I'm refreshed and ready for the week ahead. I had the opportunity for a second weekend in a row to visit some old and cherished friends. Always so nice to catch up and chat over good food :)
I just want to make something clear....
I am honest in my blogs. I blog about good days and bad days and I feel that it is important to include both. I have chosen to stay at home with my kids and I enjoy it. I do what is best for myself, my marriage and my family. Do I think I'm a good mom? sure...whatever that means. Do I love my children and do my best to be a loving wife and mother? yup...but that does not mean I am never going to have a bad day.
I think I would be doing the world an injustice if I only blogged about how wonderful things are. It would be fake and unreal. I blog about the bad days to prove that you can come through things and move on....and that I'm not 'perfect'
Life is about mountains and journeys and the road is never simple or easy. So why would I pretend everything is all roses?? Coming through hard times and living to talk about it is a much better motivator to others.....just my opinion of course.
So why do I feel the need to justify myself today? To prove that I really am a good mom and I love to stay home?? I'm not sure. Perhaps because I do care what others think...especially my family.
I know I care about the woman who commented and told me thank you for posting and being so honest. I'm glad my words are helping others who are going through or feeling what I feel.
I know it really bothers me that someone I love told me that I am not strong enough to have more children because I sometimes have crappy days....and all I want to do is prove to this person that I can do it.
As much as that hurt, I will continue to blog in the raw if it means that someone out there is better off because I did...and you can form your opinions as you like.
10 comments:
if God has layed it on your heart to grow your family....i say keep going till that crazy 'ol van is full or you get another vehicle :D
erin
Who doesn't have bad days?? Everyone has them! And it doesn't make you weak or unfit or incapable, it makes you real. And blogging about them is an outlet, to get out what feels bad and start afresh.
It sounds like me like you do a great job and I don't think you need to justify yourself at all!
So there! ;)
I appreciate your honesty, and enjoy reading your blog. No one is perfect, only God. We all have bad days, we all go through similar things, and knowing this, helps me get through it.
As far as not strong enough to have more children, only you, your husband, and God know the answer to that.
Please continue to be yourself. I am really enjoying getting to know you.
I'm sorry to hear that someone close to you suggested you not have more kids. Perhaps the thought overwhelmed them - my mom had one and couldn't imagine having 3 so she indicates her disapproval when we discuss the potential of a 3rd ... but I know it's her thing, not mine.
I remember Oprah did a show about 'after baby' and there was a woman who claimed she'd never had a 'down' moment since her now 16 y/o son was born. She said she'd never questioned her parenting, never felt overwhelmed, never wondered if she was cut out for it ... in other words, she was in denial :) Thank you for your honest blogs on the days that aren't all roses and sunshine. You make the rest of us feel better for knowing we're not alone in our 'imperfection' (or humanity).
I get "those" comments too Alyson! And I say do what feels right! Everybody has bad days! Doesn't mean you shouldn't have more kids because of that! Kids are a blessing! The more the merrier!
*hugs* I appreciate your good and bad!!
One of the things I have always valued most about you is your honesty. I'm glad you're real on your blog and don't just put on a happy face all the time. I appreciate knowing that other moms have bad days and that their kids sometimes drive them nuts too. I think you're a terrific mom and perfectly suited for the job. You've got great kids and that can be attributed to you and Adam and all the hard work you put in to raise them. If you feel God telling you to have more kids, don't worry what other people say, follow your heart.
Love,
Alana
Alyson,
On Thursday and Friday of this week, I will be posting some pretty difficult stuff that our family has faced. Everybody has bad days. I think it's important to share the scars and the difficulties because you never know who you might help along the way. Nobody's perfect and it's just isolating to pretend that we are. You're on the right track here.
Kate
It was great to catch up with you and see Peyton. Thank you for all of the encouraging words and the useful things. I think each person knows what they feel is best so I look forward to the new children yearly updates :)
Sarah
When I was in the beginning stages (and NOT doing well) I remember asking a friend if she ever questioned how she was raising her also-tiny baby. She said "no, I just go by baby's cues and I feel really comfortable with what I'm doing".
I thought- keep smokin those drugs, lady.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. I especially love all the little tid bits of country living you post about, like getting a new post for your laundry line, or walking to grandma's to get milk with your kids, or making butter in the afternoon. I tell my husband about the things you write about, and I tell him just how lucky your kids are to be having the kind of wholesome upbringing they are getting. And honestly, sometimes you even inspire me to want the same kind of lifestyle! I don't know if I could give up my urban (well sub-urban) life and move to the country, but I would love to create similar kinds of memories for my family. Keep writing, I am soaking it all up!
Vicky
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