My name is Nicole, and my vocation is that of “Stay at Home Mom”. One of these days, saying that won’t automatically make you think of me in my pajamas. I can only hope. I have four children…and they are the BEST kids on the planet. I just adore them.
This blog captures a bit of the journey I have been on throughout my motherhood experience. I’ve had a lot of opportunity for “growth”. Is there ANYTHING better suited to teach you about yourself than becoming a mother??? I think one of the greatest things motherhood has taught me is how to lighten up. I mean, I really didn’t have a choice…it’s pretty hard to take yourself seriously when you smell like sour milk and are walking around with toys fastened to your belt loops. Or like the other day when I discovered I was wearing just one sock. I had no recollection of when or how I lost the other one either. Before becoming a mom, I was WAY more together than that.
Even now, as I’m trying to write this post, I’ve had to put down my laptop THREE different times and reprimand TWO different children who are failing at the task of nap-taking. I also think I smell poop, but I’m not going to work too hard at coming to a clear conclusion on that, lest I feel I must do something about it.
Aahh….sigh. I always say motherhood is the pressure cooker that brings the crazy out of us. At least it has been in my case. I have had to learn how to “LET GO and LET GOD”. A LOT.
But my faith wasn’t always very strong. I grew up learning about God, but never really KNEW Him. I completely lost my mind in college and managed to be the kind of sorority girl that other sorority girls were concerned for. That’s pretty tough to do! But I also learned a lot about myself…and my senior year of college is when I discovered my DESPERATE need for grace and healing.
Thankfully, my mom had just married a pastor – how convenient is THAT?!!! I left college and moved in with them. I also dragged my future husband with me, and we both started attending their church. There, I fell in love with a Person named Jesus, and I’ve been googly-eyed ever since.
I am so grateful for the grace I have found in my life. I have found that the Word of God, a great community of friends and a strong cup of coffee are just the things I need to get me through the day. Christianity is the lens through which I see the world. But for me, it’s not about religion. It’s reality. It’s just the way things are. Some people might not like that, and I get that. Though…I don’t think I will ever be able to see it differently.
Faith, Hope…and on good days, Love. The days when I’m completely wrapped in the arms of Grace – those are the days I love best. And the days, when I fall…well, those are the days I am reminded of my desperate need to be wrapped in the arms of Grace. But as God’s Word says, “If God is for us, who can be against us”? I am thankful that I always have a friend – a Savior – who is standing there ready to pull me back up. In this crazy journey called Motherhood, I don’t think I’d survive with anything less.
In addition to being a mom, I also love to sing, dance, perform Improv and cook…and I’ve recently begun leading Bible Studies at my church. From sorority life to scripture study – God can redeem anyone, and I am proof! I also LOVE TO LAUGH, and I chuckle my way through many of life’s trials. And last but not least, I have a wonderful husband who makes life amazing. I could NOT do this without his awesome friendship and partnership in my life. I am blessed far beyond what I deserve.
Well, it’s 5 o’clock now and my kids are all finally napping…just in time for when they should have all been getting up. This means bedtime is not going to work out very well tonight. Pray for me.
“In this world you will have trials and tribulations, but BE OF GOOD CHEER, for I have overcome the world” – John 16:33