changes.

I remember the days of my little family at home all cozy and tucked in our little house. I never tired of the continual demand placed upon me. It was what I was made for and it was a perfect fit. It warms my heart to think of the simplicity of those days. Bundled up, rosy cheek faces, excited with stories of their winter adventure outside, coming in for hot chocolate and a spritz of whipped cream. Or every night baths after summer hikes in a nearby field, soaking off the muddy feet and hands that held slippery frogs. But they are all but gone. 

Change. Transition. We all face it at some point in our lives.

It wasn't fun to face the changes. It wasn't easy making the transition. Partly because we have to come face to face with some things in order to adjust. One thing I had to come to terms with was letting go. Not just my kids but my lifestyle. It felt safe. 

Family is good. It's God's design and it is meant to be wonderful. Enjoy every minute without reserve! Yet, I realized that much of my contentment came with this lifestyle and when it changed, it revealed where my contentment came from. Not such a bad thing but at the end of the day, our contentment must come in God no matter what the circumstances are. Didn't I dedicate my child to the Lord to do as He wishes? My Christian faith values this. And so, while a mom and dad are the best guidance counselors, there comes a time when our kids embark upon a journey that is their own. Mom's position changes. And so it should.

I dare not cling to them. I cannot interfere with what God's will is for their life. I do not advise as to make my life better.  I release them and entrust them to God's guidance.

To everything, there is a season. And when one season ends, another begins!

teach your children well.

I didn't grow up in a home where we attended church. There was a brief time when my father took us when I was little. I remember one night when he read us a Bible story. It must have been very important to me because I never forgot it.


The Bible story? No. My father reading to me.


I think our kids are wired for that closeness of mother and/or father. The culture we live in can depict otherwise. Even though family is still valued, it's taken some major blows, too, in defining what family is. Whole generations have left much up to the "professionals" and have abdicated not only their authority, but somehow have come to believe that they don't have what it takes to be their child's best influence.


Don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that parents can't use some help. Yet, we should be careful how far we let "it takes a community to raise a child" mindset to influence us. 


The simpleness of a parent taking the time to read to a child makes all the difference. For me, it wasn't regularly or consistent. Yet, that one or two times my father read to us and how it made me feel then and how it makes me feel today makes me take the time with my 8 year old. 


Don't underestimate your God-given authority, influence, and wisdom for your own child. Be teachable and learn from others but the buck stops with you! 

mom stuff - the book.

I am in the process of writing the book, Mom Stuff. My goal is to complete the manuscript by the end of this summer and then proceed with step #2: submitting it for publication and hopefully receiving an acceptance letter.


From time to time I will post snippets from my book:


"Our world is fast-paced and complicated with lots of bells and whistles. We check our Facebook while our cell phones uploads a new ringtone as the microwave defrosts chicken for dinner while our nails are drying. There are lots of opportunities and distractions in our 21^st centrury lives but one thing remains: moms are shelters and anchors that keeps the family from blowing off course. And if perchance that happens, she has the ability within to get everyone back to familiar waters".

bull head fishing.

"Mom, can you take me fishing?"


"No."


"Mom. You can watch the sunset."


"There is no sun!"


"Well, you can take pictures and have a nice time and you can cast with my pole."


(Hmm. Is this the part when I say, "Goody, goody! I can take pictures and you will let me fish with your pole?")


"Ask Dad."


"Dad said no. He has to get his license plates."


"License. He needs a fishing license."


"I don't quite understand why you can't bring us."


"Will talk about it tomorrow."


When in doubt, moms can always fall back on "tomorrow"!

still on the vine.

Our kids aren't perfect. Sometimes, I think we expect them to be. Especially those of us who are followers of Christ and the Bible is our guide. We have an understanding of how to raise our children since the scripture has much to say about parenting.

Yet, I think we can look for results too soon. There's nothing more wonderful than to have our homes working like a well-oiled machine, with everyone doing what they are supposed to be doing. Input - output. Chores done, schoolwork done, bed made, teeth brushed... until a monkey wrench is thrown in the whole production with a chore done poorly, cheating in schoolwork, a messy bedroom, and teeth forgotten for about 3 days. 

Now we know that such things will happen but yet we react very differently, don't we! I wish I had a nickel for everytime I've said, "How many times have I told you...." I figured with all my instructing that certainly it would "stick" and because we are a Christian family, child "B" would certainly get that all that I have taught him should be carried out quickly and efficiently!

