Where do they come up with these things?!

As Harrison was getting ready for bed last night, he showed a sudden interest in adoption. He had a lot of questions for me…..

Do you have to pay money to adopt?

Who do you give the money to? To the kid you’re adopting?

Do I know anyone who was adopted?, etc, etc.

He finally announced that he is going to adopt a boy when he’s a dad. I told him that it is wonderful that he cares about kids without parents and that I am excited for him.

As I was tucking him in, he asked me if everyone who is adopted is a baby. I told him that a lot of people adopt babies, but sometimes older kids are adopted too. After thinking about it, he told me that he’s going to adopt a boy who is older than college age. Stifling a laugh, I asked him, “Why?”

“So then I don’t have to pay for him to go to Calvin College.”

I have no idea where this came from, but Nick and I got a good laugh out of it.

I wanted to ask him, “Then, what’s the point? If you’re not willing to raise him, train him, spend money on him, and sacrifice for him, then what is the point?” It made me think about how yes, raising kids costs money. Yes, raising kids takes time. A lot of it. (When I came downstairs from tucking in Grace tonight at 8pm, I felt exhausted and I realized that I had been with kids for  14 1/2 hours straight, as Andrew has been waking up at 5:30 every morning lately. And at 8pm I still wasn’t done, as Harrison wasn’t even in bed yet!) But if we weren’t willing to spend money on our kids, feeding them well, clothing them, providing them with health care, educating them……and if we weren’t willing to sacrifice our time, training, correcting, protecting, encouraging, teaching and loving…..then, what would be the point? What good would we be doing?

I’ve heard that the most worthwhile things in life aren’t easy. I guess that is why God  arranged for us to start raising our kids when they’re babies and not when they’re college age and already independent.

But yes, that does sound pretty easy.

PS: I wanted to let you know that my party Friday night was a huge success and I should be ready to share it with you tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Remembering His Abundant Goodness

Recently in my post “All for Him” I mentioned to you that on my way to New York City in January I spend some time prayerfully seeking God’s direction for this new year and making goals. (For some reason I prefer the term “New Years Goal” over “New Years Resolution.”)

One verse I came across during that time was

“I will express the memory of your abundant goodness.” Psalm 145

I thought to myself, “How can I express the memory of God’s abundant goodness if I’m not REMEMBERING His abundant goodness?”

While babysitting in college, the mom had forgotten her keys, and when she came back in to retrieve them she told me that women’s memories get worse after childbirth and I didn’t really believed her……until it happened to me. I used to have an amazing memory- now I scare myself by the things I forget. One of my friends said that when she delivered her baby, she also delivered her brain, and I feel the same way. But I’ve delivered my brain 3 times now. Not cool.

To give you a little glimpse of the problem, the other day I asked for help out after my weekly shopping trip to Trader Joe’s. I was carrying my wiggly toddler who decided he didn’t want to sit in the cart, while a kind man pushed my load of groceries. We’re walking up and down the aisles and I’m getting embarrassed and feeling a little awkward. Why can’t I find my van??? What is going on here? What is wrong with me? Am I at the right store? On the right planet? Finally I laugh and say aloud, “This is so weird! I know I parked right around here, but for some reason I just can’t find my blue mini van.” Grace pipes up in her sweet 5 year old voice, “But, MOMMY!!! You didn’t drive the VAN! You drove the JETTA!!” Oops. Sure enough, there was Nick’s silver Jetta right there in front of me. Post-Pregnancy Brain strikes again.

Anyways, so after reading that verse, I made it one of my goals for this year to record the things I am thankful for. For years I’ve kept a prayer journal, in which I’ve written out prayers to the Lord. In addition to that one, I bought a new notebook (of course I had to get a pretty one. How can I write what I’m thankful for in an ugly notebook??) and have placed it in my night stand. Over the past month and a half I’ve made it a habit most nights  before going to bed to quick jot down a few blessings from that day. Things like

*an encouraging e-mail I received

*a moment in which I could see character development in one my kids

*a fun, peaceful moment with my kids, like playing catch with Harrison or painting with Grace

*a great conversation with Nick

*beauty I saw in creation

*an answer to prayer

Some nights tons of things pop into my head, and I’m writing furiously. But I’m not gonna lie. Some nights its not as easy. But if I force myself to think hard, I can always think of at least something. And doing so helps me to go to bed with a grateful heart.

