Over These Past Few Months, Our House Became Our Haven

Our Keepsake Journal is Here! 🎉

Hey there, house. It’s me. I know I don’t clean you or take care of you as much as I used to. I don’t stand still or stop in rooms as often anymore either. If I do, I’m usually running through to grab something that’s been cast aside on the floor by one of the four younger humans that occupy you almost full-time now.

Hey, chair. I miss sitting in you, I do. But you see, I have to chase this toddler, or get these boys started on school work, or get everyone outside to burn some energy off. Better yet, you’re going to double as a Nerf gun battle barrier for the afternoon. At least my kids keep you more company than they used to, and I love to catch the sight of two little legs dangling off the side of you as one of them immerses themselves in a book or even better to see a couple of my kids cuddled up together on you.

Someday I’ll sit in you again, but not today.

Hey, shower. I know I don’t frequent you as often as I’d like either these days. And when I do, sometimes I’m accompanied by a cute little girl who sings and dances or cries on the other side of the curtain, and I have to jump out with my hair still wet. Someday I’ll take a long, long shower again—just not right now.

RELATED: When a Mom Says She Needs a Break

Hey, kitchen. Well, I see way more of you now than I ever have in my life. When this is all over, I’m going to need some space. It’s not you, it’s me and all of that. I just think some time apart would do us both a lot of good. I’ll come back someday, but yeah, after making 5.3 million meals in you since March, I think we need a break.

Hey, playroom. Someday I just hope to see the floor again. Someday.

Hey, closet. Thank you for having me when I just needed a minute and somewhere to hide. That wasn’t full of people. I’ll never forget that.

Hey, desk. You used to be all mine, but now you’ve been converted into a true command central. Baby toys live on your shelves for when I have that work meeting and no one can help with the baby. Elementary school books live there too for when school’s online. You are covered in crumbs and snacks and notes and sweet doodles from kids. It’s a good look for you.

RELATED: I Want to Remember This Time So I’ll Never Be Ungrateful Again

Hey, house. I must say, you are messier, dustier, and noisier than you’ve ever been. You’re also more lived in and lovelier than you’ve ever been.

Full of life and love, just like a house should be.

Times have been harder than usual, but I hope when all this is over we hold onto all the life that happened while all this was going on. Family movie nights, Nerf battles, family Olympics, cooking together, eating together, arguing together, playing together, figuring it out together, praying a lot more together. I may miss these rooms, but, someday, I will remember all this more.

Love,
Parents of young children everywhere during a pandemic

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now

So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Her View Shop

Candice Mrazik

Candice Mrazik is a military veteran, former elementary school teacher, current military spouse and a mom to 4 (3 boys and one girl). With 12+ years of parenting under her belt she is still getting used to the ever growing height of her boys and the family laundry pile. She enjoys walking, writing, traveling with her family, dark European chocolate and couldn’t be more thankful that her hands are completely full.

Dear Child, You Are Not Responsible for How Anyone Else Feels about You

In: Kids, Motherhood, Teen, Tween

Teen girl looking in the mirror putting on earrings

Dear kiddo, I have so many dreams for you. A million hopes and desires run through my mind every day on a never-ending loop, along with worries and fears, and so, so much prayer. Sometimes, it feels like my happiness is tied with ropes of steel to yours. And yet, the truth is, there are times you disappoint me. You will continue to disappoint me as you grow and make your own choices and take different paths than the ones I have imagined for you. But I’m going to tell you a secret (although I suspect you already know): My...

Keep Reading

Hey Mom, It’s Okay Not to Be Perfect

In: Motherhood

Mother with head in hands and child jumping on couch nearby

Have you ever walked into a room, to an event, or a meeting, where you immediately felt out of place? As if you had come into a foreign space where you were not worthy, or just didn’t belong among the other mothers in the room? Maybe you were not dressed the part. Your hair may have fallen in messy strands around your face, or you may not have taken the time to put on a full face of makeup as the other women in the room had. Maybe your clothing choice of the day was just not quite as put...

Keep Reading

Now I Know How a Mother Is Made

In: Motherhood

Husband, wife, and young son, color photo

It’s been almost three years now, but I can still remember how your 8-pound body felt in my arms. Night after night as we tried to sleep, I remember your sounds, your movements, and your tiny hands. I gave it my all but still felt I fell short. You see sweet little one, you may have been brand new to this world, but so was I. The day you were born, a mother was born too. Things didn’t always go according to plan. It’s hard when you try your best, but you just can’t get there. So many new things...

