I was at work doing my weekly shift at the hospital. Me and a couple of girls were sitting in the break room when she announced that she and her husband were going to try to have a baby.

I’m not lying y’all. I am a pregnant hormonal basket case right now. I wanted to cry, cut a back flip, and give her the biggest hug around her neck. I wanted to spill my guts about everything. From the changes in the relationship with her husband, the new way she will view the world, and the roller coaster she has just gotten on. I wanted to tell her to, “Hold on tight girl, it’s an amazing ride!”

I knew my words would be insignificant compared to the great magnitude of emotions. There is no way to describe the depth of intimacy between a husband and a wife when they are conceiving a child. How could I explain the anxiety, nervousness, and excitement at even the thought of life forming days before the pink lines appear? When that day does come she wouldn’t believe me if I told her she will feel like she could throw up, cry, and jump up and down all at the same time.

There is nothing I could have said to prepare her for the transformation her body was going to endure. From the waves of nausea to the tiny flutters of a sweet life beneath her stretched thin skin. She will never feel more proud of what her body can do. She will never look at her body the same. From her old perspective she will look in disgust, but then her mama brain will kick in and think how she would do it all again a million times over.

To even begin to put words together of what it would be like to see that precious baby with a scent from heaven for the first time would have been pointless. To fall instantly in love would have been an understatement. How could I have told her that on that day she will become a fighter for all things good and worth living in this world for this baby wrapped in her arms.

I didn’t want to tell her that when she takes that brand new baby home she will be more tired than she has ever been in her entire life. Her once confident self will second guess everything, from how to hold the baby, how often to feed, what to feed, what diapers are best, and if she is the best one for the job. She will feel like she needs a break, but the moment she steps away her heart will break. She will doubt her abilities and wonder if she is good enough for this sweet gift that cries every night between 7 and midnight. There is no description of the joy and victory you feel when the baby sleeps for 4 hours straight for the first time. She will wake up feeling like a new woman only to start back over the next night.

I wanted so bad to tell her  how sweet a six months old laugh is. I wanted to tell her about the smell of when they first get out of the bath tub and your clothes are soaking wet from the their chubby hands splashing. I wanted to tell her what the word, “Mama,” coming from that baby would do to her heart. There is no point, she wont believe me until she’s there.

I wanted to go ahead and prepare her for their first birthday party. I wanted to remind her to not stress and to take every ounce of memory in. I wish she knew the happiness of the moment when her and her husband are on either side of the high chair and surrounded by family to sing happy birthday. I wanted to tell her how cute it is going to be when that baby smashes the cake in between their fingers for the first time.

How could I ever explain the rush when they take their first steps or the way her heart will skip a beat when they fall and hit their head. She doesn’t even want to get me started on when they first say, “I love you.”

I want so bad to tell her all about this journey of motherhood and how amazing, hard, rewarding, fulfilling, and empowering it is. She will cry more than she ever has, laugh more than she ever has, and love more than she ever has. Her life will change… but for the better. The girl she thought she was will be a distant memory to the woman she will become over night. She will become someone’s world. Just wait…you’ll see.

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Photo credit by pixabay

Obviously, I do not have much experience in this area. My son is 18 months old, and son #2 is still cooking. What I do have is a Godly vision for my boys and a path that I can see God has set forth in His word for parents to follow to raise leaders.

Recently in my post about why people are waiting for marriage. I challenged women to not put off making the commitment of marriage when it is in God’s will. I received a comment from one of my readers stating that a lot of it has to do with the men. She stated that she had been waiting patiently, but most men wanted to run from their commitment. Of course there are exceptions, but this does seem to be a common trend.

I’m not sure when it happened, but overtime it seems our society is trying to demasculinize our boys. We as mothers can easily dive into the culture of making them, “Momma’s boys.” – I know, I’ve thought it myself. We want him clean, sitting still, first on the team, time to rest and play, and to be treated like his sisters.

