AmandaCarroll.org

Green Milk on St. Patrick’s Day, April Fool’s Meatloaf Cupcakes, and planning Andy’s Half Birthday Party. I have recently made a decision to embrace full-time motherhood as a creative profession, instead of a time in life that I’m just trying to survive.

I recently took a trip to the newly renovated Smithsonian American History Museum and was inspired by a little plaque on the wall about Motherhood after the Industrial Revolution. It said,

“…Middle and upper class women increasingly regarded motherhood as a creative outlet, for self expression and self-fulfillment. They strove not only to nurture, but to mold their children, taking pride in their graces and accomplishments.”

I wondered when did we loose that feeling? Fast forward 100 years…will there be another plaque about the Age of Technology that said women saw Motherhood as a chore? I hope not.

I have a dream that Stay-at-Home Mothers stop being embarrassed by not having an answer to the cocktail party question, “And what do you do for a living?” Instead of muttering quietly, “Oh, I’m just a mom.” I hope we give ourselves a real job title; Professional Mother.

That’s why I put forth so much effort to make every day as a learning opportunity with a craft, a song, an adventure to someplace new. Every week I try to have a new experience as a family. From “Field Trip Day” to Planting a Pizza Garden. I approach Motherhood as my creative profession. I have a daughter and a son to raise. I am taking this job seriously, and I’m having so much fun in the process.

I’m 33 years old.  Today he’s 60, but I still call him “Daddy”.  

I will never be too old to say “Daddy I need you.”

He’s the first person I call when there’s great news.

He’s the first person I call when the news is grim. 

I rarely hear his voicemail.  I always get his voice.  

He is an employer to hundreds, a deacon and man of faith at his church, a leader of a hospital board  that brings healing to thousands.  But, I still feel he puts the most importance on his family.  Caring for his wife and his daughters.  And that’s no secret to his friends and coworkers.  When he’s in an important meeting at church, work, with the hospital board, or rounding hole #18 on the golf course…if my sister and I call…he stops everything to make sure we’re okay.

Just as I imagine my heavenly father does for me when I call out to Him in prayer.  Drops everything to listen.  

My Daddy, has accomplished exactly what God asks every father to do.  To be a good example of our Heavenly Father. He is a compassionate man, ready to extend grace to us when we fall, but setting high expectations for us to succeed.  

My Dad always likes to “push”.  Push me to try harder, work harder, and never ever give up.  He loves to tell the story of when he took me to the top of “The Tram” in Jackson Hole, WY.  It’s the most challenging part of the mountain to ski down.  I was probably 12 years old and he had it in his head that I was ready to ski down the black diamond runs with him.  He took me up despite my whining and complaining.  I was scared to death.  But, he kept telling me the whole trip up the mountain that I could do it.  ”Come on SOLID (that was his nickname for me)…shake it off he’d say.   I distinctly remember standing at the top of the black diamond run…hardly able to see out of my ski goggles, and watching my Dad ski down ahead of me…yelling “COME ON MANDY!”  I had no choice but to follow him.  After a many falls, I eventually got down to the bottom of the mountain and said what is now infamous in my family, “Daddy, can I do that again?”  

Daddy, Thank you for creating an environment for me to succeed.  Thank you for pushing me beyond what I thought my limits were and always encouraging me to ski down that hill.  You have established a legacy for not just your children, but your grand-children and hopefully great grand-children.

Today on His 60th Birthday….I say to you my Daddy…”Well done my good and faithful servant.”  Matthew 25:21`

Happy Birthday Daddy!

37 weeks

What is it about motherhood and pregnancy that makes you feel so invincable?  Maybe it’s the hormones, or maybe it’s just because all of a sudden you realize you have no other choice but to be strong for your children.

Yesterday, I did something brave for me, and had a professional photo shoot with my bare pregnant belly.  I’m typically pretty shy of taking pictures of myself especially when I feel well…as large…as I am.  But, when friend and fellow Vienna Mom Club member, Emily Korff, of VeraLana Photography brought up the idea, I went for it.  And I’m so glad we did it!  I will never forget the experience.  I felt beautiful.  I felt special.  I felt powerful to be a mama!  

Emily Korff is one powerful mama herself.  She is an inspiration.  She has 2 beautiful daughters (Vera and Lana) and has created her own professional photography business.This weekend she celebrated moving into her own professional photography studio in Vienna! It’s a big step and I am so excited for her!  She is an inspiration to us all.  If you’ve ever wished and hoped to take your creative talents and turn it into a business, she is a great example.  She is diving in!

I think that’s all it takes sometimes.  A brave plunge.  A step where failure isn’t an option, so success is the only outcome!

So congratulations to Emily Korff and her VeraLana Photography studio!   I’m curious, what would be your brave plunge?

Celebrate the Bellies!

Love,

Amanda