Just call me Mom of the Year.
Really. I may even sport a sash today, declaring it to the world. (Or, at least my town.) 😉
Blame it on the lingering, flu-like whatever I’ve been fighting, the distractions that come with some commitments, the crazy of chasing a three year-old all day, or the fact that I’m just Mel.
Probably all of them are to blame a little yesterday.
It’s bad enough that I missed her Valentine party last week…more on that some other day. Ahem. 😉 AND that I walked into her PK room just in time to hear her tell her teacher, But I don’t haaaaave a mommy {here}!
Dagger to the heart. Vow to never mess up so badly again.
Enter Tuesday.
Bless my heart, I got her to school on time, even a few minutes early. I went home, made some coffee, got a few things done. Definitely looking like it’s gonna be a good day.
Pick her up right at 11:00. Perfect.
Go home. Give both of us a chance to rest and hopefully kick the rest of the flu nastiness.
Mae has her pb&j…and I hear my phone go. A text.
Are you guys coming to lunch? We miss you!
Stink.
Oh, stink.
Stink, stink, stink.
I forgot.
HOW did I forget?
Special lunch for sweet little three and four year olds at a fun restaurant not too far away. I prepaid. I. Even. Set. A. Reminder.
And I forgot.
I was almost in tears when I told Mae that I’d forgotten. We quickly put our coats on and headed out to catch the end of it, but I was afraid she’d missed the fun.
I told her I was sorry, and she squeezed my hand.
It’s ok, mommy. I still love you. We’ll have fun!
Melt. Me.
Oh. Oh, how often I focus on the times when I mess up. (I kind of do it often. But still.)
But this little girl…she looks at the good…she finds the joy.
JOY. She’s got it.
She didn’t see yesterday as a Mommy-messed-up, day. She saw it as an I-get-to-go-hang-out-with-my-friends, day.
She saw the joy in the moment…and she’s reminding me to do the same.
Joy…it’s found in so many moments. So many.
My Father’s love for me. Promises from His Word. Sweet, good-morning hugs from my favorite toddler. Happy doggies panting in excitement to see me. A kiss from my hubby. Bowling with my girl. A fun Valentine’s dinner with friends. A fresh pot of coffee to make those six a.m.’s just a bit more bearable. A sweet voxer thread from my team of dreaming sisters. A heart-and-coffee chat with a dear friend. Prayers. Uplifting words, verses. Writing. Singing. Playing handbells. A long, not-too-early, morning run. Reconnecting with an old friend. Anticipating a long-awaited, other-side-of-the-world, reunion. Beach trips and surfing. Laughter. Rainy season memories. Family. Being home. An amazing neighborhood. Community. Church. Bible Study. Learning to love others.
I could keep going for a long, long time. There are so many things that bring joy…because the Giver of that joy?Â
Well, He’s Good.
And this little girl…well, she is one of my biggest JOYS.
And she might have even seen me as Mom of the Year yesterday, too.Â
Do you think I could get her to make me a sash? 😉
What brings you joy today? 
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I love my sweet friend, Holley‘s, new link-up! Her Coffee For Your Heart: 2014 Encouragement Challenge is just what it sounds like. Think of Wednesdays as that day where I just share some encouragement…and you can pretend that we’re sitting at a table over coffee, just sharing life. Sounds like a great way to spend Wednesdays in this space. 
I hope you’ll hop over and join us!
children are such great reminders of what it means to feel true joy. This is such a sweet post, Mel! You are a great mommy! Never second guess yourself, friend. That little girl is blessed beyond measure!
You are such a sweetheart…thank you for the smile and encouragement today, friend.
(((hugs)))
What a beautiful post. True joy, my friend. Thanks for sharing this story with us – you aren’t alone in forgetting.
That makes me feel better…lately it seem like I just can’t keep my head on straight. 😉 Hugs, friend…thanks for making me smile today!
I cringed with each little mishap that you described for I felt bad for you, I have been here on more occasions than one let me tell you, I get it!
So grateful to our Lord for the JOY in all forms that He brings our way! Thankfulness is the key!
It’s encouraging to know that all mamas forget…I’m usually pretty good at remembering, but clearly not this week! 😉 And absolutely…giving thanks reminds me of the blessings I too often overlook. Thanks for your encouragement today, friend! Blessings and hugs.
I love her huge smile!! Says it all!
Thanks, friend! We’re still working on how to smile “pretty” for pictures…she’s just goes all out with the cheese. It’s too funny. 😉
Mel I just love you. I love your vunerablity. I often say it’s a good thing I don’t have kids because I would totally forget that I have them. Thank you for this sweet picture of joy. You are a picture of joy. I am praying you feel fully better soon
You are so sweet, my friend…thank you for the prayers and encouragement! Love you, girl! (((hugs)))
I love this Mel… yes – they tend to (thank the sweet Lord Jesus) remember the best of us… especially at that age, right? 😉 Precious!!! Glad ya’ll are feeling a bit more human! Praying you continue to get back to ‘normal’ – full of energy and joy!
Oh, I’m so grateful for the age…everything is exciting and fun, and she loves me five seconds after I have an ugly moment. I am truly blessed.
And thank you for the prayers…we’re slowly recovering. Hope you’re having a great week, friend!
Oh, yes – make sashes for both of you – because you will want the evidence later! I forget things, too – too many threads on too many schedules suddenly converging! But we don’t give up – do we – and when they’re little – they show us true grace. Now my boys don’t let me forget a thing – not out of meanness but out of the pure joy of tormenting me:) I so enjoyed the honesty – and the realness of being a mommy – and the joy-catching we need to do! Thanks for sharing your heart!
Maryleigh
It’s so true that our little ones are such a picture of Grace.
Thank you for stopping by and blessing me with your encouragement! (((hugs))) 
Oh Goodness, hun! I’ve had plenty of forgetful days. I think it is all part of being a Mommy. I know my two girls keep me so busy that I barely have time to think! Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself instead of beating yourself up. I’m glad you have a little girl who loves you enough to look past your flaws. Isn’t that what love is all about? Little kids are great at offering a little bit of innocent perspective!
I actually, wrote about my daughter today too! I’d love for you to stop by my blog to check it out! Blessings!
Innocent perspective…YES! Love that! I’ll have to stop by and check out your words, too. Blessings to you, friend!
I totally think she would make you a sash and then I want to see a picture of you wearing it!! Oh friend, we all mess up with our kids…those slap-your-forehead, kick-in-the-pants, how-did-I-ever-let-this-happen mess ups!! Thanks for the encouragement to seize the moment and see what we might have missed if we hadn’t messed up. Maybe, just maybe, that’s what God wanted us to see anyway. Much love.
Haha…she’d probably want to keep it for herself. 😉 Love to you, friend…hugs and happy Thursday to you!
I think she will definitely make you one…probably with glitter, finger paint, and googly eyes to match! oh and a few neon feathers for good measure…Our kids love us and see us in a much better lens then we do! I don’t think those mishaps are too bad…my less than saintly mommy moments seem quite worse! Enjoy your trip !
Maybe we’ll do an art project tomorrow…she’d love it and probably end up wearing it herself!
Hugs, friend…hope your week has been a great one!
This melts my heart
So so sweet!!
Thanks, friend…hugs to you!