The thing is, God didn’t create him to do those things. It is a proven fact that males have a completely different genetic makeup. Why are we going against nature? God made them to be active, dirty, driven, sweaty, competitive, and rough around the edges.

He needs to feel the sting of sacrifice, yet learn of  a woman’s love through his momma. We do this not by pacifying them but by respecting them. We need to encourage work ethic and their initiative. We need to stand by our boys when the world tells them to indulge and be lazy. Let’s be the cheerleaders helping them to see their future and where diligence will get them.

Studies show that the majority of boys will grow up to marry a woman like their momma. Scary huh?  Let’s make sure they marry a woman who takes everything your son does and makes it 10 times better. Rather that be his passions, his walk with the Lord, financially, positions of leaderships, or friendships. Let’s raise them to look forward to the commitment of family. It is not something to run away from because the world says you’re not “Ready or mature enough.” It is a privilege and blessing that God has called him to disciple his wife and children.

When our boys reach the stage of marriage we as mothers need to take a step back. It is no longer about us but about his wife. We are to be the facilitator, helping  him leave and cleave to his wife. Encourage their time together, only give advice when asked, yet pray like there is no tomorrow. (He is now the leader)

It’s not easy when these boys are our babies. But if your are a mother and have been blessed with a boy it is our calling to raise them the way God intended. To lead and provide for the next generation. There is nothing more pleasing to a momma than a God-fearing man. Let us all keep up the good work ladies!

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Sharing this with: The Prairie Homestead,  A Mama’s story, Raising Arrows, The better Mom, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Heavenly Homemakers, Time Warp Wife, Thankful Homemaker, Mamal Diane, Teaching What is Good,  A cat like curiosity, Mom’s the word, conerstone cofessions, A proverbs 31 wife, Some of the best things in life are mistakes, Let this mind be in you, A Wise Woman Builds her home, CSAHM Parenting Linkup, Deep Roots at Home, Graced Simplicity, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, Hope in Every Season, Jill’s Home remedies, Little Natural Cottage, Our simple country Life, Raising Mighty Arrows, The Purposeful Mom, Consider the Lillies, Happy and Blessed Home, Homemaker by Choice, Your Thriving Family, My Joy Filled Life. New Life Steward, Hometead simple, Christian Mommy Blogger, Let this Mind Be in You, Heart Reflected

I came across this devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries yesterday morning and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Let me set the scene…my youngest Ty did not sleep that great the night before. I was up early to catch a brief moment by myself when my early bird middle child comes to join me with her breakfast request. (It’s still dark) I remind her of this EVERY morning and that she must wait till the sun comes up for breakfast time. I was a bit aggravated at the monotony and I guess you could say the prediction of how the day was going to unfold. I’m sure moms with small children can relate that it seems you just hit repeat on the day before and go through the motions once again only to collapse in bed and do it all again the next day. It’s joyous at times, tiring at times, and most of the time we just do what we have to do on any given day.

The devotion I read, shortly after I finished rolling my eyes with a sigh, talked of the magnificence of our days. The point I took from the devotion is that there are NO ORDINARY DAYS. God places every tiny detail where they should be to splendor His glory and it’s up to us if we are looking for it or not. This daily grind of raising children is the highest calling. The pure simplicity of being with your kids guiding them along every meal, every game, every time out, and every laugh IS MAGNIFICENT.

When I look back on my own childhood I don’t remember any big super moments my parents did for me. I barely remember the Disney world trips. I couldn’t tell you one thing that was under the Christmas tree. I have no recollection of the special days. What I do remember are the ordinary days. The dancing, playing, rewinding my favorite movies for the millionth time, the talks, the dinners. It’s the entire lifetime that makes it remarkable…the daily grind.

