sweet motherhood: the series recap.

you may remember the sweet motherhood series that wrapped up here a few weeks ago.

i had the pleasure of having sweet mothers share their thoughts on motherhood and conducted a little interview with each of them. let me tell you, i loved it.
i'm not exaggerating when i say, each week as i received a new post it blessed my heart.

if i can tell you a little secret, i've never considered myself good at this mom gig. i've had my fair share of mom fail moments times three. moments in which i've thought, okay there they will hate me forever.
and countless moments where i've cried rivers asking God for help as i cannot do it, i just can't!

i can be a bit dramatic sometimes.

but in all seriousness, motherhood can feel like that at times. exhausting, frustrating and lonely.
some days may seem like going into a battlefield. some days may feel like we've failed. heck some days we just want to eat a chocolate bar without sharing for crying out loud!

which is why this series really blessed me. not only did i realize that i'm not one bit alone. not only because mothers everywhere struggle the same, but also because there is a lot of Grace that can sustain us.

'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.' - andrea wolfe

 

that encourages me! this motherhood gig is kingdom work. it's not just another mundane task that we have to wake up to. it's Kingdom work!

what we do is for the long run. what we do with them has a bigger impact that we could imagine.

 

My vision in parenting him is for the long haul. I'm not only trying to raise a good kid, but more so an amazing man. – shannon quiqley

 

Be present and in the now...all most kids really want is your time...so give it to them...they will be grown and gone before you know it. - christina schergen

 

and although that might sound scary, knowing that what we do has a great impact, it isn't. when we come to realize that the immense love we have for our kiddos, does not compare to the love He has for them, and for us mamas, it places a comfort on my heart.

He sees our fears for them, our dreams for them. He sees the feeling of falling short as mothers and He fills it while we do the only thing we can do.. cling on to Him.

 

While I have the privilege of caring for her and loving her imperfectly but constantly, I am humbled by the realization that a parent's love for their child(ren) is but a mere shadow of God's deep and perfect love for Christ. – helen hong

 

Being a mom goes way beyond caring for a child. Through motherhood I've come to truly understand God's love for us. – cindy medrano

As she grows, I pray that she knows Whose she is - erika

we, mothers sometimes beat ourselves up more than we should. in fact we shouldn't beat ourselves up. whatever we are doing is good work, because honestly as long as we love our children with all our heart and pray the best for them, it will show. and they will know.

 

Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes. We have to stop comparing and start embracing each other and where we are at. – ruthy taylor

 

We tend to assume these "supermoms" have some kind of secret to motherhood that we don't have. We are so wrong. There's not one mom in the world who doesn't have struggles. – becky haight

we're all in it together, the struggles, the worries, the tickles, the cuddles, the ever growing pile of laundry. it's sweet, this motherhood. in the bigger picture it is sweet and we got this. mamas, we got this.

 

#momyougotdis





 

a huge thank you to all the beautiful ladies that participated in this series! i love your heart!

 

 

Sweet Motherhood: Helen Hong

 

 

so sweet, encouraging and a creative mind is how i would describe helen. she is one incredibly sweet mama, and i'm so happy to have connected with her.

the way she loves on her little family is so encouraging, and this girl can do party decor in the most charming way.

today i have the pleasure of having her here while she shares her thoughts on motherhood.

 

 

blog / instagram

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

I'm Helen, a sinner saved by grace since 2005 who attempts, by God's grace, to find her ultimate joy in knowing Him. I met my husband, Alex, at church that same year. I was 17 and he was 18. After becoming friends and serving alongside one another for years, I never fathomed that we'd be anything more. God had other (always better) plans: we began dating in 2010 and got married in 2012. God constantly reveals to me His great love for His church through the covenant of marriage. Life with Alex has been so sweet, which only became sweeter upon the birth of our daughter, Serene Joy, in 2013. Now we're a beyond blessed little family of three, and eight month old Serene has changed our lives in the most joyful way!

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


 
Once Serene entered the world and was put into my arms, the love that I had for her that began when we discovered she was being fearfully and wonderfully formed in my womb, became ever-growing, fiercer, more powerful, and heart-bursting by the day. While I have the privilege of caring for her and loving her imperfectly but constantly, I am humbled by the realization that a parent's love for their child(ren) is but a mere shadow of God's deep and perfect love for Christ. I could not have understood this as tangibly before I became a parent. I am now more in awe of God's great love for us that He would give up His beloved Son for us who are so undeserving, because, let's face it - I can hardly leave Serene with a baby-sitter without stressing!




