Embracing the Seasons

I bounced a fussing baby on my hip as I hurried around the house, collecting a bottle, burp cloth and change of clothes. Glancing at the clock, I realized that we needed to be left in 5 minutes if we were going to make it to soccer practice on time! One child was still looking for their water bottle and the other was upset that their favorite shorts were no where to be found. My patience was wearing thin, and the baby's whines changes to wails. "Just hurry up and put SOMETHING on!" I snapped to the frustrated 5 year old. "We don't have time to find your shorts! Put something on! Anything."  Inwardly, I wondered at my sanity for thinking it would be fun for the children to play soccer. Getting out of the house with a baby in tow requires some effort, not to mention having to make sure both children have all their soccer gear along!

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot and unloaded what felt like a days' worth of belongings. We slid into a bench, just in the nick of time, and I let out a sigh of relief! After the children headed to the field, I began chatting with another mom who was sitting near me. Her youngest daughter, who was playing soccer, was 11 years old. She also had two older children, in their twenties. She smiled wistfully at me and my baby, who was chewing anything she could get her hands on. “I remember those days”, she said. We talked about homeschooling and how quickly the years fly by. Her children are now in college, miles away from her home.
 She seemed to have happy memories of those busy years when they were little, and she was their mother and teacher. I tried to picture my life in 15 years, when my oldest is 22, and suddenly I wanted to just freeze time! The chaos of leaving for a soccer game felt smaller, somehow, as my perspective on this season momentarily shifted. Because that’s the reality: I don’t get it all. One day, my house will stay cleaner and I won’t be constantly changing diapers, breaking up fights and teaching letters. But I won’t get those sweet childish hugs and see the wonder in their eyes when they start to read or watch them take their first step! This is my season, the hard and the wonderful, and I get to choose how I live it.

As the leaves turned from golden hues and fell to the ground, leaving naked trees behind them, I found myself resisting the change. I’m not ready for the cold to set in, and the darkness that comes so early in the evening! I longed for color and beauty for just a few more weeks, please. But I don’t choose these things; I choose what I do with the long winter days. Instead, I think about how to declutter the junk that magically collects in closets and drawers, and find a few minutes to paint or play piano when I would have been working outside in the summer. I embrace the urge to slow down and focus on creating a cozy space indoors. Each season can be beautiful, although I have to convince myself of the fact quite frequently in January and February!

One thing I have learned in my 35 years of life is that whether good or bad, no season lasts forever. Motherhood - and all of life - is also part of the cycle of seasons: always changing, never stagnant. And while I have moments that I would love to escape my reality, (aka: fighting siblings and babies that don’t nap) there are so many others that I wish I could capture forever.
So I lean into this season, with its sacrifices as well as its wonder, praying for grace and for eyes to see the blessings that are all around me. This is my season, and I embrace it, with joy!

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What I Learned during the Fourth Trimester

Until recently, I wasn't familiar with the term "fourth trimester",
and would probably have looked at you like you were crazy if you had asked me how that particular season was going!
It goes without mentioning that most of us are more than ready to be DONE with pregnancy by the end of the third trimester!
Since Tirzah arrived 5 weeks early, I skipped over part of that final stage!
But we all go through the next phase, whether or not the baby arrives early.
Typically, the fourth trimester is considered the 3 month time frame after the baby's birth.
I can hardly believe it, but we are just ending that phase as she celebrates 3 months earth-side today!
As I look back on these last 12 weeks, there are several things that I've learned - or maybe I should say "re-learned", since this is my third child!

1. Exhaustion is a real thing. Rest as often as possible!
I was so blessed with family and friends who offered to keep our two oldest children so I could sleep when the baby slept.
It was the best gift!

2. Vitamins are your best friend.
If you're one of those people who think vitamins are only for health nuts, hear me out! After giving birth, your body suddenly stops producing hormones that were necessary for the development of the baby. You are healing from said birth and producing nourishment for a tiny (albeit very hungry!) little human, all while being seriously depleted of sleep! A good prenatal vitamin is so important for you and your baby. Omega 3's are vital for brain health and aid in relaxation. I used a plant-based one that had Omegas 3, 6, 9, 5 and 7 in it! B12 is also wonderful in combatting those baby blues.

