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Home ยป Blog ยป Red Gatorade and Face “Fime”

Red Gatorade and Face “Fime”

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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Eating our breakfast eggs.  I am going strong on Whole30 and love it. Jeff asked me what is one thing I could eat off the plan and I said, “Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate” and he said, “Do you want to take some time to think about it?”  But honestly I feel SO much better I don’t miss anything that much.

Working out with me.

Face “fiming” Abbey. Janey asks to facetime Abbey and Isaac every night. One morning she woke up and said, “Did Abbey leave? Did Abbey leave?” because she was having some sort of dream about her. So sweet.

I put some chicken on the grill for lunch and went up “just to straighten upstairs really quick”.  Darn. I should know better.

Tea party. She asks all day long to sit with her at this little table and play. 

I am going to soak up the baby cheeks and lips as long as I can.

And thankfully I don’t have a picture of this (that would be weird) but we had a stomach bug (knock on wood, only one child) who drank a red Gatorade at a relative’s house the night before he was sick in a nice trail from his bed to our bed.  I have never been a Gatorade buyer but from this point on I have announced that red Gatorade will never be consumed by any member of my family till I am dead in the ground. I worked on that stain forever and I am now calling in professional help.

A reader sent me this lovely article. It is wonderful to read this message. My Dad worked two jobs for a long long long time so we could manage while my mom stayed home. I love how this mother is so appreciative of this.  I wish a story like this would be published every month on the front page of every newspaper.

I love this. I have been thinking about this quote from the article:

“My husband and I had similar values โ€” we talked a lot about what was best for our children and the decisions we made, we made together. It was never about what we read, what the new research showed, or what other parents were doing. It was about our own children and what we thought was best.”

I will link tothis article also, because it’s one of my favorites on sticking our heads in the sand and I think it’s the right message.  

“We cannot properly tend to our God given duties when we are trying to solve the worldโ€™s problems by debating others online.  Or shushing a 4-year-oldโ€™s joy over a newly painted picture because we are engrossed in a news article.  As we fill our time with researching these disturbing world events, anxiety crowds out faith, hope and charity at an alarming rate.  We grow tense, short tempered and depressed.  We suddenly realize how out of control we really are.  And how vulnerable.  We get scared.  And our family suffers.”

We are doing big work and part of that big work is protecting our moods and our mental clarity and FOCUSING on the task at hand. I really feel like this is key for mothers today. There is too much exposure to experts, articles, experiences, advice.  Too much advice that is NOT homegrown. Too much information in general, and not enough attention at hand.

I also understand the hypocrisy of my words as I link to two articles and type a blog. Of course we all really are “forced” in many ways also to use the internet today. But I have learned I must keep my world very small right now to feel settled and happy. Thank God I know what “normal” feels like since I didn’t grow up with all this instantaneous widespread interaction-in the ancient times back then. I feel sorry for my own kid’s generation who won’t know what that feels like in their brains. I said in my last post I think, that I don’t think our brains are meant to process so much information-even if that information is good stuff-about family updates.  It’s not all meant to be coming at us at once constantly.

We are in the thick of basketball season with some overlapping indoor soccer but it feels so manageable now that Janey is three. One of my New Year’s Resolutions (boy I have a lot) is to do things without rushing NO MATTER WHAT. No matter if we will be late (I hate being late), I will remain calm. I have successful at this almost all the time, but I wonder if it’s more just because of the time of my life. 

It was SO SO difficult to be somewhere with a nursing baby or work around a nap schedule etc. I always felt such time pressure and the coordination sometimes made my head spin, and I was so so tired much of the time. I give so much credit to those families that I see in church with new babies. (I have been drooling in church as there are quite a few of chubby babies all around. I look at them coming back from Communion in their mother’s arms with envy.  Why are they all dressed in those one piece pajama like outfits that accentuate those chubby baby thighs? Or asleep with their little mouths open and their cheeks squished on their parent’s shoulder?  My mouth (and eyes) water.)

