Ever wondered what it would be like to have identical twin girls at home? Well, wonder no longer because I take you along for the ride of what was, at once, my hardest and best birth. Of course, just because this is how my birth with one set of twins went, that's no guarantee yours would be the same or that my second set was a repeat (hint: it definitely wasn't). That's the beauty of birth--it's completely unique, even within the same mom's different experiences. Enjoy! Bible references: Psalm 73:3 Psalm 34:19 Matthew 6:34 Links: ⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠ M Is For Mama: Birth Stories Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook

Dear readers, if you, like most women, love a good birth story, then this series is for you! I adore birth stories too. The particulars of how a specific baby (or babies!) enter this world are so varied and fascinating, and I always get so excited when one of my friends (either in person or online) shares her story. So, I thought I'd share my stories with you because: 1. I love having them documented and 2. This has been one of the most asked questions on my social media, and, while most of my birth stories are available on my blog in written form, there's just nothing like the spoken word to convey the drama and anticipation of the moment (or MANY MOMENTS, in my case) when you get to meet that sweet new life. Fair warning: I managed to record three different podcasts for this series, which will get us through the end of May, but our family is on an extended trip to Europe and will not return until the week of June 14th, so there will be a brief hiatus until I have a new episode for you. So sorry to leave you hanging, but there was only so much time in which to get everything done before we left. :) Enjoy Installation Number 1! Bible references: Proverbs 4:27 Hebrews 12:2 Genesis 3:16 Philippians 3:14 Links: ⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠ M Is For Mama: Birth Stories Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook

One of the most popular narratives I hear in person and on social media is that mothers are victims of their children's "nonsense." I get that perspective and sometimes *feel* the same way, as it can absolutely give major "you're doing this on purpose" vibes when your two-year-old calmly eats his yogurt, only to throw the half-empty container on the ground and SCREECH at the top of his lungs the moment you tell him it's time to leave for church--splattering your dress and the kitchen with white goo in what is obviously a planned attempt to take the last shred of your sanity. The truth: Very young (and even some older) children respond to the impulses (some of them sinful) that drive their urges, and, while they can be incredibly empathetic and sweet, often couldn't care less how their behavior affects us. They're not "bullying" us. We are not at their mercy. HOWEVER. If we fail to recognize our role in investing very intentionally in their instruction, moral growth, knowledge of Scripture + the Lord, and training in both self-discipline and righteousness, chances are, no matter how many times we remind ourselves that "children are a blessing from the Lord, " they still won't feel like they are. The Bible has a fair bit to say about children who bring shame to their parents and are a source of sorrow to their fathers and mothers. And while there's no perfect formula of "this amount of input produces this kind of results," the fact is that, sometimes, our children's not feeling like blessings in a particular moment has way less to do with their bad habits and more to with our lack of fortitude in helping to train them through those struggles. If you're interested in practical steps for making strides toward raising kids you love AND like--kids who are both a blessing because God says so and feel like a blessing because of the efforts you've invested to help them grow in good habits, then this episode is for YOU! Bible references: Matthew 19:14 Psalm 127:3 Psalm 127:5 Proverbs 10:1 Deuteronomy 6:6-8 Matthew 7:14 Ephesians 6:4 1 Kings 1:5-6 2 Samuel 15 2 Samuel 18:33 Job 42:2 1 Kings 1:32-34 Proverbs 19:26 1 Samuel 3:1-8-4:22 1 Samuel 8:3 Genesis 6:5 Proverbs 22:6 Proverbs 15:20 Galatians 6:9 Proverbs 23:22-25 Deuteronomy 31:6 Links: ⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook

Fifteen years ago, if you had ever told me I would one day have the opportunity to interview my teen boys on my very own podcast, I'd have responded with 1. What's a podcast? and 2. NO WAY!! And yet, in this very episode, I get the privilege of chatting with Ezra (16) and Simon (15) about the teen years--why parents fear them so much, why they don't have to, and the best ways to make connections with your teens (hint: it's all about paying attention). You're going to love this episode, whether you've reached the teen years yet or are in the thick of them, especially if you don't want to adhere to the current cultural trend of calling teens "the worst." Not only are they not the worst at all (although, they can be challenging and even heartbreaking, sometimes), but there really is the potential for some incredible conversations, fun late nights, and even spiritual sharpening! Be encouraged, mamas! The teen years have their own unique challenges, but they have at least as many joys if you're willing to keep your eyes open for them! Bible references: Proverbs 4:27 Hebrews 12:2 Genesis 3:16 Philippians 3:14 Links: ⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook

If you've ever thought, "I'm too broken for Jesus to love," then this is the episode for you! Because not only is that NOT true, but the Bible makes it so clear that, though we live in a fallen, sin-filled world, the power of God is still at work in His people. We do not have to be slaves to sin or addiction or diagnoses. Instead, we can faithfully (if falteringly) choose the hope and strength of Jesus each day. Does it mean our problems will disappear? Often, no. But neither does it mean that we find our identity in our struggles rather than in the truth that Christ has overcome them already. In this episode, I talk frankly with my friend, Ann Swindell, about our shared struggle with the OCD hair-pulling disorder Trichotillomania. We discuss victory in Christ even while we remain unhealed of this particular affliction. Just like Paul, we ask for this particular thorn in our flesh to be removed but acknowledge that, "if not, He is still good" and "His power is made perfect in our weakness." Be encouraged, friends. God is not surprised by your struggles. And He is more than faithful and capable to give you purpose and joy, even in the midst of your fight with whatever particular trouble you find yourself beset. Bible references: Romans 8:1 Romans 8:31 2 Corinthians 12:7 Matthew 26:39 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 Romans 7:15-16 2 Corinthians 12:10 AMP John 13:15 James 4:14 Romans 12:2 Colossians 2:13-15 Revelation 21:4 Ephesians 2:10 John 1:12 John 15:15 Romans 15:7 Galatians 2:20 Romans 6:1-2 Psalm 56:8 Isaiah 49:16 Matthew 6:8 Matthew 10:29-31 Matthew 5:25-34 1 Corinthians 2:23-30 Mentions: Ann's book about her struggle with trichotillomania and learning to rely on God's goodness: Still Waiting Links: ⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook