Beauty regimen 101

I typically do not wear high heels because I am always carrying a baby, or more recently trying to get my almost two year old to walk in by holding my hand, which is about as difficult as getting a stubborn donkey to move (trust me...I speak from recent experience on that one....and it's tough!!)

 The only opportunity I get to even wear heals (besides the occasional date night) is church...and even with that sometimes I  get so into the worship (arms raised, eyes closed, swaying) that sometimes I will lose my balance in the middle of a praise song.

I am not even kidding.  

Normally each and every Sunday and the hubs gives me several sincere compliments about how pretty I look.  

Of course I brush them off with the usual, “Oh, you have to say that – you’re my husband.”

When really on the inside....

{{Insert choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus.}}

Well today he didn't mention anything sooo of course I had to point out..."babe you didn't even say anything about my outfit today". (Did I mention I was wearing heels??) 

I pondered this for the rest of the day and the Holy Spirit spoke straight to my heart on the matter.

It wasn’t just my husband’s affirming words I sometimes brush off when He gives them...but then demand them when he doesn't. 

I DO THIS TO THE LORD, TOO.

How many times does it say in the Bible that I am beautiful, loved, and valued by God?

But how often do I continue to seek the approval of others?  How often do I try new make-up or wear new clothes or high heels to feel beautiful?

When all along the Lord is whispering that I’m beautiful simply because I am His creation.

The world’s standard of beauty is ever-increasing.  We have to be thinner, have bigger boobs, gorgeous hair, clear skin, brilliant teeth…  And we go to all kinds of lengths to attain it.  We want other people to notice us.  It feels good to have someone tell us we are beautiful.

What happens, then, when that selfie we posted on Instagram didn’t get as many likes as we had hoped?  Or when the pregnancy weight is hanging on for dear life despite a healthy lifestyle?  Or the second wrinkles start showing up?

Instead of feeling worthless, we can make the choice to believe the words our Savior says about us.  Words that remind us about who we are and Whose we are.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

My boobs might sag a bit and my hair might cause me great stress and confusion on some days, but God sees me and delights in saying,

“I love how I made you!”

This is the message for women today.  We need to stop holding our worth out to the masses and take hold of the beauty we possess through the blood of Jesus.

We can receive His affirmations and they can be enough. 

We can still wear cute clothes and make-up, friends.  

We can still wear heels.

We can still take care of ourselves.

But we must make sure our beauty is defined by God.

And not by the ever demand of "hearing what others" think about us. 

Does it feel good to hear that someone thinks you look nice?? 

Sure it does!! 

But does that compliment or lack there of "define" you??

Not me...my beauty is defined by God. 

Thanksgiving.....and BEING thankful.

I know how easy it is to grumble and complain especially when I'm overly busy with things....and as the holidays approach it seems at times to overwhelm me and I find myself complaining. If y’all are anything like me then you might agree that we are a generation struggling with distraction and discontentment.  We are surrounded with beautiful images on Pinterest and our souls are never satisfied.  We read blogs and long for other people’s gifts/marriages/kids/lives.  We have heads that are filled up with expectations and hearts that are heavy with guilt.

We are missing something.

WE ARE MISSING GRATITUDE.

And I have determined to figure this out because gratitude leads to contentment and contentment leads to joy and I want that for my kids more than anything. 

I have done some research and am trying to make a way for this to be how my kids are learning about gratitude in our home…

 Say It For Them –

Any time my kids should be thanking me or my husband or someone else for something and they are not, I will simply remind them.  If I have just served them pancakes and they take their plates without so much as a backward glance, I will say, “Thank you, Mommy!”  My kids know that this is their cue to repeat after me.  If they don’t right away, I will keep saying, “Thank you, Mommy!” until they do.  Likewise, when my kids are starting to get grumbly about leaving the playground, I will say, “Thank you, Mommy, for taking us to the park!  That was so nice of you!”  Or if someone starts to whine about what I have cooked for dinner, “Thank you, Mommy, for making this yummy dinner for us!”  This usually quiets their complaints as their perspective is given a helping hand.

Sometimes we just have to PUT THE WORDS IN THEIR MOUTHS.  Then, one magical day, those words will come back out all on their own (I have lived to see this – hallelujah!!).

Just Say No –

Don’t give your kids everything they want right when they want it.  The End. 

But seriously, we need to watch out for this.  We are mommas.  We like to give our kiddos good things.  But often the good thing is to say no and endure the possible, *temporary* fallout (I’m looking at you tantrum in the toy aisle at Walmart) because ALL THE THINGS and instant gratification can muddy the waters of appreciation.  Instead, make them wait for something, work for something, or be challenged to just be satisfied with the somethings that are right in front of them. I am certainly NOT perfect at this BUT I am a perfect work in progress. 

Acts of Appreciation –

Do nice things for people as a way to show your thanks.  The boys and I are always finding little ways to bless teachers, daddy mowing the neighbors yard, blessing the super wash guy with cookies, WHOEVER.  

Biblical Inspiration –

We can’t rely on the old phrase, “Because I said so,” desr friends!  Our children need to understand the biblical truth behind why we do what we do and say what we say, so teach them God’s heart on the matter of thanksgiving.

