It's in the Mortar

As much as she is a girly-girl, she has an equal balance of tomboy in her. However, my Belle LOVES being pampered.

Case in point: Yesterday at Sweet and Sassy:

"Mom! Why are you always taking my picture?!"

::same answer as always:: "So you will have memories of your childhood. Okay so WE will have memories of your childhood. Whatever. Because I want to. It's the only way I know of to kind of go back in time. You'll appreciate it one day."

I know every parent thinks their child is beautiful, handsome, smart, sweet, etc... . I am so completely proud of my kids. I obviously love their sweet faces, cute little bodies (solid muscle), hair, eyes, etc..., but mostly I love their hearts. I could literally list a million things. At least.

One has to be their propensity to love. And not be afraid to say it. Show it. Do it.

That show "True Beauty" concentrates on this. Not the outward appearance, but how these people act when they think no one is watching. Can you imagine? All our "worst life choices" shown back to us on camera. It's like I've said before, live like a camera is always on you. So hard to do. People get to us. Take our parking spaces. Cut in line. Talk ugly. It's endless. And sometimes it's not even someone else who gets to us. We get to us. Alone at night is when my mind most tends to wander and when I most commonly "beat myself up". Why do I do this? Maybe I need to post notes around with encouraging words and quotes! Who knows...

Bottom line, how we react, and in turn show our kids how to act, is what defines our hearts. Our legacy. Moreover, it's the building blocks of their lives and what they use to form all their experiences, thoughts, perceptions, etc... into the people they will become. And since I'm still trying to build mine, or at least fill in cracks and crevices, the tenacity and strength to do the maintenance is something else they also watch. And the maintenance part should never be overlooked. Never. And so I wonder: Is there anything in this world that doesn't require some type of maintenance in order for it to stay in the best condition possible?

Always remember and never forget: It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.  ~Author Unknown