What's That Quote? #12

I believe EVERY mother needs to hear this!

As a Christian mother, it is hard. We have so much to learn, do, teach, and remember. How do we do it all?

Day in and day out we continue to do our "job".

We have to be completely responsible for another human being. It is not a part time gig! It literally is probably the only job that is 24/7

We are constantly doing things for them, with them, around them. Yes, around them. Even when we aren't doing it directly. You know the saying "Monkey see, monkey do"?

That's it. They will repeat it. Usually, the bad stuff we wish they wouldn't. Why? I have no clue. Million dollar question.

And, even when they aren't with us...we have to constantly be watching out for ourselves. Our health and safety, so that we can go home to them.

A mother's mind is never at rest.

I know I am a constant worrier(working on that).

I am continuously thinking, praying, worrying about my babies. I even do this with children that aren't biologically mine! Siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends' babies. By the way, anyone under the age of 25 years old is a baby to me.

I don't know how mother's can do any of this job without God!

I know I still struggle with giving control to God. I pray and try to let go but it is a tough one. 

How do I know what is MY responsibility and what I should just let go of?

Well, I pray...A Lot!

We all what to do our best. Be the best at this mommin' job.

I strive everyday to remember to give praise to God for these most precious gifts. My babies are my whole world. They are my reason and my soul.

No, I'm not perfect. Yes, I mess up. And my children know that.

They also know...I hope, that I love than more than any other human on this Earth and that I try my hardest everyday to make sure they have all they need. I give them the possible. I trust my Lord to give them what is impossible for me.

I have a prayer.

My own personal prayer that I pray every night. Not word for word, but it is my own way of asking God to handle the impossible.

Lord, I come to you and ask that you be with my children always. 

I pray for their health. Physical, mental, and spiritual. That you heal whatever ails them and restore them as only you can.

I pray for their happiness. That you show them the blessings only you can. That their souls cling to you for true happiness.

I pray for their safety. That you be with them and guide them in their days. Keep them from harm and hatred. Show them the true path and keep them from harm.

Lastly, I pray that they always know that they are loved. Not only by us here on Earth but by You. That their soul is loved and wanted by you more than even I could ever love them.

In Jesus' name I pray this. Amen.

I am a true believer in the power of prayer. As a mother some days that is my greatest comfort. Knowing that I have done the possible. I prayed!

"As a mother, my job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible."

Ruth Bell Graham

You can learn more about Ruth and her life here:

Ruth Bell Graham 

or read some of her books

Books by Ruth Bell Graham

None of us mothers are perfect. If you'd like to read a little about my imperfect mothering, you can find it here:

Lessons from an Imperfect Momma

Blessing to all.

This Momma's Wish List...

What is a wish?

Well, according to Mr. Webster, 

WISH:

verb

feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable; want something that cannot or probably will not happen

(Well, that is pretty discouraging!!!!)

noun

a desire or hope for something to happen

I really try not to use that word too much. I like to think of myself as more of a realist.

I like things broke down into either a need or want. Those two categories are usually easier for me to manage and "realistically" place things into one of the two, nice and neatly.

Do I need it or do I want it?

Easy right?

So, where do you place the things you WISH for?

(mainly material things)

If I truly wish for it, I have more than likely wanted it for sooo long that I can't knock it. I just get it on my mind and need a moment to really embrace my desire. Let it sit there in my mind and be admired until the moment passes. Y'all get that, right?

But, what if that wish is a need?

If you truly feel that it would make you or your life better, easier, more fulfilled.

What if it really could help you? Whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually. Then is it a need?

Oh, the questions of life...

How do we justify a wish?

WE DON'T!

Wishes don't have to be right or reasonable.

Today, I want to share my wish list with all of you.

These are the things I have pined over for some time. I've found, loved, researched, "wish shopped", begged the hubby for, and even PINNED and PINNED them on several boards(That's serious stuff).

This Momma's Wish List...

1. Goats and Chickens!

I want these little adorable,crazy, lovely, milk, meat and egg producing creatures even more than I wanted my beagle 16+ years ago! And not just any old goats and chickens. I've done my research and read and read and looked and looked. I need Nigerian Dwarf Goats and Rhode Island Reds.

These goats are the best milk makers, for all my cheese and soap I'm going to make. Plus, they are friggin' adorable and hilarious!

The chickens are both meat and egg chickens. Bonus! With us being in Ohio, they are considered "hardy birds" and can take the colder temperatures and they are more docile..since I have children.

2. Farmhouse in the country

Ok, I know this should be #1 since I need a place to keep the goats and chickens.

So...maybe the farmhouse is a need?!?!?

I have always dreamed and wished for a big old farmhouse up on a hill out in the middle of nowhere.

A house that has a history, memories, a story...and room for more.

The kind where you have to drive to the mailbox and can sit on your porch smelling sweet, sweet hay and say to the hubs, here comes (X) down the road...when they are still a good 1/2 mile from your drive.

I had this once(that's a touchy story, maybe another day/post). A good part of my childhood, I had this. I truly feel my soul NEEDS this again. Someday...I wish.

