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Tag Archives: girls

Mom Win Wednesday: Ashley Salerno

12 / 14 / 1612 / 14 / 16

mom-win-wednesday-header

As a mom, you may not have qualified for the Rio Olympics, but you certainly deserve a spot on the podium in our eyes. There are no “perfect scores” in motherhood, but if you had a discipline breakthrough, managed a meltdown, or found time in your day to pursue a dream, then we want to take a moment and celebrate alongside you. Even the little “victories” add up to be big wins in the long run; so let’s champion each other. After all, we’re on the same team.

For the next few Wednesdays we thought we would introduce the blog team to you through our Mom Win posts so you can get to know the moms behind the text messages.


Michelle
Michelle

I’m so excited today that we are featuring our wonderful blog writer and friend, Ashley Salerno!

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

Hi everyone! So, as you can imagine it is REALLY tough to find a picture of myself without little people wrapped around me. lol!  This is the best I’ve got for today! I’m modeling my Trades of Hope jewelry, made by talented artisans in Haiti and Thailand.  These little pieces of jewelry are empowering women out of poverty around the world, and I love wearing them as a reminder to support others and be thankful for all that we have been blessed with.

img_1503

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Your beautiful heart just shines through in that picture! 💁

Do you wear any other hats in addition to your [big, gigantic, hugely significant] Mom Hat?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

When I first became a mom I thought that meant I could sign-up and volunteer for anything and everything that came my way.  I was putting one hat on after the other (metaphorically speaking) until I felt like I was some kind of crazy circus juggler just seconds away from toppling over.  I’ve learned over the years to remove some of the hats and be more selective when choosing which ones to wear.  Currently, I am spending my extra energy (which is not much) 😉 working on this blog, teaching Sunday School, and working as a Compassionate Entrepreneur for Trades of Hope (as I talked about earlier).  Volunteer work and service in general are two things that make my heart full, so these are hats I always need to wear to feel balanced and re-energized.

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

I definitely think the juggling and reprioritizing of all the hats we wear is so important…and hard. Thanks for sharing that because I know us moms can relate! So tell us about your kids…

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

I have two precious baby girls who are 19 months apart- Grace is 4 and Claire is 2 ½.  I get asked nearly every day if they are twins, because they look SO much alike but they are completely different personality wise.  Grace is my oldest and is sweet, cautious, inquisitive, imaginative, and tender hearted.  Claire is my youngest and is a total hoot! Other than making us laugh ALL the time, she is energetic, social, free spirited, joyful and empathetic.  I love how God hardwired them with such unique personalities, because they challenge me in such different ways but at the same time, I love soaking in those distinct characteristics that make them so special.  I’m still working on getting them to appreciate each other’s differences as much as I do. 😉

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Ha, I am right there with you! Isn’t it interesting how much we learn about ourselves in raising these little ones that are similar and different to us all at the same time?

What is a recent mom win you experienced that took time and perseverance to accomplish?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

Taking my oldest to The Nutcracker over the weekend was a definite mom win.  Before I was a mom I envisioned motherhood as purely magical- I went straight to the “big fun stuff” like Disney World, piano recitals, soccer games, etc. and completely skimmed over the sleepless nights, diapers, tantrums, and mom worrying. Ha. This moment of sitting with my first born at The Nutcracker didn’t just happen, it took 4 years to get to this point- 4 years of really hard work.  But as I watched Grace’s little ankles crossed in her seat and her eyes light up as the Sugar Plum fairy twirled across the stage, I had this feeling of deep, deep gratitude.  Gratitude that I get to be this little person’s mom and that we get to share moments like this together.  

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

It really is refreshing in the midst of all of the hard work as a mom that we get these special moments, isn’t it? I have to laugh though because I took my four-year-old to the Nutcracker this weekend too and she leaned over to me after a while and said, “I’m tired of being quiet!”  ☺️

What is a mom win that you would text your best friend?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

“You guys! Both my kids are fully dressed in the house at the SAME time!” 😁

But in all honesty, between the “naked stage” and the “dress up stage” there aren’t many moments in our house that everyone is fully clothed. Lol!  And while we’re on the topic of calling something a “stage”, is there a time limit on this because we may be transitioning into a “lifestyle”??  😉

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

You crack me up! Anything else you want to share?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  This verse brings so much peace to my heart, just knowing that no matter what may be going on in our lives, the God of the Universe loves us and is working EVERYTHING out for our good.   I’ve really leaned into this while working through my health issues this last year.  Read More Here

 I pray that if you’re reading this, you can take a deep breathe and rest in those words today.

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Love that truth! Thank you so much for sharing more about yourself today. We are so blessed to have you a part of our blog team!

Michelle

If you would like to be featured as a Gold Medal Mom or you know someone who would, please contact us here!

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Taking Pride Head On….Literally

12 / 12 / 164 / 19 / 18

a7-lessons-in-humility

Ashley
Ashley

Have I got a story for you!

Ashley
Anna
Anna

Yay! Your stories are the BEST, Ashley! What happened?

Anna
Ashley
Ashley

So, Claire had her first dentist appointment, and I genuinely didn’t know how it was going to go. She is usually pretty easy-going and she loves to brush her teeth, but you just never know if they are going to freak out when they’re in the chair.

