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Wow, it has been an amazing week!
First, if you haven’t, would you consider filling out my reader survey? I’ve gotten so many wonderful responses so far and they’ve given great insight and ideas on how I can do even better as a blogger. I’d love to hear your “voice,” too!
Making Memories
This week I’ve been heavily pondering “making memories.” That is, on an everyday basis, what do I want my kids to remember when they grow up? Do I want them to remember me as being angry or harsh? As unsympathetic? Unavailable? Or do I want them to remember that I loved them, I listened to them, I played with them?
I try to reflect on things I have done or am about to do, to see if it fits what I want them to think of me. Sometimes, it doesn’t. And sometimes, my 3-year-old calls me on it. ”It wasn’t nice to do that,” she says after I yell at my son and push him away (he smacked me in the face, but I’m still the parent, ought to be bigger than that…). I know she’s right. I apologize to him, and to her. Hopefully they’ll remember that too — Mommy isn’t perfect, Mommy admits when she’s wrong and says she’s sorry. I know they love me anyway and I hope they always know that I love them, anyway, no matter what they do.
Facing Tests
Something else that has been on my mind is facing Satan. When things are going really well and I’m feeling inspired and joyful, Satan tries to do things to get me down. Someone makes a comment that upsets me, or my children start fighting, or I hear some bad news.
That’s the most important time to be joyful! Satan wins if I use those very temporary circumstances to have a bad attitude. They are temporary. I can choose to ignore the comment, distract the children, deal with the bad news however I need to (productively). I don’t need to let it get to me.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I felt drawn to reading Job this past week. I needed to read that and ponder it, to know that I am never abandoned and I always have God even when tough things do happen.
Why I’m Happy This Week
I have all kinds of reasons! I’m determined. 
- Even though Jacob’s had a bit of a cold, he’s still been in pretty good spirits, still smiles at me often and doesn’t wake up much (extra) at night!
- Bekah said her verses in AWANA all by herself for the first time! And earned her vest!
- Daniel took a great long nap today, which he’d been needing all week!
- I got some “down time” this week to just get stuff done around the house…and I did!
- Bekah spends a lot more time talking to me and telling me stories now. I love to know how she thinks.
- Ben gave me lots of time last night to catch up on my sorely-behind blogging work!
- I made peanut butter-chocolate cookies and they were delicious
- I received a lot of kind words from a lot of different people…thank you, to all of you!
Ways I Blessed Other People
- I made Ben’s favorite dinners this week, even though they weren’t technically on the meal plan
- I stayed extra patient some days with the kids when they were fussing and fighting
We didn’t really go anywhere so I haven’t had much chance to do more. 
I still really need to improve in this area!
I’d love to see the reasons you’re happy and the ways that you bless others — maybe I can get a little inspiration and work on doing more this week! Add your link below if you’re a blogger; if not, tell us in the comments!
Why are you joyful this week?
I linked up my post for the week!
Blessings!