friday reading time: march 13th

Dear Mom on the iPhone, it's ok. ---> Fried Okra

what I love about this: "Why does a simple piece of technology give a stranger license to accuse you of being a selfish, too-busy, disengaged woman who's threatening her children's self-esteem and self worth? We both know that's not who you are."

Confessions of a cloth diaper drop out ---> simple kids
what I love about this: "I’m a big believer in using cloth diapers, but I’m even more committed to moms and dads doing what they need to do to keep from being overwhelmed. Parenting is hard enough."

Being brave enough to be un-fine ---> Lisa-Jo Baker
what I love about this: "And I’ve lived enough broken and loved enough friends through their own cracks to know that redeemed is not the same as fixed and that holes can still ache even when we’re whole again."

When You're Expected to "Pull it Together" ---> (in)courage
what I love about this: "In the moments when torment throbs deep, God doesn’t bark 'stiffen that upper lip, girl.' He instead whispers 'come to me dear one, come to me.' "

the mother they need is the mother you are ---> steady mom
what I love about this: "The revelation is this: the mother my kids need is the mother I am."

photo by dolfi

friday reading time: november 2nd

10 things I've learned in 10 years of marriage ---> simple mom

what I love about this: "It's hard. Choosing to listen and hold your tongue; asking questions when you’re dying to share your brilliant advice. Sharing frustrations instead of letting them fester. Rubbing his back when you’d rather have yours rubbed first."

How a singer balances travel and family ---> simple mom
what I love about this: "'How do you do it?' Behind the question are legitimate concerns about a father not being there for his kids’ soccer games, a wife worn out from raising four children alone, a marriage losing heat from too many days and nights spent miles apart."

When You Need A Steady Stream of Confidence Today ---> (in)courage
what I love about this: "Today, we are already complete. We are worthy enough and talented enough and just plain enough."

When the storms come, keep writing ---> the gypsy mama
what I love about this: "They eat their tacos and I turn to the story of a flood that could shame even this one... The days of darkness and fear and frustration. Why hadn’t I paid that part attention before."

It's Easy to Love People ---> The Handwritten
what I love about this: "I'm tired of easy."

photo courtesy of Krystle.M

weekend reads: {from} may 20th

Where is the Mommy War for the Motherless Child? ---> rage against the minivan
what I love about this: "This is the war I’ll be involved in: We, as a society, are not doing enough to protect at-risk and motherless children, both in our country and globally."

You Never Marry the Right Person ---> Relevant Magazine
what I love about this: "A marriage based not on self-denial but on self-fulfillment will require a low- or no-maintenance partner who meets your needs while making almost no claims on you."

Do What You Love ---> simple mom
what I love about this: "I don’t apologize for being a writer, because that’s how God made me, and there’s no reason to justify His creativity. I’ll bet He made you for something, too..."

What the mirror doesn't see ---> the gypsy mama
what I love about this: "He, and He alone, truly sees me. And oh dear friend, I hope you know He sees You too."

On Comparing Yourself ---> (in)courage
what I love about this: "We all, each of us, are in different seasons of life. We make different choices, and God has different plans."

photo courtesy of inkstainedwriter

weekend reads: {from} march 31st

California Bill Threatens Vaccine Freedom of Choice ---> mothering
what I love about this: "And it’s a government intrusion into our personal freedom to make health care decisions for our children."

Awake My Soul ---> Thoroughly Alive
what I love about this: "Sometimes you come awake to God as if jolted from a dream."

Words as Worship ---> MomHeart
what I love about this: "I have to decide, before the explosion of the day’s beginning hits, to consecrate my mouth and choose whom I will serve with my words."

When they ask you what you did today ---> the gypsy mama
what I love about this: "'We ran cherry blossom laps,' I tell him."

The Quiet in a Mama's House, a Mama's Mind ---> (in)courage
what I love about this: "We can’t talk and swallow at the same time, we call Jesus our bread even in the minuscule quiet moments, and then we take and eat."

weekend reads: March 24th

the power of one day ---> Steady Mom
what I love about this: "Though night seems long and growth doesn't seem evident, night becomes sunrise in an instant."

Nothing is Ever as Easy as It Seems, Especially Not That ---> The Gypsy Mama
what I love about this: "Let’s not compare. Especially not our beginnings to someone else’s middle. No, let’s not compare. Let’s cheer instead."

Everyone's Frozen ---> The Handwritten

what I love about this: "All the while, we could unfreeze."

On Friendship: 3 Proverbial Thoughts ---> (in)courage

what I love about this: "But I’ve learned to see a beautiful aspect to my void and pain, important not to overlook: It serves a purpose."

I Would Take Her Thorn ---> The Better Mom

what I love about this: "But I know – That He knows her. He made her. He loves her. Best."

weekend reads

Waiting on God ---> Keeper of the Home

what I love from this: "If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time."

You Can Still Bond While Bottle-Feeding ---> Padded Tush Stats

what I love from this: "I reflect more fondly on our bottle feeding moments than breastfeeding, because they were far more intimate and sweet."

i believe in miracles ---> A Deeper Story

what I love from this: "God has seen me from across the room and cannot take His eyes off of me."

The Beauty of the Ordinary Day ---> The Creative Mama

what I love from this: "My ordinary life is my adventure. Forcing myself to enjoy life’s small daily gifts has filled me with a renewed sense of gratitude."

oh, friends. oh, elections. oh, facebook ---> A Deeper Story
what I love from this: "Flipping tables is exhausting after awhile. Maybe instead I’ll stick to just giving them a little bump as I walk by."