It's Not Much, But This Is What I've Got

I often worry that I don't have enough to give.

I sometimes feel like I don't have much capacity to bless other people.

I don't have a lot of time. I don't have much money. I'm not extremely creative.

I look at the "bigger" things that other women are doing; then I look at my one-hour-alone during nap time, or my hands that are typically full of whatever sharp object that I've just wrestled away from Nicholas. 

What do I actually possess that could be a blessing?

This past week I had the chance to chat with two friends/mentor ladies in my life, and they both said something similar to me, along the lines of:

When I ask God about what He's placed in my hands, this is what He shows me:

- I have a home, albiet tiny and messy - just invite someone in.

- I have a kitchen table and meal already planned for dinner - just make a place for one more.

- I (currently) have sunshine and a stroller at my disposal - just take my daily walk and be open to the conversations that may happen along the way.

- I have a mound of dishes to wash after Nicholas goes to bed, giving me 20 minutes to just think - use this time to pray for a hurting friend.

- I have an extrovert of a toddler - just take him to the grocery store or to your husband's office and let him light up someone's day.

- I have 5 minutes - write an email to that friend who you just couldn't get out of your head all day.

We have a lot more at our disposal than we think. This isn't about doing more - it's about seeing what God has given us, whether mighty or small, and letting Him use it. We truly never know the depth of how we might serve someone through these tiny offerings.

I'm challenging myself to ask this question.

The Little Victories {Pint-Sized Moments}

If you've read my blog for awhile, you might know that I have shared "Pint-Sized Moments", which were funny/awkward circumstances that come up in my life as a result of being 4'8". Believe me, there is a lot of awkward that comes with being my height, and it was fun to share those things with you.

But as the heart and purpose of my blog has changed a little bit, I've decided to revamp "Pint-Sized Moments" in a new way! And I'd love for you to join me!

I've mentioned previously that some days, you just have to celebrate the little victories.
On particularly frustrating days, it's too easy for me to lose perspective and throw myself a pity party. But when I make the effort to be grateful for and celebrate the little "wins" along the way, it's incredible how my attitude shifts and how much broader my perspective becomes.

Maybe it's been a super long day of running errands with your tantrum-y toddler, but you can't help but swoon over the fact that the he taught himself to throw his arms up and shout "hooray!" whenever he is excited.

Maybe the disheveled state of your attic has been causing you to cringe for months, and you finally found the time (in the form of a babysitter) to clean that puppy up.

Whatever the scenario may be, I want to get better at celebrating these little victories, these rays of sunshine in my days. I don't want the difficulties to cloud my view of the beauty in front of me.

This isn't a time for me to brag; it's a time for me to be grateful while also being real.
This isn't a time for me to fake a perfect life; it's a challenge to open my eyes to the little blessings that God places in my life.
And I hope this is a chance for you to look at your day or your week, and recognize the little joys and victories in you life, no matter how pint-sized (or huge!) they may be.

Next week I'm kicking things off with a Pint-Sized Moments link-up! 
Tuesday, May 21st, I'll open up my blog for you to share the pint-sized victories from recent days.
Don't feel pressured to come up with something amazing - just share your real life. The point of sharing with each other is to encourage one another, give glory to God for these sweet moments, and to help give us a greater perspective, especially on our hard days.

(And just so you know, this is open to people of all heights :) And to all non-moms and moms alike.)

Be Careful What You Blog About

...because you might just have to live it.

On Wednesday I shared about moms being worth more than our to-do's. Which I still believe to be true! Our value and purpose amounts to more than the things we (or don't) accomplish by the end of the day.

I'm pretty sure that Nicholas read this blog post.

On Wednesday afternoon, I was banking on him taking a nap, in order to get a few things done. Our house was a MESS and I am behind on a few personal projects. But after crying in his crib for much longer than normal, there was no nap to be had. So mom and Nicholas (and Elmo, of course) hung out on the couch and did nothing. (Pictured above on the left).

Then yesterday, Nicholas was super tired and in major need of a nap. Though he typically falls asleep best by crying on his own for a few minutes, he cried for quite some time. I went in to check on him and he had a huge bruise on his face from whacking his head on the side of his crib. So I scooped him up and rocked him in the glider in his room. (Pictured above on the right).

2 hours and 45 minutes later, he was still asleep in my arms. This hasn't happened in months. Outside of his door, our little home was a GIGANTIC mess. But for the 2nd day in a row, I had to lay down my ideal to-do list. 

So there you have it. Once you write about something, you might be challenged to live it. (And man, did I ever enjoy holding my sweet boy for almost 3 hours. That never happens anymore.)

Over these past two days, I've been just as loved by God. I've been just as much His daughter, just as much as accepted and approved of. Even though my kitchen floors are really, really sticky and my to-do list has been left unchecked. 