Hmm. Are we trying to have them take ownership of their heart apart from the Lord? How can a 6 year old care about responsibility the way a 17 year old? Or a 50 year old?

In other words, are we looking for the "fruit" of our investment too soon?

Think of how patient God is with us. When I look back and think about some of the doozies of choices I've made, I can't believe that God didn't ditch me. But that's not how God is. That's how we are. One, two, three strikes and you're out!

Somewhere along the line I readjusted myself. Because I found that a tender heart toward my children (and everyone else in the world) is the way to go. Isn't God's heart tender? 

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those that fear Him. - Psalm 103:13

Our hearts should always reflect the Lord's heart toward humanity. If you are true to your faith, you will see that this is at the core of who we are. If we want others to know of the wonderful benefits of knowing God, we must be expressions of that to our children and to the world.


And so, compassion, patience, mercy... will be developed within your own heart as you learn right along with your kids. If you let it.

look what they've done to my song, ma.

When a mother loses her child, it feels like a piece of her heart has been torn away. It never fully recovers.


Why should we wonder at this? Someone who has a physical injury often feels pain for the rest of their lives. While it lessens in intensity, it's often an area of weakness or is tender to the touch. The pain of death is not so visible, yet, it's there. We would never think of telling someone to run a mile if they limped because of a previous injury, no matter how old it was. But expectations are often placed upon those who's injury is in their heart. 


We smile to make others feel comfortable.


We continue to live because we must. 


Always aware of our wounded heart...


in the midst of the smiling and continuing.


Am I going to tell you God makes it all go away? No. I will not tell you that because to do so would be a lie. God would have to remove your child from your memory. Time eases the intensity of sorrow. One day...then the next day...then the next. Life goes on and we live it. Thinking of other's pain in knowing what happened to us takes precedence over ourselves. No one should hurt this badly. Not even the onlookers. 


There are no pat answers here. No simple words of encouragement. Will you tell an amputee to get up and walk? 


Tragedy cannot be tempered. Sorrow has no solution. Comfort is found in trusting. And smiling will come once again.


It is not wrong to see the scar. 


It is not wrong to remember.


Faith isn't ignoring the pain.


It's saying it exists.


And still faces tomorrow.

va-cay

My friend asked me to come to Florida with her to visit dear friends of ours.


She didn't need to coax me.


And that's what you get to do when you are on the homestretch of doing the mom thing. A week of a writing retreat, helping with gardening, swimming in the indoor pool, eating wonderful ribs and home-made pie. 


Being a mom 24/7 is great. But so is a week away!  

I got a rock.

Do you remember "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"? Charlie Brown and all his friends would go to each house and trick or treat. Each one peeked into their sack telling what they got. Poor Charlie Brown would say, "I got a rock."

Is that how you feel? Never mind Little House on the Prairie, your life seemed to turn out like Charlie Brown's Halloween disappointment. Maybe you are divorced. Maybe your little (or big) family isn't doing so well. Maybe you are embarrassed or afraid.

Does it feel like you missed out in what you hoped your family would look like? Do you have some personal disappointments no one knows about? Does it feel sometimes like "I got a rock?"

People make their observations and you may feel judged. Don't. God isn't like that.  And the only thing that matters is that God is good no matter how many struggles we face. There is a day coming when He promises to wipe away every tear. You can take comfort in that.

Whatever you have gone through, whatever you are going through, be sure that God knows all about it. Why didn't He stop it then? Why did it turn out like this? I don't know. All I know is that things happen in our lives and every one has their story. You can be sure that if your story is very painful, God is keeping close watch on you.

There's lots of challenges, disappointments and difficulties that brings stress and heartache. If your family has fallen apart, God knows all about it. If you are disappointed in some things that did not turn out the way you had planned, God knows all about that, too. 

But what now? you ask. You make the best of it. See, all around you are wonderful opportunities to be discovered and experienced. This morning I heard a bird cheerfully singing outside my window and felt the warm sun through the window. I'm 53 years old and I still smile with such things. They speak to us of hope and newness. It's God's daily love note to the world. 

