The Success of Simply being a Mom {Goodbye, Jones's}

I always knew I’d be a mom—never pegged myself as one who’d grow up to have 6 kids, but that pretty much sums up my job title.

And I don’t mind at all. 

Don’t need no side hustle. No trajectory plan to build success. To prove success. No push to ‘have it all’. No reason to get my Masters because I’m not even utilizing my Bachelors degree. No declaration that I’m going to simplify or go ‘off the grid’. Everyday is ‘no-makeup day’. Also, I use bleach (There. I said it).

It’s ok to go after those things if you want. And they aren’t bad! But for those of you who feel you can’t “Keep up with the Joneses”?

Seriously—it’s ok to take a pass. Because then you have more time to look at your life. Your blessings. Your goals. And if that means your life is summed up with the words “Mom of 6”?

Then you’ve found your success.

Tribute to Orphan Sunday {November 12, 2017}

Here's the thing about adoption; once you've done it, you forget. You forget you didn't birth them until you are asked if it was a full-term pregnancy. You forget when you tuck them in at night & when they crawl into your bed in the morning. Your soul knows you would die for them just like you'll die for the children who carry your DNA. You even forget they don't look like you until someone asks you "where they are from". Every day you forget. And every day there is a reminder.

Someday, 1/2 my kids will understand they were birthed by someone else. I pray that never matters. And I pray this is the best example of God's timing and His perfect plan in the lives of ALL my children. Because my life would not be perfect without them. #orphansunday#nationaladoptionmonth #foster #adopt #serve #thankyouGod

The Blessings of an Authentically-Mundane Life {Love is Key}

Remember that Spring Break where we didn’t go to the lake house because Kait had clinicals & Connor had track, and the grandparents wouldn’t be there anyway? 

It was good we stayed, or we would’ve missed discovering a leak under the upstairs bathroom sink Sunday night...which led to a broken faucet in the downstairs tub (fix one thing, might as well fix the other, right?), which led to keeping the water turned off for the day. But hey, at least we drove to Peoria twice for showers at Aunt Laurel’s! All on Monday, which made Mike’s “extra” day off of work a day full of mess and projects. #blesshisheart

And Tuesday was fun in that it’s STILL raining (#forthelove!), kid #5 has 4 cavities, so I’ve added that to my list of reasons I’m failing this #momgig. BUT thanks to our friend we forgot was a plumber, we now have a working shower (even if there’s a hole where the shower head is because improving it actually meant preferring demo over the previous setup) #oldhousefun

Kids #1 & #6 have just finished meds for walking pneumonia. Kid #2 might have a broken finger, but we are “keeping an eye on it”. Kid #3 can finally see, thanks to getting an updated eye exam & new glasses. In two weeks, kids #4 & #5 go to Chicago to see geneticist due to discoveries from recent testing. #physiciansarewonderful

It’s so easy for me to complain—to feel almost defeated. But I told Mike the best part of our “Money Pit” home and daily “What the What?” situations is this: I AM SO GLAD WE ARE IN LOVE. Because we’ve known too many couples over the years who seem to have it all, yet they can barely tolerate each other. All the outward appearance stuff masks the mess inside. And I’m pretty sure that can’t be an enjoyable way to spend your days. #fakeislonely

So, here’s to our boring, blah spring break, in our tiny old house that I absolutely adore even though it’s sometimes a kick in the teeth. Here’s to true love that lives within our messy home. Here’s to kids who find happiness in simple living, even if they are tired of eating Tombstone pizzas. And here’s to embracing authenticity, because somehow, life is easier when you embrace it honestly. #authenticliving #lovecomesfirst #gratefulhearts

Smack in the Middle of Motherhood {Raising & Releasing}

Today’s kids: Senior. Junior. Freshman. Five. Four. Three.

Tomorrow: Charlie turns 6. Kaitlin begins her job as a CNA; her first step on a path to further medical degrees.

Two weeks: Connor gets his license. The possibility of him going into the Air National Guard is a mere 10 months away.

Three months: Kylie turns 14 the 1st day of high school. Charlie goes back to the school & teachers we adore.

Four months: Brynlee turns 4. She and Kolbie will start preschool with the best teacher (who was taught by the best, and she was taught by the best) 35 minutes away because it’s exactly where I want them.

Five months: 21st wedding anniversary. A strong marriage that has never wavered.

It’s a strange season of life; I’m a young mom and an old mom all at the same time. It’s a mix of beginnings and endings. Chapters of life that seem to land smack in the middle right at this very moment in time. A time where I assumed we’d have more money & a bigger house, and yet we are richer than I ever dreamed. Because it’s a life of love. A life of kept promises—both by us, and always by God. It’s a life that continues to rack up faith & trust, and raising up & releasing kids.

Today, I am aware. And I’m very grateful. #everyperfectgiftisfromabove

(Photo by Aleshka Grusy).