i consider myself a pretty positive person. for the most part, i don’t really worry too much about things. i kinda just believe things are going to happen the way they are suppose to happen and i have faith it will work out. as i get older though, i get less naive. i accept more and more that these four will actually get older, move out and start a life on their own. i actually try to remind myself of this daily so that i can appreciate the time i have with them vs just getting through the day.
my biggest, proudest thing in the whole world, is my oldest. Taylor. she made me a mom. and she made me a mom at a time that i wasn’t necessarily planning on being a mom. i know we all say it, but her coming into my life was honestly the best thing to happen to me. it wasn’t always easy or fun, but it was awesome to learn a new kind of love. after that, i was lucky enough to have 3 more!
with that said, i feel the need (no idea why?!) to write to these 4. taylor being the oldest has heard a lot of my ‘advice’ but the others haven’t. ella and cason are starting too, but easton has no idea! so, i decided to jot down my thoughts. things i don’t want to forget to tell them. things that are important to me. things that i learned….just in case.
stick together. no matter what. don’t judge. we all go through hard times, figure out how you can help each other out. don’t smoke. always wear your seatbelt. go to the doctor every few years to get checked up. read a lot. do things just for you somedays. take a break if you need it. set goals and write them done. send thank you notes when you receive a gift, big or small. floss your teeth.
find your passion. i truly don’t care what you do, but i care wholeheartedly about your happiness. are you happy? if yes, keep pushing through and don’t worry what others think. if not, figure out what makes you happy, what you wake up for and what you spend your free time doing. once you figure it out, make it your goal to make a living doing that.
for the boys: hold doors, pay the bill, don’t pay the bill with any expectations, be gentle, kind and sensitive to feelings. help out wherever you can and appreciate the hell out of the person you chose to decide to spend your time with. know how to cook, clean, do laundry and fix things. be creative.
for the girls: don’t rely on anyone to make you happy or for things. love yourself and respect yourself. be laid back, but don’t get walked on. asking for help is okay. never give up who you are or what you believe in for anyone. 1 incredible friend is better than 30 so-so friends.
moderation is key. have fun, but don’t have too much fun. be cautious who you trust. always be kind. offer to help, even if it not necessary. use your manners, always. smile. it is the best thing you can do to keep you happy. suck it up…life is freaking hard, but make the most of it. be a positive person, positive energy creates positive things!
your life may not always be perfect, but it could always be wayyyy worse. appreciate what you do have vs dwell on the what you don’t. things don’t buy happiness. don’t go into debt. don’t buy anything with a credit card unless you have the money to pay it off. don’t over spend. call each other. make memories together and with your families. take time for the little things and enjoy them.
don’t blame your parents for things. we all are doing the best we can with the tools we have. we screw up and make mistakes but don’t let that make you a bitter person. learn from it and be better than us.
have fun. plan things so you have something to look forward to. and again because i can’t say it enough…stick together!
i love each of you more than you will EVER know. thanks for letting me be your mom!
xo
mom