Be thankful for what you do have and enjoy the good parts of life. Often, God uses some of our situations to show the world that He can do wonderful things. He shapes us through the disappointments that come and always surprises us with something wonderful that we weren't expecting. In other words, God gets it that life on earth is difficult. 

The last chapter of your life has yet to be written. You might as well enjoy it until it is.

Take heart. Carry on.

KID Find

THIS is a wonderful book for the 2 - 6 yr old crowd!

little house on the busy suburban street.

When I started having children, the Little House on the Prairie life was appealing. I mean, we lived on a dairy farm with 50 holsteins and a maple syrup operation. At age 16 my father decided to move from suburban New Jersey and plop us all on a farm. I say "plop" because I hated it. In a few short months I acclimated well (out of necessity - being the sink or swim kinda gal I am!) and at age 20 I married someone I swore I would never marry: a farmer.


Kids and farms go together. I feel very fortunate to have been able to raise my kids here. Yet, in my desire to live a simple life without many distractions and with a "live off the land" kind of thinking, I could have found my fulfillment in a lifestyle.


I had a garden and I canned and I hung my cloth diapers outside and I did a lot of things that made me feel pioneer-ish. None of that is wrong but if we're not careful we can make our lifestyle a kind of idol if you know what I mean. In other words, I had adjusted quite nicely with my little brood under my watchful eye. It was very fulfilling to see them come in from being outside playing or working with Dad and to have them sit down to a home-cooked meal with pickles I canned and home-made bread. But what if that is not your life?


Let me get this straight. I am not saying your lifestyle cannot be fulfilling. I am saying that trying hard at creating something may be worth not over-analyzing ... but perhaps a second look.


I think somehow I thought it was more Godly to do all those things I was doing.


There is a desire for us to return to tried and true methods. This is good. Yet, the return should always be what the roles are in a family. Respect, honor, integrity, responsibility, kindness... all kinds of good stuff. Maybe God doesn't care if you make your own bread. I mean, if trying to fit that in makes you an irritable mom then it isn't worth it. 


No matter who you are or where you live, your family will not look like someone else's. More importantly, you as a mom won't look like another mom. Don't compare. And don't assume that others are judging you. Both are a complete waste of time because it is very likely that neither is happening!


Just get on with it and be who you were meant to be so your kids will be who they were meant to be.

KID Find

Got boys?

don't worry, be happy.

Remember that catchy tune? There's truth to it. As a rule, children don't worry. That's because we're worrying for them! Seriously, they rest in mom or dad taking care of them.


What if something happens? you ask. Worrying about it isn't going to help. When you have utmost trust in your Heavenly Father, you know that whatever does or does not happen, He's watching over you and your family. 


Yet, trust cannot be learned in a book or even through you reading this. The truth of it settles in your heart and mind because it is truth if you believe in God. We're wired for certain things to make the "connection". Sorta like when I plugged my camera in my laptop port and ... success! Our hearts and minds are like that laptop port and when a word like "God's truth" gets plugged in, we connect.


Sometimes the connection may take some time to be fully realized in it's fullness. Like my pictures took more time to load on the laptop than the desktop. The process of trusting is acquired through your daily life. You may not realize it, but all of the details of your life,(yup, the toddler with the fever and the flat tire and the bounced check) are worked out somehow for your good. God sees the inconveniences and the mistakes we make and is so loving that He works it out for our good. 


Trusting is one of those things. As our earthly relationships take time so will our relationship with God. As you go through the difficulties and challenges of life, you will soon find you are trusting God as you see Him work all the hard stuff out. And the best trust comes when you've blown it...and it was bad...and God comes along and makes it right for you. That is when you  realize how much He loves you.


Worry consumes. Even when you are not aware of it, its program is always running in the background. When worry lessens you live happier. You are not weighed down with the "what ifs". Because you have settled it that whatever happens or does not happen in your life - you will trust God.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will direct your paths. 

to be or not to be a homeschooling mom...that is the question.

I am not going to tell you to homeschool your kids. I've been at it for 23 years. I wouldn't change a thing. 

The reason I homeschool is because when an opportunity is presented, I take that into great consideration since I believe God leads and guides me. My church truly pioneered something in the mid-eighties that was practically unheard of. We had educators in our congregation who had the knowledge and expertise to launch such an endeavor. I appreciated their desire to build a relationship with the school districts through respecting their authority and at the same time, establishing our own courage and fortitude to live with our convictions. 

