Logan turned 2

Logan turned 2 on November 26th. He had a great day! I can't believe my baby is 2! Two birthdays down and 2 more to go :)

Nolan Turned 5

I forgot to post that my handsome little buddy turned 5 on October 15th. I also forgot to get a picture with him so I took one the day after :)  Monday my youngest turns 2. It is hard to believe they are growing so fast.

Inspiring Friday:November 23, 2012

"Epitaph: Here lies an atheist. All dressed up and he
knows not to where he goes." -- Ed. by RWI

"Until a man has found God, he begins at no beginning
and works to no end." -- H.G. Wells

"Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember;
involve me and I learn." -- Ben Franklin

"A man convinced against his will is of the same
opinion still." -- Unknown

"Hurt people hurt people. Loved people love people." --
Unknown

"A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is
the heaviness of his mother." -- Solomon

"People see God every day; they just don't recognize
him." -- Pearl Bailey

16 weeks

I wasn't quite ready for the picture. I wish I would have smiled but I am happy  to be in the 16 week mark. (4 months).

I am feeling pretty good. Still getting morning sickness here and there (maybe a girl?)but still have quite an appetite in between. I have feel energetic during the day and then crash in the evening.

I am enjoying this pregnancy with plans of walking more to keep myself in good shape. I also look forward to the big reveal toward the end of December. I will be having my 20 week ultrasound then. Everything is going well and I am thankful for this baby and my health and my beautiful family. I praise God for it all! I hope everyone has a Very happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Inspiring Friday: November 16, 2012

"It is your attention and not your intention that
determines your destination." -- Unknown

"ANGER is only one letter short of DANGER." -- Unknown

"Great minds have purpose, others have wishes." --
Washington Irving

"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say.
I just watch what they do." -- Andrew Carnegie

"No one can make you feel inferior without your
consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

"Cold words freeze people and hot words scorch them,
and bitter words make them bitter, and wrathful words
make them wrathful. Kind words also produce their image
on men's souls; and a beautiful image it is. They
smooth, and quiet, and comfort the hearer." -- Blaise
Pascal

Be yourself and dont's be a people pleaser quotes and scriptures

"I would rather be hated for who I am, then loved for who I am not" ~ Kurt Cobain

" I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody".~ Bill Cosby

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

"On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." 1Thessalonians 2:4


"All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life." Luke 21:17-19


"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”1Samuel 16:7

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

And last but not least the Beattitudes presented by our Lord and Savior, Christ the King;


 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth. 

 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.  

Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.  

Blessed are the peacemakers,
 for they will be called children of God.  

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:5-11

Judging other moms

I cannot tell a lie, I have been guilty of this sin. I am learning how to do this less and less. Instead of speaking of judging in general, I am going to focus on mothers judging other mothers. Being on the receiving end has taught me how damaging and hurtful it is. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19  I think we should really think before we speak when someone is sharing. We really need to listen and take in everything and be slow to respond. If it isn't a helpful or encouraging statement I believe it is better left unsaid. We need to understand that we don't see the person's life triumphs or troubles on a daily basis. We don't know their childhood or nature or things they have experienced in their lifetime. 
  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8
Sometimes the things discussed are just the tip of the surface of what a person is feeling or going through.

 I have come to wonder and ask why can't we just believe that a mom is doing what is best for her child? and that she has really thought through a issue and is doing her best to solve it or is making the best educated decision for her child. Just because you would do differently doesn't mean you should criticize and question the other mother's decision. We each have free will from God to decide what is best for our child or children. No one is in their spiritual journey at the same level and everyone has struggles. What really gets me, is judging more on a legalistic level. Things that God does not command us to do like getting immunizations or not, whether to home-school or not,  choosing to work outside the home or not, what kind of food you feed your child etc. These things are important decisions but they don't make or break ones salvation or make you a bad parent for choosing different legalistic choices than the next person. "The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him." Romans 14:3

I am going to choose see it as a blessing that I have experienced judgements for my parenting decisions, because it opens my eyes to how it can be discouraging and close minded. It also makes it hard to open up to the person doing the judging. We will quickly learn whom we can lean on for acceptance and understanding and most important listening. "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else."Galatians 5:26 and "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."Galatians 5:26  Let us love and accept ourselves so that we can love and accept our neighbor. We need to uplift and encourage others, it is vital to our walk with the Lord. It is what we are called to do. We all have different gifts to share with others.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith". Romans 12:6 and  “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven."
Luke 6:37  and
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
Romans 14:12-13

Heavenly father, let us have compassion for everyone we encounter and listen closely, speak less and think before we speak, so that it is pleasing to you. Let us be a light onto others so that they can feel Jesus's love and acceptance for them just as they are.  Let us not let our own issues and insecurites  get in the way of our calling. Thank you for all the opportunities to love and accept others. In Jesus name amen.

Inspiring Friday: November 9, 2012

"Don't feed the birds. It makes them over-dependent on
people, and they forget how to fend for themselves ...
and die." -- Sign on the San Clemente pier

"When we allow people to stay over-dependent on us,
they never learn to become self-reliant, mature, or
truly dependent on God." -- Richard Innes (RWI)

"It isn't the changes that do you in, it's the
transitions." -- William Bridges

"Love people and use things--don't use people and love
things." -- Unknown

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb--that's where the
fruit is." -- Unknown

"Fathom the hypocrisy of a Government that will require
every citizen to prove they are insured ... but not
everyone must prove they are a citizen." -- Unknown

Peace in all circumstances

First, I would like to praise God for changing my anxiety and fears into peace. The kind of peace only he can give. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 God is always good no matter what. He gives us hope even where it is hard to find. He makes good out of everything. "All things work for the good of those who love God and are called to his purpose." Romans 8:28

We are so blessed to have a heavenly Father to turn to for everything. He loves us so much that he gave his only son for our ransom. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that whomever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 He gives us a promise that can never be taken away. He is the light of the world.  "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love". Romans 8:38. We can rest assured on this all the days of our lives. 

May we never give up fighting the good fight. We may lose battles but the war has already been won. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award unto me on that day" 2 Timothy 4:7-8  Lord, give us the strength and endurance to continue on in this race“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
 May we continue to show the light that only you can provide us with. Let us continue to teach our children your ways so that we have a future generation that can continue the race for goodness in Jesus's name.  Let us show the love of Christ to each person we encounter, let us not hold grudges or biterness but carry on with the holy spirit as our guide to love our neighbors as ourselves. Thank you for the many blessings you bestow on us and the wisdom you give us. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Inspiring Friday: November 2, 2012

"A person all wrapped up in himself makes a very small
package." -- Anon

"He who throws mud loses ground." -- Anon

"The older we get the more we realize that service to
others is the only way to stay happy. If we do nothing
to benefit others, we will do nothing to benefit
ourselves." -- Carl Holmes

"People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged
sooner or later to find time for illness." -- John
Wanamaker

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." -- John
Wooden

"Nothing would be done at all if a man or woman waited
until they could do it so well that no one could find
fault with it." -- John Henry Newman

"Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks,
feels, or believes" -- Emily Dickinson