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Thursday, January 22, 2009

How are you doing?

Hello to Melissa's Mr. Linky buddies! Welcome to my space, and thanks for stopping by! I'm happy to participate in her "Beautiful Life" series again this week.
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Honestly, I haven't forgotten you guys. I have a great post written, that I'm really excited to share with everyone (new tutorial!) and I just can't get the pictures right.

So.

Mimi's pediatrician asked me yesterday "How are you doing with post-partum depression? I mean...you look like you're doing just FINE."

How do you explain the stream of wants and needs that seem to swirl and eddy around your ankles, and get tangled up in your ears and hair like so much seaweed. The never-ending parade of dirty dishes, dirty diapers, dirty floors and faces. The vague nagging sense that at one time, you had a clear head and clean windows.

The days you just want to crawl back under the covers and the days that you do. To say nothing of the unquenchable fear clawing at your heart: I am not enough.

We're like Molly Brown, the unsinkable heroine. "I ain't down yet!"



For every dirty diaper, there's a chubby-thighed wriggle, a hoarse chuckle as she grabs her ankles and swooshes over to her belly and you're standing there realizing that your child is mooning you. Again.

For every dirty dish, there's a life that you've nurtured with good food.



For every dirty window, there's a tiny nose pressed against the glass, counting the squirrels, counting the birds, counting the seconds until Daddy gets home.


"We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. Through my own four-generation experience in our family, and through discussions with mothers of young children throughout the Church, I know something of a mother's emotions that accompany her commitment to be at home with young children. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives. "...[W]e have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve." (M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109 )

Am I doing fine? Are you doing fine? Perhaps not right now, but by golly we're GOING to be!



Life's just too good to miss.

9 comments:

Casey said...

That was such a sweet post. Thank you for sharing such beautiful words.

Adding #3 was a big adjustment for me. I had to learn to let a LOT of things go. It became a lot more enjoyable when I did though.

Anonymous said...

I gave my pediatrician a blank look two weeks ago to the question "Do you have enough help?" I finally responded with "there have only been a couple of days when I haven't had time to shower..." Thank you for posting these words today reminding me there is always someone who understands.

Teresa said...

Sweet post- brought back memories so been there done that-
Enjoy, it passing quickly-
YOur pictures are wonderful.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Oh, my dear...I have been there! It does pass quickly, when you look back on it, but at the time I know how utterly exhausting and unrewarding it can feel at times. But you have the right attitude, those little people are such blessings. They are just in that short span of time when they are absolutely draining!!! But look at that precious photo of them between the two of you holding hands! OH! PRICELESS!

Thanks so much for sharing your week.

blessings,
melissa

Anonymous said...

Your post was awesome and so were the photos! You rock! Thanks for sharing!
-Kim

LunaMoonbeam said...

The post is really sweet, honey. I LOVE the ending. This is too good to miss!

He never said that it would be easy...only that it would be worth it.

Here's hoping I DON'T see you tonight!

Liana said...

thanks for the boost Mary! I know I don't comment on here (i think this is my first), but I do like to come take a peek from time to time :). Thanks for sharing! And your girls are so beautiful!

Chubby Chieque said...

I really adore your post.

Yeah... to good to be true.

Have a wonderful w/end.

Jamie said...

So I thought I was the only one...guess that's the new mommy part of me (o:
I love you guys and can now say I understand. We will keep on going because life is absolutely too great to miss!