Monday, March 26, 2012

day by day

once again, i'm writing this a tad late...i began the 'bedtime process' with Little Miss at 9:00 and here it's going on 12:30. after three diaper changes, two feedings and at least one rocking/cuddling session to get her to sleep, she's finally asleep (knock on wood!) and i'm starving. yes, i ate dinner but now it's time for 'second dinner'. nursing mamas out there know what i'm talkin' about! haha! so i'm sitting at my dining room table with 3-day-old unwashed hair and a nursing tank top 'decorated' with not merely spit up (she's actually not a spitter-upper) but throw up. she never throws up but once in a blue moon, i get a bit too aggressive in my burping force and woops! there goes half a meal :/ oh dear. you live and you learn, right? managed to jam a toothbrush in my mouth as i greeted my friend at the door this afternoon! and a shower?? what's that??? *wink*

all that said....



I LOVE being a mom.



yes, i am learning to die to my daily 'to do' list/agenda/plans for the time being. yes, i feel like a milk machine most of the time. yes, i wake up dog tired. yes, most days i can barely brush my teeth and wash my pits (is that TMI? hee hee) and yes, i wouldn't trade it for the world.


learning to take one day at a time. most of life is made up of seemingly insignificant moments and i don't want to sacrifice any of those precious moments on the altar of my selfish ambition but rather walk by the Spirit.

I am learning to not to compare myself to other moms who seem to 'have it all together' (you know...the mom who homeschools her six kids, posts on a gorgeous blog, has a thriving 'cottage industry', posts delicious recipes she's 'whipped up', dabbles in photography and posts great pics, looks great at all times, and etc etc. how do these moms do it?!! as my own mother said, 'something's gotta give.' i hope that's the case. otherwise, i am so tempted to feel inadequate, lazy, and 'not quite up to par').

I am learning to ignore the lies of the enemy that i don't measure up to other moms out there.

I am learning to embrace this life God has uniquely mapped out for me.

I am learning to seize the day - each precious day - in this fleeting season.

I am learning to not compare myself to others. (wait...didn't I mention that already?)



...living for an audience of One...


that's what I need to keep reminding myself of. that's all that's important.

so that's that. loving this new 'life' that currently revolves primarily around my husband, my home, and my new little one (as sweet Kathryn grows, we are excited to soon extend our 'world' to include resuming church attendance/events/serving in ministries, reaching out to others, hospitality, etc) . yes, it's a smaller, slower world than i've ever experienced before, but it's one i wouldn't trade for any other season i've walked through before. you know why? not because it's always 'more fun' or 'more fulfilling'. it's been wonderful in many ways, no doubt. but the real reason is that it's where He has me at right now. I've been given the grace for NOW. not THEN. not WHAT WILL BE.

I'm called to take one day at a time. To 'do the next thing' with joy & gratefulness. To take each day as they come with the hope of the Spirit giving me the strength that I need...the physical strength and the emotional strength.

well, i need to hit the sack. Little One will be up soon ;)


The world looks for happiness through self-assertion. The Christian knows that joy is found in self-abandonment. 'If a man will let himself be lost for My sake,' Jesus said, 'he will find his true self.' A Christian woman's true freedom lies on the other side of a very small gate---humble obedience..." ~ Elizabeth Elliott


The sweetest sounds to mortals given are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven. ~William Goldsmith Brown


Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

8 comments:

Erica said...

Love you and can't wait to see you soon!! I know this season well. <3

Unknown said...

You're doing great, Lizzy! This is the hardest job you'll ever have, and the adjustment is really difficult.I remember sitting in the bathtub sobbing to God because I was so tired and burdened. Between hormones changing back to normal, lack of sleep, and suddenly being at the beck and call of a person who cannot tell you what's wrong or whether you're doing it right...it's hard. I thought those days would never end, but they did. I survived with the Lord's help. So will you, and you're doing a wonderful job I'm sure.

Rose M. Lantz said...

You have said it well, lizzy! Once again, I'm always blessed by what you write and leave encouraged. Thanks dear lizzy. love what God is teaching you and showing you.

Megan said...

Hang in there girl! The first few weeks with the first one is always the hardest! Kathryn is so blessed with awesome parents!! Can't wait to see you all!

Brent and Liz said...

Your little girl is beautiful, Lizzy! congrats to you and Luke.

christy said...

Your sweet daughter is beautiful Lizzy. It seems like just yesterday I was in your shoes. A bit overwhelming, but so short-lived. Thankfully His mercies are new every morning and it only gets better from here.

Sarah said...

Great post Lizzy and congratulations on your beautiful daughter. And I have to say, if you can eloquently express God's truth for new moms so clearly already and you are seeking to live your life in this perspective - then you ARE one of the moms who has everything together. The rest of it is just show and nowhere near so important!

So pleased that you are living your dream - you were always such a great blessing to me all those years ago.

God bless you and your lovely new family,

Sarah

Terri said...

Sounds about right! Hang in there!