TagMotherhood

5 Parenting Lessons I’ve Learned through our Journey with Apraxia

Exactly 16 months ago I Googled “brain speech disconnect” and learned about apraxia for the very first time. In that moment, I remember standing in the kitchen thinking “God is going to make me an advocate.” It’s a role I didn’t want and still one I don’t fully understand, but one I will do my best to fulfill because I have a brave warrior named Emery who is worth it. Additionally, just like sharing my postpartum journey one year ago […]

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If this chair could talk…

If this chair could talk, I know what it’d say…I’ve watched you rock and sing and pray every single day. I saw you in the early days at 9, 12, 2 and 5With heavy eyes and tired mind just trying to survive. I saw the tears roll down your cheek when you felt so unsureWhy God chose you for this role “why didn’t he pick her?” I witnessed as you mustered out small prayers unendingly,Asking God for help and how […]

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Hey Momma! We’re on the same team!

A few months ago, Emery and I arrived at the park early one morning. We had his favorite playground all to ourselves to run, jump and do our own thing.  About 30 minutes later, a couple moms showed up with their kids. Then another. And another. As each arrived, we gave a polite smile and “hey there” plus a few obligatory questions.  “How old is he?” “18 months, yours?” “Do you live around here?” “Maple Street, you?” You know, the […]

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How we made them feel.

“People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou What if we thought about motherhood that way? Years from now, Emery won’t remember that he basically ate the same meal every night – but I hope he remembers holding hands and praying as a family before dinner, raising our hands with an “Aaaaamen”. The sense of security in having a family who surrounds him […]

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Beauty Before the Bloom

After our first vacation to Nantucket, we knew it was a spot that would stay in our hearts forever. We time our Nantucket trips around mid-May. Partly to let the getaway fall on our anniversary, partly to avoid the influx of tourists. Mostly to take advantage of the slightly reduced travel costs. The week before “season” allows this young family to enjoy a vacation destination that otherwise isn’t quite in the budget. On our most recent trip we stayed in […]

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Love Over Time: My Personal Postpartum Experience

A well known figure on Instagram recently welcomed her first daughter into the world. As she briefly shared an update on postpartum life with a 3 day old, all she could exude was pure joy. She explained that everything was absolutely wonderful and perfect and everything she had ever dreamed of. I was so happy for her and those feelings. Everyone wants those feelings and that type of experience. But, my heart broke and ached for another woman watching the […]

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You are a Good Mom

you are a good mom

Yes, we have eyes in the back of our heads. And of course, “momma knows best.” But, we are not omnipotent. You are not a terrible mother. Someone out there called herself a bad mom this week. Maybe out loud, maybe under her breath. Maybe those words were on repeat in her head as she just couldn’t figure out how to calm the crying. We’ve all been there: that panic feeling of trying everything under the sun to make your […]

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Redefining our Perspective: Realizing an Answered Prayer

It had been one of those nights. Little man had woken up four or five times. We were coming off his first cold and his sleep schedule was a wreck. The easiest way to get him back to sleep {and me back to bed} the quickest was to let him nurse. I knew it wasn’t the ideal or sustainable solution, but it worked in the moment. As morning came, I was exhausted and running on empty (literally and figuratively). But, […]

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Finding My Why: The Heart Behind Charleston Homemaker

I am writing this from our kitchen table. The tumble of laundry serenades me in the background along with inter-mitten beeps from the baby monitor that is looking over Emery while he naps. It’s a typical morning. As soon as he goes down to nap, I try to check off as many to-do’s from my list as possible. This morning includes a daunting to-do: Push past the doubts to explain the heart behind Charleston Homemaker and why I’m crafting this […]

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