Trying Out New

We started out this past month with birthday fun and celebrating Easter. My dad celebrated his 68th birthday at the beginning of the month and we traveled to spend the day with him. It was a great time spent with family and Caleb really liked playing with his cousins. So, it's no secret I'm a daddy's girl and I do believe I have the BEST dad in the whole world! :)
I'm so blessed to have been given such a godly example in a father. He's truly amazing!!

In our home, since our families live too far apart, we alternate holidays. This year Easter was spent with Trevor's family. Easter afternoon included non-stop playing with cousins for Caleb, an egg hunt, and yummy food. I am thankful for our families and the times we're able to spend together. 

 

It was so neat to see how much Caleb has changed from this time last year. I can remember trying to show him how to hunt for eggs and we even "practiced" the week before so he would have some understanding of what to do. Although he would pick up the eggs, he still didn't seem to really care about it. He was more interested and curious with other things. This year he was all about it. He knew what to do and would get SO excited to "find" the eggs. He would see an egg and say "Eggs!". And of course, he didn't want to wait to check out what was inside of the eggs. Let's just say... he had WAY to much chocolate and candy over Easter weekend.  

Although he has had his moments of "terrible twos", I'm truly lovin this stage. He is SO fun. He gets so excited about everything. Although that same passion can also come out in opposition to what I'm having him do, I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, ok, maybe I would change the difficulty of keeping him in the grocery cart, or the fact that he doesn't want to leave certain places without a screaming fit, or the days when I feel like a terrible mom and just want to keep him at home and never attempt to take him to another store. Ha! Ok, it's not perfect but the good completely outweighs the bad. 

His new phrase this month is "never mind". He uses it in such a way that it actually means "no". For example, when I ask him to come to the table to eat, his response is "never mind". :) So, were working on this! He also has such an extraverted personality. I try to give him opportunities to be around other children each week and he will always find a little friend to play with. This past week he was looking out the window at home and said, "mommy, go see peoples?" He doesn't meet a stranger, which we're working on, because this past week we were picking up a pizza and he decided to say "hi" to a stranger and then drive his toy car across their "behind". Yep, I may have turned a few shades of red and tried to politely apologize. Thankfully the man laughed about it... shew!!! Anyway, it's never a dull moment!

This month has been quite full of travel and trying out some new things. Not only did we travel to see family, we traveled for a mini weekend adventure that involved Trevor's online course. It felt good to just get away for a few days and also be able to see some friends!! 

I've also been experimenting in the kitchen. Ya know, I've always wanted to be a girl who could cook, bake, and come up with these fabulous recipes but I have finally realized that's just not who I am. Understand, I enjoy cooking, baking, and trying new recipes but I've learned that my attempts usually disappoint or just don't turn out the way I was hoping. But, that has not kept me from trying and I have also realized that the simpler the recipe, the more likely I will have success! HA! :) Anyway, for a while now I've been trying to help my family eat healthier. And for the most part we do, but I have been trying to find easy recipes to replace some of the convenience/ snacky foods we eat on a regular basis.  Anyway, in an attempt to lessen the junk, I found some recipes on pinterest that I can make instead of buy that have been a success. One food we eat a lot of are granola bars. I've finally found a couple of recipes that are easy and yummy. I also like the fact that I know exactly what ingredients are in the bar. I'll post a link to the recipe here and here The peanut butter version has become our favorite.

 A food that Caleb snacks on a lot are crackers and I found a recipe for a whole wheat cheesy cracker and it was actually pretty good. The only thing is that I rolled out the dough a little too thick and they kind of looked like doggie treats.. which is not very appealing. :) But, hey, Caleb really liked them and they were super easy to make. I'll post the link for that recipe here. 

So, all of this experimenting with new things has really had me thinking about my spiritual life. Each day has its own troubles, worries, and problems. There is no escaping it because we live in a sinful world. But, I do have a savior who gives second chances, renews my mind, and brings peace and joy. Each day brings a newness... a choice to either allow the world to fill me up or to be filled up with Jesus.

