Alright moms...
some of you may love this. Some of you may not.
I had not seen the Time magazine photo/story until today. After hearing about it from some just plain disgusted grandmas, I checked it out for myself. I wanted to cry.
I felt as if something I feel so deeply about (breastfeeding) had been just torn to pieces.
I am an Attachment Parenting mom. I believe in it with ALL my heart. The first time I read Dr. Sears book, I had 3 children, was pregnant with #4 & felt like someone had heard my very heartbeat. I had never heard of Attachment Parenting (AP), but was relieved to know that what I "just felt was right", had a name!
Along with MY, personal AP style, comes things like baby wearing, co-sleeping, not having "babysitters", staying at home rather than working, homeschooling, home birth & of course breast feeding as long as is mutually enjoyable for mommy & baby. For me, this usually accompanies another pregnancy, but oh- how I long to nurse a baby to age 2!
So, today I see this magazine cover & I actually shed a tear. I understand normalizing things like birth & nursing. I am the greatest proponent of showing people what a natural birth is like (if they so choose) or for helping a mom learn about a natural way to feed her baby (if she wants to). Here's where I am sad...
Why does it have to be a slap in the face to other parenting styles. Why does this mother's choice mean that every other Attachment Parenting mom is "sexualizing" her child?! Can we all just get to the place where one parents' decision isn't so harshly judged? If you choose to nurse, YOU GO GIRL! We all know breast is best, but can we be honest about the fact that not every mom is at a place in her life where she can handle the 24-7 duty of full-time breast feeding? Some moms choose formula & in my opinion, as long as she's been offered the opportunity to nurse or is given all pros/cons... she should not be judged for that!
Why do we compare our decisions & judge each other based on them?! Even on a daily basis...
I recently posted on facebook about having such a great day as a mommy. My kids were sweet, we did school together, had fun outside. I got about 5 comments like "I love those days", "How sweet", "good for you"... & then one comment that says:
"on a day like I just had, your post makes me sick. It's really hard for me to read about your perfect day".
Well then DON'T! We all have good days & bad days! Why should a fellow mom (particularly one with 5 kids, who probably doesn't have these days often) ever be made to feel bad for having an awesome day?!
On the flip side, why should we judge another's BAD day by telling them a million reasons it could have been better!
"If you made your kids nap..."
"If you did school first thing..."
"If you quit caffeine..."
Blah, blah, blah!
My challenge to all the moms out there is this- Cut out the judgements! Every family, every mother, every situation & every child is different. If we feel strongly about a situation, there's always room to inform/be informed, but not everyone has to agree with you!
Seek the Lord on what's best for YOUR family!
Let Him judge each person for how they raised the babies they've been given...
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NIV)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Good News!
I discovered good news today!!
We started homeschooling this school year... we also had a baby this school year. Needless to say, between new baby adjustments and 1st year homeschooling adjustments, we got a little behind.
My amazing 5 year old is the "workbook queen", as I call her. She finished Kindergarten today. My 6 year old is right on track, but a little more of a perfectionist. He takes double the time because it has to be PERFECT!
I was POSITIVE he & I would be going into summer & maybe fall trying to wrap up 1st grade! It feels like we keep getting so off track! Thats where the good news comes in...
I decided (thanks for the encouragement, mom) to go through all his lessons, take out the unnecessary "busy work", and see what we REALLY had left. So...
If I do school 3 days a week, which let's face it- that's realistic, he only has 6 weeks to do this summer after we get back from vacation. PRAISE GOD! I thought we were gonna be into September or October!
Don't you just LOVE a good surprise like that every once in a while?!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Birthday Parties
I've gotten lots of questions lately about why I do such extravagant parties for my kids. Especially now that there are 5, it gets harder ever year to pull off birthday WEEK! But it's SO important to me!
Every year my children get another year older, it's another year I've been blessed by their life. So many babies' destinies are stolen from them through abortion before they've even had a chance to live. I see my kids' birthdays as another chance to BLESS them, celebrate their LIFE, & get excited for their DESTINY!
Also, we have 5 children. Let me tell ya, it's hard work to make sure everyone gets special one-on-one time each week. Their birthday is my way of telling them "the day you were born is as important to me as if you were the only one"! They pick meals, they pick activities, and they help plan every part of that party. It is a celebration of that child.
