tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post339164482710898145..comments2024-02-02T23:18:20.621-05:00Comments on Baby Bangs: On Being RealAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777762608528843328noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-12571936005521343772009-12-09T21:53:01.951-05:002009-12-09T21:53:01.951-05:00Hi Amanda,
I love this post. I don't have kid...Hi Amanda,<br /><br />I love this post. I don't have kids, but so appreciate your authenticity. Isn't it crazy how we all think the girl sitting across from us has it altogether? And isn't it crazy how we need to fall flat in our self-righteousness for the Lord to show us how not-good we are? And how badly we need his grace?!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, I love your blog!<br />KirstenKirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06719353286438893321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-27794187850169719172009-03-30T16:27:00.000-04:002009-03-30T16:27:00.000-04:00Amanda,You don't know me...I found your blog throu...Amanda,<BR/>You don't know me...I found your blog through Amber Burger's blog. I went to school with her and your husband and I've been priviledged enough to take a few of your mom's bible studies - most recently, the Esther study which I just loved!! <BR/><BR/>Your blog is so encouraging. Thank you for sharing, this post really struck a chord with me today.<BR/>In Him,<BR/>Rachael IngoldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-22781942801532822822009-03-26T11:19:00.000-04:002009-03-26T11:19:00.000-04:00I'm in tears reading this, thank you! I'm having S...I'm in tears reading this, thank you! I'm having SUCH a tough time with my 3 year old and go to bed each day feeling exactly as you said, I'M A FAILURE!! WHY CAN'T I GET THIS RIGHT? Thank you, I really needed to read this and redirect my heart.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07258114328973115093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-55942341841977921552009-03-26T09:47:00.000-04:002009-03-26T09:47:00.000-04:00Wow! Thanks for the encouragment. I love that yo...Wow! Thanks for the encouragment. I love that you are real.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01776816358406813027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-48208693389250044942009-03-25T15:33:00.000-04:002009-03-25T15:33:00.000-04:00Thank you so much! Very encouraging! Although I'...Thank you so much! Very encouraging! Although I've kind of recently adopted a fake-it-til-you-make it sort of mentality. I think my realness was starting to scare folks! :-) I pretty much stay at my wit's end these days!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-49888866080774340892009-03-25T15:24:00.000-04:002009-03-25T15:24:00.000-04:00Amanda,I've never commented before but love readin...Amanda,<BR/>I've never commented before but love reading your posts. I especially loved this one-I have a 28 month old and 4 month old and can related. This is hard, huh? I appreciate your faith and am encouraged by it. <BR/>KristiKristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05885108315271950804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-34280132997192858472009-03-24T22:06:00.000-04:002009-03-24T22:06:00.000-04:00this reminds me of some of the things we talked ab...this reminds me of some of the things we talked about the other night, which by the way, was so much fun for me. hope you're having a good week. i'm praying for you, my friend!melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06858759439537494236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-9999237670309463902009-03-24T20:41:00.000-04:002009-03-24T20:41:00.000-04:00What a wonderful post! I, too, agree that we are ...What a wonderful post! I, too, agree that we are not doing a service to our friends by pretending that we have this whole parenting thing together. My oldest child, also a boy, is now 6 and was 2.5 when his baby sister was born. Those months after her birth were some of the most challenging for us as far as disciplining our son. He is still far from easy, but we have figured out along the way some great ways to influence his behavior for the better and knowing how to deal with him has given me much peace. I pray for you to reach the same place with your beloved strong willed son!It Feels Like Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10671848129910298975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-67064273276264492622009-03-24T14:46:00.000-04:002009-03-24T14:46:00.000-04:00Amanda, I am going to out myself as a reader of yo...Amanda, I am going to out myself as a reader of your blog today. I have wanted to make a comment on some previous posts but have held back. Today I will finally comment.<BR/><BR/>You have just portrayed how tons of parents feel the world over, myself included. As the parent of a strong-willed two year old and a seven month old, I sometimes have those moments and even those entire days. But they do get better and there is something to be said for knowing others struggle as well.<BR/>Anyways, I appreciate your honesty and hope you will remember next time you are discouraged to talk to other parents and let them encourage you.<BR/><BR/>Katykghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624527851383199839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-85991479381138586482009-03-24T14:45:00.000-04:002009-03-24T14:45:00.000-04:00Great post! Thanks for the encouraging words. I m...Great post! Thanks for the encouraging words. I may not need it today, but I have before and I will again!Amy Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142898730112090580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-35392203018956693532009-03-24T14:34:00.000-04:002009-03-24T14:34:00.000-04:00Amanda-This post spoke to my heart. I recently st...Amanda-<BR/><BR/>This post spoke to my heart. I recently started following your blog and this is my first time commenting. I am the mommy of 2 boys... 3 1/2 and 17 mos and there are many days especially at the beginning that I thought "what have I done? I can't live like this." I would be in tears thinking I had to be the worst mom in the world. I had friends who acted as though they had never had any troubles in the parenting world and I felt lost and alone. I tried reading books about parenting and tried different techniques and things would get better but something would always disrupt the progress we had made. Many times I am a single parent because my husband is a pilot for the AF and is often on a trip or deployed. I would go to bed exhausted and not want to get up the next day to parent my children who I adore. This post had me in tears because it is so true. Thank you so much for writing it. <BR/><BR/>ChristineChristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506359823338653351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-75094111786622707672009-03-24T13:43:00.000-04:002009-03-24T13:43:00.000-04:00Great post! Mine are almost 4 and 1, and it's sti...Great post! Mine are almost 4 and 1, and it's still a real struggle. I feel like I'm pretty open with my struggles, but feel like everyone else has it together. I just keep wondering what I'm doing wrong that they're all doing right. Love your blog!chesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482610685227050213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-790129862344270562009-03-24T11:47:00.000-04:002009-03-24T11:47:00.000-04:00I have never met you. I have never even read your ...I have never met you. I have never even read your blog until today! (boomama sent me over) And you know what? I am soooo where you are! My girls (8,6,3) are about to drive me crazy like a loon. I am so glad to see that others suffer from the same problems and that better yet, they will admit it! Thank you for being honest...you made my day!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05145895231380357043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-89712147324487267792009-03-24T11:37:00.000-04:002009-03-24T11:37:00.000-04:00I just went back and read through a few random com...I just went back and read through a few random comments... how sweet is that note from Amber who checked Jackson in the other night? (Do you know which one I'm talking about?) You are loved, girl.Angie @ Flibbertigibberishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14135538155401711109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-24676554693186386392009-03-24T11:33:00.000-04:002009-03-24T11:33:00.000-04:00Great post, Amanda. I've led that double life whe...Great post, Amanda. I've led that double life where I wanted everyone to think I had it all together. I'll tell ya, it's just way too much work. As soon as I came to grips with my imperfections and allowed the Perfect One to do His job, I felt so much more at peace. And also, I suddenly became much more approachable to people. Ministry cannot be done without authenticity. And yet, I feel like there's got to be a balance because sometimes I need a filter. I think I'm a little too honest and real sometimes. Hmm. Thinking out loud today.<BR/><BR/>Parenting is HARD. I wrote about a few of my struggles just a couple of days ago. It takes a lot of strength to get through some awful long days, but we need His joy to do it. And it's that joy I often trade in for grouchiness and a bad attitude.Angie @ Flibbertigibberishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14135538155401711109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-20385836449463468922009-03-24T09:58:00.000-04:002009-03-24T09:58:00.000-04:00thank you for this post. what a great reminder to...thank you for this post. what a great reminder to us all, especially to those of us in ministry. it can be hard being real when people have already made assumptions about your life. in fact, it's easier to let them just think what they want. thanks for reminding me that i am more effective as a wife, a mother, a friend, and a minister's wife when i am real.Jackie Harmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749749691661600679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-25189726210536908552009-03-24T00:13:00.000-04:002009-03-24T00:13:00.000-04:00Spot on. My 1st born was (is..will always be) a st...Spot on. My 1st born was (is..will always be) a strong willed child. My husband and I felt so alone. Everyone we talked to said their child was perfect, "good," "fine."<BR/><BR/>I felt isolated.<BR/><BR/>Through many prayers (on our knees together), tears, and long days on end, my child made it the age of 4. :-) And we are seeing fruit...<BR/><BR/>From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being real and sharing. I wish someone would have been real with me. I find that this time in our lives is marked by insecurity (kind of reminiscent of jr. high)and rightfully so, we cannot do this with out Him. But it's important to recognize none of us can.<BR/><BR/>Sorry to drone on.<BR/><BR/>Bless you my friend for being transparent. Praying for you in the trenches.