What's It Like To Be A Parent?

The question I get asked the most would definitely be some form of...how do you enjoy being a parent?

My answer is typically the same....I Love It!

There are not a lot of things that are quite like being a parent, like being a father. Sure, there are coaches, teachers, and bosses that sometimes take on that parent role. Sometimes it is even the older sibling that does it, but that parent relationship goes a step further. As a coach and a teacher I can be like a parent, especially to those that do not have great ones, but it is not quite the same. That is not to discount the work coaches and teachers do, I am both and I don't think there are many higher callings, but parenthood is one.

So why do I love it so much?

Being a parent brings so much more joy into my life. Being able to share everything with my family. Helping them grow. Watching them grow. Being there for them. Seeing them want you to be there for them. Seeing them take after you while developing their own personalities. Seeing them admire you and try to be just like you. Seeing them seek out your approval on everything (I know this comes in a different form when they are older, but it is still there). Helping them to become productive members of society. Helping to lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A quality teacher or coach can be all of these, but the impact of the parent is amplified especially as the primary educator of the child.

Sure, there are difficult times, as there is with anything in life, we are imperfect beings after all. There are times of disappointment, tantrums, pity parties, poor listening skills, and much more. However, these times are so incredibly outweighed by the good. Those times also allow you to understand what the child still needs to grow. Every good thing in life is amplified to the extreme with kids, and every bad thing in life is put into perspective. It is just amazing.

It is incredible to have some little person want to be amazed and filled with wonder. There is nothing quite like trying to see the world through their eyes. See the world with such anticipation, with such curiosity. These children are so excited to go through the day and so much fun. Seeing places like Disney World are 100x more exciting with kids. Sure, they are fun to do on their own, but so much better with children. You can't even describe the joy that it brings you to see them so happy.

The last thing having a child does for me at least is it helps me to love my family more. It expands my heart. You never knew you could love something like that until you have one of your own. Knowing I created that child with my wife and creating that child makes me love her on a whole different level. My love is amplified for all, but especially my child, my wife, and my parents. I appreciate my parents so much more since I have had kids of my own. Knowing that they were filled with such love really puts everything into perspective. It allows me to see how much they have loved me. Truly, I feel that my parents love me more now than I could have ever dreamed of growing up. All the sacrifices are so much more noticeable and the love is too. It makes me really love and appreciate all people that much more.

We recently welcomed our 2nd child as I shared last week, and some photos are below of our two adorable kids.

 Our fun family of four!

 Baby Eli!

 Parenthood is so much better with an awesome partner by your side.

 My boys love each other

 And their daddy loves them

Ready to take on the world

 Who seriously looks this good after giving birth, I am pretty sure just my wife and the blessed virgin.

 They love sharing life with you

 It's your job to allow them to swing for the fences

While helping them grow.

This whole entry and what it is like being a parent really is perfect for today. That is because today is my mom's birthday. My mother is the hardest working person I have ever met and that sacrifice really helped my sister, my brothers, and I. She is a terrific grandparent and I can only imagine how much joy she was filled with when she saw my brother and I start families of their own. I imagine that is a whole different level of happiness seeing your family expand even more. Love your parents and tell them how much you appreciate them. If you don't have kids of your own, trust me when I say that your parents love and care for you a whole heck of a lot.

Eli Thomas and Noland David, your mom and dad love you more than you will ever know. Well, more than you will know until you have kids of your own at least.

-Noland

Just Be Happy

The beginning of this post is going to sound negative, but please stick with me.

If I'm being honest with myself, this summer has been a bit of a whirlwind. I graduated with my Masters in early May and for some reason, I was under the impression that I would have a job right away. I mean I started applying for jobs in March... so that would mean I would have a job upon graduation right? Well, it turns out that this was not the case. Silly me.

On top of the lack of a job, we found out that we have to move. We are currently renting a beautiful house and the owner did not want to renew the lease because he wants to sell the house. I completely understand because he is getting older and lives up north. I'm sure it will be nice for him to not have to worry about a summer house that is being rented out in Florida. I'm sure it didn't help that our air conditioner recently died and had to be repaired. The neighborhood is really nice and has a community center with a Toddler's Tuesday, which Noland Jr. has enjoyed in the past few weeks. 

Finally, my husband has a shorter summer because his school is switching to year-round schooling. This will mean that the kids will still have 180 days of school but it will be spread out throughout the year. Instead of a long summer, they will have a week break at the end of each quarter which also means longer Christmas and Spring breaks. This summer will only be about 6 weeks for him.

 

It seems like the first few weeks of summer, we had all these plans and they were stomped on by the move. We found ourselves a little sick (cough, stuffy nose, etc) sitting around the house being a little bummed out because we had to move, and summer was shorter. And I was bummed because I did not have a job yet. After kicking myself in the face.. not literally, I realized that there is no reason to mope around and feel sorry for ourselves (mostly me, I was pretty down). If summer is shorter, than we need to get up, get over this sickness and enjoy this time that we have..because in a few weeks it will be gone. 

"If you want to be happy, be." 

So we did. 

Actually, I scheduled all three of us doctor appointments.  We all were given antibiotics which helped us start feeling better right away. Then we started planning things to do. Monday, we went to the pool in the morning, and Tuesday was playground time, and so on. We've managed to start having a lot more fun! 

While moving does completely suck, it is what it is. There isn't anything me or anyone else can do to change the fact that we have to move. I've been packing up a box or two every night and I feel like we are pretty much ready. Since we chose to get up, be happy and have a better summer, we have!

There are some days that we have sat around and not done much, and that's okay too. Even on those days, I try to make an effort to do something small like walk around the mall or watch a movie together. 

It is so easy to forget that each day is a gift. Tomorrow is not promised.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!" -Psalm 118:24

We have to remember to wake up and choose happiness. I have to remember to wake up and choose happiness.

Luckily, I have these two boys to remind me! Hope everyone is having a Happy Saturday! 

Coming soon, my husband, Noland, will be sharing his countdown for The Top 100 Songs that will make you SMILE! 

-Jen