Campaign for Love

Love.  We all want it whether we want to admit it or not.  We want deep, real, truth-telling, nitty gritty love.  We want to feel seen and known and valued for who we are - flaws and all.  We want someone to see us, know all the ugly stuff in our hearts and minds and still look at us with sincere affection.  We long for real agape love.

Today is Valentine's Day.  Whether you're searching for a significant other to love you unconditionally or have found your 'prince charming', I want to point us in the direction of someone who can give us all the things we desire in one beautifully wrapped package.  Jesus, the originator of the campaign for love, is real and alive and sees, knows, and values us.  Despite our flaws.  Despite our innermost thoughts.  Despite anything we say or do or don't say or don't do. 

Today while we are giving and receiving pink and red construction paper hearts, eating little nuggets of chocolate and maybe even going out for a date night, let's not forget the creator of the Earth loves us, unconditionally.  He doesn't recoil when he looks at us.  He looks at us with affection, with joy, with love.  He delights in us.  

Today is about love.  I am going to rest in the truest fact I know: I AM LOVED.

A Simple Christmas: Year Two

Children are born with their own optimism.  They have a clarity and a simplicity that we can only wish for.  -Meshell Ndegeocello

Last year I shared some ways I was making Christmas simple out of pure necessity.  With our home in complete disarray while in the middle of a renovation and pregnant with Jude, I needed to slow down and pare down Christmas.  This year I am not pregnant and there is no one coming in and out of our house on a daily basis hanging drywall or laying tile.  #praisejesus As I thought about what I wanted this Christmas to look like, I realized last Christmas was quite wonderful.  The kids did end up with croup right before the big day, but there wasn't one other thing I would have changed.  

So, this year we are doing it again.  I am keeping things as simple as possible.  We are saying 'yes' to things that are important to us and 'no' to some good, fun things that just can't fit this year.  We are leaving margin to enjoy the season and I am doing my best to keep things simple when it comes to gifts, activities, decorating, and food.     

Today I'm sharing some ways I am keeping Christmas simple this year.  In 2017. There are some ideas from last year's post, as well as some new ones.  These are not original and come from reading articles and books, chatting with friends, family, and, obviously, Pinterest. 

Guilt-Free Decorating
One of my most favorite Christmas traditions is cutting down a tree.   We head to our local tree farm, ride a mini tractor to the top of a random hill, and choose our tree.  On our way to the farm this year, Kevin asked, 'what are we going to do about Jude'?  I had no idea what he was talking about...and then I realized 'YES! What ARE we going to do about Jude??!!'  He is a plant lover. He will absolutely get into any plant or tree within his reach.  Problem. Instead of getting a big, beautiful tree, we opted for the tiniest tree we could find so we could set it on a table up where little hands aren't able to tear it down.

We still were able to make memories picking out a tree, but we absolutely didn't come home with the picture-perfect tree I wanted. I realized this won't be every year and it's okay to change things up for a year or two to adapt to our family's needs (and to save me from setting up the fallen Christmas tree thirty-three times in December). 

Simplify the Advent Calendar
Lucky for me, I have a five year old this year.  He does not miss a day of our Advent Calendar, which means we have't fallen behind.  Mommas of super littles, someday you will have a little person to keep you on track. 

Our advent calendar this year looks similar to last year.  I decided on three random acts of kindness and the rest of the days are filled with simple things like 'have a pajama day' (which I realized we do most days anyways), 'make cookies', 'sip hot cocoa', 'watch a Christmas movie', as well as other fun things.  Back in November, I planned our countdown to Christmas activities by looking at things we already had on the calendar.  We are on day 11 and I have already done some late night switching because I just knew 'make cookies' wasn't going to happen tomorrow.  

This year I printed and added this super simple Advent calendar to help us remember everyday the 'why' behind Christmas.  

