It's that time, once again, for Thankful Thursday, hosted by Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses. What a perfect opportunity to reflect on all that I have to be thankful for! Please be sure to check out Rhondi's blog...you'll be so glad you did!OK, I have to share a little secret with you. Shhh...don't tell anyone, alright? Are you ready? Brace yourselves...I AM NOT a perfect mom! Shocking, I know! Yep, I have times when I lack patience and I'm not the most understanding or sensitive mom on the face of the planet. Believe it or not, but...I even raise my voice, at times! Oh, it's true!
You see, I have a 17 year old daughter, Brittany, who is the apple of my eye, BUT, she suddenly thinks she's an adult! It happened the very moment she turned 17...I am not kidding! BOOM, just like that! I never even saw it coming! Now, she and I both can be quite head-strong on occasion, or "hard-headed", as my dad used to say! So, that greatly hampers our ability to see things clearly from the other's point-of-view. I'm simply a mom who tries hard to look out for her best interests, yet she sees me as someone who's being "over-protective". She's just a teenage girl who's trying to find her way in this world, but I still see her as needing my guidance...I hope and pray she always will!
Then, of course, there's my other daughter, Abby, who is 12 years old, a "tween", they call it....the apple of my eye, too! She has done a lot of growing up this past year. I've seen it in her, physically, and emotionally. She, for certain, is my BABY, my last child to raise. She's in that "middle of the road" stage where she wants to branch out more on her own, but she's not quite ready to venture too far away from the secure foundation of her family. Finding a balance between the two is no easy task!
All of these "growing up" issues make me a little loopy, particularly with Chris on the road like he's been. Sometimes, I deal with whatever comes my way with grace and I'm, oh, so proud of myself! Then, there are times when I don't fare as well in that department. So, on this "Thankful Thursday", I am thankful that I have two daughters who love me, regardless of the times when they think I've gone a bit coo-coo! I am thankful that I'm "big enough" to ask for their forgiveness when I've fallen short and I'm, especially, thankful that they forgive me! What a blessing that is! I am so thankful that I can admit that I'm not a perfect mom, knowing full well that no such person exists...and I accept that. I am thankful that God has given me the ability to forgive myself for those times when I've raised my voice or stormed off in a huff...He knows I'm not perfect, either, but His love for me is! I am thankful that I can get on my knees and ask God to guide me in my mothering...and He does! I'm incredibly thankful for my two girls who challenge me, encourage me, and make me want to be the best person and role model I can possibly be! I am thankful, beyond measure, to be a mother!
Here's a video I'd like to dedicate to Brittany and Abby; it's one of my favorite songs about mothers and daughters. I love them so much...always have, always will!!!
"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future." ~Author Unknown
Have a great Thursday! Be blessed!♥
37 comments:
Just reading your post - I can tell the strong bond and love you have with your daughters! Lovely song by martina!
I love that song, and I love you my friend. May God sweetly bless you, and your daughters all the days of your lives.
what a great post! i have three daughters and i count each one as an amazing blessing :) happy thursday to you and your beautiful girls!
Oh April another wonderful post. Our daughters can sometimes be a little challenging but I wouldn't trade my fabulous one for anything in the world! After struggling so long to even HAVE a child mine is a definite blessing. Love that song!♥
What a beautiful site, I loved visiting and getting to know a beautiful person..
Thanks for the comment at Thoughtfully Blended Hearts.
Becky
I love that song too! Last night, my middle daughter wanted her hair cut...a bob...oh I could of cried..all that red curly hair gone! She looks cute and "older"...it's hard!
-sandy toe
You are more perfect for giving your daughters the knowledge that us moms are human. They grow up all too fast.
It is important to ask for your child's forgiveness when you screw up. You are modeling appropriate behavior.
What a sweet post! I have friends who think i'm crazy because i go to the boys after i blow up and ask their forgiveness~it only seems right! You are a wonderful mom and i'm sure when my boys are in the teenage years i'll be desperate to have a friend like you who has been there done that and done so with such grace!
I so understand how you are feeling. Very similar feelings here. My baby is the one turning 17 and he is so smart and independent he's pretty sure I'm way over protective. We just can't help it can we?
Raising a daughter is a whole new world, it is so different than raising a son, I have one of each. I so appreciate women with more than one daughter, you really have to have strength, patience and a sense of humor to raise a girl, sounds like you are doing great with your girls. Thanks for sharing.
That is my husband...I must of been signed in his google account..how funny!
-sandy toe
April, you are so precious. Those girls are truly blessed to have you as their mom. Mistakes or not, you have the most loving heart, and you are always in their corner. They know that. That security goes so far in helping them to be the wonderful young ladies they are. This also makes me miss my mother more than I can say. I never had a daughter, but oh, I had a mother! And sisters and nieces. But you are right, that mother-daughter bond is a strong one.
