Expectations...

I think the biggest change in me in the 6 years I've been a mother is my expectations.

I expect my one of my big kids to have a bad dream, need to go to the bathroom or want cream put on a bug bite in the middle of the night after I've just nursed and put the baby back to sleep.

I expect Jazzy to drop watermelon on the freshly mopped floor.

I expect Drew to pour less juice in the cup than on the table.

I expect the telephone to ring and wake up the baby.

I expect to pick up a crying baby and forget about the cookies until they're too burnt to eat.

I expect to have the kids dressed and ready to go only to have Zay have a blow out and need to be changed.

I expect Jazzy to throw up as I talk to the Pastor's wife by phone while trying to shush Zay, who's been fussing all day. (That happened this morning.)

I expect my husband to come home exhausted after a week of traveling and fall asleep on the couch instead of bathing the kids.

I basically expect frequent interruptions and very little sleep. I expect the twists, turns and mishaps that occur in a normal day with children, and I am learning not to be irritated or annoyed by them. I am learning to expect imperfection in myself, my husband and my children. I'm a more peaceful and content woman than I was 6 years ago.

Changing my expectations has made all the difference.