I’ve used the phrase, “You can fight a bear for a little while” in a few posts of mine in the past. It’s something my grandfather always used to say and my mom would say it to me whenever I’d get scared of something or nervous about something.
When I’d get scared before going away to summer camp and I’d tell her I didn’t think I could do it, she’d say, “yes you can.You can fight a bear for a little while.” And it’s true. I’m tough. And God has shown me that more and more over the past few years.
I don’t just mean physically tough (although I have found out that I do have an extremely high pain tolerance). I have tackled some huge projects at work (well, my former place of work) and at home. Nothing I’ve ever been afraid of or nervous about has been as bad as I ever thought it would be. And I always survive.
But the two biggest “bears” I’ve been fighting are at home. And their names are Hudson and Hayes.
I’m only kind of kidding. The other day, my mom and I were in one of those family restrooms in a mall in Indianapolis so we could use the restroom and change both boys’ diapers. Hudson made changing his diaper really tough and he ended up screaming and thrashing around on the bathroom floor. Disgusting. Hayes was crying because he was wet and hungry, but we were trying to get Hudson off the floor. My mom and I were both doing the “tee tee” dance because we had to go so badly. And I just knew that everyone out in the mall could hear my kids screaming. And I just started laughing and couldn’t stop laughing.
After Hudson was born, if that had happened, I would have started crying in the bathroom with him out of frustration, fear, and embarrassment. But so far with Hayes, the only thing I’ve cried about were our breast feeding woes. I’m getting better at fighting the bears!
My sweet little bears are adorable, but they demand every single second of my day from me. I could be getting more sleep than I’m actually getting. I can’t blame the lack of sleep on Hayes. I stay up so late after he goes to bed just so I can finish all of the little things around the house.
But just as I’ve said before, it’s a season. God gave me these precious little lives to raise and nurture and sometimes there are moments where they are both screaming bloody murder and the house is as loud as it could possibly get. And I don’t even worry when that happens anymore. I actually giggle a little bit because I know that I can handle it, everyone is okay, and God is always teaching me something.
I’m so Type A and He’s forcing me to get over it. I’m getting over it and focusing on my family rather than the dishes or the laundry or the fact that dog hair is stuck to Hudson’s toes!
Getting a full night’s rest would be pretty awesome, but I firmly believe that each little phase in my children’s lives will send me running to the Father looking for wisdom. And I also believe that this age is the easy part. It’s only going to get harder, right? They’ll get older and I’ll worry about much more serious things in their lives than just how much sleep they’re getting and what caused the latest temper tantrum.
There are moments when I’m sad that I can’t focus more on myself. I don’t have the time to exercise the way I need to or cook the way I’d like to. I’d love to have a nanny a couple of days a week to watch them so I can get some other things done. But none of those things are my reality and that’s okay with me. I won’t receive a medal for raising my children and some day they may thank me. I’ll cry a little and a laugh a whole lot.
But every time I look at them during the happy times, I will smile and thank my Lord for blessing me with the two of them. And every time I look at them during the crazy times, I’ll just remember that I can fight a bear for a little while and God is going to get me through to the next phase.
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Hey, y'all, I'm Erin. Thanks for stopping by! I'm a Believer, a boy mom and former event planner turned stay-at-home mom. I blog about our lives, my family, my faith, fun finds, and kitchen disasters. You can read more on my 'About' page 
This sweet post made my day! I love your blog and have been following for awhile, but I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy it! What a great reminder of how God’s grace will get you through every season of your life, no matter how challenging it may seem at the time, and just how important it is to see the joys in stressful seasons of life. Enjoy your two beautiful boys and have a wonderful week!
Erin…I needed to hear this so badly. I have had a rough few days feeling all of those emotions you just talked about. But you are so right….I think I can fight a bear for a little while too, and I need to remember more often than not that I am not alone, and God is always with me. Just what I needed on a Monday morning–thank you! (And btw..you look STUNNING!)
Love this post, Erin. And you look beautiful in the picture with sweet Hayes! Hope you guys are doing well and enjoying your new little fella immensely!
This is a great post Erin. I’m in a very similar stage in life, as you know.
Thank you for sharing. I really needed to hear this right now. You look gorgeous and your little bears are adorable.
Your honesty is refreshing! Sometimes I just have to laugh too
and you are looking gorgeous!
Hayes looks exactly like Hudson in the picture with you…so cute!
