A few days ago, I snagged your attention by letting fly a few “F” words: Fearless, Foxy, Fabulous. Since then, I’ve decided that every Friday, I’m going to blog about an “F” word that has changed my life…and can, maybe, change yours.
Before I get started though, I thought I’d take this First Friday to review some foundational things, like why I’m really doing this, and the Really Big F Word in my life.
Starting out, just know that I love my blog. It’s gotten me through some exceptionally difficult times and it’s allowed me to make friends that I don’t know how I’d manage without. It’s a pleasure whenever I fire up WordPress, because it’s the only time I can write, straight from the heart, mostly uncensored (I’m pretty family-friendly here), reach out to you.
I’m at this point in my life, I think I mentioned before, where God is pushing me into the deep end. I don’t just want to go deep spiritually or professionally. I want to create a new me, one that is in sync with what I was meant to be, and I want to help you get to the place you need to be, too.
We all know motherhood is hard, and special needs mothering is really hard, and being a working mom or a volunteer mom is hard…anything that adds on another hat onto the ridiculously important task of raising a decent human. But we women are experts at multitasking and we put ourselves last.
Part of this is about accountability. I’d really like for us to journey together to get out of the mommy-slump – that feeling of being overwhelmed, tired, and “haven’t gotten a manicure in forever”. When we get up and and work on ourselves, we give our child the gift of finding value in themselves on their own and teach them that Mommy is a person too.
And that brings me to the last “F” word for today: Faith. I am now completely convinced not only of my faith as a Christian, but that what God wants for us is wonderful things. I believe that He wants us to be the fabulous, foxy, fearless creatures he made women to be. That is the real foundation of my F-word Series. I’m convinced (convicted?) that “shlumpy” is not a word in God’s vocabulary and that overwhelm is a disease we’ve created for ourselves, but that we moms are meant to believe that we are just as fabulous as we already think our kiddoes are.
Challenge: I invite you to share this journey with me, and share your own journey in the comments from schlumpy to fabulous, if that’s where you are at. Been there, done that? Share tips for the rest of us! I’m talking mostly about internal things, but I’ll also be talking about food, affordable clothing, and just enough glamor to keep up with that scary f-word, foxy.
PS, this isn’t easy for me, by the way. I work from home and mani-pedi’s cost a fortune out here, but I am determined. Last weekend, I broke my toe, so a trip to Kohl’s was out of the question. I still managed to look fabulous for my anniversary – comfy Teva’s and crappy wardrobe notwithstanding!
Sharlene says
WOW. Great post and great purpose. I think that your message is universal, even for us single childless folks who can feel overwhelmed and shlumpy sometimes too! Manicure? What’s that? And you know what — we got bettah things to do, don’t we? 🙂
Can’t wait til next Friday…!
admin says
Well, it is great to have you here! Thanks, and yes, you are right: it is a universal message about valuing our own worth, and showing it too. I’m all hung up on this “Daughter of the Creator” idea. Seriously! I even have ideas on starting a spiritual movement for not only girls, but women, based on that concept.
But for now, I have paying work to do, lol…
Sharlene says
WOW. Great post and great purpose. I think that your message is universal, even for us single childless folks who can feel overwhelmed and shlumpy sometimes too! Manicure? What’s that? And you know what — we got bettah things to do, don’t we? 🙂
Can’t wait til next Friday…!
admin says
Well, it is great to have you here! Thanks, and yes, you are right: it is a universal message about valuing our own worth, and showing it too. I’m all hung up on this “Daughter of the Creator” idea. Seriously! I even have ideas on starting a spiritual movement for not only girls, but women, based on that concept.
But for now, I have paying work to do, lol…
Kathleen Thomas says
Gina,
Given the current state of the economy where jobs are scarce and competition is high, we find that having a proper education to fall back on has become vital. The building blocks for a superior education are developed as a child. As such, I wanted to take a minute to discuss with you the importance of an early childhood education and what it will mean for our youth as they prepare for the future.
