Hi. I’m Adrienne, a recovering people-pleaser and lover of all things chocolate. As an Enneagram 9, I find myself in the mediator position a lot, and I defer to other’s needs and desires more often than I do to my own. I hate running but I love the way it makes me feel. I also have an unhealthy relationship with stories and reading – I’ve always got my nose in a book. Oh yeah, and I’m a speech-language pathologist and an adjunct professor at our local university.
I met my husband Peter in a college French class, which sounds romantic except it isn’t. In fact, I found him to be quite irritating, yet here we are 25 years later. We’ve been happily married for 23 years and we have four children – Brienne, Jonah, Vivienne, and Jillienne.
I grew up in the church, strayed for a few years in college, and rediscovered my love for Jesus as a young adult. After becoming a mom, I realized just how much I truly need Jesus every second of every day. Motherhood is exhausting, y’all. Nobody ever tells you that being a mom will drain every last ounce of your energy and you may not know how you’re going to breathe your next breath. But motherhood is also beautiful and lovely and amazing. And worth it.
I began blogging at the worst possible time: in a sleep-deprived state, mothering our nine-year old daughter, three-year old son who had recently been diagnosed with autism, and our colicky newborn. I started writing as an outlet to relieve stress but soon found that God had a lot to teach me through the difficulties and humor of parenting.
Featured Writing:
MOPS International’s online magazine Hello, Dearest https://blog.mops.org/gracefully-saying-no/
(in)courage. http://www.incourage.me/2017/05/mothers-day-hurts.html
My writing has also been featured in Be Strong: The MOPS Magazine as well as two collections, Let Your Light Shine: Be a Light in a Dark World and Free to Be Brave
I’ve also written two books which can be found on Amazon – Mommy Has Crinkles: A Devotional for Worn-Out Moms and When God Proves Faithful: An Adoption Memoir.
Podcasts:
I’ve been a featured guest on the Sucker Punched podcast, speaking on the topics of disappointment infertility, adoption, and autism, and the What’s Your Story podcast, talking about our adoption journey.
My prayer is that through my weekly updates, you will find hope in those worn-out mommy moments. That you will feel the hand of God lifting you out of the depths, pulling you to your feet, and breathing life back into you. That you will soak in God’s goodness and mercy.
I’m a mom, just like you. And I’m blessed beyond all the exhaustion. Won’t you join me in this beautiful journey called motherhood?
(Photo credit: Kalyn Wilson Photography; Three Chicks Pics; Sara Silvey Photography; some links are affiliate)