Hey, I’m Noel. Wife, mom of three, homesteadish, homeschooler, voracious reader, everyday writer, natural creator who loves being a mom and loves being more than a mom, too.
I wanted to be cutesy with my about page.
In fact, all of the research I did (and I did more than I needed to) suggested I should really let my personality shine, here, and also my expertise.
Ya know, like I should try to convince you to stick around because I know what I’m talking about and I’ve got all the answers.
I’m not denying that that would probably be far more helpful, for you.
But during my umpteenthhundredth revision, I realized why my “about me” page wasn’t working.
It wasn’t quite…me.
Do you ever find yourself doing or saying something in an effort to impress someone else? Comparing yourself to another mom and coming up short, like, every single time?
Have you forgotten what you even like, want, or are drawn to because you’ve been so busy trying to be who you thought you should be?
Here’s the deal: I’ve taken the courses, gotten the Christian Life Coaching certificate, read the hundreds of personal growth books (I’m not exaggerating), and journaled like a million pages.
I’ve done the research.
I’ve found some answers.
I’m still just me, though. And just me struggles on the daily. Just me loves her kids with all of her heart and also loves quiet time.
Just me feels a whole lot better in every aspect of her life when I’m in the process of creating something… like a blog… for just me.
Is it selfish to want something for yourself, mama?
I live my life with a biblical worldview. I strive to keep my Jesus lenses clear and focused. And would the Lord please shut my mouth (or still my fingers on the keyboard) if I ever suggest anything that could lead you astray.
But I’m about to say something that we’re “not allowed” to say:
Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that I’m more than a mom.
In fact, it’s hard to admit that I want to be more than a mom.
Look, there are seasons in mothering that require you to fully and completely lay down your life in service to your family. Newborns don’t care if you sleep at night. Toddlers don’t care if you’d rather not concoct sixty snacks an hour. Babies, in general, don’t care much about your routine pre-baby.
I’ve lived that season. I’ve put in the time.
And it was beautiful!
It was also really, really, extraordinarily challenging for me.
Ultimately, my personality and temperament struggled BIG TIME with the moment by moment demands that is that season. Sanctification is never easy.
But maybe, perhaps, I’ve been designed with more than a mom in mind.
I don’t know. Maybe you have to.
That doesn’t mean we don’t do our best, most life laying down, self-sacrificial work when it’s called for. You and I both know, if the baby or the blog has to go it’s obviously going to be the blog… after just the smallest hesitation.
I’m kidding!
But maybe it’s okay to be totally okay with the next phase of life. Maybe it’s okay to not be a rockstar mom to littles under four. Maybe it’s okay to be happy to be out of the baby years and have a little more free time to play with.
I don’t know.
I don’t have it all figured out. I’m just walking by faith, following His lead, day by day, hour by hour.
I invite you, if you have the time, to walk with me.
I am setting the intention to move into the next chapter of my life with confidence and clarity.
Let’s tackle good, healthy habits and hold each accountable. Let’s learn how to be introspective without being self absorbed, so we can get clear on passions and motivations that drive us. And can we please, if you’re so inclined, build a little blogging hobby together?
I feel like I could have gone a million different ways here. And maybe my About Me Page would have been a whole lot more impressive. But the truth is, for me, for this page, authenticity and honesty trump all else.
If you need permission to not want to impress anyone, to stop trying to live up to standards someone else has set in place, to walk away from the shoulds into the actual way that the Lord is calling you to show up for your life and your family, here it is.
You don’t have to be anything other than you.
In every area of your life.
And if you don’t know what that looks like, anymore, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Sunrise and Grind. I’m so glad you’re here!