I’ve written an informational and educational article that I’d like to pass along to you in hopes that you’ll post it on your Mom blog. I believe your readers will enjoy what it has to offer. Please let me know if you’d be interested in reviewing it and I’ll send it along.
Thank you in advance for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Regards,
Kathleen
admin says
Hi Kathleen, I agree! Education is so crucial in the development of a child and security for their futures. As you know if you’ve read my blog, my daughter goes to a charter school, whose theme is Environment/Sustainability. I am always interested in learning about new school models, especially if it helps my readers.
Can you email me offlist at ginabad (at) gmail (dot) com
Kathleen Thomas says
Gina,
Given the current state of the economy where jobs are scarce and competition is high, we find that having a proper education to fall back on has become vital. The building blocks for a superior education are developed as a child. As such, I wanted to take a minute to discuss with you the importance of an early childhood education and what it will mean for our youth as they prepare for the future.
I’ve written an informational and educational article that I’d like to pass along to you in hopes that you’ll post it on your Mom blog. I believe your readers will enjoy what it has to offer. Please let me know if you’d be interested in reviewing it and I’ll send it along.
Thank you in advance for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Regards,
Kathleen
admin says
Hi Kathleen, I agree! Education is so crucial in the development of a child and security for their futures. As you know if you’ve read my blog, my daughter goes to a charter school, whose theme is Environment/Sustainability. I am always interested in learning about new school models, especially if it helps my readers.
Can you email me offlist at ginabad (at) gmail (dot) com
Kelly says
I just found your blog. I really like it!
I started a 30 day challenge where I have to exercise for 20 minutes each day and meditate for 20 minutes each day. It’s really helped me focus and feel better. Sometimes I dance with the kids, sometimes we go hiking to get the 20 minutes in. When I can I go walking or jogging. I also meditate before I go to bed. Meditation to me is just trying to clear my head. It helps me feel less stress and sleep better. I have three kids 7 and under so I know how hard it can be to have any me time!
admin says
Hi Kelly, welcome – and thank you. 3 kids under 7, my hat is off to you! That sounds like an excellent challenge. I like that it’s a goal for 2 things that are very diverse, yet both critical to reducing stress and feeling good. Do you have a blog where we can follow your challenge?
I’m going to be covering weight, eating, and exercise here as well, I hope you’ll keep posted.
Kelly says
I just found your blog. I really like it!
I started a 30 day challenge where I have to exercise for 20 minutes each day and meditate for 20 minutes each day. It’s really helped me focus and feel better. Sometimes I dance with the kids, sometimes we go hiking to get the 20 minutes in. When I can I go walking or jogging. I also meditate before I go to bed. Meditation to me is just trying to clear my head. It helps me feel less stress and sleep better. I have three kids 7 and under so I know how hard it can be to have any me time!
admin says
Hi Kelly, welcome – and thank you. 3 kids under 7, my hat is off to you! That sounds like an excellent challenge. I like that it’s a goal for 2 things that are very diverse, yet both critical to reducing stress and feeling good. Do you have a blog where we can follow your challenge?
I’m going to be covering weight, eating, and exercise here as well, I hope you’ll keep posted.
jennyonthespot says
Hey girly 🙂 I had to come by and see about this new Friday project after our little back-n-forth on the Twitter 🙂 I love this… my word is not an F one – my word is perspective. I find I need to be mindful of my perspective and also the perspective of others. It helps me keep focus on what’s important… And am am 100% with you on Faith here 🙂
jennyonthespot says
Hey girly 🙂 I had to come by and see about this new Friday project after our little back-n-forth on the Twitter 🙂 I love this… my word is not an F one – my word is perspective. I find I need to be mindful of my perspective and also the perspective of others. It helps me keep focus on what’s important… And am am 100% with you on Faith here 🙂