Apology

I just wanted to apologize if my last post sounded arrogant. I was and am very fired up about the whole topic and was excited to share some thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I love pinterest, checking out FB, and decorating my home. I just wanted to show that you aren't alone in finding refuge and worth in those things. I do too! BUT, I think we all know that isn't the true self worth, that there is something more out there and that was what I was trying to write!

I am also amped up on raising my boys. I have an awesome opportunity to raise three Godly men who will someday lead a family and prayerfully love the Lord. I have found an intense book on instilling morals and Godly virtures in children and it has me all excited. Also disapointed because it has pointed out several flaws about myself. I can only try to get better at it right? Anyways, I am sorry if I sounded arrogant. I struggle with "trying to fill the hole in my heart" more than you know. I pray that God is able to use those words in some way, for some one:-)

Time to get all serious.

(what the Morris family came up with to teach our boys...I pray they become Godly men that fear the Lord)

What is it that motivates you? I know that it is mostly my sister, mom and girlfriends that read this blog. There probably aren't many people that I don't know that chew over these words...hopefully there is chewing. But seriously...what drives you? Is it that cute living room design? That awesome storage unit that would look perfect in your closet and would let you fill it with the finest things? Is it the tastiest casserole or best looking dessert? Is it the most well behaved child or best dressed baby?

Are we authentic anymore? Is there anything that is deep down true and genuine anymore? Is Pinterest the only thing that keeps us going?

What I am getting at is our lives...yes I am serious...our deepest desires, our needs, and what we have been called to by the Greatest, Most Holy, Gracious, and Loving God. Most of us are just mothers who are dying to identify by something other than our failing child. Get this...our kids are NOT going to be perfect! We CAN'T and shouldn't be defined by our children. Well then...how about our dearest husbands? Shouldn't we find security and worth in them...yes, of course the Lord gave us these wonderful men, yet our foundation and self love is founded in non other than our self sacrificing Jesus, who holds every tear in His hands.

Those incredible photos on FB, or on Pinterest...how much do we compare ourselves and COVET after those things? We have the worst lives; so others feel sorry, we have the best lives; so others are jealous...To be one of those people who is known for that success...whether it be that awesome photo we took, or that revolution we had, or the family that we created. We just want to be KNOWN. To be special for something. Guess what...

WE ARE

God says we are His. No one can snatch us from His hands. Therefore, lets run this race, go for that prize that ONLY matters to Him and NO ONE ELSE. He doesn't look at what we have worldy accomplished here on this planet. He looks at our scarred hearts. At our wounded, bleeding, and begging-for-love souls. He picks us up, holds us, and breathes that fulfilling life into us. No longer should we wake up trying to be someone that we aren't. No longer should we compare our children to those of our friends. My kids are different than yours. God has instructed me to disciple (notice I did not say discipline) my boys differently than your daughter, son, or both. God works all...yes ALL things for his good. Did you hear me? ALLLLLLLLL things for his good. Trust Him in this...and you will see His faithful hand reach out and save you.

Because we are adults and we shouln't be living on baby's milk. We should actually be feeding that to our kids (not literally). We should be teaching them the basics. Being the basic example for them so that they can see Christ in us. If you think about it...see what you do daily for your kids so that they see Jesus. Even a 1 year old can see Jesus! Don't EVER underestimate them...they are SO much smarter than we think. They sin from the womb...did you hear me? Yes they do! Those beautiful innocent looking children know how to sin! It is in their nature and God has give us this glorious responsibility to disciple them. To guide, teach and show how to be Jesus to them.

The next question is...how can we be Jesus to them if we don't know Him. Do we know that the same Spirit that knows God is in us? How wonderfully exhilarating is that???? The Holy Spirit that knows the mind of Christ, dwells in us. Oh how peacefull and exciting is that!!!! Let us turn to God and ask for knowledge and wisdom in raising these "little" people...who are actually brothers and sisters in Christ.

OOOOfta! What a rant right? I have personally experienced the depths of despair and also the heights of God's peace and love. I chose the latter and know what it takes. Relationships don't just happen...it takes lots and lots of devotion and wonderful work. Thank you my wonderful and loving Lord Jesus for being in my life and showing me what it means...what it means to live, to parent, to be a wife, and to follow you humbly.

PS....my goal in this post is to hopefully encourage you, to spur you on. Please, please share with me if this incorrect or if you don't care for it. I only want to please the Lord, but I also want to grasp the hearts of my dearest friends and family.

Jumping back....Christmas pics finally!

I don't have too many photos from the day. Wish I would have taken more throughout the ENTIRE day and not just a few from opening presents...oh well...there is always next year!!

Here are few snippets from our day:-)

Night before....the kitchen all set up and under the big bag, and all the goodies under the tree! There were gifts from extended family as well. We started a tradition of the boys sleeping in our room on Christmas Eve. I thought they would keep coming down once put to bed, but they stayed put and we were in bed no latter than midnight!

