Note to self....

Note to self... my 20 year old self:

Marriage is great! Even now, 27 years later, it's still great! You found the person you belong with for the rest of your life. Just keep yourself together woman!
  • PMS is stupid crazy. Do not let it control you!
  • Communicate! Seriously! If he leaves camping equipment out for a week, tell him, nicely, to move it. Don't throw it all out in the hall, okay?
  • Things are going to get really hard. Harder than you ever thought possible. These hardships will bring you closer to him and to the Lord. Don't be afraid. Don't get mad. Just lean on them to get you through. Allow him to lean on you, too.
  • Life will not go how YOU planned. Ever. Deal with it. Go with the flow. Lean on the Lord.
Children are both a blessing and a pain in the rear end!
  • They will laugh and smile and bring sunshine into your life.
  • You will not be able to bear children through your physical body, like you always assumed you would. This is one of those things you cannot control. You really need to get rid of those control issues, sooner than later. Seriously. It will make your life so much easier.
  • Don't ask why. (Don't worry, you'll know why I say this.)
  • Teach with love and patience. Side by side with your child, not just telling them what to do - show  them! (Oh yes, getting rid of control issues will make room for more patience, but still, you will need to work on that.)
  • They will make choices that will break your heart - more so than you ever imagined they could.
  • They will also make choices that make you so proud to be their parent that your heart sings with joy.
  • Beware of electronics and how they are used. Put up as many filters as you can find. Or, better yet, just stay away from electronic devices. A computer is useful, but should not be the center of their lives (or yours, for that matter). Don't get gaming devices either or movie channels or cable.
  • Spend more time with them. Family time. Vacation time. Don't worry so much about money, because it isn't about money, it's about family and building them up and creating lifetime relationships.

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