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Random Acts of…Perfectionism

It’s hard to look at Amelia and think of her as anything but perfect. She’s got perfectly formed fingers and toes, a perfectly shaped head that’s actually covered in hair, perfectly sweet eyes framed by her those perfect long lashes girls will envy her for in about fifteen years. She’s perfect…even if Mommy is not.

I just hope that I’m a good mom, even if I’m not “perfect”, at least not by the crazy standards I have held myself to in the past. And I believe that recognizing I can never live up to unattainable standards might be my step toward becoming a better mom everyday. One who can tell herself to let go of the laundry and the made from scratch dinner and the rug that always needs vacuuming long enough to realize the things that are perfect.
So here’s a quick rundown of the “perfect” things Joshua and I have done this week:
1. Fed the family pigs-in-a-blanket and scrambled eggs for dinner. Not a vegetable in sight. And they had juice instead of milk.
2. Then, because that was an easy make-up and clean-up, we played the Wii until bedtime.
3. This morning, Joshua got the girls up and dressed and fed them frozen waffles (yes, he cooked them first). Annabelle is wearing a pink princess shirt, hot pink pants, and red Snow White socks. Madelynne has on black leggings and brown shoes and the classic low ponytail that is the only hairstyle Daddy can fix. They look great!
4. I sat on the couch for hours on Wednesday watching old episodes of ER on DVD and alternately nursing and cuddling my newest baby who has hit her 3-week growth spurt. At about 3, I finally turned on the dishwasher.
5. Belle’s birthday is next week. Actual invitations might make it to folks by Monday, but if not it’s okay. I facebooked everyone to save the date which is efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly.
6. And finally, I began this post on Monday and finished it on Friday. Now that’s perfectionism! Or a lack of time management…and sleep….
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Random Acts of…Family

Started this on March 3 and have decided to post it as is since it’s a new week and I’ve got new thoughts to share….

So, here’s a quick update of week 2 with three…would’ve been longer if I hadn’t just spent thirty minutes figuring out my forgotten password. The lack of sleep must be getting to me, though I keep repeating to myself the wise words a friend passed on from the most important Word, “In my weakness, I am made strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)

Amelia is sweet and alert and has learned to defend herself from her Sissy Monsters by sleeping. Hence, not a lot of resting going on during the dark hours for Mommy. But, this too shall pass. I know it will take us longer than 11 days to figure out a routine and “schedule” that will accommodate everyone’s needs (or at least keep them satisfied for a little while!).
We’ve been visited by lots of people who are blood family, church family, and chosen family in the form of dear friends, so we’ve been well looked after and fed! No way the pre-pregnancy jeans are going to fit when considering the pans of brownies on my kitchen counter…
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Random Acts of….Week One


Sweet announcements from sweet friends!


















So, here’s the first post as an official family of five…three of whom are princesses because to the surprise of many (including this mommy) it was another girl! Amelia Hope was born Friday “was a week ago” as my great-aunt says at 11:10 a.m. And not only was I proven wrong about thinking I was expecting a boy, I was sure wrong about how quickly this labor would progress. Since we went in Thursday night for an induction, and nothing much was happening by 7 the next morning, I certainly didn’t expect to have her in the world before lunch! But…as is the case with all labors and pregnancies, one should expect the unexpected. It was a special time and has lots of sweet and funny moments (like the nurse who fainted during my epidural!), but most importantly, she’s here, she’s beautiful, and we are so blessed.

Week One has taught us many things, such as how to watch a five year old and nearly four year old like a hawk when they hold the baby……how you never forget some things such as how to swaddle up a baby burrito….how much nursing hurts but how sweet it is to hold her close….how no matter what we plan, we will always get the plans of God….and those will be all we could ever want.
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Random Acts of….Kindness

Since we’re going to be welcoming a new little bundle into our family VERY soon, I thought I’d start this blog site with a thank you to those who have offered our family many kind thoughts, words, prayers, and actions during the past several months. Joshua and I have been blessed to have a supportive and active church home where we fit right in–everyone else (it seems) was/is pregnant too! It’s been fun to travel this road with so many other experienced and new moms and to be loved upon by those who stepped off that path long ago and are now qualified to help us raise kids as great as theirs. Because we had just moved to Habersham the summer before Annabelle was born, we hadn’t created a network of friends yet and felt somewhat out of the loop. Though we developed many wonderful relationships over the past 4 years, these last 14 months have meant so much. We’ve found our niche, so to speak, and are daily blessed by the presence of church, work, and neighborhood friends who share the joys and desperation parenthood brings. So, for a quick list of the random acts of kindness the Bracketts have experienced lately:

1. The Sunday School class already wants to know when to bring meals and baby isn’t even here yet. I love people who plan ahead.
2. I’ve been advised dozens of times in the last 48 hours to REST, so I don’t feel guilty about starting my leave early and still being in my pajamas at 10 a.m.
3. Mary Lynn says she is stalking me to make sure I’m alright. This is good because if Joshua’s not around, she’s my first pick to drive me to the hospital!
4. Little Dreamer’s happily switched Belle’s regular day from Thursday to Friday, though I suspect they figure this will ensure they are among the first to know when Baby Brackett finally arrives.
5. Bless Laura Garrett who is laboring right now–I was very worried about being induced until she told me how great things went her first time around and that she didn’t have to have any Pitocin, devil drug. God used her words to bring me peace.
6. My awesome midwife who has promised to take good care of me and has finally given me the prenatal experience I wanted since my first pregnancy–the support of the same person getting to know me and my desires for labor and delivery.
7. My mother-in-law keeps making me high carb, high sugar snacks like pumpkin bread…and I keep eating them. I need energy right?
8. My best friend came to visit yesterday…spent the whole day hanging out….and racking up the crazy Belk’s savings. It’s insane that I paid $70 for $400 worth of clothes for the girls and myself…oh, and I got Joshua a sweater.
9. So many people have offered to watch the girls that they’ll need a calendar for all their social engagements.
10. Finally, a not so random act since it’s always the plan, but my mother is sleeping on an air mattress on the floor to help us through the first few days…and she’s cooking whatever I want for my birthday on Sunday. Someday I hope to be as good a mama to my girls.