Secondly, Deuteronomy 11:

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of Mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

It was these scriptures that inspired me. It speaks of a lifestyle that homeschooling would have provided. I had the privilege of having my children home with me. I would be the influence in their lives. I wouldn't have to compete with 7 hours of public education influence that did not speak of the Lord in any way, shape or form.

I had always been one not to make a public school family feel uncomfortable by their choice. I think it is wrong to involve ourselves with the decisions of a father or mother. We accomplish nothing by judging another's decision. Unity should be guarded at all cost. 

Homeschooling is a huge undertaking. Yet, it's interesting to me how naturally a mother can teach her children. We teach our children from the time they are born. Education isn't beyond our ability. It is true that we live in a different world than 200 years ago but the resources available today make it attainable. 

And no one is going to care more about your child than you.

A mom is willing to give some of her slower learners the time they need, recognize their learning style, and the endless opportunities of teaching the value of work and loving your neighbor!

And yes, there have been the days of complete frustration (them and me), tears, yelling (how many times do I have to tell you?). But then there are the days when they read their first word or they recite the states and capitals or make a model of the solar system.

I've taught school while laying on the couch with morning sickness, I've had years when we finished our books and years when we didn't. There have been times of vacations that brought us to Fort Sumter and Jamestown, and years when we couldn't go further than our back yard (but there's lots of interesting things lurking in the backyard, too!)

Don't be afraid of homeschool. You are your kid's best teacher whether you know it or not. There is much more than academics in the development of a child. Relationship is key. And if you decide to send them to public school, God is with them there, too.

understanding umbrellas.

It's raining today. Moments ago, I was at the kitchen sink washing dishes. My 8 year old offered to take our Cocker Spaniel out to relieve himself. It was then that I saw the umbrella.

I don't know what it is with kids and umbrellas. Actually, I do. They are interesting to watch as you push that little button and presto! And maybe it's because we don't use them like people used to. Maybe people in metropolitan areas do and it's just us rural folks who are used to running quickly to the mailbox without the need of an umbrella, but I've noted over the years that my kids are fascinated by them. 

I had purchased one of those fold-up kinds and had it in the vehicle because I had discovered there were times when I didn't enjoy walking through the pouring rain with a newborn in tow when going into the local grocery store. It was used minimally, yet, from time to time I would find someone playing with it or "needing" it. And then of course I would say, "Do not play with the umbrella" or "Haven't I told you not to play with the umbrella?"

I watched as he walked the dog across the backyard, hoping he would avoid the muddy parts (he didn't so I quickly got the gate up to keep the dog in the kitchen). The navy blue umbrella ('cuz the red one had broken just as I knew would happen) was remembered and retrieved from the Jeep and held stoically as if he was play acting some movie he saw. 

Generally speaking, I believe I am a fun mom. Granted, I've had my days and even weeks of not being so fun. But comparing my kids' life to my own, theirs is like Disney World (okay, the local playground). But define fun. Well, I did finger painting with shaving cream on my kitchen table with them, went to the expense and mess of making gingerbread houses, let them splash in puddles, and let them jump on the bed. From time to time onlookers would say, "So and so is in the puddle", and I would say, "So?" It's fun!

So #8 has the umbrella. The forbidden activity that is right up there with a bouncing or spinning basketballs in the house, or monotone whistling. I don't care about those Fisher Price popper toys. The tune of Mario Brothers and Zelda video games are still in the repertoire of music filed in my head. I've listened to piano and drum practice and even some electric guitar. But there are some things that you just can't overcome no matter what. Is that allowed?

There's a difference in my mind of being stretched through allowing some things that I do not enjoy and also being firm about certain other things. When you have a few kids your little world is going to get messed up. You have to pick your battles so to speak. If you give in to some things it's not because they are in charge. You can still be quite in charge, ie; playing hide and seek in the house but, "stay out of the closets!!"

Finally, it goes without saying (like it or not older children) that the younger ones will and do get away with more. Moms get tired and we learn what is really important and what is not.Sorry.

But see, #8 will dutifully put the umbrella away. And that makes all the difference!

pretzels.

Dear Kids,

While I appreciate the fact that you are eating pretzels since it is a healthy snack choice, and I appreciate that you enjoy dipping said pretzels in mustard since mustard is a dirt cheap condiment, I do not like all of the plates I am finding in the sink with remnants of mustard and uneaten pretzels crumbs.

I suppose I should consider purchasing the mustard kind of pretzels but I am too cheap to spend the outrageous price and besides, you would just dip them in mustard anyway.

I hope that you consider licking your plate clean -or- wash your dish.

Oh yeah, I could buy paper plates couldn't I?

Love, Mom

you've come a long way baby...

I'm sitting here in a quiet room with the sun wonderfully pouring into the windows. 

Pinch me. I must be dreaming. I'm alone.And all I hear are birds chirpping.

Take a gal that likes quiet moments over noise, order over disorder, and give her 8 kids (thank God not all at once!) and ... well ... you either run away or roll up your sleeves and dig in.

My 3 children are at "Friday School", which is a program for homeschoolers in the area. It was established by my church around 1985 or so. Here the kids have P.E., Apologetics, Music/Choir, and Art. We've put on full musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof and Seussical. I taught art classes to the K-6th graders for 10 years. I kinda retired last year because of a new season I found myself in.

A door was wonderfully opened for me to take an online Writing for Children class a year ago and now I find myself working at writing 2 children's books and one adult. I've connected/networked with a few authors and groups, along with doing my "homework" in learning as much as I can along the way. Thing is, I wasn't looking for time for myself, nor was I looking for something new to do. It just happened. The Lord knew what was in there. I didn't. Or at least I forgot how much I liked to write back in the day. He remembered.

Which brings me to my point. I had my first child almost 30 years ago. I've been a mom for a long time; longer than I've been alive now! (although, I've always "mothered" the kids on my block growing up, along with my brother, and anyone else's kids that came along ; ) And I am one of those moms who love being a mom. (You may love your kids but not exactly love being a mom most days. I get that. But that's for another post).

Whether you absolutely love being a mom or not, you will eventually find yourself where I am today. I have served my family all these years and did not have any outside "hobbies" so to speak. It was a full-time job, along with living on a dairy farm (until 1993), a small family operated maple syrup business, and helping with several areas in my church. Life had my undivided attention.

There will be a time when you find you are reaching the end of full-time mothering and managing a home. It will never completely end since new situations happen with adult children getting married, going to college, and working. But the demands of doing all the little children stuff comes to an end. 

Some days, I find myself taking a deep breath (in a good way). Kinda like when you've finished a huge project at the end of the day.

There is something more in store for you at the end of the road. It's okay if you're looking for it. I wasn't, but that doesn't mean anything. Just be encouraged today to keep on keepin' on. They are growing and you are growing, too! And soon you will look back a few times throughout the years and see how far you've come.


You're doing good. Even if you yelled at the kids today.

KID find.

This is a keeper.

for you.

Today, my thoughts are on the unspoken needs and desires of the mother. For hidden within her heart are disappointments, her dreams, and her sacrifices. It is here that she may find her strength wanes. It is here that she comes to know God.

Women are emotional. It is that from which the sensitivity and compassion and nurturing comes from. She does not tire of giving of herself over and over again. She is able to nurse a baby, give a spelling test, direct a child in his chore, and wipe a runny nose...all at the same time. She is a mother bear in the truest sense in protecting what is hers at all cost. She finds the best deals and will go to 5 different stores to get them. She makes sure her children drink their juice and know God and choose reading over television. She instructs her children all day long since opportunities abound in how to live rightly in relationships and not be afraid of hard work. She knows how to deny herself and give to her family.

As she lays her head upon the pillow at night, she prays. She wonders if her hard work will bring the results she hopes for...knowing that perhaps it may not be known in this lifetime...and so she learns to trust. She carries her concerns to God and learns of His safe keeping...that she is not in this alone...and so she learns He is faithful. 

Tears fill her eyes as she considers, lastly, her unspoken disappointments, dreams, and sacrifices. She doesn't even voice them since her life is not her own. And so she learns that He knows. And He sees.

"Be persuaded, timid soul," writes Archbishop Fenelon, in his Spiritual Letters To Women, "that He has loved you too much to cease loving you."

say what?

I had to pry myself out of bed this morning. Really! The gray sky and pounding rain just didn't look very inviting.

Came downstairs and made the coffee. In a few minutes I heard little feet pounding down the stairs. He's a chatterbox. More so than any of his siblings. He starts talking as soon as he gets up.