I'm realizing it's a daily battle to let God renew my mind... to see people and situations as He sees them. In order to live my life as a service completely unto Him, I MUST allow Him to renew my mind. If not, I'm constantly worrying, or focusing only on my and my family's needs, or wasting my time on worthless activities and thoughts, and then I usually miss what He was calling me to do or see. As a Christian, everywhere I go, everything I do should be in service to him. I am so realizing this about myself. God is not a compartment in my life that only comes out certain times of the day. It truly is a battle.. there is so much distraction in this world that wants to capture our thoughts away from God. I recently had an opportunity to share Christ with a person but completely blew it because honestly, I did not have my mind focused on Him.  It wasn't until I left the store, that the Lord reminded me that he gave me an opportunity but I was not listening or prepared. So, I'm choosing to see each day as "new", to see it as a new opportunity to be filled by reading God's word, and through prayer and praise. I'm so thankful I serve a God who is forgiving and loving, and continues to teach and guide me.

Romans 12: 1-2

Therefore I urge you, brethern, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, be be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

On a lighter note, I'll leave you with a picture of a really crazy, scary shirt monster....

Write YOUR Story

Well, finally, it seems that spring has made its arrival here in VA. I'm so thankful for warmer temps and the ability to start making our way to play outside more. We were able to get to the park a couple of times this month as well as playing out in the yard. Yay for spring!!

The month of March has been quite busy. We enjoyed some much needed time with both grandparents.  

We celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday, St. Patrick's Day, and the first day of spring!! We also shopped for shoes... I was trying on shoes and when I looked up, this is what I found! :)

If ya can't tell, I like to celebrate..

We also attend story time at the library once a week and enjoyed some fun at their spring party. 

This month Caleb also had his first sickness of the winter, an ear infection. Thankfully, within 24 hours of getting the antibiotic, he was back to normal.  He's quite the active toddler these days! One of his favorite things to do is "run circles"! He's also a dance machine :).  Sometimes we have dance parties. Ok, actually, we have dance parties about every other day!! He will ask for music so he can dance. It's great exercise :).  His new word right now is "sure". Everything we ask, he will answer with "sure". He's still obsessed with cars, trucks, trains, tractors, basically anything with wheels. He also likes his books, blocks, and loves to paint and glue. His favorite food, which has been his fav for months now, is "ogurt". He would eat yogurt for every meal and be just happy! Thankfully, he is a healthy, happy little boy and I couldn't be more proud!

The month of March has also brought a lot of tragedy, sadness and death within the surrounding communities of where I live, as well as within my circle of people and connections I've made. Of course, this is not even including the death and tragedies going on around the world. I must say this has been challenging for me and has caused me to do a lot of thinking and praying. In certain instances, I've prayed and prayed that God would change the outcome for certain people. All to realize that God had different plans; plans that are hard to accept and understand. In most of these circumstances, life had been cut too short. Also,diagnosis' have been given at what seems too young of an age. Reality has hit me in the face this month. A reality that I've known but seem to ignore... no one is guaranteed tomorrow. 
I've been thinking so much this month on my life. Many questions have been flooding my mind... Am I doing what God has called me to? Am I living my days as if it could be my last? Do I love enough and give enough? Am I intentionally sharing my faith? I could go on but I won't. :)  As I've been praying and sharing my heart with God, I know this journey is His, not mine! I don't want to waste the time he's giving me on this earth on worthless things. So many verses have been coming to my mind lately. 

 Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Colossians 3:1, Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  

Through the situations this past month, I'm truly realizing how I am to live out God's purpose and  story in my life no matter what may come.  Most of my life as a Christian I have expressed a certain truth,  but honestly, I feel like I'm just now really getting it. It's the understanding that my life on earth is not my permanent home.  Although I thought I understood this idea, I find myself still living as if this is my forever home. I think I'm finally getting it. Boy, I'm sure glad God doesn't give up on me!! I'm finally getting what really matters. To love God with all my heart, to serve and worship him only. Therefore, it is my mission, my passion to seek out those who have not heard and to be intentionally going and sharing the saving message of Jesus Christ with everyone I come in contact.  Through sickness, trials and pain, I pray that I realize every situation is an opportunity. God's faithfulness and love does not change with our circumstances. Our circumstances become opportunities to share God's love with those you may have otherwise never met.

There's a song that reminds me to continue to allow God to use me, guide me, and to give him authorship of my journey. The song is called Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli. The words to the chorus are:
                             I'm an empty page
                             I'm an open book
                             Write your story on my heart
                             Come on and make your mark
                             Author of my hope
                             Maker of the stars
                              Let me be your work of art
                             Won't you write your story on my heart

As my heart is heavy, I pray for these families who are being called to journey a difficult path. 