• We can be thankful that God’s love for us will never run out.Psalm 107:1
• We can give thanks for our salvation. Hebrews 12:28
• We can use gratitude to help us trust Jesus with our worries. Philippians 4:6
• We can give thanks in the good and the bad. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• We can use songs to give thanks. Psalm 95:2
• We can give thanks for our food because Jesus did.Matthew 15:36
• We can give thanks for what Jesus has done for us. Luke 17:11-19

Model, Model, Model –

This is IT!  Most of what our kids will learn from us will be ‘caught’ rather than ‘taught’, so if we spend a large majority of the time complaining about chores, dishes, messes, our weight/looks, inconveniences, hard things, our homes, people, etc., we must remember that our children are listening.

Instead, get that precious heart of yours filled up with the grace and kindness of Christ.  Let Him remind you of your many, many blessings – your salvation being the ultimate gift.  Let Him remind you that He is in control.  That He loves you and cares about every detail of your life.  Our hearts will be transformed as we make Christ our ultimate satisfaction and we will not be able to keep the resulting gratitude to ourselves.  This will translate into gracious encounters with others.

When the bagger at the grocery store has just carefully put everything in your cart and you thank him, those little ears will hear.

When your husband comes home from a busy day at work and you thank him for all that he does to provide for your family, those little ears will hear.

When you are on the phone with the doctor’s office and you speak kindly and thank them for their help at the end of the conversation, those little ears will hear.

When your children are all ready for school and waiting by the door without 10,000 reminders to get in the car, you will joyfully thank them and they will hear.

When you rise each morning and greet your kids with a smile and commit to rejoicing in the day that the Lord has made, they will hear and see.

And it will make a difference.

And here is the kicker...YOU will be happier as you give gratitude and THAT will teach gratitude!! 

I am so incredibly THANKFUL for our sweet boys and my wonderful hubby!!! This year I decided to do "thanksgiving cards" for our holiday card instead of Christmas cards to change it up a bit! Here are a few of our new family pictures!! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

What does true love look like to me?

This past week here in the Midwest it has gotten cooler. Which means I suddenly get verrrrry cold.

This is a very huge issue between my hubby and I because he is always very sweat and I am always very froze! (Improper usage intended...this is how we talk about it)

Which is not unusual because since we have been married we have battled this in our house! Even my sister in law use to call him the thermostat nazi because nobody is allow to adjust it(when he is home! :) 

Being cold this past week, however, was a problem because I when I get cold, I get shakey and cranky.  

Super dramatic I know. 

And before I lose you from the most boring blog post ever hold on tight because here is where it gets good. 

So I do what any normal person would have done.

I turn to my husband and ask him if I could put my hands in his armpits. Or under his shirt. 

Not because I wanted my hands to smell like man deodorant, but because ARMPITS ARE WARM.  And sometimes I just neeeeddd to warm up.

You know what my hubby does?? 

He says YES.

And my heart for him grows 50 times bigger for him. 

Who in their right mind would say yes to freezing cold icicles to be placed on them?

There were no dozen roses, there was no expensive vacation, and no fancy restaurant date.

I’m pretty sure that this is going down as one of the most strange sentences I have ever blogged (and I would imagine that most of you don’t even have a category for this kind of weirdness), but it was with my hands in my husband’s armpits that I felt the rich reward of a love committed to doing life together.

Forever.

The stuff that makes forever marriages isn’t really in the grand romantic gestures, but in the small, day-to-day sacrifices.  The little moments where one spouse chooses to love and serve the other without hesitation.

I am quite gifted at turning every light on in the house, as well as leaving various appliances plugged in and um ON!! (Last night for instance...after making dinner and baking dessert the usual "babe do you still need the oven" question was said with complete normalcy in his voice.) 

Obviously the hubby loves this about me.  Except not.  But he happens to be quite gifted at turning lights out and remembering to check every appliance in the house before we leave.

And he does it faithfully, without complaining (well, maybe a little complaining because, well, the house could burn down and it cost a lot extra) 

I make sure our pantry is stocked with all of his favorite snacks.

He gets the boys dressed when he knows I need to do my hair.

I put his clothes away.

He laughs at my mistakes (like running out of gas A few blocks from home.)

I admire the way he does the lawn.

I scratch his arm before bed.

And all that and much more 

 is TRUE LOVE, I tell you.

These things certainly aren’t glamorous, but they sure are pleasing to God.

My point?  Don’t stop doing these little things.

What if you do these little things, however, but you have let a seed of bitterness and resentment creep in for one reason or the other. 

Here is my encouragement to you – confess it.  Repent.  Try seeing your hubby as God does – with unconditional love – remembering that God’s heart for marriage is to love through patience and kindness, to look to the interests of the other, to not be easily angered or keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13).

To love and never give up.

And to pray like crazy for your man and your marriage.

It's worth it.

Because when your hands are cold, it’s nice to have someone who will let you stick them in their armpits.

Honesty alert......

Surrender
verb    sur·ren·der    \sə-ˈren-dər\
: to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

In order for the relationships in our lives to thrive, we have to learn to improve the weaknesses and tone down the extreme strengths of our personality…we have to break the habit of acting the way we do and then commit to working hard every day to not go back to those same habits. In doing so, we must all learn to surrender. First and foremost, to God’s authority and then to the emotional needs of those who surround us.

Just to give you some background as you read, I am mostly a chaotic lion, with melancholy bumblebee undertones and a splash of a hyper puppy.

I am a lion, hear me roar.

For me, productivity is not just a want or a desire. I have a NEED to achieve…to get things done. Therefore, the demanding baby years were very difficult…because you can’t possibly get anything done in between the cycle of feedings, changings, rockings and bathings.

