Motherhood
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Life, the Universe, and Everything
I’m not turning 42 for another year, but I do have a birthday creeping up, so I figure it’s a good time to check in. Rather than focus on where I’ve been and what I’ve accomplished in the past year (a lot of which is awesome), I’m going to focus on who I am right now. Here’s how I feel about myself and my life at this moment. Personally: I’m in a good place. Better than I’ve been for a long while. A number of things have led to this, and I appreciate each contributing factor to my growing confidence and ability to tap into a sense of calm. I’ve…
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The Beauty of Saying “No”
What a great writing prompt! I’ve come a long way with being able to say no, but it’s been a steep climb. Before, I was afraid to say “no” because I strove to please. I’m sure this was programmed into me as a child. How can I belong if I don’t bend over backwards to do others’ wishes? Oh, right. The belonging comes from being myself, and having healthy boundaries is essential to knowing who I am. Now, as a mother, saying “no” to my children means I have to get creative, often not using the word at all. “No” can be a gentle deflection, an invitation for tomorrow, or…
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Be Kind, Be Gentle, Find Love Amidst the Chaos
Inspired by the book THE BODIES OF MOTHERS by Jane Beall, I’m sharing this image of myself and the raw truth of my experience. The purpose of this post is partially to remind myself of my own innate beauty, and partially because I feel compelled to remind other women of theirs. The following thoughts were sparked by a mother who, through her own bitterness, helped me realize that I want to stop feeding the bitter voice in my head. To the woman behind the till at the grocery store today, the one who told me she has two sets of twins, you could have said something else. You didn’t have to say, “They’re easy at this age, wait…
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What’s Your Dream? Me, I’m Dreaming of Horses. #DreamBig
I’m a firm believer in dreaming big. Setting intention and taking steps toward the life of your dreams is the only way to live it, right? Whatever you want to make happen, no matter how large or small, a thought or vision is the first step. We bring it into intent, then into the physical through word or action. Lately I’ve been daydreaming about horses. A lot. In the interest of bringing my dream a little closer to reality (and for the simple fact that I know I’m not the only horse lover out there), here’s some horse eye candy for you. As a mother, I’ve discovered how crucial it is…
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For the Love of Family
I never thought I’d be a mom. In fact, I was dead set against the idea for many years. Obviously, I came around, and decided it was a good idea after all. When I thought about how many kids I wanted, my idea was simple: “I’d like two children, as close together as possible.” You know that saying, “Be careful what you wish for”? Two boys at once, that’s what I got. And they’re wonderful. I’m overjoyed at being the mother of twins. Overwhelmed sometimes, for sure, but grateful all the same. There they are, my little tree-huggers. Ryan Phoenix and Zachary Skye. Oh, how I love them. It takes…
