Most of you probably saw the post on Facebook recently about a mom’s to-do list that included things like cleaning a messy kitchen, picking up after the kids, etc. But what made it so popular was what she wrote underneath each item. She was thankful for each thing on her to-do list for various reasons and it made us all stop and think how the things we often complain about are actually blessings beyond our imagination.
So of course it got me to thinking of the last 9 months and how it’s been the most difficult and most amazing 9 months of my life. I tried my best this past year to be thankful for the things I found myself complaining about and while I wasn’t always successful, God helped me to be mindful of His blessings rather than complain about my situation. So, here are a few.
I’m thankful…
- for the swelling and ginormous belly that I had at the beginning of the year. It meant I was growing a baby girl and that my body was taking care of her AND me at the same time.
- for the sleepless nights and newborn cries. It’s like a right of passage for parents with a newborn baby. And on the nights when I didn’t think I could do it anymore, God brought to mind the previous years of nights when I very much wanted to be awake with a baby and the women who wanted the same thing. So, those nights turned into nights of prayer for my own mindset and the women who longed to be mothers.
- for the multitude of spit up her first several months of life! Y’all. I’ve never seen so much spit up. Ever. And part of me was crying for her and part of me was crying because of all the breast milk that was coming OUT of her when it should have been staying in. So why am I thankful for that? Because it taught me to keep calm instead of freaking out. The first time it happened, I cried (for her and me). And thankfully, Ben was there to help us walk through it. So while it didn’t get easier, I was able to handle it better each time it happened.
- for a working washer and dryer in our house. I’ve done more laundry this year than I’ve ever done before. And it’s possible that if we lived in Europe or a big city that I would have been taking a small baby to the laundry mat multiple times a week. So I’m extremely thankful that we have working machines in our home.
- that the washer and dryer are in the basement. We have stairs that lead to the basement.
Stairs = extra exercise.
Stairs with a baby = added exercise.
Laundry with a baby in your arms = extra work on balancing techniques and strengthening of your core and upper arms.
- for a hard working husband. Ben has been the most amazing husband and dad this year. Not only has he gone to work each day to take care of and provide for us, but he’s also kept up Fields Films and shot 10 weddings this year! He’s had so much on his plate but I’ve never doubted for a second that Catherine and I come first.
- for being a work-at-home mom and feeling like I never get anything done. It’s tough. But the fact that I’m able to stay home with Catherine AND do something I love is such a huge blessing. It’s taken so much to try and figure out how to balance it all (and I’m still failing miserably) but that takes me to my next thing…
- for my brides. Don’t get me started about how incredible my own brides and clients have been as we’ve adjusted to being a family with a baby at home. I have THE BEST brides on the planet and all of them have been patient, understanding, and so loving towards us and our sweet girl! Let’s just say they’ve shown me so much grace as pregnancy brain and then mommy brain have taken over my life.
- for dirty diapers. What?? Seriously? Why am I thankful for those??? Because it means we have a healthy baby that’s eating and growing and whose body is working well. So what if we have a nose plug for those horrible diapers? It simply adds entertainment to an otherwise dreadful task ;-)
My list really could go on and on, but I know lots of you have travel to do today and meals to be prepping for tomorrow. So, I’ll leave you with this.
“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18
It may not be easy, but no matter what you’re going through, there is something to be thankful for. Always.
Thank you for taking this photo for us, Shannon!! I’m not sure what that face the little baby is making but it cracks us up!