by Kimberly | Aug 12, 2016 | Books, mothering, parenting
Motherhood is such a journey – and a different journey for everyone.
Writing about the ups and downs of motherhood is quite difficult too.
I got married late and therefore had kids late (mid-to-late 30s). I didn’t have many people in my life who truly told me how hard raising kids was going to be. Even if I hung out with families, I only saw glimpses (and most of the kids knew to obey in front of guests).
So, I had different expectations for parenting. And Hettie Brittz writes about parenting, motherhood, and all that goes with it in her new book (un)Natural Mom. She tells about real life, and all the what ifs and all the doubts that we are mothers face. I like that she is real. I like that she tells it like it is and points us to SCripture (and not the world’s ideals). I don’t like some of the daily specific things she talks about – because everyone is so different and may not find herself in the same story.
I do think that every woman (because she is a woman) is life-giving. That may not mean being a natural mom, or even an adoptive mom – that may mean discipling others or bringing life to an art area that sparks her interest. Affirming and maturing and building life is something we do because God created us as women.
Let us hold firm to what the Word says about women – not what the world says we have to be in order to be a good mom.
Thanks to Litfuse for this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Jun 9, 2016 | kcreatives photography, mothering, newborn, Truly Families
I’ve recently been seeing a lot and hearing a lot through conversations about how hard it is for women to make friends once they reach the mommy years. I totally hear that.
If you look at friendships, they take time to develop, and meaning conversation. Meaningful conversation with other adults is hard when you are caring for littles. Every mom will agree with me.
But, friendships that last a while are hard to come by too. This little boy – his mommy – we’ve been friends for over 15 years. We’ve shared graduate degree lodging, we’ve shared our lives, and we’ve been next-door neighbors. And now, I had the privilege of capturing this little boys’ first few days. He was super sweet and cooperative and even let his mommy and I have a milkshake to celebrate!
And let me talk about these outfits this little one is wearing – his daddy did such a great job picking them out. Cute clothes for the win!
All photos property of kcreatives photography
by Kimberly | Feb 29, 2016 | Books, mothering, parenting
A new book for mommas is coming out. So funny that there is never a shortage for new books for tired mom’s who never find the time to read all the books.
I had high hopes for this one, Hope Unfolding, by Becky Thompson, and I love the cover and get real talk.
But, I want a book more centered on the gospel, less centered on story and example. When I listen to a sermon I want gospel truth mixed w a little personal story or joke. In this book, while saying good stuff and offering tired mommas hope only found in Jesus, it is more personal story mixed with a little gospel.
Just out of properbalance,in my opinion, and that’s what Blogging for Books gave me the book to do…write an honest review.
by Kimberly | Dec 20, 2015 | Books, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children
Oh, sweet mommas – this post is especially for the mommas out there – and you don’t have to have toddlers to understand this post. Maybe all of your kids are teenagers, or are married and raising babies of their own – or maybe you have a few younger than mine and are still living in sleepless nights because of newborns or sleep regression.
Just as the very word of God spoke all of creation into being, and the word of God is written down for us so we may be changed into His image, the word of God also breathes life into the every day of my mothering – right now which is a highly emotional 3 year old we are seeking to potty train and a speedy 2 year old who loves to jump off everything he can climb.
Two examples for you from the last 24 hours. It was a long afternoon as I fought for my 2 year old to take a nap. I knew he was tired and just didn’t want to miss out on anything. Finally 90 minutes after scheduled nap time, he finally went down for 90 minutes. Then, by the time my husband walked in the door at 635 from his job, I was so done. He immediately took over, gave them a bath, put them to bed (which was a 2.5 hour struggle with one of them), and told me to go do something, anything, other than being with the kids. I went in and took a long hot shower which is one of my favorite things to do in the winter (I know I’m not helping the water conservation society). As I was standing there praying, confessing my anger and entitlement, I was reminded of a verse in James that my husband spent a whole year on our first year of marriage: James 4:1-4 which basically says the reason you are arguing and upset is because you are fighting to get what you want because you are idolizing something and not keeping God God in your life and heart. Yup. I was struggling all day because I didn’t get what I wanted from my sons. I wanted quiet – I didn’t get much of that all day. I wanted obedience – but my sons are sinners and not prone to obey so I shouldn’t expect them to do it. I was crying in the shower, even as the hot water ran down my cheeks and increased my need for an aging-skin moisturizer – God was restoring my soul with the work of the Word.
The second example is from this morning: it was a long morning. I sat in the sanctuary during the sunday school hour, listening to my husband prep for CEve service, scanning through social media, getting encouraged from friends, and the tears were there all morning. Before the service, my husband sat down beside me, and just whispered in my ear the gospel: the God has a plan, Jesus is enough even when its hard, that His grace is sufficient. My tears were dripping on his new gray pants. I didn’t care. I hope they didn’t stain. The gospel is found in the Word. We must know the Word. We must have the Word spoken to us – to our souls – to our hurt and weary souls.
