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Mary Kate Brown

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Celebrating Motherhood Series Humble Life Mary Kate Brown

Teach Me So I Can Learn

December 3, 2019
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Spearmint Haze. That was the name of the paint color I purchased mere weeks after we closed on …

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It’s time for #fridayintroductions! I’m Robin It’s time for #fridayintroductions! I’m Robin (and this is Lilly, my fourth). I live in the middle of Alaska, and yes, it’s dark and chilly and going to be that way for… a while. But it’s also pretty and quiet (if you don’t count my house) so there’s that. I thought I’d let you know what I’m watching, listening to, and reading. Watching: Okay, just joking. I have this weird quirk where I actually have to force myself to sit and watch video. But the last thing I stapled my backside to the couch for with any regularity was The Good Place and I highly recommend it (if you’re into irreverently philosophical with a heaping helping of pseudo-swears). Listening: @pantsuitpolitics always and forever. Sarah and Beth are keeping me sane as we get closer and closer to an election that has been stressing me out for literal years. Reading: Mansion of Happiness by Jill Lepore: This is a brief history of life and death. (If you’re familiar with Bill Bryson, it feels somewhat akin.) Fun, quirky, interesting. Kindred, by Octavia Butler: I’m not very far into this one, but it’s riveting—fiction about a black woman who keeps zipping back to the Antebellum South. (Yikes!) I’m also reading Called to Community (various) which is how I’m trying to sort my own issues about people and church. Anyway. That’s me. I love getting recs (how do you think my TBR stack got so out of hand?) so would you do me a favor and tell me a show, podcast, or book that you’re loving right now? . . . . . #motherhood #mymamahood #momblogger #christianmom #momliferocks #bestofmoms #mamabear #momminainteasy #honestmotherhood #motherhoodintheraw #honestmommin #momlifeunfiltered #newborn #newbornlife #realmotherhood
NEW POST on the blog today from Kinded Mom team me NEW POST on the blog today from Kinded Mom team member Robin Chapman. Robin's bringing her characteristic honesty and humor to today's essay, "Thanks, No Thanks, Pinkie Pie." ⁣ We have all been there, perhaps never more than now in this season of pandemic: trying to balance all the things and feeling like no one and nothing is getting your best self. ⁣ Robin writes, "So my children aren’t getting my best self. My work isn’t getting my best self. This dilemma reminds me of my kids’ hourly fights where everyone gets hurt and nobody wins. I feel bedraggled and guilty for giving everyone short shrift. I’m doing the best I can at all my roles, but what happens when “the best I can” kinda sucks? ⁣ I want to find a way to separate my realms, even if just a little, so they don’t intrude on each other constantly. I hate feeling forcibly disconnected from everyone all the time. I don’t expect to reach the oft-discussed “balance”—some unicorn homeostasis where my work is work and my home is home and everyone gets the best of me in their scheduled and well-defined slots. I just want…better." ⁣ Head to KindredMom.com to read the rest of Robin's essay today! . . . . . #honestmommin #honestmotherhood #motherhoodintheraw #mothersofdaughters #tiredmom #momlife #thehappynow #motherhoodtruths #preachingtoymyself #raisingstrongwomen #timeforcoffee #momsofinstagram #momof4 #lifewithlittles #supermommy #momtribe #mamabear #workingmom #wahm #sahm
HEADS UP, writers! Believe it or not, we are almos HEADS UP, writers! Believe it or not, we are almost coming up on the end of our fall Connect series, and it's time to begin thinking about Winter 2021! ⁣ Our next series, "Strong, Brave, & Beautiful" will run from January through March 2021. Together, we'll explore what motherhood has to do with strength, courage, and beauty. -How does motherhood require those characteristics in us? -How does it transform us into people who embody them? -How did motherhood make you aware of the ways you already were strong, brave, and beautiful? -How do you see these characteristics reflected in your children, your family, and your friends? ⁣ Submissions for this series are due November 6. (Note that this is a new date!!) . Visit KindredMom.com and click on "Write for Us” for more details. . . . . . #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #momblogger #faithblogger #coffeeandcrumbs #risenmotherhood #writingmotherhood #motherhoodstories #writersofig #submissionopportunity #womenencouragingwomen #momboss #hopewriters #hopewriterlife #wellwateredwomen