3. Classic Books

It is no secret that I love books. I love to read just about anything. I can buy used, have them given to me, check them out from the library but lately I've really been looking into old books.

Not the new remakes but the original edition books.

Some of my favorite authors are Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, The Bronte Sisters...

I would like to start a small collection of some of the classics. Not too many. Remember, I'm frugal and I can't justify cashing out our IRA to collecting old books, but maybe just a few.

4. Antique Coffee Grinders

I suppose all these "old things" go hand in hand with my old soul. I'm so drawn to anything antique, classic, old.

I love the old coffee grinders. I would love to have at least one that is still functional but I hope to decorate with them in my farmhouse kitchen. There are so many different styles and makes. I love them all. Aren't they beautiful???

5. Coffee Mugs

Yes, I know. I may have a problem. Hey, don't judge. Coffee lives matter!

I just love all these wacky mugs. I can add them into my decorating and choose a new mug to drink out of everyday. The hubs can design and build me a fabulous display shelf...or 2 or 3 to show them off!

Tell me those aren't awesome!

6.  Quirky T-Shirts

I honestly don't know where this wish came from. I openly have OCD and I went through a phase in high school where I only wore solid colored shirts, jeans, and ALL white Keds. I couldn't handle anything that even remotely didn't "match". 

I guess as I got older, and had girls in sports, every thing we own has a logo, sponsor, school name and # on it. We got trapped into buying those "support your kid" T shirts and there it went. All my trying to match and coordinate. Ain't no Momma got time for that!

That is the truth. Anyway, I've come to love these expressive T shirts.  Maybe it is my way of saying what I want to say on those frigid, game day mornings where my coffee hasn't kicked in enough to talk human. Who knows? But I love these.

Purchase T-Shirts here

7. Rustic Signs

I think my brain must be stuck on old, antique, farmhouse decorating and design these days.

I may need to pray and reflect after writing this post. I'm starting to feel like my wish list may be more of an obsession with what I want and not what I need.

Rustic signs are another way for me to "say" something. I love the worn look. Something that has been used and enjoyed.

(Too Cute)

I hope you've enjoyed my wacky wish list.

What do you wish for?

How do you define a wish?

I'd love to see what other Momma's have on their lists.

 Do you write them down? Do you search for it?

Lessons from the Imperfect Momma

I know we all like to think we have it all,...or most of it together all the time.
News Flash!...We don't!
Most days, we're lucky we keep ourselves alive.(Thank you, Gods of Maxwell House and international creamer!!)
Sure, we have become the Grand Master, Mother of faking it!
WHY?
Why do we constantly feel like we have to prove ourselves or our worth to everyone else?
As if we don't have enough crap to deal with. Pleasing our Lord. Pleasing our children and spouse.
Have we become so wrapped up in the idea that we need to please every human we may encounter that we kill ourselves faking it?

I like to tell myself that, "I don't care what people think of me!"
We all say that to ourselves, Don't we?
So, why don't we actually feel that?
Why can't we just be accepting of ourselves AND others?
Isn't that the lesson we teach our littles?
That everyone is special in their own way.(I know I'm some kind of special!)
To love and accept others as they are.

And the honest truth is...
We probably aren't thinking about you nearly as much about you as you'd like to think we do.
Or, should I say, You don't think about me as much as I stress and believe you do.
That is more likely the reality.
Social media has made us believe that our outside appearance and every single aspect of our mothering is being judged 24/7! That we have to look, do, and be our best at all times.
That is so sad to me. It is absolutely detrimental to all mothers and future mothers.
We were given these little blessings as a GIFT from GOD!
And how do we show our love, appreciation and thankfulness for these gifts??
We brag about Susie's new wardrobe from The Children's Place(Look, how posh my toddler looks in her name brand clothes)
I honestly don't care where you buy them(that was the first store that popped into my head).
Susie could be wearing her brother's torn jeans with a Spongebob pajama shirt, and she would still be YOUR GIFT!
We want to bash the momma who breastfeeds in public!
Oh! What shame she endures to feed her child a healthy meal in the view of others...while your  letting little Dougy eat fries off the floor in the mall!

Here's the thing, Mommas! We all live and do the best we can! Every day!
It is a learning process and none of us have all the answers.
Yes, I want my child to eat and be healthy. That is the goal!
And, yes! She has chocolate milk and Pez candy for breakfast!
It happens! Life goes on!

I have three daughters and while I have tried to teach them the best I can. I mess up!
I have honestly said to them...I don't know!
I don't have the right answer!

There are some wonderful, (and hilarious) Mom authors that have written books about just how imperfect being a mother is. This is what motherhood is. Not photoshopped or edited. Real and Raw. Some stories are a hoot, some will have you crying, but every one of them will ease your idea that there are perfect moms.

They do not exist!

