I love being a mom. It is the greatest calling God has ever given me, and I consider it an absolute honor that He entrusts three precious little ones to Jake and me.
But unfortunately there have there been moments lately when I feel like I’ve taken it a bit for granted. The stage of mommyhood I’m in right now is busy. So busy that at times it can give me tunnel vision. As I race from one thing to the next, I’m so focused on making sure that everyone has what they need when they need it, and I’m left with little time to look at the bigger picture and keep my perspective.
You see, I tend to be more of an introvert, and have learned that I need a certain amount of alone time each day to process and keep myself grounded in God’s truths. This is one of the reasons keeping my kids on a schedule works for us. It’s good for them, and it’s good for me, because I usually have built in “me time” while they nap and sleep, which in turn makes me a better mom, being recharged after those breaks. My family thrives when we’re in a good routine.
However, we all know life isn’t as cut and dry as that. We can do our best to plan and schedule, but no matter what we’ll get thrown curve balls. In some ways I feel like the last six months has been one giant curve ball as I figure out this whole twin mom thing! And then there are smaller challenges like last week when when the whole family gets sick, babies are teething, kids are waking up at all hours of the night and everything is a fruit basket upset. After we tucked the kids in to bed one night last week I declared to Jake that I was leaving the house for a little bit, and would be back when I had cleared my mind! (Which included a little window shopping therapy before I broke down and just sat in my car and prayed – should have flip-flopped those two activities, I know!)
When I had a few moments to think in the quiet of my car, it occurred to me that this baby stage isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and I don’t want it to! I want to relish these crazy moments with my kids while they’re itty bitty. But I am going to remain busy, and “me time” is going to be limited. So instead of being overwhelmed and crabby when things get chaotic, I’m trying to spend my energy looking for the silver lining instead. It’s amazing how smiling during the tough mommy moments can help me remember how blessed I am.
Let me give you a few examples of how this plays out in my mind:
Yesterday in the span of about 15 minutes, all three kids pooped. The silver lining? Three poopy diaper changes meant I got to wash my hands three times in a row with my lovely new Honeysuckle scented hand soap!
Or the other night Emersyn puked all over me (multiple times), requiring three wardrobe changes. Silver lining? I got to spend time one on one time cuddling with her, which rarely happens, while the other kids were sleeping.
Or when Baylen has thrown multiple tantrums in a day and suddenly decides to be the most gentle big brother and give his sisters hugs and kisses. And then takes it upon himself to feed Mckinley her bottle. I love that little boy so much.
Or when the girls are about to cut a new tooth they like to take turns waking up in the night to hang out, and while they scream to get our attention, when we walk up to their cribs they swoon us with the BIGGEST smiles, which makes being a walking zombie totally worth it.
There are so many more examples and instances when I’ve had the opportunity to choose to smile or laugh instead of getting frazzled, and it has helped so much! I’m not perfect at it, but I’m making progress, and it tides me over until I’m able to get a proper dose of me time.
God is so gracious to me, and I’m thankful that he’s teaching me about how to focus on the blessings amidst the chaos. If you too, are in a season of busyness, and find the stressful moments getting the best of you, please join me in seeking out the silver linings. They are almost always there if we look for them!
“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing…” -Proverbs 17:22
What silver linings have you noticed in your life lately?
Amber
P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!
3 Comments
Thank you so much, Amber, for your honesty and being willing to be vulnerable in your blog. Again, this blog was used by God to encourage me in the exact same area. It is comforting to know other strong godly young moms are being lifted up by God and given the strength to get through this rough but precious time. When i think of the silver linings, It is so incredibly humbling and gives me an immediate heart of praise and absolute need to rely on God for all of my strength emotionally, spiritually, relationally, even physically, which I think is right where he wants us. You are doing such a great job and I’m praying for you! Thank you again for this post 🙂
You are such an encouragement. I’m much like you, but with only two little boys (about the same ages as your kiddos, I believe). Slightly an introvert, I need my family on a schedule as well. I love knowing I’ll have awhile to myself, even if it consists of housecleaning. Quiet time to pray. And sometimes, it gets so crazy. Two boys crying as I’m trying to get everything together for a Mommy group at our church, but I have learned to laugh (most of the time), because if anyone else could see me trying to make the boys feel better/get all my stuff together/etc., they’d laugh too. I look crazy, and I have two sweet boys to care for. Anyhow, long comment – I just wanted to say thanks again. It is good to be reminded that others are going through the same thing, and that there ARE silver linings. Children are a blessing. And so much fun, if we just take time to remember that. And laugh instead of scream.
Hi Kayleigh! Thank you for your comment. I am encouraged by you, and love knowing that we are in this journey together. Sometimes I feel like it’s a lonely road, and it’s comforting to have people to walk through life with, even if it is through the web! 🙂