Another benefit I have found from it is because I start each sentence with “Thank-you for……….” it helps me to take any credit or pride I may have been feeling from any of those situations and to turn them into praise to the One to whom praise is due.

Hopefully writing down these examples of God’s abundant goodness will help me to remember them, despite my “post-pregnancy brain,” giving me opportunity someday to share them as a testimony to His beautiful love.

I was so excited when I found this notebook! It is bound nicely so the pages won’t fall out and it has some of my favorite colors. And the quote, “Show me a day when the world wasn’t new” seemed perfect for a thankfulness journal. I couldn’t find a price for it, so I asked the cashier if she could tell me how much it was, and when it rung up for just over $2 (clearance!!! wooo hooo!!!) I told her I’d take it. Her response? “You’d be ridiculous not to!”

I also loved the print on the inside cover!

Oh- I wanted to warn you- I may be a little quiet on the Blog-Front this week. No, I’m not lost in the Trader Joe’s parking lot, wondering which planet I’m on. I’m actually very busy planning for a special, fun event I am hosting at my house Friday night. I am super, SUPER excited about it (AHHHHHHH!!!!!!) and I can’t wait to share with you the details when it is all done! I’m thinking that a few of you might receive a little inspiration from it!

Somewhere All Bright and New

My sophomore year at Calvin I spent a semester studying in Spain. During that time I had the amazing experience of spending 4 whole weeks traveling through Europe, 2 of them mostly by myself. I hadn’t intended to travel alone and at first was really nervous about it, but it ended up being an awesome step in building my faith. I saw it as, “Okay, God, its just you and me,” and I really felt His presence, guidance and protection throughout those 2 weeks in incredible ways. I, of course, had no travel plan, so I would hop on a train, pray about where I should go next, and I would get off in random towns and start looking for a hostel to sleep in, praying that God would lead me where He wanted me. It was crazy. Insane. But beautiful. I met wonderful people and I have great memories of biking through the countryside in the Netherlands amongst the windmills, making up songs and singing them out loud, rollerblading along the French Riviera, hiking in Switzerland with a big loaf of bread, a chunk of brie and a huge bar of Swiss chocolate, touring the Anne Frank house, riding on a dinner boat cruise down the beautiful Rhine River in Germany, staying in the home of people I had just met, climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, etc. I could spend a few weeks just telling you stories from my travels. And some of them you might not even believe.

I found that getting off the train in new places, hearing different languages, trying new foods, observing new cultures, seeing beauty all around me…….made me feel alive.

And as a mom, I find that one thing that helps me maintain my colorfulness is to go to different places on a regular basis.

For some odd reason, Nick didn’t like the idea of me taking off every month to travel to a different country, so I’ve had to make do with what’s around me. Driving 3 hours to Carmel By the Sea every year for my birthday, taking the BART into SanFrancisco for the day, driving to Sonoma through the breathtaking vineyards, going to Walnut Creek or Davis…..even just bringing the kids downtown Vacaville or Fairfield to get a treat from a local bakery and walk around, looking at the cute little shops and beautiful old houses. I find that doing this is good for my soul. Being in new places inspires me and excites me.

So last Monday, when my kids didn’t have school, I felt that familiar urge to go somewhere. Last minute tickets to Argentina were too high and my ever practical husband didn’t think I would be back on time to get the kids to school the next morning, so I had to settle for Benicia. After a decadent breakfast of thick homemade waffles, Grace, Andrew and I left Nick and Harrison happily building a Lego table in the garage, and we had the most lovely little “vacation”.

Benicia is a charming little town on the bay, not far from our house. They have a wonderful, thriving little downtown full of antique and vintage shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. And something about being by water just DOES something for me. It allows me to breathe a little deeper. Think a little clearer. Feel God’s beauty and presence all around me.

Here are a few pictures of our wonderful day and a few of the things I saw that inspired my color-beauty lovingness.

 

Are you feeling a need to be inspired?

Pick a town or area you’ve never been to, haven’t been to for awhile, or just one that you love. Grand Haven, South Haven, GasLight Village, East Town, Downtown Holland, Downtown Ada, Saint Joe. Pack up your stroller, sandwiches and fruit, lots of water, and books for the kids. And call it a vacation! Get yourself a yummy coffe, find something fun for the kids to do, like watching ducks in a pond, making up names for boats in the marina, throwing rocks into the water, finding a gift for someone in a thrift shop, playing in a new park, riding bikes or scooters on a new path. Find them a special treat- maybe a doughnut or cookie at a local bakery or frozen yogurt.

And look for God’s beauty all around you.

Its there.

And when you get back home, you’ll realize its there, too. Sometimes you just need to get refreshed to see it.

PS: The title of this post comes from one of my very favorite songs, Wild Flowers by Tom Petty. It is one of my theme songs.

Not Between Me and Them Anyway

Today I wanted to share with you my very favorite quote of all time, which happens to be by Mother Teresa. I hope it affects you as much as it did me!

Words To Live By

People are often

unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,

people may accuse you of

ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest,

people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness,

people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today

may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end,

it is between you and God.

It never was between

You and Them anyway.

Mother Teresa

When I was teaching Spanish in a small Catholic school in Michigan, I found this poem in my mailbox and when I read it a huge weight lifted from me and sparkly, colorful lights burst through the air. I loved it instantly. These words apply to every area of life, but I think they’re very fitting for parenting.

Like anything else in life, there are so many conflicting views as to how we’re supposed to parent. And for each conflicting view, you can find a book (probably well written and convincing) supporting that idea.

For example, a new mom is wondering the best way to care for her baby.

If she reads “Baby Wise,” she’ll be told that she needs to keep her baby on a rigid schedule, never feeding him early no matter how hungry he seems, never taking him into her bed, letting him cry at night to train him to sleep, etc.

However, if she reads “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” she’ll hear the complete opposite. “Never let your baby cry. Sleep with her at night, keeping her close. Feed her whenever she’s hungry.”……… And both books are very popular and highly acclaimed……….ahhh!!!! What’s a new mom to do???? (I have never actually read either, but I have heard wonderful moms rave about both.)

I absolutely believe that God can speak to us through the wisdom of other people. There is definitely a place for having mentors and learning through other mom’s experiences. God has given some people the gift of vast biblical knowledge and amazing wisdom, and we can be very blessed by receiving from them. The Lord has blessed me by placing close friends in my life who are excellent mothers and I have learned a TON from watching their example. I have also learned a lot from Bible Studies and books for Christian moms.

However, the problem comes when we look to those people- the authors/friends/critics/wise advisers for our absolute approval. We should prayerfully consider their advice, taking into consideration that every baby and child and home is different and has different needs. But we need to remember that all of these opinions we’re hearing are just that. Opinions. By imperfect, fallen human beings, doing their best to make sense of this imperfect, fallen world. We need to remember that in the end, the only One we will really be answering to is God.

So in all of the many, many little daily decisions we need to make as parents, if we are prayerfully submitting our parenting to Him and trying our best to please Him in all that we do, we can feel at peace. And we can silence all of those voices all around us regarding:

*discipline (“Spank that kid!” / “NEVER spank that kid!”)

*keeping up your house (“A good mom always keeps a perfect home!” / “A good mom lets her kids be as messy as they want!”)

*schooling (“Kids should have no schedule. Let them learn naturally as life happens, but don’t push anything!”/ “Kids need rigid routine. They learn best from parent- directed lessons!”)

*feeding your family (“What??!!! You’re feeing your child vegan??? But he needs MEAT!!!”)

*dressing your children (“Have them looking perfect every minute!” /“Let them wear whatever the heck they want!”)

*“sleep training” your baby (“Let him cry!!!”/ “Don’t let him cry!!!)

 

My desire is that in the end, when we stand before our King, we’ll hear Him say to us,

“Well done, good and faithful servant (mama).”

And we’ll smile and say, “I KNEW it was never between me and them anyway!”

