simply superb

Saturday.

snapshot style.

wordless wednesday

perception

Before I was a Mother.

I spent much of my early childhood mothering dolls, and playing house. As a young adult, I read many parenting books and I worked with children. Actually, I have been around children most of my life. My Mom did in-home-daycare. I baby-sat often. Into my early twenties I was a Nanny, I worked at a daycare, and a Pre-Kindergarden. Then! My husband and I got pregnant! I was thrilled as I anticipated the fact that I was fully prepared with the best tools to be a great mother.

My child would never whine excessively, throw fits, or yell. I would always know how to discipline like a pro with my acquired skills. This is really what I thought as I walked the halls [with my large pregnant belly in tow] at the preschool where I worked. I was 23, and BOY, did God have a wake-up call coming for me!

I'm so glad He did.

With each new season God has for me, I've learned that God reveals new area's I need to grow in. I found that the beauty of parenthood is really the sharpening of self. Myself. [Of course, not that we ever reach perfection in ourselves or our children.]

In the pre-school classroom: I spent 8 hours, 5 days per week sowing into precious children's lives. I disciplined with skills I had been taught from teachers more experienced than myself. I was able to devote 100% of my attention to those precious little faces. At the end of the day I put my papers in the drawer, sprayed the tables, stacked chairs, turned off the light and locked the door. Done.

Then I got into my car, and went on with my personal life.

It's not this cut and dry anymore. I must tend to personal matters and often 'round-the-clock care for both our girls. God turned up the intensity. And it's beautiful! Really. At times, intensely difficult, but often simultaneously intensely beautiful and rich. Prayer has become like air, a matter of life and death. A necessity.

I have been humbled time and time, again. I now know that love covers a multitude of my wrongs. I've learned to be transparent, validate my daughter's questioning and respectfully ask for my daughters forgiveness when I wrong her.

I learn as I go. I strive every day to be consistent. I do put to good use many great discipline techniques. But, for the most part, I find my confidence in knowing that I won't reach perfection. Rather, God will be the Great in me.

God has sharpened me more than I was a year ago. I find rest in knowing that ultimately My girls belong to Him. And what an honor that He trusts me to raise them.

My blogging friend wrote this great post: http://mommymonkeyblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/you-go-mama.html

"Intense love does not measure, it just gives."
~ Mother Teresa

not me, monday!

The other day while cleaning out the car I most certainly did NOT allow my sweet 1-year-old to cry in the back door way. And, I did NOT wave to her with a big smile on my face hoping to calm her as I passed by the back of the car. I would never ignore my attention-craving toddler. Nope, NOT me.

As I was picking up the living room earlier, I did NOT sweep crumbs right on to the floor, and I especially did NOT kick them under the couch, I would never!

Before guests arrived a few nights ago, I did NOT fill an empty suitcase with unfolded clean clothes and toss it in the spare bedroom. Who would do this? NOT me.

I certainly did NOT bribe my spirited 4-Year-old with a sucker to calm her as I clipped her toes nails. I have full control of my child's behavior at all times. So, I would never resort to bribery, NOT me!

I always give my children healthy meals containing every food group, so, I did NOT give my girls cheese, trail mix and [just] bread for lunch yesterday. NOT I!

These jeans I have on today. It would NOT be my fourth time wearing them. My frequent same-pair-of-jeans wearing would have nothing to do with the large pile of unfolded clean laundry downstairs. Of course, NOT!

Happy Monday Everyone!

sister love

stream of consciousness

I adopted this concept from MckMama at: mycharmingkids.net. The idea is. That you write exactly what you think. Unedited. Without proper grammar. Or punctuation. So here goes.

I have had a nice low-key weekend with my three favorite people. It's been much needed. It was a busy week. My husband is graciously cooking us his second meal. YUM. The house smells amazing. My husband is amazing. He's studying in the bedroom. And I'm trying to be patient with the girls at the end of the day. I'm a bit bored. So are they. I played 'house' on the floor with the girls. I tried hard to stay enthusiastic. I think I did. I did laundry. Three loads so far. They will most likely never make it to the dressers and closets. Because they get worn first.

I'm thinking of a sweet couple tonight. Actually two couples. Who had to say goodbye to their first babies. Way too soon. So wrong. So. Sad. I pray for them as my heart gets stirred and words come to my mind. I feel so honored to reach out to others and offer some comfort as a result of the pain I have felt in the past. God is so cool like that.

We are blessed. We are. To have our health. And. Two little girls who get into everything. Someday I'll miss the messes. And long for the constant chatter and drama. I want to be present. God, please help me to soak in the treasures that surround me today.

I made it a point to be at eye level with my girls today. A lot. The wonder on their face captivates me. The way their lashes curl and the sparkle reflects from their eyes is so intricate. The way their hair sways [as they play] and presents various hues of the same color is evidence of a majestic Creator. I enjoy having a front row seat in their lives.

Nini is playing in the dog dish as I type this. Oh well. I lost my temper a few too many times today. My husband and children need so much support right now. Something. Every. Two. Minutes. But, I remember it's an Honor. It's the breaking down of me. Less of me. More of Him. Is the result. *sigh* Thank you, God for my current ordinary life. Filled with extraordinary moments. Each day is such a gift.

Nini met a new friend tonight:


Cleaning her face with a wet wipe.


Carefully wiping her nose.


A Kiss!


Smiling at her new friend.


Dip, Baby. Dip!

dashing through the snow