It Takes A Village

I think the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child", is completely true!

In my 5 years of parenting I have sought out the advice and help from lots of people. Whether it be from family members, non family members, google, or books. I humbly admit that I do not know it all.

During pregnancy we have so much made up in our minds on what we will do and what we won't do. I'm sure we have all said, "oh I will NEVER do that!" and yet we have found ourselves doing that said thing. It's ok! Really it is. 

I will admit that when my twins were probably about 18 months, I began to feel that everything that I thought I knew was all wrong. I started venturing out and reading and gaining all sorts of information on different topics. My husband and I decided that we were going to go against the norm and do things a little differently. 

You know what the cool part is? It's totally ok to do that too! These are our children and we can do whatever we feel is best for them. 

The fun part is through this village of people we have found people who believe in our different ways and people who do things completely opposite of us.  I think it's fabulous. I have learned so much from other moms. 

Nobody is born wise. ~ African proverb

God gave these women to us, whether they're the same age as us, or 30 years older than us, to be our mentors. I love that I am continuously learning every single day of my life. I have the honor to gain knowledge from so many different people and learn through them as well. I may not choose to use everything they share with me at the time, and that's ok too. 

I am incredibly grateful for that friend I can call or text when I'm going off the deep end and I'm blowing something so trivial out of proportion. That friend who tells me to come get keifer because she knows it will make my baby feel better. 

My mom who I can send a crazy message to and ask what I'm doing so wrong?!! The friends at church who I know will always pray for me when I ask. The grandparents who come take the oldest two when I need a little breather. 

And all the people who love my children unconditionally. It means so much to me!

People have come and gone in our "village," and I know there will be many more that come and go too.  I believe that God gives us just what we need when we need it.  And often times that "what" is usually in the form of a person.  I don't want to be so set in my ways that I can't embrace what God is trying to give me through someone else.

If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom. ~ African proverb

I don't think I have ever had so many people in my life that I adore so much! Thank you to my village.  I love you all so much!