Today at Homeschool Group, one of the Mamas was talking about how important Mama Support is. SO true!
For a long time I felt very lonely here after I quit working and after Annabeth was born. But when Jen was talking today, I realized I have slowly developed some very special Mama relationships and for that I am so thankful.
When we first had Annabeth, Matt and Jenn (Mark's brother and his wife, our friends) lived less than an hour away. We met almost every week for playdates and to help each other. If she needed help baby wrangling to finish a project, I was there. If I needed to go to the doctor, she would come keep Annabeth. It was such a special way to parent and then about a year ago they moved. We have found a new way to parents together. We have a phone chat every Monday, well sometimes Tuesday or even Friday, morning and share our weeks, our prayers, etc. I have been so blessed to share Mama Love with her.
My closest friends Rose and Sarah are both sweet Mamas as well.They are very much a part of our family and I am so thankful to share this life journey with them and their little ones. It is so nice to have friends you can text and say, "Want to play this week, my kid is making me crazy?" or "My kid is a teething monster, what do I do?!" They build me up in love, in motherhood, and most of all in our faith in our precious Lord.
My former co-worker friend Brandi is also now my Mama Friend. Her two boys are the cutest little guys and I love hearing what crazy things they are thinking to do. Brandi's Wesley is also a non-sleeper and we love to share stories about what Annabeth and Wes have each been doing while being awake all night.
Last summer I met an amazing mom of 4 at our library. Alysha has been such a great role model for me as she has two toddlers and two school aged children. She has the most creative ideas and always calms me down when I get crazy about what Annabeth "should" be doing. She is so fun and so outgoing and I find myself often thinking in shy moments, "What would Alysha say?"
In the past few months, we have met a military family at our library. Since Cynthia's husband is the only husband I know that works more than Mark we've found a great relationship in playing with our three girls. Her girls, Julia and Emilia, are 2.5 and 14 months and Annabeth has so much fun playing with them. They speak Spanish in the home so it has been such a wonderful cultural lesson in watching Julia and Annabeth play without speaking the same language. It is wonderful to have a friend in our neighborhood who I can say, "Mark works 'till midnight. Want to play?" "Sure, come on over!" Thank you Cynthia!
And finally our homeschool group, currently with three other Mamas: Andrea, Jen, and Trevva. Each of them encourage me in different ways and each time we meet I see things that they do with their children that I really admire. I love Andrea's gentle spirit and tone with her three girls. She never seems to raise her voice and her girls mind her so well. I could take note and learn to speak loudly less. Jen is the mama who introduced our family to the "Baby Signing Time" video series and I am so thankful. It has made such a difference in learning signs more quickly and really using them as a family. I love watching her talk to her boys and admire so many of the techniques she uses to get them to listen so well. Trevva is a proud mama of three boys and one of six children herself. She has so many wonderful leadership qualities and an amazing ability to find calm in the chaos of life.
In this season of life, I feel so blessed to have a support system of different women who love their children, many who love the Lord, and who love living each day with and for their children. I pray that I may encourage each of them just a bit as much as they each inspire me. Amen.
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
1 comment:
So neat to hear about the other Mamas in your life that encourage you and you in turn encourage. I to am blessed to have that support.
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