What I’m really thinking about parenting…

The other day a friend on Facebook posted a link to this amazing article “Don’t Carpe Diem”.

I swear it’s like the writer is inside my head.

Every time someone looks at my children and says “It goes by so fast. Make every moment count,” I say “I know” and nod my head sweetly.

What I really want to say is “Promise? Because this is HARD! And sometimes it feels like there’s no end in site.”

But, of course, I don’t. And then I feel guilty for thinking that.

Loved this part of the article…

“My point is this. I used to worry that not only was I failing to do a good enough job at parenting, but that I wasn’t enjoying it enough. Double failure. I felt guilty because I wasn’t in parental ecstasy every hour of every day and I wasn’t MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT like the mamas in the parenting magazines seemed to be doing. I felt guilty because honestly, I was tired and cranky and ready for the day to be over quite often. And because I knew that one day, I’d wake up and the kids would be gone, and I’d be the old lady in the grocery store with my hand over my heart. Would I be able to say I enjoyed every moment? No.”

Go read the whole thing. Glennon Melton’s article hits the nail on the head.

At least for this mama.

Vote on Africa decal design

I’m working on a new window decal that is just Africa (vs. a specific country). I know there’s a lot of people who have a heart for that nation without direct ties to one specific country.

But I can’t decide – script font (#1 – left) or block font (#2 – right). They’ll be a metallic silver where you see grey – cutout for window where you see black.

What do you think? Vote below.

Mornings Suck

I hate mornings. I always have. I am SO not morning person,

Of course this tidbit managed to completely allude my husband during our 4 years of dating. SURPRISE.

In an ideal world I would wake up, have coffee, check email and shower before anyone spoke to me.

Of course that doesn’t really work when you have 4 kids. Three of whom are morning people, along with their dad. UGH!

Lately I’ve grown weary of the morning chaos and noise. I feel like I’m constantly telling someone to get back on task or to stop annoying their sibling.

It puts me in a bad mood and doesn’t help them either.

So the last couple days Mark and I have been throwing out ideas. We talked about taking away electronic time if they’re not ready but I decided to change that to something positive.

Our kids get a limited amount of electronic time (tv, computer, wii, nintendos, etc) Fri – Sun.

This morning I told them that I would be giving NO reminders. No nagging. If they were COMPLETELY ready to go when I said to get in the car they would earn 15 extra minutes of electronic time.

We leave at 7:30.

It’s 7:15 and they are ALL ready.

Without a single reminder from mom.

I think we found a system. (Although we’ll probably change it to 10 minutes per day.)

Videos that inspire tears

I’ve been seeing the link to this video making the rounds on Facebook but hadn’t watched it til the other day.

Grab Kleenex first and make sure you won’t embarrass yourself when you cry.

This is the power of a forever family – no matter your age.

Grace Cafe Radio Interview

Monday I’ll be live on the Grace Cafe Radio show to talk about adoption.

Join Marsha Harwood & Julie Hunsucker at Grace Café ~ Sharing Life, Hope and a Cup of Coffee; a place for women to grow in grace together, every Monday @ 11:00 Eastern Time on CWA Radio.

Along with me will be Leslie Gallimore who served as the adoption specialist on the staff of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Charlotte for 1 years.  As an adoption specialist, she gave education and support to women who were considering placing their babies for adoption.

If you catch it live you can call in and chat with the hosts at (347) 850-8893. I know they’re doing a book giveaway as well.

You can listen here or I’ll try and embed it below as well.