To teach and train my children

I've been think a lot about my role as a mom and wife and God is just teaching me so much! I want to soak up everything He's showing me in His word and then confirming through His Spirit. I hope that I will continue to seek Him and desire His will over my own will when it comes to my family and responsibility as a homemaker.

This morning, in my quiet time with Him and as I got ready for the day, the Lord spoke to me specifically about who He wants my children to be as they grow and mature into adults. There are so many ways, perspectives and opinions on how to raise, discipline and guide our children in the world today. And there are two main influences as well: there's the worlds view, that is society and a secular view point, and then there is God's view point, based on the truth given in His Word, the Bible. This morning God gave me three specific points as a guide for how to raise my kids and one day be used by Him.

I want to share and record them as a reminder to me of the vision God spoke to me.

They are as follows:

To teach and train my children

1. To obey and trust God with their lives and their future.

Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." John 14:23

2. To serve those around them the way that Jesus would.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

3. To make wise decisions that bring glory and honor to God.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will reap everlasting life. Galatians 6: 7-8

Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." James 4:15

And then for the really challenging part.

I heard the Lord speak to my heart,

And how, my daughter, will you teach them? Will you tell them or will you show them?

ChooChoo and Giraffes

We originally planned to take the kids to a park sorta close by that has a $1-to-ride train through the park and a $1 petting zoo yesterday! But when I looked up how to get there I saw that they are closed on Mondays. Bummer!


So plan B, the Zoo!

Getting an annual pass was a good choice for us as we've paid it off at least 3 times over and we have only had it since March. I really like our zoo and will probably love it even more once the new addition they are building is built! They'll be getting a couple new species of animals.

We had already told Little Lady about the choo choo before we learned that the park was closed, but great news is the zoo has a train for the kids too! And with our membership it was the same cost as the other train. Once I told her we were going to the zoo to ride the train she said, "Choo choo AND giraffes!!" I really love that kid. I wish I could bottle up her enthusiasm and drink it for breakfast every morning!

It was a hot day! But one of the things I love about a pass is that we can stay as long or as short as we want and don't have to worry about getting our money's worth.

This little girl loves Choo Choo's right now! She was one happy little lady.

And despite the some what troubled look on Little dude's face, he didn't mind the ride either. Not sure he really cared one way or another! He just wants to 'stand' all.the.time. Forget crawling...

And as if the Choo choo wasn't enough, this little girl got to go on her very first carousel ride! She LOVED it! She even rode on her own animal with out daddy standing next to her.

These littles are growing up so fast, right before our eyes! But don't think we aren't enjoying every almost every minute of it!

12 Weeks {Itty Bitty}

I am 12 weeks along in my 3rd pregnancy as of yesterday. My OB appointment was actually last week. So here is the update!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 12 Weeks

Size of baby:  Itty Bitty is about the size of a plum!

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Lost 4 oz since 8 weeks

Maternity Clothes: I mostly wear dresses and cotton shorts and tank tops. It's just too hot so I dress to stay as cool as possible.

Gender: 7 weeks until we {hopefully} find out!

Movement: Not sure but there have been times when I thought I felt something. It's still pretty early so it might not be.

Sleep: I'm already having crazy dreams most nights. I try to sleep on my stomach as much as I can because I know those days are coming to an end!

Symptoms: Going pee all the time. The mornings I wake up and throw up right away are growing fewer between. I am hoping that is a sign for the sick and icky feeling leaving! I have heartburn at night but only when I eat certain things.

What I miss: Energy! Not always feeling like I could lay down and take a nap pretty much any time of the day.

Cravings: Most of the time I lack an appetite. I'm still really hungry but not too much sounds good to eat. I've craved pickles a couple times. I was really craving salad yesterday. And a couple weeks ago I really wanted an apple pie!

Best Moment this week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat at my appointment. {170 bpm}

What I am looking forward to: Getting to the 2nd trimester and hopefully feeling a lot better!

Botanical Gardens Photo shoot

On Memorial Day we had a photo shoot with MckMama!

I wanted to share some of my favorites!!

These are some of the ones I plan on framing very soon! I love how they turned out :)

Which is your favorite?

Little Lady {2 years old}

Here we are. Your second birthday. I'm not sure how time has just slipped through my fingers, but here we are. You are quite the little lady, complete with a sweet heart and all!

It seems a coincidence that we were at the hospital today, where you were born, as I had to make a quick stop at the OB's office. It only intensified the rush of vivid memories of that sweet, sweet day you made your entrance into the world! For brief moments I found myself longing to be back there, just for the day, to relive the exact hours following your birth. The joy your daddy and I had from the minute we saw you can't be described in words. You are the bundle of pure bliss that changed our world forever!

And to see the precious little girl that you are becoming has only multiplied the bliss many times over! You are a strong, strong willed, confident, independent little person. You are exactly who God created you to be! I admire so much about who you are, a reflection of your Maker, and dream with great anticipation, the path He has before you. It is so exciting!!


I wish you the most wonderful 2nd birthday a little princess could ever have. But you must know, my sweet baby girl, that you are really the gift to us!!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Evalyn!

Not 'our' plan

I should probably apologize for my recent absence in regular blogging. It isn't for lack of content or anything. I do have a very verbal, active toddler who is quite hilarious and mischievous running through our home. Our summer days have been filled with play dates and activities, trying to keep cool during these  hot and unusually humid Colorado days.

No, things to write about have not been the reason I've been "away." The truth is more along the lines of being honest and transparent with all that I've been feeling and struggling with lately. You see, I couldn't bring myself to telling about our day, the fun we are having and the cute, adorable things my Little lady is saying and leave out the other half of my day. The half spent wrestling with life and all that we are experiencing.

I've found myself saying {much more often then I'd like to admit to} "This wasn't 'our' plan, but it is what it is" in regards to this 3rd pregnancy. And I can't help but want to retract my words as soon as they come out of my mouth. Each time it feels like I am betraying this life -given to me as a gift- growing inside me. And betraying the Giver of life. I can't help but feel like I've shamed the One who has chosen me, He chose me to be a mama, and this little one's mama at that. Who am I to say this is less than perfect or even just ok?

But I'm struggling none the less. And I'm thankful for God's mercy and grace, new every morning and poured out on my life in abundance!

Please, please, don't misunderstand me. I am so excited and in love with the idea of another sweet new born and for this new personality, fearfully and wonderfully made, to join our family! I'm not at all in doubt that we weren't 'planning' on another addition! I love our babies and I know I will do love this little baby too!

It's just that everything about the pregnancy is weighing me down. I won't bore or bog you down with the seemingly endless list of things I have selfishly complained about, out loud and in my head, these last several weeks. The bottom line is that every. single. one of the things on the list are selfish. They all deal with my comfort, my desires, my plans, etc. And it disgusts me.

Maybe this doesn't make any sense to other people. You might know of some of the things I've complained about and thought, "Well, that is a legitimate complaint." Or maybe you have recognized my self pleasing tendencies. Either way, I know that God has created me with a specific purpose, a plan for my life. He wants to do a work in my life to shine His light to all those around me and draw people to Himself, through His love. His perfect love.

I know that my thoughts, actions and spoken words have been anything but fulfilling His purpose and plan for me and this life He has given to me. But from this moment forward, I am choosing to willfully accept His plan, even if it isn't the plan we would have made for ourselves or chosen if we had the chance.

But His plan is perfect. And that is the plan that I know is ours.

Little Dude {9 Months}

*Sorry I've been MIA on here, I'll share more about that in another post.


It's that time again... No matter how much I wish my littles would stay little, it just doesn't happen!

Today, my Little dude, you are 9 months old! Wowzers!!

Eating sweet potatoes! Yummy!

I am loving watching you grow and am so glad you are a part of our family. Seeing you and your big sissy interact could just melt my heart every time. She loves playing with you and every time I bring you down after a nap she asks for me to put you in your exerciser so she can play with you! It's so cute. Most of the time you are up for it, but if you are hungry you usually cry as soon as I put you in there.

Most mornings you are up with the sun, if not before it. And bless daddy's heart, he is usually getting up with you since I usually get up with you all through out the night. And as soon as I get up and come down stairs you start kicking your legs and grunting or whining for me to come get you and feed you. If I do anything but come straight to you, you start crying and getting all worked up. We are working on teaching you, so most mornings you cry and get all worked up while I do something else for the first few minutes.

Here you are saying, "MOM, put down the camera! I'm ready for another bite!!"

I am noticing that you may have a problem with a short fuse. You don't take long to get worked up once you decide you want something and don't get it immediately. I know part of it is because you are a baby and patience isn't part of you understanding yet, but I am already committing your character to prayer, that the Lord will be able to mold you in to a patient man of God who is slow to anger. He can do that and I trust that He will.

You are a growing boy and sometimes I think the only thing you think about is eating!! We are still nursing which has been a little challenging since becoming pregnant, but I intend to nurse you to at least a year, as long as you still want to. And so far, you still want to! We have increased your feedings to twice a day now to help where my supply is lacking. And although you are developing a good pitcher grasp you are hardly interested in putting any finger food into your mouth. Even if we try to show you how to do it or put the food in your mouth, you just look at us with a "What in the world are you doing?!" kind of look.

Still no teeth. You have one new tooth! It's only just cut through the gums on the bottom but it's there!!

Still no crawling. But you have attempted to pull yourself up using larger toys or boxes. Not with success yet, but the desire to do it is there. Who knows, maybe will just skip this whole crawling thing all together! Even though I find myself complaining that you aren't crawling yet, it's been so much easier to sit you down somewhere and know that you will be there when I come back! Or not have to worry about what you are getting into... I know those days will come soon enough.

You grab and try to reach for everything in your sight. And you have a strong grasp. Sometimes it's even painful! But you are a curious boy and love to explore and study and look, touch and taste all new things. It never gets old watching a little one discover the world around them!

Your daddy, big sissy and I love you more than words could ever describe and we love having you in our lives! We can not wait to see what the next month and months to come have in store for you.

Happy 9 months, Little Dude!