Fewer Gifts
Kevin and I have never been big on 'stuff'.  We like to keep things simple and clutter free as much as possible, toys included.  Both of our kids have their birthdays in November, so they are already overloaded with stuff come Christmas.  Sometime before Luke was born I found a Christmas gift idea on Pinterest that included four gifts: something to wear, something to read, something you want, something you need.  We have done this the past few years and while it seems simple enough, there were times Luke didn't need anything to wear or there wasn't anything he needed and it made it tough because I felt like I was buying things unnecessarily.

My mother-in-law told me about giving three gifts to each child to represent how Jesus received three gifts.  That is what we have done the past two years. Both kids will receive three gifts, no guidelines involved, just three gifts. They will also get their stockings filled with small things like stickers and new toothbrushes.  Simple enough for me.  What is great about this, is Luke has picked up on it.  He now knows he gets three gifts and has been telling us the exact gifts he wants under the Christmas tree.  

Margin on the Calendar
This year I read Loving My Actual Christmas by Alexandra Kuykendall.  It was so good, friends.  Kuykendall presented so many good practices to get ready for the season as well as practical tips.  

Back in November, Kevin and I sat down and discussed what made Christmas feel like Christmas.  For me it is cutting down the tree, going to Lauritzen Gardens and the Durham Museum to see Santa.  It is having lots of time at home to watch Christmas movies, sing Christmas songs, make cookies and drink hot cocoa. Kevin simply said being home on Christmas together.  I guess we look at this season a bit differently.  I also asked the kids and Luke said he wanted to go to the Durham and I honestly can't remember what Lily said, but we already had it on our list.  We took the list and mapped out the season.  Kuykendall would call it, putting in the big rocks first.  We scheduled the tree cutting, Lauritzen and the Durham.  I also used our Advent calendar to sprinkle in those little fun things like cookie making and watching Christmas movies throughout the month.

Since November, lots of fun, exciting things have come up to do or go to.  We have said 'yes' to some of them, but 'no' to lots of them.  It is oh so hard for me to say no to good, fun things, but I know if I want this season to be beautiful for my family, I must do it. 

A last caveat to this...when I see a family on Facebook or Instagram doing something totally Christmas-y I...#1 do my best to not feel guilty about not doing said activity and #2 promise myself I will not add that incredible tradition to our plate this year.  Every family is different and none of us can do it all. 

Easy Gifting
My gifting is super similar to last year.  I love to give thoughtful and meaningful gifts to the ones I love, especially at Christmas time.  I am trying to simplify that this year and shop online as much as possible as well as think about gifting similar gifts to groups of people.  For example, I am giving one simple gift to all of Luke and Lily's church teachers and some groups of girlfriends. I want people to feel loved and thanked this season, but I think it can be done in a way that doesn't bring bunches of stress to the giver.

Another way I made gifts easier this year was by starting early.  I have a special tub I keep items I collect throughout the year for family and friends. I store it away and then have it ready for when Christmas is here.  My goal this year is to be done shopping and wrapping by the end of this week, so I can enjoy the last week before Christmas without any last minute items on my list. I am almost there, friends!

Festive, Simple Fashion
Dressing myself and three children during the holidays is no joke.  When we are going to a fun Christmas event or party where pictures will be taken, I want us to look somewhat presentable.  This year I have two to three outfits picked out for each of us for these events.  Luke has a few shirts and jeans, Lily a few dresses and a pair of leggings with a top, Jude has two sweet one piece outfits.  I have a few tops paired with jeans or leggings and one dress for more formal gatherings.  Kevin is on his own, because he always looks good and selecting male clothing is not my gift.  I can feel confident when I push snooze on Saturday morning because I know there is something for all of us to wear.

Implementing the Crock Pot and Leftovers
We still have to eat!  Even in this full season, my people still need to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Madness.  I have been using the crock pot at least twice a week and have started to be creative with leftovers to make our food and my time more plentiful.  This is helpful all year long, but especially during the Christmas season.

Giving Myself Grace
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and I want to take in as much as possible and enjoy the magic and wonder that fills December.  I love to read a Christmas book and watch Christmas movies on the couch cuddled under a blanket with a cup of peppermint hot cocoa.  I am giving myself permission and grace to do this the next few weeks during nap time or at night after the kids go to bed.  Besides, this season only comes around once a year.