I got a book set in the mail this week from Tommy Nelson that helps adults and kids know key Scriptures in the Bible. How to know them, memorize them, live them out – so that the Word may be life-changing in whatever situation we find ourselves in. The Joshua Code and I Can Learn the Bible would be a great set for you to work through with your children in the new year. If you would like please just leave a post about anything – anything at all.
Happy Mothering.
by Kimberly | Sep 19, 2015 | creatives, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children
Our sweet boy turns three today. There is so much to be said about the joys and challenged of being his momma, a momma to a preschooler, but this post isn’t about that.
This post contains a prayer that I did some #praynames art for last night. I love doing pray names art for birth gits or wedding gifts – to pray over the person I’m doing it for – and to get Scripture in their homes. But, I had never done ones for our boys. So, last night, before the balloons and the wrapping paper, the pancakes, and the cupcakes, I sat down and prayed this for him:
You are a faithful God who delights to give us good gifts.
Elijah is definitely a good gift!
We thank you for giving him to us for such a short time.
I pray that you would capture his heart and his mind early.
That you would use his creativity and imagination for the glory of your great name.
Take his compassion for others – for the hurting – and use it to bring peace and healing in the world.
Use his words and his sweet touch to be strength and comfort to those in need.
May he grow to be a man of God who is captured by all of your beauty.
May he never lose his desire to dance when no one is looking.
I pray that you would break his little heart for things that cause you to weep.
May he one day be a husband who leads his wife faithfully
and a daddy to littles who will look to him to show them Christ.
Most of all, I pray that he would love you more dearly than anything else in the world.
You are good.
Amen.
by Kimberly | Jul 14, 2015 | mothering, Women
There are days that I absolutely love being a mom. There are other days that it is so stinking hard for me. Honestly, those moments I don’t love it. Of course I love my boys, I love the treasure of being their mom, but during those moments of throwing food, throwing toys, biting, hitting, slamming legos into the crib, disobeying for the millionth time that day and its not even 10:00 am – yeah, those days are really hard.
So, what are you to do in those moments? Today was one of those days for me. So, what happened today is something that I think can apply to every mom when she needs encouraging. Just make it tailored to your need.
1. Be encouraged in the Word – the Gospel. As my husband was leaving this morning – even before he arrived at work – he was encouraging me with Scripture. Not scolding me telling me of all the many ways I had already failed this morning. Not telling me I’m a horrible mother and need to practice all the things I know. No. He knows how to affectively encourage me. This is how he does it. He tells me “Christ is sufficient for my every need – even in my weakness” and sends me Scriptures that he is praying for me – like Hebrews 13:20-21. Benedictions like the one in Hebrews is so beneficial to me – knowing that I have been equipped – I have been given everything I need to be a good mom to those boys today – in the teething stage, in the disobedient moments, in the act of wiping up spilled apple juice for the 3rd time.
Maybe you will need someone else to encourage you in the word. Maybe the encouragement will come through your daily quiet time. Maybe it will come through a song that is playing in the car. However you get the intake of the Word – start here.
2. Hang out with friends who encourage you. I met a new friend at the mall today for play time with our littles and Cow Appreciation Day. Even though we had just met – sharing stories and just seeing interactions and hearing of God’s grace and goodness – that encourages me. The friend you might need to see may be 2 states away so maybe a phone call or a text is all you need to help you persevere. Or maybe see if someone can join you for lunch just to be an encouragement to you. Discouraged moms do not need to be beaten up by legalism. They need to be encouraged by the hope of the Gospel.
3. Write a note of encouragement to someone else. There are so many mom friends in my life. Each time I do a photo shoot I like to include a little note of encouragement. So, I just got some photos printed and sat down to write a note of encouragement to my sweet young mom friend. I’ve known her since she was in high school and now she has an infant sweet little girl. This note didn’t take me long to write it and it wasn’t specific but just written in pink and said I love you. Persevere. How basic is that? But, I know that letters of encouragement can be such a God-send on a tiring day. Do you send snail mail to people? Do it – you will be surprised at what a great blessing it will be – both to you and to the person you are sending it to.
4. Do something for yourself. I think moms are so busy taking care of other people that they seldom do things for themselves. It is not being selfish – it is helping your sanity! My husband is super good at that – giving me time each week – doing whatever in his power to make me “happy” – building in times with friends, giving me alone time to study the Word, write and read, helping out with the dishes – I hope you have a mister like that. Today – I stopped by Mcds and got a $1 Diet Coke and when I got the boys in bed I watched a White Collar episode. Just little things. Like cheap pretty flowers at Trader Joes. Like a Weight Watchers ice cream bar. Like a shopping trip with a friend. Whatever will be a pick me up for you – do it. It may be free like sitting outside on your deck staring up at the sky, or cheap like a coffee or a bouquet of flowers – or if your budget allows it go get a massage, manicure, or new outfit. Take care of your soul – and yes, I do believe that means more than just sitting in the Word (though you noticed I started with that one as I think it is most important).
What are some ways you encourage yourself when you are having a bad mommy day?
