Tag: #motherhood

seasons.

Published on by julieLeave a comment

Seasons are just that, seasons. Moments in time.

Last night I had just laid my kids down to bed and I headed out under the warm sunshine on my deck to finish up some work. I was stopped in my tracks as I heard the birds chirping, the new and full growth on the trees and the abundance of kids toys scattered around our 11×11 deck.

You see.. just a few weeks ago, those leaves weren’t there. The backyard was less to be desired with big buildings and lights in my view. Sometimes seasons in our life can be this way too. Seemingly bare, not what we would hope for or maybe even expose some of our flaws.

For me, the trees represented the steady and consistent faithfulness (and fullness) that God remains the same. That He makes all things new. Some seasons will bring growth and new life and others will instead require that the foliage fall away.

The sounds of the birds and the way the sun shined over the pond represented the awe and wonder of His creation to me. And those toys scattered… those represented the wild but fruitful season I am in with my sweet kiddos. They are only little for a season.

There will come a day when those toys will no longer be present. But for now, may I always remember to slow myself down and see the season in front of me.

May I not rush my thoughts and plans but instead be present in the way in which God is working now.

keep going mama

Published on by julieLeave a comment

Today marks the six week mark of my maternity leave after the birth of our son. In a rare moment that has been hard to come by in the attempt to balance a 2 1/2 year old big sister and all things ‘newborn’, I find myself with a moment to reflect. I look around my non-showered self to a heaping pile of unfolded laundry on the couch across from me, plenty of unread books I was sure that I would get too, toys from big sister scattered on the floor, a sink full of dishes and a stomach of my own growling. My coffee is cold 2x over. It has been a ride for sure.

Even though it is the most beautiful thing, it is also one of the most challenging. It is in this moment that I find myself in a mixture of emotions – a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. Thankful. Very thankful. My little is healthy, smiling, growing, and thriving.

But let me just say, it is not easy… IT’S HARD. And breastfeeding – that’s another story. This weekend we FINALLY got there. After six weeks time, hundreds of pumping sessions and attempts full of tears from both my little and I, we got there. I breastfed with my daughter for just under three months before formula (I am a firm believer that a fed baby is a healthy baby). When my son came, I thought since I had done it before it would be easy. It wasn’t. I was just about to throw in the towel and exclusively pump, and then the light-bulb clicked. I say all of this for one reason. For the new mom who is reading this. Whatever it may be for you, or maybe it is all of it. You are not alone. You are doing great. Your baby is so blessed to have your love. Keep it up. Keep going. Give yourself grace. You are creating a space of love, comfort and security. Remember that. You rock!

If I have learned anything this second time around it is this: in the midst of it all, the only way to soak it in and enjoy it, is to let some things go. Those towels, dishes and toys scattered in the floor aren’t going anywhere, and those books – you can read those later. These baby snuggles though, they don’t last forever. Choose them. Embrace perfection in the imperfection.