Keep Reading

I’m Praying for My Teenager in These Challenging Years

In: Faith, Motherhood, Teen

Teen boy holding a smartphone and wearing headphones

In my mid-40s, I began to long for a baby. We didn’t get much encouragement from friends and family. My husband is a high-functioning quadriplegic, and I was considered way too old to start a family. But our marriage was stable, we were used to obstacles, we were financially prepared, emotionally experienced, and our careers were established. I began to paint my own sublime mental portrait of parenting tranquility. What could go wrong? At 48, I delivered a healthy baby boy, and he was perfect. We adored him. The baby we had longed for and prayed for, we had. And...

Keep Reading

Going to Church with Kids is Hard but We’ll Keep Showing Up

In: Faith, Motherhood

Going to church is hard with young kids. It used to be something I looked forward to. It’s something I’ve always valued deeply and needed desperately. It’s the one place that will always be home regardless of what location or building it’s in or what people attend. Church is my sanctuary. But it’s become a battle with the kids’ resistance, my tired mind and body, and my lack of ability to actually listen to the sermon. Going to church is hard with young kids. It’s become normal for me to lie down in bed on Saturday night thinking, with dread,...

Keep Reading

When Motherhood Feels Like a Limitation

In: Faith, Motherhood

Twenty-one years ago, my husband Troy and I welcomed our first son into the world. Two years later, I gave birth to another boy. And again two years later, and again two years after that. A fifth boy joined our family another two years later, and a final son was born 11 years after we began our parenting journey. If you were counting, you’re not mistaken—that’s six sons in just over a decade. We were overjoyed and more than a little exhausted. I remember feeling frustrated with the limitations of the little years with young children when I was a...

Keep Reading

I Obsessed over Her Heartbeat Because She’s My Rainbow Baby

In: Grief, Loss, Motherhood

Mother and teen daughter with ice cream cones, color photo

I delivered a stillborn sleeping baby boy five years before my rainbow baby. I carried this sweet baby boy for seven whole months with no indication that he wouldn’t live. Listening to his heartbeat at each prenatal visit until one day there was no heartbeat to hear. It crushed me. ”I’m sorry but your baby is dead,” are words I’ll never be able to unhear. And because of these words, I had no words. For what felt like weeks, I spoke only in tears as they streamed down my cheeks. But I know it couldn’t have been that long. Because...

Keep Reading

Here on the Island of Autism Parenting

In: Motherhood

Son on dad's shoulders looking at sunset over water

Hey, you. Yes, you there: mom to a kid on the spectrum. Well, you and I know they’re so much more than that. But sometimes those few words seem so all-consuming. So defining. So defeating. I see you when you’re done. That was me earlier today. I had to send a picture of a broken windshield to my husband. I prefaced the picture with the text, “You’re going to be so mad.” And you know what? He saw the picture, read my text, and replied, “I love you. The windshield can be fixed. Don’t worry. Just come home.” I think,...

Keep Reading

Round 2 in the Passenger Seat is Even Harder

In: Motherhood, Teen

Here I am, once again, in the passenger seat. The driver’s side mirrors are adjusted a little higher. The seat is moved back to fit his growing teenage limbs. The rearview mirror is no longer tilted to see what’s going on in the backseat. Yellow stickers screaming “Student Driver,” are plastered to the sides of the car. The smile on his face is noticeable. The fear in mine is hard to hide. These are big moments for both of us. For him, it’s the beginning of freedom. Exiting the sidestreets of youth and accelerating full speed into the open road...

Keep Reading

We’re Walking the Road of Twin Loss Together

In: Grief, Loss, Motherhood

Mother and son walk along beach holding hands

He climbed into our bed last week, holding the teddy bear that came home in his twin brother’s hospital grief box almost 10 years earlier. “Mom, I really miss my brother. And do you see that picture of me over there with you, me and his picture in your belly? It makes me really, really sad when I look at it.” A week later, he was having a bad day and said, “I wish I could trade places with my brother.” No, he’s not disturbed or mentally ill. He’s a happy-go-lucky little boy who is grieving the brother who grew...

Keep Reading

He May Not Be My Husband Anymore But He's Still a Great Dad

Marriage

He May Not Be My Husband Anymore But He's Still a Great Dad

It Isn't Easy To Say Goodbye To the Little Boy I Raised

Motherhood

Over These Past Few Months, Our House Became Our Haven

Someday I’ll sit in you again, but not today.

Hey, playroom. Someday I just hope to see the floor again. Someday.

Full of life and love, just like a house should be.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Her View Shop

Dear Child, You Are Not Responsible for How Anyone Else Feels about You

Hey Mom, It’s Okay Not to Be Perfect

Now I Know How a Mother Is Made

I’m Praying for My Teenager in These Challenging Years

Going to Church with Kids is Hard but We’ll Keep Showing Up

When Motherhood Feels Like a Limitation

I Obsessed over Her Heartbeat Because She’s My Rainbow Baby

Here on the Island of Autism Parenting

Round 2 in the Passenger Seat is Even Harder

We’re Walking the Road of Twin Loss Together

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like