We Are More Than Our To-Do's {A Little Grace For the Mamas}

I'm going to say something that seems obvious, but that I have a really hard time actually living:

Mamas - we are not what we do. We are not what we've accomplished at the end of the day.

I happen to give myself a gold star every time I take a shower before 9am or fold my laundry the same day that I washed it. I accomplished something! Wooh! What else can I tackle?

I think it is a great idea to celebrate these little victories. You gotta take what you can get when shepherding little people. But I find myself feeling like I'm only as valuable as how many tasks I finished that day. I'm only doing a good job as a mom/wife/person when I can see what I've accomplished. And that is a skinny little tightrope to try walking on.

As a new mom, I couldn't wait for my husband to arrive home from work. I'd wait at the door with a tiny Nicholas, a list formed in my mind of all the tasks I'd done that day. I so badly wanted Brian to notice that I actually written a blog post and cleaned the kitchen. If he didn't immediately acknowledge my unspoken list, I felt crushed. Didn't he notice all of my hard work?! Yet Brian NEVER expected these things of me - they were all my own expectations of myself. He just likes me as I am, and he was just grateful that I took care of our son all day. (Maybe I should take a cue from him.)

I had put so much emphasis, and so much of my self-worth, in being able to count the good things I'd done. But the problem with that is that motherhood is hard to measure. Life, really, is hard to measure.

Moms - our accomplishments don't define us. What we are able to do/not do is too fleeting and flimsy to be what sustains us along this road of motherhood. It's just not enough, and it usually leaves me feeling discontent and self-obsessed.

Moms - what we actually "do" during the day is almost impossible to quantify. Our day-in, day-out consistencies of loving, serving, and teaching our kiddos may not always be exciting things to check off our list, but they are incredibly important. We are taking care of tiny hearts, and we have a huge part to play in who they are as adults. (Crazy, huh?) And every little act of service is a chance to obey and honor the Lord in this motherhood calling He's given us.

What truly defines us, moms? That God sees us and loves us. That before we even get out of bed to feed the baby, we are loved by Him. That before, during, and after our tasks, we are loved just because we're alive. We are defined by the value God places on our lives, which is a lot seeing as He laid down His life for us, mamas.

You are more than what you do

This post is part of a series. Click the photo below to read more about grace for moms!

Learning While Living A Busy Life {My Favorite Current Resource!}

I'm in a season where time for intentional learning is hard to come by. It's not easy to research how to actually use my DSLR or what are quality methods for exercise, when I'm simultaneously keeping my toddler from doing a belly flop off of our couch. I've wished that I could just audit a class here and there, taught by a reliable source. (And I'm willing to bet than many of you can relate with me, whether you're busy with school, a full-time job, kiddos, etc.)

An incredible resource over the past several months has been the Influence Network, which offers live, one-hour classes every month.

Extremely varied class topics? Check. Experienced, credible teachers? Check. The ability to learn from the comfort of your own home? Check check. And a crazy low price of $10? Super duper check.

Since January I've taken 8 classes with the Influence Network, and I have been blown out of the water every time.

These classes are NOT just for bloggers (or moms). A few past class topics? Public Speaking, DSLR Basics, Tips for Moms of Little Ones, Raising Money for Your Adoption, Photoshop Basics, Studying Your Bible, Sharing the Gospel, Running an Online Shop, Social Media "Bootcamp", Grammar, Loved & Being Loved Through Loss, Nutrition & Fitness...there is something for everyone.

My favorite elements of the classes are:
- The teachers are crazy knowledgeable and love to share their passions
- Live video teaching and detailed powerpoints.
- A Q&A session at the end of class (via a text chat box that only the teacher can see!)
- The ability to chat with all of your classmates (via a text chat box), as a means to ask each other questions, form community, and discuss the lecture.
- Classes are recorded and emailed to you the same night, so if a scheduling conflict comes up or your children need you during the class, you can watch the class later.
- No one can see you, so you can take the class in your sweats or while feeding your baby. Perfect for moms!

I have truly been blessed by the classes I've taken. I've been stretched as a person, learned new skills, been challenged in my faith, encouraged as a mom, and spurred on towards the passions and people in my life. I have grown.

If you have $10, an hour on a week night, and some areas you'd like to grow in, you would be doing yourself a favor to check out the class calendar. I can't wait for the classes I'm taking this month! (The first class is tonight!)



 You do not have to be a member of the Influence Network to take a class, though the Premium Membership gives you one free class per month!

Also, I was not asked to write about these classes, nor am I a representative for the Influence Network; I'm just a lady who has been inspired and changed by the classes I've taken, and I couldn't help but share them with you.