These Days.

These days.

They may be foggy. The nights … they are long …

A tired, but surreal bliss, hangs over my head … yes, the newborn-fog has hit me. I’m running on little sleep and yet I do not want to miss *anything* over the next few weeks or months … the next year …

We all know how fast the time flies with a newborn changing every. waking. second. of the day. Not to mention the days and details of each girl of mine … I don’t want to miss these days, no matter how stretched my body might feel.

My friend and I were chatting today about how sad we are when we hear others moms constantly complaining that they are tired, that life is too much, that it’s just overwhelming … I’m not saying I’m filled with an over-abundance of energy right now. I *am* tired. I am dragging … I have lost my cool with my husband and nagged him too many times over something as silly as the bedtime ritual … but I am working on it. I am working on being better. On realizing that this tired drag-your-feet stage is only a stage -just that – a mere chapter in time – and before I know it, the days will have turned into years and years into decades and I am not ready for that. It’s not easy though. {I’m preaching to the choir, right?!} Every day, I have to keep my attitude in check, to register my brain that this *is* the day that the Lord has given me and that, despite any frustrations I might be facing, I am to be thankful for the good. To embrace the positive.

I’ve joined a small group from my church where we are studying Motherhood. It’s been such an eye opener to me – to not just love being a mother, but to embrace motherhood and all of it’s calling. For me right now, that means being a human receiving blanket (Lovelyn is a puking machine!), reading three extra bedtime stories even though I feel like crawling into bed myself and sleeping and trying out that cookie recipe that just didn’t quite turn out right yesterday. {Seriously. Does this sound ridiculous to you? I’m just trying to do the best at what I am doing in this moment.} That’s where my heart is at right now …

Lovelyn is growing so fast – she’s up to 5’11 lbs and is such a sweet, sweet baby. She is always in my sling or in my arms or sleeping on my chest (where she is right now). I don’t mind one bit.

Lucia is adjusting and feeling a bit happier. That makes me happy.

Homeschooling is going well – although at times, it is definitely harder than I anticipated … but it’s coming and together, we’re slowly creating a routine, a system and I think we’ll be okay. Some days are better than others and some days are harder. But we’re getting there …

We’ve met a ton of amazing homeschooling families in our area and that has helped in so many ways … [so inspiring!]

So for now, I just want to encourage you to be the best that you can be wherever you are, doing whatever you are doing. It’s too easy to do things half-heartedly and to just get by. Whether or not it’s mothering many little ones …

or educating older ones or working a career … we are called to do our best. And to stop complaining, to see the good and to LOVE what you are called to do.

[Sorry – I know this blog post is all over the place – my brain is like this right now …]

Speaking of many little ones … is this not the cutest car decal ever?!

(Oh, and no, hubby does not have a motorcycle – this Harley Davidson symbol is probably just a harsh reality check reminder of his one day mid-life-goal of finally owning a Harley again!)

I just got it this sticker for our car last week and have had so many compliments on it … so many that I e-mailed the shop where I bought the decal and asked if they would do a giveaway for one of the blog readers – and they said yes!

I KNOW you want one for your car/van/bus/suburban/truck/etc. …. I just know it …

This darling deco was purchased from the Decal Dude on Etsy … go check out their cute, online store and see what suits your family best …

You can choose up to eight family members and have it personalized with dogs, cats, etc.

Now I won’t lose my truck in a parking lot (not that I could lost My Beast of a Suburban if I tried) ….!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog and your name will be entered to win a family decal – sweet!

For everyone else, DecalDude is offering you a 10% discount on your purchase if you mention the Gigi Photogrpahy blog when checking out with your purchase.

{Wouldn’t these make a cute stocking stuffer for Christmas?!}

P.S. There’s snow in the forecast for us on Friday! Yeah!!!