As one of the best seasons comes to life around us, I want to slow down, take it in, and make as many memories as possible.  They may not be picture perfect and there might be tears intertwined with those memories because #life.  I'm thankful for this Christmas season nonetheless. Keeping it simple will help us to focus on the real reason for the season, the baby born to save the world. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!  I hope your Christmas is merry, bright, and simple!

Dads

"It is a wise father who knows his own child."
-William Shakespeare

I'm not really sure how I'm going to follow up this Shakespeare quote with anything even worth your time, but I'm going to give it my best amateur writer try.

Today we celebrate Fathers, Dads, Papas, Daddys, Dadas, Grandpas.  We celebrate the value they add to our families.  We celebrate the way they lead us and the way they make us laugh.  We celebrate the sacrifices they make like working extra hours for a family vacation or mowing the lawn in the rain or getting up in the middle of the night to feed the baby or completing the Daddy-to-do list before company shows up.  We celebrate the way they hug and cuddle and speak truth into our kids' lives.  We celebrate their work ethic and the way they can somehow fit three kids on their backs while running down the hallway.  We celebrate the way they love us.

I am thankful for all the men in this world taking this Dad thing seriously.  I believe Dads are one of our most important assets in this world.  Dads make a difference.  In families and in kids.  Especially Dads that know their children well. 

Shakespeare's quote spoke to me because I am lucky enough to be married to a guy who knows his kids well.  He knows how Luke likes to snuggle close in the morning before he's fully awake.  He knows how to do Lily's hair in a pony tail and how to make her giggle by chasing her down the hallway.  He knows how to make Jude smile and how to make his eyes do that twinkling thing.  He knows how to get Luke to eat his dinner without nagging.  He knows how to make Lily smile wide by doing 'ready, set, go' as she flies into his arms before bed each night.  He knows them.  Each one of them.  So well.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there.  Coming from a wife and a mom and a daughter with a loving Dad, you do such seriously important work.  Keep it up.

Mommy. Momma. Mom.

One day it happened.  Out of nowhere.  Luke started calling me, 'Mom' on a regular basis.  Not Mommy. Not Momma.  

Mom. 

It was almost like a curse word to my ears.  When did I become plain old 'Mom'? When did the first baby I held in my arms that was mine grow from an infant to a toddler to a boy?  I don't have an answer.  Time is a thief.

My momma heart hurt, but I knew it was all part of the process of raising littles.  Love and help and teach and hold and empower and read and snuggle and love.  And let go of Mommy.  And Momma.  And embrace 'Mom'.

My new name got me thinking about how wonderful and heartbreaking this motherhood journey can be.  Babies need so much of their momma and then slowly, surely, little by little, they are less reliant on mom and more reliant on themselves.  And every inch they pull away is cause for celebration and an itsy bit of sadness.

“Kids don’t stay with you if you do it right. It’s the one job where, the better you are, the more surely you won’t be needed in the long run.” —Barbara Kingsolver

These days it is easier to understand my mom more.  It is easier to understand the conflict of raising me and watching me start my own life.  I can now see and feel the weight of that conflict with my own babies.  I understand her urge to hug and kiss me when we are together.  I understand her need to spend time with me and make me happy with little things like wiping down the counters or sending me off on a date with Kevin.  I understand the force that propels her to do anything she can to be near me and my babies.  I am starting to get it, because, God willing, I will be in her shoes someday.

I may still roll my eyes at her ramblings about Facebook and the 15th shirt she bought that looks like the other 14 in her closet, but those aren't the things that matter.  What matters is she was is my mommy.  My momma.  My mom. 

“I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” —Mitch Albom

I celebrate you today, Mom.  For everything you did for me as a baby and a toddler and a child and a teenager.  And all you do for me today.  You're my best Momma.  Love you.

Mother's Day Goods

This weekend is looking to be a good one.  Sunny skies and a few days at home all together after a week apart with Kevin traveling.  It doesn't get much better.

Since Mother's Day is a week away, I thought I would share some of my favorite girlie-momma things and maybe spark some ideas for the mom in your life.

