always allowed them to have crayons, chalk and safety scissors. They know the correct way to use them and they are expected to use them that way. Two years ago, we had one crayon mural on the wall, but other than that, it has been fine.
Until the girls came down that morning, giggling uncontrollably and told me that they cut each other's hair! Here are their styles before and after the trip to the salon:
I covered my mouth for about 4 full minutes of their giggling. I didn't want to say anything wrong. I love their hair long. About a month ago, they both got haircuts and I was looking forward to it growing back out. I hope that isn't misunderstood, OF COURSE they are adorable with shorter hair.....I just love brushing their long hair and putting it in long pigtails. But, that is just it, that is about what I like. They were thrilled with their new styles. It really is only hair.
So, we had a talk about trust and using things for what they were intended. (scissors on paper!) We made appointments to even it up. Then we continued our day.
Trust me, I do not do everything right. I lose my temper, my children fight, I forget to put God first sometimes, my laundry gets piled up, I don't show my friends how cherished they are, I lose my address book & our beautiful Christmas cards sit here on Christmas Eve, I don't call my mom & sister enough, I sometimes neglect my husband, I do not shower everyday, and we sometimes eat cold cereal for dinner.
But, this I know...
We have a CHOICE in how we handle every situation. And I choose that my children know that something as trivial as cutting their hair is JUST THAT...trivial. Do we have bad days? Kind of. I just try to live with an eternal perspective and remember that my bad? really not bad at all.
So beautifully written. Our bads really arent that bad. In perspective. You are such a great example and mom.
ReplyDeleteThe girls looks so pretty with shorter hair.
I'm glad everything turned out okay after all!
a perfect thought and gorgeous haircuts. Really, oh my goodness. I want to squeeze Anika's face, it's popping out from those sweet flips!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Lovelyn!
I hope you all enjoy Clayton's first Christmas home.
xoxox
Life, and every day, are what you make of them. So so true.
ReplyDeleteWe've had one crayon wall mural in our almost 9 years as parents too. Not too shabby. And one haircutting incident. When *our* Anneke was 2, her 5-yr-old brother cut her hair ("she said I could!"). She'd had trims before, but she went from wavy hair halfway down her back to a mostly straight short bob. It was adorable, but she's never had the patience to let her hair grow back to that length again (she's trying again now at age 5.5).
Beautiful perspective. What a wonderful mother you are. And the girls look delightful. The way Chloe's hair frames her face makes her eyes pop. And Anika...oh, my. She's CUTE! I hope you ad your family have a very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! You're inspiring. :) Merry Christmas to you and your short-haired girls and your new Clay and everyone else in your love-filled home. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Love - I am so thankful for the things you write here. I am so inspired and encouraged by much of what you have to say. Whether you're sharing beautiful photos of your sweet family, sharing about adoption, or just talking about daily life and everything in between, I come away from your blog with a smile on my face and a sense of purpose and focus. I know it sounds goofy but I'm serious. I'm so grateful!
ReplyDeleteYour girls' new haircuts are ADORABLE, although I do understand what you mean about working it through. When Jack's great, sun-kissed hair was accidentally shaved completely off, I really had to step back and realize that HE wasn't disappointed, and that's really all that matters.
I hope your Christmas is happy! :)
Thank you for the perspective. I nearly lost it yesterday when I found my 3 and 5 year old had squeezed super glue all over their bedroom during rest time:( After a bit of conversation I found that their intent was really just to fix a few broken toys so I would know that they were taking care of their things...
ReplyDeleteYour girls look beautiful with their new haircuts and you've given them a lovely lesson for the future on how to react to unepected and/or frustrating situations.
Thanks for sharing & Merry Christmas to you all!
GAH. If I were in person with Anika right now, I'd throw her across the room. THOSE FLIPS. Oh, your girls. They kill me. If I never have a daughter of my own, that is a-okay because your girls have so much of my heart.
ReplyDelete(Which means that if I only ever have these delightfully delicious boys, whenever I need my girlie fix, I get to steal yours and do hair, makeup, and nails, k?)
ReplyDeleteI wish when Boo cut her hair (twice) I had handled it better. This is how I WANTED too, it just didn't work out that way.
ReplyDeleteYour girls are simply stunning, and the flips are pretty stinking cute!
Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteI just adore your perspective!
ReplyDeleteAnd those haircuts are too cute... oh my goodness I did a little squeal for your girls! Although, if Paige ever gets hair, I will be so sad to cut it!
lovely beautiful mama! Thanks for the reminder! {grin}
ReplyDeletehave a Merry Christmas!!
Britt
I love this , Love! And oh my goodness they look ADORABLE!!!!
ReplyDeleteSteph
Beautifully said!
ReplyDeleteYou have to admire their work, my neighbors daughter nearly shaved her own head once. It was awful!! At least your kids hair still looks really cute. :-)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your perspective on "bad days." I think you hit the fact that we get to CHOOSE our reactions right on the nose!
ReplyDeleteWow, you're so right. I pray i can respond with the grace you have. Thank you for the reminder to keep things in eternal perspective.
ReplyDeleteYou really are a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter Claire who is 5 know has done that twice. When she was three she had very long blond hair, that I just loved putting into Puff balls is what we called them. She went into the bathroom and thought she would cut a piece that was in her eyes. When she came out she said mom look how pretty I am. Well, lets just say I freaked. She ended up cutting a huge chunk out of her side. I didn't count first or just say "well its just hair" because I was mad. She knew better. But I flew off the handle. I always do. I was able to take and get it fixed. She did it again, I thought I had all the scissors hidden so we had to go even shorter and she now has a bob, which is adorable and so much easier. If I had known then what I know now, I don't think I would have freaked. Easier said than done!
Thank you for telling me to remember to breathe. I love the necklace from the Vintage Pearl. My sister has a wonderful necklace from her, maybe it is my turn!
Megan
loving your take on this. looking back on your actions and smile, is so much better than looking back with regret isn't it =)
ReplyDeletei have taken photos to help me compose myself, so i don't say something or react in a way that i would regret.....like the time my wee boy flooded the bathroom with soapy water and was rolling around naked in it with the toilet scrubbing brush...eeeewwwww