Reconnecting…..
I think one of the hardest things for young Moms to reconcile, is the passing of their old life and the demands of their new Mommy life. Little break, little sleep, lots of thankless unseen work. I remember thinking “What in the heck have I gotten myself into?” when I had a 2 year old, a 9 month old and was pregnant again, throwing up constantly.
I did a ton before I had kids, and then I had our children one right after the other, with little rest in between. We planned it that way for various reasons. I love our children, I LOVE being with them and homeschooling them. But, I will be honest in saying that I have often wondered if my pre-Mommy life and my amazing post Mommy life would ever synthesize or would one give way to the other.
Then an amazing thing happened about a year ago. I started to breath again because our youngest was then 3 and the infancy/pregnancy years were subsiding. Now we all move along splendidly. Like today, I took the boys on their bikes with me to the beach, I ran and they road along side for 3.5 miles like we had done it our whole lives. I am here to say to all you younger Moms out there, your old life will come back in time but better and more robust. 
Actually right on time, if you are open to letting it. Don’t make your children an idol in your life. Love them, nurture them, care for them, learn for them, don’t get your identity from them, or from being a Mom. You know why? Because one day they will toddle right on off and your role will be shifting and morphing and if you haven’t sewn into yourself along the way, you will be in bad shape.
One of the things that is re-emerging in our family life is music above and beyond just kids music. But a 4 piece team, with 3 part harmonies and thick rhythms, working out transitions type of music that was so much a part of Mike and I pre South Florida. It is so strange, because about 6 months ago, I was talking to a long distance friend about music/worship and saying how fun it was to play in that way I just described, and how that wasn’t a part of our life anymore. And as I said that, deep in my spirit I heard God whisper, “I am going to give that to you again.” I kind of laughed and thought “whatever?”. And now 6 months later, Mike and I turned around, and here it is, in our living room, just growing up, right in step as if it has always been there, without us going out and looking for it.
Kind of like a flower blooming right in our own little garden. I have often felt strange here, like the real me hasn’t yet come out. That so many of my friends here, don’t really know me. Isn’t that strange? So much of us went into hibernation upon moving and birthing our three marvelous offspring. The new improved synthesized us, is waking up and saying hello. It is kind of like hugging long lost friends that you have not seen in a few years, but can just pick right back up with as if no time has passed. I remember talking to a friend who had raised his children when we were just starting down that road, saying how lonely it was, and he said, It won’t always be like that, it moves quick. He was right.
Grace and Peace to all those reconnecting and praying that reconnection will one day happen~
I receive that prayer and am so thankful for your encouragement with this! And I think it’s so awesome for you to have music like this back in your life too…like the Partridge family but better! (Ok lots better and not like them at all!) You guys are awesome!
Comment by Emily C — January 20, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
Oh my goodness, thank you for this post. I’m still on the Pre side of this, but I think about it all the time. Even just getting married and moving away from your family and friends can have a similar effect. I actually tried to right a post about it last year.
http://www.mundanedetails.com/?p=742
Thank you! and I LOVE the pictures.=)
Comment by Karyn — January 20, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
What a wonderful post! Although I’m an older mom (36), I’m starting to “reconnect” again, too. My youngest is almost 2 1/2 now and he’s getting pretty good at occupying himself. So I’ve been finding some much needed time, for morning Bible study, and just getting myself back together again. As moms I think we sometimes get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of taking care of our children and our families that we leave absolutely no time for ourselves. And I know that “of all the things I’ve missed . . . I’ve missed my mind the most!”
I’m so glad you’re reconnecting with your music! I’m just now starting to get back into my piano playing after a 15 year hiatus.
I was amazed at how easily it came back to me! I’ll bet you all sound wonderful playing together, and just think of the opportunities this will open up for your children! Music is a wonderful thing!
Comment by Kyla — January 21, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
Em, this season is just a whisper. Hang on. Karyn, that is so true I remember going through the same type of thing on a smaller scale when we got married. Kyla, I suppose I should of clarified and said “Moms with younger children”. I hear ya, I’ve missed my mind too. Good for you with the piano. We got the piano last year, and I still have not set down to work it out. There is only so much time in the day and between homeschool, photography and running I am tapped. In time it will come back.
Grace to all you ladies that are starting to reconnect. Wicked good fun!
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — January 21, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
Okay…this is blessing me so much while I’m sitting here with a sick 2 year old…7 months pregnant and half way sick myself. I was wanting to scream before I came over to visit you today. Thanks for the encouragement! I hear ya! And I needed it!
Comment by Thoughtful Momma — February 9, 2009 @ 4:54 pm