Motherhood: Feeling Inadequate

Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am ^anothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will ^bnot boast of myself, but I will ^cboast of my God, for in his ^dstrength I can do all ^ethings; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

As a mom, and I still consider myself a new mom, I feel inadequate just about every day.  I have a hard time being patient with myself as I learn the skills I am learning to be a good mom.  For some reason, I think I should just come hardwired with all these things, but you learn them as you go.  I was thinking about it in the shower this morning and realized I have only been doing this job for a year.  It takes time to learn new things. 

I read this verse this morning and I realized for the millionth time where my strength comes from and where I can look for help in my difficulties.  I love this message Elder Holland gives to mothers. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WbYLKVgwztY

That message comes from this talk.  A young mother, writing to Elder Holland and quoted in this talk said this,

"Maybe it is precisely our inability and anxiousness that urge us to reach out to Him and enhance His ability to reach back to us. Maybe He secretly hopes we will be anxious,” she said, “and will plead for His help. Then, I believe, He can teach these children directly, through us, but with no resistance offered. I like that idea,” she concludes. “It gives me hope. If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded. Maybe then it can be His work and His glory in a very literal sense.” 

I tend to think of it as a weakness to rely on others for help, but he says, "Rely on Him, rely on Him heavily."  I will try to do just that. 

Happy Birthday, Miles!

Last bath before surgery:  Livin' it up with all my lake buddies!

This past Wednesday was Miles first birthday!  Yea!  He had surgery the day before (which went very well) and his 1-year check-up the next day with shots.  But at least he got pancakes on his birthday and we celebrated with family and cupcakes last night.  He weighs 9.47 kilos, and is 28.5 inches long. 


Pre-Op at Akron Children's

"I'm not shy!"

 Some pictures of Miles with some of his new toys. 

This month's vegetable oddity:  heart-shaped potato!  My life is complete!

Pumpkin Carving and Other News

 

Miles first pumpkin carving experience.  He liked it!  He kept sticking his hand in the pumpkin, then pulling it out and touching the outside of the pumpkin.  

 

 I put some of the goop from inside the pumpkin on his tray of his highchair so he could feel it, and go figure, he ate it.

 

 I tried to get it out of his mouth, but he ended up swallowing some.  Whoops!  At least we gave him some water to wash it down.

 

 

 

Miles had his first appointment today with the orthopedic doctor at Children's Hospital in Akron.  He thought his right foot didn't look too good, which is true, it has never been too good.  Because Miles has arthogryposis in connection with club feet, his feet are more complex than a kid with just club feet.  We thought he would need surgery eventually, we were just waiting until it seemed like the right time.  We decided to go ahead and do the surgery soon since we'll be hitting our deductible this year.  So he will be getting surgery on his right foot next Tuesday, November 12th, 1 day shy of his first birthday.  Of course we're not excited about him having surgery again, but hopefully they can correct his foot completely this time and it will keep the correction.