the sparrows and the lilies

December 10, 2021 Leave a Comment

If He dresses the lilies with beauty and splendor, how much more will He clothe you?

If He watches over every sparrow, how much more does He love you?

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but God loves you infinitely more than you can imagine.

There are times when we can hear the scripture in Matthew 6 that talks about not worrying about tomorrow and trusting in God’s provision. We know it in our heads, but it can feel hard to truly believe that sometimes.

This song has been a favorite for me recently.. I pray it encourages you too.

Filed Under: Foster Parenting, Mommy Moments, Thoughts

giraffe

August 31, 2021 Leave a Comment

I walked in the boy’s room to clean the floor and I noticed this 🦒

It took me back. Jax received this giraffe when he was our foster care placement. I remember that time and how everything so felt up in the air and the future unknown. We had know idea what was next.

Years later, I am grateful everyday that I get to be his mom. Adoption is sweet yet at the same time it can be bitter. I constantly think of his biological family. I feel for them that they are missing out on the amazing kid that Jax is. It’s a battle of feelings.. some that I’m sure he has too.

Not sure why I wanted to share. Maybe for those who are in the shoes we were in years ago when this stuffie arrived. Or maybe for those who are considering putting those shoes on.

God has taught us so much through this boy. So thankful we said yes.

Filed Under: Foster Parenting, Mommy Moments

buggy

June 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

He is SEVEN.

I keep thinking this kid can’t possibly get any more handsome.. and yet he does. He is brilliant and has a brain that I am still trying to figure out. He is passionate about everything. He’s really funny.

You changed our lives forever Jax. We love you dearly.

Per his request we had a very low key “bug” party.

Filed Under: Mommy Moments

growth

May 11, 2020 Leave a Comment

Our boy is SIX. Josiah is full of life. He has big feelings. My favorite expression of those feelings is his squeaky laugh. He also can’t help busting out a dance move when music comes on. He feels the beat yall.  He gets excited about things really easily. The kid is so athletic it is ridiculous.

I think going from 5 to 6 may have been his biggest year of growth (not necessarily physically, although he is a giant). He has come so far this year.

Thank you God for the gift of Josiah. He has forever changed our family and he is so precious to us.

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Filed Under: Mommy Moments

after school beach days

September 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

Life’s been crazy busy. This kid playing soccer, this one has music, etc. But, we usually have one day a week after school where everyone is available. So we decided on those days we will enjoy where we live by heading to the ocean. If you haven’t been able to tell yet, we love water.

Maybe it’s not the ocean for you, but are you being intentional to make the most out of where you live? Try it! It’s been such a blessing!

Filed Under: Mommy Moments, Places I love

summa summa

August 12, 2019 Leave a Comment

Some highlights from our summer. This time of year is so precious for us. We have the chance to spend time with our children and as a family everyday!

I always am trying to find that balance between working and playing. This summer I felt it was actually easier, so I am thankful for all for all of the prayers! I felt like I had so much intentional time with my kids to pour into them. So many great memories.

And here they are first day of school… back at it!

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Filed Under: Mommy Moments, Places I love

baby steps

April 2, 2019 Leave a Comment

When this little boy first came to our home he would react in ways that didn’t make sense. For example, if there was an emotional moment (happy or sad) in a movie or tv show… he often times would do something odd like punch the person closest to him or go in his room and knock something down.

He had feelings.. but didn’t know what to do with them.

As I sit here tonight I think about the progress and growth he has made. We are watching a movie… and there was a sad part. Instead of doing something explosive.. he came over and sat with me gently. He’s relaxed and secure. Next month he turns 5 (I know he looks like he’s 7). That’s means for half of his life he has lived with us. I am super grateful for these glimpses of redemption… because the first half of his life was a rollercoaster.

I’m just so thankful I get to see his story play out. We are still in the beginning in so many ways… and there are still times this is super hard. But God is good. He heals. He restores. I’m already seeing this. God will redeem. Just like the meaning of this guy’s name. ❤️

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Filed Under: Foster Parenting, Mommy Moments

give me a break

March 20, 2019 Leave a Comment

Give me a break.. Give me a break.. break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar! Actually.. we do utilize chocolate therapy quite often… but this post isn’t about that today.

I am learning after almost 15 years of marriage… we need breaks!

We need to be able to get away together (and honestly we need to work better at this.. it is hard with four kids)… like vacations, date nights, even a night away here and there.

But, we also need to provide protected time for each other to take breathers.

Parenting. Marriage. Work. Friends. Family. Ministry. Neighbors….  Life is well, very full at times. Not bad.. just a lot.

I think of Jesus’ example in scripture. Him and the disciples had been going going going… and Jesus stops and says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest (Mark 6:31).” Jesus invites His disciples to stop, sit, be still and be renewed.

We need to take breaks on purpose and with purpose. Not just doing something to waste time.. but time to get away from the loud. Be still and listen. Collect thoughts. Be renewed.

We need to be intentional.

And wives, can I just talk to you for a minute? We need to give our husbands the chance to do this.. guilt free.

Think of it as being on a team. Sometimes the other person needs to tag out for a bit. And if we think of this as being a thing we are doing for each other TOGETHER.. it doesn’t become a “me vs him” thing. Are there going to be seasons where he may need more breaks than I do? And vice versa.. Yes.  Absolutely.  Let’s give them freely. Make it a priority.

Get with your hubby.. look at the calendar and pencil in some sanity hours for you both! Some together.. some individually.

Happy resting!

 

 

Filed Under: Foster Parenting, Mommy Moments, Thoughts

pulling weeds, planting seeds

December 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

I’m not going to lie… I am really discouraged. It was one of those days I couldn’t quite see the light at the end of the tunnel.. 😭 which for me is pretty bad because I’m usually the “upside” kinda girl.

I committed to doing this “what are you grateful for today” thing every day in November (you can follow that journey on social media if you want to).

But today, I wanted to sulk. Today was hard. I didn’t want to be grateful.

But, as a laid down to go to sleep… I felt convicted.

I do have a lot to be grateful for.. way more then the amount of days in November.

And especially on a night like tonight, I’m thankful for a Heavenly Father who walks with us during those rough times, whose promises never fail. I’m thankful I get to be a mom.. even though it was not fun or easy today… I know it is a gift.

We have seasons like these as parents where we are planting seeds and pulling weeds… in order to produce a fruit later. I know this, I just need to remember it. So I choose to “think on these things” as I sleep tonight. And I’m very thankful tomorrow is a new day. ❤️

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Filed Under: Foster Parenting, Mommy Moments Tagged With: , , , , , ,

adoption

November 16, 2018 Leave a Comment

It is national adoption day tomorrow. I’m so thankful for adoption and also for the journey leading up to it.

Gosh SO. MANY. EMOTIONS. So many times I have felt out of my league. In way over my head. But I’m learning God didn’t invite us into this expecting that we will always have what it takes, but He does promise that when we don’t, He still does.

I love what another foster parent said, “That’s our hope and assurance – that what’s completely out of our capacity and control is absolutely in His.”

You guys have heard me talk about the bittersweet aspects of adoption. It’s beautiful. It’s heartbreaking. It’s a lot. But I’m so thankful we said yes. I am thankful to have an opportunity to love beyond my own means. To feel Gods love in a way I never had before.

adoptionrocksToday, I’m so very thankful for these two silly faces and that I get to be their mommy.

Filed Under: Foster Parenting, Mommy Moments
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