When Did I Get Like This? By Amy Wilson

Confessions of a Scary Mommy By Jill Smokler

Motherhood Comes Naturally: And Other Vicious Lies By Jill Smokler

Ketchup is a Vegetable:And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves by Robin O'Bryant

Are You There God? It's Me, Mommy By Robin O'Bryant

RealMoms:Exploding the Myths of Motherhood By Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall

These are a few things I KNOW I have taught my daughters! 
And I am totally cool with them learning these lessons! I'm imperfect! They know it. I know it. My lovely husband knows it. God knows it!

1. Brushing your hair is optional! Washing it is not!
Hail praise to the woman who invented the "messy bun"! She is my secret idol!
Me+ 3 daughters= hair nightmares!
"Ain't nobody got time for that!"

2. Bare feet are preferred!
I don't care. I'm a hillbilly, true and through.
I hate shoes, they hate shoes. Yes, we own them and will wear them when it is required, but it will not be done willingly or happily.

3.I love Jesus and I cuss a little. Well, I'm being honest.
It happens. He knows it, so why hide it.
I say SH*T...a lot! I wouldn't say, I'm proud of that, but I'm not completely ashamed either. It is what it is.

4. If you can win an argument or make me laugh by bursting out a movie quote...your punishment will most likely decrease.
Me: "Let go of your sisters (hair, toy, book, etc)"!!
Kid:"Let it Go, Let it Go..."
(This one is worn out! Y'all need new material!)

5. You have to at least try what I make.

 I'm not a professional Chef, but you won't die!

I am a fairly good cook, some dishes I can rock out, others I bomb. I do what I can and hope for the best.

6. Hugs, kisses and prayers are mandatory!
You will give me hugs and kisses at my every request, and prayers will not be skipped.
I try to pray with them every day, or at least remind them to say their prayers.

7. I'm not doing it all! I have good, productive days and I have days when I don't even care if you brush your teeth!
If you want food...the kitchen ain't moved.
(make me a sandwich while you're in there!)

8. We don't need the television!
It is a luxury, not a requirement. You can do something other than watch TV in your free time!
"What you're bored?....Wannna wash a dish, scrub a toilet?"

9. I will forget.
I'm sorry..not sorry.
I remembered to fill out your athletic form, and I remembered the lunchable(cheese pizza, not pepperoni), your raspberry cereal bars, red Powerades, bikini, not brief pack of new underwear, and your 2 rolls of "Volleyball" ribbon for Monday. I forgot your only white, ankle, not shin lengths socks.

10. I'm not giving you "free money"
I buy what you need, and you can earn money or activities.
You don't work for it, you ain't getting it.
Don't hate, Appreciate! xoxo

I know this isn't the best list, but hey, I'm not the best!
I'm just a Momma trying to keep it going...one cup of coffee at a time!

I guess the lesson here is, this post isn't about what we teach our children, it's about what we can teach ourselves and other moms.

I want you to know:

It is ok if Timmy walks into church with jelly on his face.

It is ok if you haven't given them a bath in 2/3 days.

It is ok if they come running in, mud caked.

It is ok if they stay up too late.

It is ok if you forgot to schedule their dentist appointment.
It is ok if you've fed them McDonald's three times this week.

Mommas! It is ok! They will be ok! You will be ok!

We all have got to start being kinder, more helpful. We need to be less judgmental, less scolding!

I need a refill.
What are some wacky lessons you have taught your children? 

Did you teach them intentionally, or did it sort of just happen?

What have YOU learned?
How do you honestly feel about some of the lesson you have passed on?
I love feedback and other opinions.

WIP Wednesday...My garden...where I find peace.

It's not a secret. I am truly a country girl at heart. I am simple, humble, grateful. I love being a child of God, a wife, a momma. These things give me my greatest joys. These things define who I am.

Throughout our days, life will give use so much. Heartache, trials, doubt, worry and questions so much about our selves, our lives.

But these three things, for me will always be true. My Truth. I am a Christian. I am someone's wife and I am a mother. Those won't change.

When life gets confusing and chaotic....

I need to find the rest of me. I need to pray, refresh and find my own calm.

I'm not a total outdoorsy person. I have no desire to climb Mt. Everest or hike around with my backpack. I don't want to live off grid solely on berries and fish.

But, I love my garden.

Well, our garden.

Secretly, it's just mine.

It is my "place". Where I go to clear my head, breath in the fresh air. Where I can take pride in the knowledge, the skill, the patience and the able body God has given me to learn, grow, teach and provide something for my family.

I go there to pray, to thank God for so many blessing I will never be deserving of.

So many possibilities...

fruits of our labor

I am amazed at all the things we have at. The choices, the variety. 

I can pick and choose what I will plant. How can/will I use it. 

I'm not saying our garden is big enough to feed us all year or that I don't wish for more land but it is enough to get me through. Every little bit helps.

Gardens are always a work in progress(WIP).

I'm no scientist. I don't test the soil or water.

I'm no botanist. I don't know exactly which plants grow best or where.

I'm not an engineer. I didn't spend months or years designing the perfect spot or layout of my garden.

I am a country girl learning and growing. I do what I know and pray it keeps getting better!

What is your WORK IN PROGRESS today?

P.S.....My little helper...