Tuesday, March 11, 2008

There she goes again...

My blog-friend Annie, has a blog called Letters to a Parent. Because my own blog is simply NOT forum enough, I wrote one. It's titled--To the Parent Who's Not Perfect. Should that apply to you, read it and then come back here and discusss.



If that wasn't enough, Ilene, has also decided to spotlight the Romneys. Head over to her blog to salivate over her yummy pot pie (and also to view me for the 5th time in my Blog Outfit).



See, when you are ALL OVER the internet...you don't need to do anything on your own blog.

31 comments:

Margaret said...

I was really inspired by your letter. It's exactly what I needed in the crazy week I'm having. So thank you for being you!

Ilene never made me her famous pot pie...but I still love her.

And I love the blog outfit...in fact, now I am wondering if I have one?!

Caroline C. Bingham said...

Just keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, I'll sit here twiddling my thumbs waiting for a real post.....

day in the life of a prince said...

What a great letter. It is something I need to be reminded of quite often!!

Audry said...

Jessica, I loved that letter. It is something I to have come to realize. My PB blessing actually talks to me about that very thing. And I know that it is so true. I am not perfect but if I ask God to help me he does. I know I am a better mom because of it. I am so glad that I have that knowledge.

Elizabeth Caldwell said...

Amazingly true... there was a time when I had to make a critical choice between doing what seemed on the surface to be right, or actually make a stand for what I knew was right in the long term. I am so glad that I was given the strength needed to make that choice.

Your letter is spot on. We dont need to be perfect parents. We just need to be the very best we can.

Bridget said...

How does it feel to be a blogging celeb? I loved your letter. How can every parent not relate to that? You expressed it beautifully. I read Ilene's post too and I craved pot pie the rest of the day.

Erika said...

that letter need to be on Oprah or something.. and your blog uniform looks hot on you.

Randi said...

Thanks Jessica. I appreciate your honesty. I gives me a little more courage and little more hope. Your letter was spot-on. We need to get together sometime. (What am I, british?) Well, cheeri-o.

Abbie said...

Did you say discuss? Does that mean vent and talk/write my brains out in a comment? Okay, here I go:

I loved it! Isn't it amazing how much your prayers change after becoming a mom? (Yes, I realize you have been a mom a bit longer than I have.) These are the first things I pray for in the morning: to have patients and love for Eli; to be productive but not let it get in the way of being a good mom to Eli; to be happy with Eli; to play with Eli; to be grateful for the 23+ pounds that I'm gaining to give Eli someone to play with; to not yell at Eli; to not beat myself up when I yell at Eli again for being a two year old.

I've learned to run to my bedroom, close (sometimes slam) the door, get on my knees, and pray my guts out (even and especially if Eli is crying) when I feel that urge to start yelling. It doesn't always stop the yelling, but the comfort from the Spirit is always there.

As always, thanks for your example.

P.S. I’m glad I’m not the only one that start sentences with And and But.

Lindsey said...

Thanks for the letter Jessica. I know I will never be perfect, and there will always be times where I "lose it" BUT, appologizing goes a long way with your kids and I think it is good to help them see your imperfections and that we are all striving to become better people. I always make it a point to tell my kids I'm sorry if I go off the deep end. My parents never said that and they weren't bad parents. It would have been amazing if they did.

Ilene said...

Um, if I had known I would have been linked off your blog like that, I would have worn a better blog outfit. At least the pot pie looked good.

I haven't read your letter yet so I can't say anything about it yet. I will get back to you.

And I want to apologize for the sugar high your Emma came home with tonight. She had LOTS of fun at YW tonight.

Hillary said...

Oh, man, I have tears streaming down my face. You have put it so eloquently. I am struggling right now with some MAJOR parenting issues (son beating up another kid on the baseball field, 13 yr old having boyfriend and kissing and stuff). I have been wondering how I can handle this. I know that through the grace of God, I can. BUt It's so hard to remember what you said. I hope it's ok if I copy that and file it.
Thanks!! xoxo

kara jayne said...

