Our favorite Christian kids shirt brand sent us the most perfect kids dinosaur tees and to the kids, they’re just the coolest dinosaur shirts that glow in the dark but to me, they’re so much more. Here’s the caption I wrote on my Instagram that explains them a bit more and why they mean so much to me as a mama:

“This has been the hardest, most gut-wrenching, tear-filled year of my life with so many moments I didn’t think I’d be able to make it any further. But it’s also been the most beautiful, love-filled year of my life. And the reason? Because I told myself so.

Our minds are incredible.

Back when Hayes turned one, I cried (actually bawled) for an entire week. I felt like I hadn’t truly soaked in my last baby. And then I got pregnant with Mac and I told myself it would be the best baby stage ever. I love the baby stage (always have) but he would be my last and this time it was different - my last chance to make it perfect. I was up all hours of the night as his sleep record was 32 min off of me 😅 and somehow, my brain was still happy and alive. I was just so happy to be snuggling and soaking him in that I didn’t feel so tired. Because that’s what I told my mind (and of course I had my moments).

My mind did that for me.

Quick story you may have heard: We always encourage our kids to order their own food at restaurants, but don’t push it. Ava and Hayes have been ordering their own meals since about 18 months old but Franky always declined. One dinner out around age 3 or so he said yes. He ordered his food and turned to us and said, “I’m really proud of myself.” 🥹 One of my best mom memories to date.

You see, when we tell ourselves that we’re strong and courageous and amazing and loved, it becomes true. I saw another mama @lindseygurk on here do morning affirmations with her kiddos and loved it. And then @shoplittlenbrave came out with these Dino affirmation shirts (that glow in the dark, by the way) and I knew I wanted this for my kids. I want them to tell their minds so often how incredible they are that they never ever doubt it, even through the hardest moments. And heck, I probably need that in my life too 😉 And so, here’s our first attempt at our morning affirmations (peep me looking at my cheat sheet on the wall cause it’s not memorized yet 🤣)

“Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on earth, for what they believe is what they will become.” But also, teach them to speak to themselves that way too ❤️”

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