Bigness comes in small packages

Ever feel like you were given the BIGGEST gift in one of the smallest packages?

Today, I read something that seemed to fit perfectly with what I've been feeling as a parent, and something I touched on in yesterday's post.

":: Small Body, Big Spirit ::

Mother Nature doesn't aim for mediocre. She imbues every child with HUGE creative potential.

Children are born *knowing* they're supposed to be BIG -- innately powerful, free, and continuously expanding to new horizons.

Today, no matter how physically small your child may be, notice and appreciate his or her BIGness in spirit. That spirit is easy to see when your child is expressing pure Love and Joy. But it's no less present when s/he's "misbehaving." In those trying times, remember...

Our children are always doing the best they can to stay connected to their BIGness -- in a world that expects them to be small."

~ Scott Noelle of The Daily Groove

Scott Noelle's website, Enjoyparenting.com , is one of my favorite parenting resources. It's philosophy sits well with my own beliefs, and I never fail to find something to inspire me.

It is amazing to realize that my child was born to be something special...something BIG, and that it is my job to not squash it. It is my HONOR to nurture it, and watch it grow. This parenting stuff isn't to be left to happenstance. It is to be embraced, and purposefully tended.

Later in the day, as I set to relaxing with a book, I read something that certainly did NOT mesh with my thoughts on parenting, and in fact made me quite sad. It read:

"At MOPS International, we often say a mother of preschoolers is like a cardboard juice box--with umpteen straws stuck inside. Her little ones gulp and gulp until she feels sucked dry."

~ Eliza Morgan, President and CEO of MOPS International.

I sat there dumbfounded.....wondering if THAT is how most mothers of young children feel....as if they have been sucked dry. As if, their little charges have taken everything she had to offer, and left her empty. Is this how mothers feel?

In my experience, motherhood has filled me up. It has given me more than I had before. I enjoy parenting. I look forward to being with my daughter, and find myself eager to see what is next in our journey.

It is my greatest hope that those mothers out there that are feeling empty, will soon realize how nourishing their child can be to their souls.

*** edited to add***

I firmly believe that if you are always feeling like you are EMPTY at the end of the day. If THAT defines motherhood for you. Something needs to change.

The main point of this post was to say that we can either choose to be inspired and filled UP by our lives (children) or we can focus on the hard times, and how it is completely bringing you down.

I understand, and probably didn't explain very well, that there are DAYS like that. There are times when things are hard, but we need to decide if that is what you want to define your children's childhood as.

I feel very strongly that we are in control of our happiness, and must choose to find the GREAT in it.

Just had to go steal a kiss.....

A daughter is a gift of love. ~Author Unknown

A mother's treasure is her daughter. ~Catherine Pulsifer

There are times when I am simply overcome by my love of my Sugar Bear. As much as becoming a mother has lifted me up, it has striped me bare. It is humbling to know that I have changed so much in the past 5 years.

These photos were taken last August, when Sugar and I were on our annual girls trip. This year we stayed in a hotel for one night. Just us girls. It was the first time in about 3 years that we have done so, but it was the first time in Sugar's eyes. She was too young the first few times to remember. It was such a delight to see her relishing in the simple things. She couldn't wait to call her grandma and tell her all about our "fancy room!"

I learn so much from her EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!

One evening, after Sugar was asleep, my friend and I sat chatting in her beautiful living room late into the night. At one point, my companion shook her head with a giggle, and a smirk, and said, "You know what, Corey? You have changed so much in 15 years." Looking up at her, I was confident in the fact that she liked me THEN...and she likes me NOW....and she is so very right. I have evolved. I'm proud of who I am today, and I owe it all to the little lady featured on this blog, and who RIGHT NOW lies sleeping peacefully in her home. The home that I have nested for her. The home that I have made every effort in my being to make her safe place. The home she can freely be who she is meant to be. The home that nurtures her growth, and gives her the freedom to fly. I can give that to her, and I gladly do.

What she has given me, is so much more than that, however it is much the same. SHE is my home. SHE is my safe place. SHE has encouraged me to embrace who I am, and BECOME who I was meant to be. SHE has nurtured my growth, and set me free. Before, Sugar Bear, I was just Corey, a good person. Now....I'm Corey, a person who is deeply connected to humanity. A person who cares deeply, and empathizes profoundly. A person who not only cares how her own daughter is raised, but how the entire generation is being brought up. A person who no longer takes life for granted, and embraces each day. SHE has, without a doubt, made ME a better person.

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future. ~Author Unknown

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. ~Author Unknown

A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...full of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing.

~ Deanna Beisser

A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.~ Barbara Cage

Please join me in continued prayers for little Gabriella. She is doing so wonderfully, a little over a week post stroke, but she has so very far to go. Don't let a day go by without being grateful for all you have, and letting those you know just how much they mean to you.

Sunday Citar~ Just for Kicks

Welcome to Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Tabitha @ FreshMommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.

“If it's not fun, you're not doing it right”~ Bob Basso

Photo Hunters~ Words

I truly believe a picture says a thousand WORDS. I am loving my Kitty Project. I find that each photo says much more than I ever intended, and as a whole, they really represent what my life is like.

Day Twenty-Two

(Still sick........)

Day Twenty-Three

(Back to work.....no one did my job while I was sick....so much to do.)

Day Twenty-Four

(Still feeling overloaded with make-up work. Wishing there were two of me.)

Day Twenty-five

(A day of constant prayer.)

Day Twenty-Six

(Trying to lose myself in my sewing projects.)

Day Twenty-Seven

(Cherishing each and every moment playing with my child.)

Day Twenty-Eight

(Feeling like the world has been turned upside down.)

I have faith and believe that years from now, I'll be able to look back at this project and easily be transported back to this time, and feel it all over again.....even without the WORDS!

I look forward to seeing everyone's take on the theme this weekend. Enjoy your life....for it is good!