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A Cup of Cold Water for Thirsty Mommas - Day 1

For the first time in nearly 20 years....I. Don't. Have. A. Preschooler.  Picking out gym shoes and putting a backpack on Ginger has put me in a reflective mood.  It's obvious that she's ready to begin school .....the question is, am I? 

The truth is, it's been an awesome run.  I'm incredibly grateful that I have been able to spend these years at home focused on soaking up the first years of my kids' lives.  I have loved being the one who teaches them colors, how to take turns during board games, why it's polite to use a tissue instead of a sleeve and being able to pass on my awesome Thriller dance moves.  It was an intentional choice that Scott and I made, right at the beginning, to order our little world in such a way that I could focus on being a mom.

You see, I believed my mom.  She told me to listen to what I've heard about women being able to have it all and do it all.  She told me to dream about a career, dream about being a mom, dream about hobbies and volunteering and then dream about doing all those things well.  Along with the dreams, my mom whispered the secret to making all those dreams come true.  The secret is to be able to understand and live seasons.  A woman who tries to be excellent at all things at the same time is setting herself up for failure and frustration....feeling like she's never giving enough or her best to any one thing.
A woman who is willing to live her life in seasons has the luxury of focus.  
Living in seasons means spring can just be a fabulous spring without the pressure of trying to be fall and winter too.  Spring understands that there's time for the beauty of fall and winter, they will have their place and their turn to be the main event.....but spring needs it's moment too.....time to bud and sprout.....time for the smell the new life and fresh sunbeams....time to be relished.

I am convinced that the title of Momma is quite possibly the way that I will leave my most significant mark on the world....my biggest opportunity for impact.  I really want to do that well.  I want to focus and know that I have spent the very best of myself and my talents on this most important task.  So I have chosen to make being a Momma to preschoolers my spring (and my summer....who knew I'd end up with 8 kids!!).

The leaves are changing and I'm sensing fall coming.  I'm adjusting to my daytime work being done without a cute little side-kick making me laugh and needing help tying her shoes.  And I'm asking myself what's next.....what new passions do I want to pursue?  Two answers have echoed louder than others and are giving birth to this blog series.  I want to put more effort into writing and I want to put more of myself into sharing the lessons life has taught me with women a few steps behind me on the path.

And so.....31 Days of a Cup of Cold Water for Thirsty Mommas! My topic is YOU!   I'm just now stepping out of years of preschool Momming so the highs and lows are fresh in my mind.  But I've also got almost 20 years of mom experience under my belt....this time around with a preschooler wasn't my first rodeo and I've been able to refine my approach each time.  I find myself being drawn to you Moms in the store who are wearing one baby and pushing a toddler in the cart while you're struggling to focus and smile.....I've become that mom that wants to hug strangers and tell you how fast these precious years will go.  But I know that in the middle of the check-out lane those words will sound more like Charlie Brown's teacher than anything encouraging.... because you're tired.... and those babies don't like the grocery store.

So, this is for you.  It will be waiting for you each day in your computer.....waiting for that golden moment of naptime, bedtime or Dora time....whatever it takes to let you meet with me for a few minutes so I can tell you how important you are and promise you that what you have to offer your sweet babies today is enough.  You are enough.  You are precious and you are important because only you can be their Momma.  Come back every day, sit down and let me hand you a cool cup of water to refresh you and help you be who you want to be.

I believe in you Mommas.  I see what you're doing every day.  I feel the pressure you put on yourself to do a good job and then to feel good about the job you are doing.  I'm in the thick of it with you but I'm also looking back from the vantage point of having adult children who have become my friends......and I can tell you that it's going to be ok.




Comments

  1. You are so welcome! Thanks for reading!

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  2. Boy, you've really nailed that one--we can be all those things--we just have to do it a sea on at a time! I wish I would have grabbed on to this concept earlier in life. I look forward to seeing your wonderful advice--because even though I'm in the half-empty-nest-with-just-a-college-girl-at-home season, I love learning!

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    1. Thanks for reading and double thanks for your kind words. Isn't it awesome to watch our kids become adults?? I'm loving the college-kid-at-home season too!

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  3. A friend posted your link on FB and I am so glad I clicked over! I am neck deep in the pre-school years with 5 littles ones (ages 2-8), a brand new puppy, and hearts aching for our Ethiopian child(ren) as we move ever so slowly up that waiting list. I am absolutely going to follow this series and I will also do a lot of other reading on your site I am sure as well to glean all I can from your experiences. Thank you so much for being willing to share!

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    1. Wow Jennifer! Our lives sound pretty parallel! Please let me know if there is any other way I can support you!!

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    2. :-) Oh I will, thank you! It is so good to read the experiences of others that are walking ahead of us! Yesterday was a rough day on the adoption front. Things are just SO slow -not all bad but certainly not all easy! This seems to be a journey without end. Trying to remember that my focus is to be on where God has me now and not on where He is leading for tomorrow. Phew! Thanks again for your willingness to share and engage with us more inexperienced mommas! Hope you all can enjoy a beautiful fall weekend!

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  4. Hi, Lori!
    You might not remember us, but we met you at Morning Coffee in Ethiopia. We were on our first trip when you were heading home with your whole family :-) We have been home for over a year now, and I'm feeling worn out(what Mom isn't!!), but God is faithful! I just need to readjust my attitude and expectations most days...
    Looking forward to some advice, because having 5 cjildren ages 7, 10, 11, 13 and 15, and the 3 oldest still just learning English, I know so little :-)
    Praying things are going well for you and your family!
    Amy

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