This Mom's Confessions

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Open Boxes To Dig Past The Weak Moments

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I don’t know about you, but somedays I am just plain tired, weak and most definitely uninspired as a mother and wife, too.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my life, but still the daily grind can sometimes sadly zap so much of my spirit leaving me most definitely drained and weak.

However, then I will turn around to have a moment take my breath away and makes it all worth it.

Take for instance, one night recently after a particularly long day, where all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and collapse.

But my girls had other ideas and kept trying to put off bedtime like most kids will do when bedtime is indeed looming.

I finally got them into their beds in their shared bedroom and thought I was in the clear to lay down to finally get some much needed rest.

Still yet, as I was lying in my bed, I could hear my girls chattering away with each other while they were in their beds.  At one point, I heard my younger daughter sharing with her older sister that she was afraid of the dark (even though there is a night light in their room).  My older daughter proceeded to sing to her little sister to try to calm and soothe her scared sister.

As much as I truly just wanted to collapse that night, I still couldn’t help, but smile and marvel at the sisterly, sibling bond that connects my two daughters after hearing the above incident that was just a small, but yet grand gesture by my older daughter to help her little sister.

Coincidentally I was asked right before this to read and review the book, Open Boxes: the gifts of living a full and connected life, by Christine Organ, which is a celebration of the human spirit.

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See Open Boxes is a collection of stories that doesn’t just tell readers – but shows readers – how to live fully and connect deeply by reveling in the sacred within our everyday lives about everything from spirituality and parenting, self-acceptance and friendship, shopping at Old Navy and bowling with preschoolers.

One of the stories actually found the author pretty much musing over a similar experience with her own two sons and described how this experience impacted her profoundly.

I truly loved how, I could relate to the author’s experience with her own kids and very much agree with her that I, too, hope and pray that my two girls will not just be siblings, but so much more to each other as they are growing up.

And this was just one of many stories that was shared in Open Boxes that I could not only connect to on some level, but enjoyed on a deeper, spiritual level.

Open Boxes To Dig Past The Weak Moments #1word @blogitudes

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And as I continued to read this book and the author’s experiences, I became even more inspired to gently lift the lid off of my compartmentalized life and tie together the torn and tattered pieces that lie inside in order to try to live more fully and even connect more deeply with the people and world around me, because Open Boxes is truly filled with stories of comfort, struggle, heartache, joy, insight, compassion, resilience, and redemption. See like a cup of coffee with a good friend, her stories will soothe and inspire, uplift and motivate, entertain and encourage.

Trust me, this is just a feel good book that will make you look at even the most mundane daily happenings in your life and how it is all a part of a greater force than you could even begin to imagine.

I can’t help, but recommend this book to all, who are looking for an uplifting read.

To get your own copy of this book, it is currently available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

This post was written for the One Word Blog Linkup that is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons (who is off this week on vacation), Marcia of Blogitudes and yours truly, too.

The words for this week are: Trust or Scream; Please feel free to linkup and join us this week.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leanne@crestingthehill says

    What a lovely post Janine – what a kind and thoughtful sister to take the time to make the littler one feel safe. It’s wonderful when you see your children doing kind things for each other. ~ Leanne

  2. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    I actually THINK I am past that bedtime struggle. My oldest definitely doesn’t give me crap anymore, but the little one every now and then will fool around in his room after he’s in bed.

  3. Seana Turner says

    I am one of two girls. My mother is one of two girls. My sister had two girls. I have two girls. Even my father has two sisters. Needless to say, I’m loving the adorable sister story.

  5. Chris Carter says

    Ah… this is such a beautiful review, Janine!!! I will be reading this book to review just as soon as I am done with the book I am reading NOW to review! LOL

    I actually cannot WAIT to read this one. It sounds like such an inspirational read!

    • Janine says

      Chris, I am so glad yo are reading to read to review, too and cannot wait to hear what you think of it now 😉

  6. Bev says

    That is such a sweet story about your girls! I remember once comforting my little sister when we spent the night at my grandparents’. Now that we’re older we’re so much more than sisters — we’re best friends.

    • Janine says

      Aw, Bev, I love hearing this about you and your sister and gives me such hope for my girls as they continue to grow now 😉

  7. Bill says

    Wonderful message today, Janine. So much of the seemingly “mundane” in life is so precious….we need to be receptive to it all and enjoy the hell out of it.

    Enjoy your Wednesday. We’re getting a bit warm here and I’m not happy about it at all. LOL

    • Janine says

      Aw, Bill this one was absolutely my pleasure and again loved reading about your friendship reunion today, as well. Happy Wednesday and pretty hot here too right now, but you know I just can’t get enough of it myself!! 😉

  9. christina says

    I love imagining how your daughters looked and sounded as they comforted each other. That is so special.
    Thank you for the book suggestion, I am headed to the library this morning!

  10. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    You amaze me at how much you manage to get done. You constantly are writing posts for everyone not including your two blogs plus all the behind the scenes work you do to help other bloggers with their sites. I know how long it takes me to write a post and share posts with everyone and not to mention all the social media. Most of the time I spend 8 to 12 hours a day on my computer. We are on vacation now and I am on the computer. I am exhausted but I cannot seem to find a balance. Normally, the thing that I need to be doing the most which is writing blog posts always comes last. I cannot seem to find the energy to write.
    Thanks for sharing OPEN BOXES. It sounds like a great book.
    Blessings,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      Diane, you amaze me. Seriously, you are on vacation and commenting and sharing my blog posts today. Cannot thank you more for that, but hope you can take off a bit to enjoy the rest of your vacation as you totally deserve it so much. Hugs and thank you again!!! 😉

  11. Kristen says

    It sounds lovely and something every parent can benefit from! I am looking for a book for our trip…I’ll add this in my library! Thanks!

