For When You Can't Remember the Last Time They Had a Bath

On Sunday night I couldn't remember.  I knew the little ones had been bathed the night before.  But the big girls?  Maybe Thursday? I know they were supposed to shower on Saturday night, but after dishes and daddy and the babies, there was no hot water left.

My friend said that's why she's not having four kids.

But I figure I'm not the only one who sometimes can't remember the last time they were adequately bathed from head to toe.

Or the only one who set up the coffee maker so it's ready to go in the morning only to turn it on just before bed.

Or the one who left her baby in pajamas all day yesterday because that was warmer (i.e. the laundry wasn't done).

I know I'm not the only mom who has sent cereal for lunch because there was no bread.  Or crackers.  Or leftovers.  Or granola bars.  Or even a banana.

I know for a fact I wasn't the only illegal driver on the road Friday afternoon.  My wallet was in the diaper bag.  The diaper bag was with the baby.  The baby was not with me.  Score for remembering said bag at all.

Tell me I'm not the only person who bribes my children with chocolate to clean their rooms.

I wanted to take a nice, relaxing, candles and bubbles bath the other night.  But it was too much work to clean the toys out of the tub.

Sometimes I can't find my house keys.  For days and days.  Then they magically reappear in my purse.  I swear they weren't there before.

I gave my toddler back her paci yesterday morning just so she'd sit on the couch and watch a movie so I could shower in peace.  And when she started crying because she wanted a different movie, I put more soap in my hair and ignored her.

I really want to be a great mom.  All these times?  I think they mean I'm trying.  I know I'm not alone because I've heard your stories of woe and fear and disgust and frustration and anger and fatigue and jealousy and commitment and potty training and tantrums and tears.

Because MOPS has given us a place to be real together.  MOPS International says MOPS is about meeting the needs of every mom of a child from conception through kindergarten with local groups of moms just like you.

If MOPS has impacted you in some way, will you do me a favor and comment below?  Or email us at habershammops@gmail.com or me personally at lindsbrac@gmail.com.

Today I share our stories with the leadership of our charter church.  Today I explain just how important it is that we have this community, this place, this time for ourselves.  I know you need it, but sometimes I need to hear just how much.

You are incredible.  You gave up a piece of yourself to be a mother.

You are awesome.  No one else could mother your children like you do.

You are loved.  Jesus gets a mother's love because he experienced it firsthand.  Now He loves you back in all your messiest moments.

Lindsey

Picture Us Imperfectly

thanks to this anonymous guest blogger for reminding us all that it's okay to have imperfect moments!  We're linking up with Capturing Motherhood to embrace our mommy moments!

A couple of weeks ago, my toddler found a snack size of potato chips in the bottom of the pantry and insisted on eating them in place of a sensible breakfast. Of course, the toddler won out. I like to think it was because I prefer to choose my battles, but it probably had more to do with how much easier it was to open that then make him oatmeal or pancakes. The next day I realized the half eaten bag of potato chips were still sitting on the kitchen counter. I tossed them in the trash.

Fastforward a few hours and my toddler is happily marching around munching on some little snack. I wonder what he must have found that has made him so happy. Upon following him back to the kitchen, I find that not only has he found the half eaten bag of surely now stale chips, but has begun snacking on them. The worse part is I didn't stop him from going back for seconds. So, go ahead and picture a fellow MOPS mom imperfectly...because that would be completely accurate.

Picture Us Imperfectly

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a great morning of Popsicles in the Park yesterday.  We had a fantastic turnout, new registrations, and lovely weather.  In fact, yesterday morning made me realize fall is almost here.

And I have so much to do!

How about you?  Are you swamped with to-do lists and final moments of summer and school supply circulars and extracurricular activities?

If you're like me, you want to get it all done, and get it all done perfectly.  Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.

Because we're NOT perfect.  But thank goodness we know who is.  And God promises everyone, but I think especially harried moms, that

He did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

This year in MOPS we hope to embrace the idea that we may not be perfect moms, but we can be moms who are bold, sensible, and loving.  And we can embrace one another, not in spite of our imperfections, but because of them.

So, I'd like to invite those of you who are bloggin' mamas, or those of you who just want to 'fess up your own moments of mom-perfection to join me each Wednesday with a Picture Me Imperfectly post.  

We'll be linking up with Hill over at Capturing Motherhood.  And I'd love to get some guest posters for this MOPS blog, so send me an email at lindsbrac@gmail. com or post a comment if you're interested.

Today you can link over to my randomness and get to know me a bit better.

Can't wait to see you all at our first MOPS meeting, August 26, 9:30 a.m.  Mark your calendars, your i-Phone, put it on a sticky note on your dashboard--but be there!