Came across this great quote:
"The lullaby is the spell whereby the mother attempts to transform herself back from an ogre to a saint." - James Fenton
How true it is that singing to our children sooths us just as much, umm, maybe more than it even soothes them. I have sometimes referred to myself as a schizophrenic mother, one minute angry and quite literally the next amazed at how much I love the child I was so angry at one minute prior. God is good to sustain in the moments of anger and amazing to give us moments of love.
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Song for a Fifth Child
A wonderful and godly mother told me a verse of this poem in Starbucks the other day and I started crying right there.
Song for a Fifth Child
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
Mother, O Mother, come shake our your cloth
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullaby, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockabye lullaby loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
Song for a Fifth Child
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
Mother, O Mother, come shake our your cloth
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullaby, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockabye lullaby loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Symmetry
A few months ago I noticed that when Jotham builds something with his DUPLO blocks he often makes them perfectly symmetrical. Symmetry is in one place defined as beauty as a result of balance.
I think I need to take lesson from my boy and gain some symmetry. Balance between what is wanted (a clean house) and what is needed (time spent enjoying each other). Balance between giving direction to my children and trying to control the outcome of every situation. Balance between faith and works.
I am definitely learning, hopefully growing and I know that when the blocks fall (which they always do) the Lord is the one who needs to pick them up and put them back together again.
* Picture- Jotham with his dragon, he even makes sure the shading of color is correct. In this picture the dark green and the light green feet are symmetrical front to back.
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Mom I've Become
When Karis was a baby and she would pee in the tub I used to empty it out and refill it to finish her bath. Yesterday not only did Jedidiah pee in the tub and I did NOT empty it out, he peed on his brother (nice aim these boys have) and I just splashed some pee-pee tub water on him and declared him clean.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Birth Story
For anyone who is interested (and more for the sake of my own memory) here are the details of Jedidiah's birth. In the days leading up to his birth I had lots of different emotions about the whole thing. I was sad when I thought about having another c-section (because my previous experience was so yucky). After meeting with some ladies on Sunday and setting my heart more on the Lord I was in total faith for a c-section, reminded that Jedidiah's birth was God ordained and was the best for us.
In the morning as I met with the Lord, before going to the hospital, I read Luke 11:9-10,13 "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened....If you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
As I read this the prayer of my heart was, "I trust you Lord, you know my desires for this birth but more than anything I want to dwell in your Spirit through it all." My faith was set on him and I found such comfort there.
We arrived at the hospital, checked in, several nurses we met said, "Oh if you are going to have a version, Dr. Shrout is the one to do it." This was encouraging but I still really expected to have a c-section. We met Dr. Shrout, who we had not met before, and we started to think that maybe the version might be possible. After getting fluids and an epidural it was time to start. All these people came into the room, a few nurses, two doctors, I'm not even sure who. Dr. Shrout started pushing on his head, which was up against my rib and told the other doctor to push/hold the butt which was sort of sitting of hip with his legs hanging down into my cervix. After, no joke, 1 1/2 minutes they were done. It was pretty painful BUT it was so quick. They stopped and I expected them to start again. The doctor said, "That's it, he's turned." I thought, "That's it! I can't believe it." They began monitoring him and checked him on the sonogram and everything was okay. They put a binder around my belly so he wouldn't move back and then they slowly started pitocin.
The next very exciting thing that happened was them breaking my water. They did this pretty soon after the version so that he would stay head down. When the doctor broke my water she was shocked at how much water came out. It was basically 2 liters of fluid. The nurse said she'd never seen more than 1 liter. I guess this is a condition called polyhydramnios. Anyway, it was very funny at the time as more and more water kept coming out and they kept sucking it up. Around this time, my blood pressure dropped and I started feeling pretty sick and Jedi's heart rate went down. Both Erik & I thought we might be heading for a c-section but again in God's kindness everything worked out. I eventually needed some medicine to get my blood pressure stable and I felt much better after that.
After this, things went pretty slowly. I got to 4 cm and then stopped progressing. They gave me more pitocin and I got to 5 cm and then stopped progressing. Then they put an internal monitor on my uterus to see if I was having enough contraction and then they gave me more pitocin. After this things went very quickly. Contractions started coming hard and strong and after about 45 minutes to an hours I was pushing. Pushing was intense and hard, he was face up and really twisted around inside but it was only about 20 minutes. I'm a total wimp and was saying, "I can't do it..." But he is here and we are so thankful for all the prayers prayed on our behalf and most especially to our Lord who amazed us in giving us more than we imagined.
Jedidiah, we are over-joyed to have you here with us and amazed at God's kindness in ordaining you to be apart of our family. We can't wait to learn more about you and find out who God made you to be.
