Grateful for Today

Tonight I sang If I Was a Butterfly to Kyleigh while scratching her back because she wasn’t feeling good. I just sat there thinking about how blessed I am to have these little moments with her. She’s growing up so fast, and I know I won’t get too many more nights like this before she’s older. I want to soak in every single one of them, because she deserves it and so do I.

Baylor’s sweet little heart couldn’t stand to see her upset, so he stayed right there with her the whole time. After her medicine kicked in, we all started singing Great Big Globs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts and laughing together. It was silly, but honestly, it was beautiful. Kyleigh even told Baylor thank you for being so sweet and gave him a hug. She’s growing into such a kind girl, and Baylor is just naturally so caring — he wanted to wait on her hand and foot. I am so blessed to have these kids. They slow me down, bring me back to what matters most, and remind me that life is about soaking up these kinds of memories.

Waverly did her homework without even being asked tonight. Baylor got a 100 on his test. Kyleigh is making all A’s. I’m so proud of all of them. It wasn’t a perfect day by any means, but it was beautiful because of all the moments around the imperfect parts.

Like, I’ve been craving a Chick-fil-A salad for days, and even though I wasn’t feeling the best, Sludge made sure I got one. He even waited twenty minutes at a whole different restaurant just to secure my homemade ranch. That small thing helped me feel re-energized and reminded me how lucky I am.

I also decided to start giving the kids chores for the first time. It helped me so much, but it also showed me something I’ve been learning while being up here — I’ve really dropped the ball by doing too much for them. I see now how much I let slide before. But I’m learning, and we’re all growing together.

Kyleigh didn’t do her chore right and gave me an attitude. Instead of brushing it off like I used to, I punished her — and I even ran laps with her so she knew I was serious. This kind of consistency is what’s going to help mold her into who she’s meant to be. And at the end of the day, even though she was upset, we still hugged and I told her I loved her. That’s abundance.

Homework time is usually overwhelming, but tonight Squalee helped out. He checked Baylor’s work and listened to him read, which was such a blessing. Baylor noticed it too — he asked Squalee for a hug and thanked him. My heart about melted. My kids are so lucky to have Sludge and Squalee in their lives.

It feels like I’ve found a community I didn’t even know I was missing. If Sludge ever decides this isn’t for him, I know he’ll still be a best friend forever, because that’s just who he is — kind, steady, supportive.

I went to bed tonight feeling so grateful. For the kids, for the lessons, for the laughter, for the support, for everything in my life. It might not be perfect, but it’s beautiful.

I am so so lucky.

Key Takeaways for Other Moms

• Soak in the little moments. Singing a silly song, scratching your child’s back, or listening to them laugh matters more than the “big” things.

• Consistency is love. Following through with chores, discipline, or routines might feel tough in the moment, but it builds trust and respect over time.

• You don’t have to do it all alone. Let others step in. Whether it’s a partner, friend, or family member — the support can be life-changing for both you and your kids.

• Gratitude changes everything. Even imperfect days can feel beautiful when you focus on the good tucked inside them.

• You’re learning, too. None of us get parenting 100% right. What matters is being willing to grow alongside your kids.