This morning, despite not enjoying more grayness and dampness, I managed a "Good Morning" and even forced myself to say, "Want some eggs this morning?" What was I thinking?! Who wants...on top of everything else...to make breakfast? I mean, you actually want me to cook?? Oh, wait. It was my idea.

The next one to emerge is my 14 year old son who is less chatty but I say "Good Morning" even tho I don't want to say it since it's not a good morning.

See how it works? You do what you don't feel like doing. It's just the right thing. Doesn't seem fair, does it? Why does it have to always be me?

It just is so get over it and start your mornings with a nice tone and it will help the day go better. If nothing else, it gets you off to a good start since just as complaining can make us spiral down in a bad mood, pleasant words can lift us up.

And I will work on being a bit more nicer at night when one of mine asks me a question after 8pm!

if mama ain't happy...

...nobody's happy. So the saying goes. You know what? There's truth in it.

I learned pretty quickly that my mood affected how the day was going to go. In other words, moms set the tone in the home. Did you know that? I don't know why that is but it is.

I'm a pretty optimistic person by nature. I'm also a morning person. When I wake up I'm almost always in a good mood and I have tons of energy. I am also a good manager and I like accomplishment. I homeschool, so this is a good mix. I'm up first and set the tone. Essentially that means the house is going to be peaceful and welcoming when the kids get up if I've got things ready for the day. They need routine and guidance and feel safest when that is in place. Even the teenagers. 

After doing some picking up from the night before (since I'm upstairs usually at 8pm - I am not a night owl - and God only knows what happens downstairs after I go to bed!) I prepare the day for everyone to have a clean table for breakfast and get my little guy's books set up with his devotional book first. I can't be watching a morning show or on the phone or checking out Facebook and let them navigate through the morning. I have to set aside my wants and needs for them. 

In other words, we create an atmosphere for success. If we find ourselves nagging, that sets a tone. If we give them a good morning and/or comment about something interesting to them  (like today- "Hey Joel, guess what? I saw 2 bluebirds this morning!"), that sets a tone, too. Either one can set the course for how the day will go.

This doesn't mean everything runs smoothly here. It doesn't. But at least I have a "track" to stay on so when I get off of it, or the kids get off of it, I can get us all back on.

You may not be optimistic. You may not be a morning person. You may be miserable in the morning. Yet, I am certain you have areas of strength and success that I do not have. That means, what you are good at, I have to work at. So don't despair!

We are all doing what we can do. No one has it all together. We are given a measure of material and tools and what we do is be faithful in what we have been given. Not that we can't learn and obtain more tools, but we are who we are and God knows that. Not only that, but he accepts it.

If you're a night owl and not an energetic morning person, it's okay to do laundry or other chores at night. If you're a grumpy morning person, give yourself at least a half hour before the kids get up in order to pull it together. Just like I have to pull it together at night sometimes when I'm called upon.

If you homeschool, who says you have to start at 8am? While I'm not suggesting that you and the kids sleep late everyday, but if sleeping til 9 sounds good and getting up at 7 is not going to happen, why not shoot for 8 with school starting at 8:30?

Don't fall into the trap of trying to be a carbon copy of another mom. You are who you are and while we can learn from others, learn to "delete" and "trash" anything that you know in your gut isn't for you or your family. You will be frustrated if you keep going against the flow of who you are.

This isn't to say that we cannot change some things about ourselves. For instance, I had to learn to speak calmly into situations. It's easy to raise your voice in order to make a point. Especially when two kids are arguing back and forth. This brings peace into the situation in order for everyone to take a breath and regroup. See? I've yelled at my kids, too. I've also slammed doors and I've thrown a thing or two.

Remember: God made you who you are. Never, never second guess yourself. You are the right mother for your children. We are all learning and growing together, yet, you must be convinced based on God's acceptance of you...for you to accept you. This has to come into place in order for you to become a strong woman. You may have had hurtful words spoken to you by your own mother or father, maybe even your husband. You may have felt rejected, inferior, disqualified. This is not the truth about you. We live in a fallen world and things happen to us that hurt. Yet, in time, as you learn how valued you are by God and other people in your life, you will in turn be able to care for your children the way you would like to.

Be yourself. God likes you. So do I.