Because of some scheduling conflicts, this week was another Cooking Club week. Two weeks in a row makes this momma happy and sane and filled up.  The theme was Trader Joe/Costco night and we all brought items we love from either place and it. was. awesome.  It was like sample Saturday, except we went back for seconds all night long.

My friend, Lydia, won some beautiful earrings at MOPS last week and couldn't wear them because of her sensitive ears.  We had a mini giveaway at Cooking Club and I won!  These beauties from Pierce and Ivy are on trend and I am loving the black leather with the copper threading down the middle.  Bonus, they are super lightweight!  This sweet little company is made up of four best friends in our area and they have just taken off.  It is so amazing to see women working and succeeding together!

Flowers are always a favorite of mine for Mother's Day.  Tulips, iris, lilacs, hyacinth, or hydrangeas are welcome this time of year for the momma in your life.  Fresh flowers just make everything better. #amiright  It is the perfect time to cut flowers from our yard and you can bet I am cutting them as much as I can and placing them all around the house.

Everyone loves getting mail.  Luke is sure we check it each and every day. Sending cards is one way I like to show love to the special people in my life, especially since I live in the middle of flyover country.  Every year I pick up a few packs of plain cards from Hobby Lobby when they are 50% off and use them year round for different occasions: a thank you, thinking of you, mother's day, congratulations, even birthdays.  I will stamp them if I feel extra crafty or let my kids decorate them with crayons, markers, even paint if I'm up for a mess.  A great last minute Mother's Day gift would be a pack of hand decorated cards from your littles to the grandma in your life who enjoys sending love through the mail.

Pictures are always good for mommas.  Either a gifted photo shoot with a photographer or a past picture printed and framed.  My favorite place to print is Mpix because it's super fast, the quality is fantastic, and they have a plethora of sizes.  Pictures are the way to us mommas' hearts.

I'm just going to say it.  It is super hard to not cook on Mother's Day.  I know some mommas go out or some husbands cook, but sometimes it's just unavoidable and a mom is cooking lunch or dinner or both on Mother's Day.  This sausage, goat cheese, and chive bagel strata looks scrumptious and I am absolutely going to be trying it out this year.  It can be made the night before and tossed in the oven the next day for about an hour and voila...no cooking on Mother's Day!  I'm in.

I hope you have the most beautiful weekend.  Spring is so here and we are going to be spending every minute we can in the sunshine.  Happy Sunny Saturday all!

A Sunny Easter Weekend

Happy Easter weekend, friends!  Although this can sometimes be a somber holiday, I am ready to celebrate the act of unthinkable love Jesus showed to all of us.  I'm pretty sure him conquering death calls for a celebration.  

Today as I reflect on the incredible sacrifice the God I serve made for me, I am in awe of the love and grace I have been given.  There is nothing that could make my week sunnier than knowing I am loved and known by Christ.  He has chosen me, loves me, and has made me to do things for His kingdom.  It doesn't get much sunnier than the God of the universe showing up for me. 

So, in honor of all this weekend celebrates, I am simply going to say what Jesus did on the cross is more than enough to make my week and my Saturday sunny.  It's more than enough for this week and every week.  Have the best weekend my friends.  You can find me partying all weekend to glorify the one who paid the ultimate price for me.  

Happy Easter, everyone!

Our Christmas

Like many Mommas, I am recovering from Christmas and remembering the loveliness of it all.  It's hard to believe one of my favorite holidays passed so quickly, but I think that's what Christmas is like for most adults who prepare so much for the special day.  It comes and goes and the magic of the season slowly fades as we all prepare for the long, cold winter ahead.

We spent lots of time with family and cousins, we snuggled at home in our pajamas as a family of four, and ate trays full of cookies and cake and gingerbread men.  There were presents and good food and Thomas the train and surprises and so many fits of laughter and giggles. 

My favorite part of Christmas is always Christmas morning at home with just our little family.  We had a slow morning and Kevin and I actually had to wake the kids up around 8 because we just couldn't wait any longer.  We ate egg casserole and sipped on coffee and hot cocoa as the kids opened their gifts. I'm pretty sure neither Luke or Lily ate anything until lunch, as they were too excited to take time to eat.

