Today kicks off the I Have Something to Say series! It has been in the making for the last few months and I am so, so excited to share it with you. I reached out to women in my life who fit all that this blog encompasses and beyond. The unique thing about this group of women is that none of them are bloggers. I wanted to give these amazing women an opportunity to have a platform to share their heart and they did just that. I have been blown away by their pieces and I know you’ll enjoy them too! 

So without further to do, Vanessa’s the first one up! Her’s her piece: Continue reading →

I received the item mentioned in this post in exchange for an honest review. 

Last weekend I surprised my daughter, Adalynn, and my husband, John with surprises “from one another.” She had an early Father’s Day present for him (…that I obviously picked out; I just couldn’t wait any longer!) and I had set up a tea party and park time for Adalynn and him to spend some quality time together.

Oh my goodness, you guys! It was even cuter than Continue reading →

To: My Friends Without Kids –

You know who you are and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! You’ve stuck by me in a phase of my life you don’t understand and quite frankly, neither do I! I want to take a few minutes to thank you and, honestly, to beg you, more or less, to not stray. I promise deep down I’m the friend you met and knew long before I was a mommy.  Continue reading →

{My daughter was six months old at the time that I wrote this and motherhood was very fresh and new still. It was originally titled “I Don’t Have Mom Guilt” but I learned quickly enough that mom guilt takes on many different forms and I no longer felt the title to be all encompassing. Hence the change. While I still don’t feel like I carry much mom guilt, that’s a topic for another day!}

It was early Thursday morning and my daughter had woken up a little later than normal and was soaking wet when I went in to get her. Continue reading →

First of all, I want to thank Alex of Heart Home and Hope for tagging me in “10 Ways I’m Rocking Motherhood.” I love this movement that’s going on; making us focus on the awesome things we’re doing as moms! I hope you enjoy! 

Motherhood is indescribably beautiful and amazing in so many ways. Motherhood is love personified, your heart walking around outside of your body. And motherhood is downright HARD!

I don’t think there’s any mamas out there that would disagree with anything I just said. And sadly, I think it’s the days that are hard, the days we feel like we aren’t doing so great at this role that hit us the hardest.

Let’s change that! Let’s focus on all the GREAT things we’re doing! It shouldn’t take you longer to make a list of 10 good things you’re doing than 10 things you’ve messed up. You’re doing great things! You’re awesome! You care! I know that because you’re taking the time to even read this post about motherhood. You’re rocking motherhood

And I am too!

Here’s how I’m rocking motherhood!!!!

I am patient. 

A few weeks ago I realized that my patience had reached an all-time lowwwwww. Adalynn would scream and flail about getting in her car seat and I’d get annoyed. Adalynn would dump toys I’d just picked up all over the floor. I would get frustrated. And about five to ten other things you or I could both add to the list. They’re not unique to my child. You know the types of things I’m talking about. Well I have consciously taken the time to be patient recently and it’s made all the difference. I’ve started singing to her and smiling when she’s fighting the car seat now and guess what?! She calms down and actually sits for me. Ironically enough getting irritated and saying “no, no, no, no, ugh, no” didn’t work!

I encourage her to be independent. 

Kids are so bright and so smart. And I believe if the time and support is given they can become independent in the best ways! My daughter is 18 months old and she cleans up her toys, drinks from a cup, uses utensils, can complete every puzzle in our house, puts her dirty laundry in the hamper, and feeds our dogs and cat with minimal to no assistance. I hope that doesn’t come across as bragging! I just think it’s amazing all that she is able to do on her own at such a young age. These aren’t things we ever forced her to do or reprimanded her for not doing, they are simply things we took the time to show her how to do and took the time to let her learn.

I love her father unconditionally. 

I want my daughter to be part of a happy and healthy marriage when she grows up. One of the main ways that is going to happen is if it is modeled for her while she is growing up. I display my love for my husband, her dad, by practicing grace, speaking kindly and politely, laughing, smiling, working through issues respectfully, and above all loving him unconditionally no matter the issue at hand or either of our moods.

I pick my battles. 

I’m not right just because I’m the mom. Just as any adult isn’t right in the situation just because they are the adult. She is just starting to really talk so the arguing is pretty slim still, but when it starts I will fight saying “because I said so,” and give her genuine answers and explanations. Even now, though she can’t talk or argue, I still try to see her side of things when she throws a tantrum. Am I being patient? Am I really the one that’s making it a bigger deal than it is?

I am happy with my life right now. 

I don’t compare myself to other moms. Shoot! To other people, in general! Good or bad, I only have the energy to do the best I can and be happy with it. There is no room for judgment if I don’t agree with someone. And there’s no room for envy if someone really has it together. (Let’s be honest, social media makes us all look like we have it together more than we really do anyway!)

I offer up grace. 

I don’t think my toddler has ever spilled her water all over the kitchen or knocked something over just to purposely annoy me. And even if she has, have I ever done something to purposely annoy someone or do something that wasn’t 100% out of love. Of course! I’m human! And wouldn’t I appreciate it if grace was extended to me? Of course! I’ve been extending grace and love as much as I can, even when it isn’t always easy.

I am intentional with our time together.

There are a zillion things I do on a daily basis and just because I am home with my daughter doesn’t mean they’re not there. Instead of spending my day cleaning, blogging, perusing social media, or a number of other things, I make sure I am intentional with her. I can do those other things throughout the day, but everyday she is growing and changing and I do my best to remember that and take advantage of it!

I do not take motherhood for granted.

Sadly, I know motherhood doesn’t always quite go as planned for some people. I know there are many mothers still in waiting and quite frankly I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through. But I want them to know that I think of them and I think of them often. And I want them to know that I don’t take for granted the gift my daughter is to me. I will never wish away any second of any stage or phase because I’m so grateful to experience any of it! I also do not ever whine or complain about her. I am so thankful for this journey!

I am not guilty of my “me time.” 

“Wow Chelsea, that’s quite an item for this list!” You’re dang right it is! If I don’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of anyone else. I don’t take very much me time so on the rare occasions that I do, I do not feel guilt. I put others before myself in many roles in my life and while I am so very grateful for each of them, I need some time to do what I want to do, just for me!

I give myself credit when credit is due.  

I can say with confidence that I am the best mom I can be. My daughter is happy and healthy and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I am not perfect and will never try to be. I am striving to be a great mom, and most days I don’t do too bad of a job at that! And for that I think I can say, I’m rocking this motherhood thing!

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I nominate:

Stephanie of I Literally LOL &

Lauren of Lauren Stewart to post 10 ways they’re rocking motherhood!!!!

Now tell me, how are YOU rocking motherhood?