This post is for all you ladies out there.
Since all of us are mothers or future mothers (I don't think men read my blog...), we can appreciate a little pick-me-up every once in awhile.
My brother, Jared is serving his mission in Arcadia California. He emailed me this morning. He always says super funny things and pumps me up to be better. I found it interesting that this email was especially for me, even though his emails are for all of us. He told me of this one General Conference talk from Elder Holland in 1997. Now, if you knew Jared before his mission (Jane and Kristine), Jared was not the "Did you hear that talk at General Conference about blah blah?" type. Am I right? The mission has completely transformed him into a very confident man. And I trust him. He said that I needed to read this talk. So I did.
That talk was exactly what I needed to hear. How did he know!? It is so easy (at least for me) to feel overwhelmed and inadequate. I know that I'll never be a perfect mother, but this talk helped me realize that I don't have to be.
There are days where everything is perfect:
-Brin sleeps 9 straight hours at night.
-She eats like a champ.
-I remember to eat.
-Brin takes great naps.
-I shower, put on makeup and do my hair! In an hour!
-I spend time with Ryan without the TV or laptop on. Quality time involves conversation and completely attentiveness to each other.
-I am able to get ALL my homework done. And maybe even homework for later in the week, too!
-I'm not lonely at night.
-I pump 6 oz for school the next day. (Or 10 oz for tues/thurs classes)
-I get laundry done, folded and put away! What a concept!
-Dishes done. Apartment cleaned!
...you get the idea.
Unfortunately, this doesn't happen everyday. It rarely does.
All of a sudden, Brinley has decided to wake up 4-5 a night for the past 2 weeks. This means, I am only getting 2-3 hours of sleep at night. You can't be a full-time mommy, full-time wifey, and full-time student on 3 hours of sleep. I have been feeling pretty run down and overwhelmed. I have tried the sleep tricks, trust me. She was sleeping great before, but maybe with the combo of teething and maybe being hungry, she gets up wayyyy too much.
Am I making any sense?
I know I shouldn't feel like I am the only run-down mother because I know we all have days like this (or weeks!). I try my very best to always be on my A-game. Like most Mom's, I love to look in control. Like everything is great. That I'm that happiest Mommy in the world. But when I have 3 hours of sleep under my belt, I smell like sour milk 24-7, and I haven't put on makeup or have felt like a WOMAN for a week, you get tired of that facade. And you know what? It is okay to cry. I love to have a good cry.
But what I learned most from this talk was that:
"When you have come to the Lord in meekness and lowliness of heart and, as one mother said, "pounded on the doors of heaven to ask for, to plead for, to demand guidance and wisdom and help for this wondrous task," that door is thrown open to provide you the influence and the help of all eternity. Claim the promises of the Savior of the world. Ask for the healing balm of the Atonement for whatever may be troubling you or your children. Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you."
PHEW!
In midst of the chaos, there is hope. There is hope because of our Savior. The Atonement is perfect. I never realized that the power of the Atonement helps the stressed, the tired, the overwhelmed, and the I-Can't-Do-This-Another-Day Meagan, too. Thank goodness. I know I am new at this Mommy thing, but I hope that I can remember this counsel when I feel overwhelmed again. We are encouraged to Pound on the Doors of Heaven.
I am pounding tonight.
He is there to help us.
Every.Step.Of.The.Way.
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