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

 







After graduating from college, I've worked in the entertainment industry, as a classroom teacher, and now in education non-profit. I am convinced for myself that none of these jobs have been as rewarding as motherhood. Trusting in what God says in His Word that being my husband's helper and being my daughter's mother is my highest calling makes motherhood, on the whole, rewarding beyond compare. Since I currently work full-time, I cherish coming home to my sweet daughter most, whose already joyful disposition reaches new heights whenever I do. She grins madly, giggles gleefully, lunges towards me forcefully, and kicks her legs wildly. I cherish moments with her when I'm able to be home, through the sweet and the hard moments. Even though I fail to always rejoice in the hard moments, and instead, give in to impatience, anxiety, and anger, God uses motherhood to refine me in ways that I need. Which is why my aspiration is to be a stay-at-home mama someday (soon, Lord-willing)!
 


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

 

I'm a proponent of a consistent bedtime routine, not only for Serene's well-being, but also for Alex's and my emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Serene knows what to expect once 8pm hits, and once she gets bath time, story time, prayer time, and bedtime nursing, she goes down for a good night's rest (most of the time). Then Alex and I get to unwind, which includes spending quality time together, and spending quality time with the Lord individually and together before going to bed ourselves. We also set aside an afternoon or evening during the week reserved for family time. We'll usually go out for a meal or go on a mini adventure, with the aim to spend quality time together as a family. We tend to get so busy and frazzled during the everyday that family time protects and fosters our love and priority for one another.

 

 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?

My prayer is for Serene to know Christ and to make Him her ultimate source of unsurpassed joy. To find joy in who He is through His word. To find joy in what He has done for her on the cross. To find joy in how He can use her to make Him known for the joy of all peoples and for His glory.

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

 
As moms, we feel like we have to do it all and do it well, which is absolutely not true. When these feelings of inadequacy arise, they point us to our need for the Savior, who grants us the strength and grace we need to raise our little one(s). Our adequacy is in Christ, and our child(ren) ought to see that in the way we live our lives and care for them. At the end of the day, God is the ultimate, perfect heavenly Father who has our child(ren)'s lives in His sovereign hands, and we are privileged that He is entrusting them to our care for the time being.

..............

 



'I am humbled by the realization that a parent's love for their child(ren) is but a mere shadow of God's deep and perfect love for Christ.'

okay, that hit home in the best way. how wonderful to be reminded that God's love for His son, for us and our children will always greatly surpass the way we love.
sooo thankful for that!

you can find helen's writing and her beautiful photos at her blog or through instagram: @mrshelenhong.




 

Sweet Motherhood: Shannon Nichole

today i have the pleasure of having a beautiful friend for this series. it's hard to say, how long i've known her, but i want to say it's been almost two years. i met shannon through blogging and i've loved connecting with her on motherhood, marriage, faith, and everyday life. her story is a beautiful one, and i'd encourage you visit her space (which she just revamped and looks gorgeous!), and get to know her. you can thank me later.

i asked shannon to share her thoughts on what motherhood means to her, and when she sent me her piece...let's just say, get your tissues out ladies.

blog / instagram / twitter

 

 

 

As moms we are overwhelmingly blessed with nearly countless special, bonding, tender, proud and if we're honest hard times with our children. Within all those special times we all have those few really, really....REALLY special ones. 

If you were to ask me what the most special time with my child was...immediately you'd see my face light up, and while I'd share with you that there obviously have been many, I'd tell you that the most special day...the one that makes my heart swell, is one that my son and I have not yet technically lived.

I'm a mom to one incredible, big hearted, clever and amazing nine year old not so little boy. . 

As a mom, I've always looked at my son, not only for who he is today...but who he will be in the future, as an adult. My vision in parenting him is for the long haul. I'm not only trying to raise a good kid, but more so an amazing man. A man that will one day fall in love and marry an exceptional woman.

Love is a big topic in my house. It's basically the center of the way I try to guide our lives. 

Numerous conversations are always rerouted back to love, and loving well. 

We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 4:19

While there is on occasion an eye roll that I'm talking about love yet again...I continue to do it anyway. We talk about love not as a wimpy, lovey dovey subject but one of great power. Powerful people love people. 

The primary reason Jesus died for us.....love. He loved us T-H-A-T much. At the end of the day, he chose us, over himself. That's a powerful and selfless love. 

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us

Ephesians 5:2

One of the biggest examples of walking this love the way Jesus did...marriage

So with that....what will be my most cherished memory?

The day my son will marry his wife.

Why? Why this moment?

On this day I will watch my son devote himself to loving someone for the rest of his life in the loving and selfless way that Jesus did for us. 

This is the day that I'll watch my son vow, before God to voluntarily will lay down his life for another, 

in the name of loving well. 

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

When you live your life out of that type of love, something amazing happens. 

You change.  Your relationships change. You never lose when you love this way. 

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Matthew 10:39

The amount of respect I will gain for my Jay, watching this moment of time will be immense. 

His marriage signifies his selfless heart. 

 He and I will both be aware that at times in his life, this choice could quite possibly be the hardest one of his whole life to walk out. Yet he vows anyway. 

 He vows to honor his wife and place her before himself. 

He vows to love like Jesus.

And to see this...my heart will be incredibly proud. Proud that the incredible, big hearted, clever and amazing young boy that currently rolls his eyes when we talk about love, has ultimately chosen to stand for it in such a powerful way. 

 

..........

 

this puts motherhood in a whole new perspective, huh? i pray that my sons will also grow up to be men of the Lord, laying their life down for others and for their future wife. *tear*

 

you can read more of Shannon through her blog, or follow her through instagram: _shannon_nichole_

Sweet Motherhood: Erika from Seventeen Perth

i met erika, i want to say, almost a year ago, if not more. i liked her instantly. this girl is super sweet and so encouraging to me and when i heard she was expecting, i was so thrilled for her.
today she is sharing her thoughts on her new role as a mother. if you don't know her, please get to. she's pretty great!

now here's erika:



blog/ instagram

erika, tell us a little bit of your story and who you are a mom to?
I am a new mom to a beautiful baby girl. Little E was born in February of this year! My husband and I waited until our thirties to have children, so we are beyond blessed and excited to welcome this little girl into the world!

My whole life, becoming a mother is definitely something that I looked forward to. After I held her in my arms for the first time, that instant wave of emotion and love came over me and life as I knew it would never be the same. (as cliche as that is--it could not be more true!). I can honestly say it is way more than I ever anticipated in the best of ways. Everyone told me I would love her more than I could imagine, but it was definitely something I could not fully comprehend until I experienced it myself.

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


Being a mom is fulfilling yet hard!! I never expected it to be easy, but the constant questioning of myself was shocking! I've always been pretty confident in my decision making abilities, but the understanding of the impact I have on her life was is overwhelming. (So thankful for God's grace!) And thankful for all the mommas that surround me for the help, advice, guidance and shoulders to lean on as only other mommas can understand. Community is such an invaluable tool!

being a mom is hard work, isn't it? but always rewarding. what do you enjoy most about motherhood?
How can I decide on one thing? I love it ALL!. The sweet, quiet moments stand out the strongest; specifically those moments when it is just me and her, and she wants to be snuggled or when she breaks out into a full on grin. I can't imagine anything better in the world. 


 let's talk balance. how do you find balance in tending to your daughter and also caring for yourself emotionally and physically?
After about 2 1/2 weeks, I realized I needed to do something for myself. As an avid runner before I got pregnant (and partially while pregnant--until I got an asthma induced by pregnancy diagnosis), it was time to hit the pavement again.
Even though I wasn't "cleared" for running just yet, I began walking an hour about 4 times a week leaving little E at home with my husband. I needed a little time to turn on some music, soak up the sun and let nature rejuvenate me.

Nature is food for my soul. More importantly, it is where I connect with God the most.

 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?
As she grows, I pray that she knows Whose she is. I pray that she knows she is perfectly imperfect in every way and made for a specific purpose; to have confidence in herself always! My hope is that she knows Who to listen to and Who to follow and that her dad and I be good role models in Trusting Him. And most importantly and above all else I pray she trusts her Heavenly Father more than anything else in this world.

erika, mothers need encouragement always. what words of wisdom or encouragement would you offer to other moms?
As a newbie mom:

*Ask for help! (Don't be afraid to ask for help and to ask questions!)

*Don't feel like you have to have all the answers.

*Don't feel like there is *one* right way to do things! Think out of the box.

*Seek first the Kingdom.

*Encourage other moms. We all struggle at times! It is encouraging to hear others struggles and to provide encouragement and love during those times.

 

 

..............

ah yes, those sweet quiet moments with the babes is surely one of the sweetest moments. and i agree with nature being food for the soul. erika takes wonderful photos of nature, which you can find on her blog and/or by following through instagram @e_lynch3

Sweet Motherhood: Ruthy Taylor

 

i gotta say, this motherhood series has been blessing me tons. i've loved reading about all of these mothers and their take on motherhood, and today i have the pleasure of introducing ruthy from discovery street. ruthy is such a sweet mom and i have loved getting to connect with her and reading her blog, in which she shares life with her husband and little one, parker penny. don't you just love that name?
and she lives in the PNW which gives her extra cool points, since i love that place of the country!
here's what ruthy shared with us:

 

 

 

blog / instagram / twitter / facebook

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

I'm Ruthy, mama to my 20 month old daughter Parker Penny and due with another girl this summer. I became a mother a little later in life, I had my daughter when I was 34. Becoming a mom was never a lifelong dream, I wasn't sure if I actually wanted kids. Those who know me well think it's crazy I'm pregnant with my second!

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

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed motherhood in the beginning. I read all the horror stories and was mentally prepared to go to battle so to speak. Although my daughter was born with hip dysplasia which made the first few months exceptionally challenging and emotional, I was enamored with motherhood. The toddler stage however, yeah, well I'm not so enamored with this stage. It's a daily struggle!




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

 


Honestly, it's so freaking hard. But I think God renews my spirit every time I see my daughter delight in something. Whether it's bubbles, an animal at the zoo, throwing rocks, or seeing her daddy walk through the door in the evening. Her shrieks of joy and laughter kinda make up for the tantrum and tears. 

 
 let's talk balance. how do you find balance in tending to your daughter and also caring for yourself emotionally and physically?
 
 Is there such a thing? I've let go of the concept. I don't think balance exists. I think there are seasons of life that are rough and seasons of life that are renewing. I'm just grateful every morning is a fresh start.
 
 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?
 
 Confidence. Self doubt looms over women and prevents them from so much. I want my girls to grow up confident in who they are, which in turn will lead them to be courageous and have a voice for those less confident. I want them to stand up for what is right, speak up for themselves and for others. I desire for them to know they are daughters of the MOST HIGH KING...how can they not draw confidence and courage knowing that? 

 

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

 
 
Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes. We have to stop comparing and start embracing each other and where we are at. I quit my career to be a stay at home mom and I loved it for about a year. But I've come to the realization that I'm not really wired to be a stay at home mom. At first I felt guilty about these feelings, but the fact is I'm gifted with talents and abilities outside of the home. With another baby on the way I won't be going back to work right away, but I'm pretty sure I won't be a stay at home mom for long. And that's ok. We have to stop judging each other and start encouraging the choices mom's make that is best for their families. 
 

...............

 



 ruthy, you're speaking to my heart girl. motherhood is so hard, and balance can be so difficult to find! though, thankfully we can run to God to renew our spirit, like you said.

you can find ruthy at her blog or following her on instagram too! @discoverystreet.

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!

 

...................

 

 

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

 

 

 



 

 

sweet motherhood - Christina Schergen

it is that time again!
time i get to introduce you to another awesome mom through this series.

today's featured mom is christina from the olive tree. i found christina's blog way back and love coming back to read her words. her diy's and may or may not posts are a must read. she is hilarious and has such a beautiful heart for her kiddos!

she shared her thoughts on motherhood below:

blog/instagram/twitter

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

Hello! I'm Christina and I blog over at The Olive Tree. I am mom to Elisabeth, Jude, Lyla, and baby due sometime in September.

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

I was actually was very apprehensive about having kids rather young...I was willing to wait a few more years. I enjoyed children but after about an hour or so I ready to give them back to their moms....lol. With that said I think what surprised me the most is how much I truly love and enjoy motherhood. I love all if it...the baths, the stories, the cuddles, the endless book reading, the swaddling, the tedious everyday tasks....except the laundry...I loathe all the laundry.

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

Discipline is hard work, teaching them how to treat others is hard work, teaching them how to be little respectable humans is really really really hard work, being a good example for them is hard work. I love to see the hard work pay off. I love seeing them being kind to siblings, and putting others' feelings first, respecting adults, and treating others with kindness. I love seeing them choose to willingly follow, and stay hungry for God. I love the little moments the most...that probably aren't really a big deal to someone from the outside looking in...but that leave your heart feeling full and happy. I love the sticky fingers, the excitement in their eyes around holidays, the endless hugs, the laughter and noise filled house, and suntan soaked skin in the summer.

I read this quote once and loved it..." The most precious jewels you'll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children."

 

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

 I started off with sleeping training my kiddos when they were just babies. I know sleep training isn't for everyone, but it was for me. My husband is away from home a few days week...so scheduling and bedtime are a must. For me I know that I can give my kids all they need during the day b/c when that clock hits about 830 to 9pm ...they all go to bed happy, and they all stay asleep until about 8 am the next morning (give or take the occasional cold, thunderstorm, or bad dream). This allows me to be able to do whatever I want for the rest of the night for as long as I choose...watch a movie with the husband, read, blog, catch up on cleaning, get in a daily shower...or some nights go to bed approximately 5 minutes after they do.

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?

Keep God first and have a real relationship with him...I mean a real meaningful relationship...this will help with life choices and when you strive to keep God first everything falls into place. Also, if they can be anything be kind...we can always use more kindness.

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

 

Be present and in the now...all most kids really want is your time...so give it to them...they will be grown and gone before you know it. Love them, lean on God, let them be little, speak kind uplifting words because the way you talk to them becomes their inner voice.

 

................

 

okay, did anyone else get tears in their eyes with that quote? loved christina's thoughts! thank you christina for sharing your heart girl.

 

you can find christina at her blog or follow her through instagram @treeofolive .

 

 

sweet motherhood - Cindy Medrano

i gotta say, thursdays will be my new favorite day for a while. featuring mothers and having them share their story on this space is so exciting!

this is the second installment in this sweet motherhood series and today we have Cindy from cinsarah sharing her thoughts on motherhood and her journey.

i met cindy years ago through church and she is one of the sweetest. she is currently part of the worship team at her church and not only does she sing, she plays the drums! she's one pretty crafty momma and has many diy projects featured on her blog.

blog/instagram /twitter / facebook

 

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

Why is it so hard to talk about yourself? At least for me it is. Ok let's begin... my name is Cindy. My husband Omar and I have three kids, Joshua (7), Sarah (5) and Levi (1). I met my husband at church when he was in the military and would visit my church where his aunts would attend. I thought he was so handsome of course but never ever thought I would end up marrying that handsome man.

Little did I know he was the man I would pray for, the one God chose for me. He asked me to be his girlfriend on September 22, 2002, we dated for almost 4 years and then married in 2005. Joshua was born on September 22, 2006. It's not a coincidence it's actually an answered prayer. I prayed for him to be born on that day and God is so good, He answered my prayer. Our three kids have been answered prayers. God has been so good to us. We're not perfect, we have had our rough times but it's in those hard times where we have seen his Love and Mercy so beautifully shown in our lives.

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

Motherhood is such a blessing and a BIG responsibility. I had Josh when I was 19 so I was young, I didn't know anything. It was especially tough because Josh was born with a cleft palate so he needed special attention. I didn't expect him to be born with this deformity. I was angry, upset and I didn't understand but I can now say I am thankful through it all because that experience taught me so much. Being a mom goes way beyond caring for a child. Through motherhood I've come to truly understand God's love for us.

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

Yes being a mom is hard. You are so right but like you said it's so rewarding. Without the tough times I don't think I would appreciate the good ones as much. I enjoy watching my kids, hearing them talk and seeing little bits of myself and my husband in them. I love when we go to church and I see them sitting in the front row singing and praising God. I love seeing them laugh and play with each other. I love it all!

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

I don't have it all together. Some days I feel I am on task and I feel productive. Other days I struggle to get out of bed and I feel so behind on everything. One thing that I started doing recently that has been a HUGE difference is eating healthier/exercising. Taking care of myself physically has made a difference in that I have a lot more energy and I just feel great overall. I don't work out everyday but I try to go running or biking once or twice a week and I do it with the kiddos so it's a win-win. We spend time together and I get a good workout!

 

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?

If there's anything that I would like my kids to learn and keep with them is God's love. I want them to have a relationship with their creator. I want them to walk in his ways. That is my ultimate prayer for them, for God to use them. For God's purpose to be fulfilled in them and although they're still very young I also pray for their future spouses. It's important to pray for their future spouses! I learned this from my own parents.