  
After the gifts were opened we reorganized bedrooms and went through some of our old toys to see if there were any we could donate or give away.  It's one of my favorite days of the year to be home as a family.  Even though we didn't have snow this year, we still cuddled up under blankets and stayed in our pajamas all day long.  The day ended with our little tradition of singing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus.

The day after Christmas is always the day to take down the Christmas tree.  I love getting out all the Christmas decorations and I love taking them all down and having a clean, uncluttered slate to start the new year.  Luke was slightly disappointed about the tree getting put away, but he had his train table and Grandma and Grandpa to keep him occupied.

Now that 2016 is almost behind us, I am looking forward to the exciting changes in 2017.  Adding a sweet baby boy and moving into our addition (and out of the basement) will start this year off splendidly.  Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by the ones you love most and have a fantastic 2017!

How to Have a Simple Christmas

In this season of raising babies in the midst of a renovation and being pregnant, I have proclaimed a simple Christmas this year.  I hope to keep the motto 'keep it simple' as long as possible, well into next year when we welcome our third little one.

Today I'm sharing some ways I am keeping Christmas simple this year.  These are not original and come from chatting with friends, family, Pinterest, and sometimes come to me in the middle of the night when I get up to use the bathroom for the third time. #pregnantproblems

Guilt-Free Decorating
This year I didn't want to get out the garland that wraps around the railing. I didn't want to put every single Christmas platter or tree or decoration on my countertops.  So, I didn't.  I chose the things that make Christmas feel special to me and let the kids help.  I also am utilizing as many natural elements as possible: fresh greenery cut from outside, mini trees from Trader Joe's, a poinsettia...things that can be tossed outside in the burn pile or scattered for animals to use when we are finished with them.

Simplify the Advent Calendar
In the past I have done an advent calendar of sorts with my littles.  One blogger does 25 random acts of kindness and I was inspired by her last year to do this with my kids.  Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I quit half way through because it was just too too much.  Partly because we live about 25 minutes from anything and partly because December is just plain crazy and my energy tapped out about December 12.

An advent calendar or a countdown to Christmas is still important to me and it's a tradition I want to share with my children for years to come.  This year I decided on five random acts of kindness and the rest of the days are filled with simple things like 'sip on hot cocoa', 'have a pajama day', 'read a Christmas book in front of the tree' and there are even a few pieces of candy sprinkled in there when I know that day will be busy.  It took a bit of planning, but I think we might actually make it all the way to December 25 this year.

Fewer Gifts
Kevin and I have never been big on 'stuff'.  We like to keep things simple and clutter free as much as possible, toys included.  Both of our kids have their birthdays in November, so they are already overloaded with stuff come Christmas.  Sometime before Luke was born I found a Christmas gift idea on Pinterest that included four gifts: something to wear, something to read, something you want, something you need.  We have done this the past few years and while it seems simple enough, there were times Luke didn't need anything to wear or there wasn't anything he needed and it made it tough because I felt like I was buying things unnecessarily.

My mother-in-law told me about giving three gifts to each child to represent how Jesus received three gifts.  That is what we are doing this year.  Both kids will receive three gifts, no guidelines involved, just three gifts.  They will also get their stockings filled with small things like stickers and new toothbrushes.  Simple enough for me.

Kevin and I decided we will only fill each other's stockings this year.  With the renovation and new baby coming, it just makes sense to give ourselves one less thing on our to-do list...plus we are having a Christmas date night and that is a present in itself!

Leave Space on the Calendar
About a week ago Kevin and I sat down with our calendars and talked about the things that were important for us to do as a family this year during the Christmas season.  There were three things on the list: visit Lauritzen Gardens, go to the kid's Christmas event at church, and visit Santa and the big tree at the Durham Museum.  We put these on our calendars along with the few events we have as a couple and the few I have with girlfriends.  We did have to rethink and say 'no' to a few things this year, but that is what is best for our family.  Our calendar is not overloaded this year.  There are a few Saturdays and Sundays that are actually free.  We even planned a Christmas date night.  It took about twenty minutes on a Sunday afternoon and was so worth it. A last caveat to this...when I see a family on Facebook or Instagram doing something totally Christmas-y I...#1 don't feel guilty about it and #2 promise myself I will not add that incredible tradition to our plate this year.  Every family is different and none of us can do it all.

Easy Gifting
'Gifts' is one of my top love languages.  I love to give thoughtful and meaningful gifts to the ones I love, especially at Christmas time.  I am trying to simplify that this year and shop online as much as possible as well as think about gifting similar gifts to groups of people.  For example, I am giving one super easy gift to all of Luke and Lily's church teachers, MOPS teachers, our neighbors, the mailman, etc.  I want people to feel loved and thanked this season, but I think it can be done in a way that doesn't bring bunches of stress to the giver.

Another way I made gifts easier this year was by starting early.  I have a special tub I keep items I collect that will be perfect for my mom or Kevin's sister, etc.  I store it away and then have it ready for when Christmas is here.

Festive, Simple Fashion
Dressing myself and two children during the holidays is no joke.  When we are going to a fun Christmas event or party where pictures will be taken, I want us to look somewhat presentable.  This year I have two to three outfits picked out for each of us for these events.  Luke has a few shirts and jeans, Lily a few dresses and a pair of leggings with a top.  I have a few tops paired with jeans or leggings and one dress for more formal gatherings.  Kevin is on his own, because he always looks good and selecting male clothing is not my gift.  I can feel confident when I push snooze on Saturday morning because I know there is something for all of us to wear.

Implementing Freezer Meals and Leftovers
Making dinner has not been something I have been wanting to do a whole lot of lately.  I have been using the crock pot at least twice a week, using up my freezer meals I made this fall and being creative with leftovers to make our food and my time more plentiful.  This is helpful all year long, but especially during this busy season.

Giving Myself Grace
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and I want to take in as much as possible and enjoy the magic and wonder that fills December.  I love to read a Christmas book and watch Christmas movies on the couch cuddled under a blanket with a cup of peppermint hot cocoa.  I am giving myself permission and grace to do this the next few weeks during nap time or at night after the kids go to bed.  Besides, this season only comes around once a year.

As one of the best seasons comes to life around us, I want to slow down, take it in, and make as many memories as possible.  They may not be picture perfect and there might be tears and whining intertwined with those memories, but that is real life and I'm thankful for this Christmas season nonetheless. Keeping it simple this year will help us to focus on the real reason for the season, the baby that was born to save the world.

Merry Christmas, everyone!  I hope your Christmas is merry, bright, and simple!

Keep It Simple

Turkey.  Stuffing (only Stove Top).  Mashed Potatoes.  Sweet Corn.  Rhoads Rolls.  Green Bean Casserole.  Macaroni And Cheese.  Pumpkin Pie.  Pecan Pie. Apple Pie.  Pumpkin Roll.

This was our menu on Thanksgiving, which we hosted a bit early because of scheduling conflicts.  It was chaotic, memorable, exhausting, yummy and just good to sit around the table with the ones I love and don't get to see too often.  

The children outnumbered the adults, but somehow we managed to all survive and no one got (really) sick and nothing major was broken or destroyed.  In this stage of life, that is a definite Thanksgiving win.

I am living in a 'keep it simple' stage and as this Thanksgiving weekend approaches and I am technically 'done' celebrating, I am looking forward to a 'keep it simple' weekend filled with lots of leftovers, making cookies with my babes, reflecting on the reality that I am so so blessed to live this life, super simple Christmas decorating, and watching lots and lots of football...on the couch...with my feet up.

While being ____ weeks pregnant (who counts on baby #3??) is somewhat forcing me to keep things simple during this holiday season, I think it's about time I embrace this motto whole-heartedly for the next 20 or so years I have babes at home.  

This post is a reminder to myself and every other momma out there trying to do it all, get all the things done, check everything off their to-do list...to KEEP THINGS SIMPLE.

It's good to have goals...

