Hello World,
It has been several months. I apologize. Since I last wrote you, we have added a new member to our family. Our 2nd son was born May 23rd and is a great joy to have in our family. So, this completes us at 2 boys and 2 girls for a grand total of 4. Yay!!!
Today I put my oldest on the school bus for her first day of 1st grade. She was totally stoked and ready for the day. She was getting quite impatient waiting for the bus and jumped for joy along with a shout when it finally arrived :) I love that girl. We met her teacher last week and she seems really great. Extremely friendly and was genuinely interested in each and every child and parent that walked in to her classroom. I am anticipating a great 1st grade year for my sweet girl.
After I got my oldest on the bus I had some time to think. Most of you mommy's know that getting only one child, not to mention more, ready for school and out the door to the bus is not a thinking matter. You just do and do and do and then plop...throw yourself on the couch for a time to think and feel. My thought today was wondering why I didn't get emotional sending my child to school and seeing her grow up. I am naturally not a crier, but sometimes I feel like I should be in certain situations. It just really takes a lot to get the water works flowing. I do get moved and touched when the Lord's spirit is tangible, but really, who doesn't!!!!
So, in just thinking through this first day of school for my oldest I have come to this conclusion. I don't get emotional and sad about these times because this is what I am training her for. She is not meant to stay little and right under me. It is my job to train her and make her ready for these times. It is my job to equip her to grow up and teach her how to look like Jesus so she can shine in her world. This is exciting to me!! I look forward to seeing her grow and change. The more she grows and changes and lives her life the more I get to see what my job is really about. The more I get to see what my goal is and should be as her mother. It inspires me!!! It inspire me to keep working hard and even harder to better equip her for each day she will be in school and each milestone she will come across in her life. What a privilege we have as parents and what a HUGE responsibility. No wonder I have no time to work!!! I have 4 of these responsibilities!!! What an honor :)
So, parents, as you embark on this first day of school remember these things. You are training them and equipping them for such a time as this. You are trusting the Lord to do what you can't while they are away from you for the next several hours. You are trusting the Lord to not only protect but give them strength to be who He has made them to be and who He is molding them to be when you are not there to coach them through every situation that will arise. You have a huge responsibility and privilege of seeing your life long disciples (your children) spread their wings and grow. How can this only be sad?!?! This is exciting!!!!
So go, trust the Lord, disciple your children well, and be excited to see them grow and discover on their own.
Blessings!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A Mother's Thought
Today I was struck with a feeling that then got me thinking several different things.
I have come to the conclusion that I am not a baby person. I love my babies. I would not send them back for anything and I would not trade their baby days for any reason. My personality loves to dialogue, interact and be able to experience really great things with the people that I love. You can't really do that with babies or toddler/preschool age children. You can take them to do fun things but they won't process as deeply as an older child.
My first thoughts after having this feeling was I was a less than mommy. My thought was that I should appreciate where each of my kids are at and love the age they are at and soak in every part of it. But then I had other thoughts. A teacher chooses the grade that they teach by what age child they feel they interact with the best. What age child does their personality handle the best? If they are not preteen people they choose elementary or high school. If they are not older teenage people they choose middle school or elementary school. If they are not young child people they choose the older kids. That is ok. They have chosen an age group that they feel they will be successful with and that is ok. It is ok to have a preference and have an age you work with the best.
As a mom, we do have to be successful at every age group to some extent. That is our responsibility as a parent. We have to be working with them, teaching them and interacting with them as much as their age allows because that is what the Lord asks us to do as a parent. Now, does that mean I have to enjoy every age? No. Does that mean I should not want them to grow up a little bit? No. Do these feelings make me any less of a mom than the mom who likes babies? No.
Moms, you should never look down on yourself or feel less than because you are not enjoying an age that your child is at. We are humans. Do I love them less? Absolutely not. My love for my children never changes. That never waivers. Would I prefer them to move past that non-favorite age quickly? Absolutely ;) As a mom you are not guaranteed satisfaction all the time. You are not required to Carpe Diem every day, with every year, or with every stage. Some times you want them out of an age or stage quickly. Some you wouldn't mind them lingering in for a while. You are no less of a mom because you do not Carpe Diem every day. Do you love them unconditionally? Do you support them in every way you can? Do you give them everything they need and are available to them? Then you are a good mom. Don't let yourself or any other outside force make you feel other wise.
Carpe Diem those moments you don't want to forget and do your best with the rest. Stay the course mom. Stay the course.
Blessings.
I have come to the conclusion that I am not a baby person. I love my babies. I would not send them back for anything and I would not trade their baby days for any reason. My personality loves to dialogue, interact and be able to experience really great things with the people that I love. You can't really do that with babies or toddler/preschool age children. You can take them to do fun things but they won't process as deeply as an older child.
My first thoughts after having this feeling was I was a less than mommy. My thought was that I should appreciate where each of my kids are at and love the age they are at and soak in every part of it. But then I had other thoughts. A teacher chooses the grade that they teach by what age child they feel they interact with the best. What age child does their personality handle the best? If they are not preteen people they choose elementary or high school. If they are not older teenage people they choose middle school or elementary school. If they are not young child people they choose the older kids. That is ok. They have chosen an age group that they feel they will be successful with and that is ok. It is ok to have a preference and have an age you work with the best.
As a mom, we do have to be successful at every age group to some extent. That is our responsibility as a parent. We have to be working with them, teaching them and interacting with them as much as their age allows because that is what the Lord asks us to do as a parent. Now, does that mean I have to enjoy every age? No. Does that mean I should not want them to grow up a little bit? No. Do these feelings make me any less of a mom than the mom who likes babies? No.
Moms, you should never look down on yourself or feel less than because you are not enjoying an age that your child is at. We are humans. Do I love them less? Absolutely not. My love for my children never changes. That never waivers. Would I prefer them to move past that non-favorite age quickly? Absolutely ;) As a mom you are not guaranteed satisfaction all the time. You are not required to Carpe Diem every day, with every year, or with every stage. Some times you want them out of an age or stage quickly. Some you wouldn't mind them lingering in for a while. You are no less of a mom because you do not Carpe Diem every day. Do you love them unconditionally? Do you support them in every way you can? Do you give them everything they need and are available to them? Then you are a good mom. Don't let yourself or any other outside force make you feel other wise.
Carpe Diem those moments you don't want to forget and do your best with the rest. Stay the course mom. Stay the course.
Blessings.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Why do they have to burst bubbles????
Hello Friends. I hope you all are getting excited about celebrating the birth of our Savior. I love this time of year. Not only do I love all the festivities, I love teaching my children the true meaning behind why we celebrate the Christmas holidays. As a family, we have been going through advent the last few weeks and it has been so fun to hear my children talk about our Lord and why He came as a baby.
Today I have a complaint. Before you stop reading though, let me explain this complaint I have. Our children go through different phases which allow them process things more deeply and complex then they were able to before. This makes them ask more difficult questions and many times it allows them to see heart issues when before they were just behavior things. These types of processes can be helpful to us as parents and also hard. They help us because many time when our kid's see their heart issues it fixes their behavior. They see that their behavior is wrong for a reason and they see the consequences of their actions. Most of the time they don't want to do that action again because they realize it hurts people or it hurts God. These are the milestones we want for our kids. These are the areas of growth we welcome and pray for. If they don't learn to understand the heart issue they will never fix the behavior. They might stop the behavior because they don't want the discipline but if their heart doesn't change then we really aren't doing our job as their parent. Our job as their parent is to guide their heart into the things of the Lord...not just their behavior. If their heart is not there their behavior will not stay.
So, my complaint with these times come from a conversation I had with my son. As many of you may know, my son is adopted. He came to us as a 6 month old baby who needed a forever mommy and daddy. My husband and I view him as a gift from God and one amazingly special boy that we get the honor of raising. We thank God regularly that He trusted us enough to raise this precious gift and He has allowed this little boy to change our lives in the most richly rewarding ways. No, it hasn't all been easy but it has all been rewarding and we have always seen God's hand in each of our lives. We are different people because of how God used a sweet, little baby to change our hearts and lives.
As my belly grows with the newest member of our family questions arise from our children. Did I grow like that in your tummy? Did I get that big in your tummy? How did I come our of your tummy? All these questions arise and my son had them as well. Of course with him, our answers are different than with our girls. We don't lie to our children. We tell them the truth in a way and to an extent that they are able to understand and safely process through. So, when my son made a statement beginning with, "Mom, when I was in your tummy..." I knew I had to say something. I wanted it to be the right something, the true something, and the best way I could and the most healthy way for him. I started off by saying, "You know son, if you would have grown in my tummy that statement would be true. But you didn't. You grew in someone else's tummy." And our conversation went from there. He was listening very intently. You could tell he was thinking and trying to understand what I was telling him. After I "broke the news" to him he said, "Oh!". I continued with, "But do you know what all that means? It means you are loved by even more people and you are a very special boy." To that he just sweetly says, "Yeah!"
This was a thought process I didn't want him to stumble upon yet. This moment, this mommy was not quite ready for. I didn't want him to burst this bubble yet. I didn't want him to be ready to process this kind of things until I knew beyond knew that he could understand and process it all in a very healthy way. But, one thing I have learned about children is that they don't ask unless they are ready to process and understand. So, I am just trusting the Lord that He will walk with Storm as this side of his story is revealed to him and that he will only feel loved and protected by us and by the Lord. As a mom you don't want to give information that could hurt them in anyway and I was very worried that this would hurt is heart is one way or another. That this information would make him feel different or less than. But, I trust my Lord to protect his little heart and I know that the truth can only set people free. I am counting on the freedom that my son will feel now to lead him to the Lord and to see how he was rescued from a potentially dangerous situation. I hope this new freedom will bring him closer to us. That he feels chosen and wanted and a very special boy.
Sometimes our kids will be ready to process when we aren't. Sometimes they will be ready for things that we feel they are not ready for. You must trust their hearts. You must trust that they won't ask unless they are ready. Now, as their parent, you have to have wisdom in how much they are ready to process when they ask. My son is not ready to process his ENTIRE story. He is ready for one piece at this moment. Ask the Lord for wisdom when your children ask. He will always give you the words to say and will guide you in how much to share and what to hold back for a later time. One day my son will be ready for his whole story...that time has not come yet but it will. When that time comes I will be asking the Lord for a LOT. hahaha.
Go. Trust the Lord to guide you as a parent and to protect your child's heart. Always tell the truth. It will set them free.
Blessings.
Today I have a complaint. Before you stop reading though, let me explain this complaint I have. Our children go through different phases which allow them process things more deeply and complex then they were able to before. This makes them ask more difficult questions and many times it allows them to see heart issues when before they were just behavior things. These types of processes can be helpful to us as parents and also hard. They help us because many time when our kid's see their heart issues it fixes their behavior. They see that their behavior is wrong for a reason and they see the consequences of their actions. Most of the time they don't want to do that action again because they realize it hurts people or it hurts God. These are the milestones we want for our kids. These are the areas of growth we welcome and pray for. If they don't learn to understand the heart issue they will never fix the behavior. They might stop the behavior because they don't want the discipline but if their heart doesn't change then we really aren't doing our job as their parent. Our job as their parent is to guide their heart into the things of the Lord...not just their behavior. If their heart is not there their behavior will not stay.
So, my complaint with these times come from a conversation I had with my son. As many of you may know, my son is adopted. He came to us as a 6 month old baby who needed a forever mommy and daddy. My husband and I view him as a gift from God and one amazingly special boy that we get the honor of raising. We thank God regularly that He trusted us enough to raise this precious gift and He has allowed this little boy to change our lives in the most richly rewarding ways. No, it hasn't all been easy but it has all been rewarding and we have always seen God's hand in each of our lives. We are different people because of how God used a sweet, little baby to change our hearts and lives.
As my belly grows with the newest member of our family questions arise from our children. Did I grow like that in your tummy? Did I get that big in your tummy? How did I come our of your tummy? All these questions arise and my son had them as well. Of course with him, our answers are different than with our girls. We don't lie to our children. We tell them the truth in a way and to an extent that they are able to understand and safely process through. So, when my son made a statement beginning with, "Mom, when I was in your tummy..." I knew I had to say something. I wanted it to be the right something, the true something, and the best way I could and the most healthy way for him. I started off by saying, "You know son, if you would have grown in my tummy that statement would be true. But you didn't. You grew in someone else's tummy." And our conversation went from there. He was listening very intently. You could tell he was thinking and trying to understand what I was telling him. After I "broke the news" to him he said, "Oh!". I continued with, "But do you know what all that means? It means you are loved by even more people and you are a very special boy." To that he just sweetly says, "Yeah!"
This was a thought process I didn't want him to stumble upon yet. This moment, this mommy was not quite ready for. I didn't want him to burst this bubble yet. I didn't want him to be ready to process this kind of things until I knew beyond knew that he could understand and process it all in a very healthy way. But, one thing I have learned about children is that they don't ask unless they are ready to process and understand. So, I am just trusting the Lord that He will walk with Storm as this side of his story is revealed to him and that he will only feel loved and protected by us and by the Lord. As a mom you don't want to give information that could hurt them in anyway and I was very worried that this would hurt is heart is one way or another. That this information would make him feel different or less than. But, I trust my Lord to protect his little heart and I know that the truth can only set people free. I am counting on the freedom that my son will feel now to lead him to the Lord and to see how he was rescued from a potentially dangerous situation. I hope this new freedom will bring him closer to us. That he feels chosen and wanted and a very special boy.
Sometimes our kids will be ready to process when we aren't. Sometimes they will be ready for things that we feel they are not ready for. You must trust their hearts. You must trust that they won't ask unless they are ready. Now, as their parent, you have to have wisdom in how much they are ready to process when they ask. My son is not ready to process his ENTIRE story. He is ready for one piece at this moment. Ask the Lord for wisdom when your children ask. He will always give you the words to say and will guide you in how much to share and what to hold back for a later time. One day my son will be ready for his whole story...that time has not come yet but it will. When that time comes I will be asking the Lord for a LOT. hahaha.
Go. Trust the Lord to guide you as a parent and to protect your child's heart. Always tell the truth. It will set them free.
Blessings.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
A Lot Has Happened
Greetings :)
I know, it's been a while. Life just picked up pace and ran away from me for a little while. I'm sure you all can understand that feeling.
Today I am taken back by what all has gone on in my life since my last post. First is how my little ones have bonded...FINALLY. My oldest started kindergarten this year and my little ones have really struggled with their relationship and how they fit together without her. Any relationship that goes through a major change is hard to navigate at first. Well, I am glad to say they have started to find their sea legs :) As their mom, there wasn't much I could do to help them. I felt so lost and frustrated. I tried helping find something they had in common or throw out play ideas and they just fell on deaf ears. Oh man was there bickering and yelling. Whoa. But, this week they have really come together and found common ground. Thank you Lord! haha. Not quite sure how much more of that fighting I could have taken.
Some other life moments to have happened were many birthdays. Mine, my oldest, and my husband. Not to mention many other family members who have October birthdays as well. I love celebrating birthdays. It is a day that you get to look back and remember all the other great birthdays you have had and be thankful that those in your life were born at all. That is one thing I tell my husband every year I have a birthday with him. I am so thankful he was born. I would have missed out on so much life if he hadn't been born. He is such an amazing man, husband and father. I am so blessed to have him in my life. When it's my children's birthdays I am taken back to the day they were born. I am flooded with memories of the first time I got to see their faces. If you are a mother, those moments never become cloudy. I can remember every detail of when I met my children face to face. I also love to remember my husband's face when he got to meet our children for the first time. There are so many sweet memories that come with birthdays. Embrace them. Allow moments to be taken back there. Be overwhelmed with thankfulness for those births and how they impacted your life.
Another moment of life that happened for me the past few weeks is our announcement of Womack #4 coming!!!!!! Yes, friends, our precious addition should be here in May. I have found this announcement to be so funny. I will tell you why. Having 1, 2, even 3 children is pretty average and normal for our society. But, you hit child #4 and you get mixed reactions :) I am smiling and giggling as I write this because I have found it very entertaining. You get reactions like...that's awesome from those people who say the more kids the better. You get reactions like...wow, were you guys trying? from those people who think it must have been a slip of the birth control since 4 is on that fine line of A LOT of kids :) You also get those...you guys are crazy! reactions from those people who just think 4 is too many or more than they could possibly think about having. I find it really humorous. Yes, 4 kids is quite a bit. It is larger than the average American family. I just say that there are some people cut our for 1 child and there are some people cut out for 20. I have always had the number 3 in my brain for children but my husband has always mentioned 4. Yes, the kids make our life busy, loud and limited in some ways. We can't go where we want to all the time, we can't travel as easily, we don't go out near as much as we did. These are all limitations that came with having children. But...no let me try that again. BUT, this is the family we have chosen. 4 kids is what we have chosen for our family to have and we are overjoyed by the addition coming. We believe that each child that comes in to a family through whatever means is a gift from the Lord and should be treated and loved as such. Our kids are very excited for the baby to come as well. They talk about it all the time and ask everyday how big the baby is that is in my tummy. My son seems to think that whatever I eat the baby must really like ;) His thoughts about the whole baby in mommy's tummy thing are so great :) We will be a family of 6 come May and are very excited about it.
So, a lot going on here in The Womack World. I hope your world is full of life and love as well.
Go. Enjoy. Be Blessed.
I know, it's been a while. Life just picked up pace and ran away from me for a little while. I'm sure you all can understand that feeling.
Today I am taken back by what all has gone on in my life since my last post. First is how my little ones have bonded...FINALLY. My oldest started kindergarten this year and my little ones have really struggled with their relationship and how they fit together without her. Any relationship that goes through a major change is hard to navigate at first. Well, I am glad to say they have started to find their sea legs :) As their mom, there wasn't much I could do to help them. I felt so lost and frustrated. I tried helping find something they had in common or throw out play ideas and they just fell on deaf ears. Oh man was there bickering and yelling. Whoa. But, this week they have really come together and found common ground. Thank you Lord! haha. Not quite sure how much more of that fighting I could have taken.
Some other life moments to have happened were many birthdays. Mine, my oldest, and my husband. Not to mention many other family members who have October birthdays as well. I love celebrating birthdays. It is a day that you get to look back and remember all the other great birthdays you have had and be thankful that those in your life were born at all. That is one thing I tell my husband every year I have a birthday with him. I am so thankful he was born. I would have missed out on so much life if he hadn't been born. He is such an amazing man, husband and father. I am so blessed to have him in my life. When it's my children's birthdays I am taken back to the day they were born. I am flooded with memories of the first time I got to see their faces. If you are a mother, those moments never become cloudy. I can remember every detail of when I met my children face to face. I also love to remember my husband's face when he got to meet our children for the first time. There are so many sweet memories that come with birthdays. Embrace them. Allow moments to be taken back there. Be overwhelmed with thankfulness for those births and how they impacted your life.
Another moment of life that happened for me the past few weeks is our announcement of Womack #4 coming!!!!!! Yes, friends, our precious addition should be here in May. I have found this announcement to be so funny. I will tell you why. Having 1, 2, even 3 children is pretty average and normal for our society. But, you hit child #4 and you get mixed reactions :) I am smiling and giggling as I write this because I have found it very entertaining. You get reactions like...that's awesome from those people who say the more kids the better. You get reactions like...wow, were you guys trying? from those people who think it must have been a slip of the birth control since 4 is on that fine line of A LOT of kids :) You also get those...you guys are crazy! reactions from those people who just think 4 is too many or more than they could possibly think about having. I find it really humorous. Yes, 4 kids is quite a bit. It is larger than the average American family. I just say that there are some people cut our for 1 child and there are some people cut out for 20. I have always had the number 3 in my brain for children but my husband has always mentioned 4. Yes, the kids make our life busy, loud and limited in some ways. We can't go where we want to all the time, we can't travel as easily, we don't go out near as much as we did. These are all limitations that came with having children. But...no let me try that again. BUT, this is the family we have chosen. 4 kids is what we have chosen for our family to have and we are overjoyed by the addition coming. We believe that each child that comes in to a family through whatever means is a gift from the Lord and should be treated and loved as such. Our kids are very excited for the baby to come as well. They talk about it all the time and ask everyday how big the baby is that is in my tummy. My son seems to think that whatever I eat the baby must really like ;) His thoughts about the whole baby in mommy's tummy thing are so great :) We will be a family of 6 come May and are very excited about it.
So, a lot going on here in The Womack World. I hope your world is full of life and love as well.
Go. Enjoy. Be Blessed.
Friday, September 21, 2012
What I Want for my Daughters
Happy Friday Friends! I hope your week has been peaceful and productive. I wish I could say mine has been. My little ones are still trying to figure out their dynamic with big sis going to school and I was sick for a couple of day. Oh well. Such is life. Feeling better and on the way to peace over here.
I was inspired today to ponder a couple of things. As parents we have such aspirations for our kiddos. We want so much for them and to teach them so much. We want everything for them that this world has to offer. We want success and love. We want stability and fulfillment. But, with all these things that we want for our kids there are some specifics I want to strive for. I will start today with those things I want to strive for for my girls. Some of these things come from what I didn't have as a young girl growing up and some of the things I did.
1. First and foremost, please know that the God of the universe who created you just the way He wanted you to be loves you with every fiber of His being. He has sacrificed for you. He has fought for you. He is wooing you even now and He longs to be with you. Know that and let Him not only be with you but in you and through you. Lean on Him. He is strong enough.
2. Please take joy in who you are. You are amazing. You are strong. You have so much to give this world and if you don't take joy in who you are the world will miss out on what you have to offer.
3. Love deeply. People in this world need to know what genuine love is. They need to understand loyalty, commitment, and covering. Loving them deeply will show them that and point them to Jesus.
4. Have courage. Stand up for what is absolute truth. Stand up for what the Lord has called you to be even in the face of adversity. I know this is said so much easier than it is done. Trust me, it will be worth it. You will be the better for it and God will sustain you.
5. Have a passion and longing for the word of God. Scripture was put here to lead us to Christ and to draw our hearts to His. Read. Meditate. Hide it in your heart. It will change you for the better.
6. Know that I will never walk away from you. Mom is always here. Mom's stay when life's waves feel like they will wash you away. Mom stays when the mistake you made feels so big there is no way out. Mom stays when friends change, boys come and go, and questions about God arise. Mom stays. Mom stays.
7. Keep what the Lord has asked you to keep for that one perfect man He has for you. Please have enough self respect and love for the Lord to do this. You will be so richly rewarded and blessed in your future with that man because you obeyed what the Lord asks us to do. But also know that purity doesn't just consist of saving yourself. It comes in to play in every aspect of your life. The way you act, speak, dress, treat others, think, etc. See...it's everywhere. Keep it. Live by it.
8. Live in a way that shows you, on a regular basis, how miraculous our God is. Live in a way that causes you to risk and step out in faith to see how the Lord guides and covers. If you don't...you will miss vital things the Lord has to show you and deep things He can place in you. Live a life that is exciting in the Lord. If your life is boring then the Lord obviously isn't priority. Risk.
9. Have fun :) Do things you enjoy. Go places you want to see. Experience things that are amazing. Make memories that will last a lifetime. Be fulfilled in the life you have chosen. Accomplish every goal you set out for yourself and surpass it.
10. Lastly, I love you. Love is a word that is so huge. It means so much more than people realize. As the Lord says in His word, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." That is my guarantee to you. That is what comes with my words I. Love. You. Please hide that in your heart as well.
Go. Want big things for your daughter(s). Equip them with what they will need then let them fly. Enjoy watching their unique colors show beautifully through the life they will live.
Blessings.
I was inspired today to ponder a couple of things. As parents we have such aspirations for our kiddos. We want so much for them and to teach them so much. We want everything for them that this world has to offer. We want success and love. We want stability and fulfillment. But, with all these things that we want for our kids there are some specifics I want to strive for. I will start today with those things I want to strive for for my girls. Some of these things come from what I didn't have as a young girl growing up and some of the things I did.
1. First and foremost, please know that the God of the universe who created you just the way He wanted you to be loves you with every fiber of His being. He has sacrificed for you. He has fought for you. He is wooing you even now and He longs to be with you. Know that and let Him not only be with you but in you and through you. Lean on Him. He is strong enough.
2. Please take joy in who you are. You are amazing. You are strong. You have so much to give this world and if you don't take joy in who you are the world will miss out on what you have to offer.
3. Love deeply. People in this world need to know what genuine love is. They need to understand loyalty, commitment, and covering. Loving them deeply will show them that and point them to Jesus.
4. Have courage. Stand up for what is absolute truth. Stand up for what the Lord has called you to be even in the face of adversity. I know this is said so much easier than it is done. Trust me, it will be worth it. You will be the better for it and God will sustain you.
5. Have a passion and longing for the word of God. Scripture was put here to lead us to Christ and to draw our hearts to His. Read. Meditate. Hide it in your heart. It will change you for the better.
6. Know that I will never walk away from you. Mom is always here. Mom's stay when life's waves feel like they will wash you away. Mom stays when the mistake you made feels so big there is no way out. Mom stays when friends change, boys come and go, and questions about God arise. Mom stays. Mom stays.
7. Keep what the Lord has asked you to keep for that one perfect man He has for you. Please have enough self respect and love for the Lord to do this. You will be so richly rewarded and blessed in your future with that man because you obeyed what the Lord asks us to do. But also know that purity doesn't just consist of saving yourself. It comes in to play in every aspect of your life. The way you act, speak, dress, treat others, think, etc. See...it's everywhere. Keep it. Live by it.
8. Live in a way that shows you, on a regular basis, how miraculous our God is. Live in a way that causes you to risk and step out in faith to see how the Lord guides and covers. If you don't...you will miss vital things the Lord has to show you and deep things He can place in you. Live a life that is exciting in the Lord. If your life is boring then the Lord obviously isn't priority. Risk.
9. Have fun :) Do things you enjoy. Go places you want to see. Experience things that are amazing. Make memories that will last a lifetime. Be fulfilled in the life you have chosen. Accomplish every goal you set out for yourself and surpass it.
10. Lastly, I love you. Love is a word that is so huge. It means so much more than people realize. As the Lord says in His word, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." That is my guarantee to you. That is what comes with my words I. Love. You. Please hide that in your heart as well.
Go. Want big things for your daughter(s). Equip them with what they will need then let them fly. Enjoy watching their unique colors show beautifully through the life they will live.
Blessings.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Romance Your Man
Happy Monday Friends! I hope this post finds you all well and rested from the weekend. We had a full weekend but it was fun. Lots of family time and memories made is always a successful weekend.
I have been at this thing called marriage long enough to be qualified as "experienced". I am thankful, everyday, that the man I am married to is both my best friend and my love. What an intoxicating combination!! Am I right ladies????!!!!! Just seeing our man as both our best friend and our love should make us want to make him come home everyday with excitement and anticipation. He should be running to car from the office, trying not to speed on the highway, and timing himself to see how fast he can get in the door. His day on the job should be washed away when he walks through that door.
Do you create that for your man? Stop right now. Think about it. Do you?
I'm not talking about keeping your house clean, even though you should. I'm not talking about making sure he has dinner, even though you should. I'm not talking about waiting on him hand and foot, even though you should care for your husband in a way that makes him feel valued.
I am talking about a habit/behavior of nagging, correcting, disrespecting, and undermining. Do you ask your husband to help you and then tell him he is doing it wrong and take over? Do you correct him every chance you get and make him feel stupid? Do you order him instead of ask him? Do you treat him like he can't do anything right? Do you see him as no more than just another one of the kids? Do you treat your husband in a way that makes him want to go above and beyond as a husband and/or father? Do you treat your husband in a way that invites romance in to your home?
As a stay at home mom I deal with my children all the time. So, I am guilty of not refocusing my mind when interacting with my husband. I am guilty of ordering him when I should be asking. I am guilty of just including him in with the children because that is the mentality I have been in all day. I am wrong in doing this. I need to be more intentional about shifting my mind set before my husband walks through our door. I need to make a quick run and straighten house things, my kids, and myself so our home can be a place of peace and rest. I should treat my husband as the man of our home not just like one of the kids. These changes will create an environment that will encourage my husband and make him feel valued. These changes, most likely, will not make me feel more romantic. These changes will create an atmosphere that will allow romance to enter. It will create a space where my husband feels loved, respected, and valued which in turn opens the door to romance. It will open the door for growth and for love to flow freely in your home. It will open the door to a more peaceful and restful home for your husband to come to after being on the job and for you to be proud of and raise your family in.
So go, stop your nagging, your complaining, your poor attitude. Strive to make changes and do small things that open the door to romance in your home. Be more intentional about how you treat your husband and mindful of how your behavior could be making him feel. Go, be the wife Proverbs 31 tells you to be. Obey scripture and the word of our Lord and your husband will run from his job, speed on the highway, and hurry into your home. Go, strive for this kind of home and marriage. Strive to change our culture and it's view of a marriage relationship. Go, and don't become part of our 41% divorce rate.
You can do it. I know you can. Ask our Lord for help and He will be faithful to answer your prayer. He always is.
Blessings.
I have been at this thing called marriage long enough to be qualified as "experienced". I am thankful, everyday, that the man I am married to is both my best friend and my love. What an intoxicating combination!! Am I right ladies????!!!!! Just seeing our man as both our best friend and our love should make us want to make him come home everyday with excitement and anticipation. He should be running to car from the office, trying not to speed on the highway, and timing himself to see how fast he can get in the door. His day on the job should be washed away when he walks through that door.
Do you create that for your man? Stop right now. Think about it. Do you?
I'm not talking about keeping your house clean, even though you should. I'm not talking about making sure he has dinner, even though you should. I'm not talking about waiting on him hand and foot, even though you should care for your husband in a way that makes him feel valued.
I am talking about a habit/behavior of nagging, correcting, disrespecting, and undermining. Do you ask your husband to help you and then tell him he is doing it wrong and take over? Do you correct him every chance you get and make him feel stupid? Do you order him instead of ask him? Do you treat him like he can't do anything right? Do you see him as no more than just another one of the kids? Do you treat your husband in a way that makes him want to go above and beyond as a husband and/or father? Do you treat your husband in a way that invites romance in to your home?
As a stay at home mom I deal with my children all the time. So, I am guilty of not refocusing my mind when interacting with my husband. I am guilty of ordering him when I should be asking. I am guilty of just including him in with the children because that is the mentality I have been in all day. I am wrong in doing this. I need to be more intentional about shifting my mind set before my husband walks through our door. I need to make a quick run and straighten house things, my kids, and myself so our home can be a place of peace and rest. I should treat my husband as the man of our home not just like one of the kids. These changes will create an environment that will encourage my husband and make him feel valued. These changes, most likely, will not make me feel more romantic. These changes will create an atmosphere that will allow romance to enter. It will create a space where my husband feels loved, respected, and valued which in turn opens the door to romance. It will open the door for growth and for love to flow freely in your home. It will open the door to a more peaceful and restful home for your husband to come to after being on the job and for you to be proud of and raise your family in.
So go, stop your nagging, your complaining, your poor attitude. Strive to make changes and do small things that open the door to romance in your home. Be more intentional about how you treat your husband and mindful of how your behavior could be making him feel. Go, be the wife Proverbs 31 tells you to be. Obey scripture and the word of our Lord and your husband will run from his job, speed on the highway, and hurry into your home. Go, strive for this kind of home and marriage. Strive to change our culture and it's view of a marriage relationship. Go, and don't become part of our 41% divorce rate.
You can do it. I know you can. Ask our Lord for help and He will be faithful to answer your prayer. He always is.
Blessings.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A "WOW" Moment
So far my kindergartener's first week of school is going well. She likes the bus, likes her teacher and has already made new friends. It brings peace to this mama knowing she is quick to make friends and will jump head first in to her school experience. I hope other kindergarteners who are in their first week of school are having as much fun as mine is.
Have you ever been stopped dead in your tracks with an overwhelming flashback? I had just served my kids breakfast and was gathering lunch items to put in my kinder's lunch box when I was captured and thrown back in time to my elementary school days and would wake up to my mom in the kitchen, the smell of coffee brewing along with breakfast cooking, and she would be getting lunch items together to put in my lunch box. My first reaction was one of those, I am my mother! But, as the moment sunk in, my heart began to smile. I found myself whispering, "Wow, I am so thankful I have those memories. I am so thankful for my mom."
As a woman I had the best example of what a woman should be. I was shown how to be a lady. How to sit while in a dress which should be the same way you sit with pants. That can preach to our teenagers today couldn't it?!?! I was shown how to respect people, function socially, and to use manners. I learned how to love my future husband, raise good kids, and serve my Lord and Savior. All this I learned from a lady who sacrificed of herself everyday, day in and day out, to make sure my brother and I could succeed and be cared for. I have the privilege of calling her mom and my kids get to call her Nonni.
I am honored to be the woman I am today. I am proud to stay home with my kids and be able to be to them what this lady, who I get to call mom, was to me. I love that my daughter will have these memories of me just like I have them of my mom. I strive to be like my mother. I hope to encourage, support and love my kids like she did and still does.
Go, hug your mom, grandmother, aunt, family friend. Whoever made you breakfast, packed your lunch and encouraged you. Hug them. Tell them you love them and appreciate them. Be reminded of those times and let your heart smile. I am honored to say I have become my mother. Thank you Lord for giving my mother to me. Help me keep the precedent she has set for my kids so they can copy and be that for my grand kids. Bless my generations to come. Amen.
Here's to more WOW moments.
Blessings.
Have you ever been stopped dead in your tracks with an overwhelming flashback? I had just served my kids breakfast and was gathering lunch items to put in my kinder's lunch box when I was captured and thrown back in time to my elementary school days and would wake up to my mom in the kitchen, the smell of coffee brewing along with breakfast cooking, and she would be getting lunch items together to put in my lunch box. My first reaction was one of those, I am my mother! But, as the moment sunk in, my heart began to smile. I found myself whispering, "Wow, I am so thankful I have those memories. I am so thankful for my mom."
As a woman I had the best example of what a woman should be. I was shown how to be a lady. How to sit while in a dress which should be the same way you sit with pants. That can preach to our teenagers today couldn't it?!?! I was shown how to respect people, function socially, and to use manners. I learned how to love my future husband, raise good kids, and serve my Lord and Savior. All this I learned from a lady who sacrificed of herself everyday, day in and day out, to make sure my brother and I could succeed and be cared for. I have the privilege of calling her mom and my kids get to call her Nonni.
I am honored to be the woman I am today. I am proud to stay home with my kids and be able to be to them what this lady, who I get to call mom, was to me. I love that my daughter will have these memories of me just like I have them of my mom. I strive to be like my mother. I hope to encourage, support and love my kids like she did and still does.
Go, hug your mom, grandmother, aunt, family friend. Whoever made you breakfast, packed your lunch and encouraged you. Hug them. Tell them you love them and appreciate them. Be reminded of those times and let your heart smile. I am honored to say I have become my mother. Thank you Lord for giving my mother to me. Help me keep the precedent she has set for my kids so they can copy and be that for my grand kids. Bless my generations to come. Amen.
Here's to more WOW moments.
Blessings.
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