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

Enjoy your kiddos! Love them and show them you love them everyday! That's it :)

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such great thoughts Cindy. I love that her kiddos as small as they are already show a passion for God! and i totally feel you on the days you just don't want to get out of bed! haha.
thank you so much Cindy for sharing your story here today. :)  you can find Cindy's latest diy's or cute kiddos' ootd's at her blog and through her instagram. @cinsarah

sweet motherhood: Becky Haight

i am so excited for today. today we begin the sweet motherhood series here, featuring some pretty sweet moms. motherhood is such a beautiful privilege, one that is exhausting but so incredibly rewarding with that said, it's also meant to be celebrated and highlighting these moms is my pleasure! my hope with this series is that we may find encouragement from one another and build a closer community.

starting us off is the gorgeous becky from apples of gold. she's one of the first moms i connected with and it's been such a blessing getting to know her and her heart. her writing is always so encouraging and i know one day we'll see her book at barnes and noble!

blog / instagram

so, wanna know her thoughts on motherhood? here's what she shared:

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

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I lived there with my parents for twenty-three years before God decided it was time to uproot me by introducing me to the man of my dreams (literally, I dreamt about him years before I ever met him. Cool stuff.)

I met Jon on Myspace in February of 2009. God became all kinds of cool in my eyes when I realized He was willing to use Myspace to link me with my future husband. We were married in November of 2010 and I finished college and moved to California the following month. About ten months later I gave birth to our baby girl, Rebekah Rosalie, ("Bekah" for short) who has pretty much turned our world upside down, one sleepless night at a time. She's about two and a half years old now.

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

You ain't kiddin'! Before marrying Jon I had this pie-in-the-sky expectation of what motherhood would be like for me. I was the only girl (I knew of) who actually wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. 

While all of my college friends were dreaming of amazing careers in all kinds of cool fields, I was dreaming of changing diapers, strolling around with my very own baby, and someday homeschooling a few kids of my own. Today I'm living that dream, except it doesn't feel very dreamlike. It's exhausting on all kinds of levels, but incredibly rewarding nonetheless. 

Honestly, what surprised me most about my own mommy experience were those initial months when sleeping was a thing of my past and staying up all night with my sweet babe was what I was forced to do. Most days I felt delirious. I have never been able to function very well on small amounts of sleep. The lack of sleep mixed in with my post-pregnancy hormones worked together to create about the worst torture I've ever had to endure, labor pains aside. [I'm being dramatic here, but seriously, it was misery.] Thankfully my mom flew in from New York to come to my rescue for 3 weeks. Thank God for moms! 

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

I'd say what I enjoy most is seeing the fruit of my hard work shine through in my daughter's attitude and behavior. She is your typical rough-around-the-edges two year old, but she says "please" and "thank you," and she is sweetly confident when surrounded by other kids her age. That's enough to let me know that, despite her tantrums these days, she's learned a thing or two from me and her dad. [Phew!]

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

Balance is something I've struggled with from the very beginning of my mom journey. It wasn't until recently (as in, the last few months) that I realized it would probably do me some good to invest in myself. That's when I accepted the long-standing offer of heading to the gym with my husband (who was, by the way, absolutely thrilled when I finally said 'yes.') 

That decision alone was probably the best decision i've made in years. It's increased the bonding time between me and Jon by leaps and bounds. It has also made me feel better physically, which means I now have a lot more energy to chase after my little runner. And more energy means an emotionally content and overall happier me!

When it comes to my spiritual well-being I do my very best to wake up each morning and have some quiet time with God before starting my day. I am so much more productive and efficient in what I do as a mom when I seek God first thing in the morning and allow Him to order my steps.

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?

There's nothing I want more for Bekah than for her to grow up trusting in the Lord with all her heart. Those two verses in Proverbs (chapter 3, verses 5 and 6) have been lifelines for me during my most difficult times. 

I've read them more than any other verses in my Bible and they never lose their power or impact on my heart. I want Bekah to be a trust warrior, believing in God when all else fails her, knowing He will direct her on the right path, always. 

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

I think many of us moms struggle with feelings of inadequacy that stem from comparing ourselves to the picture perfect moms we see on Instagram, Pinterest, or other blogs. We tend to assume these "supermoms" have some kind of secret to motherhood that we don't have. We are so wrong. There's not one mom in the world who doesn't have struggles. If you meet a woman who claims being a mom is easy, just know she's lying through her teeth. 

The bottom line: being a mother is HARD work. Don't compare your mommy skills to anyone else's. Just do your best and, with God's help, your best will be more than enough. 

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amen sister! i gotta say, desiring for your little one to be a trust warrior got me choked up. such a beautiful prayer. thank you becky, so much for sharing here today! 

you can find becky's writing at her blog and also follow her everyday adventures with her precious bekah through instagram, @golden_applesauce