We're Not That Different

Sometimes, I feel just so "other" than many of the moms I know.  I can't ask my husband to watch the children while I meet my girlfriends for lunch.  I don't have the extra cash to indulge in a manicure.  When we are invited to a birthday party, I bring all three because I don't have a spouse to watch the off-age siblings.   

But like every mother my heart grew ten times when my newly born babe was first placed in my arms.  I plan and plot and provide them with the best my resources allow, learning to accept that this is enough.  I get frustrated with the never-ending cycles of clean, then dirty dishes and laundry, toys picked up, then played with and scattered again.  I am exceedingly proud of my children.  I have worries for them.  I stress about their health, emotions and eating habits.

Margins

There are margins on the edge of this computer screen that you are reading.  There are edges to the paper on which you write (even those journals!) and the books you read.  White space.  Empty places.  Room to for your eye to rest.  Do you have margins in your life?  My father explained margins to me and they provide lots of freedom.  Find out where you need more margins in your life today.

Access a Wealth of Information



Here is my treasure of journals
from the eighties till today!

 Who has the most information to help you? You do! You know yourself better than anyone and have all the history of your life experience, hurts, wrong thoughts, dead end dreams, goals and hopes. It’s there within, but accessing isn’t always easy. Read more to discover the best way to use the information you already possess.

Find Your Village

They're out there - the people you need to support you and your children.  Click below to find practical ways to let others support you and your family.  Then add your ideas of locating encouragers.

I Believed the Wrong Message

I've always had a romantic nature...I read novels, I buy flowers, I indulge in chocolate (and I don't do this only on Valentine's Day!).  As a young girl I dreamed of happily ever after and all the adventures that would entail.  Valentine's Day always included love of all sorts, including friendship and family and now I'm thankful that it wasn't all about the romance.  So, this day isn't full of longing and wistful negative emotions.  I'm able to celebrate the great love that I possess for my children and family, even for my ex, as I do love him in a pure and brotherly sense.

Valentine's Day is filled with many little notes, words of affection, messages in gifts.  They verbalize the adoration we all want, and I believed them. I treasured all those ideal lines, but  I was listening to the wrong message ...

What I do When I'm Unmotivated

We all have them - days when there is no will or energy to accomplish what  is needed. Yet somehow, I've got to push through or the resulting consequences will just add to the chaos.
(insert photo of messy kitchen here!)

Disappointment Does Not Define Me

For as long as I can remember, I have defined myself by other relationships.  I was devastated when my marriage ended, I didn't like the new roles given to me: Single Mother, Breadwinner, Spiritual Leader.  Yes, those are aspects of my life and person, but those titles do not define me.  I choose to look at myself first as a mother, who happens to be single and working to provide for our little family.  It's all a matter of perspective...