Being relate-able

In case you were wondering, my pity party is over since my last post. Contentment is a tricky thing for me sometimes. In the larger scheme of life, I actually feel quite happily content. And I honestly wouldn't change a thing. It's just easy to become discontent when I stop appreciating all the things I love about my life. I'm still workin' on it....

So, what's with all the "Debbie Downer" posts??

I want to be relate-able. There's something so freeing when I tell someone I've messed up. When I let people know I don't have the slightest clue how to raise our kids. When I pray with my closest friends about a tough situation that I have no idea how to handle. When I spend too much money shopping online and blow my cover wide open to my husband. 

Honesty is FREEING.

I haven't always felt this way. I used to think only showing my strengths and accomplishments was what people cared about. Like that's what would "win" people over. Then I discovered the truth all throughout God's Word. 

My conclusion is this. Listen closely.....

God thrives on using people in their weaknesses. There's not a single person in the Bible who had it "all together". Yet, God thought their life was important enough to write about in His Word. Why? Because he knew people like me could relate to them. He knew that I could identify with people who continue to "mess up" in life. He loved them fully and completely despite their earthly failures.

That being said, I would love to share even more here on the blog about difficult situations in my real life. Unfortunately due to the circumstances that's just not possible. But I can tell you God can and IS using them for good. He is moving and working in real and powerful ways.

So I will continue to sprinkle these kind of posts in between all the other fun stuff I usually enjoy blogging about....decorating, house projects, party planning, funny kid stories, etc...just so you know who I really am. They will be little reminders now and then that I am just an ordinary girl with an extraordinary God who continues to be glorified through every part of my life. That's really the whole point of life anyways, isn't it? Something I'm still striving to do on a daily basis.

***

Oh, hey!

It's been a while, I know. I haven't forgotten about you. Promise.

In fact, I've had tons of imaginary posts written up in my head that just never made it to the computer. They were quite brilliant, actually.



I was gonna tell you all about how the kids have been growing up lately and saying funny things and doing naughty things and almost killing each other on a daily basis and how I wish they could just obey the first time.

I was gonna spend a whole post complaining about how much I despise COLD weather and why Jesus needs to come back as a result. Like ASAP.

I was gonna whine about how much I miss my husband these days and how it's SO exhausting and draining being a stay at home (practically single) mom. Blah blah...

I was gonna gripe about all the "half-projects" I have going on and how there's ZERO motivation to finish them.

I was gonna post all my favorite fashion trends for this fall and winter and how I absolutely have to have every single one of them.

I was even gonna tell you I'm throwing in the towel on this whole "blogging" gig. How I want to write about deeper things but always wind up taking the "easy way out" by sticking closer to the surface.


Wait, what?

Did you hear that??

Ah yes...it's called discontentment.


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Dis`con`tent´ment

n.

1.

The state of being discontented; uneasiness; inquietude. discontentment - a longing for something better than the present situation

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There's nothing wrong with working hard in each area of our lives. But if we're always longing for that "something better" in the future, we will be missing what God wants to teach us in the present. I need to be more content with my present.

I think we all do.

Source: homegrownhospitality.typepad.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Perfect timing for Thanksgiving, no?

Booyah!

Last year we had a pumpkin and a berry fairy....

This year we have a bride and groom...

All I know is...

{1} Little people in costumes are the cutest thing ever.

{2} When will I realize that Michigan is COLD every single year at Halloween? Next year, they need to dress up like Eskimos or mummies or both. Seriously.

{3} The faster these kids grow, the stronger they get, which means the more stamina they have to "trick-or-treat", meaning the more candy they I get!!

BOOyah!

Hope you have a fun-filled Halloween this year!

Riviera Maya

Five nights and six days at one of the nicest resorts we've ever been to. In one of the most beautiful locations. The Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Thank you for your prayers. We felt them. Our time together was beautifully uninterrupted. Each day started with a little rain but the clouds soon dispersed and the sun made regular appearances. Greg's cold was nearly over by the time we arrived to the resort. There was only one day of work related meetings for Greg. Otherwise, we basically rotated between the pools, the beaches, and restaurants (with the most amazing and exotic food we've ever had). Did I mention I didn't have to cook a single one of those meals? Now that was a treat. And we even had a little fun playing a few sports we both enjoy!

