It's a rainy, yucky day outside and the boys are asleep. What peace there is in the house! As I siet here and actually type up a new post, the only things I can think to write about are the same old issues. My kids are mostly on my mind lately. I've come to realize just how much encouragement I need when it comes to being a mom. I second guess myself all the time and almost constantly wonder if there are things I'm doing wrong. I'm sure it's inevitable that I'm messing up in some way...afterall, I'm not yet perfect!

This past weekend, we went to visit my in-laws. It had been quite a while since the boys had seen Ga Ga and even longer since seeing Erick's Dad. Though it was short, it was a good trip. I really enjoy visiting with Erick's family. Things are always easy going and Ga Ga is always happy to take the boys so Erick and I can sneak away for a little time together. But there's something else too, about visiting with them. I always leave feeling like I'm doing well with my children. I don't know how many times Erick's mom, grandma and even sometimes his step-dad tell us that we're great parents. They point out the times that I'm consistent and usually offer some kind of praise and I thrive off of that! Now, if only I could record them telling me that I'm a good mom so that I could play it back to myself the next day, when we're back at home and my eldest is throwing a fit again and I feel like giving in to what he wants. Or he has again hit his brother and I really don't want to put him in a time out or give him a spanking.

I think as moms, we need to be told more often what it is that we're doing right. Now, there are certainly times that I would like advice from other moms, but really what helps me is when another mom tells me that she thinks I'm doing well. This isn't a plea for anyone who is a mom and reading this to comment and tell me that i'm doing a good job (though I will never turn down those compliments!). I'm just simply making an observation that I've noticed recently. I mean, wouldn't it help you if someone noticed something you were doing well with your children and told you about it? Pointed it out and let you know how wonderful it was? Uh, yeah...I think so! So, for all you moms out there, wondering if you're raising your kids well, take heart. We're all wondering the same thing....even the moms that freely give out advice whether you ask for it or not (you all know the kind of moms I mean) and seem as though they think they have all the answers. There are even times for them when they're not sure if they just did the right thing.

As for other things I've been thinking about....hmmm...there's just not enough time to write more and take a nap while the boys are still sleeping. Nap wins!