I really needed to read this, so thank you! I’ve been having a bit of a hard time adjusting to life with an infant and the lack of sleep that comes with it. I’ve definitely cried, mainly about breastfeeding, but I’ve also loved being a mommy so far. Your post is great and I’m so glad you wrote it
This is EXACTLY how I’ve been feeling lately. Mothering is such a tough, stressful job. I need the reminder every once in a while to look for the lesson! Your boys are so precious!
Erin, you are so right. Great post. Sometimes I want to stamp the words TEMPORARY on my daughter’s forehead, so I remember that this stage of my life will not in fact last forever.
Beautiful, and appropriate for so many seasons of life!
Oh I love this post. It made me cry…because I’ve felt this way many times. I know you get some crazy comments from some crazy people sometimes, but I honestly think you are so real and relatable. I’ve been meaning to tell you that. I love your heart and the way you share it on your blog.
Precious pics.
This was such an amazing post. It’s funning how having a kid(s) (and a husband in my case) can really help you get over your Type A personalities. My house is not perfect. There are light up boots sitting in the middle of my kitchen as I speak. But you know what? It’s all worth it. You are an amazing mother, and I love reading your blog because I can relate. Thanks for sharing.
Great post girl
Is it bad that I almost broke into a sweat hearing you describe the bathroom scene?! Maybe by the next one, I’ll be as calm as you are….
You look fab in that picture!
That should say “funny” not “funning”. Sheesh!
So true Erin! I am also very very type A, and having a child has humbled me in a way I never thought possible. I’m learning to let go of things. That my son will scream in the middle of the grocery store for no reason, he will get upset and throw tantrums, and my life is far from perfect. I am taught this lesson every day. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world! Hayes is your little mini me!
Beautifully written and hilarious at the same time!
LOVE this post! I’ve started using that phrase and I just love it! It is so true! As always I love the way you write and the way you describe life. Always refreshing!
Love this post. I am SO type A, and I often think about how this will affect me once we start having a family. I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. And, I love that you said you will always “look to the Father” – SO TRUE!
Erin I love your post! So many Mommas probably needed this inspiration today. God bless you as you keep fighting the bears!
So, I now have a new catchphrase!!! I really needed to read this post today…I have been “fighting a bear” in the evenings (trying to get rid of the evening nap and push up bedtime
) and like you “just have to laugh” sometimes at the craziness that surrounds me….and at the same time I wouldn’t change a thing!!!
XOXO
It sounds like the Lord is really meeting you and sustaining you through this season and that in itself is such a testimony
I often hear the expression “God will never give you more than you can handle” but that’s not true. He just never gives you more than HE can (and will) help you handle. Thanks for this great post that points all the credit and glory to Him. I LOVE that last picture of Hudson too btw. 
What a great phrase to remember when times get tough!
I LOVE your heart Erin. Beautiful post.
This is just what I needed to hear! It is so easy to complain about lack of sleep or a needy fussy baby, but at the end of the day having a healthy baby is enough to make me happy. I need to remember that more often. The days are long, but the years are short – so so true! Thank you for the post and for being so honest. I love your blog!
Great post! It is always wonderful to know we have God to draw strength from!
I must say-that post was definitely something I a) needed to read and b) need to keep in mind (and maybe even re-read) as I’m about to (Please G-d) have baby #2 and the nerves have started to set in about managing a house while going to school!
Thanks for a positive, uplifting and settling post
that saying is so funny…and TRUE! I’m going to use it from now on
Currently fighting a couple bears of my own, I could appreciate this post (I don’t have kids, but I think the feeling translates pretty well to other challenging life stages). I actually just underlined that passage in Isaiah last night – what a comfort.
What a beautifully written post! I totally agree with this phrase, although when the “bear” comes at you, it’s hard to think about that
It’s easier to get scared and run away. Your little bears are absolutely adorable and they make all the little mishaps worth it with their sweet smiles
there is no doubt i feel the same way with the kids. When my oldest was born, I would have been crying too, but when you have the second, you just kind of shake it off and get on with the task.
Amen! So very true! Thank you for the sweet reminder. I’ve struggled so much with this myself this year that sometimes I didn’t know which way was up. The feeling of being overwhelmed and in WAY over my head can be so crippling. So thankful we’re not alone…
I totally know how you feel. I still sometimes get embarrassed when we’re out in public and Natalie goes crazy. But a lot of times I just laugh. What can you do, you know?