Let's take a deep breath and put our feet up, even if the kids crawl all over us.

Let's find joy and goodness in the mundane of the breakfasts and lunches and clean-ups of the everyday.

Let's laugh with our kids and say 'I'm sorry' when we mess up (I did that a lot the past few days).

Let's remember that homemade banana muffins instead of store bought will not save the world (or our children) from cancer, bullying, or a skinned knee.

Let's really look at our children everyday, because tomorrow they will be a day older and a day closer to leaving the nest.

Let's build memories, not through Instagram-worthy photos, but by the same song sung before bed or the Christmas tradition of picking out a tree or the same three words our kids wake up to every morning or the way we eat dinner together.  

Let's say 'yes' to playing as a family and 'no' to things that take us away from that.

Let's not feel guilty about the half done baby album or the mountainous pile of laundry or the Chic-fil-A that's on our child's dinner plate for the third time this week.

Let's talk to Jesus everyday, even if it's for the thirty seconds we have in the bathroom in the morning.  

Let's turn our phones off and turn our eyes and ears to our babies.

Let's remember there are days for leggings and sweats and days to take a few more minutes to look and feel like we didn't just literally roll out of bed.

Let's say 'yes' to family experiences and 'no' to another toy that will get broken in 24 hours.

Let's work hard to be a family that talks and discusses things at the dinner table.

Let's find balance between friends and family and work and play, but understand that it won't ever be perfect.

Let's give ourselves grace after a bad day and remember that there is no one else more fit to be raising our kids than us and that we have a God that loves us despite our shortcomings in this motherhood thing.

Let's keep our routines and days and nights simple with less stuff, less doing, less perfection...and more snuggle sessions on the couch, more flour on the floor from cookies being baked with little hands, and more doses of grace given to our babies as we raise them in our homes.

Mommas, I'm right with you.  Some days I'm tired and weary and just want to lock myself in the bathroom for five minutes.  And that's okay.

  

But, I'm promising myself I'm going to keep it simple as much as I can, as often as I can...so I can really be present and enjoy the good stuff of this life.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all you beauties out there doing the good good work of raising babies or praying for babies or caring for someone else's babies.  Will you keep it simple with me?  

   

"Daddy, cuddle me."

I am in the middle of my morning routine.  I just finished up some quiet time and am now getting smoothies ready to blend and muffins on the table.  I place berries and yogurt in the blender and wait.  My three year old, Luke, likes to be in Kevin's arms before I turn the blender on, because, well, the blender is really old school and really loud.  I hear Kevin open Luke's door and come down the hall with him, sleep still in his eyes and the shirt he sleeps with wrapped tightly around his arm.  I give him three kisses on the cheek and they head to the couch to snuggle up and wake up.  

I love watching them like this.  Luke loves his Daddy, he always has, since the day he met him in the hospital.  At first, I was a little bit jealous of the connection that was so easy and strong and real with the two of them.  Praise Jesus I was staying home with Luke and nursing him because that was time Luke literally had no choice but to let me love on him.  When Kevin was home then and is home now, Luke is all about his Daddy.  

I watch the two of them from the kitchen and my lips and heart smile so big. That jealousy that was around back when Luke was just a newbie has completely vanished and is now replaced with admiration and thankfulness.  I ask Luke if he's ready for the blender and he nods a yes.  He is safe in his Daddy's arms. I start it up, wake up Lily who is still in her bedroom, and pour four glasses of mixed berry smoothies Three Little Bears style...a big glass for Papa Bear, a medium glass for Mama Bear, and two little glasses for our baby bears.  Kevin asks Luke if he wants to get up and eat some breakfast and he shakes his head no and says 'Daddy, cuddle me'.

  

Being the incredible Daddy that Kevin is, he stays a while longer, pulls Luke close, and enjoys the last few minutes of quiet time with his boy before he starts his day.  Eventually it is time for Kevin to get going to work, so Luke gets placed at the kitchen counter while Kevin finishes up getting ready for his day.  