So, it might seem excessive to some, but it's a necessity to me. Its not about my party planning skills or showing off to other parents. It is truly about my kids. Now, I'm not gonna lie... I do have a pretty good time doing it! :)
Every year my children get another year older, it's another year I've been blessed by their life. So many babies' destinies are stolen from them through abortion before they've even had a chance to live. I see my kids' birthdays as another chance to BLESS them, celebrate their LIFE, & get excited for their DESTINY!
Also, we have 5 children. Let me tell ya, it's hard work to make sure everyone gets special one-on-one time each week. Their birthday is my way of telling them "the day you were born is as important to me as if you were the only one"! They pick meals, they pick activities, and they help plan every part of that party. It is a celebration of that child.
So, it might seem excessive to some, but it's a necessity to me. Its not about my party planning skills or showing off to other parents. It is truly about my kids. Now, I'm not gonna lie... I do have a pretty good time doing it! :)
Ladybug's Big Day
My little ladybug, Ester Pearl, just turned 2 a few weeks ago. I can hardly believe how big she is getting.
2 years ago, on March 17 (St. Patty's Day) I was at the hospital. It was early in the morning, and as I looked around our hospital room, I noticed little ladybugs all over. The nurses said that they've been "having a problem with these ladybugs & don't know where they're coming from." Well, I'm pretty sure God brought them just for me.
There are 2 things you have to know...
1.Ladybugs are protectors. They taste bad to predators, so as they land on certain crops of fruit, it protects that fruit from being eaten by an animal that might destroy it.
2. Ester's birth was my first "natural" birth. Meaning, no drugs. I had 3 beautiful babies born with an epidural, mainly because I was terrified of a natural birth. My 3rd had several complications (due to the epidural) & thank God, he came just before a C-Section would have been "necessary" as far as a hospital is concerned. I was positive drug-free is what I wanted, but I was still scared!!
So, those ladybugs were so reassuring. They were like God's little reminder that He was protecting me... & my baby!
It was a longer labor than my other 3. But I was determined to not let any nurses sway me. No pitocin this time!!!
I wish I had been brave enough to tell them I didn't want an IV too, because I couldn't really move around. Regardless, I laid in that bed (probably why labor was slow) and labored as naturally as I knew how. I breathed deeply. I stayed calm. I waited patiently.
We were watching a movie, when all of a sudden the contractions really picked up. My doctor was expecting it to be a few more hours & was delivering at another hospital, so my other OB (her partner) came instead. With 3 pushes, I delivered my baby girl. I was determined that afternoon to birth a baby & to feel the whole thing. It was not what I expected at all. The pain was tolerable. It was brief. And it was all worth it!
She was small & sweet. She only cried when separated from daddy or mommy. Best of all... she had red hair! Our first redhead!!! She was beautiful.
Now, 2 years later, this spunky little redhead is still a constant reminder of God's protection. She brings more life to our family than we knew before! She is funny, talkative & the cutest little ladybug I have ever laid eyes on. She doesn't put up with "unacceptable" behavior from her brothers. She's mommy's helper with her baby brother. She loves to color, fill purses, play dress up, & sword fight with the boys. But don't cross her, or she'll let you know.
Happy 2nd birthday, sweet girl! Our family would not be the same without you... or any of my babies, for that matter.
2 years ago, on March 17 (St. Patty's Day) I was at the hospital. It was early in the morning, and as I looked around our hospital room, I noticed little ladybugs all over. The nurses said that they've been "having a problem with these ladybugs & don't know where they're coming from." Well, I'm pretty sure God brought them just for me.
There are 2 things you have to know...
1.Ladybugs are protectors. They taste bad to predators, so as they land on certain crops of fruit, it protects that fruit from being eaten by an animal that might destroy it.
2. Ester's birth was my first "natural" birth. Meaning, no drugs. I had 3 beautiful babies born with an epidural, mainly because I was terrified of a natural birth. My 3rd had several complications (due to the epidural) & thank God, he came just before a C-Section would have been "necessary" as far as a hospital is concerned. I was positive drug-free is what I wanted, but I was still scared!!
So, those ladybugs were so reassuring. They were like God's little reminder that He was protecting me... & my baby!
It was a longer labor than my other 3. But I was determined to not let any nurses sway me. No pitocin this time!!!
I wish I had been brave enough to tell them I didn't want an IV too, because I couldn't really move around. Regardless, I laid in that bed (probably why labor was slow) and labored as naturally as I knew how. I breathed deeply. I stayed calm. I waited patiently.
We were watching a movie, when all of a sudden the contractions really picked up. My doctor was expecting it to be a few more hours & was delivering at another hospital, so my other OB (her partner) came instead. With 3 pushes, I delivered my baby girl. I was determined that afternoon to birth a baby & to feel the whole thing. It was not what I expected at all. The pain was tolerable. It was brief. And it was all worth it!
She was small & sweet. She only cried when separated from daddy or mommy. Best of all... she had red hair! Our first redhead!!! She was beautiful.
Now, 2 years later, this spunky little redhead is still a constant reminder of God's protection. She brings more life to our family than we knew before! She is funny, talkative & the cutest little ladybug I have ever laid eyes on. She doesn't put up with "unacceptable" behavior from her brothers. She's mommy's helper with her baby brother. She loves to color, fill purses, play dress up, & sword fight with the boys. But don't cross her, or she'll let you know.
Happy 2nd birthday, sweet girl! Our family would not be the same without you... or any of my babies, for that matter.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Catching Up
I haven't blogged in over a month & to be honest, I haven't really had anything to blog about. Things have NOT been boring, but just the opposite. It has been one thing after another for us & I just haven't had time to breathe, much less blog about it!
Despite this busy schedule, I DO find certain blog posts important... like those dedicated to my children on their birthdays, or my "a-ha!" moments as a mommy of 5. :)
So, bear with me as I post those, as well as I attempt to begin a blogging schedule. We will be changing the name of this blog (the big reveal coming soon) & a fun schedule along with it. Keep following for updates!!! :)
As for now, I'm gonna go nurse my sweet boy to sleep...
Despite this busy schedule, I DO find certain blog posts important... like those dedicated to my children on their birthdays, or my "a-ha!" moments as a mommy of 5. :)
So, bear with me as I post those, as well as I attempt to begin a blogging schedule. We will be changing the name of this blog (the big reveal coming soon) & a fun schedule along with it. Keep following for updates!!! :)
As for now, I'm gonna go nurse my sweet boy to sleep...
Friday, March 9, 2012
There is a season
Ever been here?
Phrases of my week:
"No mommy- you don't tell ME no!!"
"I don't want to take a nap & I AM NOT TIRED!"
"Mommy, when you raise your voice I think it makes God sad" (child slightly grins since they know they're a stinker)
Being a mom is wonderful, rewarding & exciting. It is also challenging, frustrating & often depressing. Just like anything in life, there are pros and there are cons.
Good thing being a mommy isn't measured by the pros and cons each day... because let's all be honest, some days it would not seem to be worth it. Some days being a mommy just plain sucks & that's all there is to it. I mean, if we looked at every "mommy moment" as a pro or a con, it would be so overwhelming! Vomiting children? CON!
Potty training? CON!
Mass amounts of laundry? CON!
Sleeplessness? CON!
So, now are we seeing the depressing part of motherhood? Haha! Well, let me shine a light on the other half! In school right now, my Kindergartner is learning about wholes & halves. A half is when you can divide the whole into two, EQUAL parts.
So, when you are a mother with YOUNG children, it might seem as though the pros & cons are definitely not equals parts. The cons are winning & you are barely hanging on! I get that! I'm there!
I'm also realizing though, that as my older children get... well, older (ha! They do that, you know?!)... it's like a sliding scale. We enter a new season with that child where it becomes equal parts again. And then, we start to see MORE pros than cons. And somedays, I see a light at the end of the tunnel! Occasional days of relapse are always a possibility, but the keyword is SEASON!
The Bible says "to every thing there is a season..."
God knows there are hard times. He isn't here to take those away. Those are the growing times in our lives. Those are the times when our true colors show. When what inside of us, good or bad, comes out! But he does offer hope that this is only a SEASON! Children grow, and so do mommies.
As cliche as this is, I challenge you to cherish it. No, don't cherish it "because they grow so fast". Honor this season. See the temporary status update & make the best of it. Work hard for those good days. Take advantage of those precious moments during the day... not because "soon they'll be over", but because that's how you SURVIVE! You have to live from one hug & giggle to the next... You'll make it through, I promise! It's only for a SEASON!
Phrases of my week:
"No mommy- you don't tell ME no!!"
"I don't want to take a nap & I AM NOT TIRED!"
"Mommy, when you raise your voice I think it makes God sad" (child slightly grins since they know they're a stinker)
Being a mom is wonderful, rewarding & exciting. It is also challenging, frustrating & often depressing. Just like anything in life, there are pros and there are cons.
Good thing being a mommy isn't measured by the pros and cons each day... because let's all be honest, some days it would not seem to be worth it. Some days being a mommy just plain sucks & that's all there is to it. I mean, if we looked at every "mommy moment" as a pro or a con, it would be so overwhelming! Vomiting children? CON!
Potty training? CON!
Mass amounts of laundry? CON!
Sleeplessness? CON!
So, now are we seeing the depressing part of motherhood? Haha! Well, let me shine a light on the other half! In school right now, my Kindergartner is learning about wholes & halves. A half is when you can divide the whole into two, EQUAL parts.
So, when you are a mother with YOUNG children, it might seem as though the pros & cons are definitely not equals parts. The cons are winning & you are barely hanging on! I get that! I'm there!
I'm also realizing though, that as my older children get... well, older (ha! They do that, you know?!)... it's like a sliding scale. We enter a new season with that child where it becomes equal parts again. And then, we start to see MORE pros than cons. And somedays, I see a light at the end of the tunnel! Occasional days of relapse are always a possibility, but the keyword is SEASON!
The Bible says "to every thing there is a season..."
God knows there are hard times. He isn't here to take those away. Those are the growing times in our lives. Those are the times when our true colors show. When what inside of us, good or bad, comes out! But he does offer hope that this is only a SEASON! Children grow, and so do mommies.
As cliche as this is, I challenge you to cherish it. No, don't cherish it "because they grow so fast". Honor this season. See the temporary status update & make the best of it. Work hard for those good days. Take advantage of those precious moments during the day... not because "soon they'll be over", but because that's how you SURVIVE! You have to live from one hug & giggle to the next... You'll make it through, I promise! It's only for a SEASON!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
26
Today is my birthday. #26, to be exact. I love my birthday, & with the exception some random unfortunate ones, I have nothing but wonderful memories of March 7! In these past 26 years, I've learned a lot. Some things humorous, some things inspirational. Regardless, these are the top 26 things I've learned in my 26 fabulous years. 26 things I'd I want my daughter to know as she grows up:
1. Haircuts are better done by a professional... not yourself! Especially when you're 3.
2. Self-given haircuts end in slightly less than fabulous styles resembling a mullet/pixie cut to cover up the damage done.
3. When sticking up for your little brothers, beating others with a baseball bat and/or chasing perpetrators up the street with said bat is not the answer. Well, I take that back. It solves the problem, but you still get in trouble whether you are sticking up for them or not.
4. Singing musicals in different accents brings in quite a bit of $$ for your piggy bank.
5. When that bully of a 5 yr old (who had to repeat Kindergarten anyway- why was I trying to impress her in the first place?!) asks your favorite color... ask what hers is first, just say the same & then ignore her from that point on. It avoids an entire elementary school life of being made to feel like a loser just because you have more than one favorite color... or as I said it "I like every color!"
6. Always bring a matching purse to church. When you are so fabulous, there are plenty of things to shove in there!
7. Don't feel weird for liking musicals. Later, you'll be the cool, educated one & everyone else will feel left out when you say "you mean you have NEVER seen My Fair Lady"?
8. When asked to bring a show & tell about a family memory, do not make up one about your brother being born on an airplane. That's a lie. It will not end how you imagine.
9. It's ok if no one else thinks you're funny. Once you have kids, it's like you're own private comedy club & everyone thinks you're hilarious... or embarrassing. Either way, it's worth it!
10. Parents prefer when you ASK to do things, not tell them what you're planning to do.
11. Pedicures make everything better
12. Take naps as long as you can. Someday you'll wish you could take more.
13. Don't stress about college. Take your time to decide what you really want & if you don't know... Then wait! It's not like you'll be too old as soon as you turn 19!
