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Chrysalosity

a flourishing lifestyle

When Your Feelings Get Big

July 19, 2021 · LIFESTYLE

When Your Feelings Get Big

Sweet child, I’ll be there when your feelings get big.

You’ve got the biggest heart of anyone I know - you got that from me. When I love, I’m all in. When I’m mad, I’m furious. I see that same spirit in you, and as your mom, I have the double-edged burden and blessing of shouldering your feelings when they get too big.

I’ll admit - sometimes it’s hard for me to stay calm in the face of your storms. As a first time mama, being “on” when you’re “off” is a learning curve for me. There are so many moments I want to give up and just explode from the tension. Dealing with those big feelings can be exhausting and overwhelming!

 

When Your Feelings Get Big

 

Thank goodness that’s not the version of me you see.

To you, I’m brave, strong, safe mama. You can run to me with your big feelings because you know I’d never leave you alone with them. It’s my job; it’s who I am, and you trust me.

But I’ll let you in on a very important truth, little one. I’m not any of those things on my own. I’m not inherently a “good mom,” though that’s a popular mantra I see frequently on social media. I am so much more fragile than you know.

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No, I am who you need me to be because Christ equips and enables me.

He gives me grace to remain calm when your temper has flared up, to sing peaceful songs when your little body fights rest, and to notice when you need an encouraging hug. Your mama has big feelings too, and when my feelings get big, I bring them to Jesus. 

Other times when my feelings get big, I don’t surrender them to the Lord as I should. I erupt like a volcano when the tension becomes overwhelming. I sin against Him and you, and I’m sorry. But in the family of God, we confess our shortcomings and forgive freely. This is true, gospel love. 

I pray that as you and I both grow, I can model this love for you more and more like Christ. Let our home be one that models the gospel - a place of abundant forgiveness, grace and spiritual growth. You can always come to me with your big feelings, and I’ll love you through them. But I pray that as you grow and learn more about God, you will bring all those big, complex, overwhelming feelings to Him. Only He can provide perfect peace.

 

Love always,

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The Blessing of Being Needed

May 12, 2021 · LIFESTYLE

The Blessing of Being Needed

Babies - and all their sweet little babbles - are a blessing.

Over the past few months, my daughter Ella has been babbling “dada” over and over again. She’d babble it to me, to her daddy, and to herself all day long as she explored the world around her.

Honestly, all that “dada-ing” had me feeling a little jealous. C’mon, kid… remember how I carried you for nine months, birthed you, nursed you on demand and got up with you in the night hundreds of times? What am I, chopped liver?

I know, I know… she’s barely a year old, so it’s nothing personal. And as some friends reassured me, “dada” is much easier for babies to say than “mama.” So we practiced our “m” sounds for a few weeks and sure enough - she's started babbling “mama” several times.

Only, her “mama-ing” was starkly different from her “dada-ing.”

Today it was “mama” when I’d sneak away to the bathroom. It was “mama” when she was sick of the toy she was playing with or when she wanted out of the high chair. It was “mama” when she was tired and needed help going to sleep. Baby girl cried “mama” all day long.

At first glance, it seems insulting that “dada” is happy babble and “mama” gets the leftovers. But when I looked closer, I realized that all those big feelings wrapped up in a simple “mama” were reserved for the person that she needs and trusts the most.

 

the blessing of being needed

 

The Blessing of Being Needed

Stay-at-home mom life is often pretty humble. I spend my daytime hours in a cycle of changing diapers, feeding, cleaning up messes, getting lost in piles of laundry, coaxing giggles and wiping tears. I don’t feel like I’m making an impact on the world in my day-to-day routines, but intertwined in the repetition of each day is the blessing of being needed by this beautiful child God has given to me.

My daughter feels safe and comfortable with me. When she’s frustrated, distressed or weary, she looks for me over everyone else. She clings to me tightly when I pick her up and misses me the minute I walk away. Her “mama” cries sound like complaints at face-value, but really, they’re love wrapped up in some pretty big, confusing feelings. 

I realized that all those big feelings wrapped up in a simple “mama” were reserved for the person that she needs and trusts the most.

