2018 was a CRAZY year for the Shockey/Brent fam! I can hardly believe it’s already 2019 and the fact that Leni Bow will be two years old this weekend is blowing my mind. Wait, WHAT!? TWO?! Where did my baby go!? I love how busy we are, but #momguilt is REAL no matter how much you try to be the best mama and when I’m working, traveling, raising a toddler, building a house, I will admit that finding balance can be H-A-R-D. Everyone has their own version of “busy” and I doubt anyone feels like they’ve got it all together 100% of the time. I know I sure don’t!

Even though that #momguilt feeling creeps up on me from time-to-time, I have learned SO MUCH as a mama to Leni over the last 2 years and while I don’t have it all figured out, I try to remember that I’VE GOT THIS and hopefully this blog will help remind you that YOU’VE GOT THIS TOO, MAMA! Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the past year…

It’s Okay to Be Human

No one is perfect, despite how hard we try! We all mess up sometimes, but at the end of the day I have learned LB shows such pure, unconditional love–it’s the kind we should show everyone we care about. The world would be a LOT better off if we could all figure out how to let go of mistakes and embrace the “messy” stuff like a sweet little (almost–EEK) two year-old.

Every Mom is a Working Mom

I don’t know how ANY mom gets everything done in one day, and I think it’s time we all drop the mama guilt and just embrace our little ones and what we can get done in a day. I heard on the radio that a woman would need 28.5 hours in the day to get everything she wants to done, and that isn’t even including sleep. I TOTALLY believe this, and am going to strive to remember that working hard is setting a great example for Leni, but that on the days where it’s just the two of us that this also means I’m working. It is a beautiful but truly tough job being a mama!

Praying Helps

There are some times as a mom that just feel overwhelming: whether it’s the emotions that come with knowing your baby is growing up or just have a really off and grumpy day, talking to God has literally been my saving grace this year. I need to lean on Him more!

No One is a Better Mama for Leni Than Me

Social media is such a blessing and a curse, because it can be so easy to compare ourselves to other moms. I often find myself wondering if I am doing everything *right*, but then remember that God gave her to me! I am the one raising this little girl and doing my best for her, and no one else could give her what I do. This goes for every mom and their babies, because Lord knows that special and unique relationship often looks very different to those outside of it. I am going to try really hard to stop comparing and just start cherishing what sets us apart, as well as those silly moments where we just have to laugh it off. Potty training, sleepless nights, talking and more all come on their own sweet time. Leni is her own little person and all I can do is love and support her and teach her the best way I know how!

Mamas, we have got to be kinder to ourselves. Some days in parenting, we will walk away feeling like superwoman. Others, though? They will take a LOT of prayers, chocolate, dry shampoo and wine. We are all doing our best and loving on our babies, and my lessons learned from this year mean I have one resolution for 2019: to keep on keepin’ on, to be more in the moment, and to love like Leni and Jesus do. Amen, hallelujah and HAPPY 2019!

Photos by Jennifer Wilson Photography

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