May we all let Christ write His story on our hearts.  Happy Easter!!!

Life

This poor little spot has been much neglected for quite sometime now. A lot has happened over the past year.

 Life... busy, fun, exciting, frustrating, overwhelming, scary. It seems life comes in seasons. As I look back over my thirty-(cough, cough) some years, I  can completely see how this is so true. I was married in my early twenties and of course, like most newlyweds, I tended to view my future and life with rose colored glasses. Of course, I had read the books,  had pre-marital counseling, and seemed to think I had a good grip on life. But I quickly realized that life requires work, effort, patience, understanding, endurance, and most importantly, a solid relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. Even though I "knew" these things, as I experienced "life", I became fully aware that it is not easy. I've experienced pain, loss, heartache, as well as joy, happiness, fulfillment, excitement. But, what I've learned the most is through it all, there has been one constant in my life who has proven himself to me over and over again... Jesus Christ. No matter what situation I have ever faced, he has been what I needed. He has been my peace, joy, firm foundation, and constant through every storm and joy of life. 

I say all of this because as I was thinking of possibly taking down this blog, I realized the original reason I started writing was to journal my journey.... which can not be separated from my relationship with Christ. I want to continue to document what the Lord has done and is doing in my life. May it be a source of encouragement to you and a reminder to my family and friends of the God I serve. He is a good God, a mighty God, the ONLY God! 

Over the past year, I have said good-bye to my job as teacher to stay at home with my boy. Originally, this was not my plan. But, of course Isaiah 55:8 reminds me that my ways are not always His ways. God had began tugging at my heart in the fall of 2013. You see, I have a story here. If you don't know me, then you need to know that my husband and I were not suppose to be able to have children. Well, the exact wording from the doctor was "you may have a chance with medical help". In other words, infertility treatments, surgeries, etc. Let me stop here and say I have nothing against medical help for those dealing with infertility. But for my husband and I, we both agreed that we did not want to go down that road. I had witnessed this same scenario with friends. After surgeries, traveling once a month for treatments, it completely took over their life and in the end they still ended with heartache and disappointment. I did not want that kind of life. We surrendered it to God and said your will be done. If you want us to have children, we will. If you don't want us to have children, we won't. Either way, we wanted God's will. Now, I realize I just made it sound like we were just happy go lucky either way. But in truth, we were heartbroken.  I cried... a lot! I prayed.... a lot! It was my desire to have children and be a mommy. Ever since I was a little girl, all I really wanted to do in life was to be a mommy. So, for 11 and half years we waited, we doubted, we trusted. We even attempted foster care. You can read about that here and here. Looking back now, we know God had a plan. Then we had the surprise of our life. In February of 2012, we found out we were going to be parents. Only God! We welcomed a healthy baby boy on October 18, 2012. 

 I went back to work after three months and did ok. It was difficult at first, but I loved my job and students and my boy was being taken care of in the same building which made my transition fairly easy.  But, truth be told, I felt like staying home wasn't an option for me, ever. And honestly, at the time it wasn't... but God had a plan.I survived the next few months until summer break and then enjoyed the best summer I had ever had. When I went back to work in the fall, I just felt dissatisfied. And then it happened, God spoke to my heart and began placing that strong feeling and longing in me to be at home, raising the blessing he gave me. I've been through enough in life and have read in scripture that when God says something is going to happen, it will! But, I doubted, was scared and unsure and honestly could not see how it would work out. But.... God had a plan. In reality, I wanted it to happen. But, oh my faith needed some work. Then I happen to come across an old prayer journal I had written three years earlier. It was one of those days. Longing, desiring, heart aching to be a mom. I wrote how I just wanted to be a mom, a stay at home mom. I completely realized that God was giving me the desires of my heart. I needed to trust him, depend on him and watch him work out the situation. Which is much like how Trevor and I got together... haha! that's a whole other story. Anyway, I prayed and asked God to increase my faith and I surrendered to his call. 

Here I am six months into this stay at home mom gig and I must again say God is faithful. Has it been easy? No, not completely. Have there been sacrifices? Absolutely. But God has provided in more ways than I could have ever imagined. The joy of being with my son everyday has completely outweighed any sacrifices I needed to make. 

So, this is my new season for now.  Again, I can't say it enough... God is faithful.  I choose to soak it up, enjoy it, take it in, knowing that this season will not last forever.