She Wouldn’t Have Believed Me (For all Future Mommas)
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.
Are you a new mama or hoping to be one one day? Subscribe and share! I write on the subject a lot:)
Photo credit by pixabay
A Real Woman (Modesty)
A real woman is secure, confident, and glows from the inside out. She holds it all in until the doors are closed and she gives her husband all she’s got. Yep, that’s a real woman. She doesn’t give details about her sex life or talk about her body. Her words are discreet.
She is respectful of other woman in the way she talks to their husbands and covers her body around them. She respects the husbands by not causing them to stumble. She respects her own husband by showing him he is the only one who has all of her. Se respects herself by not feeling pressure and the need for comments. She doesn’t use Facebook, pictures, or her breast to give her satisfaction. She looks to God for her self-worth.
Ladies, lets hold each other accountable in the way we speak, carry ourselves, dress, and yes, even the looks we give. Show your husband a real woman of God. Something to be treasured, cherished, and made only for him. Love him like there is no tomorrow emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Protect your husbands eyes and heart. Let’s begin today teaching our sons the importance of pure thoughts and respecting women’s bodies. Let’s show are daughters a real woman in the way we live each and every day.
Anyone else with me? Any ideas on ways to protect our husbands and sons? Surely I’m not the only one rolling my eyes at the Hardee’s commercials!!! Please subscribe and share:)
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
My Top Five
It has now been a year since I started blogging. I never imagined I would love it as much as I do. Thanks to all of you that read, comment, like my post on Facebook, and send text of encouragement. I am so grateful for the community of women I have found and the encouragement I have received. This blog has melted away a lot of insecurities for me and has opened my eyes in many ways to what all of us moms, wives, and women go through on a regular basis. I really can’t thank you all enough for all of the love and support everyone has shown me.
Here are the top five post that y’all loved the most!
1. Birth Control, Fertility, and My Testimony
2. God’s Plan
3. Why Wait? Part 1 (Marriage)
4. Learning To Love Distractions
This upcoming year I plan on writing my little heart out about passions, convictions, encouragement, and real life momma stuff. This year is going to be a lot of love, laughter, stretching, growing, and learning. On this 28th year of my life I will continue to strive to move forward in my walk with the Lord and discover more of his truths. I will continue to learn strategies of how to keep my husband first, and I will learn how to be a mother of four. I know that no matter what obstacles come my way, God is directing every step. I am blessed beyond belief and I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for us all!
Want to be apart of this new year with me? Subscribe and share!
When Life Is Supposed To Be Fun… But Isn’t
This is the time of year where it is supposed to be easy for gratitude to flow off your tongue. Family and friends get together often, Christmas cookies are exchanged, and gifts unwrapped. Everyone is in the Christmas spirit and strangers go out of their way to say,”Merry Christmas!” People don’t hide behind their hard outer shell this time of year. Everyone speaks and shakes hands.
But what if the fuzzy feelings aren’t there? What if God has your family going through a trial right now for one reason or another? This has been the case for my family this season, specifically for my grandma and great aunts. Two of my grandmother’s sisters were both in the hospital over Christmas. One of them recovering after a risky surgery and the other fighting for her life in a battle against cancer. They have been at the hospital hours each day. They even spent the night Christmas Eve in order to be close by when needed.
No life is not always fun. However, I feel it is the joyous times, when things are going great, that can help build us up when the storms of life threaten to shake our faith. On Christmas Eve we were able to reflect on funny memories, and bless one another that other wise would not have been able to happen. It’s never fun to have to go through the “grown up” stuff of this world, but on the other end is a growth and a deeper understanding of the Lord that we didn’t expect.
Even when life isn’t candy and rainbows, people who have the Lord like my family, have a hope no matter what the outcome is. It is God that binds us together in a way no one can explain.
When you find yourself in a place where life is just not fun. (Even if that’s dragging the kids to the store in the rain.) Remember that God is right beside you trucking along with you even when you feel all alone. He is always paving a way to something bigger and better. Rather it’s your kids driving you crazy with toys up to your ears, or a loved one in the hospital… nothing is too silly for God to show up.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete, not lacking anything.
Does anyone have any experiences that were tough, but drew you closer to God? Subscribe, share, and encourage!
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
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
May you remember the birth of our King, savor every moment, and laugh a lot.
The Countdown
Alright y’all, I’ll admit that the Christmas spirit was no where in sight as I ran from store to store getting last-minute gifts. The countdown is on, and I was feeling the pressure. I have never waited this long to Christmas shop before…Never again. I’m sitting here tonight thinking about all of the things that got crossed off my list and I feel nothing but guilt. Did the guy at the checkout catch me rolling my eyes? Did the woman in the next store notice how short my words were? Did I even smile at her?
