for awhile, i've wanted to write something of substance on this blog about being a mom. i want to write this be-all, end-all blog entry about the hard stuff, the amazing stuff, the little golden moments we have throughout our day - like making the bed every morning, or eating in the highchair - but there's no way i can get it all out. being a Mom is one of the most challenging things- and yet, the most rewarding, and satisfying.
when i was making dinner the other night, i realized that there are a lot of people in the world who can do graphic design (what i studied at Tyler before i became a wife & mom) - but there is only ONE person in the world - me - who can sufficiently care for my daughter. anyone can go to college and learn a skill, earn a degree - but only one person knows the sound of grace's cry, and what she needs when she needs it.
of course, there are tons of challenges to being a mom (staying home or working full time). since i am a mom of the stay-at-home sort, i am aware of all the challenges on a daily basis. i'm naturally super-outgoing, so being alone all day can be tough sometimes. but, through these circumstances, i have been stretched and grown so much in my faith. grace is 7 months old, and when i think of all the growth that God has done in me in those 7 months - i just want to praise Him! i've been able to grow in being thankful for my home, for our little community, my neighbors, my friends, my church friends, my family... it's great to be able to walk to the park, the library, coffeehouses, northern liberties, etc. there are so many more good things than bad about staying home. obviously, none of this would be possible without my awesome husband who works so hard for us. i am so thankful for his hard work! and i'm thankful that he values my role as a wife/mom/homemaker.
i've been inspired to write about my role as a mom because of these fine individuals: MY Mom- who is a source of constant encouragement by phone, e-mail, and snail-mail; my mother-in-law Julie, who shares lots of funny stories about bill and his sisters!; Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters, and their blog girltalk; Heather Koerner's articles on Boundless.org; and my awesome friend from church, Julie, who is a mom right alongside me. She has her own blog too and quotes ME on it :)
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thank you Lord, that you have ordained my days and that you have enabled me to be a mom. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, and His continual mercy and grace that make it possible for me to grow.