I HATE to be late.

I am goal-driven, I am productive, I am successful…and if I’m not careful, I will WEAR OUT the people who surround me on my quest to achieve. I must choose to consider the needs of the others on my team, and I must pay careful attention to their energy level as we work.

 “…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

To me, sitting in bed in comfy clothes working on my ipad for a couple of uninterrupted hours has the same relaxing, energizing effect as a 2 hour nap. And, if I actually accomplish the task(s) that I started, I might as well have spent the afternoon at the spa.

I am not easily frustrated with my children  and it takes a lot for me to "need" a break BECAUSE 

I Am completely dependent on God’s peace and self-discipline.

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Lyric watches more TV than my other two ever did....it drives me insane and I hate it but I am thankful he likes it because it is and always havs been helpful to "use" it with having three kids that were three and under when he was born. Now I have to be conscious to not over "use" his love for it and I feel convicted when I do or need to. 

My work IS my home , but my home is not as perfect as it always should be for being a job. 

I am pretty much constantly doing something and I don’t really need too much sleep. People tend to say to me, “I don’t know how you do it all!” Though I might silently think, “I don’t know how you don’t,” I respect the fact that my productivity level is both undesirable and unrealistic to most everyone else…including my family members who have to live with me.

I think the idea of posting Minimum Speed Limits is a brilliant idea. When I’m driving, I often think that people should be ticketed for driving TOO SLOW. Seriously. Do they not see the NINE cars backed up behind them?!?

I have a hard time mentally letting go of TO DO. And, I don’t have to “work” to “work.” I have a tendency to fill up pretty much all of my free time with volunteer opportunities, helping others, or taking on other creative projects and endeavors. I USE to have to be very careful to guard my schedule so that I didn't literally explode but once I had Lane I found that no matter how busy I was I would never allow any sort of work to take over my family time. And I felt CONDIDENT in the word NO!! 

“Play” is not awkward to me. When my children ask me to play with them, I do and I LOVE IT!! But when they are busy out playing together or asleep or at school.... I have to consciously resist the urge to do dishes, fold laundry, follow up on an email, etc..... When they ask me to play with Legos I literally put on music because it's just not as active as I prefer! But, I choose to engage in play because the joy and connectedness I feel with my children when we play together has a powerfully positive effect on us all. Laughter is life-giving!

Doing stuff IS play to me. And in times of stress, getting stuff done becomes an obsession, a release, a place to go where I know I will be successful.

In my life, it is true that opposites attract. My husband is just about exactly as an old golden retriever as I am a lion. Though we balance each other out so nicely, I find that it is tricky to surrender my choaotic nature and allow my husband to lead our family…in a very different way than I would. But, by choosing to offer gratitude and grace rather than criticism and control, I have a husband who is willing to help wash his work clothes, change diapers, give baths and much more…and he even makes chores fun to do together! How great is THAT?!?

I am GREAT at setting up routines and schedules, rules and consequences for my family, but I have a tendency to be rigid with them. When my golden retriever husband is not around for me to bounce ideas off of, I have a tendency to enforce rules and consequences too harshly. I must remember to think before I yell…and use my words well.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)

I can totally identify with the Little Blue Engine in “The Little Engine That Could.” I THINK I CAN do pretty much anything by myself, and most of the time, I am right. If I’m not careful, my plan can get ahead of God’s plan. And, that just tends to create chaos for everyone involved. I often repeat to myself, “Just because I can do this, it doesn’t mean I should.”

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:7)

Proverbs 31:26 is the verse I look to for inspiration in my day to day interactions:

“When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”

I am a lion. 

It feels good to be back on my blog...I was just feeling the need to roar!

3 out of 3

We don't have kids that get sick often.....well hardly ever actually! 

It's not because I'm a germ a phob I swear!! 

Lane has been on medicine once for an ear infection (at 11 months old....and that is the last time he has had a fever!) Luke has been sick a little more than Lane...as in an extra cold or two but he also has only been on an antibiotic one time! And Lyric has never been on any medicine or really sick besides a little cold until now! 

Now as far as the flu...I can't say any of them have ever had it necessarily. Luke and Lane both threw up last year during fair week. But both times it was ONE puke each kid....so surely that doesn't classify as it. And with the sickness they are just getting over Lane and Luke each threw up just once!! 

 Now I KNOW this will all change and clearly that is going to happen with 

"Lane being in school"

 (everyone has reminded me of that:) 

And now after having a little taste of school germs...I do (and will remember to) realize the negative behaviors in myself that need to be pruned out (ie. getting sulky with God when things don't go my way and sickness moves in). 

I took some time to ask the Lord for His opinion on the matter.

Check this out…

““The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘own,’ or ‘real’ life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life — the life God is sending one day by day.” – C.S. Lewis. Do I believe that God authors every aspect of my life?

Absolutely.

Then instead of constantly fighting God on the unpleasant aspects of mothering (say, fevers and barfs), I would like to learn to quietly accept them, trusting that He knows what He is doing.  He is sending them and bringing them for my good.

For my sanctification, even.

So, as we enter sick season, here are some of the things (and a few {hopefully} helpful tips) I have researched and found worked for me in between theinterruptions Massive amounts of ibprofen we needed this past week! 