I want to remember the difficult things too. I was asked to speak at a mother’s group in April and one of the things in the inquiry was that with my spread of ages I can still relate to younger mothers-it’s not all this glossed over forgotten time period.  But I have to tell you-it’s hard not to forget the baby stuff, the little things because of a broadened perspective of it all because all those days become sweet days. I don’t want to though. I want to remember how much work it was raising all these kids-teenagers AND babies. Because it was (and still is sometimes) hard.  HARD. Really really draining. 

I want to remember bouncing on the darn exercise ball at 3 a.m. under the bathroom heater with a baby who was colicky. I want to remember that screaming feeling in my head of stress when the baby would cry in car line and it seemed to take forever and I felt like yelling, “Move it people, don’t you know what we are going through in here!” as my heart broke. I want to remember never getting a minute to myself for weeks and weeks and weeks (and months and years.). I want to remember going to the bathroom with a baby carrier on with an infant in it because God forbid I was going to put that baby down and wake him/her up after finally he/she finally fell asleep. I want to remember being so thirsty nursing a new baby that it felt like I was a dried up frog on a summer sidewalk. I want to remember never wearing a cent of makeup for a year or two or three, and if I did probably not taking it off at night, and never having a chance to exercise or even think about it. I want to remember wearing the same old black leggings (this is back in the 90’s) for a year before I fit back into anything, and then every baby it was something different-the ONE thing that fit and was comfortable. This last year I have had terrible hip pain that led me to a chiropractor. After x-rays, he told me that the hip I carry babies, toddlers on is lower than the the other one. 21 years of never trading hips, who knew?, will do that. I had to laugh and you know, I don’t care. Of all things to have hip pain from, carrying babies is worthy enough, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s a small price to pay.

There are definitely different emotions and duties and strains and stresses with each stage of parenting-and they are all worthy of understanding, all deserve their own validation.  It’s not supposed to be easy. We aren’t supposed to have time to ourselves all the time, we are supposed to give, give, give.  Give to the point of hurting.  Every mother who has walked the floor at 3 a.m. with a baby in arms and an aching back knows this. 

That’s just the beginning isn’t it? It’s lifetime and it is truly the refiner’s fire because it changes us like nothing else could and leads us to such a rich, deep life that we could never have imagined. I read a text from an old co-worker of my husband’s-she sent a picture of her first, and she said, “I could never have imagined this feeling, this incredible love.” That says it all. It’s unimaginable but so so beautiful. It’s worth giving everything to. Nothing is more important, and more rewarding than that mother love.

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January 27, 2016 ยท 33 Comments

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  1. Laura says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    I love this. I needed this today. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Shannon says

    January 27, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    So well said, as always! You are such an inspiration!

    Reply
  3. Unknown says

    January 28, 2016 at 12:08 am

    I've been reading your blog for at least 5 years. I think this is the very best post on motherhood, parenting, and giving of oneself I have read! Perfect – just perfectly expressed! Thank you so much for your writing – what a gift you have given to all of us who follow you.

    Reply
  4. Unknown says

    January 28, 2016 at 2:54 am

    See? Here I already forgot about the starved-for-a-drink-of-water-while-nursing, bit. Hey (speaking of not being on the computer too much), have you seen the photo of a baby hand reaching under a bathroom door? Ahhhhh.

    Reply
  5. Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says

    January 28, 2016 at 4:34 am

    Thank you for your beautiful and honest words. I am pregnant with my first and find your posts so refreshing and encouraging in this Internet world full of too much overwhelming and unnecessary advice. I have been reading your blog for years and am so grateful for the wisdom I have learned that is preparing me to be a mom!

    Reply
  6. Lori says

    January 28, 2016 at 6:35 am

    Do you have a post where you talk more about Whole 30? Recipes or tips or advice? I'm considering it, but need some more ideas.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      Hi Lori! I am afraid to write about it because I've not completed my 30 days yet. So far I LOVE it.

      Reply
  7. Colleen says

    January 28, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    Sarah, just move to MA and become my neighbor and take care of my babies. Mkay?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 4:07 pm

      Only if you can promise that it never snows again? ๐Ÿ™‚ I'd be there in a second.

      Reply
    • michelle d says

      February 2, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      HA! My brother got me to move from FL to MA by telling me winter was only three months long.

