March Madness In More Ways Than One!

March has been so busy, but it has ended so exciting and with answered prayer!!!

To find out more of what I mean, I invite you to hop over to my other blog, The Cozy Little Kitchen, (just click on the link) where I'll let you in on the new stuff going on in our ever changing lives. 

Thanks for following our journey!

~Mommy

Come Over to "My Kitchen"

It's another snow day here as we got a ton of snow last night for Kentucky, and it is gorgeous!  I thought I was over the snow for this year, but once it starting to coming down the beauty of it all reminded me how much I love a good snowfall!!  Right now I'm enjoying a cozy mug of white hot chocolate with cute snowmen marshmallows while the kids nap after playing in the snow.  As you know, I so enjoy a hot drink!

I wanted to invite you to come to my other blog, The Cozy Little Kitchen, to read last night's post.  Not only is it an update of what has been going on this year, but I share some things God has been laying on my heart as I open up a little about some recent daily struggles I'm overcoming with the Lord's help.  I hope to see you over there!

~Mommy

 

New Mercies Every Morning

I absolutely love writing in the solace of the morning, so here I am again...

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'  The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.  It is good that one should wait patiently for the salvation of the LORD. "

Lamentations 3:22-26

This scripture was written by the prophet Jeremiah during a very hard time for the Jews.  A time that was filled with tragedy and sorrow.  In the midst of what is known as a rather depressing book in the Bible, he pens these words of hope that come out of his heart from God.  

These words of life and hope are what the prophet chose to meditate on amidst otherwise very dark times!  I wonder how many mornings He had to choose to remember this truth?  I had this verse on my mind this morning in my quiet time, because I'm so thankful for new mercies every day, but as I read deeper in the chapter, it's amazing to see how such peaceful words came about in a time devoid of peaceful circumstances.  That same inner peace is what I am accepting from God, and that is truly a peace that passes all understanding!  

The dew is fresh and the air is still cool, as I'm here sitting outside on my patio in my pjs, (warmest) robe, with a cup of favorite dark roast Caribou coffee.  I've been talking to my Lord, and I'm thanking Him for the wonderful things I have in my life, and the promises He's fulfilled!  My marriage, children, house, my personal growth in knowing God, and so much more than time I have now.

Thanking Him for carrying me in the times I couldn't lift my head from the fog of worries and fear.  When Psalm 91 was my air in the day, and blanket of security at night.

For the future and hope He has for my family that I have yet to know!  While there are crossroads we'll meet, and bridges to cross, Holy Spirit will direct us along the way.  There is not even one place we could ever go in our mind or heart or on the earth that is out of reach for God to meet us there.

I'm sitting in wonder at the incredible beauty that all my senses are soaking in! Just sitting in the small part of the world He has given Heath and I to live.

I admire the old yet strong, steady, heaven-reaching oak that stretches his massive branches up and into about 4 different yards surrounding us.  It has endured years of storms and change, yet keeps growing!

The flowers so delicately formed, so varying in color, so dependent on the water I give in order to stay fresh.

The squirrel families who chase or dance from branch to branch and tree to tree with all the energy my own two "squirrels" wake up with each day!

The chirps of birds in the neighborhood singing a song about something that invites me to want to be a part of.   Maybe it's the tune of their babies hatching or perhaps it's their own way of rejoicing over God's creation!  

The patio is the outside hub that parks a pastel pink tricycle and Spider-Man bike that is waiting for eager little feet to jump on and find roly-polies to play with. The stack of coloring books with a jelly jar of well-used crayons waiting for innocent hands to make their black and white pages come to life.  The crumbs on the table from last night's supper eaten on the patio.

There is no denying God exists, when we take a moment to truly look at what is going on around us.  He will not only open our eyes but fill our senses with new wonders every single morning, if we just ask Him to!  

Speaking of new, I'm crazy thankful that His mercies are brand new every morning!  My heart and soul (cup) can be filled over and over to overflowing and I can once again receive His joy, peace, hope, love, patience, forgiveness, grace, direction, wisdom .....

New every morning, Friends!  The God of Wonder gives us new mercies!!  

Let us wake up and come to Him laying our doubts and trials at the cross, at His feet.  I have been inspired to take His (free!) gift of forgiveness, love and peace in order to live the life He has planned for us.  As Christians, we have access to that!  At His feet is where freedom is found, and there are no limitations to God using a humble heart who is free in Christ and willing to serve Him!!  

Today is --again-- a new day for me, and  I choose to accept the gift of mercy and peace!

My coffee is now gone and though I could go on and on, my sweet ones are waking up!  Excuse me as I use my new portion of His peace and love on my family this beautiful spring morning!  

**Keepin it real update: It's actually taken a few hours after actually writing this between breakfast and playtimes to finish this post!  While my blogging isn't a high priority now, I still love to share our experiences with you and pieces of my heart!! :D 

Thank you for reading!

I Am a Work in Progress

God is so good!  He has given us two children who have turned our world upside-down while filling our cups with laughter, silliness, joy, innocence, dancing, singing, stories, imagination, crumbs, and --yes-- chaos! 

But He has also used them to inspire change within us resulting in more patience, humility, discipline, maturity, conviction, compassion, integrity, trust, and beyond all of that LOVE in our own lives.

Being a parent has convicted me to step up to the plate (or cup) that God has filled brimming full in my life, as I strive be the person I want my children to become. 

Are you following me?  

As a parent I have certainly become more aware of my own shortcomings and the need for the Holy Spirit to be the air I breathe.

Let me explain...

I have never needed more patience than with my two eager and rambunctious little people, who have strong wills and ideals of their own.   This should speak for itself.  Can I get an Amen?!

Just as marriage has taught me humility, being a mommy has too.  So very much!  I have to humble myself and say "sorry" when I have messed up.  It happens all too often.  I've raised my voice (too loudly) when I've felt out of control. :(  I have misunderstood the kids and sent the wrong one to time-out...  I am guilty!  When I do these things, I always come and apologize sincerely to them to set an example and let them know mommy needs God's help, too!  I'm all too familiar with the taste of humble pie, and that's ok.  I'm a work in progress!

I not only discipline my children in love when they need correction, but I have had to discipline myself in my schedule and duties as a woman and mommy!  One way I do this is I set the alarm to go off before my kids get up in the morning.  This way I drink my first cup of coffee and talk to God as the sun comes up.  It's not easy, but it's better than waking up to "mommy, mommy!"  and getting quite literally a running start right out of bed.  For me this works better.  We're all different!  :)  I need my time to shake off my sleepy head and wake up.  There are too many examples to say of how a parent sacrifices and disciplines oneself to make sure they are doing what's right for the family.

I want my children to see my convictions.  My faith in the Lord is everything, and what I believe He has called for me to do--or not do.  I need to acknowledge what these are as a parent... I'm still learning!  But I seek God to get a clear understanding of what He wants me to stand for and against, what is really important in life, and where my passions are.  Our children watch and listen to us intently--whether we know it or not--and I want to live a life of with intention and conviction.  As they grow older this will become even more important!

I'm learning what compassion is every minute as I'm beckoned to their little "needs".  Little minds can be distraught over such things as a favorite blanket being lost.  A boo boo that needs a prayer, and a kiss before getting back on the tricycle, or a little girl afraid of the wall "flashing" at night.  I'm trying to show compassion when I see my little ones needing me for what seems like nothing at all, because I was a child once.  I remember how sometimes I just needed to extra hug and "it will be ok" from Mom before I could go on.  So many times those things seem to arise at in opportune moments.   Like when I've finally fallen asleep, when they've finally fallen, or when I'm on the phone with the dentist office, but I am working on compassionate tone of voice instead of a harried one in response.  Compassion goes a long way in little hearts.  

I am working on being a mama of integrity.  I want to walk the talk.  Even in the small things like if I said I would get all the birthday balloons down so my son could play with them right after he naps, I want to do just that.  If I tell them that we would have bedtime reading and rocking chair time, I want to stay true to my word.   It also applies, if I say that one more time and "you will be in trouble", I stick to my word.  I want them to know what mommy says, they can count on!  I especially believe a person who follows Christ should have integrity if they want anyone to listen what they say.  Integrity is what helps to build ...

Trust.  This has been a big one for us.  Since our children were adopted, Heath and I had to earn their trust, and they've had to earn ours.  This does not happen overnight!  After 10 months, we've established a bond of trust that is now strong, thanks to God answering our many prayers for this!  As you know, trust is a huge component for any healthy relationship, especially between child and parent.  It's almost everything.  I was pretty discouraged in the beginning, because most babies seem to be born trusting their mommies and we didn't have that bond.  God was faithful and gave us the patience and hope we needed to push through the difficulties in the beginning.  Now we know each other and they understand how much we love them!  We follow through with what we say and we've opened our hearts to them fully, so we've come to earn their trust.  It's a beautiful thing!  My trust in God, on the other hand, for the lives of my children is massive and probably another post altogether. 

Our cups runneth over with love for our son and daughter!!  This really can't be explained.  Love is something that I feel is continually growing and because of my great love for them, I seek more patience, humility, discipline, maturity, conviction, compassion, integrity and trust in my life.  

God's love overflows in my own life, and it's that outpouring that runs off and into my marriage and children.  He is the wellspring (of life)!  

I honestly don't think I would be even a good parent at all without Jesus in my life helping!  I'm not kidding!  

While parenting is hard work,  I have the ultimate parent in my father God to learn from!  As parents, we are learning and growing on the inside just as our children are.  I need God just as they do!  The more I see my similarities and my kids', the better I know how to parent.

I am a work in progress!!

As you can see, both our children just celebrated birthdays!  We now have a 3 & 4 year old!  I pray in Jesus name this by far their most joyful year yet!!!

Eyes Opened

"...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance of the saints.."  Eph. 1:18 ESV

You know how at certain times --during very ordinary days, while doing mundane things--Your eyes are opened to SEE what's really there?  

You look at something that's always been there, but this time you see it.  

See what God has placed in your life, and it seems to jolt you awake to His goodness!

I was blowing my hair dry in attempt to quickly get ready while our kids were watching a little video.  It was another very long day for Daddy at work, which means a very long day at home.  The kind of day where he will need to wake up the kids to tell them he misses and loves them in order to see them at all! 

I was rushing around in order to get to Target for basic needs like milk, bananas, and coffee.  As my head was hanging wildly upside-down with the blow dryer full speed, I glanced over and saw it.  Something I've looked at a thousand times before was different.

I noticed that our little nest, our home, has changed.

No, it wasn't the toys and books lying around, the dusty everything, the crumbs that always decorate our dining table, or even Rocky Mts. of clean laundry.

I've lived in this home for over a year, but now I see answered prayers that look like primary colored construction paper in the shape of apples and autumn leaves.  

I see the story of Jesus feeding the crowd with fish and bread (of life) with scripture verses.  Each masterpiece haphazardly colored by an artist with a tightly closed fist and pudgy little fingers.

I see a once uncluttered fridge now proudly displaying projects created by little people held up with Winnie the Pooh and Thomas the Train magnets.

I see photos lining the stairway and hall of not only my husband and I, but our children!  The ones whom we asked and begged God for.  The ones God promised us!

As the afternoon sunshine streamed in my kitchen window, God was shedding light to reveal the miracles in the everyday in my life!  

I felt so much contentment and joy, and it was exactly what I needed to finish the long day that yesterday was.

Later on, after Little Bear and Little Lady had been tucked away in their tiny toddler beds under hoards of blankets (at their request), I lit my first autumn candle of the year.  It's amazing what a cozy, yummy candle can do for the soul.

I sipped a freshly brewed cup of delicious Decaf coffee complete with bubbles, while the lights were dim.  There's something about a hot drink that seems takes me to my warm and fuzzy place.  It slows me down a bit... After all you can only sip something hot!

It was quiet in my nest.  It was peaceful in my heart...  

These quiet times are when God secures what He has revealed to me in the day.  When I can really thank and praise Him for being so big and so unbelievably good to us.

With a two and three year old, yes, life is chaotic and tiresome at times.  I hope, trust and pray I'm the mommy God wants me to be.  Despite all of these new challenges I face, I can honestly say that my heart is filled with a satisfaction that I can't really explain!

My new crazy life is sane. 

Even in the midst of pretending, playing, reading, finding, wiping hands, faces, (and bottoms) there is joy!

Even when both kids --at the very same time--want my attention, or jump, tickle, and hang on my legs.  When they need me, show me, share with me, or push my patience buttons, my mind may be spinning, but there is a deeper peace.

When Daddy is working and we're getting ready for church and there are arms stuck, legs stuck, shoes on the wrong feet and rooster tails to comb out of little boys hair, all while sharing a 3x5 ft. bathroom, I have to smile because these are the wild mornings I wished for!  The moments that seem ordinary are the things I've been waiting for all these years!!

Maybe it's me, but I find that parenting isn't always easy. 

Although the unrelentless satisfaction and peace I have from my Blessings far outshine any moments of exhaustion!!!

Being Mommy is rewarding.  Fulfilling.  Adventurous and Amazing.  

I haven't needed God more than I do as a parent, but I think that's just where He wants me to be... relying on Him!

I decided to make some special French toast this morning for my two button nosed tots. 

There is nothing more precious that getting genuine, unprompted  "Mommy, this is soooo yummy!" And shouts of THAAANK YOOU!!! for something just as simple as breakfast.  :)

I kiss sticky lips and squishy cheeks and tell them how thankful we are that God has brought us together as a family!  We tell them that every day.

As my heart melts over French toast, I prepare myself for another day, but decide to open my eyes.

Even while I'm drying my hair. 

"You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."   Psalm 30:11-12

~Mommy