"You Made My Heart Happy" Message and Printable

I have to be honest, bedtime in our house is usually not the calm, loving end to our day that I'd like it to be.  By 7:30 -8:00, I'm exhausted, the kids are whiny, everyone's tired, but no one is falling asleep.  Quite often, I end up yelling, they get upset, and after they are finally asleep and the house is quiet, I feel awful.  I want them to drift off to sleep knowing how much they are loved and how much I really do appreciate the wonderful things they do each day, not thinking about the fact that Mommy is frustrated and just wants them in bed already.  (And even though I would never actually read it to them or say it out loud,  this book totally sums up my frame of mind many evenings)  

Then I came across the cute idea (on Pinterest) to put "I love you because..." in a frame and use a dry erase marker to write the reasons why.  I decided that a special message every evening might be a good addition to our bedtime routine. 

I simply used Picnik to make up a 5x7 print with the message, put it in a frame, and put it in their bedrooms.  I did change the saying a bit from the ones I saw on Pinterest.  Because they're my kids, I love them unconditionally.  I often tell them that I always LOVE them, but sometimes they do things that make my heart happy and sometimes their behavior makes my heart sad.  With these little frames and a dry erase marker, I can now write down something they did that day that made my heart happy.

I'm hoping that the focus on the good they did each day will encourage even better behavior, and they'll fall asleep each night knowing how much they're valued and loved.  However, if nothing else, I think it will help me take a minute to recognize just how blessed I am to have these three rambunctious, yet loveable, kids.

Now, I'm completely new to the idea of putting a printable on the blog here, but if anyone might want to make one for their own home, I *think* I have this set up where you can print or download your own copy.  They should be a 5x7" sized picture, but will print on a regular-sized sheet of paper.  Or, I believe you can just right click the image and save it to resize however you want it.

Click HERE for the message on the blue background.

Click HERE for the message on the pink background.

I'm not kidding myself that bedtime will suddenly become calm and relaxing for everyone, but at least the kids (and I) can take a minute to reflect on something good they did that day.

Sharing our new bedtime ritual at:
 
Tatertots and Jello 
Here Comes the Sun
Be Different, Act Normal 
Six Sisters' Stuff 
I heart Naptime 
No Time for Flashcards
Itsy Bitsy Paper 
C.R.A.F.T.  
Craft-O-Maniac
Skip to My Lou 
 Brassy Apple
Today's Creative Blog 
Lil Luna 
Blue Cricket Designs 
 A Turtle's Life for Me
Frugal Girls 
Living Life Intentionally 
Under the Table and Dreaming