Steady Mom

a summertime journey

I'm heading out for the weekend to do some celebrating. Thrilled to be making a (surprise) trip to my Nana's 90th birthday party!

See you back here in a few days - and happy weekending to you, too!

"Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well;
making them old men and women inexorably enough,
but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour. 
With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life." 
~ Charles Dickens

 

days go by

Last year they pleaded with me to stay for a while. This year, off they run with hardly a glance back. Completely comfortable in their skin--leaving me the one feeling uneasy.

Sometimes I just don't know what to do without my children. Ironically, I often live for these days--for a break. Then when the break comes, I don't quite know what to do with myself!

Ever felt this way? On a regular day, I wake up ready to get to work: to settle squabbles, to teach countless lessons, to prepare meals, to be stretched and lie down and get up and do it again.

This regular rhythm is so beyond me that on a daily basis it's clear how much I have to lean on One stronger. So I do. But give me a day off from that stretching--or a full five days off (the kids were gone from 9-3 each day last week) and it's almost more uncomfortable.

For one, I don't want to like it too much. But the quiet is awfully nice.

For two, I have many other writing projects and work--usually I can get away from what I don't want to do with the excuse that life is too busy with the kids. But when I don't have that excuse? I guess I have to just get to work!

That pull and tug, that stretching, is what makes us mamas.

We bend and adapt, far beyond what we thought possible before we knew this mothering life. Through countless transitions we keep going--becoming women of power, possibility, and endurance--with each day that goes by.

 

"In summer, the song sings itself."
 ~William Carlos Williams

moms making a difference

I was really humbled to be contacted last week by Mom It Forward to be featured in their regular column about moms making a difference.

I do think of myself as someone who is making a difference, but it is often in the daily details of life that this mostly plays out. Wouldn't you say the same?

We may choose a certain course, a certain lifestyle, a certain vision, but eventually we just have to buckle down and get to work. Otherwise the vision stays far off--looking glamourous and inspiring, but unattainable.

We reach a vision, we make a difference, by taking one step--then another--then another. And perhaps this is even more important on the days when it feels as though we seem to be moving backwards instead of forwards. The mom making a difference keeps going, in spite of failures and mistakes.

Making a difference is most of all about the combination of vision and perseverance.

If you'd like to read the kind words from Mom It Forward, head here!

 

5 things I love about homeschooling (& how I embrace them)

I know, I know. I'm supposed to be taking the week off from this space.

But last week I shared with you the tough side of this lifestyle of home education we live, and I couldn't leave you hanging, thinking that's all there is to it! Oh, no indeedy.

So please come by and read about the 5 things I LOVE about homeschooling, and what they look like in our unique family.

From my post:

"Last week we discussed the tough stuff–the hard side of home education that gives us a run for our money. But thankfully, that’s only one side of the story.

There is another–the one that keeps us going through the challenges and reminds us why we do what we do.

In all of life there is a dark and a light side. We get to choose which one we notice most.

Today, we’re walking in the light. So allow me to share what I love about our family’s lifestyle of home education."

Head here to read the rest! And have a great week!

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summer days

Summer days are upon us with all their fun: swimming lessons, plenty of trips to get ice cream (We have a dairy farm down the street that makes their own!), early morning walks, summer camp, and more.

Mama is taking a break from blogging next week to play chauffeur for a variety of kids' activities and to work on other projects on the horizon.

Thanks to those of you who left questions for me the other day! It was so nice to hear from you and chat just a bit. I answered a few of them in the comments, but I'll be sure to keep the others in mind for upcoming posts after my return.

If you're new around here and would like to get a feel for what Steady Mom is all about, you can read a few popular posts here or browse through over three years of archives! (Don't spend too long, though. No ignoring babies on my account, okay?!)

And if you're in need of a summer read in the upcoming week, perhaps Steady Days or Mindset for Moms could provide a bit of inspiration?

See you back here soon!

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