  12. Jen says

    Oh my gosh this book sounds amazing! I love hearing how it inspired you and your review . This definitely looks like something I need to add to the reading list. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  13. Marcia @ Blogitudes says

    Such a beautiful moment your daughters shared, Janine! To me, that’s what sisters are all about. 🙂 And I’m so glad you mentioned this book. It definitely sounds like one I’d enjoy reading and will be checking it out right now. Thank you!

  15. another jennifer says

    I love it when I catch my kids having a touching sibling moment like your girls did. I have the book Open Boxes as well. The stories are great. I love the perspective she gives.

    • Janine says

      Aw, I know I love when I catch my kids doing stuff like this, too and so glad you also have Open Boxes to read, too Jennifer 😉

  16. Amanda @ Growing Up Madison says

    I love books I can relate to and this seems to be one of them. I also love that story of the girls, they sound like they’ll be the best of friends when they grow up. Sometimes I wish my 2 girls were closer in age but Madison looks up to her big sister and I wouldn’t change a thing. 🙂

    • Janine says

      Aw, love that your girls are so close even with the many years apart and definitely got to love that sisterly bond 😉

  18. Aunt Gloria says

    I love that story about Emma taking care of Lily. That is sisterly love for sure! Hope everyone is feeling good. xxoo

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Aunt Gloria and right now seems like we are all on the mend and fingers crossed that it stays this way now xoxo 😉

  19. Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly says

    I have a book I read about once a year, to re-focus, to ground me. It’s called “The Art of Happiness” based on the teachings of the Dalai Lama. And yes, it helps. It helps me to see the beauty in the every-day banalities again, to be happy for the small things, to take things more lightly. I’m glad you found a book like that for you 🙂 Yes, life is still not perfect, and I am far from the perfect mom, but each new day has this amazing potential to become the best day in our lives.

  20. April G says

    Yes, I’ve felt weak a lot lately, but I’ve just kept going. I love the inspiration of opening boxes. I can’t wait for my girls to get to that level. They are almost there… but right now they are butting heads, mainly because neither of them speak well.

    • Janine says

      April, I promise it will happen and even still they will have their moments, but think you will see this soon enough though 😉

  21. Liz Mays says

    Honestly I think some of the best bonding time with my little sister was during our bedtime shenanigans! Our room was furthest from our parents so they couldn’t hear us, lol

  22. Tamara says

    I want to read this so badly! I keep hearing about it! It’s a Tamara book.
    On a sidenote, the kids are still up (it’s almost 10) and I can hear Des chattering away to Scarlet in their beds. What’s great is that she’s stopped replying so it’s likely she fell asleep first and he keeps going on.

  23. Claire says

    I have not reached the bed time struggle yet… but am dreading it!!! Really enjoyed the read, thanks for sharing, and also may have to check out the Open Boxes book

    • Janine says

      Claire, I hope you do get to read and the bedtime struggles have their good moments still as you can see from here though 😉

  24. Julie S. says

    I feel drained and weak on most days so I definitely know what you mean. So sweet that your daughters show each other sisterly support so young 🙂

    • Janine says

      Julie, drained and weak describes it perfectly, but still I agree that I am so happy that my girls are so supportive of each other even at the youngest of ages 😉

  26. Jack says

    I see this story as proof that you are doing something right. Children learn by example and clearly you are teaching them to be compassionate and thoughtful. That is very cool.

  27. Leah Davidson says

    Adorable story. I think listening in on sibling night time conversations is so rewarding — a break from hearing the bickering, you get a sense of what they really feel for each other:)

  29. Rea says

    My husband always says that it is important that Reiko has a younger sibling so that he won’t be lonely. I am not really sure if that ever happens.. I can see how your girls are great sisters despite occasional misunderstandings. I know it can melt a mother’s heart. 🙂

    • Janine says

      Kristi, I know I always wanted a sister for myself, too but don’t get me wrong am blessed to have an awesome brother, but still nothing seems to beat sisters 😉

  32. Christine Organ says

    Janine, thank you so much for this beautiful review. I am SO glad that you enjoyed the book. And what a sweet story about your girls. So heartwarming. We moved our boys into the same room a few months ago and though some nights their bedtime chit-chatting and squabbles make me want to scream, most nights hearing them talk to each other before bed is just the sweetest thing. Thank you again!

    • Janine says

      Aw, you are so welcome, Christine. It was seriously my pleasure to read and review here. So thank you for writing such a wonderful and inspirational book 😉

  33. Kenya G. Johnson says

    It sounds like a wonderful read and I love how you introduced the review with your related story. That had to be so sweet to overhear.

    Side note: For you it’s time for a vacation from home. 😉

  38. Brittany M. says

    Awww, there’s nothing more touching than sibling love, having four boys of my own I know how something so small can warm your soul.

  39. Leslie says

    Awww…that story of your girls is just the sweetest! Whenever I get the chance to read, I always love a great feel-good book. Thanks for the recommendation!

  41. Lindsay Klein says

    Everyone gets tired…and then one moment can lift us up…..for a bit;) Your daughters consoling eachother is so cute! Tam and I used to sleep together when we were scared;)

  42. Echo says

    This sounds like an amazing collection of stories and a great way to re-open that connection! Thank you so much for sharing it at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!

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