Tuesday, December 20, 2016

I am a good mom.

I am a good mom. I am a good mom.

I don't always say those words to myself. I definitely don't always believe them. Sometimes I rehash in my mind all the abysmal words I've told my children in anger that day and I feel the enormous guilt because of it.

Go to your room and be quiet!

All you ever do is un-do something I've just done!

You get the picture. It's not always pretty around here and I wonder when I drag into bed at night what my problem is- why I can't just show them patience and LOVINGLY correct them instead of spouting off what I'm thinking in the moment. Some days are better than others, but I know even on the bad days that I'm a good mom and I'd be willing to bet that you are, too.

Whether you stay at home or work, you're a good mom because you're working hard for your kids. Whether you're waking up early to fix a huge breakfast spread or tossing them goldfish in the car on the way to your first appointment of the day, you're a good mom. Whether you sat down to work that puzzle on the floor or you decided not to because there were dishes to wash, you're a good mom.

I'm not even talking about the mediocrity that we tell ourselves is good enough. The feeling of barely skating by, kids having popcorn for lunch, and/or family prayer time through tears because you want them to know that you are human and you mess up, too and need forgiveness is more than good enough. You (I) may feel like I'm just surviving the day, but you're doing so much more than that.

The impact you have on your kids is priceless, long-lasting, enduring, important.

Sometimes you make cookies with them while simultaneously covering the kitchen in flour and mixed up, sticky cookie dough (b/c Abel is with Daddy, ahem) and sometimes you go get the store bought ones and skip all that (because, hello, easy!).

Sometimes you spend all day cleaning and put them in front of the t.v. to pacify.

Sometimes you get on Pinterest and create all sorts of learning activities for them to do that they'll enjoy.

Being a mom isn't just one day in the life of your kids, so why do we sometimes focus on that one bad day we had where we yelled more than we showed them love? Our job is to imitate Christ so that they will grow to know Him. It's the hardest job because we are flawed individuals, corrupt with sin. We are selfish. Angry. Prideful. But as we guide our kids, our Heavenly Father is guiding and molding us if we stay focused on Him.

The enemy will try to pull you away. He'll whisper in your ear that you're a bad mom. He'll want you to give up, but you won't...

because you're good.

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." ~ Proverbs 31:27

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Cute, Easy Christmas Cheer



Tis the season to spread Christmas cheer to all! I'm finding that once all the kids are in school, I'm going to be buying my weight's worth in teacher gifts over the years. But there's hardly a more deserving community, eh? Even now, Abel's village is a big one. Between therapists and teachers and specialized doctors, I needed something that I could do for all that they might enjoy or find useful.

If I didn't have four kids, I'd research tutorials on how to make printables so that I could design a perfect one for you to easily print off now. Then again, if I didn't have four kids I probably wouldn't be looking for this same solution either. Alas, I'm not super mommy blogger. BUT I wanted to pass along the Target idea for those of you who might be scrambling around trying to think of something to get to your kids' teachers this week.
I can't believe Christmas break is so soon. It was just Halloween....and Thanksgiving. And even though I put my decorations up sooner than most, I feel like I won't be ready to take them down. My house is bright and cozy with glimmering lights in every room and I'm posting up on the couch with my mudslide coffee and wishing for a slow, happy Christmas with my family.

Now, may the force be with you. May the odds ever be in your favor. Keep truckin'. Pull the truck, duck...and all that other motivating chatter so that you may press on and survive this holiday season while the teachers take time off to be with their own families. Happiest of holidays to you all!

(P.S. If you enjoyed this post, I hope you'll go like my Facebook page. I'm a lot more present on there!)
 
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