Y’all remember Courtney DeFeo (Lil’ Light O’Mine) who has been such an encouragement on appreciating and watching out for folks in our lives that sometimes get overlooked or underthanked? Well, she’s just written a book. And I asked her to share something from it. She cracks me up – and blesses me at the same time. Might she encourage us all in our role as CMO (Chief Mood Officer).  Because, even when the moods are bad – here’s hoping we can laugh in the midst, because we are ALL there at one time or another.

Thanks for sharing Courtney! …and thanks for walking the road with me. -K

View More: http://aleamoore.pass.us/defeofamilyDo you know what happens when you ask your kids a question? You get an honest answer.

I was basically fishing for a compliment. The conversation went like this with my five-year-old. We had just moved to Orlando from Atlanta.

“Ella what do you remember from our old house?”

I was smiling – thinking my darling angel was about to mention one of the award-winning birthday parties I threw her, or her Pottery Barn Kids decorated room or all the million toys we bought her.

And here came the answer.

“I remember when you got mad and kicked the dryer.”

That moment felt like she kicked me in the deepest part of my heart.

It’s true guys. I have never hurt my kids or kicked my kids, but I did kick my dryer. And my five-year-old remembered it. Shame. Guilt. Embarrassment.

Yes, me the author of In This House, We Will GIGGLE kicked a dryer. Are you serious?

I am normal. I am human. I have bad days and good.

I’ve come to realize that I am the CMO— Chief Mood Officer—in our home. When I am annoyed and uptight, the whole family is on edge. If I am stressed, everyone is stressed. Sure, the kids’ fighting or lack of sleep or something else may be at the root of my mood. But I’ve discovered it doesn’t really help to figure out who caused what. I just need to break the cycle.

As CMOs of the house, we moms have some amazing superpowers. We carry delight and joy in our very fingertips and eyes. Our children crave our love, touch, and approval. They want to know we see them and we love them even when things are going downhill. If the mood in the house is tense, we can assess if it’s because we ourselves are too busy, too stressed, too critical, or too tired.

Often bringing in joy is as simple as scooping up a little one to give him a heartfelt hug or smile and word of affirmation. You can almost see the life come right back into his heart. As adults we get the same feeling of affirmation from our heavenly Father during our prayer time and time in His Word.

Check out Courtney’s book (especially great for moms of young kiddos) to get the skinny on her fun and creative ways to set the mood (there’s more than candles or music – even though Pandora’s Pride & Prejudice station goes a long way) – that can add a little lift to life in every home.

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Courtney DeFeo is a popular blogger and creator of ABC Scripture Cards featured on “The View.” She is a graduate of Auburn University and has worked in marketing for Chick-fil-A. Courtney and her husband, Ron, are the parents of two children. To connect with Courtney, visit CourtneyDeFeo.com

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