The Many Little Joys

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encouragement for mothers

What you DON’T see when you look at my picture-perfect photos

Next time you look at a picture-perfect photo, remember that there is almost always more to the story than meets the eye.Next time you look at a picture-perfect photo, remember that there is almost always more to the story than meets the eye.We just got our family portraits back and I couldn’t be more thrilled! My kids look adorable, and I’m so excited to finally have a beautiful photo of the people I love to put on the wall above my fireplace.

And yet, when I look at these photos, I also have to laugh a little and shake my head. Why? Because getting those perfect shots and precious smiles was actually a pretty awful experience….

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A toast to mothers…

Here’s to you, moms…

Here’s to the moms who were up all night with sick babies, who kept rocking even when they felt like they might collapse from exhaustion.

Here’s to the moms who make meal after meal after meal…even when they know someone will complain about the “green stuff.”…

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When you wonder if you’re a good mom…

If you’ve ever questioned whether you are a good mom, remember this one simple piece of advice I was given recently by an experienced mom…If you've ever questioned whether you are a "good" mom, remember this one simple piece of advice I was given recently by an experienced mom...Do you ever question yourself in motherhood? Do you ever wonder if you were really, truly cut out for this task?

I do. All too often….

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Life lessons from the sandbox & my purpose in mothering

Do you ever find yourself wondering WHY you do all the daily tasks that keep you busy as a mom? Here’s what I learned about my purpose in mothering…all while digging in the sandbox.You you ever find yourself wondering WHY you do all the things you do as a mom? Here's what I learned about my purpose in mothering...all while digging in the sandbox. On summer evenings, I love to take my boys outside to play after dinner. The heat of the day starts to subside, and once the sun dips below the roof line of the house, we can venture outdoors without melting. For that little time before bed, we can kick a ball around, check the fruits of our little garden, and dig in the sandbox in our shady backyard. …

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What my four-year-old taught me about making friends

Somewhere between age three and thirty, we complicate the process of making friends. Here’s what my four-year-old is teaching me about reaching out to others.
Somewhere between age three and thirty, we complicate the process of making friends. Here's what my four-year-old is teaching me about reaching out to others.

This morning I was at the park with my two little boys. It was one of the first really warm, sunny days of the year, and I was thrilled. So we packed up a picnic, and headed to the park for lunch….

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Letting go of perfectionism: understanding opportunity cost in motherhood

Moms have to do it all…or do they? When we understand the full cost of the choices we make, we are able to let go of perfectionism and better utilize our time and energy to focus on what matters most in life.
Moms have to do it all...or do they? When we understand the full cost of the choices we make, we are able to let go of perfectionism and better utilize our time and energy to focus on what matters most in life.I am a perfectionist by nature. I like things neat and organized, and I abhor clutter. I even eat my Skittles in reverse rainbow order for goodness sake (I know, I’m weird).

In many ways, my perfectionism has served me well in life. I was always a good student in school, I had a successful career as a teacher, and I have a box of certificates and plaques for countless hours spent trying to produce the best possible work in any situation….

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Things we forget when we grow up

In a world that seems to make our little ones grow up so quickly and pushes all of us to be high-achievers, my kids are a constant reminder to me to remain childlike regardless of my age.

things-we-forget-when-we-grow-up-cover “Grow up, already!” I sometimes plead inside my head to my children on a long, hard day.

I don’t really want my kids to grow up yet…at least not all the way. But sometimes it seems like it would be nice to have them grow up just a little…just enough to be able to tie their own shoes and get their own drinks of water without leaving puddles on my kitchen floor.

Other times–when I’m not too sleep-deprived or exhausted from refereeing sibling rivalry wars all day–I see my children for more than the messes, the fights, and the constant need of something from me. In those moments, I see them for…

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Motherhood Uncropped

In a virtual world of “Pinterest perfection,” let’s remember to celebrate the beauty of the everyday, imperfect realities of life and motherhood, even when they don’t seem particularly share-worthy.In a virtual world of "Pinterest perfection," let's remember to celebrate the beauty of the everyday, imperfect realities of life and motherhood, even when they don't seem particularly share-worthy.I have a love/hate relationship with the Internet. With technology in general, really, but especially with the Internet and all of the images on social media that bombard us every day. I love all the things I can look up quickly to answer my four-year-old’s questions about things like “What is a water tower for?” (In case you’re now wondering, here’s the answer.)

I love that I can get ideas for teaching my kids preschool, cute Halloween costumes, and limitless recipes. I love that I’ve learned how to refinish furniture, start a blog, and get my whites truly white again….

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To the women who have gone before

I gain strength and wisdom as I consider the many women who have gone before me, paving the way for my own journey through womanhood and motherhood.Sometimes this motherhood gig is hard. Sometimes I want to close the door to my room and pretend like I don’t have dinner to make, laundry to fold, and kids who need constant attention. In those moments, sometimes the only thing that keeps me from falling to the floor is the knowledge that I’m not the first to feel that way–the knowledge that I’m preceded by generations of women who have fought the same battles I fight today….

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