Add a little dirt

I absolutely LOVE the cold weather. Fall is my favorite and winter is in a close second. My only complaint is if it's going to be as cold as it has been, those frigid temperatures better be accompanied by LOTS of pretty snow. 

While I don't mind the weather, it does make having an outdoor loving toddler a bit challenging. Little A has been sick over the past 2 weeks and he has been itching to get outside. Today, I finally decided to bundle him up and go play. He loved all 40 minutes of it. Charlie was in muddy heaven. 

I must confess that when we are outside, my inner germaphob is thinking "don't touch that" ,"ew bugs", and when he falls down, I immediately brush the dirt off. Today, I resisted. Know what? He survived, dirty knees with leaves stuck to his hands and all. Mind blowing right? I have to constantly remind myself to let him be a boy, get dirty, and be adventurous. 

It's pretty awesome to see him smiling after he climbs on the rock pile or finds a stick to give Charlie. His little adventurous spirit needs that freedom to roam and play. It would break my heart to think I stifle it. 

Best cure for going stir crazy? Take your child, put on layers, and add a little dirt.

Also this easy, healthy vegetable soup doesn't hurt either.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1lb ground venison (browned and drained)

2 cans organic diced tomatoes 

1 can organic beans (I used tri-blend) drained and rinsed

1 can organic corn

1 can organic peas

1 can organic green beans

1 small chopped onion

2 cups water

2 cups organic broth (vegetable or beef)

1 tbsp garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

dump all ingredients in crock pot, cook on low for 5-6 hours. 

Contentment Challenge Update!

We are 1/3 of the way through our Challenge. I have to confess it wasn't easy and I cheated. I used a gift card from Christmas in the first week of January. But, now that I told you, let's move on to the more important things. 

I can't even begin to find the words to describe the effects this challenge has had on me. When I agreed to participate, I had no idea the restoration that was to come.

I feel like God has used these past 4 weeks to radically change my heart. It wasn't comfortable but it was SO needed. 

Now, let's dig in a little, shall we?

Is it wrong to love clothes, home decorations, jewelry, etc.? Absolutely not, it's the root of it all that can be problematic. Ever have days where you just feel so blah and you buy a new dress to make you feel pretty? That's not necessarily wrong, but when that dress isn't "new" anymore, you will have to shop again, it's a never ending cycle. 

When we need to feel pretty, why not turn to our Savior? Ladies, He is ENTHRALLED with your beauty! He desires your heart, your love. Not only does He want you, He wants you to want Him back.  That's the kind of "warm and fuzzy" feeling I want, one that doesn't fade with time. 

God has shown me that I far too often put my worth, my value, in things. If every single thing I owned burned in a fire, does that mean I have no worth? If so, I'm in trouble. 

 I have been so convicted to see my worth for what it truly is. It's not in the name brands of my clothes, not my pant size, not in the number of good hair days I have, my worth is found in Christ. If more women could grasps this truth, our world would be drastically changed. We could put some companies who thrive off of self-hate out of business.

Instead of running to The Loft so fast when we have a bad bad, turn to the Bible. Put on some praise and worship, pray, talk to  Jesus. Tell me how you feel after. I guarantee better than a new pair of shoes can make you feel. 

I posted this on my closet door. 

                                 

It's been my hearts desire for 2014. I don't need things, I need Jesus. This Challenge has made me slow down to realize a little more. It's only the beginning y'all, I can't wait for the rest of the journey. 

 I pray you ask God to chisel away at the lies we have believed to be truths. I pray you ask God to help you find your worth in Him, and that you never forget how precious you are to Him.

New blog, new adventures!

Y'all, I am SO excited about my new blog. It has been redesigned thanks to my beautiful and talented friend Kelsea (go check out her blog), I have new series of posts coming, and some exciting guests lined up.

I am just really excited about the things God has laid on my heart to share.

Check out the new features especially my beautiful sponsors, stay a while, and get ready for some fun!!

When Being A Mom Is Too Hard

Do you ever have days when you think being a mom is TOO hard? Maybe you are super mom and you don't but I have a feeling I'm not alone in this thought.

There are some days when Little A throws more food than he eats, when I've picked up the same toys at least 14 times, when I look over to see Little A drinking from the dogs water bowl, and days when there are more body fluids on my clean (eh not so clean) shirt than I care to count.

Days like this usually leave me feeling so inadequate, so exhausted. I often think "Lord, are you sure you made the right choice trusting me with this wild little blessing?" with tears streaming down my face.

Days like this where I just feel like I have nothing left to give, I quickly come to the realization that I am exhausted because I am trying to do it on my own.

Motherhood is such a physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding job. It's a 24/7 commitment. One that doesn't end, just enters new phases.

I cannot be the mom I want to be on my own, I NEED Jesus. I don't have the strength to do it alone. I am not patient, kind, gentle, or loving enough on my own. I am quickly learning that when my patience is running thin, stop right then and there, and ask God for a truck load of patience. Be specific y'all!