All for Him

I recently had the opportunity to travel to New York City. BY MYSELF. Traveling through the airport alone was a rare, magical treat. If you’ve ever traveled across the country with young kids, you know it ain’t no cake walk. Two summers ago, I had to make my way back to California from Michigan alone with my 5 1/2 and 4 year olds. It was a disaster. Grace wasn’t strong enough to pull her own suitcase, so I, with my big pregnant belly, had to pull 2 suitcases, not to mention the 3 backpacks I was wearing on my back and chest. During our layover we stopped to get pizza for lunch, and the kids were being really loud and wild, tackling each other on the ground. I warned them that if they kept acting like this, we would no longer be getting the dessert we had talked about. So we finally get the pizza and sit down right there and eat it on the floor, since I didn’t see how we could move anywhere with all of our gear. But right when we begin to eat, of course Grace has to go to the bathroom. Of course. I’m looking at all of our luggage and the big pizza box, wondering how I’m going to manage. I balance the pizza box on the suitcases and slowly make my way to the bathroom. The bathroom is out of order. Of course. So then we have to walk all the way across the airport to find another restroom. Remember my big pregnant belly? I’m just making sure you have a proper picture in your mind. Well, the kids are fighting and rough housing the whole way, so I tell them that they are no longer getting dessert. We use the bathroom and eat the pizza on the floor outside of it. Totally stressed out and frazzled, on the way to our gate I see a Johnny Rockets and decide that even though the kids lost their dessert privilege, I most definitely had earned mine. So I buy myself a huge, delicious $5 chocolate malt. But we’re running out of time, and I knew it would be wiser to get to the gate first and then indulge myself. The problem was, there was no way I could balance the malt on the suitcases the way I had done with the pizza, and I tried having Grace pull her suitcase again, but it just wasn’t working. So I trusted her to carry my malt.  My precious malt. I instructed her to walk slowly and to use two hands. She made it almost the whole way, but when we were almost there, with our gate in sight, she tripped. And my well earned treat when splashing ALL over! There was chocolate malt all over Grace and all over the floor. Do I keep my composure? Do I tell her its okay- accidents happen? Do I laugh it off? No. I start CRYING. Like, all out sobbing. I just couldn’t take it anymore. All these really sweet ladies come to my rescue and help me clean up, telling me that they could well remember “those days”, and as they’re assuring me not to feel so bad about the mess, I tell them through my tears, “I’m not worried about the mess. I just really wanted that malt!” One thing I love about being pregnant is that you can actually get away with ridiculous stuff like that. “Oh, that poor pregnant girl with those crazy pregnant hormones.” The only thing that got me through the rest of the trip was that my sister was texting me, trying to get me to spill our baby’s name, and I finally texted her back an outrageous name, explaining to her why we had chosen it and why it was special to us and she totally bought it! So that at least kept me laughing through my frustration. But it was still a very long day.

Hopefully this gives you at least a little bit of an idea of why, a year and a half later, I was so looking forward to my 2 full days of traveling alone. So before hand I decided I wanted to make good use of the opportunity and dedicate part of my quiet traveling time to a little personal retreat with the Lord. I wanted to focus on Him and His will for my life. So on the plane I was writing in my prayer journal and reading a great book that shows me how to pray using scripture. At one point I was prayerfully writing out my goals for 2012 (this was only a week after the new year had begun), looking to God for His direction for me. And I came across a verse that really stuck out to me, and I now have it hanging on the window above the kitchen sink with the words “My goal for 2012” underneath. It says “O Lord my God, may I fear you, walk in all your ways, love you and serve you with all my heart and with all my soul.” Deut. 10:12. I love this verse and it has become one of my theme verses for this new year.

It just so happened that soon after, I had to give a childrens sermon at church on what it means to fear God. I did a little research on the word and found that in Hebrew the word actually means standing in awe of and elevating. So I’ve been trying to find ways that I can better fear God, humbling myself before Him every day while taking time to praise Him while I’m walking home from school under the glorious blue skies, surrounded by the beautiful hills that He has created, listening to worship music during the day while I’m doing my chores, helping me to worship Him through my every day life. Elevating Him.

