Today a certain someone yelled "I hate you!" to me, but a few hours later came to ask for a good night hug [& there was no explanation or apology, rather an acknowledgement that I guess it's OK to "still want a hug from someone you hate."] I honestly wasn't really offended at all at the comment, but rather frustrated that the request that followed could be made without so much as a second thought. I know that might seem strange to most, but #thestruggleisreal. It's been really new territory for me, being a #fosteradopt mom. I guess I have always felt like we've been blessed with two boys that have always been pretty easy. Sure, there were moments here & there, seasons through these 13 & 16 years of their lives, that I've felt uncertain, frustrated, inadequate...but to be honest, most of the time I have felt rewarded, gratified, and successful as a mom. We've always talked through our frustrations with one another, trusted each others' love, been able to laugh after there's been tension, and been able to say "I'm sorry" & know the other's heart was genuinely contrite & forgiving. The past two years have added many challenging dynamics to my motherhood, my marriage, my physical health, my mental peace, my spiritual faith. I have felt #momfail more times than I can count (definitely more in two years than in the 14 previous), and often daily, a digging deep for grace in light of my myriad manifested shortcomings & failures. It's true. I am admitting it aloud. I'm owning it. I'm processing it. I am leaning into it [well, working on it]. I am not perfect. 😲 And so, Here I am. I'm learning to smile differently (inside & out - does that make sense? I guess I mean literally - with this missing tooth - as well as figuratively). I have to dig reeeaaaallllly deep sometimes for that #grace that comes #ONLYFROMJESUS & then I have to hold onto it for dear life (though sometimes, I let it slip a bit, momentarily, you know?).... I'm OK, & I'm thankful, & I'm determined to learn my lesson & continue to grow. It may be hard, & I may smile weird sometimes...🤪😖😌😁...but it's ALL good! 😉 #trusttheprocess I am learning... #letgo & #letGod. #clichebutstilltrue
Happy Memorial Day! Thankful for those who died and the sacrifices their families made. #clichebutstilltrue
Experiences > things. ALSO experience things. (which is what I thought this shirt said at first when I found it 😂) But both are true and helpful! I have to remind myself daily to stay present in the moment. It's so easy to get wrapped up in outside influences and anxiety. Make a conscious choice to not give in. #dailybattle #experiencesaregreaterthanthings #experiencethings #clichebutstilltrue
jumping into the new year like 🏋️♀️ #punverymuchintended #newyearsameme #clichebutstilltrue #hashtaggamestrong 1. E3MOM12 5 cal assaultbike + 5 cal row +5 cal skierg 2. Mikkos Triangle EMOM40 11 cal assaultbike 11 cal row 11 cal skierg rest 3. Jumpsquats 3 × 5 @ 33% 1RM backsquat 4. 10 ringrows + 10 pushups × 3 starter årets siste dag med favorittcardioen akkompagnert av det Spotify påstår er mine mest hørte sanger i 2018 🎶💃 mye LOL, mye bra og noe jeg lurer på når jeg hørte så mye på 😂 gjett hvilket band som lå på topp? 🎵 #musicmakesmehappy
Slowly breathe and appreciate what you have 🌿🐢 #clichebutstilltrue #goodvibes #gogreen #lesswaste #eco #sustainable #natural
Because it's hot in Bloemies. #lafamilia. #friendsforever #clichebutstilltrue
When the sun smiles at you, I smile to strangers and sometimes they smile back, which makes me smile even more. #gooddeeds #theartofsmiling #tinythings #smiletostrangers #tryit #clichebutstilltrue
Day one of road trip #roadtrips #road #trip #bestie #jacka #goodbyessuck #2weekslong #twoweeksoflove #happy #happiness #free #spirit #wild #driving #smilesfordays #selfie #nomakeup #challenge #challengeaccepted #thislook #aunaturall #ilovemylife #livethelifeyouvebeengiven #clichebutstilltrue #thisisgonnabemeforthenextwoweeks #sorryforallthesnapchats #yeah #thatshowiroll
#day11 #julyphotochallenge #rolemodel #mommy #clichebutstilltrue