Seasons of Motherhood--Inaugural Post :)

Hey!  Thanks for coming to check out my new blog on Motherhood!  Being a mom of 3 children, motherhood is a subject near and dear to my heart.  So, I've decided to journal my personal experience of motherhood through this blog.  I'm not here because I think I have all the answers or great advice.  I'm not a professional writer and I don't intend to be.  Instead, I enjoy sharing my experiences and lessons learned in the hopes of reaching at least one mom who is looking for someone to relate to.  No mom should feel alone in this wild journey!  I'm also passionate about passing on great lessons/stories I've learned from some amazing moms so they can continue to be shared with others.  Isn't that what it's all about?  Some days just knowing we are normal moms and the challenges we face, we don't face alone.  If I can give another mom encouragment and inspiration, then I've accomplished what I've set out to do! 

Here's the reasoning behind my blog title... 

Happy Hour:  First, every mom deserves a daily happy hour, even if your happy hour does not include adult beverages!  There will be challenges throughout our day, so as moms we deserve an hour (at least) that is relaxing and happy!  For me, yes, some days that includes an adult beverage or 2 with my husband or girlfriends :) 

Friendship:  For me, this not only includes friends but also family.  Because of my frienships with family and friends, life and motherhood are easier and more enjoyable!  Having great people to rely on for various things is wonderful.  I'm so thankful for my friendships that have stood the test of time and life's numerous seasons. 

Faith:  Last and most important to me, is my faith in God and Jesus Christ.  Without God, I wouldn't be where I am today and I wouldn't have my three precious children that have given me the title "mother".  I credit this beautiful gift of motherhood to God, who draws me closer to Him through my role as a mom.  He is the only constant in our lives and when friendships seem to fade and happy hour seems out of reach, God is and always will be there.  What a relief!!

I was asked to do a guest blog post on Motherhood a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it!  So, here is my first ever personal post in case you have not seen it already.  I would love for you to share your thoughts as well :)

Seasons of Motherhood

Hi!  I’m Megan Schimmelpfennig, the lucky wife of Sam, and blessed mom of three children ages 6, almost 3 and 1!  I’m also the founder and owner of my online children’s boutique, Trendy Tots ~n~ Polka Dots (trendytotsnpolkadots.com).

The definition of motherhood has changed significantly for me over the last two years.  This change started with our move from Arizona to Colorado, and having to leave my job as an advertising account manager in the corporate world for nearly six years.  A week after arriving in Colorado, we were thrilled with the news baby #3 was on the way, and little did I know, I was about to enter a new ‘season’ of being a full-time, stay at home mom.  I feel very fortunate to be able to stay at home with my children, but I’ll be honest, it’s been quite a transition.  Going from striving to meeting and exceeding sales goals and receiving awards for doing so, to striving just to get laundry done, the house picked up and little mouths fed numerous times a day has been no easy feat!  Needless to say, success has a whole new meaning for me.  Some days I feel like the ring leader of a three-ring circus and other days I feel like I’m up on the tight rope trying to balance it all.

By having the awesome experience of being part of a MOPS Group (Mothers of Preschoolers) since moving to CO, I have not only strengthened my relationship with God, but He has made it quite clear this is the season I’m meant to be in, right now, and I couldn’t be happier or more content.  With all the ups, downs, frustrations, challenges and some days very little praise or acknowledgement, I’ve realized I don’t need awards to prove I’m accomplishing great things.  I’m fulfilled when I see my children be kind and loving to each other and make good choices in difficult situations.  When they look at me with their big blue eyes, tears streaming down their cheeks, and they look to me for consolation and I’m here for them.  Being able to impact my children every day brings me immeasurable joy.  I’ve grown to be a more patient mom, cherishing even the time-outs and lessons learned, as I know this season will pass all too quickly.  I look at my patio door and so many times think, “I love those little handprints.  Some day they won’t be there and I will give anything to see them and have a noisy house again.”  During this season, I’ve learned to focus on what’s really important.  I know that for all of us our time is so limited with all that we have to do and the places we need to be, but at the end of the day, it all shakes down to priorities.  Our children are quick to make note of our priorities as well.   

One of the great things I love about motherhood is God created us all to be unique moms like our children are unique!  Just like we shouldn’t compare our children to other children, and we shouldn’t compare ourselves to other moms.  We set high standards for ourselves as moms and seek approval from other human beings.  We sometimes feel like the biggest compliment we could receive is to be told that we are a wonderful mother.  It’s nice to hear, but I don’t believe it validates anything.  Why?  Because we only need to be the mother that God created each of us to be.  That looks different for all of us.  At the beginning of everyday, my goal is to be the mom God has meant for me to be and raise my children to be the person that God created each of them to be!  I find when I keep feeding my soul with His word and listening to His voice, I’m on the right track in sticking with His plan.  I’m thankful motherhood is not a destination, because we would miss so many blessings along this journey.  And through this journey, God gives us His grace when we make mistakes.  He wouldn’t create us to be mothers without leading and guiding us and being our constant mentor.  What a comforting thought!  My wish for all moms is to live in the present moment of the season you are in.  And remember, the days go by slowly, but the years pass quickly and before we know it, this precious season is over.