I’m also trying to focus more on walking in His ways, loving Him and serving Him through faithfully loving and serving my family. Even when I’m tired. Even when I’d rather be working on an art project or reading a good book. I recently read the lovely  book, “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters,” to Grace, in which a kind girl is approached by a snake, a young boy, and an elderly woman and she treats them all with grace and generosity. In the end, it turns out that all 3 of them were actually the king, and because of her kindness to these lowly beings, he chooses her to be his wife. It made me think of Matthew 25:  34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’   37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

I love thinking that when we’re cooking a healthy dinner for our families, we’re actually doing it for the Lord. When we’re caring for a sick child all day, ignoring our previously made plans, we’re actually doing it for the Lord. Laundry, driving back and forth to school, grocery shopping, scrubbing the bathrooms, disciplining………it is all for Him. And for me, that changes everything.

Several months later I announced that there was no way I would be going home that summer. After everything I had just gone through, I couldn’t imagine doing it again…..this time with a BABY added to the mix. So my amazing sister flew all the way to California, just to travel to Michigan with us! She was the perfect travel companion and a true life saver! I even got to enjoy a Frappucino…..without having it sploshed all over!

Mama Ain’t Happy

Last Saturday didn’t get off to a very good start. I left at 7:30am with Grace and Andrew on a walk and we had a pleasant time checking out a couple of garage sales and picking up milk from Safeway. I made sure to get home a little before 9:00 so I could get Andrew downfor anap on time and so I could make our traditional “Saturday Yummy Special Breakfast,” which is normally either pancakes or waffles and sometimes omelets or french toast. But when we approached our house, I was worried when I saw that the van was gone! What? Nick NEVER leaves the house before 9- especially on a Saturday! And especially with Harrison! Praying hard, I tried the door and found what I feared- LOCKED. I climbed over the gate and tried all of the sliders and windows. LOCKED. How long did we have to wait outside that morning? Over an hour and a half. Yes, Nick didn’t come home until after 10:30. 10:30! Now, I wish I could sit here and tell you that I took the lemons that life threw at me and made lemonade. That Grace and I had a dance party in the front yard. That we had a blast playing hide and seek. That I spent the whole time sharing my favorite Bible verses with her and helping her memorize them. That I practiced Spanish with her. And that when Nick got home I gave him a big hug, laughingly saying, “I’m so glad you’re home! What a funny misunderstanding! You assumed I would bring a house key on my walk at 7:30am, and I assumed that you would still be here, like you always are! This is just HILARIOUS! Ha ha ha ha! Now lets go enjoy pancakes together like a happy family!” But if I were to tell you all of those things, we’d have to change the name of this blog to “Mama Lies.” The truth is, I hadn’t had breakfast before my walk since I was anticipating making pancakes right when I got back, so my stomach was growling and hurting from hunger. I was crampy and in pain and hadn’t taken an ibuprofen. Andrew had a stinky diaper and was fussy from not getting his nap at his normal time. Andrew kept trying to walk into the street. All of my plans for the day had gone up in smoke, and I was NOT happy. I was begrudgingly pulling the boy out of the road with an unhappy look on my face, constantly staring at the road, hoping and praying to see our blue mini van cruising towards me. I was M-A-D. But then at one point, Grace sighed and dramatically said, “This is the worst day of my life!”

I realized at that moment that my bad attitude was affecting her and I did NOT like what I was seeing. So I tried really hard to reverse the atmosphere, saying, “I have an idea! Lets say all the things we’re thankful for in this situation! And think of all the ways this could be worse!” We came up with things like, “We’re so glad its not raining,” “We could be sitting out in the middle of a snowstorm”, “We’re so thankful that we have a nice warm house that we KNOW we’re going to be inside of at SOME point today” (Please, God, PLEASE let it be today. Please don’t tell me Nick found a great deal on some hand tool and took off to Oregon to pick it up or something.) “We’re so thankful that we have a kind, gentle husband and daddy who would never lock us out on purpose,”, etc, etc. But unfortunately that effort didn’t last very long, and I was soon back to staring at the road. I had been praying about my attitude, and I had resolved that when Nick got home I was going to take all responsibility for not bringing a key, and I was going to be quiet. I was really going to do this. Really. Why then, did I immediately start informing him of the fact that I never bring a key when I go walking early in the morning when he’s still in bed, and that if he’s going to leave when I’m out walking that he needs to leave the house unlocked? And why couldn’t I at least have said it in a nice voice? I felt like Paul when he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, and what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15. Its encouraging to know that one of Jesus’ most passionate followers and one of the most successful evangelists of all times also did things totally opposite to what he wanted to do. But its still frustrating when I know that my responses to things aren’t right, but I do them anyway. My thoughts went to my blog, and I thought to myself, “Man, here I call myself “Colorful Mama,” and then I’m presented with one little challenge, and I can’t even respond with a smile and a good attitude? Maybe I should change the title to “The Ticked off Mama,” “The Black and Gray Mosaic” or “Thunderstorms in Motherhood.”

I WANT to be someone that embraces whatever happens in life and makes something good from it, but sometimes I just screw up. Recently my dear friend included in her e-mail to me this verse, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 These words are comforting to me because they remind me that even when I make mistakes and I don’t act like the mom or wife that I so deeply desire to be, that its okay, because this is why Jesus came. He didn’t come for the moms that have it totally together every minute of every day. He died because He knew that we would have troubles. He knew that we would sin. Even against our precious children and dear husbands.  And if we repent before Him, we’re completely forgiven! We’re given another chance to start over and try again. Thank-you, thank-you, Jesus!!!

Later that afternoon, when I was still wallowing in my bad mood and I was about to totally, totally lose it upon listening to my kids fighting and screaming at each other and trying to keep my busy toddler out of my home beautifying project in the family room, which I couldn’t work on while he was awake, but resulted in the entire room being turned upside down (my house out of order always raises my anxiety level.) So before I had a huge mommy tantrum, I took a deep breath, went into my room and put on one of my favorite outfits (this always raises my spirits,) made myself a steaming travel mug full of my favorite chai tea with lots of milk and honey, packed some ice water and fruit and announced to the kids, “Use the bathroom, put on your shoes and put your scooters and helmets in the van! We’re leaving!” Not telling them where we were going, I drove to the marina in Suisun and it was JUST what we all needed. Being surrounded by the gorgeous hills, looking out over the calm water, breathing in the crisp air under the clear blue skies, I suddenly got a proper perspective of things. This is a beautiful world. I have beautiful kids. Even though my day didn’t go how I had meticulously planned it out, we’re all still alive. We’re okay. I got to watch my kids tearing on their scooters, delighting in checking out the big boats, watching the duck hunters launch their little camo boats into the water, observing the fisherman catching fish. It was a fun little outing and just what we needed to reverse the downward sliding of the day into the gutter.

Thank-you, Jesus for still loving and forgiving me, even when I’m not the Colorful Mama that I long to be. And thank-you for always giving me another chance to see and reflect your beauty.

This Too Shall Pass

This Too Shall Pass

One of my very favorite movie quotes, which I often apply to parenting comes from My Best Friend’s Wedding. You may know the scene- Julia Roberts’ character is slumped on the floor in the beautiful hotel hallway, feeling remorseful and downright awful for what she has done. When the janitor, Richard (can you tell I’ve seen this movie WAY too many times???) asks her to put out her cigarette, she tells him to make a citizens arrest because she is a dangerous person who “does bad things to good people.” Richard takes pity on her, takes a puff from her cigarette, and shares with her a quote his grandmother used to say: “This too shall pass.”

This too shall pass.This quote has stuck with me through a lot of life’s ugly situations. But I find it especially helpful with the hard stages that we all go through as parents.

*Up all night with a screaming newborn? This Too Shall Pass

*Up all night with an uncomfortable teething toddler?  This Too Shall Pass

*Siblings bickering and fighting all day? This Too Shall Pass

*Little Tyke cars, legos, dress up clothes and spilled crayons and markers cluttering the floors that you long to keep neat and tidy? This Too Shall Pass

*Wishing you could see your backyard through your slider without finger prints and mud globs blocking your view? This Too Shall Pass

*Longing to peacefully browse through a magazine in the grocery check out lane instead of trying to keep young children quiet and content, passing out cheerios and drinks like a crazy woman? This too Shall Pass

