A song and a burp:)

Funny title, right? Well, I just have to write down two tender mercies that just happened before I forget.

Tonight was a rough night. It started out good. We went out to eat as a family, so I didn't have to decide what to make for dinner, make it, clean it up, that whole stress. Nice! But when we got home it was time for homeowork and reading and bed. Things went downhill. I was really losing it with the kids and really having a pity party for myself. As I came upstairs to check on my oldest's bedtime routine progress and found him in his underwear I started losing it some more. I urged him on (not very kindly) and started doing my part which is starting his primary songs. So he's almost dressed (finally) and I'm ready to snap at him again and the song that is playing stops me in my tracks. I don't remember the words enough to write them down right now, but it was about the role of a mother. It was for me. I remembered that I have a sacred role and that it is full of choices. I can choose to be grummpy and mean, or I can choose to be more patient and loving and kind. I know I'll still mess up, but I'm grateful that that particular song came on at that particular time.

Second tender mercy came 20 minutes later as I finished feeding the baby and lifted him to burp him (a process that can sometimes take quite awhile when he's fallen asleep while eating) and pat, pat, pat BURP! pat, pat, BURP! SCORE!! Put him in bed. A small and silly thing I know, but I needed it:)