Dear mom, just trying to get a cute photo with you Dear mom, just trying to get a cute photo with your kids at the apple orchard/ pumpkin patch... ⠀ I see you. ⠀ I mean, barely...because I’m looking through squishy toddler fingers stained by Cheetos. ⠀ And I’m feeling a little lightheaded because my children stopped wanting to use their legs while in the belly of the corn maze beast. ⠀ Not to mention the... sorry, hold on... FOR THE LAST TIME, WE ARE NOT BUYING A SODA. COME DRINK SOME WATER FROM THESE THERMOSES I’VE BEEN CARRYING AROUND ALL MORNING. ⠀ Sorry about that. What was I saying? Doesn’t matter, I digress. ⠀ Point is... Whether or not you snapped a good picture, whether or not you knew if the apple was ripe enough to be picked, whether or not the kids had a meltdown before it was all said and done... ⠀ Ya done good, mom. Ya done real good. —@aliciathewriter . . . . . #thejoyfullife #risenmotherhood #mamaswhowrite #coffeeandcrumbs #motherhooddiaries #motherhoodthroughig #simplymamahood #momlifeunfiltered #connectedmotherhood #modernmama #joyfulmotherhood #raisingtinyhumans #autumn2020 #autumnvibes #pumpkinpatch #tiredmom #autumnmood #autumnwithkids #sweaterweater
NEW ESSAY on the blog today by Jacey Rogel (@jacey NEW ESSAY on the blog today by Jacey Rogel (@jaceyrogel), about how it felt as a mom to sit with a child through medical and educational evaluations. ⁣ She writes, "This isn't our first evaluation. This isn't the first time I'll be walking hand in hand with my child into a room full of professionals, the first time I'll have a complete stranger tell me there is something wrong with my child’s development. Yet I am terrified, shaking, and on the verge of tears. I know what they will say, the diagnosis, but in order for him to get into the free preschool program with therapy, I have to let him go through this again. ⁣ The room may be different and the therapists new, but I am no stranger to the feelings overtaking my body, mind, and heart. It is still frightening; I am still scared." ⁣ As we think about connection this fall, is it possible to connect with our children, even over shared anxiety and fear? ⁣ Head to the blog to read more from Jacey, or catch the audio version in the Kindred Mom Podcast feed. . . . . #specialneedsparenting #specialneedsmom #speechtherapy #specialneedschild #writersofinstagram #awanderfulchildhood #wanderlustkids #childhoodunplugged #kindredmemories #humansofjoy #unitedmotherhood #thehappynow #letthembelittle #motherhoodrising #motherhoodunplugged #sahm #joyfulmamas #writingmotherhood
I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but I’m I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but I’m beginning to realize: I tend to see every disagreement as an attack. Intellectually, emotionally, and rhetorically, I go to war. But insecurity cannot be my compass. Friendship won’t work if I always think I am right instead of trusting God’s wisdom. ⁣ Likewise, being a good mama isn’t about trying to control every decision and belief and direction of my children (or, worse, believing that I can, as if I am the Almighty). I love them, but I may not engineer (or even modify) them. ⁣ Motherhood and friendship—relationships and connections—become sick trees, if they’re overtaken by insecurity and fear. So, I’ve had to change my mind about how to do life in front of my children and how to bring God’s wisdom into my walk with friends. That's repentance, and it's the first step in the lengthy and dirty process of digging out unhealthy roots. --Jay Jones (@jacelya_jones) from her essay, "The Fruit-Bearing Tree," available to read now at KindredMom.com . . . . . #sahmlife #momtribe #womenencouragingwomen #wellwateredwomen #momstrugglingwell #dontmomalone #candidchildhood #flashesofdelight #livethelittlethings #motherhoodunplugged #mindfulmom #wellwateredwomen #risenmotherhood #centeringtruth #joyfullife #pursuewhatislovely #werisetogether #bedeeplyrooted #christianmom #faithfulmotherhood
“I endured six weeks of extremely long nursing r “I endured six weeks of extremely long nursing routines, having nursing consultants try everything from guards to teaspoons to help us, and at the end, I was left feeling like a failure. I was defeated and embarrassed by the amount of people who had seen me undressed and at my lowest with no progress to show for it until a new nurse came for a home visit. She let me cry and then told me I had put up a valiant fight and it was time to let it go.  ⁣ She could see in my eyes that I was not doing well and she gave me permission to just let it be. After six weeks of struggle, her affirmation that I was not a bad mom was the magic I needed. When I relaxed into that confidence, my baby suddenly started eating properly, sleeping through the night, and we moved back into our house. ⁣ It’s been eighteen years since those nights I spent curled up in the corner. I had two daughters after that son, and he’s now in his first year of college. I don’t rock babies anymore, but the depression never really left, and two years ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder. ⁣ I didn’t know then how many nights I would spend crying in the dark, with or without a baby, but I think about that twenty-one-year-old girl often. ⁣ If I could go back and tell her one thing it would be this: go downstairs and wake up your mom.” —Jennifer Holmes (@jensnewsong), from her essay, “Cry, But Not Alone,” available to read now at KindredMom.com . . . . . #motherhood #mymamahood #momblogger #christianmom #momliferocks #bestofmoms #mamabear #momminainteasy #honestmotherhood #motherhoodintheraw #honestmommin #momlifeunfiltered #newborn #newbornlife #realmotherhood #postpartum #postpartumsupport #postpartumdepresssion #maternalmentalhealth #fourthtrimester #newmom #breastfeeding #fedisbest
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; My God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." --Psalm 27:14 ⁣ Happy Sunday, sweet mamas! We are thinking of you and praying for you today. We don't know what you're waiting for--whether it's a baby or a preschooler to finish potty training, a clear diagnosis or healing, a teenager to change their mind or a toddler to change their behavior. Goodness knows we are all waiting for this pandemic to end, if nothing else. Wherever you are today, we are asking Jesus to lend you strength, courage, and patience. . . . . . #kindredmombook #strongbravebeautiful #strongbravebeautifulbook #hopewriters #writersofig #acreativelife #faithblogger #riseupwriters #shewritestruth #shereadstruth #verseoftheday #wellwateredwomen #risenmotherhood #centeringtruth #joyfullife #pursuewhatislovely #werisetogether #bedeeplyrooted #christianmom #faithfulmotherhood #verseoftheday #devotional
Congratulations to @amily108, whose post pictured Congratulations to @amily108, whose post pictured here was the randomly selected winner of the giveaway for our Strong, Brave & Beautiful challenge this week. ☺️💕 We'll be in touch! . The giveaway is just for fun--there's no winners of losers when it comes to sharing your stories! It was so special for our team to see both new and familiar faces participating this week. With everything we share at Kindred Mom, whether the new book or the essays we've been sharing for years, the hope is that you'll see your own motherhood journey reflected in the stories of others. . When that happens, by God's grace alone, it's pretty special. Thanks for sharing your stories with us this week! #kindredmombook
Today is the final day of our Strong, Brave & Beau Today is the final day of our Strong, Brave & Beautiful Instagram challenge, and today's prompt is CELEBRATE. It’s not too late to join us! ⁣ Share your photo and caption sometime today and tag it with #kindredmombook. Head to our stories to see some of the beautiful photos and reflections members of our community have been sharing. This weekend, we'll randomly select one participant to win a fun giveaway. . . . . . #sbblaunchteam #booklaunch #writingcommunity #kindredmombook #photochallenge #writingchallenge #motherhoodcommunity #exhalecreativity #hopewriterlife #memoirsofmotherhood #momtog #acandidchildhood #motherhood #mymamahood #momblogger #christianmom #momliferocks #bestofmoms #mamabear #momminainteasy #honestmotherhood #motherhoodintheraw #honestmommin #momlifeunfiltered #newborn #newbornlife #realmotherhood
"It has taken me a long time to realize: strength "It has taken me a long time to realize: strength is tricky to pin down. When I think I am strong, inevitably some kind of situation pops up to humble me. (Motherhood 101.) When I think I am weak and just can't go on, I am surprised to get on the other side of some hard stuff to discover I've made it through…mostly in one piece. ⁣ I don't often feel strong, but I've come to learn that I am strong, and I think you're strong, too. I know you've come through some hard stuff (thank you very much, 2020). I'll bet you're more tired and more stressed than you'd like to be. But I also would be willing to bet that you've been making stuff happen for your kids. Meals. Snuggles. Whatever weird version of school you're doing right now. We're cheering you on." ⁣ (This reflection came from a recent editing of the Kindred Mom Weekly Digest, which you can have delivered to your inbox each weekend by heading to KindredMom.com >> Tap or click on "Newsletter >> Enter your information and click the button!
