Writing About it Helps

Did you ever have a morning when you woke up feeling better about everything? Things for people to take you long ago come flooding back, and the way you felt and is fresh in your mind. Things to people might do to you today or tomorrow or within the next month on your mind , and you can't let go of how people are making you feel... without them even doing anything to you.

That's the way I woke up this morning. I can't get rid of this feeling of bitterness, even though nothing has happened to me in quite a while to make me feel this way. I didn't even have bad dreams last night, that I can remember. But I keep replaying scenarios in my head of things that have never happened, and likely won't happen, and I can't shake the feeling that it is giving me.

It's amazing how much writing can help, though. I already feel this weight lifting from my chest. So thank you for listening! I feel a hundred times better.

You can't make this stuff up!

We just potty trained the Love Bug, so he has been naked on the bottom quite a bit when he is at home... Just because it's so much easier than whipping off his pants every time he needs to go potty!

This morning he did 2 things with his naked self that are just way too funny not too write down.

When I let him out of his bedroom this morning, he ran into the master bedroom and started dancing on our bed. And he made up a little song. It went like this:

"I've got a package, I've got a package!"

Then, when I was getting him dressed... before his pants were on... he flicked his penis (yes, we call a penis a penis) and said, "Naked! Naked!"

Ah, life with boys! I just love it.

What a Week {and it's only Wednesday}

It has been a long time since my last post, but this week has been so eventful that it would be a crime not to write about it!

We started the week like any other - - Sunday was sunny and we had some family fun shopping at Target with money that we don't have.  You know how a tri to Target goes... you go in for chap stick and end up paying $200 at the register for the many things that you never knew you needed!  When we walked in, we headed straight for the carts that can hold three kids.  I'm so glad they have those.  Target is a sanctuary for me.  If I couldn't strap my kids down in my sacred place and push them wherever I waned them to go, I can't imagine where else I would go to get a little peace (and buy a pretty pink handbag at the same time!).  Hubby was with us that day, and of course the Love Bug asked if he could walk.  Are you sitting down, ladies?  My wonderful husband almost let our 2-year-old walk!  Don't worry - - I caught the child before the words were uttered and got him pinned between the plastic seat and the straps.  It was a close one, though!

On Monday hubby's alarm didn't go off, so he had to take the car.  The Peanut cried all morning (no, I'm not exaggerating).  Hubby texted to see how my day was going, and this is the picture I sent him:

Crying and crying and crying and finally fell asleep while I carried him around trying to get some things done!  The little stinker.

When the babysitter got to the house, I caught a ride with a friend in to work.  What a blessing that car ride was!  If you ever need encouragement, just let your husband take your car for the day and ask a friend to pick you up.  I got some much-needed time with her because of a faulty alarm clock, and I am so grateful for that time!  When I got home, I tossed the kids in their cribs for nap time and thought I could get some work done.  Little did I know, I would get a total of 10 minutes to myself that day.  The Love Bug got his leg stuck in his crib.  I wish I had taken pictures, but he was so upset I couldn't really do anything other than cry with him.  He got it caught all the way up above his knee, and he was really jammed in there.  I did my best to get it out myself, but I just couldn't.  Finally, I called 9-1-1 for the second time in my life.  They send 3 firefighters and an ambulance.  It took all three of them to get his leg out of the crib, but to my surprise they didn't have to cut the bars at all!




The next day was a tiny bit worse in terms of baby crying... but we definitely had a better nap time!

It took me forever to get this little man to sleep because he was teething so bad yesterday.  He slept for a little less than an hour, but it was enough time for me to eat my lunch!  I also was able to talk with my accountability partner and dear friend, which was absolutely wonderful!  If you don't have an accountability partner, you need one!

This morning was the icing on the cake that has been my week... and it's only Wednesday!  I hope there aren't sprinkles or fancy lettering in store for us in the next few days...

