The mommy I thought I would be...
When I was pregnant I had this perfect picture of the perfect mommy I would be. I would stay home with Luke and be Proverbs 31 all the way. I would wake up looking like a Stepford Wife. Luke would never be fussy or cry because I would joyfully attend his every need. My house would always be clean, I stay home, have time why wouldn't it be? I would wake up early every morning to make Fred breakfast and have his lunch ready to go. The laundry would always be done, bed made, furniture dusted, carpet vacuumed and dinner made the moment Fred walked in the door from work. I would make Luke's food, no gerber for this little guy... eeww... I would personally puree his veggies and fruit and maybe some day even grow them! I would finally be able to have the Victoria's Secret model body I always wanted because I would finally have the time to workout, I stay home why wouldn't I have the time? I would be the perfect stay at home mommy!
The mommy I am...
I am not a perfect mommy. I am reminded of this every day. Being a Proverbs 31 woman doesn't come naturally to me I have to to intentionally work hard towards it everyday.
I wake up looking like, well, me! Me with no make up, in pjs! My days seem to fly by! Where does all the time go? Oh thats right I have a baby! Somedays I look at the clock and realize Fred will be home in like an hour so I quickly slip into something other than pajamas and... Oh! I better brush my teeth even though its like 4pm!
I wake up looking like, well, me! Me with no make up, in pjs! My days seem to fly by! Where does all the time go? Oh thats right I have a baby! Somedays I look at the clock and realize Fred will be home in like an hour so I quickly slip into something other than pajamas and... Oh! I better brush my teeth even though its like 4pm!
In the mornings I try to be up for Fred's departure to work. This doesn't happen every day but I know Fred appreciates it when I make his coffee and get him some kind of breakfast ready. Some days I sadly forget to make his lunch! I usually freeze leftover dinners and then days later I pack them for his lunch because Fred doesnt like next day left overs. One time I packed him frozen left over chili, I even got a little container ready with cheese, sour cream and onions to go with it and when he heated up at work turns out out it was leftover frozen spaghetti sauce! Poor guy still ate it with chili toppings and all! This still cracks me up every time I think about it!
I BUY Luke's food! When I saw the only added ingredient was water I jumped right on it! The idea of making his food is great but then I also read that when you make baby food you have to be real careful with germs, cross contamination, the type of pans you use, freezing, has it gone bad... I'm a real stickler about germs and expired food so buying it is just convenient for us and soon enough he'll be eating the same food we eat anyways.
I try to keep our home clean and tidy but some days I think I do more cleaning in the 45 seconds from the time I hear the rumbling of the garage opening to the moment Fred walks in through the door! Fred is always willing to help with the cleaning and tidying up but I try not to let it get to that point. I know if he gets home and the clutter is put away the bed is made and he smells the scent of Linen and Sky Febreze sprayed around the house I can trick him into thinking the whole house is clean, never mind the dusty furniture unswept floors and spotty mirrors!
I've been trying to run to be in better shape but sometimes my only form of exercise is carrying around a 20 pound child which I guess could count as weight training! My flabby belly... I try not to be too hard on it poor thing got stretched out to the size of a watermelon! I poke at it in amazement, I still cant believe my little Luke grew in there. Stretch marks are whats left as a reminder of the little miracle that grew inside of me. And my twinsies after breastfeeding... Lets not even go there but I'm sure they'll never be the same I'm just thankful for all the nutrition and rolls they have provided for Luke! Oh and did I mention my hair started falling out? I know we all loose some and it gets everywhere but I'm talking about 2 giant bald spots in the front of my head. And apparently this is normal for some women after pregnancy! I was so self conscious for a couple of weeks and I did a pretty good job of hiding it until Fred helped me embrace it and realize it's my hormones they're still wacky and dealing with all the changes of postpartum. Thankfully I think its starting to grow back but I would trade my whole set of hair for that little guy any day!
As far as my spiritual life I can only claim to a steady bible reading and devotional time for the last couple of weeks, before it was a when is it a convenient time for me rather than a priority. I pray but not as often as I should. I recently have made it a priority to pray for Fred before he leaves to work if I end up getting out of bed with him. And even after 3 and half years of marriage I feel like I am recently figuring out and truly practicing submission to my husband. I know I could be doing more reaching out to other godly ladies to seek wisdom from and I could be opening my home to others more.
The mommy I want to be...
I've been reading Elizabeth George's, A Woman after God's Own Heart and she really got me thinking about the kind of woman I want to become. While I know I will never be perfect until I am with the Lord, while I am here I want to be a God fearing woman after God's own heart. I want to someday be on the other side of Titus 2 encouraging younger women to love their husbands and children. I want to wake up every morning in prayer, seeking first the Lord. I want to memorize and live out scripture. I want to be worth far more than rubies to Fred. I want to teach my children about Jesus not just through books and words but through my lifestyle and the way I treat them and others. I want to utilize my time wisely and provide a healthy clean environment and make my home a dwelling place of comfort and safety. I want to be a woman after God's own heart! I found the following from avirtuouswoman.org that gives some great guidance of what being a Proverbs 31 woman should be. I need to print them out and read them daily so I don't forget!
I try to keep our home clean and tidy but some days I think I do more cleaning in the 45 seconds from the time I hear the rumbling of the garage opening to the moment Fred walks in through the door! Fred is always willing to help with the cleaning and tidying up but I try not to let it get to that point. I know if he gets home and the clutter is put away the bed is made and he smells the scent of Linen and Sky Febreze sprayed around the house I can trick him into thinking the whole house is clean, never mind the dusty furniture unswept floors and spotty mirrors!
I've been trying to run to be in better shape but sometimes my only form of exercise is carrying around a 20 pound child which I guess could count as weight training! My flabby belly... I try not to be too hard on it poor thing got stretched out to the size of a watermelon! I poke at it in amazement, I still cant believe my little Luke grew in there. Stretch marks are whats left as a reminder of the little miracle that grew inside of me. And my twinsies after breastfeeding... Lets not even go there but I'm sure they'll never be the same I'm just thankful for all the nutrition and rolls they have provided for Luke! Oh and did I mention my hair started falling out? I know we all loose some and it gets everywhere but I'm talking about 2 giant bald spots in the front of my head. And apparently this is normal for some women after pregnancy! I was so self conscious for a couple of weeks and I did a pretty good job of hiding it until Fred helped me embrace it and realize it's my hormones they're still wacky and dealing with all the changes of postpartum. Thankfully I think its starting to grow back but I would trade my whole set of hair for that little guy any day!
As far as my spiritual life I can only claim to a steady bible reading and devotional time for the last couple of weeks, before it was a when is it a convenient time for me rather than a priority. I pray but not as often as I should. I recently have made it a priority to pray for Fred before he leaves to work if I end up getting out of bed with him. And even after 3 and half years of marriage I feel like I am recently figuring out and truly practicing submission to my husband. I know I could be doing more reaching out to other godly ladies to seek wisdom from and I could be opening my home to others more.
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| Notice the bald spot getting filled in by baby hair? It's ok my little guy loves me and can care less! |
The mommy I want to be...
10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman
1. Faith - A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15
2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)
3. Mothering - A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)
4. Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)
5. Service - A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)
6. Finances - A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)
7. Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)
8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)
9. Time - A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )
10. Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)
