Month: April 2008

Categories
Contests

March/April Group Writing Project Finale

It’s late I know, but we’re finally to the finale of the latest GWP. The March/April Group Writing Project was all about “Savoring the season.” With 22 great entries, we have a wonderful array of seasonal delights:

All of these great entries clearly took time and consideration. Read through them and find inspiration from mothers in all seasons of life.

Now, feel free (but, of course, not compelled) to spread the link love by copying the above list (instructions) and posting it to your own blog.

The Winna!
Chosen at random, the winner of our prize, a $30 Amazon.com gift certificate, is <drum roll>…

Savouring the season(s) by Jen

Congratulations, Jen, on not only winning the gift certificate (again, she was chosen at random!) but also on writing a wonderful entry! The gift certificate will be winging its way (electronically) to you soon!

Still working on your entry? Even though we’ve awarded our prize, we’ll continue to accept, read, link to and comment on submissions through next week.

Categories
Contests

March/April GWP Days Three through Seven

Oh, dear, I’m behind again! Sorry I let this slip; don’t worry, I received your GWP entries, and here they are, the last, wonderful dozen of them:

Please read and comment on these wonderful submissions—I know I have!

Thanks for your patience; the final list (and the winner!) will be announced tomorrow!

Categories
Kids/Parenting Fulfillment Contests

Savor the seasons of motherhood

I have to be honest. While spring is my favorite season of the year, it didn’t really have much to do with my choice of the GWP theme for March/April. Instead, the theme was inspired by a quotation, source long since lost, that a good friend’s mother shared with her:

Wise is the woman who cherishes each season
and cheerfully anticipates the next.

My friend shared this quotation during a lesson in church on having patience. Most of us in the room were mothers, many with young children—and I think we all recognized the very common human tendency to want to rush or move on through the difficult times of parenting.

Focusing solely on the future, the next season of our lives, robs many of us of the joy of today. We dwell on the difficulties that bedevil us now: lack of sleep, kids’ eating problems, overwhelming amounts of housework, lack of time with our children and/or spouse, kids’ tantrums, and on and on. We could all likely spend hours listing the things about motherhood that leave us dissatisfied. For me, at least, after I’ve done that, all I’m left with is dissatisfaction.

When I stop brooding over the “bad” parts of motherhood, however, suddenly my charge is less of a chore. When I look at the cute and sweet things that my son already does, when I marvel at the ways he’s grown and continues to grow every day, I don’t think about the drudgery that it was.

arty b/w photo of Hayden at 26 months

Perhaps hindsight is 20/20; perhaps memory is blind. But as I look back over Hayden’s brief life, my chief regret (aside, possibly, from mildly spoiling him 😉 ) is not enjoying him more, even during the difficult times.

So today, I’ll savor the season. Today, I will do the work of motherhood, and I will choose to be happy. Tomorrow I’ll be able to look back with fond memories of the time I spent today. And I’ll be ready for the challenges—and joys—that tomorrow will surely bring.

Categories
MetaBlogging

Top Ten for March

New around here? Check out the most popular posts from March:

  1. The biggest MamaBlogga Announcement Ever. In case you forgot: it’s a girl!
  2. The hunt for the perfect name. Well, actually, we’re looking for the perfect middle name (still).
  3. Hayden sings live: an awesome video.
  4. The guide to Haydenese: Hayden’s peculiar toddler-speak.
  5. Making a photo post: a collaborative how-to.
  6. Can it get any better? Most people said no.
  7. March/April Group Writing Project The finale fell in April.
  8. The little things that make us happy.
  9. Fashion maven: Hayden’s unusual sartorial choices.
  10. Look before you . . . cook: slow cooker + pen = trouble.
Categories
Contests

March/April GWP Days One and Two

Happy birthday to me! Yep, today is my birthday, and I’m now a quarter-century-old. Mm hm.

But I haven’t forgotten about the GWP! So far we’ve had ten great entries:

As always, I encourage you to read and comment on all the entries!

Don’t forget to submit your entry today!