Today's Instagram challenge prompt is GROW. ⁣ Sh Today's Instagram challenge prompt is GROW. ⁣ Share your photo and caption sometime today and tag it with #kindredmombook. We'll share some to our Instagram stories as we go along this week. At the end of the week, we'll randomly select one participant for a giveaway! (P.S. If your profile is private, we won’t be able to see your contributions! If you want to be considered for the giveaway, please switch your profile to public for now or DM us a screenshot of your posts. 💜) . . . . . #sbblaunchteam #booklaunch #writingcommunity #kindredmombook #photochallenge #writingchallenge #motherhoodcommunity #exhalecreativity #hopewriterlife #memoirsofmotherhood #momtog #acandidchildhood #sahmlife #momtribe #womenencouragingwomen #wellwateredwomen #momstrugglingwell #dontmomalone #candidchildhood #flashesofdelight #livethelittlethings #motherhoodunplugged #mindfulmom
NEW ESSAY on the blog today from KM team member Ja NEW ESSAY on the blog today from KM team member Jay Jones (@jacelya_jones), about what it takes to nurture healthy relationships with our friends and family. ⁣ So often, we frame "self-care" conversations about refilling our own tanks, and that's true and good. But what if we also approach self-care by considering what it takes for us to be the healthiest we can be, like a tree in a well-tended garden? ⁣ That's what Jay is pondering in today's essay, "The Fruit-Bearing Tree," available at KindredMom.com. . . . . . . . . . . #sahmlife #momtribe #womenencouragingwomen #wellwateredwomen #momstrugglingwell #dontmomalone #candidchildhood #flashesofdelight #livethelittlethings #motherhoodunplugged #mindfulmom #christianmom #jesusovereverything #faithblogger #shewritestruth #friendship #momfriends
Hey, all! It’s Robin—the one from Alaska who’s usually writing stories including the word “freaking” that could all be alternately titled, “Here’s the Crazy Thing One of my Kids Did Today and How I Survived.” I wanted to give you a little peek into the process of putting together Strong, Brave & Beautiful for you guys from my perspective. ⁣ First, I thought it would be easy. I mean, almost all of the content had already been written, so it’s just a matter of printing it out and stapling it together, right? I mean, maybe not the stapling part, but how hard could it be? This was clearly low-hanging fruit. We had some great essays hanging out in the hinterlands of our blog archives that the majority of you haven’t seen. I made a spreadsheet the night we discussed it with all the essays each team member had published on KM. It was a thing of beauty. (That’s the thing I do when I’m not writing stories about my Freaking Children—I manage data.) ⁣ Turns out, we’ve all evolved in the years since 2017 when Kindred Mom started putting out essays. Jenni and Emily had to hammer out an order, then It actually took several rounds of developmental edits, copy edits, proofreading (did you know there’s a difference between those last two? I did but didn’t know what, exactly) and then there was typesetting and marketing and I’m honestly not even sure what else. It’s a lot. ⁣ But also? Many hands make light work. This book represents probably thousands of hours (and that’s after most of it was written!) but it didn’t feel burdensome in general. I got to work hard with some really neat women on a project I believe will bring value to the world and hope to mamas like me, overwhelmed by crazy freaking children. And I learned that I really like copyediting and proofing. Melissa and I spent hours debating dribbles of ink and it was fun in the weirdest way. Five stars. Would recommend. #kindredmombook . . . . . #christianmom #hopewriters #risenmotherhood #christianmoms #faithfulmom #dailydevotional #butfirstjesus #stopdropandmom #ohheymama #herviewfromhome #momtomom #freeupmyinsta #momlifeblog #let_there_be_delight #hopewriterlife #exhalecreativity #writingcommunity #authorcommunity
