Sweet Motherhood: Andrea Wolfe

ready to meet another mom for our series and hear her thoughts? me too.

andrea from kerubo mama caught my attention when i came across her blog and saw her stunning photography. seriously, this girl has talent with a camera. but she's no diva photographer, this woman is so down to earth and sweet; you can tell that through her words on her blog and her photography, aiming to capture the beautiful moments of life, as such is life with kiddos.

blog / instagram

andrea, tell us a little bit of your story and who you are a mom to?

I met my husband, Trevor, when I was 18, he was 19. We were both working at a Bible Camp for troubled kids and teens and it was pretty much love at first sight (there's something so sexy about a Godly man gently and patiently earning the respect of a bunch of rough boys. My heart went pitter patter! :) We got married a few years later, spent a year and a half in Kenya as missionaries, and are now living back in Canada, raising our two kids. Cruz is 2 1/2, and he is sensitive and stubborn, giving me both grey hair and a melted heart all in the same breath :) Lennon is 8 months, and she is a spunky and sassy baby, so full of life and giggles.

motherhood isn't always what we expect, what about motherhood surprised you or has been different than what you expected it to be?

It is so hard. I guess I knew it would be, but I did not realize how hard it would be on my heart. The amount of worry I feel when they are sick, how my heart breaks when they feel sad or afraid, how all-consuming life is when you have two little souls depending on you for everything. They changed my world in the very best and hardest of ways.

 

being a mom is hard work, isn't it? but always rewarding. what do you enjoy most about motherhood?

I just love how our family does such ordinary family things, but the little people make our life so much more sweet (and funny! man, kids are funny!) Sometimes I will look around the breakfast table and Cruz is doing something hilarious and making Lennon laugh and I just think, man, I love my life! It's not very glamorous but it sure is good.

And another major reward is seeing progress. As I mentioned before, my son is stubborn. Getting through to his heart and seeing him begin to understand and then change his attitude is so rewarding and makes me feel like I could conquer the world. Or at least the next oncoming tantrum ;)

 

 let's talk balance. how do you find balance in tending to your daughter and also caring for yourself emotionally and physically?

 

Funny that you should ask this. If I'm being honest, this is an area that I'm really struggling in right now. These last few months have been a bit of a sleep-deprived gongshow around here, and I am wiped out. But one thing that has helped a ton is making sure that the kids get to bed early, so that I have some time to myself without constant crying and feeding and disciplining and general feelings of wanting to pull my hair out. I take the time in the evenings to edit photos with a coffee in hand, or Trevor and I will watch our current fave show on Netflix and just chill. It's a must for me!

 

as moms we strive to teach and show our children lessons shaping them as they grow, however, what is the one thing that you would want your children to grab on to and never forget?

 

Cruz's name means, "he who dwells near the cross", and this is something that I think about all the time. I want more than anything for my children to find themselves at the foot of the cross. To come to Christ, to understand His suffering for them, and to know that there is always hope because of the cross. To allow Christ to transform their lives and make them into world-changers for Him.

 

andrea, mothers need encouragement always. what words of wisdom or encouragement would you offer to other moms?
 

These days are hard, and I will never sugar-coat that. And you know what? Some days it just plain old sucks. And you will want out, and it is ok to admit that. But you are doing a great work! Kingdom work! Raise your babies, love your babies, teach your babies, day in and day out. God will sustain you and give you grace, oh so much grace, to keep on going despite your shortcomings. Celebrate those little moments because those really are the most important things in your life right now. And I will be here, dear sister, cheering you on!

 

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i know those feelings of wanting to pull your hair out! but like andrea said, and i love what she said: mamas this is Kingdom work and we will be sustained!

 

you can find andrea's writing and photography through her blog and following her on instagram, @andreakerubo