And yeah for being in Indy!?! That’s my hometown! What were you doing there??
I’m going to have to start using this phrase as we call our boys our “bears!”
I had a similar situation to your bathroom incident with the boys at the dr today…loading (screaming) Little Bear in the carrier while I was doing the “tee tee” dance and then Big Bear jumped on my back to do piggy back…I seriously thought I was going to lose it laughing!
I love this post. Sometimes life get so outrageous you have to laugh, or you’ll cry. I think I’ve learned so much about God’s sovereignty in this past year- and that He never gives us more than we can handle if we will lean into Him. You’re a wonderful, beautiful mommy and I know He has big plans for you and your two boys!
Thank you for this post. I have been feeling this way lately too. Thus is my first baby and I am just not adjusting as well as I thought I would to my life no longer being my own. I have always said.. I can do anything for one year… but I like your saying much better. I am new to your blog but already loving it.
I am a little further ahead of you in the parenting world (an 11 yeaar old boy and an almost 10 year old girl, 16 months apart) I rmember the days you are describing so vividly…..the time has blown by so quickly, I can promise you this, the time will fly by and it just keeps getting easier…althought the teen years are looming and that will be a whole other story!
Mine are 21 months apart, and girl you are in the thick of it and it is a selfless job. I am not gonna lie to you, it will let up a bit in a coup,e of months and then when Hayes is “mobile” it will start getting crazy again. But… I made it and so will you, hang in there. Mine are 5.5 and almost 4 now, and yes I miss those days in a crazy sorta way.
Erin, you are such a beautiful writer and it is because you always write from your heart. Hudson and Hayes are so blessed to have you has their mommy!!! I miss you dearly! I’m thinking of you often!!! Love the post and the pictures! You are beautiful my friend!! Xoxo
Such a lovely post. I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first child and I can only imagine what it will be like. This is a reminder to keep everything in perspective, take it one day at a time, and trust in Him alone. If times are tough, remember “this too shall pass…” Children are a gift that not everyone will be blessed with, so I need to remember to thank my lucky stars each day!
Love this post – so sincere and from the heart. I love the “you can fight a bear for a little while” idea; that’s one I’m going to remember. You’re doing a GREAT job with Hudson and Hayes, and they’ll appreciate all the time you spent with them so much as they get older. They’re very, very lucky to have you as their mom!
Love this post, so so true!! Hang in there Mama!!
Hi – I just check in on your blog every so often…you got me hooked with Hudson’s Green Eggs and Ham party but I wanted to share what my Dad has always told me when facing a challenge or something I simply did not want to do. He always said, “You can beat a bear with a rubber hose for 12 hours.” I laughed when I read, “you can fight a bear for a little while” because they are so similar and I have made it my mantra many days since my son was born and I became a stay-at-home-mom. Congrats on all your many blessings!
This post has so much truth to it. I love it. And, I’ve never heard of that phrase, but I believe I like it!
I tell myself “and this to shall pass.”…. because you’re right, it’s just a phase. This time next year you’ll be in a different place with your two little ones and look back at this time and won’t remember the tough times. It’s amazing how as moms we forget the bad and remember the good b/c we have tomorrow to look forward to. Hope you have a wonderful, blessed day!!
Erin – thank you for your honesty. It’s so easy to read people’s blogs and begin feeling inadequate because all of these people/moms/photographers/chefs seem to have it all together. Their kids are perfectly dressed, houses are perfectly cleaned and decorated and all is perfectly happy. It is so refreshing and reassuring to get some honesty and still hear you say how wonderful life is overall. I spent the weekend traveling 10 hours with my sister, my 2 1/2 year old, and her 1 1/2 year old to visit my other sister and her 9 month old. Wow were we overwhelmed. Three grown women and three small children and I think the children won! We now need a vacation from our vacation. Good for you for keeping your sense of humor. I appreciate it so much! -Erin
Having a 2 year old and an almost 10 year old has definitely given me perspective. I realize how quickly they go from needing you EVERY second to barely needing you AT ALL! I have LOTS of days when I want to go hide by myself! (Especially right now during the summer with no school and no MDO). But I know how quickly this phase will pass. And you are right, know that my older son is edging ever closer to teenage years, the WORRIES are far greater! I pray for my husband and me and for my 2 boys to make it to their adulthoods unscathed!