So....

In unedited and rapid fire fashion, here's our trip in chronological order. 

Sad to leave....

As much as we wanted to stay, we couldn't wait to get home to see our kiddos! I had a couple videos and pictures left on my camera that we would flip through during the week whenever we started to miss them. We never worried about them but now and then we'd talk about our favorite attributes of each child. And oh how sweet it was to see them this morning! Jumping and hopping into my arms with excitement, shouting, "MAMA! MAMA!!" It was like seeing them for the first time. 

Anyway...

The trip was ummm dare I say, BETTER than our Honeymoon?? I truly felt like every detail of this trip was designed specifically for us. We did not deserve such special treatment. Thank you Lord! And even more, it was so great to vacation with the person I've shared the past (basically) 10 years of my life with. Our love is so much deeper than it ever was the day we left for our Honeymoon. 

God is good.

***

Reliving the Honeymoon

I loved our Honeymoon. I know not every newly married couple has a fantastic Honeymoon experience (for various reasons) but I have to say it is STILL one of my favorite memories with Greg.

Seven years and two kids later, we have not been to a tropical destination since.

Until now...

We have the privilege of turning a "work trip" into a tropical vacation starting tomorrow!! I cannot tell you how thrilled and blessed I feel right now. This trip could not have come at a better time in our marriage. The fact that we are going to the same place as our Honeymoon trip is no coincidence in my mind. It's by God's grace 100%. 

A few prayer requests:

(1) Greg is currently sick. Achy, stuffy, borderline feverish. He went to bed at 7:30 last night and basically felt like trash the past two days. Pray he gets better quick!

(2) This will be the longest we've ever been away from the kids. Pray for them to adjust well. Pray for us to not worry about them while we're gone. They are in good hands. 

(3) The weather forecast where we're going is definitely warm but looks like it will be cloudy and stormy every single day. Pray we get just one day of sun. Just one.

(4) Regardless of how the trip goes. Pray that our time together will be fruitful and refreshing. Whether we lose our luggage, our plane gets delayed, or the weather is as bad as it forecasts...pray that nothing will come between Greg and I during this precious time together. Nothing.

See you in a week my friends!

***

Feeling like a zero today...

Maybe it's b/c I took the kids to the library the other day and after specifically telling Mason "NO", he purposefully and successfully cleared off an entire shelf of DVD's in front of three other mom's and their kids.

OR...

Maybe it's b/c Greg came home one night from work asking what was for dinner, and I carelessly waved my hand from my comfortable position on the couch saying, "Well, we had the last of the macaroni and soup, so can you make a sandwich for yourself?"

OR...

Maybe it's b/c I've been sleeping in and letting my feet hit the floor without any quiet time with my Jesus. I feel frazzled, and unable to get out the door anytime before say, 10 o'clock in the morning. I then try to squeeze some Bible reading in the middle of the day while the kids are "happily playing" only to be interrupted by two screaming children who are fighting over toys. It doesn't make for very good "quiet time". 

OR...

Maybe it's b/c I haven't cleaned my house in who knows how long and honestly I don't care to. I mean, I'm ashamed at how unashamed I am. Really.

OR...

Maybe it's b/c by the end of the day, I realize I've yelled at my kids more than I've poured loving words into them. And I feel like all I want to do is race through the hours until it's bedtime when I can FINALLY have time to myself.

OR...

Maybe it's b/c after taking nearly three weeks to fast from Pinterest and FB, I'm right back where I was before the fast. Thankfully I'll be away from the internet ALL next week, so there will be NO temptations.

OR...

Maybe it's b/c I've had zero comments 5 out of the last 6 posts, and I've contemplated giving up the blog. Why is it that comments feel so gosh darn good?? And when I don't get any I feel as though this blog is not compelling enough. There's something about feeling "heard" that is motivating. I guess I need to keep asking myself, "What is the purpose of this blog?" Maybe it's just simply a way to record and keep track of my life. But, I sometimes wish it could be more than that. Still sorting that out...

OR...

Maybe it's b/c of this yucky, rainy, dreary weather. I miss summer. Period.

Anyway, if YOU are feeling like a zero sometimes, just know that I do too. We all do. And that's okay. What I need to remember is my purpose is not about succeeding in every area of life. It's about seeking Christ in every area.

The potty

It's a milestone for all toddlers but especially true for our sweet little girl...

Kensie sat on the potty seat by herself for the FIRST time yesterday!

This is a big deal for most first time parents, but I feel the need to give you the "back-story" for exactly why I'm so proud of this girl and why it's such a big answer to prayer! I haven't blogged about this topic other than to say I've simply been dreading it. I guess there's a certain amount of embarrassment all parents feel when it seems like their kid is "behind" in a certain area. 

When Kensie turned 2, I thought to myself, Okay! Here we go! This is the year of potty training! I wasn't looking forward to it but kept it out on the table. I lovingly tried to introduce the topic with little discussions now and then--always with a positive outlook and affirming words. We had a special day where we went with excitement to the store and Kensie picked out her favorite princess undies and princess potty seat. She was so excited to bring them home and try on her new undies. We chatted with slightly older kids who were fully potty trained and Kensie would cheer for her friends as they showed how they could go "all by themselves". But, she had zero interest. Then one day during bath time she accidentally went #2 in the tub and it freaked her right out! Screaming and crying. I don't think she understood that's what comes out of our bodies! Understandable, right? Anyway, I was extra careful not to react negatively and calmly tried to assure her that it was okay, I wasn't upset and that nothing was wrong. Ever since then, her lack of interest turned to straight up fear of the potty. I would casually ask if she wanted to try sitting on the potty and she would immediately start to wimper. "No Mama. I no want to. I so scared..." It broke my heart to see how terrified she was. So I just let it go and stopped bringing it up. I don't believe in throwing a child into a situation their not entirely ready for. She clearly wasn't ready.

Thennnnnn she turned 3, and I was like Okay! We're still in full-time diapers over here and she has never even attempted to sit on the potty! What can I do to help this girl?

Then it hit me.

I realized I hadn't been giving it to God. There was no way I could change this little girl's heart. But, God could! So, a couple weeks ago I talked to Kensie about her fear of the potty and how maybe if we asked Jesus to help us, maybe we wouldn't be afraid anymore! We prayed out loud together as often as she wanted, sometimes twice a day. Usually it was something like, "Dear Jesus, we know you can calm our fears. God, please help Kensie not to be afraid of the potty anymore. We pray with all our hearts that you would give Kensie a desire to want to use the potty when she's ready. We trust you Lord. Amen." No other discussions or conversations about it--just simple prayers.

So, yesterday sometime shortly after breakfast, when Kensie ran up to me and shouted, "MAMA! I want to use the potty Mama! I really want to try! I want to be a BIG girl Mama! I not scared anymore!", tears started to fill my eyes. We rushed into the bathroom and I watched as she climbed up without any help onto her princess potty seat. Her eyes radiated with excitement and joy as we praised Jesus right there in the bathroom. 

"Kensie! You did it! I'm so proud of you! Isn't Jesus so awesome?...he helped you not be afraid anymore! Praise the Lord!" 

"I know Mama! I like a BIG girl now! I not scared anymore! Hallelujah!!"

She asked me FOUR more times throughout the rest of the day to use the potty. I was in total shock and amazement. (PS-Nothing "happened" while on the potty yesterday...but just the fact that she wants to sit on there is enough for me right now!) 

We're gonna take it as slow or fast as she wants to, and no doubt there will be some ups and downs ahead of us. Right now, we're just excited to start the potty training journey!

***