Happy Mother's Day!

 

This is my mom....and me and my siblings.

She's smiling, but I'll bet she's exhausted. Three kids aged 5 years and under. This photo represents some of the hardest years of mothering.

I had three kids aged five years and under too. First I had boy/girl twins, then 5 years later another daughter. I love, love, loved being a mom of littles, but there were many moments when I lost my joy...all the joy of motherhood. Oooooh, honesty there.

Can I be more honest with you? That's normal. I felt overwhelmed. I felt like I couldn't stand another minute of seemingly senseless tears and tantrums. I wanted to turn in my Mom card and sit on a beach anywhere but where I was at that moment. 

Let me repeat. That's normal.

Since becoming a Nana, I've grown to understand a lot about those years. In the coming posts, I'll share those things with you. 

But now, with Mother's Day a couple of days away, I want to encourage you with this:

You can do it. You are a good mom. A perfect mom? Nope. No one is. Look away from social media and accept that you are exactly who God picked for your kids. You are the perfect mom for them. No one else, no matter if they fix fancy snacks, or keep their laundry washed, or have a clean car, or if their kid's hair is styled perfectly...no one else can do for your kids what you can, and no one else knows what they need as completely as you do. Rest in that this weekend. You are enough for them. 

And they love you.

You are doing good, important work and growing right along with your kids.

These images are from my (en)courage(ment) book for moms.

More encouragement coming soon...

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and to all the moms out there.

I see you!