Parenting

Well I felt like I was a great parent once I had my first child. She is well mannered, behaves in stores, doesn’t talk back a lot. I felt like I was such an amazing Mom. To be honest, sometimes I would look at Moms whose kids where throwing fits in the store and think “Wow…..(insert judgments)”. That’s right I judged people! I’m not proud of it, I’m also not to proud to say that I did.

Then our little hurricane of a boy was born. He came into the world quickly and hasn’t stopped since! He is a hoot, full of life and fire. My prayer over him often is  “Lord help us to help Him use the fire inside of him for your Kingdom Lord.” Without God, some books and friends whose advice I can respect raising Him would be more stressful then it is. He would totally run the house if it wasn’t for God’s perspective of parenting. That doesn’t mean there aren’t days I feel like running the other way, throw my hands in the air and say “I give up!” While screaming, crying and yelling all at once.

I am now that Mom at times with the kid in the store who is having a full out screaming meltdown. God has a sense of humor! I am now that Mom being judged. The Bible is very clear about not judging others (Matt 7:1-5 for example). I feel like saying to those people who look at me and say “My other kid is well behaved and doesn’t act like this, its not me!!!” There are times I just walk around and smile while giving him a stern talk to, other times I want to run and hide and yes sometimes I have gotten in my car, defeated and cried.

Life sometimes throws us a curve. I feel He is my curve. I have compassion for Moms who’s kids are melting down in the store while my sweet hurricane isn’t with me. I have a new level of patience. I know how to control my emotions in a heated situation. See, its all about learning and choosing. Learning to control my emotions and choosing to not freak out when all I want to do is yell back and cry and scream along with Him. Instead I speak softly, pray and leave it in Gods hands. I can direct, teach and assist him but God guides Him.

 

I am so thankful God has trusted my husband and I to be the ones to guide this little guy into the mighty destiny God has for him!

Who doesn’t need a laugh?!

I have a good sense of humor, I think. Here are a few things that make me laugh!!!

We can all use a laugh, or 2 a day! Have a happy day!

God can be found like Geocaching

Funny thought, right?! How can you link the two together?! It occurred to me as my friend and I were on our “hey let’s go Geocaching, its late and we don’t have the right shoes” mood, which is often how we roll, its just more fun!

As we walked around with our phones, the Geocaching app and a keen awareness of our surroundings, the thought came to me, “this must be how God feels!” He hands us our GPS, the Bible and says “I have it all laid out for you, just follow My directions” – much like Geocaching. As we searched for the item in the dark, feel around under tree trunks, benches etc it’s how we find God, wondering around in darkness looking for something. Gods word says that He is like a lamp post to my feet, He guides our steps. As the GPS app counts down to the area we need to find the object that’s like our life. God gives us directions, we follow, along the way we find treasures and as we go thru life God counts down to the end. But unlike Geocaching, God fulfills a great desire we all have put inside of us, to find Him and have a relationship with Him. Geocaching doesn’t get old or boring but once the cache is found you’re on to the next one to get your “fix”. Jesus is completely fulfilling and my life is not boring with Him in it!!!

Here are a few pictures of our adventures!

God loves to surprise us!!!

Taking in the moment, also trying not to slide down the escarpment!

God can be found throughout Geocaching, in his amazing creation!

Learning to Live with Less

When I think back to my childhood I remember keeping everything!!! Papers that I drew something on that had no use, to toys I didn’t play with anymore “just in case”. I think this stems from moving around a lot due to life circumstances and always feeling like nothing was mine as everything was changing almost every year.

Sadly as an adult I continued this pattern of behavior even knowing my life is very stable. I had to dig down deep and ask myself, “why?!” Why did I feel a need to keep baby clothes, even knowing we where done having babies, why did I keep stuff around that was “extra”, or really just an impulse buy. After praying about it, I discovered it was a fear that was revealed to me, I was scared that what if this stuff is what is keeping my life stable?! What if I needed it one day, I totally had a poverty mindset.

Last year I began my journey to becoming comfortable with less stuff. I have donated close to 20 garbage bags of stuff. It started with old baby clothes which I blogged about previously, then went on to my kids stuff and I saved my stuff for last and to be honest still working on. Its a great feeling walking into my house now with less stuff, I feel like I can breathe. The atmosphere in our house has changed, my husband is happier,   the kids are happier, and I’m not cleaning as much which makes me happier!

See the thing is, life with less shockingly is way more fulfilling, less stressful and happier! I know for some that sounds crazy but give it a try, you might be shocked at how much happier you can become with less!

I went thru these and made folders labeled Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner, Smoothies, desserts and snacks.

The last project I have is our bedroom and I’m excited to see the end result!!!