In the morning as I met with the Lord, before going to the hospital, I read Luke 11:9-10,13 "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened....If you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
As I read this the prayer of my heart was, "I trust you Lord, you know my desires for this birth but more than anything I want to dwell in your Spirit through it all." My faith was set on him and I found such comfort there.
We arrived at the hospital, checked in, several nurses we met said, "Oh if you are going to have a version, Dr. Shrout is the one to do it." This was encouraging but I still really expected to have a c-section. We met Dr. Shrout, who we had not met before, and we started to think that maybe the version might be possible. After getting fluids and an epidural it was time to start. All these people came into the room, a few nurses, two doctors, I'm not even sure who. Dr. Shrout started pushing on his head, which was up against my rib and told the other doctor to push/hold the butt which was sort of sitting of hip with his legs hanging down into my cervix. After, no joke, 1 1/2 minutes they were done. It was pretty painful BUT it was so quick. They stopped and I expected them to start again. The doctor said, "That's it, he's turned." I thought, "That's it! I can't believe it." They began monitoring him and checked him on the sonogram and everything was okay. They put a binder around my belly so he wouldn't move back and then they slowly started pitocin.
The next very exciting thing that happened was them breaking my water. They did this pretty soon after the version so that he would stay head down. When the doctor broke my water she was shocked at how much water came out. It was basically 2 liters of fluid. The nurse said she'd never seen more than 1 liter. I guess this is a condition called polyhydramnios. Anyway, it was very funny at the time as more and more water kept coming out and they kept sucking it up. Around this time, my blood pressure dropped and I started feeling pretty sick and Jedi's heart rate went down. Both Erik & I thought we might be heading for a c-section but again in God's kindness everything worked out. I eventually needed some medicine to get my blood pressure stable and I felt much better after that.
After this, things went pretty slowly. I got to 4 cm and then stopped progressing. They gave me more pitocin and I got to 5 cm and then stopped progressing. Then they put an internal monitor on my uterus to see if I was having enough contraction and then they gave me more pitocin. After this things went very quickly. Contractions started coming hard and strong and after about 45 minutes to an hours I was pushing. Pushing was intense and hard, he was face up and really twisted around inside but it was only about 20 minutes. I'm a total wimp and was saying, "I can't do it..." But he is here and we are so thankful for all the prayers prayed on our behalf and most especially to our Lord who amazed us in giving us more than we imagined.
Jedidiah, we are over-joyed to have you here with us and amazed at God's kindness in ordaining you to be apart of our family. We can't wait to learn more about you and find out who God made you to be.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Problems
So I have a few problems and since I know there are LOTS of wonderful Moms out there I thought I could ask for some advice.
Problem 1: SOCKS! When I was growing up my mom used to have a big basket that she would throw all the socks into and I can remember my grandfather folding them when he was watching me when I home sick from school. At least a year ago I was wondering why Mom was never able to fold the socks- well it has become more than abundantly clear to me! With 3 kids all near the same size I put 16 socks into the wash and come out with only 3 pairs (usually the ones that don't match any of their clothes). How does this happen to me? What do you do to keep track of socks that all look alike but are different sizes or just don't seem to have mates?
Problem 2: HAIR ACCESSORIES! I'm sure if you are reading this you know that I'm not talking about my own and since I don't own anything other than a plain black rubber band I seem unable to keep track of the numerous barrettes and colorful rubber bands that my flyaway hair girls need. The other part of the problem is they are constantly getting used are horse harnesses or present wrappers. How do you organize these in a way that works?
Love any comments on this!
Problem 1: SOCKS! When I was growing up my mom used to have a big basket that she would throw all the socks into and I can remember my grandfather folding them when he was watching me when I home sick from school. At least a year ago I was wondering why Mom was never able to fold the socks- well it has become more than abundantly clear to me! With 3 kids all near the same size I put 16 socks into the wash and come out with only 3 pairs (usually the ones that don't match any of their clothes). How does this happen to me? What do you do to keep track of socks that all look alike but are different sizes or just don't seem to have mates?
Problem 2: HAIR ACCESSORIES! I'm sure if you are reading this you know that I'm not talking about my own and since I don't own anything other than a plain black rubber band I seem unable to keep track of the numerous barrettes and colorful rubber bands that my flyaway hair girls need. The other part of the problem is they are constantly getting used are horse harnesses or present wrappers. How do you organize these in a way that works?
Love any comments on this!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Product vs. Process
My oldest, dear sweet Karis, turned 5 on November 15th. For her birthday, I've been sewing her new curtains for her room and drapes for her canopy bed. With some health issues going on with Erik I haven't had the time to work on these as quickly as I wanted but I finally finished them! It felt so good to have produced something. I get HUGE satisfaction out of being productive.
