praying parent.

please ignore the awful picture quality...

as I sit and type this,  a certain little boy is upstairs for an unplanned morning nap.  

this age, 19 months old, has been both exhausting and wonderful.

 

he is full of words and full of songs.

he is into sports, dancing, and music.

...and oh so independent.

when James was itty bitty, I purchased 

The Power of a Praying Parent Book of Prayers by Stormie Omartian.

The first few lines of the introduction sold me:

"I don't know how to be the perfect parent for my children," I said to God in desperation one day.

"I need You to help me raise them."

God responded by impressing on my heart the following words: If you are not covering your children in prayer every day, you are leaving their lives to chance."

 

woah.

WAKE UP CALL.

leaving their lives to chance?

no. thank. you.

 

with each new day, I'm realizing just how important and crucial parenting is.

it is Michael and I's job to pray for him, guide him, love him, teach him, discipline him, praise him, keep him safe, provide a loving and nurturing environment, allow him to play and explore...

the list goes on and on and on.

i'm no expert, but I do know this-

parenting isn't an easy job, especially if it's done right.

there are many nights where I lay my head on the pillow and think, 

"Should I have done that differently today? Did I say the right thing? Did I discipline in the right way? Did I show him I love him enough?"

there will always be questions.

there will always be doubts.

...but I believe Stormie says it best, 

"I learned that I didn't have to be a perfect parent; I just had to be a praying parent."

oh, what great comfort I find in being a praying parent.

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little green pouch.

when J first started eating solids, Michael and I made his food.

did it take a lot of time? yes.  was it worth it? yes.
but then, for convenience sake, I started buying those wonderful puree pouches  that have popped up in baby food isles everywhere. not only was it super easy to use (unscrew the cap, hand to J), but it had a combination of fruits and vegetables... veggies he'd normally turn his head at.
the only problem? the cost (and the waste).
cue the Little Green Pouch. 

  these pouches have been a lifesaver around these parts.

here are a few reasons why I love them so:

+ they hold more than the regular puree pouch 

(6ish ounches, compared to 4ish ounces)

+ in the long run, they will save us money

+ we won't be dumping multiple empty pouches in the trash week after week

+ they were created by two moms

+ a little superficial, but I like the way they look

(green is my favorite color, after all)

+ they're super easy to fill and wash

(to wash, simply unscrew the cap, open up the zipper, rinse out the bag, and place it on the top shelf.)

+ they are dishwasher AND freezer safe

+ they aren't just for kids! adults can use these too!

+ they are easy to grab and go

I was curious to see J's reaction when I handed him the LGP for the first time.

 he gave it a once over and cautiously tested the pouch (he knew exactly how to use it).

it came as no surprise that he quickly guzzled the pouch 

until there was nothing left.
hooray for sneaking in some butternut squash masked with appleasauce!

so my point in all of this? go get yourself a pack (or three) of pouches. it's more than worth it! [thank you, Little Green Pouch, for sending us a complimentary box! please note, I'm not getting paid for this and all opinions are honest and my own.] 

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funny the way it is.

 this is a regular sight around our house:

(the ball in hand, not the fact that he's sans pants.)

the boy always has at least one ball in hand,

but sometimes two...or even three.

every day in our house consists of: 

throwing the ball,

playing catch,

 dribbling the ball,

shooting hoops,

rolling the ball...

the list goes on and on.

to be honest with you, I always envisioned myself with a girl.

styling her hair,

picking out a large bow to match her frilly outfit,

playing with dolls,

having her help around the house,

painting fingernails...

when James arrived 

and I heard those three life-changing words from my husband:

"IT'S A BOY!!!"

I was ecstatic...

and then terrified.

I quietly thought to myself, "What do I do with a boy!?"

I grew up with two sisters.

I didn't know how to make all of those boy sounds,

I didn't know how to throw a football (well),

I didn't know how to play cars or trains...

this was a whole new ballgame.

I can safely say, 18 and a half months into this gig as a mom,

that this little person has been 

the biggest blessing and gift of my life.

I thank God for James multiple times a day.

I thank God for knitting him so perfectly in my womb.

I thank God for his sweet demeanor.

I thank God for his good health.

I thank God for his exuberant personality.

I thank God for his passion and love of sports.

oh, and guess what?

a certain someone loves to help me out around the house.

doing the dishes,

sweeping the floor,

throwing things away,

and laundry.

God knew what He was doing when He gave us you.

oh sweet boy, how I love you.

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I want to be where...

today's weather has been

blah.

cloudy, drizzling...

and it bums me out. 

here's to wishing I were on a beach right about now...

  have a lovely weekend! xo 

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music.

  Before I begin, let me start by saying this:  I don't listen to vulger, inappropriate music  with a constant stream of foul language. That's not ever been my thing. But, do I listen to an occasional song with a cuss word? Yes.  (Darn Mumford & Sons, with intense passion in their music!)   Ok, so it's no secret that I love music. Always have, always will. The right music moves my soul. It's my most favorite form of worship.   So I had this big revelation the other day  while J and I were driving to the grocery store. I turned on my trusty iPod and we were off. (probably listening to Mumford & Son's newest album, Babel) It hit me at that moment that what I'm listening to  is also what J man is listening to. I know, you're probably thinking "duh, and you're just now realizing this?" ...and to that I say, yes. In a sense, I am. I mean, he hears the words being sung, and although he may not understand the artist's message right this very moment, it won't be long before he will. It won't be long before he begins to repeat the lyrics being heard.  After all, they're already being ingrained in his constantly developing and evolving little brain.
I realized right then and there the importance of the music  that I do choose to listen to.   Insert Rain for Roots. After doing some searching via the trusty internet, I found this album.     I like it for several reasons: 1) the music is folk-y (yes, I believe I made that word up) who doesn't love a little folk music in their life? I know I do 2) their motto is: "Big stories for little ones" that right there sealed the deal for me 3) their music isn't cheesy and the messages are powerful 4) the tunes are relaxing, yet catchy -- hopefully catchy enough to stick in the heart and mind of my boy   Will I still continue to listen to the songs that are on my iPod? Yes.
But I'm excited to have this album on hand to play for J when we're riding around in the car together.   Listening to great music while learning about a God who  loves us and wants the best for us? It's a win-win, really.

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pray for peace, people everywhere.

I've tried sitting down to blog, but I just don't have the words right now...

my heart breaks every minute of the day for all of those families whose lives are forever changed.

I have, however, loved seeing all of the wonderful tributes to the lives that were lost on Friday.

This one was especially touching.

  I may not be able to change the world, but I can be a source of light in a very dark place.   Pray for peace, people everywhere...  

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on trust and timing.

God's timing is good. God's timing is perfect.   I find that I'm constantly reminding myself of these two nuggets of truth.   Instead of beating around the bush, I'm going to go ahead and be real honest here- Michael and I are both ready. We want to add to our family... but right now, it just isn't happening (I can't complain too much, though.  We haven't been trying a real long time.)   I'm realizing that it's all too easy to become mad and frustrated with God... and then Satan begins to attack my mind with stupid, ridiculous thoughts. "You'll never get pregnant again." "Something is wrong with you." The list goes on and on...   ...and then I open up my devotional the next morning. (Yes, that one. The one I talk about basically weekly around these parts.)   Seriously, it is as if God writes the words for the next day (while I'm sleeping), based on what I was feeling, thinking, and struggling with from the day before.  

devotional found here

Did you read that? Yeah, so did I. He specifically told me not to hurry this process. He told me to accept His time frame.   So you know what? That's exactly what I plan on doing.   Will it always be easy? Absolutely not. Will I still struggle with the lies that creep into my mind? Yes.   But guess what? God is on my side. He already has my life planned out.   So instead of hurrying this process along and stressing about it, I will continue to enjoy the quality one on one time I get to have with this sweet boy:  

  ...and boy, oh boy, do I love him.   Pin It Now!

done deal.

As of 3:30 yesterday afternoon, our first owned home in Kansas now belongs to someone else.

I may or may not have shed a tear.

(whyyy do I get so attached to things?)

...but in my defense, that house holds a lot of really great memories for me.

It was our first big HUGE purchase as a married couple.

That prompted several projects around the house. 

(i.e. tearing down excessive amounts of wallpaper...I mean, we tore wallpaper off of WALLPAPER, people.) 

It was the first home where friends could come hang out on a Friday or Saturday evening, 

eat some food, 

play some bags in the backyard, 

and relax on the deck.

 

It was the first home we brought our new baby boy to.

His bedroom will forever hold a special place in my heart...

a lot of love and hard work went into making that room just right for his arrival, so thank you to the grandparents who so generously gave of their time, energy, and resources.

I could ramble on and on about the memories made there, but I'll spare you 

(aside from the fact that I've already posted at least once, maybe even twice about this house). 

All that to say, trying to sell said house has been a long road.

An extremely long, dark, winding, terrifying road.

Poor Michael had to deal with an emotional mess probably more than he'd like. 

Money was tight.

Stress was high. 

I would lay awake countless hours at night, trying to talk myself into getting a job, when really all I wanted (and felt led to do) was stay home and raise our sweet boy.

Michael felt that way too.

I owe so many thanks to my friends and family who kept reassuring me that I was (and am) exactly where I needed to be.

You don't realize just how important your words were, 

and are, 

to me. 

The good Lord taught Michael and I so much.

SO so much.

He taught us patience,

perseverance,

how to trust,

how to communicate and lean on Him,

and most importantly,

that He always has a plan.

It may not go how we want it to go,

but in the end,

it's perfect.

Our house was supposed to close on December 6th, until we received a call from our realtor on December 3rd telling us the closing got bumped to December 4th.

Michael's birthday.

God has a sense of humor like that...

and what a great birthday present it was! 

Now I will look on to what lies ahead for us in our new town,

with our new house.

New memories will be made here 

and when the time comes to sell this house?

I'll most likely be an emotional mess all over again.      

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case of the "gimmies".

Among the long list of things God has managed to teach me during this tight financial time for my family (with owning 2 houses for almost half a year), the one that is resonating with me most during this season is the feeling of contentment.

source

With the holidays approaching at warp speed, this lesson has become especially valuable.

There are ads galore nowadays.
Ads on TV,
ads on the radio,
ads on the internet,
ads in the newspaper...

you can't get through the day without seeing/hearing about the latest "must haves" this holiday season.
 
"You have the iPhone 4S? That's not good enough, my friends. Sorry that you just purchased it less than 3 months ago because you NEED the iPhone 5 right. now. This phone has a bigger screen, a sleeker body, can hold more memory, weighs SO much less, can pretty much do anything you'd ever need it to, like prepare your meals for you, and bathe your children. You need this phone in order to live and be successful in life."

These messages start to get to me.

They begin to let them define who I am.

I don't even own an iPhone, let alone the newest, greatest version.

That begins to make me feel "less than".

...and I know I'm not the only one who feels this.

These ads that are taking over our lives begin to make us all feel discontent with what we've already been blessed with.  

Nevermind the fact that we've only owned said item for just a few months.

These ads begin to let their lies creep in...

"If only you had THIS (insert hot new item here)...THEN you'd be happy.  Truly happy." 

Not having the money this year to purchase the latest and greatest has taught me so much.

I can hear God gently whispering to me,  

"Kristin, it's time you learn to be content with what you have." 

"But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." 

1 Timothy 6:6-8  

This holiday season, I'm learning to be content with what I have.

I'm so grateful for my hard working husband.

I'm thankful that he works his tail off so I can have the privilege of staying home with my son.

NO dollar amount (or hot new item) can replace that. 

Will there be times this season when I think,
"Boy, I sure would love that cute new sweater."

Yes. I'm human.

...but I'm sure going to try my hardest to remind myself to be content with what I already have. 

After all,

I've been blessed with so much.  

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Speaking of feeling blessed...

I feel so fortunate to have met and become fast friends with fellow blogger, Katie, from Standpipe & Sprinkles. She was one of the first to reach out to me as I began this blogging journey, and I love her dearly for that. 

She has a pretty fantastic love story, the most adorable little girl, Maile, aaaaand we both may or may not have a bad case of baby fever.  

Seriously, friends, go check out her blog. It will become a favorite of yours, too!

If you stop by, be sure to leave her a comment and tell her I sent you! 

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