What does success mean to you?

Lately I have really been asking myself that question a lot. Have I been successful so far? What does success mean? Will I be successful? Raising children, being married, heck, being a GROWN UP.. these are SCARY things!

But today, as I'm sitting here looking at the smiles on my children's faces, and hearing them giggle, I'm realizing that a perfectly spotless house doesn't mean success to me. I'm making the decision here and now to stop stressing over that.. ok, I'm going to TRY to stop obsessing over that! My kids are happy! That is success! I made a trip to walmart, ALONE, with all 5 kids yesterday.. and made it home with all 5 kids! THAT is success!!! :)

I started working on a Valentine's Day project for my children, and my husband offered to help without even being asked! We enjoyed doing it! THAT is success! The smile on my children's faces when they got up and saw the project we worked on last night.... THAT is success!!


My children are learning new things, FROM ME, every day! SUCCESS!

And almost every time we ride in the car, my boys hold hands, not only does that melt my heart, but to me that is success because that means we've taught them to love each other.

My kids actually ENJOY spending time with us! SUCCESS! SUCCESS! SUCCESS!!! Lord knows it won't always be that way! **I'm dreading teenage years... tears!!

I have always had the mentality that things need to be "better". I can do "more". But I'm learning now that I need to celebrate the small stuff. I WANT to live simply. My kids are only going to be little for such a short time. I want to remember and cherish every little giggle they have, and every little memory they make. I wish I could box them up and save them for years down the road.

So if you happen to come to my house unannounced, and my house is cluttered with toys, or my dishes aren't done, or there is laundry littering my couch.. please excuse the mess. We're busy making memories!!!