14. Even if your parents ARE being unfair, it's probably truly for your own good & you should just trust that.
15. Sometimes your parents are just as confused as you.
16. When your dad grounds you from your boyfriend, even though he's being ridiculously over-protective, it's still a little on the dramatic side to try to run away!
17. Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape!
18. Forget about the stereotypes in your head & just do what you're called to do. It might look different than what you'd imagined!
19. Treat your body like the Temple of the Lord... how you eat, sleep, exercise... Even if you are young. Better to conquer that now than 20 yrs too late.
20. When you feel like you can't wait another second... keep waiting. Patience is WAY more than just a virtue.
21. What is done is secret EVENTUALLY will be SHOUTED from the rooftops. & sometimes a pregnant belly shouts the loudest of all.
22. Learn, learn & keep learning! Read, read & keep reading. There is nothing you know everything about!
23. Childbirth is the most empowering, rewarding & beautiful thing you will ever do. Don't be afraid of it... study it!
24. You can do ALL THINGS through Christ, who gives you strength. So, you might not have it now, but he WILL give it!
25. Children grow so fast. Don't try to rush them, or push them into the next stage. It won't last long, so just enjoy them! The days go by slowly, but the years go so fast!
26. Don't settle... Just don't ever settle. Wait for God's very best!
1. Haircuts are better done by a professional... not yourself! Especially when you're 3.
2. Self-given haircuts end in slightly less than fabulous styles resembling a mullet/pixie cut to cover up the damage done.
3. When sticking up for your little brothers, beating others with a baseball bat and/or chasing perpetrators up the street with said bat is not the answer. Well, I take that back. It solves the problem, but you still get in trouble whether you are sticking up for them or not.
4. Singing musicals in different accents brings in quite a bit of $$ for your piggy bank.
5. When that bully of a 5 yr old (who had to repeat Kindergarten anyway- why was I trying to impress her in the first place?!) asks your favorite color... ask what hers is first, just say the same & then ignore her from that point on. It avoids an entire elementary school life of being made to feel like a loser just because you have more than one favorite color... or as I said it "I like every color!"
6. Always bring a matching purse to church. When you are so fabulous, there are plenty of things to shove in there!
7. Don't feel weird for liking musicals. Later, you'll be the cool, educated one & everyone else will feel left out when you say "you mean you have NEVER seen My Fair Lady"?
8. When asked to bring a show & tell about a family memory, do not make up one about your brother being born on an airplane. That's a lie. It will not end how you imagine.
9. It's ok if no one else thinks you're funny. Once you have kids, it's like you're own private comedy club & everyone thinks you're hilarious... or embarrassing. Either way, it's worth it!
10. Parents prefer when you ASK to do things, not tell them what you're planning to do.
11. Pedicures make everything better
12. Take naps as long as you can. Someday you'll wish you could take more.
13. Don't stress about college. Take your time to decide what you really want & if you don't know... Then wait! It's not like you'll be too old as soon as you turn 19!
14. Even if your parents ARE being unfair, it's probably truly for your own good & you should just trust that.
15. Sometimes your parents are just as confused as you.
16. When your dad grounds you from your boyfriend, even though he's being ridiculously over-protective, it's still a little on the dramatic side to try to run away!
17. Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape!
18. Forget about the stereotypes in your head & just do what you're called to do. It might look different than what you'd imagined!
19. Treat your body like the Temple of the Lord... how you eat, sleep, exercise... Even if you are young. Better to conquer that now than 20 yrs too late.
20. When you feel like you can't wait another second... keep waiting. Patience is WAY more than just a virtue.
21. What is done is secret EVENTUALLY will be SHOUTED from the rooftops. & sometimes a pregnant belly shouts the loudest of all.
22. Learn, learn & keep learning! Read, read & keep reading. There is nothing you know everything about!
23. Childbirth is the most empowering, rewarding & beautiful thing you will ever do. Don't be afraid of it... study it!
24. You can do ALL THINGS through Christ, who gives you strength. So, you might not have it now, but he WILL give it!
25. Children grow so fast. Don't try to rush them, or push them into the next stage. It won't last long, so just enjoy them! The days go by slowly, but the years go so fast!
26. Don't settle... Just don't ever settle. Wait for God's very best!
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