I have NEVER thought of it that way. I think you just made my day...week...month...YEAR!!! It will help me be more GENTLE (my word of the year) on myself, my kids, and others. Thank you so much!!

Lauren in GA said...

Jessica,
I commented over on the other blog but I wanted to discuss here, too.
I was very, very inspired by your letter. As mentioned over there, the whole letter really spoke to me, and I began to cry when I read the scripture in John 9:3 and the comparisons you drew to motherhood. Thank you very much for sharing those feelings and answers to prayers with all of us. Sometimes, I hide from Heavenly Father when I feel I have fallen short, I fill my prayers with, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!!" While repentance is crucial...sometimes, I shy away from asking for Heavenly Father's help because of guilt and a strange notion of feeling like I should accomplish things on my own because I should have known better. I know, kind of crazy...perhaps a therapist would tell me those strange notions came from living with an abusive father...but, anyway...I just wanted to tell you that I really needed to read your letter for a myriad of reasons, and thank you for putting your feelings out there for everyone to read.

the wrath of khandrea said...

excellent, jessica. so well written, so well said. probably sums up what we all feel but fail to recognize.
thanks for sharing that.

the wrath of khandrea said...

ps love the new seth quote. we have the same dora, and she has the same rastafarian hairdo. nice.

Laurie said...

Great letter. Although, I gave up on being perfect a long time ago. I mean, if God wanted me to be perfect, why didn't he send me perfect kids? :)

Sarah Blue said...

The recipe for those pot pies needs to be posted. I've searched and searched for a good pot pie recipe, and most end up just being chicken & dumpling-ish. Her pot pie looked Great!

jessica said...

Very well written, and I love all the comments. How comforting to know we all struggle with the universal "I'm failing my children" syndrome, and that we can gain strength from each other.

Melissa said...

Thanks for the reminder that it is okay not to be a "perfect" parent.

I can not wait for you to visit Utah we will have to get together and maybe have some pot pie!

Hazen5 said...

What a great letter! When I am having one of "those days", I need to go back and read it! That made me happy to be My kids mom!

♥Shally said...

I am always impressed at how great you are at putting your feeling into words.

Loved the letter

Erika said...

Jessica—I’m a friend of Kara Jayne and found your blog through hers. I have been silently reading and enjoying your blog for some time now. I am shy about leaving comments, but I just had to tell you how much I loved your letter. Thank you for sharing your inspiration and insight and for being so real. Loved the idea of our weakness becoming strengths for us and our children and “that the works of God should be made manifest.” I will be thinking about this for a while. Thanks!!

And ps—am going to be making your parfaits tomorrow. Yummy!

Anonymous said...

Jess,
I'll just say, "ditto". Wow, I should read this post daily. Thanks, and thanks for making Braxton a part of your blog. I loved reading the comments and knowing others got to see a portion of his life.
love ya,
Brooke

Brigitta said...

That was such a great letter. I really needed to hear those things. We are all just trying to do the best with what we've got. and good thing someone else upstairs is looking out for us and our children and that we can get down on our knees and ask for help, inspiration, strength and support. Thanks

Anonymous said...

always have to tell yourself those things. It was a great letter!

Adrianne said...

Does your extra-popular status earn you free admission to blogapalooza??

Hollyween said...

Loved the letter. You're so relatable and I think that's why everyone adores you. I'm constantly praying to "be the mom that He would have me be".
I think we never think we are good enough. It's just part of being a mom. It's nice to know other people feel this way.

The Parkers said...

Jessica -
Thank you for your letter. I really needed it today.
I realize you have no idea who I am, but I found your blog several months ago while "blog surfing", and have been lurking ever since. I read yours every morning just to add some sunshine to my day. I've been too chicken to comment before, but couldn't help it this time.
Thanks for all you post!
-Alison in Connecticut

Anisa said...

I just can't keep up with all of your blogging!!!

Summer said...

I was directed to your letter by Abbie (my sis-in-law), and I'm not one to miss out on anything she recommends. :) I'm not a mom yet but I was so touched! Thank you!