It’s amazing how much there is about being a parent. Just when you think you have a grip on things, something changes.
At 4 am this morning (her 2nd “midnight” feeding) I was thinking of how I could apply what I’m learning to the rest of my life… and possibly yours too.
So, in the last three weeks, here are just 3 things I’ve learned from Kaelyn.
1. You tend to become who you hang out with – For the last 3 weeks, I’ve been hanging out with a little person who only wants to eat and sleep (and poop their pants, although I haven’t succumbed to that temptation yet) 
. Seriously though, if you hang out with people who are satisfied with playing video games and watching Jerry Springer all day, then it’s just a matter of time before you become the same way. On the other hand, if you want to start a business, or buy an airplane, you’d better be looking for those kinds of people to hang with. They will encourage on the days when your dream seems so far away.
2. Be thankful for the small victories – It’s a great feeling when I “figure out” that Kaelyn has a wet diaper or she’s hungry and I knew what to do about it. It will also be nice to be able to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time too (but I don’t want to wish these days away either!).
Ever since Kaelyn has been here, I want to follow my dreams even more. I want to travel and show her how big the world is… I want to show her how to take a BIG bite out of life… But, again, some days my “big picture” seems SO big.
I’ve always heard that gratefulness is the MOST powerful emotion there is. So while I’m still trying so hard to get to the next dream, I’m careful to be very thankful for God’s many blessings. It seems that the more I thank Him for, the more He blesses. I’m thankful for the small victories.
3. Rest well and know that God loves you – From the moment I laid eyes on Kaelyn, I was in love. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this little punkin’. I remember thinking, “If God loves me HALF as much as I do this little one, I’m in GREAT shape” (although I know He somehow loves me more).
Now, I only covered 3 things. I know I missed some. Please feel free to comment below and tell me what you’ve learned from YOUR (or someone’s) little one.
Thanks for reading!
Kevin
Wow! I loved your points. Especially the first one. I have been able to see throughout the years, how my life has changed by the people I’m around the most. In high school I hung out around friends that were my age (16 to 18), but I also stayed around my people in my church and band who were mostly mid-twenties and married. Therefore, I had friends who still were a on the immature style of thinking, and older friends who were grown and mature. However, after I began to spend more time with my older friends I noticed that a lot of the immature things my high school friends and other classmates did, the more annoying it would become to me. Now, two years have passed since graduation, and when I pass by old classmates, they are much more mature. You no longer see people who thought that high school graduation was the best thing ever, but people who are striving for much more. It is amazing to see how God made us to develop so quickly. It would change the world if more Christians would place reading the bible daily, and putting themselves with among Christian company. So many more people would become more like Jesus, and you never know who one person will influences; or what process that will begin. Out of the 2.1 billion Christians over the world, if one Christian reach another lost individual (and the process repeats), it would only take 1 year and 7 days to reach the entire world population.
Thank you again for the post.
love ya,
Colton
Wow Colton. I’ve never heard that stat about 1 year and 7 days.
Thank you for your very well-thought-out reply. I appreciate it.
I’m not sure that Christians ONLY need to hang out with just other Christians though. But when I do hang out with a non-Christian, I want my life to be something that they notice…. the part they notice (hopefully) will come from me surrounding myself with people who make ME shine brighter.