So very excited to share this Post! I had the chance to sit down and chat with busy mom Amanda that brought her two girls into the studio recently and explain that I have for some time wanted to do something different with the blog when I post. I wanted it to be a place that edified those who spent their time to stop in and read in some way, shape, or form. Whether it as teaching something new, Passing on important information, or sharing a life testimony to inspire and encourage others whom might relate. I’m so thankful we talked, because she is a perfect mom to share that there is Hope in Faith while trials make you stronger.
Amanda, please finish my sentence
The most fun thing about being a mom is…
Watching my girls’ personalities grow. Alivia is so funny and keeps us laughing constantly. I homeschool her and we make it fun with songs and silly dances. Annalise has the biggest and brightest smile so with her, I have a blast making her show it to me.
The last time my children made me laugh…
Was when I asked Alivia to get Anna’s bottle that fell under the bed, she replied “mom, what are you crazy, you know I’m half dad’s size and cannot fit under there”. I was getting Annalise to sleep and couldn’t help laughing out loud.
My favorite activity to do with my kids is…
To Dance. That’s right, booty popping kinda dancing. They just laugh. I started this with Alivia when she was a baby and now she and I love dancing with Annalise.
The last book I read was…
20 Rules and tools for a Successful Family by Dr Steve Stephens. Of course with a 4yr old and 6month old, reading isn’t something I get to do often! The book can be found Here. This is a book I highly recommend. It gave 20things that are so easy to do and will make any family closer!
When I was a kid I said, “When I’m a parent I will never…”
Call my kids by their sibling’s name. Of course I do this on a daily basis and hate it every time I do it.
I carve out time for myself by…..
(gee what is time to myself?! lol) I just started running actually. Couch to 5K, which is super easy and so much fun. I will admit I do not listen to Christian music like I should, instead I listen to TLC Radio on Padora.com It makes me think back to my carefree days as a teenager. I love it! (here is an app for Couch to 5K to make it easy on you and the Pandora TLC Radio)
When I need a quick meal I…
Pop in a frozen lasagna. yep that’s right a store bought, Stouffer’s lasagna. It tastes even better since I didn’t have to make it!
The television mom I’m most like is…
I don’t really watch TV but I do wish I was like Mrs. Brady because I so badly wish I had Alice to cook and clean for me!
My favorite time saving gadget is…
The microwave! Reheating leftovers is so very nice.
What surprises me most about being a parent is….
How much we worry. I spend a great part of each day worrying about my girls, usually it is over something trivial.
Three things my children have taught me are…
1. That life is short and unpredictable but God has an amazing plan for mine (and yours). I have 5 children even though only 2 are on this earth with me. My babies in heaven taught me that we aren’t in control, God is and His ways are so much better than ours.
2. What unconditional love really means. They don’t love me because of what I do for them, they love me because they are mine. god used me to create them and we have a bond unlike any other.
3. The love of God. Until you have a child you don’t fully understand what God did for us by sending his son to die for us.
What I want my children to learn about life is…
That God wants us to first and foremost love others. We aren’t to judge others and put ourselves above them. I pray that in all their actions they show love.
Our favorite tradition is…
Every night we read the bible before bedtime. That is my all time favorite tradition.
The most noticeable way parenting has changed me is…
I have learned that I am not the center of the universe. I use to be pretty selfish and think things had to be my way, kind of like I needed to control everything. After having Alivia we lost 3 precious babies. It was the darkest and hardest time of my life. I didn’t want to lean on God or have anything to do with God really. I couldn’t even say bedtime prayers with Alivia anymore. But, thankfully God didn’t give up on me. My faith was strengthened in a way that I never thought possible. So I guess that’s when I really learned who God was and grew in my relationship with him.
One thing I wished I’d known about parenting before I became a parent…
That it is so much harder than you think or could ever describe but it is so worth it. It’s a constant state of being selfless and all your desire is for your children to be healthy and happy. Also, if someone had told me that I wouldn’t shower daily and rarely even get my hair done I wouldn’t have believed them, lol.
I really was encouraged learning more about Amanda and I hope you are as well. She is as beautiful inside as she is out and more then willing to talk with anyone that might have questions about her experience and faith. You can email me at april@onelifebyapril.com and I will help you contact her.
Because I can’t possibly introduce you to her without showing you just how beautiful her and her girls are I cannot end this post without sharing a few of our time together!
thanks Amanda for the blessing<3