The boys actually let me sleep until 7:15 this morning!  I jumped out of bed ready to seize the day as any mother of two boys under 3 would - - slowly and groggily.  I decided to get the Love Bug up first {dun dun duuuuun} and then feed the Peanut.  Well, while I was changing a dirty diaper before 8am, my toddler was downstairs chug-alugging the brand new bottle of Infant's Advil!

I'm so grateful for our pediatrician.  She gave me the number for Poison Control (which I wrote down incorrectly and reached "New York's Hottest Talk Line") and reassured me that he would probably be fine because he's... well, a bigger kid.  Once I found the correct number for Poison Control, the nicest lady calmly told me that my oldest baby would have a belly ache and that's probably about it.

What a week!  I'm hoping for some sort of normalcy to rest upon my family within the next few days.

Riches amidst the Rags:
- Wonderful car ride with a friend
- Great first responders who kept me and my Love Bug calm and safe during a state of panic
- Sitting in a Fire Truck (for fun - - not out of necessity!)
- Wonderful chat with another friend
- Infant's Advil to help a teething baby
- Maggie from Poison Control when that Advil was downed by my 2-year-old
- A great pediatrician
- Great friends who have been praying for us this week
- A good night's sleep for all of us last night
- Popcorn and conversation with hubby last night
- Target

Hardest Job in the World??

There was a video that went viral the other day about the job of a mother - - and how it's the hardest job in the world.  It was a cool video, actually.  Very clever.  But it has sparked a lot of conversation about whether or not mothering truly is the hardest job in the world?

I've actually been thinking about this question for a while now - - a friend of mine had posted an article on Facebook that questioned this thesis that being a stay-at-home parent is not actually the hardest job in the world.  I didn't read the article, but I read some of my friends' responses to this post, and was quite insulted by what some people had to say about what I do.

Here's the thing: Of course mothering is not the hardest job in the world!  Duh!  There are people in the bonds of slavery in our own country.  There are children working for pennies a day.  I have it much better than a lot of people.  But I think what people are trying to say when they state that parenthood is the hardest job in the world is that it's harder than you might think.

There are so many rewards to mothering, and I don't think anyone would argue with that.  I don't think I have to even mention how it feels when my son calls me "mama" or when he walked for the first time, or the joys of teaching them about Jesus.  Being a mother is so very rewarding, and it's the highest calling I have.  But the rewards don't take away from how difficult my job is.

What makes mothering hard is that people constantly need me.  There is very little time to care for myself, because I'm caring for my adorable little redheads.

What makes mothering hard is the physical reaction that only I have to my kids.  There are mothers who breastfeed until their nipples bleed (admittedly, not I!).  When my kids cry, it physically hurts me.  I delivered these children, and my body will never be the same.  It still is painful to do some simple things.  Postpartum depression sets in and I'm gone for the day.  Stay-at-home dads can't even relate to that.

What makes mothering hard is the sleepless nights.  Last night my OLDEST son was up at least once every hour.  When he's not up, the Peanut is up.  When they're both sleeping, I can't because I'm waiting to hear one of them cry, or worrying about how to pay for college.

What makes mothering hard is the tremendous pressure I am under.  There are pressures to choose the right foods, discipline techniques, schools, toys, books.  Pressures to raise my boys, keep them alive, teach them to love Jesus, and help them become the men they are supposed to grow into.  I can't imagine a pressure higher than that.

I love being a mother, and I am rewarded {almost} every day by my kids.  But don't ever discount what I do, and don't pretend that you have any idea about how easy or hard my job is.  If you do, just know that I'm sleep deprived and could at any moment burst into tears or slap you across the face.  Because I'm a mother.

Things I Do & Don't Do

At a MOPS meeting recently, a friend mentioned something she had learned once from a speaker: Make a list of things you do and things you don't do.

I love this idea!  There are so many things that I try to do because I feel pressured to do them - - whether it's pressure from myself, my friends, Pinterest, Facebook, whatever!  But the things I do because I feel pressured to do them get in the way of the things that I want to do that I'm actually good at and want to make a priority!  So here's my list - - or at least a preliminary list.  The things in red are things I am trying to do (or not to do) - - goals.  :)

It is a priority of mine to support and respect my husband.

• I make his lunch whenever I can
• I ask him about his day
• I pray for him throughout the day
• I touch him, and let him touch me
• I look my best when he walks in the door
• I greet him with a smile

...so:

• I don't play with the kids 30 minutes before hubby gets home, to give myself time to get ready for him
• I don't wear provocative clothing (in public), to respect the fact that I am his and his alone
• I don't always clean the dishes after dinner, to make time for us and to have energy for him

It is a priority of mine to be the best mother I can be.

• I make homemade dinners at least 4 times a week
• I teach my kids to pray before meals and before bed
• I pray for my kids and my husband
• I get up when my kids get up
• I keep the house manageably clean
• I prioritize Fridays as family days
• I don't fight with my husband in front of the kids

...so:

• I don't make homemade bread, because I've tried and I'm bad at it
• I don't breastfeed (anymore), because I was giving my boys the worst of myself when I felt tied down with breastfeeding
• I don't swear, because I don't want my boys to
• I don't let just anyone watch my boys, because not everyone has the same values that I do
• I don't listen to whining, because I want my boys to know how to communicate effectively

{This list could be longer - - of things I do and things I don't do - - but I'll stop there, and won't get on my soap box at this time about how I mother my kids.  You're welcome.}

It is a priority of mine to be the best minister I can be.

• I go in to the church early on Sundays
• I pray before starting curriculum
• I work hard on my church duties when I'm at church, and often during nap time at home
• I make an effort to keep in touch with people from church throughout the week
• I pray for my volunteers

...so:

• I don't tell you I'll pray for you when I won't, because prayer is powerful and if you think I'm praying for you it's important that I am
• I don't stay late on Sundays very often, because everyone deserves to get the very best of me and I've been there since 6:30am

It is a priority of mine to make myself a priority. (Yes, I need to work on this one...)

• I get the sunlight I need whenever possible
• I eat at least two meals a day
• I connect with my accountability partner weekly
• I buy myself clothes when I need them
• I rest during nap time
• I get some sort of salon procedure done once a month (i.e. pedicure, waxing, etc.)
• I eat as much chocolate as I want
• I exercise
• I get fresh air
• I spend time alone or with friends, out of the house and away from the kids
• I keep myself clean (spit-up, drool, poop, etc. doesn't stay on me)

...so:

• I don't do most crafts I find on Pinterest, because they frustrate me and take up all my alone time
• I don't do any housework (except laundry) during nap time, to give myself time to relax
• I don't run very many errands with the boys, because it exhausts me and so I have things to do outside the house after hubby gets home

That's all I can think of right now!  These ideas have been brewing in my head for a while now, so it's nice to get them down on "paper."  Thanks for reading!

Our Budgeting System

 

Our budgeting system really works for our family.  We learned what we learned from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class.  That was the best investment we have EVER made!  I highly recommend that everyone take this class.

 



 

The first step in coming up with a budget is to create a monthly cash flow plan.  You can find a template for this on Dave Ramsey's site.  The idea is that you plan out where every penny of your money goes each month - - it's called a zero-based budget.  When you get to the end of the budget for the month, you should have $0 left over.  That's okay, because you budget in savings.

Figure out what all of your bills for the month total to, using Dave Ramsey's form.  This gives you a great base for your budget.

We use the Allocated Spending Plan each week to move our money around between accounts.  This form was given to us when we took FPU, and it's not available online for free.  What it does is it breaks down all of the items in your monthly cash flow plan, and gives you space to decide when you'll make each payment during the month.  We have it all laid out so that we pay all of our bills on time.

Each week after we get paid, I write out on a separate sheet of paper what money is going in which account.  Then I make our transfers, since all of our paychecks are automatically deposited into the same account.

Hubby's checking is for most of our bills.  Internet, Netflix (which is our replacement for cable), Electric, etc. are automatically withdrawn from his account, so I leave those amounts in his account.

My checking is for any checks that we write.  It's the only account we have a checkbook for.  Out of that account comes tithe, Compassion, student loan payments, and car payments come out of that one.

My savings account is our emergency fund.  His savings is our short-term savings.

Notice the "IOU" in Toiletries - - we borrowed for babysitter, so the next time there is
budgeted money for a babysitter, we will put it in toiletries.

We take out cash for household expenses, which works SO well for us!  It's called the envelope system, and it's wonderful.  Instead of us both using our debit cards to make purchases like groceries, coffee, gas, and other expenses, we have cash set aside for each individual category.  It keeps us on budget.

The categories we budget for in our envelope system are:
Babysitter
Laundry
Gifts
Toiletries
Gas
Groceries
Baby Supplies
Date
Repairs

Happy Budgeting!

Birth Story: The Peanut

I've been wanting to write this post for a long time. I need to get it down on paper before I forget the details!

On December 7th, 2013 I went into labor with my second baby. It was a Saturday, and we go to church on Saturday night. I really didn't want to miss church, so we went... contractions and all! Communion was served that night, and as soon as it was our turn to stand up a contraction hit. I think I gave one of our staff members a bit of a scare that the baby was going to be born right there in the church! Little did we know that our peanut wasn't going to come until we forced him out!

The rest of the evening was spent waiting. It was a much different experience than with the Love Bug, especially because we had to work out a babysitter who could get to our house in time for me to deliver at the hospital. We waited out the contractions, and when they became more difficult to bear, I called my midwife and we are off to the hospital! My mom came to watch the Love Bug, who was already in bed.

At the hospital I was about to get quite frustrated about many different things. First, the front desk didn't have any of my paperwork... Which I had brought in a week or two before. So I had to sit there contracting by she asked me my name, date of birth, due date... And my red head had smoke coming out of its ears while there was a baby trying to tunnel its way out of me.

When we were finally brought to a room, I was checked, and told said I could leave her in the bathtub. I did so for a while, and in the tub contractions stopped. When I was checked again, I haven't had any strong contractions for close to an hour. The midwife admitted me anyway, because I had shown some progression.

Hubby and I spent the night in the hospital. No more contractions. Just a very uncomfortable couch for him, and being checked every couple of hours for me.

On Sunday, I was told that I could either go home or have them break my water. Going home was not an option in my mind, so I flooded the delivery room!

Still no contractions.

For hours, I bounced on a birthing ball, watch The Cosby Show, took walks and did everything imaginable to try to start labor. I even tried pumping milk! It was a terrible, terrible experience.

I was trying to avoid having an IV , because I have a phobia of needles. They offered me Petocin a couple times, & I turned them down. I was determined to have this baby with no needles!

But if you've ever bounced on a yoga ball for 6 hours straight, you will understand the desperate need I had to get this baby out of my body! I finally conceded and let them stick me.

The medicine brought on contractions strong and fast. I think I got my first dose around 630 pm and I know that I had my baby within an hour! They gave me medicine to help me sleep through some of the pain, which was absolutely wonderful.

Since it was my second baby, his wife let me call the shots on when I wanted to push. I was so ready after 24 hours of trying to get this baby out of me but I'm pretty sure I started pushing quite a bit early. But I pushed for 10 minutes, and we had our Peanut!

Giving a Meal

When I first signed up to bring a meal to a family in need, I really didn't know what I was doing.  All I knew was that I wanted to help!  After the Peanut was born, though, several people brought meals to me, which really helped me see the best ways to do it.  I thought I'd share some suggestions here, in case you're wanting to help out a friend by bringing them a meal!

Meals are a great gift for people who are going through a difficult time (death of a family member, someone in the hospital, etc.) or who are facing a major life change (having a baby, for example).  It's a wonderful way to bless someone!  And it's such a blessing to give someone a meal.

