What my kids have taught me

Becoming a parent is really a life changer. You learn so much about yourself. Things you never even thought possible. Here is a few of life lessons that my own kids have taught me

- Gianna taught me the meaning of unconditional love. When she was born I was so unprepared for that overwhelming feeling of love. It was such an intense feeling I don't think I will ever be able to put it into words. And as she grows, the love I have for her grows daily. And for Ethan too of course

-While Gianna taught me the meaning of unconditional love, Ethan taught me the most about myself. I grew and changed so much after he was born. As a wife, mother and a person. He completed and changed me in ways that I never thought possible

-Give yourself grace. Not every day is going to be the perfect day. I am going to have bad days and lose my cool. The same way I need to give my kids grace, I need to give myself grace as well

-Live life to the fullest. Nothing brings a smile to my face or warms my heart more than watching my kids enjoying the moment. Whether it's pointing out the moon in the sky, or watching an airplane fly overhead, going for walks, or splashing in the tub the way my kids live life and enjoy it all is something to cherish. Something we should all strive for

-Don't compare. Don't compare your kids to each other, to other people's kids and don't compare yourself to others. It doesn't do any good and it just adds to the stress. Be yourself, accept who you are and love your kids for who they are

- Just go with it. Some days I try to have a plan for the day. Usually those days are the ones where one kid gets sick, the other throws a temper tantrum and I am exhausted before the day is halfway over. On those days it's ok to just go with it. Maybe it means laying on the couch all day, snuggled up with your kiddos and allowing them to watch way to much tv. It's ok to screw cooking dinner and popping in a frozen pizza and it's ok to let the dishes pile up in the sink or let the laundry do one more round in the dryer just because you don't want to have to fold it.  Go with it and make the best of it

-These years are short. It may not seem like it in the midst of parenthood. The sleepless nights, dirty diapers, spit up, piles of laundry and toys everywhere. But it is amazing how time flies and how fast they change and grow in such a short amount of time. Like everything else in life, it's a phase and it will be over before you know it

-Having a daughter is one of the greatest feelings in the world. I love playing princess, having tea parties and painting her nails

-Having a son is magical. That mother/son bond is un-describable. I love my mommy's boy

- You can never hold, cuddle, kiss, or sing to your children enough. And always, always, always tell them you love them.