3. Accept help.
I think most of us have had great training in what it means to be a responsible adult, and that is such a good thing! But it can make it harder to admit that you do need help, and gracefully accept it when it is given. If a friend offers to come do your laundry and cook dinner, let her! And thank God if you have the gift of family close by, like I do! I had to swallow my pride when Tirzah was born, because I simply wasn't ready. The nursery wasn't even set up! But our family and friends stepped in and cleaned the house, including the refrigerator (which was an absolute disgrace!) and set up the nursery. My parents took down the Christmas decor and helped us get settled in. Friends brought delicious food. And I realized again what a beautiful gift community really is!

4. Remember that this is a phase.
My Mom has a simple piece of advice when I feel overwhelmed: "This too shall pass."
And she's right!
When  you wonder if you will ever get a full night's sleep again or the baby will ever move past their growth spurt and actually stay full longer than 1 hour, know that it will happen!

5. Trust your instincts.
Whether you're making a decision about sleep training, vaccinations or baby wearing, you will find there are as many opinions as there are people!
It can feel overwhelming, but as the mother of your child, you have a sense for what is best for your baby.
Every baby is different, and what works for another mama may not work for you...
and that is okay!

6. Enjoy your baby!
After having had 2 babies, I had an idea about how fast they really grow. But it still amazes me just how quickly they pass through each phase! Those precious newborn snuggles are THE BEST, and I cherish them even more because I know they don't last. I'm trying to savor the little grunts when she's eating, the way her chubby hand wraps around my finger and the softness of her cheeks.
I only get this chance once to enjoy her as a newborn,
and I'm soaking it up!

Currently

Hello friends!

Has anyone else out there felt like they've been in a whirlwind the last two months, or was it just me?

Between several out-of-state trips, camping, canning, a family wedding and harvest,

I feel like my projects have all been buried under a pile of chaos and memories.

But it's time to resurrect them! (the projects, I mean)

I find that my soul needs space to create and just be.

Can I get an amen?

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post about some of my current favorite things.

Current reads:

This book by Ruth Chou Simons is beautiful, both visually and spiritually. Her paintings

are lovely, and her testimony of how to choose grace in the everyday

is so encouraging to me.

You can order the book here. 

Current Project:

After purchasing a dresser on Facebook Marketplace (who else is addicted to shopping on here?!)

I decided it's time for me to learn the art of chalk paint.

I'm just a little nervous about this, but it's supposed to be fool-proof. Ahem.

All I can say is, I'll be calling all of you who persuaded me to try this if it's not! 😉

I'm just hoping that I can make it look better in real life

 than it does in my head right now!

Current cravings:

Velvety Chai Tea

I crave this tea, and I love that it has so many health benefits as well!

I make mine with some variations, using MCT oil instead of coconut oil and I skip the butter.

This is also good when you add a bag of oolong tea along with the vanilla chai!

Current Struggle:

Can someone tell me how many tubs of children's clothing I should have in my attic?

Because I'm fairly certain I've exceeded the limit!

Also, how did I end up with 8 pairs of winter pajamas for Nicholas?!

The struggle is real, you guys.

Currently noticing:

The big and small ways that God has been answering my specific prayer to see His heart of love for me. I long to be rooted in His love, because everything else flows from this foundation.

So I simply asked Him to open my eyes so I could truly experience

this love in a deeper way.

It's been incredible to see that prayer being answered!

Currently listening to:

This podcast by Risen Motherhood is so relevant, inspiring and challenging to me.

I only recently jumped on the bandwagon, and found out how much I love a good podcast!

I would love to hear what your favorites are!

Currently loving:

The watercolor markers I bought on Jane.com for myself as a birthday present!

(Please tell me you do this, too!)

I have more control with this marker style than I do with a paintbrush,

but it functions just like a watercolor should.

I kind of feel like a kid with a new coloring book!



Current Dreams

Travel.
A day or two away with my husband, since I've only seen him
for short periods of time the last few weeks.
Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll read this and plan something! ha
A day away with girlfriends, with no responsibilities, uninterrupted time to talk,
and lots of good food. (A good time always involves good food. Am I right?)
A girl can dream!

Current Inspiration:

Seeing the light in my child's eyes when they discover something new,

or master a difficult concept.

Homeschooling was never in my plans,

but one thing I have learned is that God often changes our plans!

I find it fulfilling to teach my children, 

but it also makes me so much more aware of my inadequacies.

I'm glad we just get one day at a time!

And that's my list, for the moment!

Goodness knows it will probably change in a week 😊

What is inspiring you today?

Of Extraordinary Beauty in an Ordinary Day

It was a typical September Sunday afternoon.

I was weary after a long week of harvest, and could hardly wait to enjoy a deliciously long nap.

But two certain little children had no interest in sleeping,

and it soon became apparent I may as well forget those dreams!

They begged me to come outside and play,

so I let them drag me along,

still wishing for my bed.

They spotted the trees next to the hammock, and decided they wanted to try to climb them.

And I realized I needed my camera to document the moment!

They quickly discovered that climbing the tree was actually much easier than

 figuring out how to come back down! 

Thankfully, I was close by to answer their loud hollers for help!

Eddie had to spend some time working, but he joined us for game of kickball:

a favorite summer game of ours.

The girls soundly beat the boys, mostly because the youngest player didn't understand

that he was supposed to run the bases and usually managed to get out!

But we all had a great time.

Then came lots of cool tricks on the bikes,

for which he removed his shirt. Can we say CUTE?!

Never mind that we are too big to ride a trike.

It's much more fun that way!

Next, they wanted to E X P L O R E.

And I found this beautiful butterfly!

Climbing the fence is the best part, obviously.

They wandered all over the pasture...

...picked some lovely flowers for me!

and then decided that the cows just might come back into the pasture,

and that would be scary,

so they had better hurry and climb back over the fence!

And somewhere along the way,

my frustration melted away.

It was still an ordinary Sunday,

but in their childish joy, they helped me discover a day full of extraordinary beauty.

A Child Shall Lead Them

It was one of those days. I had plenty of things to cross off of my to-do list, and was anxious for a nap but a certain toddler had no interest in taking one. Apparently, his 20 min snooze while riding with his Papa was just enough to keep his busy little self going. A drive around the neighborhood made his sister nod off, but he chattered away in the backseat.
The afternoon flew by with preparations for a trifle I was supposed to take, and a devotional I was asked to give at a combined baby/bridal shower for my sisters-in-law that evening. After bathing, dressing and combing the children (and myself), I gathered sippy cups, gifts, notes and my dessert. In the middle of it all, the kiddos escaped outside and started playing. I was so irritated! The last thing I needed was dirty children that needed a change of clothing! I hollered at them to come get in the vehicle, impatient to get going. I knew I wasn't being kind and I felt sorry about that, but frustration ruled. We got loaded up and headed back the lane to pick up a sister-in-law, while guilt plagued my mind. I knew I needed to make things right with my children for how I mis-handled the last few (frustrating) hours. I told them that I was sorry for how I spoke and asked for their forgiveness, which they readily gave!
Everything went smoothly at the shower, and before long we were on our way home again. Somehow, the subject came up again and Hadassah said "You shouldn't be frustrated! That isn't a good mother!" Her words were like a knife to my heart. I knew it was true, and it hurt deeply to know that my actions hurt her! But I wasn't prepared for what happened next. She volunteered to pray for me "right here in the vehicle"! And she did. It was the sweetest prayer, asking God to bless me and help me not to be frustrated and make me a good mother. She said something silly and then giggled, while I sniffed and wiped some tears from my eyes.
God met me there that night, in the heartfelt prayer of my child. Sometimes, He uses a child to lead me.