Motherhood Life Lately: It doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.

 I wrote my last motherhood update right before my precious J turned 2...and when that happened, motherhood life definitely started becoming more challenging. I talked about it in my last post a little. So while there are more tantrums and struggles with both boys, I still am filled to the brim with gratitude and contentment. And the tantrums really are such a small percentage of the day, which is a good reminder to try to not lose patience too quickly.

So many people have been saying that 2016 has been one of the worst years to date. And when I think back on things, I could maybe argue that as well. We've had car troubles that left me stranded in St. George for a few days alone with the boys, we had some flooding in the nice new house we bought, we've seen family members have health struggles, and we've felt stress with the state of affairs in the world.

One of our biggest trials we went through earlier in the year has changed the way we have viewed all the previous challenges. When our sweet J was having a seizure every hour in the ER which led to a transfer and overnight stay at Stanford, it was by far the most emotional and stressful thing we have gone through. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. Thankfully all of this was just a 48 hour ordeal.

Ever since then, things that may seem stressful and difficult are put in perspective. Car troubles are inconvenient, but not so bad. Political drama can be stressful, but doesn't impact the way I raise my family. And crazy toddlers can be exhausting, but I remember the time when he didn't feel well enough to be crazy, and it helps calm me.

Maybe it's because Thanksgiving is around the corner, or it's the end of the year which is causing me to reflect on the year, but man, I am feeling so grateful to be having these motherhood experiences. I'm trying to savor all of it, even when it's not "ideal."

For example, we have hit a roadblock in the boys' sleeping arrangements in that J has been sleeping in our room for a few months now. He'll fall asleep in our bed, and Victor moves him to the pack n play. There have been a couple times when I've wanted to ask for advice from experienced facebook friends on how to get him to go back to sharing a room with Dom, but then I realize I don't really want their advice haha. I love laying next to J as he falls asleep. The time is fleeting for how long it will be like this. (and it ensures both boys sleep for the longest amount of time possible...so yeah)

So that's why the title of this post has become the mantra for Victor and I. It doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful. It definitely isn't perfect, but it sure is wonderful.