SICK BEAR

Now I found this idea AFTER they were through the brunt of this sickness but I think it would be such a great idea! How ever in my case-do I buy three sick bears?! That would kind of dilute the purpose but they truly were all sick at the same time....however each one had a "sickest" day so maybe not!? We will have to see!;) So basically you take a teddy bear (Even a  Valentine’s Day left over one with a "heart" (that's my intention) and give it to them! It would be especially helpful for them to hold when you have to give them 10 days of meds that taste(and smell)...

 A-W-F-U-L !!! Bringing them a little comfort might help and the snuggles and intense strangling while medication is being administered hugs would be great for them until they get better!  Then Sick Bear gets a superior deep cleaning and goes back in the closet!! 

Make a Couch Bed

When I was a little girl and got sick, my mom would transform the couch into a bed.  She’d take fresh, crisp sheets and tuck them in nice and tight.  We’d bring down my bed pillows and stuffed animals and I’d curl up on the couch to watch as much Saved Bt the Bell, Full House, TV as I could possibly handle.  She’d make me toast cut in triangles and serve it to me on a TV tray.  I felt like a queen!  I now do this for the My boys and they are more than thrilled at the chance to take up residence in front of the tube.  They ALL are! And that is partially why we probably ended up with three out of three!! 

The Magic of the Cool Washcloth

Best thing ever when I was younger and had fevers.  I still remember the smell of the clean wash towel and the feel of it on my head when my mom would rest it there.  I loved flipping it over in 5 minute intervals to feel the coolness of the new side.  My boys don't love it yet but they will! I tried to put one on Luke's head the other night and he shreaked! (He will love it when he is sucking the water out of it to get some liquid in him when he has the flu and momma won't give him something to drink {just like I did}!)

Medicine

I wish I was that person that brewed homemade herbal teas to bring down fevers and strained garlic or whatever to heal ear infections.  But I am just not there yet – although ya never know...I do make my own granola bars now.  I definitely don’t want to be unwisely pumping meds into my kid every time they get a runny nose, but sometimes medicine is the answer.  You have to do antibiotics?  No sweat. I think that giving our kids medicine can be a great way for us to learn more about God.  I don’t know about you, but my children (well more so Luke) are incredibly disgusted by the taste of most medicines. We actually use to get it flavored and only buy certain flavors of Tylenol! Gag reflexes like no other with that one. He now willing takes it so much better as he is older and we don't have to gently pin his poor, sweet arms and shoot it down his throat!  Sometimes we don’t like the taste of something God has brought our way, but He, as a loving Father, gives it because He knows it will bring about our ultimate healing! AND he always goes before us making a way!! (Lyric's 19 month well baby check up was scheduled this past week on the exact day I knew I needed to get them all looked at! Funny how we already had an appointment and they could all be seen with no trouble at all isn't it;) HE makes a way BEFORE us!

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Bring Comfort to Another

Now I have got to do this for my sister in law once but I am now going to be even more attentive to the needs of my friends when their children are sick because one my my bffs brought my family a take and bake pizza AFTER she picked my son up from kindergarten for me! The next time I realize one of my friends has been so busy wiping noses that she had not made it to the store for food in days, I'm going to bring them take and bake pizza!! I did a Ding-Dong-Ditch a bag of a random frozen pizza(for dad), Gatorade, rice, and of course Elsa chicken noodle soup for my sweet niece and didn't even make a thing for them!! But even some popsicles, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, tissues, etc. to bring a much-needed spot of hope to a friend with sick kids would be amazing! AND Lane's cousin Calen sent a card In.  The. Mail. 

He was so blessed by that and I was so so blessed by that gift of a simple pizza!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Snuggle Time

When the boys got sick their normally strong-willed, busy self became a little sweeter, a bit less active, and a lot more attached. Lane asked daddy like non stop the first day if they could snuggle! And I got the chance to actually hold my ‘baby’ for longer than a millisecond and bring him the kind of comfort only I, as his mama, can bring.  Isn’t it funny how, for many of us, we want our mommies when we get sick?  Even though I know the my Hubby loves me so much and would do almost anything for me, he will not stand at the toilet holding my hair back and stroking my head gently while I puke like my mom used to do. So, cherish those extra sick hugs, sweet mommies.  Try not to rush off too quickly to get back to Clorox-ing absolutely everything in the house because when he’s away at college and catches the flu, you’re going to be the one he speed dials at 2 am simply because he wants to hear your voice.

“The person who rests in the shadow of the Most High God will be kept safe by the Mighty One, I will say about the Lord, “He is my place of safety… I trust in Him…” Psalm 91:1-2

God did a great job of (gently) reminding me that....

“A joyful heart is good medicine…” Proverbs 17:22

Step Up the Prayers

When things are easy, we can easily fall into the trap of not recognizing our need for God and therefore not spend as much time in His presence.  When my kids were sick, I found myself pressing in deeper, memorizing Scripture verses, reading the Word, and praying A LOT.  I held them and said words of comfort in their ears. Prayers for healing. Prayers offering the hope of a place where we will be one day that does not have the Chicken Pox or Rotavirus.  And as I practice this, I realize that it ends up being more for me than for my children because I am drawn closer to my Savior.  I am reminded of His goodness, the greater purpose, the taste of his strength (as opposed to my own), and He was revealed to me like no good time ever could have!! 

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Another Opportunity to Surrender

Does anyone else struggle to remember on a daily basis that our kids are not our own??  They belong to God.  Period.  So when they get sick we cannot react by tightening our grip and stressing out.  Sickness is beyond our control.  Instead, it is a chance to hold our babies out before the Lord – like Abraham did with Isaac!! 