      Reply
  8. Lilibet says

    January 28, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Janey is the reason I have my third, she is so cute and I was inspired by your blog, lol. I am now expecting my fourth at a ripe old, impossible age! hA! Take that, medical world! I did my masters in the middle of having these four babies in six years, but work just one day a week to keep my license up. Paid work is overrated, family is underrated. Your blog has been hugely influential to me. When I feel a bit lost, I come here. The advice on babies and magna tiles has served me well!

    Reply
  9. Unknown says

    January 28, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    Well, thanks for making me bawl! I've been reading your blog for at least 5 years and I love every post. I have 6 kids too, but my oldest is 10. I love being a Mom and am grateful I have been able to stay home with them. Thanks for your uplifting messages. They have helped me so much.

    Reply
  10. Unknown says

    January 28, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    Well, thanks for making me bawl! I've been reading your blog for at least 5 years and I love every post. I have 6 kids too, but my oldest is 10. I love being a Mom and am grateful I have been able to stay home with them. Thanks for your uplifting messages. They have helped me so much.

    Reply
  11. ~Kristin~ says

    January 28, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    This was so perfectly true!
    As a mother of many children spread across the ages…I could see myself exactly in these words.
    I heard a Pastor preach the other night and so many things he said about giving yourself over to your vocation, ours being motherhood and homemaking, really struck me. But after reading your words, I wanted to share this particular one.

    "Our culture teaches us to give til it hurts and then stop when it becomes painful. God's word says to give til it STOPS hurting."

    So painful hips, and sleepless nights, and long days are so worth the giving!

    Loved this today!!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      That is beautiful Kristin thank you for sharing that.

      Reply
  12. Kelly says

    January 28, 2016 at 6:48 pm

    You made me teary-eyed again. I really do love your posts and hope you never quit writing!! I see in an above comment how you don't want to comment on the Whole30 plan since you haven't finished the 30 days, but could you just tell me if you had any of the horrible symptoms they described in the book? I checked the book out from the library and read through it, but seriously (and how crazy is this!?!?) I have put off starting it because they describe all the terrible feelings you can have while on it. (Like hating people and feeling foggy and sluggish, etc). I have 5 kids and can't really put them through that:-)

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Hi Kelly! No I feel awesome BUT the first week I had a headache for sure. Not a headache that made me crabby, but just a different kind if that makes sense. They call it "sugar flu" but I never had more than that and it honestly wasn't bad. I have so much energy, sleep great, feel calm and more in control. I will write about it more so you know how I do it with a big family (I eat separate meals). I never felt the "I hate all things" stage (which totally cracked me up) BUT I am not a coffee drinker or a pop drinker, so I really think that might be the caffeine withdrawal? I just stayed really focused and really motivated, and dwelled on what I could eat, not everything I wanted to eat.

      Reply
    • Kelly says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:30 pm

      That is good to know, thanks for replying. I do not drink coffee or pop either….. but… SUGAR. THAT'S the problem!! ๐Ÿ™ And the "hate all things" stage is what scares me, so I am glad to hear that isn't the same for everyone!

      Reply
    • Dixie says

      January 29, 2016 at 6:06 pm

      Kelly, I had the "carb flu" and it was hard to push through, but it was really worth it! Some people get it and some people don't and for some people it's really bad, and for others mild. You just don't really know. But please don't let that stop you! Start on a Thursday; the worst won't hit until Saturday comes and you can rest extra through the weekend. Once it is over you will feel much better than you did because you started — your energy will increase and be much steadier, and you won't have that "I have to eat NOW NOW NOW!" feeling anymore. It really is worth it.

      Reply
  13. Sarah says

    January 28, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Such a true post. Encourages me to turn off the 'noise' and tap into my mothering instinct. All my worst moments come when I ignore it. Too bad we are encouraging a culture that causes us to doubt ourselves and losing the mothering traditions being passed on in everyday life. Thanks Sarah.

    Reply
  14. Evaly says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    Gosh this is a beautiful post! This worn-out pregnant with #7 mama needed the pep-talk! I love your perspective.