The unwrapping began and messes were started! The boys got many gifts for both of them and they did great opening them together!
Everett crawling around checking it all out:-)

The dogs got a new bed...they love it!

Logan got many legos and lego type toys...such a big boy!

One of Austin's favorite from Auntie Kelly...his apron:-)

Already playing before the gifts were all opened

Goofy brothers!

My Santa Baby! First Christmas and in that Santa suit that Logan wore 5 years ago!

Great outdoor toys and hilarious when used indoors!

Getting ready for the family shot:

Merry Christmas Everyone! Thank you all for spoiling us once again:-)

The common...GOALS FOR NEW YEAR!

I know that everyone has been posting about new goals this year, but I think it really helps to write them down. Especially to other people because it holds us more accountable. So please...if you see me slacking...yell at me!

Me Goals:

1-Get up early to work out and/or get time in the Word. My days are ALWAYS better if I do either of those in the morning. No matter how tired I am I know it will help me. Anyone have any good study plans? Any good ideas on what to do for quiet time? I have been reading a book about raising Godly boys, so that gives me motivation during the day. What about you?

2-Get my house in order. AAHHHH! I have had to let go of my house so much! I have a cleaning schedule (not crazyily particular) but just the clean the bathrooms this day, dust that day, etc. I need to stick with it! I am hoping with Everett turning one in two months (YES!! can you believe it?) that I won't be so tied down with nursing still and he will be much more invovled and distracted with his brothers.

3-Make prayer lists for each boy. (including the one taller than me:-) I started reading (never finish a book it seems) Power of a Praying Parent, and one thing she said was to make a list of things you wanted to pray for that child for that year. I think that is a swell idea. Yes, i just said swell. I have found that no matter how hard I try to teach certain characteristics and lessons to the boys, and be an example to them; the most powerful thing to do to help them is to pray for them.

4-The over rated....lose weight. Yes, the holidays put on some lbs for me. I am not happy with what is going with that. I know that I always lose weight faster after nursing a baby, so that is something I am looking forward to. I have started a p90x workout in the morning and soon will be trying Shakeology. If you are intersted in what that is please ask. I want to lose at least 15lbs. You may think that seems like a lot, but I really, really want to get back into the 120s...so that would actually be over 15 lbs. But since we are done having kids, I can work on it for a while and focus on my body for myself!

5-Save money and learn to budget better. We have the most incredible opportunity to pay of our debt recently, and even though it seems to be a vicious cycle with that (pay it off, get in it again, pay it off...) I am really REALLY going to stick with it this time. I am hoping to use my photography money as the extra stuff too.

6-LAST ONE:-) Photography! I have been so blessed to have had so many sessions this past fall, and learn so much about it, I hope I can bless more people this next year. And have fun while I do it! Definitely need to amp up my indoor studio, and prop collection; but I am excited!!

So yeah...there are MY goals for this year. I know I have goals for the little ones, like help Logan start to read, get Austin ready for preschool next year, and get Everett walking at some point! Mike is always a goal...he has a long year ahead with lots of training physically and mentally. We are so stoked, but unfortunately have the looming "might get kicked out" feeling that will be with us every day. After this year of training we will sigh a huge sigh of relief! Please be praying for him!

Comment with you blog and your goals...maybe I will get some more ideas!

Back into the blogging world...

Sorry I have been so MIA lately friends and family!! Life has been busy as usuall and the blog hasn't been a huge priority on my to-do lists. I do enjoy it and want it to become more of a habit...so we will be working it into my schedule! I thought I would start where we left off (kinda) and just try and catch up...so I apologize for the Christmas pictures later this January.

Everett turned nine months on December 23rd and I didn't get around to his 9month photos until 2 weeks later...so technically he is 9.5 months:-) It is getting hard to get him to sit still for these photos as he wants to just crawl around and play! I managed though. His personality has really come through lately and is proving to be a very intelligent baby! He communicates with us all the time and lets us know if he is upset about things. He is kinda a drama-king at times. He learned to wave and actually says "HI"....so that is is first word! I recently was at target and saw a little stuffed lion and I was "roaring" at him, making him smile, got a kick out of it and then walked away from it. Then all of a sudden I hear "raaaoooorr" come from Everett! I thought it was so cute and he kept doing it, so I HAD to get the stuffed Lion...he still roars for us when we say lion or show him the animal. I am having so much fun seeing the difference already in him compared to the other boys. The Best!

He is starting to get some eczema patches which is a bummer because we already have to deal with it for Austin. It didn't start up till after I started feeding him solids so I am curious if there is a food that aggrevates his skin more.
He has started wrestling with his brothers, and Logan tries to squeeze him all the time. The other day I told Logan to not squeeze him and he says "But I just love him so much!!" Hehe...gotta love it!

He looked so cute in the hat, but he was crabby at the time so I had to get one of him being crabby:-)
Check back soon for Christmas photos!!