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Your Child Gets to See What a Servant Looks Like

Mommies, our homes are places where our children get to experience Jesus, firsthand.  There is no better time to share the tender and unfailing and perfect example of Christ then when you have a little one in need.  It would be easy to walk around all tangled up in a ball of anxiety and frustration when my kids got sick. To be tense and fearful and in a hurry to see them get better.  To grumble and complain about everything that got barf or poo on it or fuss about having to miss church or a fun once a year thing (a.k.a....paint the town) And God forbid one child get the other child sick too!!

BUT after this minor sickness they had I feel the urge to let go. I am finally learning what it means to truly serve – as Jesus did.  Instead of staring at them with a giant burden in my spirit, I am going to try to always joyfully ask my sick boys, “What can I do for you?” and “Is there anything you need?” because I believe this is what our Savior humbly modeled for us.  He knelt on hands and knees to wash the dirty, nasty feet of His beloved friends.  He laid gentle hands on ill children.  He had compassion on the great crowds and healed their sick.

But more important, He died on the cross to cure the most awful, wide-spread, debilitating sickness of all –

Our sin.

So, the next time you hear that first sniffle or get the middle of the night vomit-covered-bedroom call, we, as moms, can find purpose, joy, and strength in our hands and knees scrubbing of snot and yak, knowing that, in a way, He did it too.

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed…” Isaiah 53:5

What MOPS means to me...

I was completely honored to get to share with my MOPS group..."What MOPS means to me!!" in our monthly newsletter!! And since MOPS has been a huge blessing and a large fundamental resource for me in raising these boys I wanted to share it on our blog so I will always have this memory of how special it has been being apart of this lovely group!! I came to the group not being that close to anyone or having any family in it and I have become great friends with these women and am beyond grateful for the huge family dynamic we now share!!

Here is a picture of the insert and the message typed out to read better underneath!  

Please let me start off by saying I am completely honored by being able to share what MOPS means to me! Those of you that know me know this is no easy feat considering I am a pretty dramatic person and it is hard to portray my passion through (just) words! And I must say the impact MOPS has had on me is something I defiantly  am passionate about!! 

 

Luke 1:49 He has done GREAT things for me. 

I could begin a list of all the great things (He) and MOPS has done for me but the greatest thing is this...

I found confidence in who I AM as a mother. 

Joining MOPS is probably one of thee biggest blessings I have ever been given!

Once I grasped who others are as moms and let go of my opinion of them I was able to find myself ! 

I was able to say Yes I know I made "this decision" and of course- I wouldn't change one thing about it and couldn't be happier BUT-yes it is hard sometimes!! (especially when it came to having three boys in less than four years!)

MOPS has given me an insane sense of normalcy which is so needed for us striving to do it all moms! 

It has taught me that....

A bad moment doesnt make me a bad Mama!! 

And it definitely and most importantly encouraged, strengthened, and heightened my understanding of HIS grace! I have a keen sense like never before because of the encouragement I have received from my fellow mommies but also in all the awesome messages we have studied  from the curriculum! I remember hearing once from a video that...

"I was made for my children in all my entirety. Failure and all!! And they were made for me!" 

Like how refreshing is that!? Just grasping that fact is like a breath of fresh air for me!  What a peace that put deep down in my ever trying and tired soul. 

 I find myself feeling different after I leave, and while I'm there. I place myself into this place...a place of...

Surrender. 

 

I have learned to surrender. 

Surrendered to Gods will...it isn't always the easiest....but it is always the best. 

And being able to do motherhood with a bunch of other women that they too are trying to control every moment and surrender every moment (and sometimes at the same second) sure does help!! 

Not only is in informative on a deep level but it also helps moms to be creative, find fun ways to celebrate holidays, surprise their husbands, plan meals, etc.

Boogers, bums, and never-ending need for food is kind of time consuming when it comes to little people. So this help is so much appreciated. 

I will never forget the first time I came to this MOPS group..I was nervous out of my mind because it was my VERY first outing by myself with all three boys(the baby being just 4 weeks!)

But the second I arrived at the facility, all of my nerves melted away. 

One word – AMAZING.

Walking through the door I saw a bunch of precious, super real women gathered together with the sole purpose of rocking their God-given Mom calling.

They had come because they wanted to find community.

They had come to laugh or cry (a roomful of pregnant/nursing/or toddler-rearing women?  It will happen, people) or whatever they needed to do to feel heard and understood.

They had come for the childcare. 

They had come to have a delicious bite of breakfast  that didn’t include microwaved pancakes, stale cereal, or nuggets for that matter. 

They had come to lift each other up in the face of sleeplessness or breastfeeding issues or to encourage one another through the stomach bugs and terrible 2s toddler challenges.

They had come to get crafty.

They had come to be mentored.

 They had come to be inspired.

That day I went to MOPs I decided that I would be back even when I had a kid bawling on my hip because I knew I was going to need those girls in my mommy-ing journey.

It has changed me...it made me

Be courageous 

enough to always see the greatness in others and courageous enough to defy popularity and stay true to what GOD has for me and the COURAGE to know the difference! 

It makes me feel like the "real me". 

I could not be more grateful! 

MOPS...helps mom's (especially this one) build a happy(ier) home. 

Luke's starting preschool!!!

I am not sure how I am sitting here typing this post. It seems like yesterday this whole blog/post writing was just starting.....all because of Luke. 

And now here I sit...after writing, posting, updating our family and friends all about you (your brothers and our family) to write a post the day before you start PRESCHOOL!!! I can not believe this is even possible!! 

Since the day he entered this world he has been on a mission! He completed an enormous (and the greatest) transformation in my life (and daddy's and lots of other people's lives too!) by the age of just 3 1/2 months old!! After enduring a ton of pain, like A TON OF PAIN, at such a young age...he has truly never lost the ability to amaze me!! (And He never ever stops surprising me that is for sure!!) 

Lane didn't start his first year of preschool until he was almost 4 1/2! So starting Luke at 3 is going to defiantly be different for me!! But man is he ready! Not anymore than Lane was but he does have a stronger desire to go to school since he has a big brother to keep up with you know!!;) AND we are so proud that he knows (and has known for a while) all his letters and numbers and Colors! He writes his name (the K) is still a little iffy for him, he can count past 50 without screwing up, he knows ALL his letter sounds, he can count by tens to 100, and he has mastered the lower case uppercase thing for each letter too! AND since he has a bro to keep up with and learns right along with he can read a few words! At. Just. Three!!! And even spell these too-Luke, mom, dad, lane, stop, truck, love, God, etc!! 

I have no fear of him starting preschool (or doing anything really) because he has no fear!!! (and because  a little boy who has been equipped and made perfect from His maker...has created a transformed and strengthened Mama! 

He has a determination like no other. And I know that is going to be a huge asset in his school years! I can already see him as the kid that can "do his science project by himself" and walk right in proud of how it looks because he did it alone! 

He has a heart to please people, ESPECIALLY when you don't ask him too! He loves to have me close my eyes and bring me a flower, clean up toys, or "serve" mommy!! He truly loves to make a surprise for anyone!!! His biggest way of doing that is usually through silliness, laughter, funny moments, or anything to get people to laugh! He is the life of the party in this house. The thermostat that keeps everyone at an even temperature! And one of the best things that comes along with such a personality....is that he is the quickest to forgive! Even if he has had a bad morning, is over tired, or doesn't get his way...it literary takes like one quick second to turn his frown upside down!! I love that about him so so much!! 

When he gets upset man can he ever show it....BUT I wouldn't trade it for the world for how quick he gets over it! Believe it or not that just makes it easier!! 

I mean look at this kid! 

Even as a baby he was so happy...like the happiest baby you could ever ask for and when he got upset or hurt you would know it BUT he could regain happiness like that! We never had to worry like "he's over it...time to go home" because He was the baby that would persevere! 

Persevere is a great word for Luke! He has, he can, and he will persevere through anything!! 

He feels hard! Loves hard and hurts hard but he is not a grey area kind of kid!

 I love that about Him! 

And so many other things but this one of my favorites! 

He truly has a passion! As a three year old people!!!(and even before!!) 

A deep passion to be happy go lucky, silly, wild and have a FUN life!!! Does it ever cause issues being like that...sure it does...when you're three! Because silly at the dinner table is not acceptable(okkkay okkkay....it is fun...sometimes...but sometimes it's not). And being someone at 3 that loves life like that does need guidance, reassurance where and how to use that personality etc!! 

But an adult with that type of God given personality is going to do MIGHTY things!! He will be able to rally a crowd and so so much more!! And We just know preschool is going to be the beginning of it all! And we are so grateful for the amazing Christian preschool he will attend!! They are all about learning and instilling the importance of how much Jesus loves Him!!  

We always try to spend a little one on one time the day before the first day of school! (I feel like I've had lots of one on one time with Luke the past few weeks with Lane in kindergarten because with just me and the little two we have had some great school time, play times at the park, and conversations!!) 

He even helped me decorate for fall!! 

And he loves helping with the dishes!! Look what he washed last time....

He is a great grocery shopper and now has the responsibility of keeping lil bro happy since Lane is at school!! Not sure how I'll get groceries without him! I May have to do groceries only on any day but Monday and Wednesday's when he will be gone! He literally is like the sweetest and most thankful boy to each worker he see's and every stranger is his best friend! The world would truly miss him! Especially Aldi! So I better just wait and get groceries when he is with me! I don't want to jip anyone! lol!! 

Today daddy took him to the store to get some stuff to donate to his school!! (I forgot to remind him to take some pics!!) 

And I got an amazing coffee/milk date with him early this morning!! 

We had fun playing with the monster truck we bought from McDonald's too!! 

He brings the party every where he goes, he brings the fun, and give him a task he WILL get it done!!! 

Luke YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND more than I've ever seen! You are a blessing a huge huge huge amazing blessing that is an amazing asset to this world! We claim BIG things for your future!!(Not easy for this mama as I'd be happiest to be your neighbor all your life...but you were made for so much more!! And God has already started to prepare my heart about all that!! He has big plans for you!!!) 

You want to be a doctor...not a coincidence that Luke in the bible was also a doctor I know that to be true!! 

You also want to be a boat driver to go fast!! And we are not surprised about that at all! You operate on one speed and that is full board deep!!! 

We are on board for whatever God wants for you!! We are praying over you each and every day and love your awesome heart for Jesus! You LOVE your bible!! Our bibles...any bibles!! We know HIS word is where you're safe haven is already and are so thankful for that!! 

—AMU— AMU   —AR— ERV-AR NAV   —AWA— ERV-AWA   —BG— BG1940 BULG ERV-BG BPB   —CCO— CCO   —CEB— APSD-CEB   —CHR— CHR   —CKW— CKW   —CS— B21 SNC   —CY— BWM   —DA— BPH DN1933   —DE— HOF LUTH1545 NGU-DE SCH1951 SCH2000   —EN— KJ21 ASV AMP BRG CEB CJB CEV DARBY DLNT DRA ERV ESV ESVUK EXB GNV GW GNT HCSB ICB ISV PHILLIPS JUB KJV AKJV LEB TLB MSG MEV MOUNCE NOG NABRE NASB NCV NET NIRV NIV NIVUK NKJV NLV NLT NRSV NRSVA NRSVACE NRSVCE OJB RSV RSVCE VOICE WEB WE WYC YLT   —ES— LBLA DHH JBS NBD NBLH NTV NVI CST PDT BLP BLPH RVC RVR1960 RVR1977 RVR1995 RVA TLA   —FI— R1933   —FR— BDS LSG NEG1979 SG21   —GRC— TR1550 WHNU TR1894 SBLGNT   —HE— HHH WLC   —HI— ERV-HI   —HIL— HLGN   —HR— HNZ-RI CRO   —HT— HCV   —HU— KAR ERV-HU NT-HU   —HWC— HWP   —IS— ICELAND   —IT— BDG CEI LND NR1994 NR2006   —JAC— JAC   —KEK— KEK   —LA— VULGATE   —MI— MAORI   —MK— MNT   —MR— ERV-MR   —MVC— MVC   —MVJ— MVJ   —NDS— REIMER   —NE— ERV-NE   —NGU— NGU   —NL— HTB   —NO— DNB1930 LB   —OR— ERV-OR   —PA— ERV-PA   —PL— NP SZ-PL UBG   —PPL— NBTN   —PT— ARC NTLH NVI-PT OL VFL   —QU— MTDS   —QUT— QUT   —RO— RMNN NTLR   —RU— NRT CARS CARST CARSA ERV-RU RUSV   —SK— NPK   —SO— SOM   —SQ— ALB   —SR— ERV-SR   —SV— SVL SV1917 SFB SFB2014   —SW— SNT   —TA— ERV-TA   —TH— TNCV ERV-TH   —TL— ADB1905 SND   —TWI— NA-TWI   —UK— UKR ERV-UK   —UR— ERV-UR   —USP— USP   —VI— VIET BD2011 BPT   —ZH— CCB ERV-ZH CNVS CNVT CSBS CSBT CUVS CUV CUVMPS CUVMPT —Amuzgo de Guerrero (AMU)— Amuzgo de Guerrero (AMU)   —العربية (AR)— Arabic Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-AR) Ketab El Hayat (NAV)   —अवधी (AWA)— Awadhi Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-AWA)   —Български (BG)— 1940 Bulgarian Bible (BG1940) Bulgarian Bible (BULG) Bulgarian New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-BG) Bulgarian Protestant Bible (BPB)   —Chinanteco de Comaltepec (CCO)— Chinanteco de Comaltepec (CCO)   —Cebuano (CEB)— Ang Pulong Sa Dios (APSD-CEB)   —ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍ (CHR)— Cherokee New Testament (CHR)   —Cakchiquel Occidental (CKW)— Cakchiquel Occidental (CKW)   —Čeština (CS)— Bible 21 (B21) Slovo na cestu (SNC)   —Cymraeg (CY)— Beibl William Morgan (BWM)   —Dansk (DA)— Bibelen på hverdagsdansk (BPH) Dette er Biblen på dansk (DN1933)   —Deutsch (DE)— Hoffnung für Alle (HOF) Luther Bibel 1545 (LUTH1545) Neue Genfer Übersetzung (NGU-DE) Schlachter 1951 (SCH1951) Schlachter 2000 (SCH2000)   —English (EN)— 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) American Standard Version (ASV) Amplified Bible (AMP) BRG Bible (BRG) Common English Bible (CEB) Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) Contemporary English Version (CEV) Darby Translation (DARBY) Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) English Standard Version (ESV) English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) Expanded Bible (EXB) 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) Good News Translation (GNT) Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) International Children’s Bible (ICB) International Standard Version (ISV) J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) King James Version (KJV) Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) Lexham English Bible (LEB) Living Bible (TLB) The Message (MSG) Modern English Version (MEV) Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE) Names of God Bible (NOG) New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) New American Standard Bible (NASB) New Century Version (NCV) New English Translation (NET Bible) New International Reader's Version (NIRV) New International Version (NIV) New International Version - UK (NIVUK) New King James Version (NKJV) New Life Version (NLV) New Living Translation (NLT) New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE) New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB) Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) The Voice (VOICE) World English Bible (WEB) Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE) Wycliffe Bible (WYC) Young's Literal Translation (YLT)   —Español (ES)— La Biblia de las Américas (LBLA) Dios Habla Hoy (DHH) Jubilee Bible 2000 (Spanish) (JBS) Nueva Biblia al Día (NBD) Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy (NBLH) Nueva Traducción Viviente (NTV) Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) Nueva Versión Internacional (Castilian) (CST) Palabra de Dios para Todos (PDT) La Palabra (España) (BLP) La Palabra (Hispanoamérica) (BLPH) Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960) Reina Valera 1977 (RVR1977) Reina-Valera 1995 (RVR1995) Reina-Valera Antigua (RVA) Traducción en lenguaje actual (TLA)   —Suomi (FI)— Raamattu 1933/38 (R1933)   —Français (FR)— La