Over My Shoulder

Looking over my shoulder just to know that you're there,
When I'm happy or naughty or just a bit scared.
I will know where to find you when I need you to know
That I have an adventure for us to follow.
If I happen to fall
I will call
And you come because of course you saw all
Looking over your shoulder.

Looking over my shoulder as I venture to walk
Just to see you smile and hear you talk
About me growing bigger and doing so good.
And when I do something I should
You sweetly praise me,
If naughty
You'll lovingly scold me because you can see
Looking over your shoulder.

Looking over my shoulder just to watch how you grow
By learning, exploring, and giving a show.
I see little things when you think I'm not looking
That make me so proud, but sometimes need scolding.
Trust me, my child,
Quiet or wild,
You know I will be there for every trial
Looking over your shoulder.

~Caitlin Mallery

From My Reading List

If the heights of our joy are measured by the depths of our gratitude, and gratitude is but a way of seeing, a spiritual perspective of smallness night offer a vital way of seeing especially conducive to gratitude. A Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp

Pride slays thanksgiving...A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. Henry Ward Beecher

Polly didn't think she had done much, but it was one of the little things which are always waiting to be done in this world of ours, when rainy days come so often, where spirits get out of tune and duty won't go hand in hand with pleasure. Little things of this sort are especially good work for little people; a kind little thought, an unselfish little act, a cheery little word, are so sweet and comfortable that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver no matter how small they are. Mothers do a deal of this sort of thing, unseen, unthanked, but felt and remembered long afterward and never lost, for this is the simple magic that binds hearts together and keeps homes happy. An Old-Fashioned Girl, Louisa May Alcott

Scaffolding

Real Motherhood Link-up

Link-up: What Real Motherhood Looks Like

As mothers we all want to be awesome. And most of the time we are, it just doesn't look like we think it should. So if you are feeling like a failure as a mother (or maybe just as housekeeper) check out this link-up hosted by Sarah from Mommy Notes and Mandi from Messy Wife.

For everything that gets done something else must be left undone. 

This does not make a mother lazy, it simply means she must prioritize her activities.

Clothes waiting to be put away because I folded them while the kids napped and then sat on the couch taking weird pictures with my son.

The piano becomes the regular drop off from my planners, Roman's business ideas, and all sorts of other random stuff. (An unopened birthday present, an orange felt beret I made, etc.)

It seems inevitable that the dishes are stacked two days high when I need to make dinner right away. So I was the pan I need and return it to the stack. I try to be diligent, but dishes are my least favorite of all household chores. I frequently mop the kitchen floor while letting the dishes sit for tomorrow. Baby crawling into every mess down low takes priority over the ones she can't reach!

And so many days motherhood means no make-up, tousled hair, and clothes that have done double duty as napkin and hankie. What can I say? Everything in life takes time, and the to-do list will never grow any shorter. Each day I am presented with choices about what needs doing right now. 

We move forward and I will look back someday to see how things have changed. I hope also to see that we lived a full and happy life, with children who carry a zest for life, a passion for the Lord, and a deep love for home and family in every undusted, unwashed corner.