What Is Your “Momtra”?

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Funny thing. I was planning on writing today about birthday parties, but as I started writing, I started thinking about being a mom. How it has changed me and how I am forever grateful to those two punkins who gave me that name, my favorite name: Mom.

When I was younger (letโ€™s step back in time about 12 years), I thought I had it all together wearing my Birkenstocks, canoeing, and studying as much as I could. I was in college at one of the most beautiful universities in the nation. (Shout out to Harding University. You have forever etched in my mind memories of incredible teachers, life-long friendships built in old dorm rooms, and an undying love of the Lord.)

My younger self had goals to travel, to find a career that would take me to amazing places, to meet people of all walks of life and ultimately be a light, a smiling face in a dark world. After graduating I hopped around a few jobs until I landed a job working for one of my favorite brands on Earth, The North Face; oh my, how I love that brand and those people with whom I worked. While there, I got to travel to some fun places and meet some great folks. I was happy but knew there was something more.

Letโ€™s fast forward a few years where I meet my handsome hubby, get married, and move to another lovely company in my pursuit of a perfect career. Then something happened: The pregnancy test had two lines. TWO LINES!

“Holy smokes, am I ready for this? Iโ€™ve always wanted to be a mom but now? Will I be a good mom? Should I stay at home or keep working? Will this babe be a boy or girl. Ack, how do you parent a boy? Iโ€™ve got a million questions for my mom. Okay, here we go. Mmmm, a milkshake sounds good right about now.โ€

In those first moments of finding out youโ€™re pregnant and then moving into the joys of holding your first born, things changed. I went from being a happy-go-lucky little worker bee to being a mom on a mission. I wanted to be the best mom this little boy could have.

My mantra was this:ย โ€œBe joy-filled and positive everyday regardless of what the day brings.โ€ Simply to stay positive and be the best mom to my son that I could possibly be. The joys of holding a smiley little boy in my arms melted away anything that was wearing on me.

Not too long before my sonโ€™s first birthday we found out we were pregnant with our second. This pregnancy rattled me to my core and challenged my faith, challenged the mantra I created for myself and ultimately made me stronger than I ever thought I could be. We found out the sweet little gal I was carrying had a life threatening genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. (Click here to read a previous post about life with CF). The day we received that news was devastating. We were frustrated; we were hurting for our child and our family; we were angry but something covered over all of those feelings and that was love and faith. So, after one day of lots of tears and all of those difficult feelings, I decided to change my mantra.

IMG_1382Here is my new mantra or โ€œmomtraโ€ that I recite and pray over each day:ย JOY.

That’s right just one word. Joy. Whether it is a good day, great day, or absolutely the worst day, I will choose to be joyful and have faith that hard times will pass and there will be many more great days in my future.

Now that we’ve pressed fast forward 12 years to the current I feel unbelievably blessed to have aย sweet hubs, a fab job, and two amazing kids who bring me great joy–and drive me nuts sometimes too. (Life is about balance, right?!) Life may get hairy, but I will always choose JOY. Try it. I know it will change you as it has me!

Do you have a mommy mantra that you recite or hold to? Maybe a word, quote, or Scripture that moves you and helps you be a better mom?ย 

5 COMMENTS

  1. Joanna, I don’t know how you do it! You grew up to be such a beautiful young woman who is beautiful both inside and out. I feel completely privileged to have known the sweet little girl you were. Your parents are amazing and raised all you kids to be wonderful people. I enjoy reading all your posts on Facebook and seeing the pictures of your sweet family. I’ll be praying for your beautiful little Layla. Love you!

  2. Joanna, I don’t know how you do it! You grew up to be such a beautiful young woman who is beautiful both inside and out. I feel completely privileged to have known the sweet little girl you were. I enjoy reading all your posts on Facebook and seeing the pictures of your sweet family. I’ll be praying for your beautiful little Layla. Love you!

  3. OH Jeanette! What sweet words ๐Ÿ™‚ I just love you so much. Over the years the memories that our families created together are some of my most dear. You, Doug and your fam carry such a special place in my heart and always will. Thank you for your prayers, I treasure those! One of these days our paths will have to cross again and there has to be breakfast burritos and Acquire involved ๐Ÿ™‚ Love you!

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