Stephanie from Momma Be Thy Name is here today to talk about her expectations. She’s the mom of three, a toddler and twin one-year olds. Yeah, imagine that, would ya? Holy cow.


I have to admit, when I first starting following Momma Be Thy Name, I was a little intimidated. Her tag line, “Because Misery Loves Company”, along with that saintly momma, made me think that she was super edgy, hard core….you know….not approachable. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Since I wrote a post for her for her 12 Days of Christmas and have since gotten to know her better, I’ve found Stephanie to be super approachable, kind, honest, and supportive.

Stephanie has a hysterical view on motherhood, is the first to admit when she actually DOES have her hands full, and still has a way of slowing down and appreciating what she has.

Welcome, Stephanie!


When I awoke on the morning of March 23, I was officially a homeowner. A lifelong dream of mine that, honestly, I was reluctant to have come true. It was a responsibility for which I didn’t think I’d ever feel ready.

I have, throughout my adult life, have been focused on things. Pretty things. Things that made me happy, like handbags and jewelry, to the detriment of things like my checking account, and what some like to refer to as “long-term goals.” I’ve always lived for the moment, with faith that all would work out. And for the most part, it has.

Our first attempt at house hunting failed miserably.  My twins, now almost 14 months old, were mere infants, of whose full spectrum of needs I was yet unaware. We had no reason not to focus on things. Hot tubs, stainless steel appliances, crown moldings. Things.

Between the inability to find our ‘dream house’, the fact that we weren’t terribly fond of our realtors, and, you know, the extreme sleep deprivation, we decided to postpone our search.

Around the end of 2011, we decided to start looking again. My son was turning two, turning the house inside out, and one of the twins had begun walking. We needed more space, more importantly, safe space, for the babies.

Long story short, and after a far more pleasant hunting experience, we chose and purchased a house. A warm, inviting, appropriately-sized house. But something inside me has changed. When I stand, now, at the foot of the stairwell, I look up and imagine my childrens’ laughter. I hear little footsteps running back and forth between our bedroom and theirs. When I lookout into the yard, I see not the spot where I want to put the pool, but the sun warming my childrens’ faces, and softly scented grass gently cradling them from below.

I look into the family room and imagine the bluish glow ofthe television bathing us on movie night, and my son curling up by the window toread or study. And imagining the darkness of night, and hoping they are never afraid. And wishing I could swallow their disappointments before they realize they have any.

Owning a home has taken on a meaning I never would have appreciated in the absence of children. Am I still focused on things? Yes, but to a lesser degree. The true irony, though, is that a thing like a home has (somewhat) cured me of this pursuit.

I’m spending much less time looking around at what we canmake look better, or shinier, or more sleek, in favor of how we will make our childrens’ lives full and happy. And what will make them sleep peacefully at night. And anticipating all the joy that will be gleaned from their smiles. And the warmth created in our hearts. And our home.

But am I upgrading those last few appliances to stainless? You bet I am.
The Momma, Stephanie
The babies, exploring the new house

You can follow along with Stephanie on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.

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