Here are my suggestions when bringing someone a meal {and then I'll give you an example of a meal I gave - - you can copy mine or make your own!}:

Know about any allergies or dietary restrictions
It would be terrible to make a meatloaf for a vegetarian, or tuna noodle casserole for someone who doesn't like fish!  Find out if there are any allergies or other dietary restriction in the family before you plan your meal.  It will save everyone a lot of grief.

Be on time
...and coordinate a time!  Find out when the family usually eats dinner, and have the meal to them on time.  If it's something they'll have to pop in the oven (which I recommend), make sure they have enough time to preheat the oven and bake your meal before their normal meal time.  If you are running late, call and let them know when you'll be there so they don't have the little ones strapped into their high chairs for 30 minutes promising them food that is coming (yes, this has happened to me!).  If you are notoriously a late person, you could always deliver a meal early to go into the fridge or freezer for that evening or another day!

Include all of the food groups
Grain, Meat, Veggie, Fruit, and of course a dessert!

Double what you're making for your family
This is the best way I've found to give someone a meal.  Make double of what you're making for your family, and bring it over before dinner time (or the next day, if it'll keep).  It's so much easier than making an extra meal on top of what you are eating!

The meal I most recently gifted was ziti, salad, bread, and brownies for a family of 4 plus an infant.  I made a large ziti for their family (9X13), which I actually ended up thinking might have been a little too much food for them, and a smaller one for us (8X8).  I have shared the recipes for the ziti and the brownies before.  A bagged salad and a pre-sliced loaf of bread made this meal complete!

I was also sure to label everything that I made - - and I wrote instructions on the ziti of how to bake.

 

Then I bagged everything up (the ziti didn't fit) and headed over!  Notice everything was in containers that nobody would expect to have to return.  Not even cheap tupperware - - it gives a new mother or someone going through a tough time an extra step: dishes.  Ideally, if they wanted to, they could bake this, use paper or plastic dishes and silverware and not have any clean-up afterwards!

 

There you have it!  Happy giving!

York Peppermint Patties Brownies

Oh.  My.  Goodness!  So easy!  So yummy!

Ingredients:
- York Peppermint Patties
- Brownie Mix
- Whatever the Brownie Mix calls for

Step One:
Mix up the brownie mix according to package instructions.

Step Two:
Pour half of the batter into greased pan.

Step Three:
Place York Peppermint Patties on batter in pan.

Step Four:
Pour the rest of the batter on top of patties.  It won't spread as naturally as the first layer because you don't want to move the peppermint patties around as you spread the batter.  Bake according to package directions, and enjoy!

Ziti Recipe



Yummy, Yummy Ziti!!

 

This is where I got the original recipe, though I made some changes.

Ingredients:
1/2 box ziti or other pasta of choice
Splash of Vegetable Oil
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 pepper, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic (or 2 garlic cloves)
3/4 jar of spaghetti sauce
4 slices provolone cheese
1/4 cup plus a little more sour cream
1/4 cup plus a little more ricotta cheese
1/2 bag of mozzarella cheese (6oz bag)
A few shakes of grated parmesan cheese

Step One: Cook Pasta
Like normal.  Nothing to it :)

Step Two: Make Sauce
Put a splash of veggie oil in a saucepan and toss in that diced onion and chopped pepper.  Cook until they're soft.  You might want to put the pepper in before the onion to let it cook a little more - - your choice.  Then add the garlic and cook another minute or two.  When that's done and all mixed together, pour in the sauce and let it heat up.

Step Three: Layers
In a greased 8X8 pan...
1st Layer: Pasta
2nd Layer: Provolone Cheese
3rd Layer: Sour Cream
4th Layer: Ricotta Cheese
5th Layer: Sauce
6th Layer: Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese

You might also want to try adding Italian Seasoning and/or bread crumbs!

Step Four: Bake!
Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes (uncovered), until cheese is browning!  It's so yummy!

Happy Cooking!

10 Reasons why I love NOT Owning a House

Sometimes it's hard looking into the future and not knowing when we'll be able to buy a house.  So it helps to look at all the things we love about renting, and to enjoy it while we can!  Because once we buy a house, none of these things will ring true - - probably ever again!

#1 - I feel safe
When I hear the neighbors next door, it makes me feel safe knowing that someone is there.  If I screamed, they'd hear.  When I hear a noise in the apartment, I can convince myself that it was the neighbors and not get freaked out.

#2 - It's less work
When something breaks, we don't have to fix it!  One call to maintenance and they're here unplugging the toilet, replacing the window lock, putting new batteries in the smoke detector (yes, I've called them to do this), or even installing our window air conditioner (all things we've actually had them do within the past year)!

#3 - It's less expensive
When something breaks, we don't have to pay for it (unless we broke it because of misuse, of course).

#4 - It's less expensive
We don't pay property taxes.

#5 - Did I mention it's less expensive??
Rent is significantly cheaper than a mortgage - - AND we're not in debt because of a house!  We're not paying interest each month, we're just paying to live here.

#6 - It forces us to simplify
Because we don't have much storage space, we don't have much stuff!  When we don't have room for something in the storage area, we have to get rid of something.  And I love it when that happens - - because it makes us think about how we might be able to bless someone even when we don't have much ourselves!  Baby clothes, furniture, DVDs, and games are all something that other people might be able to use that we just don't have the space for.

#7 - It's easier to clean
Smaller space means less time cleaning!  AND I don't have to worry about cleaning/painting the outside of our home, because that's done for us!

#8 - It's more sociable
When I go to get the mail, I run into my neighbors because we share a mailbox.  When my son plays in the back yard, he makes friends because we share a backyard with our neighbors.  It's much easier to get to know each other than if we had our own house.

#9 - There are rules
I know this may seem like a reason to want a house, and sometimes it is - - but I think that the rules put in place can actually be beneficial for our family.  For example, there's a no smoking in the apartments rule.  Now, we're not smokers - - and we don't plan to be.  But even if we wanted to, we'd have to take it outside.  In the dead of winter?  No thanks!  There's also a no pets rule.  By now we would have adopted a dog.  Trust me - - we don't need a dog right now.  Thank you, rules!

#10 - It will make me appreciate having a house even more when we get there
Right now is not the right time for us to own a house.  And that's okay!  The time we spend renting is preparing us for what's ahead.  I'm glad we are where we are right now, and I'm glad we're headed where we're headed!

Best Feeding Method for my Family

DISCLAIMER: This post includes MY opinions about what works best for MY family in terms of feeding.  I don't judge you, you don't judge me.  Okay?  {By reading on you are agreeing to not judge} :)  Thanks!

When my Peanut was born, I planned to try breastfeeding.  Once breastfeeding was going well, I made it my goal to nurse him for 6 months (and in the back of my mind, if I made it to 3 months I would consider that a huge success!).

Well, the Peanut got his first taste of formula at 2 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days old.  And let me tell you, it's the best thing I've done for our family since coming home from the hospital!

I love that I exclusively breastfed for as long as I did.  I'm proud of myself for making it that long - - significantly longer than I made it with the Love Bug!  I know that "Breast is Best."  I'm not arguing with that - - it just makes sense that the best nutrition for my baby would be what God gave me to feed him!  Doy, people.  God knows what He's doing!  But for my family, right now, a combination of breastmilk AND {brace yourself} formula is best.

When I was exclusively breastfeeding, I was in a slump.  I don't want to go so far as to say I hated breastfeeding, but... well, I hated breastfeeding.  I formula-fed my firstborn, so I was used to being able to look into my son's eyes while feeding him.  I couldn't do that while breastfeeding.  I also couldn't leave the house without pumping my brains out, which made it so difficult to do anything that made me feel like a normal human being.  I didn't like being the only one who could feed him, because I also wanted to be able to make dinner each night, regardless of when the Peanut needed to be fed.

After two months of feeling more like a milk maid than a mom, I finally talked to my husband about introducing formula.  Here's what we came up with:

I would nurse him when he woke up first thing in the morning (usually between 6-7am)
He would get bottles of formula all through the day, until 7pm
I would pump during nap time
I would nurse him at bedtime (7pm) and throughout the night whenever he woke up (usually between 11:30-12:30 and 3-4am when we started out)
The milk I pump is being saved in the freezer for the day he does turn 6 months old and I really am done with breastfeeding all together - - that way, he'll still be able to get at least a little breastmilk after I'm done.

OH.  MY.  GOODNESS.  What a difference it made!  Not only am I happier, but my kids have their mama back.  I can now cherish the time I spend holding my Peanut for his feedings.  I can look him in the eye and he'll even stop once in a while to smile at me.  He's still getting the nutrients of my breastmilk, without making me feel like a milkmaid all day long.  I can bring him to the babysitter and go to work without pumping while I get dressed in the morning.  And hubby can feed him, too!

Happy baby AND mama after first taste of formula!

This is what is working for our family.  I know that Breast is Best, and that's why he's still getting that milky goodness, too.  If you're considering stopping breastfeeding, I encourage you to consider a similar schedule, where you nurse half the time and use formula the other half.  Be aware of what it will do to your milk supply, though!  I anticipate I'll be done nursing and pumping by the time he's 6 months old (which is the way I want it - - but make sure you are okay with what it will do to your body).  Do your research!  Here are some links that really helped me:

Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding Infographic
The Common Misconceptions of Formula Feeding Mothers
How I Stored 300 ounces of Breastmilk in 3 Months
Timeline of a Breastfed Baby

Happy feeding - however you choose!

The Things I Love Most About My Husband

Picture Source: http://www.msruntheus.com/above-all-love-each-other-deeply/

1. He's goofy
2. He's tall
3. His goatee (even though I complain about it a lot)
4. He is a wonderful father
5. He and I fit together like two puzzle pieces
6. When he tells a 15-minute story that anyone else could tell in 2
7. I can beat him at Killer Bunnies ;) ;)
8. His purity
9. His dedication to our family
10. The fact that he cannot pull off a polo - - and he knows it
11. How he provides for our family
12. The kids he gave me
13. His family, my in-laws
14. His idea of a good time is sitting at home watching Netflix
15. He steps in and helps with the kids all the time
16. He is sensitive to my needs: emotional, physical, spiritual
17. He trusts in God
18. He's the hottest man I know!
19. He's my best friend
20. He's my favorite person to sit around the house with
21. He likes my cooking
22. He takes care of all of us
23. He cooks for us once in a while - and enjoys it!
24. ...and there's so, so much more!

Happy 26th birthday, my love! XO

Family Prayer Board

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." ~ Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)

We have been trying so hard to pray as a family.  It's hard sometimes, though, to remember what we should be praying for - - and who we should be praying for.  I feel like so often I tell people I will pray for them - - and I always say a quick prayer right then, but I don't always follow through and continue to pray for them.

I came up with this idea while changing my son's diaper, actually - don't ask me why.  I wanted to make a display where we could write down things that we should be praying for.  Whenever someone asks for prayer, or whenever we have something that we should be praying about (or praising God for, certainly!) we now have somewhere to write it down.

All I did was bought a chalkboard from Staples, then used white paint to write "Prayers" on it.  Now we can write our prayers on the board, and we see them all the time.  Whenever we see it, we can say a prayer.

Nursery

I realized I never posted pictures of our Peanut's nursery!  (Or Love Bug's, for that matter...)  So I took a few pictures today.  It's nothing Pinterest-worthy, by any means, but I'm proud of how the rooms look!

Love Bug's nursery first: Winnie the Pooh theme

Picture that Aunt Rachel made for the Love Bug

I bought that clock at Salvation Army for a dollar!

Footprint plate made at Splatter's Studio when
he was a newborn.

Love Bug's favorite corner of the room!