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Oh my gosh, I can only imagine. I do not think Sophie will sit still long enough for them to do anything!

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

Grace will sit, but then she gets upset when they use the “yucky toothpaste.”  

Ashley
Anna
Anna

Yeah, Libby too. She gags. 😁

Anna
Ashley
Ashley

Claire, on the other hand, cracked up through the whole thing.  She literally liked it better than Kings Island!

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Haha! Really? I bet you weren’t expecting that!  Just when you’re prepared for a response they throw a curveball with a totally different one than you planned!

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

They sure do! As I was walking out, there was a little boy her age who was screaming his head off.  The dental hygienist looked at me and said, “that’s what is normal at this age.”  I kind of welled up with pride.  I know it’s wrong but I was thinking….phew! Better them than me.  

Ashley
Anna
Anna

Yeah…just being honest, we’ve all thought that at some point.

Anna
Ashley
Ashley

And then Claire in all her excitement ran head first into the counter and fell to the floor screaming.   Motherhood: Don’t get too prideful, because you will be humbled fast.

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

I just busted out laughing and I am so sorry because I know it’s not funny but it sounds like totally something that would happen to me!! Isn’t that true? The minute I think I have something figured out, I definitely have a humbling experience like that.

Michelle
Anna
Anna

Oh my gosh, that is SO TRUE.

Anna
Ashley
Ashley

😜  Everyone was staring at me and she was just inconsolable.  Go figure: she makes it through an entire dentist trip without crying, until we get to the front desk where an entire waiting room of people can watch you. It literally ALWAYS goes that way.  I know God doesn’t like pride, and man, are children a quick fix for that.

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Honestly, that is one of the hardest parts of motherhood, isn’t it? 😳 The part where everyone watches you handle a hard parenting moment and then you begin wondering what they’re thinking or how you’re handling the situation.

Michelle
Anna
Anna

YES, it is!!! Especially when Benjamin was little, I always felt like the world was staring at us. Probably because I was constantly feeling out of control! 👀  😓

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

I guess like you said, it’s another form of pride because it goes back to – what are they thinking of me? When I start acting like my kids are an extension of me or a report card on how I mother, that is when my focus is totally in the wrong place.

Michelle
Anna
Anna

Pride, ouch! #TruthRightThere #HardToHear

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

When our kids are being rockstars and totally making us look like we are mothers of the year, it can be hard to keep a level head.

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

Yep! Experienced that one today.  I was really loving my mom skills in that 10 seconds before it all went wrong. lol

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Haha! We just have to remember that yes, we try to instill some good character lessons and teach and guide them, but no, their awesome behavior in this moment is not because we have totally figured out this motherhood thing. Some days I really wish it were that way. But right when we think that, we get a wonderful opportunity like your dentist experience or my Ellie’s grocery store meltdown today!

Are you still there?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

Sorry….I just got headbutted crazy hard.  Grace jumped on the couch and cracked me in the head in the middle of me texting you. I have frozen peas on my head at the moment.

Ashley
Michelle
Michelle

Oh my gosh! Are you okay?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

LOL. I’m okay.  Disoriented but okay. Hey, these peas are just helping with the pride I was swelling with earlier today.  God sure does have a sense of humor. 🙂

Ashley
Anna
Anna

Awww! You poor thing! Trying not to laugh because I also feel badly for you! 🙊

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Oh Motherhood. Always keeps you on your toes, or I guess in your case, with peas on your head. Hey, the only positive is since you are thawing those on your head, maybe you can use them for dinner?

Michelle
Ashley
Ashley

This better be the best dinner ever….but if it’s not, I will humbly admit it. 😉

Ashley

truth-to-inhale-indicator

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to  encourage you:

  • “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud  but shows favor to the humble.’ ”  1 Peter 5:5
  •  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45
  • “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”  Psalms 25:9
  • “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

 


Music to inspire you:

  • From The Inside Out by Hillsong United

 


Readings to come alongside of you:

  • Walking in Freedom as a Mom from The Better Mom
  • When You’re Failing at Motherhood and Everything Else {times ten} from The Better Mom

truth-to-exhale-indicator

Ideas to try:

  • Recognize when you are starting to swell with pride, and lay it down right there in that moment.  Pray for the Lord to replace pride with the very opposite- humility.  Humility by definition is “the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people.”  Jesus was the only perfect person to ever walk this Earth and he flipped the script by humbly serving those around Him.   If we earnestly seek and pray to be more like Jesus,  humility will be sure to follow.
  • Remember what God has done for you in the past.  Praise Him for His faithfulness and remember that every good and perfect gift, day, and/or moment is because of His mercies.
  • Reflect on the fact that our worth as moms is not dependent on our kids’ behavior, good or bad.  Our worth comes from being valuable in the eyes of the Lord; that’s a gift that no amount of good (or bad) behavior can change.

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

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About Us!

We don’t claim to have motherhood figured out. Actually quite the opposite. We’re a group of women who first and foremost love the Lord and want to honor Him with our lives and talents. And we decided that what better way for us to sort out this beautiful and messy thing called motherhood but to process it together in text messages? Our prayer is that as we share our real-life stories and honest experiences, every mom who visits our blog will receive tangible truth and experience real grace.

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