Owning It {Mindful Mothering Mondays}

"Mama, come play UNO with me!" It's 8 am the day after Easter and this coffee is too weak. I think I am, too, and there's nothing I want to do less than play Uno, even with that gorgeously handsome 5 year old with that hopeful look in his eyes. "Maybe in a bit," I mumble, sinking into my chair and immediately climbed on by the 2 babies. Sometimes I can feel covered in all the needs that are always and ever piling up.

I've gone a bit off track in the past year or so. With the daily work involved with just keeping 6 small people alive, somehow I lost the joy in it...and began to coast. I can see how my creativity waned, how my energy flagged, how I'd come up with a litany of excuses for myself because I'm awfully good at that.

"It's just a season" is one of my favorites, one that good and well intentioned Mamas tell each other when they are having a tough time.  "It's just a season, sweetie. Go easy on yourself." And yes, it's a true one. But for me, the past 11 years could be described as "just a season." Meanwhile, my children are growing older and soon won't be children at all. Am I going to spend their precious golden childhood days claiming a season off? Because of a baby or a pregnancy, because I'm too tired, too stressed, too self centered to set myself aside?

The truth is, having kids is hard. It's a big job, but more. It's full of sacrifices. Those sleepless nights with your first ever infant lay the groundwork for the many ways you'll need to just push through. Push through the exhaustion and parent anyway. Push through your personal issues and get up every morning ready to be who they need you to be. There are times and ways to take moments for yourself, to work on you, but when the sun is up and the kids are begging you to go out and play with them in the yard? Set it aside and go. One thing I've found is that throwing myself into life with my kids actually makes me happier.

Every now and then, I have to remind myself to own it. I have 6 kids. They are small. There is laundry and dishes and meal plans and whole nights spent up with sick kids. That's a given. A toddler who needs to be potty trained this week and a baby who is cutting molars. A preteen who needs extra attention and support and a million other demands besides. Own it. Sometimes I get distracted and think that sacrifices are hardships...but that's not necessarily true. Sacrificing ourselves for others is a way to experience God in a meaningful way. I find that, along the way - I discover even more joy. Being a present, happy and devoted Mother to my children will  be something that I never regret doing. No matter how these people of mine "turn out," it will always be worth it every ounce of energy and intention I give.

There will always be grace to cover my weaknesses, and for that I will never stop being thankful. But there's also a time to just get up in the morning and own it. This is my job, my life, my vocation, my sacrifice and my honor. This is life.

It's a beautiful day, with lots of things to do and lots of opportunities to serve. I'm blessed to live it.

{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes.  A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life.  A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now. 

You might post recent struggles or thoughts.  Maybe just a picture or a quote.  Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post.  Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you.
We are all in this, together.  Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.

I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.

I hope you'll meet with me each Monday!  Here's what to do ~

Link up your post below.  Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us!  And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.

Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!

Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!

Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter.  This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}

Grab the graphic here:

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