It’s no one’s fault but my own for my procrastination. The thing I have to remember is that God is still working amidst my imperfections. Who was I suppose to minister to today and didn’t? I am a firm believer that every single detail is orchestrated by God. He knew every store I would be in today and knew of every person I would pass. I am supposed to be Jesus. Today, I failed.
The great thing about this God we serve is that He is a God of grace and second chances. Tomorrow as the countdown to Christmas keeps ticking I am going to practice what I preach. I am going to keep God first so everyone else will fall in next with myself being last.
Please tell me I wasn’t the only one gritting my teeth today! Who’s with me for a better tomorrow? Here’s to making the most of the countdown…
Raising Boys To Be Real Men
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
Live Like No One Else…
Photo by Free Digital photos/ Simon Howden
Live like no one else…
- Drive the beater car
- Put your plan on paper.
- Delay your gratification.
- Buy used.
- Eat your fill of rice and beans.
- Get cozy in your tiny home.
- Work your tail off.
- Save your pennies.
- Cut the cable.
- Have goals.
So later you can live like no one else…
- Make your dreams come true.
- Actually own your things.
- Start businesses.
- Give, give, give.
- A head start for your children.
- Change your family tree.
- No second job after retirement.
- Peace of mind.
This is what we plan to accomplish. We aren’t chasing the get rich quick scheme or trying to keep up with everyone else. Our goal is peace, security, and living in God’s will the way He intended it. To have opportunity to help, give, and change lives.
Sometimes it’s less about the money and more about the mission. -Pamela M Kramer
The Need For Comradery
Comradery- The spirit of friendship and community in a group, like the comradery of soldiers at war who keep each other upbeat despite the difficulty of their circumstances.
I had a mom recently ask if I would like to hang out with her sometime to talk and get coffee. Her exact words were,” You know, just to talk, cry with someone. I just need a friend. I have been so overwhelmed lately.” Did she read my mind? (And probably the mind of many mothers out there) I said, “Yes! I would love to, I need a friend too!” How encouraging and refreshing it was to have another mother be so blunt and ask for a true friendship.
Ladies, the mediocre friendships are there. Yes, the husband and children are great. The house is picked up. We even made it to church three Sundays in a row. Yep, we have the small talk down pat. We have figured out how to paint the picture of the Proverbs 31 woman.
However, it’s the true comradery we are lacking and greatly need. I know technology has given us many conveniences we wouldn’t normally have, yet I believe mammas in many ways had it easier back in the day. It was the friendships that made the difference. It was unheard of for women to work outside the home. This gave them the advantage of being together more often. I picture that when they got together to let their children play that they knew more about each other than just the recipe they tried the night before. Instead they talked of their trials, tribulations, shared victories, and prayed for their husbands and children. If they were Christian women there was no bashing of husbands or talking of how their kids were driving them crazy, no… It was a vulnerability and a bearing of their soul. (There is a difference) A place where the other women would say, “Oh girl I’ve been there… this is what turned my marriage around or this is how I better loved my children.”
Yes we are women. We cry a lot, laugh a lot, and carry the weight of the world. But we can also leave a huge impact by simply speaking truth. Truth of God’s word, truth of failures, and truth of victories. The truth is we don’t always feel like smiling through this motherhood journey. True friends will carry us, encourage us, and remind us of God’s grace. That my friends is true comradery. Who’s with me?
Join me! Subscribe and share!
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
Family Traditions
…Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people… Nicholas Sparks
Every year my family gets together to make Christmas cookies. It’s never anything fancy. Most of the time someone burns something or forgets an ingredient with a last-minute trip to the store. It’s always the same every year. It truly is the people who make the family traditions. I am so thankful for all of the people in the picture above and all of the others in the kitchen. (Especially for bringing me cookies to eat while I carried around a sick baby)
Here is a picture of the awesome cookies I made before the crowd came with my sister Lily.
Salted Chocolate Chip Carmel Cookies
AMAZING….
I got this recipe off an awesome website I found through Pinterest called saorganics.com
Ingredients
2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) salted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, at room temperature
1 egg yolk, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
16 wrapped caramels, cut into 4 or 5 pieces each
sea salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix the flour and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
With an electric mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Gradually add the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms (may take a couple of minutes of stirring). Fold in the chocolate chips (do not add the caramels yet). Do not overmix the dough at any point in this process.
Chill dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 5 days) in the refrigerator. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Press a few pieces of caramel onto the tops of the cookies. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. The centers should appear very soft and puffy. Sprinkle each cookie with sea salt while they are warm. Let cool completely and enjoy!
Hey Y'all! My name is Brittany Styron. Sweet Country Roots is a place I hope to encourage, inspire, and bring a chuckle. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and join conversations about marriage, babies, homeschooling, frugal living, good food, and an old fashioned way of thinking.