    Reply
  15. Unknown says

    January 29, 2016 at 1:08 am

    One of my favorite posts you have done. Sometimes I am jealous of my Mom raising kids (the 80s), she didn't deal with Facebook, Instagram, people writing parenting articles every 5 seconds…basically not nearly as much noise. As I have gotten further along in my parenting road I have been so much better about tuning it out and doing what works for us. I also want a full Whole 30 Post! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  16. teamaldrich says

    January 29, 2016 at 2:51 am

    You make my day Sarah! xo

    Reply
  17. Tessa says

    January 29, 2016 at 3:06 am

    I love your posts. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the general public. Your perspective is spot on. I wish I had six of my own. I have two and I know you gain so much experience and wisdom with each one. Your children are beautiful too. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  18. jeana says

    January 29, 2016 at 3:08 am

    What beautiful words! I loved the articles you linked to. I have cleared my life of social media, news, and blogs (except 2:) ) and I am fiercely devoted to God and the gift he's given to me as a wife and mother of 4. Thank you for always encouraging moms!

    Reply
  19. MaurLo says

    January 29, 2016 at 5:45 am

    Well, your words always make me want to go look in my babies eyes and play with them more…so please keep writing. I laughed so hard over the red Gatorade…classic. Love the articles you shared as well. Thanks for sharing such goodness consistently.

    Reply
  20. Mrs. Smith says

    January 29, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Again, a blessing. I agree so much about the internet. I luckily had my childhood, but there are definitely days I wish I'd never ever gotten that darn smartphone (after my second baby). I too drool over the babies in church, and hope and pray I'll have more than my two. My youngest is four now. God bless you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.

    Reply
  21. Ericka says

    January 30, 2016 at 12:08 am

    I absolutely love to read your thoughts on mothering. I love how beautifully you express what is in so many of us mothers' hearts and on our minds. I hope you never stop writing because I truly feel you have a gift.

    Reply
  22. Rose Jorgensen says

    February 1, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Such a great article for parents to read especially in todays generation. I, too am very grateful for growing up in a non-tech home, and not having the social media. It's helped me to teach my kids that we don't need to display every part of our life on the internet, and if do…to use it for good. Use the internet for good. As you know I also have a huge age gap among my kids, and am literally the oldest mother in my church with a six year old. I love it because it helps me relate more to the younger moms like you mentioned. Thank you for your post, and for sharing the article of the mother with nine kids! What an amazing example. Anyway…hope your week is fabulous, and that you enjoy your time with Janey! She's growing up way too fast! As all of our kids are!

    xo

    Reply
  23. Julie F. says

    February 2, 2016 at 4:40 am

    I know you took a hiatus from your blog a while ago, and I had no idea you had started writing again. I came back just in time. My oldest is off to college this fall and my baby just turned 4. (six kids in the same gender order as you!)

    My heart is aching right now. I had to catch my breath as I read your blog, because seeing Janey all grown up made me take my mom goggles off and see my own baby girl, not as a baby, but such a big girl too!

    You always remind me to slow down and soak it in. I miss having a baby in the house, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

    Reply
  24. LizR says

    February 9, 2016 at 1:28 am

    Sounds like Janey might be ready for preschool?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 9, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      No not yet-only three! Maybe next school year for a couple hours.

      Reply
  25. carebear7951 says

    March 14, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Ok, seriously. I'm not a crier and I am fighting tears. My "baby" is 6 now…(my oldest is almost 16) and I'm still torn daily. I know we are done but oh the bitterness of "done"…remembering the sweetness of a new baby will always torture me. I homeschool my children and I just know I've got all I can handle (and more) on my plate.

    Reply

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When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Happy Easter! A beautiful day filled with hope an Happy Easter!  A beautiful day filled with hope and new beginnings - focus on the future, the blessings, the cycle of life where darkness doesn't triumph, but light and love and fresh days ahead - and sunshine - does.  We grow and change and let the old shed, the suffering transform, and rebuild with energy and hope to become closer to Jesus.  Love to you all.
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
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As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
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A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
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When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
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All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
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When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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