Mama, The Work You’re Doing Isn’t Going Unnoticed

Being a mom is by far the absolute hardest thing I’ve ever done (and my kids are only toddlers so it’s only going to get harder). It has broken me in more ways than I imagined. It has tested me beyond whatever I thought my limits were. I’ve gained and lost 50+ pounds twice. Most of my hair has fallen out multiple times. I’ve gone months on end without a solid night of sleep. I’ve cried more tears than I can count over both the small & the big things. I’ve had PPD & PPA, separately & together. I never thought I’d be a stay at home mom, but somehow here I am. My kids push buttons I didn’t even know existed. I know I get it all wrong more than I ever get anything right. Absolutely nothing about being a mother has been what I thought it would be.

And yet..... I’d do it all again a thousand times over if it meant having these kids in my life for even the shortest amount of time.

I’m so glad God made me their Mom. I like to think they needed me, but He & I both know that I was the one needing them.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mamas. The work you’re doing isn’t going unnoticed

{& hugs to all those today that can’t hug their own moms & children. You aren’t forgotten this weekend }

This post was originally published on Facebook.

Mama, Take The Trip (And Leave The Expectations Behind)

Traveling with young kids is not for the faint of heart. Heck, traveling with kids of any age is generally a free-for-all: someone is crying, someone is bleeding at some point, someone forgot their shoes, someone forgot to charge the iPad, someone is causing everyone else to be late, someone will probably puke, and on and on and on. Sadly, I’m not here to tell you anything different. I’m not going to tell you it’s a walk in the park. I don’t have any tips for you.

Traveling with kids is hard.

I know everyone says it will get easier as the kids get older, but I think little kid problems just get replaced with big kid problems. Vacations, whether big or small, will always be hectic. Toss in an extended-family-vacation and by the end of it, you’re walking around with your head detached from your body.

The kids are running entirely on sugar fumes, the sleeping is nonexistent, and you’re bound to have a delayed flight or hit major traffic on the interstate. Someone will need to pee every three minutes, the baby will refuse to cooperate with anything, you’ll forget that you brought the family dog at least once, and you’ll wonder why you booked a place with a kitchen because it’s not like your children will magically decide to eat your meals just because there’s been a change of scenery.

Take the trip anyway.

Read the rest over on Knoxville Moms.

My Husband Is My Best Friend

My husband is my best friend. It’s true. He became my best friend when I was 16 and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Any time an event comes up and I’m told I can bring a friend, the person I want to bring is my husband. Do I have girl friends that would rather eat brunch or paint pictures of trees? Of course! But my immediate reaction every time someone says bring a friend is: I wonder if my husband is free? (Not that he would even want to go eat brunch or paint anyway, though).

Every movie you watch or every book you read, it’s always a dynamic girl duo taking on the world. It’s a girl friend that gets to know all the secrets and be the maid of honor for not only the wedding, but basically for life. You mention “my person,” and everyone knows you’re talking about the Christina Yang to your Meredith Grey.

That’s not my case.

Read the rest over on Knoxville Moms.

Grace makes all the difference

Pride can be an ugly thing. It hardens your heart.

I’ve been too proud to admit I’m wrong more times than I can count. I’ve been too sure-footed in my own thoughts to accept that there is another way that can still be “right”.

I’ve been on the wrong side of the table more times than I like to reveal. I’ve put my way of thinking on a pedestal and failed to see another’s perspective.

I’m not proud of the stance I’ve taken in certain scenes in my life. I’m not proud of my unwillingness to learn, listen, and be receptive.

But I’m the only person that can change that. I have to be willing to try. I have to be willing to ask for help.

I’ve learned that grace is the only thing that can soften hard hearts. Grace can bridge the gap that my foolish pride creates.

Grace is what I need to humble myself. Grace is the guidance I need directing me to people that can provide another perspective.

I think all of the world could use a little bit of grace right now. Grace from the Good Lord. Grace from other people.

Grace makes all the difference.

This post was originally published on Facebook.

A Church building on Sunday isn't the only place I find God

A church building on Sunday isn’t the only place I find God.

Honestly, sometimes it’s the last place I feel His presence.

But I find Him in the sweet, soft smells of my daughter’s hair when she’s snuggled up on my chest.

I find Him in the laughter of my toddler who knows no bounds and lives to get a giggle out of a crowd.

I find Him in the silence when my husband isn’t home and the kids are asleep. That’s when I finally have a moment to reflect.

I find Him in the constant companionship of the dog and her unwavering need to be by my side.

I find Him in the chaos of day to day life because I know He is the organizer of it all.

I find Him when I lose my patience. I find Him in the grace I try to extend to my children.

I find Him in the ordinary moments. You know, the ones that make you smile and feel like all is right in the world even if it’s just for a little while.

I find Him in the comfort of my couch after a long day; the reassurance that He is there to carry my load when I simply can’t anymore.

I find Him in the listening ears of a friend that lends a kind word and helps me realize I’m not alone.

Church is a circus with young kids and I often get aggravated that I’m not finding what I used to in the pew on Sunday morning.

But I’ve come to realize that Church isn’t the only place I can find God.

He’s everywhere. I just have to be willing to look.

This post was originally published on Facebook.