I remember crying for my own mom to fix things for me when I became too overwhelmed, and I can guarantee I didn’t ask very nicely. If I’m honest, I still call my mom when I need advice or a good venting session. Even now, she still listens to my problems and offers her best help from miles away. We need our moms the minute we’re born and even after they’re gone.

Motherhood is sometimes an overwhelming responsibility, but through it we leave an indelible impact on our children.

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Motherhood isn't glamorous or easy, but it's Kingdom work.

Remember how I said I don’t feel like I’m making an impact on the world in my day-to-day routine as a stay-at-home mom? Well, maybe I’m not changing the world. But I am showing up for my daughter constantly, giving her the care and support she needs to one day carry on this same role for her own family.

By humbling ourselves and sacrificing for our children, we serve as a picture of Christ's love for His Church. Even our small acts of service teach them something of His redemptive plan and help to build the Kingdom of God.

Soon enough, the “mama” cries will lessen with each passing day. My little baby will grow to be an independent young girl, and she won’t need me as much as she does right now. For now, I will gladly come when she calls, offer all the love and support she needs, and thank God for the blessing of being needed by her.

With love,

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Find Fall Fun in Louisburg, Kansas | Day 25 of #30DaysOfBlogging

October 3, 2019 · LIFESTYLE

Find Fall Fun in Louisburg, Kansas | Day 25 of 30 Days of Blogging

Fall is finally in the air, and it's the perfect time to head out for some outdoor activities!

This week I took an impromptu trip to Louisburg, Kansas in search of fall fun! Living in Kansas City has been good for us, but my husband and I both grew up in small farm towns just like Louisburg. It was a treat for me to drive down a gravel road and get the old "one-finger-wave" again from other drivers out in the country!

I'm sure Louisburg is beautiful any time of year, but I can see why fall is a special season for this community. With towering trees and beautiful rolling hills, mid-October is the perfect time to take a day trip to the country.

 

First Stop: Louisburg Cider Mill

The Louisburg Cider Mill was such a fun experience and would be perfect for a fun weekend day trip with the family. Here you'll find a sizeable petting zoo, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and of course, the Cider Mill where all the apple goodness is processed!

You're in luck! The Cider Mill is hosting its 41st Annual CiderFest THIS weekend, October 5 & 6, so head on down to the cider mill for some yummy cider, donuts, sodas, and other treats. You can even buy some to take home at the Country Store, open year-round. Check out what I found!

Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill
Louisburg Cider Mill

Next Stop: Sunflower Orchards

I found Sunflower Orchards by total serendipity. I was navigating away from the Cider Mill when my GPS lost signal, and I ended up passing a road sign advertising for U-Pick apples! It turns out that you can't pick apples at the Cider Mill, but you can pick them at Sunflower Orchards, only 4 miles from the Cider Mill in Paola, KS.

Lance was very kind in showing me around the orchard and letting me try some of the apples while I was there. It turns out that the orchard also grows peaches in the summer months, so I guess I'll have to come back next summer for that! In the meantime, I enjoyed picking a variety of apples while I was there, despite the fact that it was 90 degrees!

Sunflower Orchards will be featured on the 2019 Fall Farm Tour, so make sure you check that out on October 19-20! You can also find them at the Overland Park Farmer's Market.

Sunflower Orchards
Sunflower Orchards
Sunflower Orchards
Sunflower Orchards

Last Stop: Powell Pumpkin Patch

For a wide variety of pumpkins and a fun corn maze, head over to Powell Pumpkin Patch for an afternoon of family fun! It's a short country drive from the Cider Mill, and it's definitely worth the stop. Their pumpkins are very reasonably priced at 45 cents per pound, and you can find other decorative items like corn stalks and gourds as well. Your kiddos can pick out their ideal carving pumpkin while you pick some colorful options for your decor!

This pumpkin patch only accepts cash or check as of now, so plan accordingly! They are open all October long, so head over while you can!

Powell Pumpkin Patch
Powell Pumpkin Patch
Powell Pumpkin Patch

Get out there and have some fun!

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Find Fall Fun in Louisburg, Kansas | Day 25 of 30 Days of Blogging

 

 

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About Me

Hi, I'm Rachel! I'm a millennial wife and mama loving life in the Midwest. Follow me for lifestyle tips like balanced food, accessible workouts, and personal growth inspiration!

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