Let Me See You Jellyroll or Jellystone As The Case May Be

Memorial Day was awesome for our family, even if it wasnt entirely focused on those who died while serving in the military.  We went camping in Jellystone Park up in Wichita Falls, Texas. After a tennis tournament was cancelled during COVID, we used the credit to go then.  It was amazing fun with fantastic friends.  The bromance factor is strong!

My Life is Not A Tidy Story

My kids think I am mean.  When I say this it isn't in a "woe is me" please give me assurances way, but in general observation.  The longer they stay in our home, the more frequently they share their thoughts on my parenting with me.  Often they share when they have strong opinions so with fierce love and equally fierce recognition that I am doing some things totally wrong.

Sometimes it's hard to hear.  It hurts.  Because clearly I'm not trying to suck it up as a mom and rarely have I ever thought of myself as a mean person.  I also never want to quiet their voice and reject their feedback just because it is hard to hear.  And the closer they get to adulthood, the more I want them to be able to as kindly as possible share constructive feedback with their associates and with those whom they have relationships with.

So here is my formal admission, that my life is not a tidy story.  I don't always make the best choices, my words are not always kind and encouraging and supportive.  My kids don't always feel my love and sometimes they suffocate under the weight of my expectations.  I am doing some things wrong, but still I am okay with me.  I know I stand ready to try and try again, tweaking and fine tuning my methods to try and be more Christlike.  My story is not done yet and I am never going to give up.

I love you and so even if my actions aren't tidy in showing you that, let these words give you the hope you need to believe them.