I am wondering at what point we lose the innocence and magic of childhood and become the serious, tired grown-ups we never thought we would be (or at least maybe I am speaking for myself). I love the way children think and if we simply listen to them, I personally believe that they are on to some things that we might want to take note of. For example, this evening, Missy Moo and I decided to take a bath together in mommy’s “big pool” as she calls the bathtub in our master bathroom. Now currently 12 weeks pregnant with my third child in three years (dear GOD!) I had been feeling a little unattractive and somewhat scared to look in the gigantic mirror that allows every imperfection to be seen as you remove your clothing to shower or bathe. I regularly keep my head down and try not to look at the shape that is appearing in front of me – yes, I know I am pregnant but I also worked VERY hard to get all that baby weight off and had reached pre-baby weight when BOOM! I got two lines when I did a quick little test I was sure to be negative…I was really loving the fact that I could pull out old clothes and get some cute new ones, but enough about that…As we were getting ready to get in the tub, both of our naked bodies waiting for the water to stop, Missy Moo reached over to me and with her heart-melting smile simply patted my leg and said “You’re just fine.” Now how did she know? What kind of cosmic knowledge did she possess to know that that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment? It got me thinking that maybe I am just fine – I guess to view yourself through the eyes of an almost three year old, I might be more than just fine. I am her lifeline, the closest person to her, her playmate, her disciplinarian, her ultimate caregiver, the kisser of boo-boo’s, the driver to preschool, the snack provider, and probably another million things that I simply don’t have the brain-power to produce at this given moment. I remember a time in my life in which I would have traded the firmer, not-as-saggy version of myself for the life I live now – I wanted desperately to be a stay-at-home mommy but instead I found myself in the throes of a divorce at the ripe age of 27. At a time when everyone else was either getting married or having their first baby, I was starting over. This thought jolted me into my reality now as I realize I DO have all that I wished for back then and no, I would not trade it for the much-perkier chest that I had back then. So I guess you could say I AM just fine. Of course, leave it to a three year old to have to point that out to me.
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When We Think It’s Impressive to Be Busy
* Friends, I’m in Book Launch Land. I’m feverishly working to prepare for the release of Heart Sisters: Be the Friend You Want to Have. I’ll be re-posting some oldies (but hopefully you’ll think they’re goodies!) now and then so I can focus more on the upcoming release. Thanks for understanding . . . Oh – and I so appreciate you taking the time share on social media. This is the way of the writer these days and will help get the word out about Heart Sisters! A few years ago, I was talking to a woman who was in ..
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For When You Wash Your Phone in the Washing Machine
Last week, I found myself with an unplanned hour and a house of beckoning chores demanding immediate attention. So like any woman with a house full o’ kids and a husband that works long hours, I thought I would just cram as much as I possibly could into those precious 60 minutes. I arrived home, put on my running shoes and started to RUN throughout the house, checking this and that off my list. A few minutes into my Wonder Woman mission, I grabbed a load of dirty towels and, clutching my phone in my right hand, loaded them in ..
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Five Ways To Raise An Anxious Child
I know, I know . . . Who wants to raise an anxious child? Who would ever read such a post? Of course, none of us intentionally tries to raise a child prone to anxiety and stress. But many of us are. Myself included. I’m not preaching to you from the pulpit – I’m talking to you as a friend sitting with you in the same boat. And at times it feels like we’re wearing life preservers and praying for rescue, doesn’t it? The more I think about this though, the more I realize that perhaps parenting is really not ..
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Church Shopping: On Finding a New Church
If you’ve been hurt by the church, then it’s likely the thought of ever going back to church again is right up there with oh, say getting your teeth pulled (sorry, Honey.) (My husband’s a dentist. I have to watch dental jokes and comparisons.). I need to confess I once felt the same. Honestly, when those wounds were still raw, the thought of ever stepping foot inside another church again was enough to make me physically ill. We (Jason and I) talked it over incessantly. “Maybe we could just follow Jesus and just not go to church?” we asked each ..
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Why Christians Don’t Always Have to Agree
We sat contemplatively around the table, speaking softly about the struggles of marriage. I complimented her on her courage because for some reason, we feel shame when we admit our marriage is in trouble. I know because I’ve been there and felt it, too. I begin to share some of my own heart and experiences with my ten year old marriage, wisdom attained through the really hard places. Unfinished wisdom that still percolates and wisdom I know but don’t always allow my actions and choices to show it. I then share some heart changes I had to make in order ..