31 Days Embracing Motherhood: When All You Have is a Clean(ish) Floor

October 29, 2012September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. BrackettLeave a comment

I mentioned last post that we’ve been potty training around here lately. I thought she’d gotten it, really thought so. A week of no diapers and lots of “I gotta go potty now!” and rushing, rushing, rushing so she could say, “I tinkle! It change colors.” (you know, because we don’t drink nearly enough water…)

Then we went to the beach.

And while that was fun, she apparently forgot how to potty. I don’t know. Maybe it was the swimsuit. Or the sand. Or the really big fish.

But ever since we returned to our regular routine, she’s been “forgetting” and I’ve been cleaning.

The upside to all this is that the kitchen floor has got to be cleaner than it was at the beginning of the month, right?

for all my 31 Days posts click here. and no, you aren’t miscounting. I’m missing a few days. Imperfection. It’s another trait to embrace about motherhood. and blogging. and life. and my kids’ rooms.

31 Days to Embracing Motherhood · amelia · gus · http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · madelynne · motherhood

31 Days Embracing Motherhood: When Pictures Tell Your Story

October 6, 2012September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. Brackett1 Comment

They still seem too little for this.

They pose whenever the camera comes out.

Gus is still not sure what to think.

His uncle Corey wore this thirty years ago.

My children will eat anything we grow ourselves.

Swimsuits can’t dry in the rain.

She’s almost always smiling.

He is always chewing his fingers.

He love his mama.

She loves him.

1000 gifts · amelia · gus · http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · madelynne · monday · motherhood

When 365 Makes a 180

September 24, 2012 Lindsey P. Brackett1 Comment

One year ago, I was trapped by the daunting realization of motherhood times four.
Today I gave up my early morning sleep to listen to that baby boy squeal all up and down his tenor range while attacking the bumper in his cradle.

One year ago, I forced joy at my daughter’s seventh birthday, and then cried in her daddy’s arms because now I would forever mark the day I first became a mother with the day I realized I didn’t think I could do it again.
Today we’re five days into being eight and a whole year into mothering four (because it all starts at conception) and she’s still the greatest teacher of grace I have.

One year ago, I was overwhelmed by the “I don’t haves” of financially-strapped stay-at-home life.
Today I revel in the moments I’m present for because I’m not heading out our door at breakneck speed to continue a life that gave us less than what we have now.

One year ago, either daddy or I read bedtime stories each night.
Last night, Madelynne read Jesus to him, Annabelle read Hop on Pop (my favorite Dr. Seuss) to anyone who was listening, and Amelia brought me Cat in the Hat to read to her and nursing Gus.

One year ago, I was finding joy in the small, silly moments of life with three daughters.
Now, I’m seeking joy everyday in the random, grace-filled moments of motherhood.

….baby Gus chewing his blankets
….the way his face lights up when I come in the room
….Amelia’s swirly hair that is the envy of all her aunts even when I haven’t brushed it in a couple of days
….Madelynne’s delight in having her own space
….the way Annabelle talks about her teachers, this year Mrs. B is the authority on everything
….trying to teach selflessness and failing and realizing that perhaps the best teacher will be the act itself, so today I’ll be calling the local soup kitchen and setting up to take the big girls to volunteer
….trying to get the Word into their heart and realizing I need to put more of it into my own first
….is it irony that the best view of the pre-dawn sky is out my bathroom window?
….regretting that I was so negative for so much of my pregnancy, but thankful that despite all my shortcomings, being honest and open about that struggle has blessed others whose story is similar
….so much joy in hearing of so many friends who are walking this journey of parenthood right along side us…especially my dear friend who isn’t facing a NICU on this go round but should deliver a healthy full-term baby boy soon!

Linking up with Miscellany Monday and A Holy Experience this morning. Now it’s off to pour some cereal and tag some consignment. Blessings!

1000 gifts · amelia · family · http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · joshua · madelynne · Top 10 Tuesday

Those Perfect Moments

June 12, 2012September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

When you’re a mom

especially a mom of

rowdy

rambunctious

rough

little girls

and just one sweet tiny boy

it’s easy to get caught up

in the moments that are hard.

I posted that last week

so this week

I thought I’d share that

in life

in motherhood

there are plenty of

perfect moments

fleeting and quick

but if I could just freeze

this time

I would.

one.
Madelynne all curled up in our armchair reading chapter books all by herself ignoring the chaos around her until her baby sis climbs up too.

two.
The noisy baby napping nearby who grunts and sighs and purrs non-stop when I am trying to nap but who curls into my chest and is quiet as can be.

three.
When Amelia wakes up her hair is everywhere all swirls and curls and sweetness.

four.
Just one day when we all got along (mostly) and I reinstated some confidence in myself.

five.
Handfuls of not-quite-ripe blackberries they and their favorite boy friends are picking off the bushes.

six.
Dishwasher humming, dryer thumping, crockpot bubbling, babies all at rest.
and big girls at art camp 🙂

seven.
Long nursing sessions when we’re just both so content.

eight.
Eight little feet that will bring the Good News
we pray.

nine.
Clutching her “star bucks” Annabelle says, “Mommy, did you know the library has a room where you can buy stuff?” The library is our new favorite summer place.

ten.
Trying for a perfect moment sometimes gets you one better.
It may not have been the original vision, but it’s ours.

Linking up today over at Growing Home and Many Little Blessings.

and all photographs are courtesy of MBShaw Photography.

1000 gifts · amelia · http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · madelynne · savor · Top 10 Tuesday

Sweetest Moments {top 10}

May 8, 2012September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

one week old today~lots of sissy loving~annabelle keeps count of how many times she’s held him~falls asleep anywhere except his cradle at night~big eyes that get bigger when the sissy monsters are around~Uncle Corey will have to teach him to survive a house of girls~holding hands is the sweetest moment until she squeezes too hard~good and perfect gifts from above