The M of M Update

First of all I wanted to say thank you to all of those who have commented and emailed me about the post on the book, Mission of Motherhood. Working and staying at home can be a sensitive issue for many and appreciate all of the encouragement and insight you all gave me.

Secondly I want to say that I have since read many more chapters of the book and have found it to be a great resource at looking at motherhood through a Christ like lens. She discusses the sacrificial side of Motherhood, and how Christ asks us to sacrifices our lives for Him and this is what we do for our children. She talks about discipline, goal setting and ideas for showing love and comfort in your home. So when I got past the first part that made my already aching heart hurt worse I have really enjoyed the book. I think it would be useful for any Christian mother who longs to bring up her children to love God!

I think after some prayer and reflection that I am sure that for now I am right where I need to be. Just doing my best to serve God by loving my family and serving them and attempting to serve God here at school by showing my kids His love and compassion. Sometimes I fail at both but hopefully in the long run both will be a success.

The Mission of Motherhood

For Christmas I asked for a book called Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. I wanted this book because I believed it to be about establishing a nurturing, supportive home environment in which to raise children who love God. What I didn't bargain for was the chapters on the importance of staying home with your kids. This is what I interpreted as I read: She stresses that this is God's design and plan for motherhood. She argues that the increase of working mothers over the last century has led to the breakdown of society. That you can not be truly successful at God's definition of motherhood if your heart is divided between your job and your children. You can of course still love your children but you can't really complete your mission. Christ will of course forgive you. But you should really try to work something out so you can be at home. And your finances will take care of themselves.

The thing is that I believe that if possible moms should spend as much time as possible nurturing their kids. I believe that is God's design.I am certainly not a career woman. I am not out to become the state superintent. I am completely satisfied to be a classroom teacher from here on out. I do enjoy my job but I believe that Noah and Adam are more important than my classroom. I find satisfaction in teaching and feel that I am just where God wants me to be. I would of course prefer to be at home full time. But its not really possible for everyone. My financial situation will not just sort itself out.

So after an hour of guilt ridden sobbing I put aside the book and pulled out my Bible to find comfort and security in God's love for me and my family. I thought how most of the authors I have read and studied have shared Clarkson's ideas. Where are the books for Christian women who want to raise children and have to work? Where are the examples on how to survive and maintain balance? The books for Christian working mothers?

After a while I picked the book back up and skipped ahead past part one. I did find practical ideas on creating the peaceful nurturing home life. It was the book I was hoping it would be. But in the back of my head I still hear the voice, can I do it all? Really?

The Day at the Park

It was absolutely beautiful day. I felt great. So we decided to head down to the river walk to enjoy the weather. It was so much fun to feel like I was part of the family instead of feature attached to the couch. Enjoy the pictures like we enjoyed our time together!

The Jon Jons

Today I was feeling like a human being so I got some things done. Like purging Noah's closet of all his too small clothes. I packed up all of his jon jons from last summer. I must admit that I shewd more than just a few tears as I packed away all his cute baby clothes. I hope Emy lets my dress Xander in them. Do you remeber these two? Two of my faves. I am sure that next summer I will cry over his little shorts and polos.

The Belly

Yes. This is my belly at fourteen weeks.And I can't keep my hands off of it. I know what you are thinking. Fourteen weeks!!??! It looks more like six months.

The Runner

My mother in law is one strong determined lady! On Valentine's Day she ran and finished her first half marathon! I am beyond impressed. I can't run down the driveway. I am so inspired by her strength to decide to do something and finish it through. Both my mothers inspire me to keep going when I don't really feel like I can. This week when I felt like I might just run out of gas I just kept the picture of Sandra crossing the finish line. I hope I can finish my "race" with strength and joy as she did!

It was important to me that we be there to celebrate her amazing accomplishment. We thought it would be best to surprise her. Well we almost missed her. There are a lot of people who run! We were maybe thirty seconds away from giving up, I had whispered a little prayer to find her, when we looked by the finish line one more time to see Nana! I will never forget the look of joy on her face! It was priceless and I am so glad I was there to witness it.

Congratulations Nana! We are so proud! We love you and thank you for inspiring us to finish strong the things we start!

The Snow Day

Last night I got a phone call and several texts that school had been canceled for snow. This had happened several weeks ago and we got nothing. I was still hopeful but was sad when I woke up to nothing yet again. Another wasted weather day taken from a busy spring semester.

But finally around 9:30 it started coming down. We imeadately went out to see it even though it wasn't sticking around.

An hour or so later we went out to play with B and several other neighbors as it began sticking.

Charlie loves snow as much as me!

I enjoyed some hot chocolate. Put some chowder in the crock pot and watched my boys snuggle up for some Bob the Builder. I am throughly enjoying the snow. And it is still coming down!

The New Niece

There are a lot of babies in our family! In December we welcomed sweet little Xander to our family. We also learned that Adam's sister Robin is having a girl (whose name is a secret). And a few weeks ago we found out that my sister Jenny is having a girl!! Yea! Her name is Lillian and will go by Lillie. The middle name is still being debated. We are super excited about Lillie! I am about to pick her middle name myself so I can start monogramming things :) And to make things even better... after much pressure my sister started a blog! So now I can keep up with her, Jason, Michael and Lille!! I am looking forward to laying eyes on my little Lillie in June!

The Reader

The Sucker

Noah attended the adorable first birthday of Miss Olivia Harris. He enjoyed himself immensely. In the cute party favor cup was a sucker. Noah really enjoyed this.

The Cute Baby?

Do all mothers pregnant with their second babies worry if number two will be as cute as number one?? I will think baby is as cute as I thought/think Noah is right?

The Big Day

Noah had a big day yesterday.

He memorized a Bible Verse.

And used the potty in the potty for the first time!

I'll let him tell you about it. (Kind of.) (Or not.)

He sure was proud of himself.

The Birthday Girl

I thought everyone would enjoy a post that had nothing to do with throwing up. So here it goes...

Noah's BBF, the beautiful girl next door,... Brooke turned two a couple of weeks ago. She was an adorable birthday girl. We celebrated her 2nd birthday at Playhouse Christian Academy which rents out its playspace for parties. Noah had a blast. He really enjoyed the birthday cake. In fact birthday cake is his new favorite food. He had a hard time not opening her presents. Brooke's love for Noah know no bounds. When her arms were full with babies and Barney and she had to put something down to open more presents, who did she trust with her new Barney?? No one else but Noah. Brooke's big present was a mini Barbie 4-wheeler. How long before Noah just has to have one? Some pics of the event: