Joy In the Journey: New Year

Now that January is almost over, I’ll write my New Year’s post! HA! So, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!! I hope your 2014 has had a great start and that many exciting things are in store for you this year!

Well, just like everyone else, I’ve made my goals for the year. There’s something exciting about a new year. It makes me feel like it’s a chance to start fresh in certain areas of my life. For the goals I’ve made, some are going well and others well; let’s just say they’re slow coming. (Like trying to make it to the gym 4 days a week!!) But, my main goal this year is to draw closer to the Lord, plain and simple! The hubs and I are doing the same read through the Bible in a year plan and have been taking time to share. Can I just say I LOVE this! I love how it is deepening our relationship and drawing us closer to the Lord. Years past, we’ve usually done our own plan, but this year Trevor encouraged us to do it together.

This year I’m choosing to place my attention, focus, and priorities on what matters! I think years past, I’ve had good intentions but often get distracted. So, with all that, a word that keeps coming to mind is legacy. With thinking about striving to be a godly woman, I’ve pondered a lot about this word. What do I want to pass on to my son? Is it material possessions, ideas, good morals, certain skills, etc.? As each day passes, I realize that what I do matters. My attitude, my ideas, and especially my relationship with the Lord are being watched, and observed by little eyes. My prayer this year is to seek Him first, in all things, in all matters and concerns. And as we go about this journey, I pray that my son will see, know, and choose one day to live and serve the one true GOD! That this desire of God will continue with his children and his children’s children, and so on. I want to leave a legacy of faithful followers of Jesus Christ, no matter the cost. I recently read an article in a magazine that encouraged parents to not stress out about how they are raising their kids. The article stated that parents today are more involved in their children’s life than they were twenty years ago. Their reasoning for this is because parents carry more guilt today because more households have both parents working. So, their advice is for parents to let go of the guilt and not stress over how they are being raised. They suggested that parents really do not have as much influence on their kid’s life anyway, and so we should not feel the need to try to think we’re making an impact that carries into adulthood. I completely disagree. I believe that God has given me a great responsibility as a parent and what I do with it does matter. Now, the article included some aspects of parenting that are negative that I did agree with that may be associated with guilty parenting, ~ over indulgence, instant gratification. I’m not trying to pick on the magazine; I actually have a subscription and do enjoy reading it. But, I know and have to keep in mind that their advice and articles are not written from a Biblically based view point.

So, I know my example to my son needs to look more like God and less like the world. I have other goals this year but goals that are worthless compared to the desire and need to be filled with more of God.

Well, now that I just spilled my heart all over the page, I’ll share about what’s been going on around here. Since it’s been so long since I’ve updated about the boy, let me give you the rundown. J

He is quite an active 15 month old. He is happy most of the time and loves to say “hi”, “bye- bye” and blow kisses. Lately, he is all about his cars, train, riding toys, balls and books. He can also make the best “car” noise when he drives his cars!! J He jabbers constantly but is coming along with his words. Other than dada and mama, he can say dog, ball, car, shoe, night-night, tree, and star. He loves being around other kids. When I drop him off at daycare, he gets really excited, giggles, and waves bye. He’s still eating well and his favorites are any kind of fruit, sweet potatoes, and bread. His sleeping is still a work in progress! J Sometimes he sleeps through the night and sometimes he wakes up 2-3 times per night. He seems to be a light sleeper and only a couple of times has he slept for 10 hours or more. He usually averages 9 hours. But unfortunately, he still wakes up early. I’ve even tried putting him to bed later but he still wakes up around the same time. Christmas morning he gave us a present by sleeping until 6am! He usually gets up at 5:30- 5:45am.

I was off work three days last week due to MLK day and snow days!! WHOOT! WHOOT! So we were able to have some serious play time around here. As Trevor was up with Caleb one morning, I could hear those little feet walking around and that little squealy voice. Why would I want to sleep?! I can’t wait to get up and squeeze that sweet boy! Needless to say, he’s a joy and blessing in every way.

Since I didn’t post at Christmas, here are some highlights in pics: