Monday, September 16, 2013

Two years...

My Hito turned two today.

This little baby...





 ...grew into this boy in the blink of an eye.

Time goes fast...too fast.  How do I hold on to these moments?  My little baby has become a hefty boy and I am so thankful.  So thankful.

Hito, you are the sweetest, brightest little kid and I am so happy to be your mommy.  There is nothing I would rather do than stay with you for the rest of my life.  I pray every day that you will grow up to love the Lord, your family, and be the best boy you can be.  Happy birthday, little one.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

remembering...

Today, I cried.

I don't remember crying on September 11, 2001.  My 15 year old mind understood that something horrific had happened.  But now my mother of two mind understands something so much greater.

The world is different.

And I cry.

We now live in a world that is full of this out-in-the-open and hidden-at-the-same-time fear called terrorism.

We live in a world where we wait with bated breath as friends with spouses and siblings and children in the armed services return from still hazardous tours of duty in far off places.  We live in a world where our children were not alive that day and need to be taught about these things.  We live in a world where we can start again to teach our children to love, always love.

Today, I praised.

I saw pictures on Facebook of another army soldier husband who returned safe to the arms of his wife and family.  I prayed thanks with a heart ready to burst that my brother made it back from his tour in Afghanistan safely.  I mourned again reading about families broken, security shattered, and hearts crushed by the hate of a few people that day years ago.

This different world also brings opportunities to us to do right and good.  Soldiers are getting help for PTSD, organizations are freeing the oppressed around the world, and we continue to find ways to sustain the earth's population more and more efficiently.

Today, I prayed.

The world is different but the prayer is the same.  Patience, humility, and love are never outdated, never unwanted.  As a mother of two, I strive, struggle, every day to try and point my children's eyes to the Savior who did everything for them, for mom and dad, for the whole world.  The whole world doesn't see it.  But that doesn't change the free offer of salvation and love - it will always be there.  And Christ draws us to Himself.

So I will continue.  Crying, praising, praying.  In full confidence of a future shaped and ordained by my Maker and Redeemer.

There are far better things ahead 
than any we leave behind.
~C.S. Lewis

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

learning, growing, and super comfy clothes

This weekend has been a little chaotic.  But it was sweet, challenging, and oh so exhausting.  =)  Let me recap.

My little-brother-in-law is getting married next weekend but this weekend was mostly about my youngest brother-in-law.  My in-laws have a tradition of a graduation to manhood celebration at the end of high school.  They started doing it with my hubby and have done it for all three sons now.  It is an evening of men gathered together to share their wisdom and insights about life with the "graduate" who is starting college or heading out to the work place.  Since it is for men only, I wasn't there but it was sweet to ask my husband and brothers about it and have them talk about the camaraderie and friendship that was kindled in those sharing moments.

And on Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to go to a fantastic PR and branding workshop hosted by Audrey of Conversation Pieces and taught by Tracy of Poi Planet (Do you follow me on Instagram?  Did you see the amazing baked french toast that Audrey made for us?).  It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done.  I loved every moment of it because I knew it was what I needed to hear at this point in my business's life.  But let me tell you, I have not felt that much brain drain since I was working on my largest projects in college.  At the same time, I learned the most from those intense moments.  The moments where you don't have a choice but get it together and keep up or give up and go home.  I'm not about to give up and go home so I am going to keep going!

With everything I learned at that workshop, I am working on some changes to the blog and business.  So keep visiting to see how things shape up in the next few weeks and months!  I am very excited about some of the changes but also more than a little nervous.  =)

And the comfy clothes part of the post?  Audrey runs her business out of her home where she graciously invited us in this Saturday and she gifted me the most uh-maz-ing shirt ever.


Seriously, I don't even know how to tell you how incredibly soft, comfortable, and breathable this shirt is!  Let me just say this - buy one and you will never regret it.  Be looking for a style post featuring this top very soon!  =)

And with that being said, I am going to go try to catch up on some stuff and start plowing through the week and hurry up to my brother's wedding!  

Have a beautiful day!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Black, Camel, & Fuschia for Fall!

Black, Camel, & Fuschia
Black, Camel, & Fuschia by snsnsnsibility featuring kate spade jewelry



I saw this dress at Target and kind of have not been able to get it out of my head.  What do you think of this color combo?  I am a big fan of jewel tones gaining popularity again this fall/winter.  I look good in these colors.  =P  Is that really self serving?  

Have a beautiful day!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

all growed up...

Today, my baby sister goes off to college.  My baby sister who used to copy everything that I did, said everything I said, and is becoming so much better than me.

There used to be a little bit of an age difference (in years, there is a nine year gap) but she has grown and matured so much.  She is zealous for the Lord, cares for others, and is seriously and deliberately trying to become the woman the Lord is molding her into.

I used to teach her things and now I opportunities to learn from her.  She is a great writer (she and I blog together over at www.couragethatpleases.com) and has helped me process through a lot of my thoughts.  She is a great auntie and fun to shop with.  =P  A requirement for all sisters, right?

She will always be my "baby" (I think I called her that until she was 8) and a little bit of a pain.  But I couldn't be prouder of where she is going.




Monday, September 2, 2013

my unexpected realization as a mommy of two

I have been single mom-ing it this weekend because the men of my husband's family always go hunting in Arizona over Labor Day weekend.  And that's ok (I have no problem with my husband having some guy time in case anyone misunderstood).  But I have been having a lot of internal conversations about whether I should be a full time SAHM or if there is other work for me outside of my home.

It was an extremely hot weekend so we were sort of confined to the few rooms that we have put air conditioning units into.  Well, I have a nearly 2 year old boy and a two month old girl.  It makes for some creative parenting, lots of mommy guilt, and more tv shows in one day than I normally allow.

But despite the mommy guilt, I did have a blinding moment of clarity.  At one point in my afternoon, I had a fussy infant and a fidgety toddler.  As I held my baby girl, I couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she is.  My son was settling down with some markers and paper, focusing so intently on what he was doing, blond hair falling forward as he tried to copy the way I hold pens and markers.

And my heart was full.

I stopped and began praying out loud because I couldn't believe that God had blessed me with these two huge responsibilities that I love more than life.  Even at a distance, I felt supported by a husband who was recharging the same way I need to do every now and again.  Perhaps the sweetest thought was knowing that when dad does get home, both children's faces will light up the way they only do when dad comes home.

It was a long weekend that was rather out of our routine.  But it was precious.  I prayed and sang and laughed and cuddled with two children whom God has given me as a charge for the time being.  I was humbled as I remembered again and again that it is all His grace that gets us from morning to night and His grace that draws my children's hearts to Himself.  I carried on in His strength.

And again the blinding clarity.  My place, for the time being, is at home.  My children's physical and spiritual growth is my responsibility.  My family has the luxury of me being able to stay home and as long as God allows, I will be here.

I will be here so that when I tuck my children in at night and they instinctively fold their hands so we can pray before bed or crawl into my lap throughout the day to fold their hands and ask "pray", I can again be blinded with the knowledge that my work is here, at home.



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