Late at night, my kids like to lure me into wrestl Late at night, my kids like to lure me into wrestling matches. They pile onto me, giggling, and try to pin me down and tickle my armpits or steal my socks as I (carefully) wrench myself free. I have to remind myself not to use all my force to protect my body—even two against one, I’m still stronger than they are. ⁣ This won’t always be the case. ⁣ My job as their mom is to build their strength: strength of character more than anything else. And I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that my character is developing new muscles at the same time. ⁣ In fact, I think I demonstrate my strength best of all not when I shout or show those kids who’s boss, but when I get quiet, stay patient, and rely on the power of Christ to get me through the particularly crazy moments. ⁣ Strength is a funny thing. It’s not just flexing muscles and hauling car seats. It’s letting our hearts run around outside of our bodies, bumping into corners and climbing onto two-wheelers, grabbing the car keys and occasionally saying goodbye. We wake up every day and mother—we do not call in sick or call it quits at the end of business hours. ⁣ We are mothers. And we are mighty. (Even when we intentionally lose a wrestling match.) --Melissa @savoredgrace . . . . . #awanderfulchildhood #wanderlustkids #childhoodunplugged #kindredmemories #humansofjoy #unitedmotherhood #thehappynow #letthembelittle #motherhoodrising #motherhoodunplugged #sahm #joyfulmamas #momof3 #boymom #mothersofdaughters #strongbravebeautiful #strongmama #raisingstrongkids #intentionalmotherhood #let_there_be_delight #risenmotherhood #momstrugglingwell #mymamahood
Happy Wednesday! Today's Instagram challenge promp Happy Wednesday! Today's Instagram challenge prompt is BEAUTIFUL. ⁣ Share your photo and caption sometime today and tag it with #kindredmombook. Head to our stories to see a few of yesterday’s beautiful posts! 💜 At the end of the week, we'll randomly select one participant for a giveaway! . . . . . #sbblaunchteam #booklaunch #writingcommunity #kindredmombook #photochallenge #writingchallenge #motherhoodcommunity #exhalecreativity #hopewriterlife #memoirsofmotherhood #momtog #acandidchildhood #awanderfulchildhood #wanderlustkids #childhoodunplugged #kindredmemories #humansofjoy #unitedmotherhood #thehappynow #letthembelittle #motherhoodrising #motherhoodunplugged #sahm #joyfulmamas
My beloved walked in the door this morning with a My beloved walked in the door this morning with a special treat – pumpkin spice doughnuts. My boy has a football scrimmage scheduled for next weekend. Last night I took a walk as the faintest hint of a cool breeze swept by bringing a sprinkle of rain. Chimineas decorated with jack-o-lantern faces greeted me at the grocery store. ⁣ These are the whispers of fall’s arrival. ⁣ I’ve long said I’m a lover of season change. My favorite are the first moments when my soul feels change coming – when spring sun warms the car so getting in feels like crawling under a blanket, when summer nights scream with cicada song, when the fall breezes blow cool and when winter’s brisk air reveals every breath. ⁣ I’ve longed deeply for this change in this season. Instead of light and long and restful, summer felt heavy and weighted and off-kilter. ⁣ This year with the turn of the calendar from August to September, from summer to fall, from smothering heat to cool breezes, my heart grows as hopeful as it usually feels in the spring. ⁣ As a family, we are moving past a season of waiting. As an educator, I am settling into our current normal. As a mom, I’m watching the early teen years with as much awe as I watched the infant months. God promises good this season, maybe hard too, but always good - and I’m ready and watching for it. --Bethany (@bethanymcmillon) . . . . . #workingmom #teachermom #educatorlife #teacherlife #momtribe #womenencouragingwomen #wellwateredwomen #momstrugglingwell #dontmomalone #candidchildhood #flashesofdelight #livethelittlethings #motherhoodunplugged #mindfulmom #autumn2020 #autumnvibes #embracingchange #momsofteens #watchmegrow #christianmom #shewritestruth #holdontohope #risenmotherhood
Today's Instagram challenge prompt is BRAVE. ⁣ S Today's Instagram challenge prompt is BRAVE. ⁣ Share your photo and caption sometime today and tag it with #kindredmombook. We'll share some to our Instagram stories as we go along this week. At the end of the week, we'll randomly select one participant for a giveaway. . . . . . #sbblaunchteam #booklaunch #writingcommunity #kindredmombook #photochallenge #writingchallenge #motherhoodcommunity #exhalecreativity #hopewriterlife #memoirsofmotherhood #momtog #acandidchildhood #christianmom #hopewriters #risenmotherhood #christianmoms #faithfulmom #dailydevotional #butfirstjesus #stopdropandmom #ohheymama #herviewfromhome #momtomom #freeupmyinsta #momlifeblog #let_there_be_delight
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