Now to shift this into practice for my own family. It is the shoe tying, the wiping of noses, and smiling while I brush their teeth, pulling them on the counter to pour in the flour… yes, all of this IS magnificent. All things worth it never come quickly. This day-to-day of ordinary IS changing lives. The reason? God ordained it. It’s about what we do with it.

Thank you God for sending me what I needed in your perfect timing.

I never gave it much thought until I became a parent. The idea of protection seemed overrated. I assumed that one day when I had children that they would learn all of the bad stuff in this world anyways, and that they may resent me if I tried to, “Hold them back.” Boy oh Boy has my perspective changed dramatically since I held that beautiful baby girl in my arms for the first time. From that day forward it has become my mission to protect her and any of her siblings from this world of ours, that seeks to damage their sweet spirits.

For me, this doesn’t necessarily mean keeping them sheltered and hidden from all of the terrible things in this world. It’s about relishing in the true and pure joy of just being a child. Innocence in a child is a precious and sacred thing. Once it’s gone their minds are tainted. To protect it is a gift we can give to our children.

How many of us would give anything to not know of the terrible things in this world? Why burden our children with it? Let me clarify, I am not saying to not let them know about the less fortunate or encourage them to brainstorm on ways to help. I am talking about the news, having heated debates about politics in front of them, and of course most commercials on TV now are completely inappropriate for children. I know some would disagree but I am convinced that children these days have it much harder. They are bombarded 24 hours a day by a world that is seeking to rob them of their precious childhood and treat them like adults. Never before in history have more children had their own cell phones, computers, I pods, or TV’s. They now dress like adults, talk like adults, and look like them. I’m not saying all of these are wrong. Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but what ever happened to the tacky dressed kid with their hair not brushed climbing in the tree?

It just seems like we have forgotten the joy of being a kid. Our children only get one childhood. Let’s make it awesome for them!

Sharing with Raising Arrows

Ahhh! I am so thrilled to be having another baby boy! I love that my youngest, Ty, will have have a younger brother to wrestle with, chase, and be buddies with. It has been so beautiful watching my two older girls form their close relationship and I am so thankful to watch, “The boys,” have the same thing. I am seeing a lot of rowdiness in my near future. Honestly, I can’t wait! Whoever is reading this post, I am going to need you to remind me of this a couple years from now:)

Here are some of my newest thoughts knowing now that there is another baby boy on the way. Some are far fetched dreams, others will be my reality…

I am feeling overjoyed at God’s provision and watching His perfect plan unfold.

I never thought I would have a set of girls and a set of boys.

I can’t believe it’s possible to love another little boy so much you’ve never even seen.

What am I going to do when these boys start liking their older sister’s friends???

I love that they will share a room one day. (The roughest, toughest room ever!)

I love that they will someday share a business -a dream;)

I love the idea of more trucks, trains, and dirt.

I hope he never feels outdone by an, “Older brother.”

He just has to think that this will be the funnest place to live ever!

Does he have any idea how much his sisters are going to baby him? He probably won’t learn to walk till he’s five from being carried everywhere!

Will he ever know how much he is loved by us all?

I hope I can show him how loved he is.

My boys will be the pitcher and the catcher! -a dream;)

I am going to start praying now for this baby to be a strong man of God.

Is he going to try to scare me with pranks or bugs?

Will he like my cooking?

I can’t wait to see Tim carrying two boys!

This is going to be a wild adventure. I am so thankful I have been chosen to take it. I am ready to raise and love another little man for the glory of God!

Anticipation to see your little profile on the screen.

Anticipation to listen to your siblings ask a gazillion questions.

Anticipation to squeeze Daddy’s  hand when we see your sweet heart fluttering.

Anticipation to put a name to the bump in my belly.

Anticipation to see God’s pattern of children unfold.

Anticipation to buy baby dolls or trucks.

Anticipation to share with family who are just as excited as they were the first baby.

Anticipation for what the future holds.

Anticipation for today.

Anticipation for you.

Love you sweet baby #4, we can’t wait to see you!