Closet - - where I keep toys that I rotate, some
clothes, books, extra diapers, wipes, and sheets

Rocking chair handed down to Love Bug

 

He had to get in a picture or two :)

Well, the whole alphabet used to be there... on his closet

Charlene made this for me, to put in my classroom.  This
room is the closest thing I have to a classroom these days!

All his animals and blankets in his crib!

 

 

And now Peanut's room: Norman Rockwell theme.  We're not quite done yet, but here's what we have so far.

 

 

This is the main corner in the room - cradle,
recliner, window :)  Peanut's Papa made that
cradle for Hubby when he was born!

Norman Rockwell pictures of kids

Changing station

And I had to get him in a shot! :)

 

I made this shelf!!  ...With help from Rachel and my dad :)

Dresser that has been handed down through Hubby's family!

Lessons from 2013

About a year ago (at the turn of 2013), I posted what I had learned over the course of 2011-2012.  I was looking back on my posts from last January, just to see where I was a year ago.  It was so interesting to read about the lessons God had taught me in that time, which now seems so long ago.  My post from January 2013 made me want to write a similar one for this year: What I learned in 2013.

As I look back on my year, there is one theme that stands out in my mind: Community.  I have posted about this before, but it really was such a prevalent theme in my year, that it deserves a deeper look.

God has revealed to me three specific aspects of community in 2013 that I really don't want to forget.  The first is The Importance of Community.  If I were to be completely honest with myself (and those of you reading this post), I spend most of 2012 being lonely.  In fact, I have spend most of my life feeling lonely.  The longevity of my loneliness is probably the reason why I never really thought that there was anything else.  The importance of community never dawned on me until I truly experienced it.  When we moved to our current hometown, I was a little worried that we were moving further from family, but I was so excited to be near our church.  Even before we were here, God gave me a sense of peace that we would find new and long-lasting relationships when living closer to our church family.  That's exactly what our church became for us once we moved here: a family.  I can't imagine going back to the way things were before we were here.  Even on days when I don't see or talk to anyone but my kids and husband, I know that I have a support system here.  I know that there are people who genuinely care about me and who are really praying for me.

Photo taken by Kelley

That leads me to the second thing I learned in 2013: The Meaning of Having a Community.  It is one thing to go through the motions of church and not really get connected; it is something entirely different to experience the fellowship that church was designed to be, and to develop lasting relationships that make a difference in your life.  For me, having a community means that there are people whom I can ask for help (even though I'm not always good at that... I'm working on it!) when I'm in a tough spot.  It means that when I need prayer, there are people ready and so willing to pray for me.  Having a community means there are people to get out of the house with (or who will happily babysit my kids for me) when I get stir-crazy.  I have a support system that I know God is using to make me a better person.  Having a community sometimes means there will be people who call me out when I'm out of line.  They'll whip me back into shape so that I am being the best Elizabeth that I can be.  I am so grateful to have support systems in the forms of my small group, my accountability partner (which is someone I just paired up with this year - - and it's one of the best things I did in 2013!), the ministry I am part of at church, my neighbors, Facebook groups, MOPS, fellow staff members, and my family.


Photo taken by Tim



Photo from Jan's camera



Photo taken by Mark



Photo taken by Greg

The Meaning and Importance of Being Part of a Community is the third lesson that stands out to me from 2013.  I confess I am still working on this one (though, if I'm honest, I'm still working on all of these points).  As a part of the community, I have a responsibility to my friends.  It's not an obligation, though - - it's something I want to do as a member of the community.  I want to talk on the phone with these people, I want to help them take care of their kids, laugh with them, and lift them up in prayer.  I want to be by their side when they are hurting, and at their kids' birthday parties.  It is so meaningful to not only have the support system in place for myself, but to actually be that person for someone else!  I've been that person for people in the past, sure - - but never in the context of community like I've felt this past year.  It is for this reason that I am so grateful for these lessons that the Lord has taught me this year.

To those of you through whom God has taught me these lessons this year, thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Thank you for being my truest friends, and for sticking by me closer than a brother.