Their bond doesn't end here, Luke is always giddy when he hears the garage open and knows his Daddy is home from work.  He always has big plans for them at night; lots of adventures, tractor rides, maybe some time on the swing set.  He loves calling Daddy during the day or Face-timing when he is traveling.  His love and admiration for his Daddy is big and wide...just as it should be.

Our sweet Lily Jo is more of a Mommy's girl, but her and Kevin are starting in on something that is sure to be an irreplaceable relationship.  If there is music on, Lily runs into her Daddy's arms and wants to dance the day away with him.  She loves when he chases her and always wants to climb on top of him if he is lying down.  She gives him kisses through our baby gate and railing when he leaves for work in the morning and loves to wave at him through the window. This girl has a special place in her heart for her Daddy.

In our broken world, dads are being pulled in many different directions.  There are higher expectations in the workplace, a greater demand for living the 'American dream', and more and more temptations outside the family unit.  Being a good, faithful, loving, selfless husband and dad is hard. 

When I think of how the world tempts the men in our lives, it makes me speechless with gratitude for my husband and his faithfulness and relentless love.  I am blessed with a man who loves me and our children well.  He leads us with unwavering faith and love and compassion.  He is our rock and there isn't a day that goes by that I am not thanking God for him.

I know there are so many dads and husbands out there that are like my Kevin. My own dad and father-in-law are two as well as Kevin's Grandpa Junior and Grandpa Gerald, and my Grandpa Hasley and Great-Grandpa Johnson that have gone to be with Jesus.  These men have loved well and have raised families in a courageous way.  They know what's important and have strived to 'stay the course' and leave legacies for the generations that come after them.

My prayer today is that all dads feel loved, appreciated, and capable to fulfill their vital roles as husband and Daddy.  These are the most important positions Dads will ever hold and will leave lasting impressions on the people that look up to them the most.  

Happy Father's Day to my own Daddy and to my incredible husband!  I love you both more than words can say!

Remember

Today we celebrate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  We celebrate the men and women who fought for us and lost their lives so we can live a life of freedom in a country that values free will and humanity.

If you're anything like me, sometimes you take this sacrifice for granted.  I'm not thinking about it when I'm in the grocery line or playing with my kids outside or eating dinner with my family.  I'm not thinking of this great, big, enormous sacrifice these men and women made for me and my children and everyone else living in this country.

That's why we have a day to remember, a day to truly let it sink in how these strangers give me this life I live everyday.  I am not from a military background and do not know many soldiers that have given their life for our country.  

However, a few great men that I was in high school with gave their lives and I remember them today.  

Their names are:

Joseph J. Hamski
Age 28

Jonathan E. Schiller
Age 20

These soldiers died too young and today I think of them and pray for their family and friends who mourn them each and everyday, not just on Memorial Day.  

I can't imagine the magnitude of the sacrifice Joseph and Jonathan's families have endured.  It is beyond words.

I am grateful for these men and all the other men and women that give their life so I can go to the grocery store, play with my children, and have dinner with my family.  My heart yearns to tell each and every one of them and their families 'thank you'.  

Thank you, Joseph.

Thank you, Jonathan.

My Mom

Moms teach us everything.  They teach us how to eat with a spoon, how to say 'please' and 'thank you', how to bat our eyelashes (only me?).  They teach us how to be brave and stick up for ourselves, how to keep fighting for our dreams, and how to love unconditionally.  They teach us how to apply mascara, how to edit a paper, how to endure a break up.  They teach us everything.

My mother has been a good mother, no, a great mother.  She has taught me all those things and so much more.  The most important lesson I learned from my mom was how to love my kids.  She loved my siblings and me deep and wide and without any boundaries.  She loved us well.  I pray to love my kids as well.  I pray they know how much I love and cherish them.  I pray they know, without a doubt, I love them deep and wide and without any boundaries, just like my mom loves me. 

Today, on Mother's Day, I celebrate the woman who never made me second guess her love for me.  She has been a solid rock in my life; never wavering or leaving when I did something wrong and never loving me any less for the mistakes I made.  She has modeled Christ's love for me in a way that only a mother can.  

Love you, Mom.