Project 52:4 | Extravagant

Project 52:4

 Motherhood is: 

Extravagant

in so many ways.

Whether it be expensive, excessive or eccentric

a dull moment shall never exist. 

It is more precious than gold and profits in 

hugs, kisses, slobbers & spit-up,

untidy counters & cluttered floors,

pompous attitudes & tender communion.

Unlike any other

Motherhood is a grandiose profession. 

This precious firstborn cherub is inching closer and closer to the age of three.  As all parents have experienced, so many blessings come as children mature and develop their own personalities and preferences. In many ways Sadie has been a very easy child to raise thus far. But, as of late, her behavior -more often than not- exhibits an "I'm getting older and I think I'm smarter than you." attitude! 

Needless to say, this doesn't settle too well at our house. My challenge lies in learning to parent her extravagant attitude and strong will. I am so thankful she is a determined little girl, but sheesh, sometimes I feel I need a parenting instruction manual! Something that says: "This comment deserves time-out." or "That attitude earns a swat." or "This behavior needs a heart to heart talk."  

And I do love to have heart to heart talks. Some are deep and others lighthearted. Today after her nap we were looking out the window and 

the following conversation transpired: 

~    ~    ~

"Mama, I think storm clouds are coming." (And she was correct.) Me: "Well, what happens when storm clouds come?" Sadie: "I think thunder and lightning and rain come." Me: "Do you like storm clouds?" Sadie: "I don't like thunder and lightning but I like the rain the best. I like them in the morning but I don't like them during the night." Me: "Why do you not like them at night?" Sadie: "They scare me in the night but they don't scare me in the morning." Then we both smile and share a hug.

~    ~    ~ 

Or we have conversations that go something like this: 

"Sadie, your shoes are on the wrong feet." Sadie: "No, they are NOT." or 

"Sadie, your panties are not on correctly." Sadie: "Yes, they ARE." or  

"Sadie, can I help you put your crown on the right way?" (as she wears it like a backwards ball cap) Sadie: "This IS the RIGHT WAY." 

Oh, when will she realize that moma knows best?!?

~    ~    ~

And you know it's the constant stage of "Why? Why? Why?". Some conversations are so intriguing and others SO frustrating!

Isn't motherhood extravagant! I wouldn't have it any other way.

~    ~    ~    ~    ~ 

On another note, maybe you did or did not notice all my motherhood words began with an "E" this month. Honestly, it wasn't completely intentional, but I sort of like the idea. So my new challenge for the coming months is to somehow tie each post together in some way.  

Coming up . . . maybe a little craftiness. (Emphasize the maybe!) So stay tuned!

Project 52:3 | Energized

52:3

Motherhood is:

Energized

at the twinkling of his bright blue eyes.

It is a reciprocal & unceasing love.

His warm cuddles & contagious smile

impart vitality to invigorate the day.

There is just something about

a mommy and her baby boy.

So it's true. I was a skeptic before my journey into the mommyhood of snips and snails, but there is something special about a mommy and her baby boy. This little guy is my snuggler. I cherish every single cuddle. Poke a camera in his face and he gives the biggest smile every time. I just love it!

Elam is his name. Ever met anyone with this first name? Me neither. Let's just say that baby naming is a chore for me. Just ask my husband who says I have too many rules when it comes to naming a child.  I say it's the curse of a teacher . . .  So I found this name in a baby book a teacher friend let me borrow. Liked the look and the sound of the name, but the meaning is what caught my attention. The book read, Elam: God centered; distinctive. I tucked it away and tried to keep an open mind for I knew my husband had a name already decided. 

LOUIE. Yep, after his paternal grandfather. This little guy would be the last one to carry on the family name. Could I refuse? Grrrr!

It was a few days after his arrival, late into the night before we left the hospital and we knew our baby boy must have a name. Finally, our compromise: I choose the first name; he chooses the middle. And so it was.   

Elam Louie.

And it fits his adorable face perfectly.

Project 52:2 Equipping

52:2

Motherhood is:

Equipping

your most prized possessions

to stand in the rain

or walk or run or jump

-even in January-

 for laughter and learning will abound,

but adversity is certain to follow.

Equip them well.

Truthfully, I had no intentions of going deep with such a simple photo. It just happened.  Substance seemed to surface the longer I looked at her firm stance and the vibrant colors of this picture.  Equipped with her rain wear, she stood outside absorbing the rain ready to run and jump.

 I know I'm guilty of not always living every second to the fullest or finding teachable moments in everyday circumstances, but I'm going to try to do a little better each day.  Hopefully I am instilling in them strong character, a positive attitude, kindness in their hearts and determination to overcome obstacles. And as they encounter the "muddy puddles" in life may my children always remember the verse they are memorizing this month at church,  "With God, all things are possible." Mark 10:27 

For on the days when rain puddles turn to mud puddles they shall maneuver the journey of life with confidence and resolve.

Project 52:1 Enhanced

52:1

Motherhood is: 

Enhanced

by simple sights, smells & sounds

blanketing our humble abode. 

For throughout my bustling day of doing for others 

it is in these relaxing moments

I am refreshed, renewed & revived.

After an inaugural six months of staying at home, I realized just a few pleasures added to my daily routine would make my day slightly more gratifying. For, if I'm not careful, I find myself locked in a trance of placing meals on the table, cleaning up dishes, picking up toys, preparing children for naps, loading the washer, emptying the dryer, folding clothes (oh wait, the clothes are in the basket . . . still), and vacuuming the floor. All necessary and potentially pleasing but occasionally mundane. 

I have resolved to become a SAHM with intentions. Intentions to enhance my role as "mother" so my family will be blessed. Project 52 is just a small way I plan to grow. This blog will stretch me and hold be accountable.  Inspiration to begin Project 52 came from reading Styleberry Blog. (I absolutely LOVE this blog!! You can find it in the blogs I follow.) I am going to spend the year looking for ways to ENHANCE Motherhood so that I might bestow blessings on those who are most important. Please follow along and join me in this journey.  If you would like to learn more about this endeavor, explore Project 52.

Well, my coffee is waiting and the cookies smell delicious . . . until next week.

Ouch!

Let's just say I'm out of my comfort zone. But it's good! I recently began following a few different blogs (and love it!), but NEVER imagined starting one to call my own. After working to become a master teacher for eight years in the elementary classroom I thought becoming a stay-at-home mom would be like my planning period on steroids. Therefore, my house would be perfection, my children would be schooled and my husband would be in awe of the wonderful sights and smells as he was welcomed home each evening. Let's just say it took less than a week for me to realize I was slightly mistaken.
So I am here with much on my mind. Sometime I will share my ups and downs, my lessons learned, and ALL I have my heart set to accomplish. But writing scares me. And I'm a perfectionist in therapy. So for now, this blog will highlight one project I have burning inside. I'm going to attempt to enhance my photography and writing skills through one post a week. This is Project 52. It seems small, but for me it's huge. It's a contribution to myself. It's my contribution to motherhood. For my life as a stay-at-home moma will be shared through the lens on a camera. Sometimes it may seem blurry or dark or overexposed, but it will be real. Life at work in the most precious workplace.
So here I go.
Scared. Overwhelmed. DETERMINED.