I grew up in the Bible belt. I heard a LOT about the Proverbs 31 Woman--the wife of noble character. I attended whole bible studies about this woman described in Proverbs that we should all model our lives after! She’s busily working for her family and brings honor to her spouse. And we have her to thank for that whole “charm is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman who fears the Lord, she … [Read more...]
We’re All Screwing Up Our Kids
The other day I was telling a friend about some parenting challenges I was facing and how overwhelmed and inadequate I felt about mothering one of my kids. He said, “You know, I realized the other day that there is absolutely no way I won’t screw up my kids to some degree. It’s just going to happen. My parents are fantastic and I still have issues because of their parenting choices. My kids will … [Read more...]
5 Things That Make Mothering a Little Easier
I've shared before that while mothering is by far the most exciting role I've ever undertaken, it doesn't come easy to me.....at all. After feeling very successful in school and career pre-kids, the tasks of homemaking weren't just thankless but difficult. I am an extreme P when it comes to the P vs. J part of the Myers-Briggs personality test. That means keeping my home organized is not a … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Climb Out of a Really Bad Day of Mothering
You know those mornings that just start out all wrong? Whatever your expectations were.....they don't come to pass. Maybe you're woken up at 4:30 am by a child who just refuses to go back to sleep. Maybe you set your alarm and dragged yourself out of bed early to spend some quiet time with your cup of coffee and prayer only to hear little feet pitter pattering stomping like elephants down the … [Read more...]
“Have You Ever Felt Like Being a Mother Has Ruined You?”
“Have you ever felt like being a mother has ruined you? Has brought out the absolute worst--from being a sensitive, emotional mess that will snap at the slightest challenging remark or unexpected turn in the day to making you seethe with anger and frustration all too often? I feel like I used to be so good, so on top of everything, so "proficient." And here I am, on the eve of my son's … [Read more...]
You Don’t Have to Go to Grad School (to have a life of the mind)
“If you quit this program, you’ll become intellectually stagnant,” warned a professor, and fellow mom, who was urging me to finish my art history grad program instead of stay home with my 18-month-old son. After graduation, almost all of my college friends went on to grad school. I took two years off while my husband Daniel finished his degree and we had our first child. It never really occured … [Read more...]
Our Real Mommy Problem (Guest Post by Nicki)
Good morning, friends! I am under the weather with a sore throat and trying to avoid my nemesis, Tonsillitis (hence the quiet on the blog this week). But luckily, sweet Nicki is here to save the day with a guest post, so enjoy!-Haley This is a guest post by Nicki of Full Hands, Happy Heart. In case you missed it, “Our ‘Mommy’ Problem” was an opinion piece published recently in … [Read more...]
10 Ideas for YOUR Christmas List, Moms
When Daniel's parents ask for Christmas lists for the kids, I can rattle off several things right off the top of my head. But when I'm supposed to write down what I want....it's a different matter. I just stare at a blank page. I think other moms have the same issue. We spend our days focused on other little people and it feels weird to focus on ourselves. I just sit there for several minutes … [Read more...]
When It Feels Like You’re Failing at Building Your Cathedral
The Most Important Person on Earth is a Mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral-a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body…The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. … [Read more...]
Seeing Through the Eyes of Love: Tiny Ballerinas and Fighting the Self-Image Battle
I think my daughters are beautiful. Last week I watched my oldest, Lucy (almost 3), tip toe across the studio of her third ballet class. (The class she’s been begging to take for months.) If ever my heart was in danger of bursting, it was that moment. She didn’t even smile or acknowledge us when we walked in for parent observation day, she was too focused on keeping her hands firmly on her hips … [Read more...]
