It's a...

BOY!!!

Yeppers, another boy.

We are excited and can't wait to meet this little guy!

He is going to LOVE his older brothers.

And, they are going to LOVE him.

And, he is going to be one tough little one.

And, I may be crazy for a few years. 

3 kiddos, I mean, 3 BOYS, 4 years old and under.

(insert crazy Momma face)

So, if you just happen to run into me, at Walmart with mismatched clothing or 2 different shoes and dirty hair, 

at church with an attempt of makeup but really looking like Fulton applied my makeup, 

sleeping in the soccer field parking lot incoherent because I'm lost and lack of sleep,

 or unable to finish my sentences, 

just excuse me for about 1-2 years.

(or longer if needed)

I will be a mother of 3 boys.

We will be in the trenches..

Just trying to survive.

:)

And, trying to keep them all alive.

As well as ourselves.

No, ha, I'm really kidding. 

Well, not really, but trying to make humor of the road that lies ahead.

Many many many broken bones.

Many fights.

Many holes in walls.

More wrestling.

More football in the house.

More basketball.

Endless grocery shopping.

Fighting again.

Soccer again.

Stitches.

ER visits.

More wrestling.

You moms of boys, I need help. I need advice.

I was one of 2 girls.

This is completely different.

(My mom will sometimes look at me and say, "You girls didn't do stuff like this.")

Ha.

I know I am truly blessed.

The Lord has chosen, yes, chosen (humbles me to my core) me to be a mother of 3 boys.

To hopefully carry on a legacy of Christ.

Hopefully be leaders of their families.

I'm not sure why.

What does He see for our family?

But, I praise Him.

I DEFINITELY cannot stay sane and do this alone.

I NEED HIM daily.

Help me be resourceful:

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” 

~Ps. 32:8

Help me listen:

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.” 

~Matthew 13:16

Give me strength:

“He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.” 

~Isa. 40:29

Help me be joyful:

 “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.” 

~Ps. 5:11

Help me be faithful:

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 

~1 Cor. 15:58

Help me be sacrificial:

 “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.” 

~Eph. 5:2

Because there is only one:

“There is only one person like you in all of this great big world

And you are just to God made you to be whether a boy or a girl

Whether you are black or white or some beautiful color in between

No matter your shape or size you’re as perfect as anything I’ve ever seen

Your mom and your dad they are so glad you are a part of their family

There is only One who loves you more

He is your Father in Heaven

He is the Lord” 

~Bedtime Prayers: Lullabies & Peaceful Worship

 ~ Twila Paris

 We love you little one.

You are truly a gift.

I love you.

Your Mommy

Needed this today... and everyday

I was trying to catch up on my Reader with 1,000+ blogs posts to read...

*I haven't read or posted anything since before Christmas :/

And, after deleting 800+, I was able to catch up on my "real friends" posts.

 

I had to share this quote I read on my friend Katie Kizziah's blog a glimpse of our vapor

Thank you for sharing sweet friend.

 

“It is no abstract thing –

the state of your heart is the state of your home.

You cannot harbor resentment secretly toward your children and expect their hearts to be submissive and tender.

You cannot be greedy with your time and expect them to share their toys.

And perhaps most importantly, you cannot resist your opportunities to be corrected by God and expect them to receive correction from you.

God has given us the job of teaching His law and demonstrating His grace. We are to be guides to our children as they learn to walk with God.

Sin is just a fact of life. It is the way we deal with it that changes ours.”

- Rachel Jankovic

Loving the Little Years : Motherhood in the Trenches

 

 



My daily struggles

Hello friends that read my blog. I know there aren't many of you out there, and that's ok. This is mostly just me sharing my daily struggles... My time to let you peep into our lives and no holding back...

As a wife, mother of 2, homemaker, and 1 day a week (usually) speech-language pathologist, I feel rather short on time.

I have so many "wants" during my day.

Typical daily "wants":

1. Wake afreshed, showered, dressed, and ready to start my day! Time with the Lord to renew my mind so I can be the best wife and mother only through the Spirit leading me.

Reality: waking to sounds of my children and throwing on some random outfit I can piece together in 2 seconds. And, looking like a hot mess usually.

2. Easy peasy mealtime:

Reality: Well, with Fulton, I really don't worry (for now) He will eat whatever is in reach.

Ridge (typically still a good eater) will find any way not to feed himself. Yes, he's 3. He fed himself better at 18 months old. And, he is so so so slow. Why are we reversing?

Is this even real??

3. Plan multiple educational activities, structured physical activity, bible story time during the day (and not just before bedtime)

Reality: playing with whatever toys are lying around, nothing very structured while I'm washing clothes, cleaning kitchen, etc. I'm still acting like I'm in survival mode and Fulton is 1. Ouch. I said it.

Super mom and teacher

4. Exercise, yes, that unfamiliar word of something I used to do before children.

Reality: Chasing after children does require work inside and outside, but, again, nothing is structured in this area AT ALL. And, I'm not much of a morning person before 7. If it's before 7, it's still considered the middle of the night to me. So, how do you stay at homies do it? Where does it fit in? And, early morning is not an acceptable answer. Do I need to get over that?!?! I NEED my sleep.

5. Me time

Time with myself,  a book, my bible study, my laptop, shopping, girl time.

Time to refresh myself.

6. Alan time

Not just an hour or two before we pass out on the couch because we are both exhausted. Quality time together as husband/wife, motivating each other and praying for each other. Daily.

7. Cleaning house/creating a safe haven for my family.

I'm a little OCD when it comes to a few things around the house. But, for the most part, I'm trying to catch up on laundry when I have time, cleaning kitchen when I have time, cleaning bathrooms when I have time, you get the picture.

Am I the only one who feels these expectations and by the end of the day you feel like the day was wasted again and you've failed at your job???

I need to remind myself that this list is quite a list. But, with time management and daily strength from You, it is possible.

 

Lord, help me be intentional. Help me use my time wisely. Help me focus my desires and wants to only things of you! Help me to be SELFLESS in my desires. Help me be a picture of Christ to my children. Help me disciple my children thoughout the day in many teachable moments. Help me realize my beauty is in YOU and not of this world. Help me respect and love my husband through you. Help me take care of my body. Help me maintain my frustration during mealtimes so we can enjoy family mealtimE. Help me manage my time wisely so I'm the best wife and mother for my children.

Lord, I cannot do this alone. I need you. Everyday. Every moment of the day. Please keep my expectations realistic. Lead me and guide me daily Lord. I can't do this alone like I've been trying.

Help me remember my purpose during this season of my life. Lord, use me to teach my children daily the sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are all we need.
Help me fight these daily struggles and lean on You.
Lord, thank you for the sweet cross, your death, burial, and resurrection!
Let us live to glority YOU!

*For all of you supermoms who have it together or who are also struggling with these same struggles, please leave comments of ideas, thoughts, suggestions!