People that know me now would never have guessed that I struggled with the idea of having kids.

Although my husband and I talked about having 3-4 children—I really enjoyed my life without kids and I knew that once I started having them my life would change forever!

It’s interesting to note that I only focused on the things I would have to give up because I didn’t realize what gifts motherhood would give to me.

Being a mom has completely transformed me for the better.

For one—I am more self-aware. How can I not be? I have 4 mini-me’s running around reflecting my mood and attitude.

They mimic back my words and tone of voice—both positive and negative.

And not only my words but definitely my actions. Robert Fulgrum words are so true when he said “Don’t worry that your children never listen to you, worry that they are always watching you!”

Because of their constant reflection of my actions and behavior I am constantly aware of my strengths and weaknesses.

Instead of running from this—I embrace it and try to work on changing my sharp tone to soft and full of patience. My negative, fussing attitude to a positive and joyful one.

Another way that motherhood has changed me for the better is that I’m a lot more flexible.

In my pre-kids era, I was a stickler for order, structure, and following manuals.

Now don’t get me wrong, I still love order, schedules, and having a plan—But and this is a Big But—I don’t try to live for them—they are just tools that help me fulfill my job.

I don’t get stressed out if my plans get interrupted. I try not to get flustered when I have all the kids loaded in the van and then both twins get poopy diapers or when I finally get the kids to the library only to find I forgot to bring the library books!

Life just comes with unexpected interruptions. And because of my kids I can deal with them a lot better!

Another special gift motherhood has given me is the ability to empathize.

There’s a Native American lesson about the way to truly understand someone else’s perspective, where they say you must walk in someone else’s mocassins first before you can know what’s like to be them.

“Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins.” – Cheyenne

Well, before kids, I did not do this very well. I have to admit, outwardly I was a very nice person, but on the inside I was extremely judgmental.

I thought stay at home moms were crazy! I mean I had babysitters and I turned out okay!

And don’t get me started with moms who stayed home and had cluttered and messy homes! What were they doing all day anyway???

Needless to say, I was a bit extreme! I had little grace, no understanding, and not much empathy.

Well the tune of my song has completely changed! I have gained more understanding and wisdom!

I try to avoid using the phrase or thinking “I would never do that…” because too often I have found myself eating those words!!

It’s no fun being judgmental. It takes so much time and thought about other people and I simply do not have the time for it!

Well these are some of the ways that parenting has changed me. How has it changed you? I would love to know your story!

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“Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you. Bethany Hamilton

Wow! Can you visualize what your life would be life if you didn’t let fear stop you?

Where would you live?

What career would you pursue? What dream would you follow?

Bethany Hamilton’s story is familiar to many. I remember hearing about her accident on national news.

However, it wasn’t until a few months ago that I was truly impacted by her story.

Her incredible faith, sheer determination, and will to face fear head on has encouraged and challenged my life.

Have you ever said, “God, why me?” Well Bethany’s response to her circumstances, was “I can’t change it, That was God’s plan for my life and I’m going to go with it.”

She really is a jewel and true source of inspiration!

Here Is Her Story:

(found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Hamilton)

On October 31 2003, Hamilton went for a morning surf along Tunnels Beach, Kauai with friend Alana Blanchard, and Blanchard’s father and brother.

Around 7:30 a.m., she was lying sideways on her surfboard with her left arm dangling in the water, when a 14ft tiger shark attacked her, ripping her left arm off just below the shoulder.

If the shark had bitten two inches further in, the attack would have been fatal. Hamilton had lost almost 60% of her blood that morning.

Her friends helped paddle her back to shore, and fashioned a tourniquet out of a surfboard leash around what was left of her arm before rushing her to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

Her dad was supposed to have a knee surgery that morning but she took his place in the operating room. She then spent six more days in recovery at the hospital.

Despite the trauma of the incident, Hamilton was determined to return to surfing. Just three weeks after the incident, she returned to her board and went surfing again.

Initially, she adopted a custom-made board that was longer and slightly thicker which made it easier to paddle.

She has observed that she has to kick a lot more to make up for the loss of her left arm. After teaching herself to surf with one arm, she has again begun surfing competitively.

She is now back to using competitive performance short-boards again.

In July 2004 Hamilton won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete of the Year. She was presented with a special courage award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards.

In 2005, with one arm, Hamilton took 1st place in the NSSA National Championships, a goal she had been trying to achieve since before the shark attack.

In 2008, she began competing full-time on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS).

In her first competition against many of the world’s best women surfers, she finished 3rd.

Since the attack, Hamilton has appeared on 20/20, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, and Are you smarter than a fifth grader as well as in People, and Time’.

To find out more about Bethany you can order her book: Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board  by Bethany with Sheryl Berk and ‘Rick Bundschuh’.

“People I don’t even know come up to me. I guess they see me as a symbol of courage and inspiration. One thing hasn’t changed and that’s how I feel when I’m riding a wave. It’s like, here I am. I’m still here.” -Bethany Hamilton

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Can you imagine a house filled with little princesses? Well, that’s exactly what happened at the Princess Tiana Party!   

All the beautiful little girls arrived for a party full of pampering and fun! 

My front family room was converted into the makeover room. Nails and make-up were our specialty!

Thanks to Melody and Kris who gave our little ones the best beauty treatments ever!  

 

 In the next room the girls’ showed their artistic abilities by coloring Princess and the Frog coloring sheets.  

And of course after all that activity, the girls had a princess lunch (heart shaped sandwiches, and lots of sparkly, girly desserts)—-the cupcakes were a big hit!  

After a beautiful lunch, the girls gathered around to listen to me as I read the story of the “Princess and the Frog.”

It was so fun to see how much each of them could relate to Princess Tiana.  

Next, we started the game, Pin the Kiss on the Frog (adapted from the game, Pin the Tail on The Donkey).

 The night before I drew my first frog on poster board and cut out some big red lips. The girls had lots of fun trying to place the kiss on the frog!  

While I was planning the party, I knew I wanted to add an element about the importance of inner beauty.

I wanted to communicate that even though the girls were so beautiful on the outside, unless their hearts were beautiful, their beauty would only go skin deep.  

So I thought of a skit, where 2 dolls would ride the train together. Before introducing each doll, I asked the girls which doll was more beautiful.

They all agreed that the Barbie with the beautiful dress and glamorous hair was prettier than the other.  

However, once the skit unfolded they realized that the girl who looked better, was really cruel and mean. She was very harsh with her words and really selfish. 

The other doll on the other hand, was warm, caring, thoughtful and she loved to give to others. Although she wasn’t clothed (which my daughter, Anaya kept pointing out to me), was covered with markings all over her body and her hair wasn’t combed—the girls decided that she was the one who was truly beautiful.  

I reminded the girls of a wonderful bible verse  found in 1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

In a world that focuses so much on outward appearance, it was great to see the girls quickly recognize that the doll with the outward beauty did not have a beautiful heart.  

They recognized that true beauty comes from displaying God’s love, grace, care, thoughtfulness, etc…to others.  

All in all I think the girls had a wonderful time and I enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks to all the moms who lent a hand at the party and to the set-up crew—you all were awesome!  

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