Bible du Semeur (BDS) Louis Segond (LSG) Nouvelle Edition de Genève – NEG1979 (NEG1979) Segond 21 (SG21)   —Κοινη (GRC)— 1550 Stephanus New Testament (TR1550) 1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament (WHNU) 1894 Scrivener New Testament (TR1894) SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)   —עברית (HE)— Habrit Hakhadasha/Haderekh (HHH) The Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)   —हिन्दी (HI)— Hindi Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-HI)   —Ilonggo (HIL)— Ang Pulong Sang Dios (HLGN)   —Hrvatski (HR)— Hrvatski Novi Zavjet – Rijeka 2001 (HNZ-RI) Knijga O Kristu (CRO)   —Kreyòl ayisyen (HT)— Haitian Creole Version (HCV)   —Magyar (HU)— Hungarian Károli (KAR) Hungarian Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-HU) Hungarian New Translation (NT-HU)   —Hawai‘i Pidgin (HWC)— Hawai‘i Pidgin (HWP)   —Íslenska (IS)— Icelandic Bible (ICELAND)   —Italiano (IT)— La Bibbia della Gioia (BDG) Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (CEI) La Nuova Diodati (LND) Nuova Riveduta 1994 (NR1994) Nuova Riveduta 2006 (NR2006)   —Jacalteco, Oriental (JAC)— Jacalteco, Oriental (JAC)   —Kekchi (KEK)— Kekchi (KEK)   —Latina (LA)— Biblia Sacra Vulgata (VULGATE)   —Māori (MI)— Maori Bible (MAORI)   —Македонски (MK)— Macedonian New Testament (MNT)   —मराठी (MR)— Marathi Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-MR)   —Mam, Central (MVC)— Mam, Central (MVC)   —Mam, Todos Santos (MVJ)— Mam de Todos Santos Chuchumatán (MVJ)   —Plautdietsch (NDS)— Reimer 2001 (REIMER)   —नेपाली (NE)— Nepali Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-NE)   —Náhuatl de Guerrero (NGU)— Náhuatl de Guerrero (NGU)   —Nederlands (NL)— Het Boek (HTB)   —Norsk (NO)— Det Norsk Bibelselskap 1930 (DNB1930) En Levende Bok (LB)   —ଓଡ଼ିଆ (OR)— Oriya Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-OR)   —ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (PA)— Punjabi Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-PA)   —Polski (PL)— Nowe Przymierze (NP) Słowo Życia (SZ-PL) Updated Gdańsk Bible (UBG)   —Nawat (PPL)— Ne Bibliaj Tik Nawat (NBTN)   —Português (PT)— Almeida Revista e Corrigida 2009 (ARC) Nova Traduҫão na Linguagem de Hoje 2000 (NTLH) Nova Versão Internacional (NVI-PT) O Livro (OL) Portuguese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (VFL)   —Quichua (QU)— Mushuj Testamento Diospaj Shimi (MTDS)   —Quiché, Centro Occidenta (QUT)— Quiché, Centro Occidental (QUT)   —Română (RO)— Cornilescu 1924 - Revised 2010, 2014 (RMNN) Nouă Traducere În Limba Română (NTLR)   —Русский (RU)— New Russian Translation (NRT) Священное Писание (Восточный Перевод) (CARS) Священное Писание (Восточный перевод), версия для Таджикистана (CARST) Священное Писание (Восточный перевод), версия с «Аллахом» (CARSA) Russian New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-RU) Russian Synodal Version (RUSV)   —Slovenčina (SK)— Nádej pre kazdého (NPK)   —Somali (SO)— Somali Bible (SOM)   —Shqip (SQ)— Albanian Bible (ALB)   —Српски (SR)— Serbian New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-SR)   —Svenska (SV)— Nya Levande Bibeln (SVL) Svenska 1917 (SV1917) Svenska Folkbibeln (SFB) Svenska Folkbibeln 2014 (SFB2014)   —Kiswahili (SW)— Neno: Bibilia Takatifu (SNT)   —தமிழ் (TA)— Tamil Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-TA)   —ภาษาไทย (TH)— Thai New Contemporary Bible (TNCV) Thai New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-TH)   —Tagalog (TL)— Ang Dating Biblia (1905) (ADB1905) Ang Salita ng Diyos (SND)   —Twi (TWI)— Nkwa Asem (NA-TWI)   —Українська (UK)— Ukrainian Bible (UKR) Ukrainian New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-UK)   —اردو (UR)— Urdu Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-UR)   —Uspanteco (USP)— Uspanteco (USP)   —Tiêng Viêt (VI)— 1934 Vietnamese Bible (VIET) Bản Dịch 2011 (BD2011) Vietnamese Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (BPT)   —汉语 (ZH)— Chinese Contemporary Bible (CCB) Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-ZH) Chinese New Version (Simplified) (CNVS) Chinese New Version (Traditional) (CNVT) Chinese Standard Bible (Simplified) (CSBS) Chinese Standard Bible (Traditional) (CSBT) Chinese Union Version (Simplified) (CUVS) Chinese Union Version (Traditional) (CUV) Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified) (CUVMPS) Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Traditional) (CUVMPT) 

Luke 2:40New International Version (NIV)

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

You are strong Luke! Filled with wisdom and God's grace is upon you!! It's going to be a GREAT year for you!!!! We are so incredibly proud of you!!!

And we love you SO much Qi!!!