I try to get up before Little A most morning to do my devotion, but here lately with him waking up during the night, I haven't. Once he goes down for a nap, it's time for some Jesus. I feel so refreshed after that quiet time in prayer, reading the bible, and listening to praise music.

Don't try to do it on your own mamas, you don't have to. You have a God who WANTS to help you. Lean on Him and look to Him for your daily dose of grace and patience!

Little Sparks

Being a stay-at-home mom is the best, most exhausting job in the world.

All day is focused on meeting the needs of my little man and meeting the demands of our home. He's so cute, I don't even mind. Our day is filled with playing, learning, correcting ("no Little A, don't play with Charlie's water bowl"), cleaning, organizing, cooking, paying bills, planning meals, juggling 3 schedules, gym time, quiet time, nap time, phone calls, texts conversations with my sister about what our munckins are doing, drop in visits from daddy (we LOVE those), chores, diaper changes, outfit changes, and tons of other tasks.

Some days, we wake up earlier than I prefer, Little A is more fussy, he doesn't want to eat a single thing, the phone is ringing off the hook, I've cleaned the same mess 5 times and counting, my 2 babies (fur included) are WILD. Days like that can get a little gloomy. I get overwhelmed, frustrated, lonely, and just wiped out.

Then, little sparks of magical moments happen. In the chaos of chasing Little A and cleaning up after him, he will grab a book, try to climb up my legs, wanting me to read to him. That right there makes it all worth it. Those days when I'm overwhelmed and frustrated, he stops playing just to give me a kiss, he learns a new word, he smiles with the cheesiest, tooth-filled smile, and it makes me stop, slow down, and just count my blessings.

I know in my heart God knew us mamas need those "sparks" to keep us going. Those moments that others wouldn't think much of but have the ability to melt our hearts. It's those sparks that help keep us together on those days when everything else is falling apart. We just have to be unplugged enough to notice them, take them in, and cherish every second of it.

What little sparks of magic have you noticed with your little ones lately?

Contentment Challenge

After much prayer, thought, and discussion, I decided the Contentment Challenge was JUST FOR ME.

Every year, the planner in me writes a detailed list of goals/ aspirations for the year along with a theme. About 3 weeks ago, during my quiet time, I was praying and talking with Jesus, and He whispered to my heart, "Less world, more of Me." That is my 2014 theme, "Less world, more Jesus." 

I read about a sweet childhood friend of mine doing the challenge and I immediately thought how desperately my heart needed this 3 month cleanse of "things". I love to shop, like really love it. I love to find great deals, and I'm not even selfish about it. If I find great deals, I love to buy things for other people as well, especially my Mr and little man. I try to justify my shopping by saying it's something sweet for someone else. Poor justification right? Being a stay at home mom, I get bored sometimes. New clothes or house items make it not so boring.....for a little bit, then I want new things. Days when I'm lonely, bored, sad, irritated, shopping crosses my mind. When it's too cold out or I don't feel like dragging my babe out in the crowds, hey pull out the mac and let's shop baby!

**(Confession, my online shopping love, uh addiction? got so bad while my husband was deployed, (because I was super lonely and just sad and clothes make girls happy) I started leaving my purse in my car at night so I wouldn't shop. Too bad I had my debit card number MEMORIZED, security code an all.)**

I know that things can bring me happiness, momentarily. Why settle for happiness when I have access to joy. Joy comes from Christ, and joy lasts a lot longer than happiness. I am hoping throughout this challenge, I tap into Christ more on those days when I am lonely, sad, bored, or just needing to have my cup filled up. I am hoping to live more simply, to not be materialistic, to be more creative with what I do have, and to just want less. I am looking forward to being less distracted by things and being more present in the things that truly matter. 

I put up my gift cards from Christmas, emptied my shopping cart on Loft.com, and am so looking forward to the positive changes ahead. Lord, let the chiseling begin. 

"Less world, more Jesus"

Currently......

Yup, we're still alive. I need to be more consistent! I think know this poor blog needs a make-over and ASAP, maybe that will help me spend more time blogging.  

Any who, currently:

eating |  a honeycrisp apple, heaven on earth I tell ya
drinking | water, what else is new?
practicing | being more consistent in my quiet time, keeping up with daily chores, and speaking with kindness

mastering | a lifting/ gym schedule
learning | how not to obsess and freak out over every little thing, a real struggle for me.
listening | an old episode of "The Office". 

playing | peek-a-boo with my little love muffin
finishing | cleaning and organizing before holiday travels 
reading | SheReadsTruth.com
walking | eh running on the treadmill?
wearing | Chunky sweaters and cardigans  
cooking | lots of yummy crock-pot recipes
working | on cutting out ALL processed foods from our house
traveling | to North Carolina to visit family, WAAAYY too excited 
wanting| it to be Christmas morning already