The Art of Being a Mom: When Life Throws You Curve Balls

The art of being a mom is adjusting to the curve balls life throws at you. Just when you think you’ve got motherhood nailed-down, a life changing event sets you on your back side.

Learning to adjust with life’s changes is the key to turning messes into works of art.

To share the story behind the story… here is part of my “About” page that shares some of the major curve balls I’ve been thrown:

You could say I’ve experienced many roles as a mom. My first experience in a parenting role was a becoming a stepmom to two great kids. Then we were blessed with 5 awesome babies. Sometimes life surprises you with twists in the journey, like when we found out that one child had a seizure disorder, and another had a heart defect that required open heart surgery.

As if life wasn’t full enough, my heart popped open even wider when friends shared about their adoption story, and we began the journey into international adoption. A few months later, we unexpectedly lost our daughter, Carly, and it forever changed our lives. Over the next three years, we adopted two kids from half way around the globe, and our quiver was full.

During the next couple of years, the wheels started falling off the wagon in our marriage, and divorce became another twist in the story. Learning how to transition from being a married and stay-at-home mom, to becoming a single and work-away-from-home mom, was challenging to say the least.

Needing to generate an income, I ventured into the world of job hunting. My college degree didn’t help in landing a teaching job, as all the school districts around me were experiencing a hiring freeze. My sweet neighbor suggested I dive into real estate, and that was a perfect fit.

That’s the time I started writing… early in the morning, before the kids were up, and late in the evening, after they were in bed. I scribbled thoughts, lists, and goals, on scraps of paper, backs of receipts, and napkins. Folders were made for book ideas, inspirational stories, and goals. Note-filled boxes stacked up behind my dining room table, as the river of ideas kept coming.

I had no clue how to share my stories with the world, but I was on a mission to find out. Anything and everything related to book writing and publishing was on my radar.

Discovering the world of blogging piqued my interest and lit my passion on fire. I knew I had found the perfect avenue to reach the world with love, encouragement, inspiration, and tools to help moms find their passions and reach their biggest goals.

In the middle of the happy chaos, I really wanted to find a life partner. Someone who would share the ride with me, enjoy a big family, like to travel, and pursue dreams together. Someone who dreamed big and invested the hard work to make those dreams happen.

Dating was not what it was like in college for sure! Online dating was pretty much a crap shoot. Just when I gave up looking for a great guy to date… he showed up. Isn’t that how it always works?!? I married the greatest partner, who is also a fabulous stepdad to our big tribe! God is so good!

What I’ve learned when life throws you curve balls is:

• God always has a path for us to walk on. It might be a little skinny ledge at times, but it’s purposeful and we need to trust Him enough to walk it. And always remember that He’s right there with us… all the way. Even in the dark.
• We don’t have to understand everything that happens to us, or why we’re thrown curve balls, we’re just supposed to work with each one. No matter how often we hear that challenges are filled with character building material, it doesn’t make handling the curve balls any easier. But it gives us the opportunity to make messes into works of art.
• Life is supposed to be part struggle, part failure, part success, and part “What the heck?!?” We do our best most of the time, but let obstacles keep us from reaching our potentials more often than not. And the biggest reason is because we’re standing in our own way. Check your feet and see if you need to move them.
• Managing your life makes a better ride, than letting life manage you. Lazy gets you zippo, but hard work brings the world to your feet. You’ll never regret investing in your family, your future, and your potential, but you will regret not stepping up to the plate and taking a swing every day.
• Love conquers all. Life originated in love and when it is led by love, things fall into good places. The root of a bad life is hatred. Purging toxic thoughts, habits, and relationships, is essential to allowing love to flourish in your life. Forgive, and apologize. Help others. Share. Shine your light of love in this world gone crazy.

Each of us could write a book, or two, about the curve balls life has thrown us… and how we’ve turned messes into works of art!

So, it’s your turn to share now… and I can’t wait to hear your curve ball stories! xoxo