<BR/>Gal. 6:9Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817757536779447678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-73529320327890512502009-03-23T23:13:00.000-04:002009-03-23T23:13:00.000-04:00A friend recommended your blog to me a few months ...A friend recommended your blog to me a few months ago and I have enjoyed it for the very reason you stated in this post: you are real. I really appreciated this post with your admission about feeling like a failure with parenting. I also have a three year old (and two year old) and we have been having a REALLY tough time with some issues lately. We pray all the time for wisdom and patience but are sometimes afraid to talk about it to other parents because it seems like they have it all together. Thank you for your honesty and encouragement. It helped renew my determination to pray our way through these 3 year old phases and to ask for prayer, too.mommyoflove3https://www.blogger.com/profile/15960147429808863981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-40174078643447704112009-03-23T22:34:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:34:00.000-04:00Amanda,"As for you, if you walk before me in integ...Amanda,<BR/><BR/>"As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever..." I Kings 9:4<BR/><BR/>I have 2 boys, 15 and 12 years old. My oldest was tough. Just now, in his 15th year, we are experiencing such joy in seeing character traits come to fruition from years of steadfast prayer, discipline, and much much grace. God is faithful. I have often said, "life is different that I imagined." Having been in ministry since I was 18, and much of that with youth, I thought my kids would follow suit. God had them both find their own way with Him, and much of that has been born out of teaching through real, authentic, raw, not very pretty life circumstances. My boys love God, and they know how to be real. No stones left unturned as we walk with them in living a life as a real follower of Christ. My sense is that Jackson will be an amazing teacher for you and Curtis. Give yourself much grace, dear one.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17379281535061236830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-47799519665509504002009-03-23T22:07:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:07:00.000-04:00Like you need a 124th comment. But I"ll add mine ...Like you need a 124th comment. But I"ll add mine to the mix. :)<BR/><BR/>Thank you for this, Amanda. <BR/><BR/>I'm sorry for your parenting woes. <BR/><BR/>I think i told a friend just today that I had been a mother for 13 years, and that was just about enough, thank you. Thank goodness for His new mercies and for the body of friends with which He surrounds us. Even bloggy friends. Blessings.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02576409086020993015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-27358878468306133352009-03-23T22:06:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:06:00.000-04:00I love this post Amanda! I never want to pretend ...I love this post Amanda! I never want to pretend I have it all-together either, because Lord knows I am far from it. Thank you for your realness.<BR/>I just caught up on your blog. I love the new pictures and hope to see y'all soon!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09212539609541601723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-55217287552393558612009-03-23T22:05:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:05:00.000-04:00Preach it sister! Keep doing a great job with your...Preach it sister! Keep doing a great job with your precious little ones! And I am laughing and laughing about the let it all hang out paragraph. I have struck out myself and have learned to keep prayer requests and sharing of past sins to a minimal amount of information. Oh I learned the hard way!<BR/>~Love ya!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-29701268263850325082009-03-23T21:05:00.000-04:002009-03-23T21:05:00.000-04:00I can relate to your post more than you know. I va...I can relate to your post more than you know. I value authentic and genuine people and strive to be that kind of person as well. But it can be lonely. I know Christian women who are either so authentic that I see that they don't really care or try to be Godly in the least, or they act perfect and I'm left to sit and wonder where I fit in. Through it all, I continue to just be myself and take my inner thoughts to God.<BR/><BR/>Now I see my oldest daughter (age 12) going "there" as well. It's so tough. I only pray that God will be her solace and sure foundation as she navigates her way.Dionnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887793549770593022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-46418375605197992412009-03-23T21:03:00.000-04:002009-03-23T21:03:00.000-04:00Amanda,I want to encourage you and Curtis to stay ...Amanda,<BR/>I want to encourage you and Curtis to stay the path. Your head work will pay off in spades. I remember thinking that the terrible twos were a myth. The terrible threes were so bad that at times I was quite sure my girls would not live to see four. <BR/>These days will pass. There will be struggles, but they will be different. And by holding firm and showing them that respect for your authority is not an option, you will make your life and theirs a better one.<BR/>Thank you for sharing your life.Sara@www.tablegrace.nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07126639999722301694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-39014738596176714742009-03-23T20:33:00.000-04:002009-03-23T20:33:00.000-04:00I could have written this. The high school, the pe...I could have written this. The high school, the perception of others, their perception of me... all of it. And, too, I often receive comments on the fact that I'm "real" on my blog. There's no question why it's so important to me, and yet, it can still be a struggle to remain "real." Transparency is so rare that to find it is often as sweet and refreshing as a cold drink after one of those good workouts. :) Yours is a blessing!Ashleigh Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13165168699541078649noreply@blogger.com