Your Calling as Guardian

I have a serious plea for all of you! 

Appreciate your calling as a mother. Appreciate that you are GOOD at it! Accept that it means you may not always be perfect at other things you might think you should do because you were meeting your ultimate call with such a full commitment. 

Didn't get the vacuuming done? Left the dishes in the sink over night? Didn't make it to the gym? In regard to any of those little things nagging you...Ask yourself this: Is THAT your calling? Is THAT your purpose? In comparison to caring for your child who requires a little more care, is it that important? Pretty sure the answer is a resounding NO. You have been called to be a special needs mama! It is a beautiful call and you are good at it! RESPECT yourself for meeting your calling. Allow yourself to be imperfect at the other "stuff" and recognize that it is all it is... just stuff. Please? For me? Thanks, guys!!! xoxo

Guardian Lyrics

Alanis Morisette

You, you who has smiled when you're in pain

You who has soldiered through the profane

They were distracted and shut down

I'll be your keeper for life as your guardian

I'll be your warrior of care your first warden

I'll be your angel on call, I'll be on demand

The greatest honor of all, as your guardian

You, you in the chaos feigning sane

You who has pushed beyond what's humane

I'll be your keeper for life as your guardian

I'll be your warrior of care your first warden

I'll be your angel on call, I'll be on demand

The greatest honor of all, as your guardian 

Now no more smiling mid crestfall

No more managing unmanageables

No more holding still in the hailstorm

Now enter your watchwoman

I'll be your keeper for life as your guardian

I'll be your warrior of care your first warden

I'll be your angel on call, I'll be on demand

The greatest honor of all, as your guardian 

 

Parenting Manifesto

 

It has been quiet around here, hasn't it? I'm sorry about that. It is not for lack of inspiration, ideas, or stories to share. I simply got out of the habit. But I feel a sense of rejuvenation. I believe in kidz. I believe in the relationships I have been seen others build as a result of kidz and other similar sites. Most importantly, I believe in our kidz and US - us special needs parents who live and breathe this life and sometimes feel discouraged and need to hear that someone else has felt that way or an idea or thought someone else has had that lifts you up, even if for a moment.

This 'Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto' by Brene Brown, PhD. is one of those ideas/thoughts for me that helped me see myself and my situation with a little more clarity for a moment. It wasn't written with special needs parenting in mind, but I do think it is applicable in every possible way. Read it and soak up the message.

 

I'm glad I went to Brene Brown's site for one other reason: I found this book of hers, The Gifts of Imperfection, on the sidebar. Read the subtitle: 'Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You are.'

I think that is beautiful. It is one of my favorite parts of the manifesto as well... HAVE self-compassion and embrace your imperfections so you can TEACH your children to do so. Isn't that SO important? For every child and every parent, YES. For a special needs parent to teach their special needs child? Perhaps just that much more important.

So, yeah, I bought  the book based solely on the subtitle.

And on that note, happy Monday, y'all! Make it a great week!!!

Guaranteed to Make Your Day...

I'm different. I like it.

Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain

Mothers...

believe, encourage, listen, sacrifice, teach, inspire, hug & kiss, always love

I love U & Me this much!

Something Greater

God will never leave you empty.

He will replace everything you lost.

If He asks you to put something down,

it's because He wants you to

pick up something greater.

Source

Super Mom

Source

Miracles

Awww....

 

Some sweet thoughts to tug at your mama heartstrings....
(Images linked).

 

 

To Make You Smile

 

These made me giggle, so I had to share! Images linked.

Happy Monday!

Look Upward

 

April's husband gave a beautiful devotional about Caleb's life and death. He shared this quote and other beautiful messages. You can watch it in full here.

"Mothers and fathers who anxiously await the arrival of a precious child sometimes learn that all is not well with this tiny infant. A missing limb, sightless eyes, a damaged brain, or the term “Down’s syndrome” greets the parents, leaving them baffled, filled with sorrow, and reaching out for hope.


"There follows the inevitable blaming of oneself, the condemnation of a careless action, and the perennial questions: “Why such a tragedy in our family?” “Why didn’t I keep her home?” “If only he hadn’t gone to that party.” “How did this happen?” “Where was God?” “Where was a protecting angel?” If, why, where, how—those recurring words—do not bring back the lost son, the perfect body, the plans of parents, or the dreams of youth. Self-pity, personal withdrawal, or deep despair will not bring the peace, the assurance, or help which are needed. Rather, we must go forward, look upward, move onward, and rise heavenward.

"It is imperative that we recognize that whatever has happened to us has happened to others. They have coped and so must we. We are not alone. Heavenly Father’s help is near." ~Thomas S. Monson

Handle

Honoring the Spirit of Advocacy

In honor of one of the greatest examples of advocacy, I'd like to wish you all a Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He taught us not to stand still when we see injustices, but to always be brave, step forward, advocate, and strive to ensure the world treats everyone justly. As I have come to know many of you, I see this spirit alive and thriving! So today, I honor you as well.

It's All Good

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.