Hey there!
I love fall and rain and the color mustard. I think loaded cheese fries with ranch dip and a cold Dr. Pepper qualifies as the best meal in the world. Naps are my jam!
I’ve got two daughters who are quickly growing up to be my best friends, three amazing, energetic boys, and a husband who counts the times he makes me laugh in a day. We live in a house in the woods at the summer camp I grew up attending. I’m the author of The Marvelous Mud House and a speaker. I’m undeservedly blessed. But I haven’t always felt that way.
Early on, I tried to be supermom. I thought I would teach my kids to willingly eat tomatoes and broccoli, to love reading and cleaning up after themselves, to unselfishly love others, and to have a heart for the world.
Over time, as they spit out their peas, threw books they didn’t like across the cluttered dirty floor, and came downstairs screaming and crying after tackling each other, I grew more and more discouraged. None of us was perfect.
I spiraled into a pit of doubt, anxiety, and depression. I spent a lot of days trying to figure out what was wrong with me! I sought help from counselors, friends, and the Bible, and eventually learned to love my family again more than I ever dreamed possible.
Today, I’ve hung up my supermom cape for good. I’ve learned to relax and laugh again (which made my husband happy). I’ve learned that my kids will make mistakes, just like I will, but we can work through them together.
Part of me choosing to be happy is taking my vitamins and anti-depressant daily. It’s intentionally making time for friendships that encourage me. It’s spending time with great music and the Bible. It’s carving out time with my husband. It’s pushing myself to walk or run even when I don’t feel like it. It’s following some dreams outside of motherhood that God has placed on my heart, like writing.
If you’re struggling at home, I hope to encourage you that it IS possible to build a happy place in your heart and home. Don’t give up. Reach out for help. I hope to provide you with some of the tools you need here as well. I’m so glad you’re here.
– April
