Encouragement

How I Fight My Battles

It’s been a weird week.  Some combination of pregnancy hormones, stress about Dave’s job search and our uncertain future, anxiety over going back to work myself with a baby on the way, and the regular ready-to-be-done with summer emotions I get this time every year, all struck this week and I’ve been a bit of a wreck.

In the past, I’ve given into the emotions.  In fact, that was my standard MO for years.  Only recently…really, since marrying Dave seven years ago and getting his feedback on what I assumed were unchangeable patterns in myself…(marriage is sanctifying y’all…) have I begun to learn how to stand up to the feelings which overtake me from time to time.

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Encouragement, Introversion, Pregnancy and Motherhood, Stewardship Series

Alone Time Isn’t Everything

I penciled the dates into my planner with great anticipation: “Abby to Oklahoma” and “Abby to New York.”

Two full weeks, one in June and one in July.

Time with the grandparents for her, and scheduled breaks for me.

An oasis for this introverted mom amidst the constant togetherness of summer.

The Holy Grail of my recent life.

Alone time.

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Encouragement

Wisdom from Dads for Father’s Day

It’s Father’s Day weekend, and maybe, like me, you’ve been scrambling a little to find the right gift or the right words to honor the most important Dad in your life. (Anyone else’s husband like mine: next to impossible to surprise and even harder to buy gifts for??)

Thinking about the best way I can honor the amazing father of my own children, I thought about what means the most to me, on Mother’s Day or my birthday.  And hands down, the best gifts I ever receive are the ones which show me my husband (or my family, or a friend) listened to something I said and acted on it.

So today, I want to share some insights from dads. Things I, as a mom, didn’t realize dads needed, until I asked.  You might not find the perfect gift to wrap in a bow and place beside his breakfast on Sunday morning, but maybe you’ll take away something you can do to show that special man in your life how much you appreciate all that he does for you and your kids.

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