Peanut butter on bread

Maybe it’s because I’m a professional working mom, a mom whom carries the drive to climb the ladder kind of working mom, with guilt in the back of my mind that personal success will not come without hard work and commitment to something other than my family. But none the less I’ve really been sensitive lately to the seeming onslaught of media messages trying to make me feel guilty as a mom.

Sometimes the messages are subtle. Sometimes, they’re blatant, like the campaigns for a “food revolution” or “turning off the TV” – celebrities and pundits telling us we’re “killing our kids” by letting them eat Pop Tarts and not organic carrots or we are simply letting them watch too much Dora…you know the drill.
All of that I can see past with the belief that in our home we are doing our best. But for some reason my guilt is really riding me today. Many of you know the feeling of being a nanny deprived working mom, and there for I know you can relate.
I think today’s guilt induced meltdown is coming from “the peanut butter on bread” story. What you say? Peanut butter on bread, get over it lady kids love that. But here is my peanut butter on bread story….
Our house has been a little chaotic these past few weeks with putting our house on the market. After picking Maci up from school yesterday one of the first things she tells me is that she needed lunch money. With the crackle in her voice and the thought in my mind that lunch money has never been an issue before, I happily said sure are you out? I’m usually on top of sending a check around the begging in of the month to pay for her lunches. She proceeded to tell me the lady told me today I needed money and then she handed me some bread with peanut butter, I really wanted chicken nuggets but I couldn’t have them because I didn’t have any money. Yep, right then my heart skipped a beat. Then she told me she kind of began to cry because she really wanted the chicken nuggets. But she said I walked away, gathered myself and ate the peanut butter on bread. So there you have it… my guilt induced meltdown, over peanut butter on bread. How did I miss that she didn’t have money left for lunch???

I think we all want to be the best moms we can be. And for the most part, we’re all doing our best. Sure, there’s room for improvement. I should have sent lunch money. I could make more efforts to feed my family less processed food and more fresh fruits and veggies. I should turn off the TV more often and get Maci out in nature. I need to do a few more things to “green” our home and lifestyle.

I guess my point is, I’m going try not to let all those messages of guilt get to me and don’t let them get to you. I know it's hard. I know were bombarded. But hold your ground as a mom and a person, believe in yourself, and do what's right for you. I don’t think there has EVER been a perfect mom out there so ok I’m still a good mom. That’s how I am seeing past peanut butter on bread.
PS. You can bet she had money today

From the beginning...

First of all, thank you for being here. If you are here that means that you may want to become a part of the story that God is weaving us into and a life he is crafting for us, and we welcome that. I decided to start this blog to keep you informed in what we are doing from day to day. For us this blog also serves, as I told you yesterday, as an anchor to the moments that today may seem so small but ultimately define us.

So, let's start at the very beginning. I'm Cathy Grider, a mom and wife ebrasing the craze of our busy lives and loving every minute of it! This spot, here, is my personal blog. A journal where I will tap on the keyboard and just may babble on about my family, life, work, giant sunglasses, cookies, wine, shopping, hobbies and so much more. I am looking forward to introducing you to my family that swells me with pride. Later you will meet my extended family, the ones who brought us up to be the people we have become. But for now, here we are a journey that began as just Maci and I. I am a mom of the most remarkable 6 year old little girl. She has changed me in so many ways. I often wonder what I ever did without her. Maci is a sensitive, intelligent, little girl who loves soccer, riding her bike, and dreaming of what she will do the next time she gets to see her cousins (soon enough you will meet them too, as I am one proud auntie as well). I am married to Kyle...amazing, God-given breath of life, Kyle. You may know he is the “UPS Man” or “my man in brown”, but I hope you will learn his heart here. He works ever so hard to provide for us and give to us the finer things in life. Kyle is a “gear head” who loves cars, cars and more car parts! We have been married for a year this June. Maci and I are very blessed to have him in our lives.

So there you have it…I know there is so much more to learn but believe me over time you will get to know us better than we know ourselves.

Enjoy this day!
Cathy

An Anchor

Moments. There are moments in life that define us. Some of them are really big moments...falling in love...the birth of a child...graduationg from school...buying your first home. These moments we know are big moments when they occur.

But there are also moments that seem so little at the time only to turn out to be a big defining moment...we just didnt know it yet.

But all the moments of our lives and memories of thoes moments, are like boats floating in the water. Some are rowboats, some cruise ships, but most of them will float away of course unless they are anchored.

So how do we "anchor" thoes memories so they don't float away into the recesses of our mind? Welcome to our anchor of the moments that define us!

We invite you to follow along as we laugh, cry, celebrate and most of all "define the moments" that craft us into the family we become.

Love always,
Cathy