I went through something recently, and I could still hear my mother's voice, "Sheila, where is your faith?" And she had rock faith... just like you do. The gift of living a Godly life in the Lord is the best gift you have given those girls next to your love. Because Jesus is everything.
Thanks for sharing, and I loved the song...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Hi April,
so glad I read this before any eye makeup! I too am so thankful for my daughter and her friendship!
Your daughters are adorable. I can tell how much u love them through your words.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful song!
Beautiful song:) Your girls are so blessed to have you in theire life:)
I am to so thanful for my daughters to.
God bless you and your family.
Love from Wib.
April-you are a perfect mom! You recognize and acknowledge the reality of life with your girls-your relationship with your oldest one is like my mom and me as I was a teen. We had some tears, some screaming, some disagreements, but I knew she loved me and wanted my best. Now-as an adult-I can look back and say she was a perfect mom for me and I want to be like her. Your girls will say that too.
Hi April...justthe mere fact you admit not being perfect, makes you pretty darn special. I think your daughters are aware they have a precious mom guiding their lives!
;-) Bo
Hi April
Just catching up with your blog after our few days away. Congratulations on being featured on Sits. I always love hearing about and seeing pictures from your cruises. I am so glad you didn't tag me with the purse tag!!!
I don't think there is such a thing as the perfect Mom. I lose my cool most mornings trying to get my daughter up in time for school! Being a Mom is hard but it's the best job in the world.
Lindsay
April,
Your post really moved me. I thought I was the only mother in the world dealing with the challenges of raising feisty daughters. And yes, we question ourselves constantly~how much freedom do we give them, how can we pull them back into our protective arms when they want to test those treacherous waters on their own.
I believe as mothers we have to show our girls that we are also humans, that we have "been there".
After I went through my rebellious years I thanked my mother for her dicipline which was really guidance. And I have learned to apologize to my daughters when I have overeacted~I think that is important.
I admire your faith and believe that it has given you all the tools you will need to get through these next challenging years. I will never stop worrying about my daughters and I surely will never stop thanking God for them.
In my eyes, you are perfect in so many ways and I feel blessed to call you a friend.
xoxo
Janie
I guess we are both thankful mommies today!! What a blessing to be a mother....
Loved your post!
pretty song. you are so sweet. you and your girls truly are a blessing.
I have always longed for a mother-daughter relationship. I am not very close with my own mother, she has always held me at a distance.
I hoped for a daughter, and I got one. Unfortunately, I was unable to keep her.
Never forget what miracles your daughters are. I'm glad you have them. :)
What a sweet post! Their pictures on the side look too adorable too!!
Oh April,
I'm just lovin ya! You and your daughters are just precious and your transparency is just so refreshing.
May you be blessed today, my friend. Thank you for your prayers...I needed them!! :)
what a beautiful post! thank you!
You are one of the most perfect moms I "know"!
Lovely post!
This made me cry! It was wonderful! I loved it and you are doing a great job! I can tell that you love your family so very deeply and that is always something to be proud of!
April, I have a 17 year old, too, so we'll have to commiserate together about the part teens/adults....I bet you're a great mom!!
Suzanne
April -
It is so easy to see that you are an awesome mom. You love and concern come out in every post you write! I can tell that you have a wonderful relationship with your daughters - they are so lucky to have a mom like you!
I am in the middle of teenagers here and trying to muddle my way through...
Have a great day!
Jen
teenagers I completely understand where you are! Love the song
I was so blessed with this post tonight, you will always be needed by them. And they seem to have been given a very good example,because you have found the secret....God.....
Blessings,
Sue
They are very fortunate to have a wonderful mother like you. No one is perfect but it seems to me that you are raising them in all the right ways. Your girls are beautiful and you have every right to be proud.
You are raising your beautiful girls up right!! Keep looking to the Lord and keep up the good work.
April I can totally relate to this post. My two girls and my son are in college and a little beyond now, but those days of trying to guide them while giving them independence, and bumping heads fairly often. I can tell that you've got a good relationship with both your girls that will see you through all the ups and downs!
What a lovely post! I am so glad you are being a wonderful mother to your lovely girls! I am so glad you had a wonderful mother to show you an example of beautiful motherhood! You are always an encouragement and a blessing to me April! Thank you!
Hi April, and thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog on this Thankful Thursday!
I have a Brittany also...20 yo, and she did the same thing at 17...now she realizes, only 3 years later, that Momma really does have her best interests and safety at heart! She is happy to abide by rules...most of the time, and helps without any guff (as my Dad would say) It all comes back around.
My 28 yo daughter is a wife and Mom and is such a blessing, because now she really understands the why of it all!! This I must say is an absolute joy to experience!
Blessings to you. You sound like a lovely, godly, example to them and Magpie is right...Jesus is the most important thing for them to see.
Have a joyful Friday!
Becky
it is tough to raise daughters...all the ups and downs, especially the teen years. It does get better though...I always am thankful for my girls! Hang in there, no one said we have to be "parent of the year" every day of that year...Melinda
Post a Comment