The State of Motherhood

I love being a mom. It is like I've heard said, "The toughest job I've ever done," but it is so filled with blessings that far outway the effort put forth. My biggest challenge has to be my own weaknesses.

Yes, by far, the greatest challenge I face as a mom is overcoming my own weaknesses so I can be a good mom. I do think of myself as a good person. Someone who cares about others. Compassionate and faithful. But it is the human trait of selfishness that gets in the way so often of being a good mom.

Being a mom takes making one selfless choice after another. Every time we change a diaper or prepare food we put someone else above ourselves for that moment. It is a great thing. Taking those steps outside of ourselves to care for another human being creates growth and maturity. It gives us empathy and fills our servant's heart with love. But it also takes discipline to do it daily and without resistance.

I hurt with moments of struggle many of my days as a mom. Working out how to give them time and also take time to care for me all in the same 24 hours. I ache with the pain of selfish moments that come back to bite me in the backside. When I choose to let my 2nd grader watch a show afterschool before bringing him to the table to do his homework. When I put off preparing lunch just a little too long to get 3 more things crossed off my "to do" list. When I stay up late.

So, how do we know we are doing the right things? When we have to make life decisions for our children, how do we know we are doing right by them? When we are deciding to put them in Kindergarten this year or next. When we are selecting bedtimes and helping them organize their time. When we help them choose what activities they can and cannot participate in -- how do we know we aren't scaring them for life, instead of doing the best thing for them?

A wise friend once said to me possibly the greatest encouragement I have ever received as a mother. She said, "I know you are a good mom just because you are asking how you can be a better mom." As moms, we will never be perfect. We may never even be perfectly what our children need us to be from one moment to the next. But we can be the best we can be just by asking the question, "What else can I do to be a better mom?"

Blessings and Happy Mother's Day!

My secret weapons for winter immunity!

I have a secret during the winter. I don't give my family medicines. Instead, I use natural methods to boost their immune systems and then use certain supplements to sooth symptoms as they pop up.

Here is my best vitamin cabinet advice for winter immunity:

Take a good multi-vitamin (with iron for women of child bearing age)
-choose food based rather than synthetic
-do your homework to find out what a balanced multi should have
-make sure yours isn't cheaply made (low on biotin is a good test)
-drop it in water to see if it will dissolve

Take a regular immune supplement
-a natural interferon production booster is the best choice

Have an immune booster on hand at onset of illness or exposure
-an echinacea complex (including zinc)
-tablet forms can be swallowed or ground up in hot water for a tea
-can be ground and put into honey for a natural cough supressent

Vitamin C
-a chewable version is fabulous for sucking on when you have a sore throat
-take it regularly AND extra during an illness
-regular doses may help reduce allergy symptoms

Calcium Magnesium
-when taken in a chewable form can reduce heart-burn
-can help reduce of prevent restless or aches in legs
-regular calcium supplementation can decrease bone loss
-magnesium helps us absorb the calcium more efficiently

There you have it. My supplement recommendations for a healthier immune system and healthier winter! If you, like my area of the country, are experiencing some more severe winter weather right now, may you and your families be safe and healthy!

Happy Spring Break! Mr. Sun is right around the corner, and our winter blues can pass. Now you can be stocked up for the rest of this winter and on into ALLERGY SEASON!

Blessings,
:) Kaycee

New Year's Note

Now that the new year is here, I am enjoying many things about the year so far. 
 
I love that my children like school and enjoy going.
I like that my extended family are all healthy and living nearby (except my West Coast father).
I appreciate that my husband is just the right man for me.
I notice that even though the winter is incredibly cold this year, we still have plenty of sunny days.
I see that our dog--on her second year as a puppy--is getting more and more to be just the dog we wanted.
Even though I am without a new baby for the first time in 8 years, I love spending time with my toddler.  Just us.
It is amazing to have 2 boys and 2 girls.  I love that everyone gets to experience having a sister AND a brother.
I am so glad that I'm getting better and better at managing the house blessings (chores) part of my life.
I can see a light at the end of the financial tunnel called our money management.
I am going to turn 40 as a healthy and happy woman who has already lived so many of my dreams.
 
So, as we embark on this new adventure called 2009 together, may we have many blessings, but also many challenges because that is where the growth begins.
 
Happy New Year!
:) Kaycee