*Potty training, bed wetting, nose picking, booger picking? This Too Shall Pass

There are a lot of hard stages that kids go through and at the time it seems like they will never end. But they will. They do. And, sadly, so will all of the wonderful parts. Rocking a warm, healthy, chubby baby in the middle of the night, smelling the sweet baby smell in his hair and loving it that I am the one who can give him the comfort and security he needs. Someday he won’t fit on my lap and I’ll probably long for those cuddly nights back. (Well, okay, I DO love my sleep, so maybe this was a bad example.) Brushing long, wet, unruly curly hair every morning as we rush to get out the door to make it to school on time. Someday she’ll do her own hair and won’t let me choose which bow or headband looks best with her cute dress. I’ll miss that. Sitting on the couch on a rainy afternoon cuddling with all 3 kids under a blanket sharing with them my favorite Shel Silverstein poems, seeing their laughter and delight at hearing “Sick” for the first time. Having a little hand to hold to cross the street. Being able to cease tears with a Dora bandaid.

Parenting is hard. But take heart that each trying moment and phase will pass. But instead of wishing away this whole wonderful time of my life, waiting for things “to pass”, I’m trying to look for the vibrantly colorful moments each day- the ones that are wonderful, peaceful, fun, hilarious, heartwarming. One thing that has helped me keep perspective as a mom is to keep a journal for each of my children, starting during pregnancy. It is so incredible to look back at my thoughts during pregnancy, all of the little details of the labor, the babies getting their first teeth and doing everything for their first time, funny quotes they said, sweet moments and difficult stages they went through. I’m amazed when I read about really hard phases that I now have completely forgotten. Completely. But at the time they seemed to drag on forever and I wondered if they would still be doing these things as adults. I just read in Grace’s book, July 10, ’07 “You have begun doing something naughty! Up until now you have always gone to bed perfectly, but a couple weeks ago you’ve starting this new thing- we tuck you in and you’re laying there nicely when we leave, but then a few minutes later you start yelling. We go back in and you’re thrown your pacifier on the ground and you want it back! Right when we come in you start laughing and rocking back and forth like its the best game you’ve ever played! Sometimes you’ll do it 10 times before going to sleep!” I totally had forgotten that she did that! In Harrison’s journal I found, April 5, ’07 “You’ve just started this really frustrating thing. You scream “AHHHH!” really loudly into Gracie’s face! It scares her every time and she cries hysterically, and then you wait until she calms down and you do it again! The worst part is you often do it in the car, so we can’t give you a time-out or do anything about it.” I had totally forgotten that too! But now that I think about it, I can remember feeling extremely frustrated and driving around really angry with a scowl on my face. I was probably imagining him still doing it in high school. But it passed.

There are 2 Bible verses that I have clung to during my recent mothering years. One is “Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will receive a harvest if you don’t give up.” Galatians 6:10  I love the idea that everything we do as moms- laundry, disciplining, cooking, cleaning…..it is all DOING GOOD. And I love to think of my harvest as my children growing up to love and serve the Lord. That would be the best harvest I can imagine reaping. I actually thought about using “Harvest Reapers” as the title of this blog, but for some reason it kept making me think of a horror movie, and that’s not exactly the feel I was going for.

The other verse that helps me so much as a mom is “Therefore, dear brothers(sisters) stand firm. Let nothing move you. Never stop giving yourself fully  to the work of the Lord, for we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:58

This encourages me so much that again, all of the seemingly little things we do around the house are actually something so much bigger- they are the work of the Lord! They are not in vain! I actually also considered naming this blog “Not in Vain,” but I wanted something a little more fun.

Sister, I want you to feel encouraged today that all of the hard work you do is actually work for the Lord and it is not in vain. The hard moments will pass and the hard work you are doing has eternal significance! You are raising up warriors and princesses for Him! You go, girl! Have a blessed, colorful day, dear Mama!

Do you have a Bible verse that has encouraged you in your parenting? I’d love to hear it! Please leave the verse and why you like it as a comment below. Next Saturday I’m going to choose one response at random to win a $5 Starbucks gift card so you can take a little break and enjoy your favorite drink! And if you post this on facebook and leave a separate comment telling me that you did so, you’ll have an extra chance to win that latte with whipped cream!