As I was reflecting on my satisfaction in my completed job the Lord brought to me a basic problem with my thinking. The role he has called me to has less to do with the product and more to do with the process. It is less about the clean house and more about how it gets clean. It is less about seemingly obedient children and more faithful, joyful mothering.
Genesis 4 gives the lineage of Cain, who murdered his brother. In verses 21-22, we read about those who came from Cain and see they are known by what they do, one who plays the lyre and pipe, forger of bronze and iron. In contrast, Genesis 5 gives the lineage of Seth, who was a child of promise, in verse 24 it tells of Enoch. "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." I've long been challenged by these verses. Am I known by what I do, what I produce? Or by whose I am, who I walk with?
In these days with small children it is so easy to get satisfaction from the wrong places. A very wise pastor's wife encouraged me the other day when she shared from Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." She pointed out the emphasis in the verse is not the on the outcome of the good but on the not giving up. How I desire to not give up in doing good. It is only by his grace that any of us with reap the harvest we desire. Peace, rest, satisfaction need to come from Him alone.
As I was reflecting on my satisfaction in my completed job the Lord brought to me a basic problem with my thinking. The role he has called me to has less to do with the product and more to do with the process. It is less about the clean house and more about how it gets clean. It is less about seemingly obedient children and more faithful, joyful mothering.
Genesis 4 gives the lineage of Cain, who murdered his brother. In verses 21-22, we read about those who came from Cain and see they are known by what they do, one who plays the lyre and pipe, forger of bronze and iron. In contrast, Genesis 5 gives the lineage of Seth, who was a child of promise, in verse 24 it tells of Enoch. "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." I've long been challenged by these verses. Am I known by what I do, what I produce? Or by whose I am, who I walk with?
In these days with small children it is so easy to get satisfaction from the wrong places. A very wise pastor's wife encouraged me the other day when she shared from Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." She pointed out the emphasis in the verse is not the on the outcome of the good but on the not giving up. How I desire to not give up in doing good. It is only by his grace that any of us with reap the harvest we desire. Peace, rest, satisfaction need to come from Him alone.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Quote
This is from the Clarkson's, Educating the WholeHearted Child:
"Regardless of the circumstances you face, you have the ability to remain faithful to God. In the end, the measure of your success in homeschooling will not be how well your children perform on achievement tests, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength in the process of discipling and educating them. Be faithful."
I found this quote a helpful reminder of what is really important. Not the outcome but the process of being faithful to God. It is not just applicable to homeschooling but to all of parenting (and life). I could easily change this quote to say:
In the end, the measure of your success in mothering will not be how well your children sleep through the night, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength through those sleepless nights.
or
In the end, the measure of your success in mothering will not be how well your children obey your first command, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength in training and disciplining them.
"Regardless of the circumstances you face, you have the ability to remain faithful to God. In the end, the measure of your success in homeschooling will not be how well your children perform on achievement tests, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength in the process of discipling and educating them. Be faithful."
I found this quote a helpful reminder of what is really important. Not the outcome but the process of being faithful to God. It is not just applicable to homeschooling but to all of parenting (and life). I could easily change this quote to say:
In the end, the measure of your success in mothering will not be how well your children sleep through the night, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength through those sleepless nights.
or
In the end, the measure of your success in mothering will not be how well your children obey your first command, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength in training and disciplining them.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Call to Suffer
I recently listened to this excellent message by John Piper. It was given several years ago at his church on mother's day. I can often, in the midst of my sinful attitude, think that I am suffering as I "endure" hard days (please forgive my complaining- but that is what is often in my heart). Today, as I think of the many excellent mothers I know I am struck by another class of mothers all together and at awe at the way God works in their lives. There is Helen, whose husband is having his third surgery to remove a brain tumor, while she suffers through a difficult pregnancy (for the sixth time) and whose rock solid love for the Savior deepens her desire to worship him through this trial. There is Kriscinda, who lost her precious Micah here on earth only find a deeper love for the Savior. There is Kelly, whose faith and joy amidst what seems like a mystery of medical problems in her little girls can only be from God. There is Jen, who joyfully and serves her family of 6 through the cancer her littlest is now battling.
These ladies show a deeper reality of the gospel and the call that God has placed on our lives to suffer. Though I weep for their suffering I am glad to be able to witness the work of our awesome God in their lives.
These ladies show a deeper reality of the gospel and the call that God has placed on our lives to suffer. Though I weep for their suffering I am glad to be able to witness the work of our awesome God in their lives.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Joyful Motherhood
So often my day is a fight to be joyful in my role as a mother. I was recently sent this very helpful article and thought I'd pass it along:
http://c4.atomicplaypen.com/sites/BBC/resources/images/1237.pdf
http://c4.atomicplaypen.com/sites/BBC/resources/images/1237.pdf
