A short time ago I mentioned that if I could pick a mothering mantra, it would be “If God puts you to it, God will get you through it.” I still stand by this; grace has simply overflowed in the last year and a half, through getting married, being pregnant, and having Jacob.

However, if I could have a second mantra—and who’s stopping me, really?—without a doubt it would be: “Git ‘er done.”

As a mother—especially the mother of a five-month-old baby—if I see something has to get done, I have to be the one to do it (unless John is around and that “something” is a diaper change.  Thanks, love!).

Becoming a mother is an intense transition, one that began with being more mentally, spiritually, and physically exhausted than I’ve ever been before.  It took some time for me to get up and get moving when something needed to happen.  Those first months are like being promoted from intern in C.E.O. in one fell swoop.

The other day, John gave me a very sweet and humbling compliment:  “I’m amazed at how much you’re able to do.”  We were talking about my freelance business, which is still small, but steady, and maybe about something I’d cooked that day as well.  I thought a moment, and then replied, “So am I.”

As a young woman figuring out how to care for herself and her husband, taking on a baby and the majority of household tasks can be a tall order.  Add a small business and a growing disdain for food that comes from a box, and you’ve got yourself quite a busy lady.

I don’t say all this to boast of myself at all.  I’m really not doing it alone; I have John, family close by, and lots of friends with and without kids that are unwaveringly encouraging and supportive.  I only say this to go back to that first mantra.

Our family is what it is because of our faith.  Because we pray the rosary together each night.  Because we work every day at strengthening our marriage.  Because we are always finding new ways to show our son how tremendously and unconditionally he is loved.

As much fun as a good power trip can sometimes be, making decisions about feeding schedules, clothing, whether that last nap was long enough and when the next one should be can be terrifying.  But with Christ, all things are possible, and with a little faith, it’s really not so hard to get it all done.