Wife, Mother… Artist

Posted in creating beauty, inspiration by

I realize that title is probably making you think of paints and canvases and a huge mess, like you remember from art class when you were a kid. And while that is usually the first thing that comes to mind when the word ‘art’ is mentioned, this post is not necessarily about finger-painting or making clay sculptures with your kids.

Lately, I’ve come across various articles and blog posts dealing with the idea of creating beauty in our lives. And I’ve realized that no matter who you are, where you live, or what your circumstances are, everyone has the ability to create beauty and be an artist.

After all, that’s what an artist is: someone who creates beauty. And there are myriads of ways of being an artist.

P1040507

As mothers, we have more opportunities to be artists than most people. Creating beauty not only enriches our own experience, but also the lives of everyone around us. Simple things we can do every day have the power of changing the way our families see life and the world around them.

Picking a bouquet of wildflowers and arranging them in a pretty vase can add instant colour and life to a home and make everyone who walks by smile inside without even realizing it.

Lighting a scented candle, or playing beautiful music throughout your day can drastically change the level of palpable joy and comfort your family experiences in your home.

And there are more radical ways of creating beauty in your lives. Laughter, or just a simple smile, can turn someone’s day around. Sharing a good story, baking cookies, taking a long walk on a warm evening, singing a song, holding your child’s hand, opening a window, planting a garden… all of these are simple things, but when shared with those you love, they can change the way your family will remember the past.

And by giving them, and yourself, beautiful memories, you are also creating beauty in the future, not just the present. Motherhood is an amazing thing, isn’t it?

And the easiest way to create beauty? Just. slow. down.

Look around and let the beauty you see everywhere around you enter your heart, not just your eyes.

Just slowing down can give you instant beauty and joy.

By continually finding new ways to add joy to the lives of everyone we love, and in seeing the joy in their eyes, we find joy ourselves in the knowledge that we helped them see a little more beauty in life.

Beautiful Mama Blog Award

Posted in Uncategorized by

beautiful-mama-blog-award1

I’ve received another blog award! Thank you, Valerie!

The purpose of the award is to recognize mothers who show their obvious love of motherhood and are inspiring to other mamas.

 

A requirement of this award is to list 3 things that I love about motherhood. Let’s see…

1. the opportunity to watch little minds grow and learn

2. the ability to influence a little person’s character for life

3. the little moments, and things they do, that make my heart smile

 

I’d like to pass on this award to a few moms who stand out to me!

Life As Mom Knows It

Sophie @ Mommy Training Wheels

Five In Tow

Marlies @ Treasuring Our Moments

Julie @ Joy’s Hope

Twinzees

Jenny @ The Life We Have Been Given

Sarah @ Amongst Lovely Things

From Wine to Whine

Carla @ Making Our Memories

 

And there are MANY more mothers that I know, respect and admire in real life, but don’t have a blog that I can link to!

To accept the award, please do the following things:

  • Click the above award image, save it and use it in your acceptance post.
  • List 3 things you love about motherhood.
  • Nominate other deserving mamas; you may choose as many as you like. (And let them know of the nomination)

Us Moms… We’re NOT Just Ordinary!

Posted in inspiration, motherhood, personal growth by

Marcus - Free Digital Photos

Way back in August of last year, when I pressed “Publish” on my very first post here… my goal was to encourage other young moms like me, letting them know that they ARE a vital part of society, and not a lesser person for being “just a mom”. While I’ve veered slightly now and then, with more practical posts, a few recipes, links to other interesting articles, the over-all point was that we CAN be the mom we always wanted to be. I hope that has come through occasionally, and it’s not just staying in my head!

In today’s culture, moms (especially stay-at-home moms) are considered boring, ordinary, and nothing too special, at least compared to everything else a woman has opportunity to do. Why would you choose to stay at home with your kids when you could be making money in an office somewhere?

It’s like Kattrin Davida wrote: “[A new mother will] swiftly realize that in the balance of things motherhood is the most fulfilling role any woman could possibly experience in a lifetime. Placing everything into perspective, surely raising another human being well takes priority over almost anything else we could imagine?”

Life as a mother can sometimes feel like a rut that you’re stuck in for a long time. But a little perspective on what we do and who we are to the little ones around us can change our view on motherhood.

We have the greatest job in the universe, for we are molding and influencing the next generation of the human race, and thus, our future world, every. single. day.

 

All I am I owe to my mother.

I attribute all my success in life

to the moral, intellectual, and

physical education I received from her.

- George Washington 

10 Habits for a Well-Run Home

Posted in housekeeping, personal growth by

If you feel overwhelmed at times (or all the time!) with housework, cleaning and just life in general as a mom, I’d like to share some very practical tips to help you manage your home a little better, and feel like things are under control. I stumbled across this list on Pinterest a while back, and found it quite useful for myself, so I’m sharing it in the hopes that some of you will be helped by it too.

Bernice over at The Stressed Mom shares advice with moms on making life easier and feeling more organized.

Here are her first 3 habits to practice:

1. Wake up early. I know this one stinks, but it is the best way to get a jump on your day. Otherwise, the day seems to be in control rather than you controlling the day.

2. Waking up early starts with going to bed earlier. I know that you like the time after the kids have gone to bed for yourself, or for working on projects, or even for trying to catch up on housework. The fact is, shutting down and turning in earlier will make for a better morning and you will likely be more productive. This may not be accurate for the true night owls out there, but I urge you to give it a try.

3. Evening preparations. Make sure everything that is needed to leave the house in the morning is prepped and where it should be. Teach your children this habit as soon as you possibly can, it can make your life easier.

For the rest of her list, visit The Stressed Mom.

Here’s to more organized moms!