I’ve been in a bit of a rough parenting patch lately (to put it mildly). The reasons and the hows aren’t terribly important. Trust me. It has stunk.
Then, one right after another, came two occasions of grace.
The first was my husband reminding me, in a moment when I was sure that I was screwing up my children horribly and I couldn’t be a worse mother,
“God chose you to be the mother of these kids.”
It is terrifying and heartening all at once.
Then, some friends shared this beautiful article on Facebook. If you are a mother and you haven’t read it, you should. Right now.
Me? Yes. Me.
So, yesterday, I was me. Me happens to like to do projects. She isn’t very good about playing pretend with her kids, or (shudder) supervising elaborate seasonal arts and crafts activities, or even decorating for holidays at all, or playing sports, or going on nature hikes, but, she does like to make stuff, and so do her kids.
Sew, we did.
Some days it does just click, and the smiles on all our faces is the best gift of all.
It was the gift I needed. 🙂
Ah yes, so familiar. Except sewing with my kids around is a nightmare 🙂 you know what I’m good at? Letting them be them and if that’s all I excell at I’ll take it 🙂
It takes an even better mom to respect that her children are their own persons. You rock, Andrea!
Thank you for a great post, for the link (great article), and for being you, even when it’s hard (I’m sorry this past week was ugh). Your kids want you to be you, and so do your friends 🙂 You amaze me daily, seasonal decorations or not. Thank you for your honesty and candid observations, thank you for sharing your unique talents (sewing, mothering and otherwise) and thank you for being the beautiful, creative, generous, loving person God made you to be. Being content with yourself and your life is the best witness your kids will ever see to the love and perfection of God’s plan, and will teach them to be content being them. I think you’re doing a wonderful job!!!
Thank you for this…So sweet and just where I came to myself. We all seem to go in and out and bless those husbands for telling us “God chose you.” He did. Thanks for spreading the love.
thank you for sharing 🙂
Samantha! I just saw that you live near/in Pittsbugh. Helloooo! We are neighbors!
Sigh. Our “do not like” lists look a LOT alike! Love this post and the darling pics!
Hahaha. As I read your post I’m nodding along, because the Beadboys were home from school this week and all I did was lie on the sofa while fighting two different viruses, and let the Beadboys watch tv all day. And then I clicked on the lovely article you linked to — and I have alphabetized, magnetized spice containers! Does that make up for the piles of laundry in the basement, the piles of dishes in the sink, and the piles of crafts I had planned to finish this week?
Hi Jodi,
I just wanted to let oyu know I have nominated you for a “Very Inspiring Blogger” Award. for your great tutorials and inspiring makes (including the suitcase of course). See my blog for details. (handmadebyclairebear.com/2012/04/15/i-am-a-very-inspiring-blogger)
Thanks
Claire
Thank you, that is very sweet.