My Sweet Beckett :)

As I am sitting here typing, my sweet Beckett is whining at my feet wanting me to pick him up! lol. This time last year I was free to type a blog or go to the store or do basically whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted... but now, my life is caring for my son... and I have to say...

I wouldn't have it any other way!

I love the little guys so much and he brings me so much joy on a DAILY basis! Isn't God good? He loves me so much as to bless me with this funny, outspoken, loud, sweet little boy! There couldn't be a bigger blessing to me than to be a mom and have the opportunity to raise this little man! :) I am beyond happy and blessed!

Beckett is growing up so quickly! It brings me to tears sometimes when I look back on pictures over this past year! There is so much emotion that fills my heart when I look at each one!

Beckett started walking a couple of weeks ago and he isn't a pro yet (and I'm def. not rushing him to be)... but each day he gets better and better! It's crazy how quickly he just started walking! It was like he just decided to be brave one day... and he did it! He hasn't stopped since! He is such a smart boy and has come SUCH a long way! The doctor's said he may be a little slower in achieving certain milestones since he was 6 weeks pre-mature but... he def. proved those doctors wrong! From a itty bitty 5 pounds to 23 pound chunk.... he is doing JUST fine!

He says Ma Ma, Da Da, Bye Bye and some other things that I haven't really figured out yet! He is def. a talker and I love it! He laughs a lot and is a very happy Baby boy! He loves being at home and loves his crib... good luck getting him to sleep anywhere else! lol. He smiles everytime he sees his Daddy walk through the door and it makes me smile to see Jeff as a Father and def. has made me fall in love with him all over again, in a completely different way!

Beckett is so smart and knows just what he wants! He is very sneaky and will test us in a skinny minute! He def. has learned what NO means though and has become such a great listener, most of the time! Even though I know we will be challenged in the years to come! He fights his naps but def. needs them! They do wonders for his mood! He is like his Daddy in that aspect.... a little cat nap even will help him to purk right up and be happy!

Beckett gives kisses with his mouth wide open! I think it's so sweet! Usually we have to ask for kisses or tell him to give kisses but today he gave me a kiss without me having to ask and it was so sweet! :) He melts my heart! He loves to be around people! We visited a church in Raleigh a few weeks ago and the nursery worker told us he was the only child at first and seemed so quiet but when other kids started to come in, he started immediately showing his fun personality! He loves people, that is for sure, as well as attention!

We are planning his 1st Birthday Party now! We went with the sports theme! Imagine that! He loves basketball and every time he sees someone with a basketball or sees it bounce, he grins from ear to ear! He has a couple now and plays with them all the time and has even tossed one across the floor! I'm pretty sure he is going to be athletic like his Daddy!

These are just a few things Beckett has been learning lately and I cannot WAIT to see what else is in store for us! I am so thankful that we get to go through life with this sweet little boy!

Below are a few pictures that were taken at my moms when we visited her in Raleigh a couple weeks ago!

Just a little sneeze...

Nanny giving me a bath in the sink!

Just eating a little soap suds... no big deal.

The day I started walking...

Playing in the water with Nanny!

Knowledge vs. Love

I read "Girlfriends in God" devotions almost every morning! They send me a daily devotions to my email and this mornings devotions just spoke to my heart. The story in the devotional I had heard before. Mary Southerland explains Knowledge vs. Love so well though after the story. This is what she says:

Knowledge – for the sake of knowledge – is worthless and can easily lead to pride and arrogance. But knowledge for the sake of love is priceless. In other words, no one really cares how much you know until they know how much you really care.

Knowledge is powerful and should be used in love and love should always be controlled by knowledge. God gives us the ability to understand the Bible and then wants us to use its truths to build each other up and meet the needs of others.

A preacher once said, “Some Christians grow. Others just swell.” Arrogance and pride are the result of knowledge that is misused. Knowledge can be a weapon of destruction or a tool of construction. It all depends on how it is used. We can know doctrine and never know God. We can grow in Bible knowledge but not grow in grace. We can attend church every time the doors are open but until we actually apply God’s truth to the way we live, something is lost in the way we translate the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I heard the story of four Bible scholars who were arguing over the best translation of the Bible. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism and accurate translation from the original text. A third man preferred the newer translations because of their practical application. The fourth scholar listened thoughtfully and then added, “Personally, I prefer my mother’s translation.” When the other men laughed, he explained, “My mother translates every page of the Bible into her daily life and it is the most convincing translation I have ever seen.”

I wonder. Do the people in my life better understand God because of the way I live? Is my life a living illustration of God’s love? Is the “Mary Southerland Translation” of the Bible authentic and real and pleasing to God? Lord, help me be Your Living Bible.

-Mary Southerland

God, I pray that I can gain knowledge in your Word but more than anything, I pray that I can LIVE OUT that knowledge! I pray I can show people you through the way I live: the things I say, the way I respond to tough situations, the way I treat people, the words I use...etc. I want people to look at me and my life and see you instantly! Help me to be a Christian that grows Lord, not a Christian that swells. I love you and I'm so thankful for your love and the example you set for us to follow! Help me to follow you... and only you. 

My Words

It seems God is showing me things on a daily basis. Sometimes I'm around to listen and hear those things and sometimes I'm not. Sometimes the busyness of life gets in the way and I chose to not carve out time for the Lord.

However, today is NOT one of those days. Today is a Monday and Mondays (if you know me, or anyone for that matter) are just "one of those days". I woke up this morning determined for Satan to NOT ruin my day just because it was Monday. Everything I do and say is a choice, MY choice. So, today I chose to spend time with the Lord and I pray I can make that choice every single day!

God has been showing me lately how important my words are! Words are so HUGE! Right? I mean, they have the power to either pick someone up or tear someone down. So many times, I choose to tear someone down! That sounds so horrible too because it's not like I even do intentionally. There are times when I choose words without even really thinking about it. It's like it's almost become a habit or maybe something that was learned over time and I just need to realize and be cognizant that it's wrong and hurtful.

One of my LIFE verses is Ephesians 4:29, which says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."This is one of my LIFE verses because it's something I struggle with.

Sometimes we can make the Bible more difficult than it actually is and I truly believe God made it for us so we would know what to do in every situation! So often though, we look to every other place but the Bible in helping us make choices! We look to our spouse or to our family or friends...etc. We ask God to show us a specific sign when sometimes, the answer is right there in front of us... all we have to do is read it.

Don't get me wrong, I think seeking wise council is good and Biblical and I do believe their are certain circumstances where prayer and advice are needed to make a choice!

I just think (and I am speaking to myself really) that sometimes we can tip-toe around a certain issue or decision when in the back of our minds, we clearly know what the Bible says and choose to make a decision that goes against what we know God wants.

"My" words can be so harsh sometimes! Ask my sweet husband who has always been so patient with me, even when I would have punched my own self in the face! However, I know it isn't something that I struggle with alone. I have witnessed on countless occasions how words can hurt. They can tear down and bring someone to tears. They don't bring happiness, I know that! Even to the ones who are doing the tearing down.... it doesn't bring happiness to them either. It makes them miserable and less joyful! It makes ME miserable and less joyful!

When I hurt someone that I love, to be honest with you, it makes me SO angry!  Sometimes I will realize I have crossed the line or said so many hurtful things... and instead of just starting over, apologizing or re-directing the conversation in a completely different tone, I decide to get angry with myself! In doing that, I get even more angry with the person I am conversing with! It doesn't help the situation!

God's word is so clear on this topic. There is no tip-toeing around it. He wants us to build up, not tear down! Bottle line.

So, I chose today to ask God to forgive me for those times where I failed in that area! And I chose to forget about those times and move on to better times and better situations where I will make the right choice instead of the wrong one.

God, I thank you for your Word! I thank you for the direction it gives me in life! You guide me in every way! I just pray that I will choose to listen to your guidance Lord, even if it doesn't come naturally to me! Forgive me for failing you! I am so thankful for your grace and mercy! I long to be like you and to treat people the way you treat them. I desire to speak to others in the way you would speak to them, even in difficult conversations! Most of all Lord, I just pray that you would shower me with your Love so that I can shower others with that same Love! You are so Good God! You are so faithful! I am so blessed to be able to have you as My Father!

My Value.

I used to have this warped view of how God wanted me to act or be! I always felt that he wanted me to change who I was and I never understood that! I kept thinking to myself... if God wanted to change who I was, why did he make me this way in the first place? It says in Jeremiah 1:5 that before we were in our Mother's womb, God "chose" us.

Being a stay at home mom, I sometimes doubt my worth and value. It's just one of those things I struggle with. I have to remind myself daily that I am valued by God and even others. It's a hard thing to fathom: God's love for me, that is.

But, I realized after reading a devotional recently and felt the Lord speak to my heart... that God doesn't want to change who I am. He made me with special talents, gifts and gave me a certain personality because he knew what I could do with those things. He sees the potential in me. So, instead of God wanting to change who I am, I truly believe he just wants me to get better at being ME.

To see the good in myself and better those good qualities! Not to change those qualities but to see that those qualities are gifts from God and to use them for HIS glory!

Thank you God for showing your love for me today and always. Help me to know my worth and value and that it is in YOU. You are life and without you, there is no life. Thank you for loving me the way you do and for teaching me so patiently.  -Amen.

Motherhood

There are so many of my friends who have either just become new moms, planning to become a mom in the future or are pregnant right now so I thought I would share some things I have learned so far being a mom myself for 9 and a 1/2 months! First of all, let me say I am NO expert and if you know me or are friends with me.... you know this. I am asking other moms questions all the time and I am on the phone with my own mom (or mother in law) often talking things out and trying to make the best decisions for my son. It's not easy being a mom! However, that is the beauty in it.... so, here is a list of things I have learned so far as a Mom. Hope it can encourage some other new moms or moms to be out there.

#1: Sorry, No handbook!

One of the beauties of motherhood (to me) is learning as you go! I will never forget Jeff and I bringing Beckett home from the hospital and sitting down on the couch while my mom took pictures of us all! It was a special moment and while my mom stayed and helped out for a few weeks.... eventually it was Jeff and I doing it on our own. I will never forget how overwhelmed I felt after a month of having him home! It's not that you don't enjoy it, but you are so exhausted trying to do everything AND learn everything... it just becomes chaos. I don't think anyone can fully prepare you for what motherhood is going to be like the 1st time! So, I think it kind of hits you in the face those first few months and you start to understand why your mom used to always tell you to "wait to have kids"! However, this chaos eventually becomes less like chaos and more like... YOUR LIFE! :) And believe it or not, you will learn to love the chaos! Being a mom is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but it is also the GREATEST thing I have ever done in my life and it's so hard to even explain! You think you love them with your WHOLE heart but then they continue to grow and the more they grow, the more room you have in your heart for more love and your love just keeps growing for them! It's such a blessing! So, be encouraged.... be content in not having all the answers and learning as you go! That's the way it's supposed to be! :) And also be encouraged in knowing that God is pleased with you! Being a parent is one of the most selfless acts there is! I mean, you have to give up so much... but God honors that! He is proud that you are giving up the things YOU want for your sweet baby! Isn't that what Christ did when he walked the earth! He was a servant to everyone and he made himself nothing so that he could be everything to us! So, see taking care of your baby as an act of worship to God! And trust in Him to guide you in caring for him/her! God knows what you need before you even ask him! ;)

#2: Don't stress over scheduling!

I am not saying scheduling is not a good thing! I do believe it can be! However, my advice to any new mother would be to let your sweet baby make his own schedule! When they are older, making a schedule is sometimes necessary but I do not believe that it is right now! Just let them guide you and just listen for their cues. Putting them on a schedule too soon can overwhelm your precious baby, as well as put more stress on you! I tried putting Beckett on a schedule too soon and became so overwhelmed myself in doing it! God is teaching me so much through Beckett and one of those things is being flexible! Your baby is going to go through so many changes during their 1st year of life and that means having different schedules all the time! As soon as I felt like Beckett would get on a good schedule, he would change that schedule on me the next day! It's so important (in my opinion) to just let them guide the way! Sometimes they need more sleep than other times, sometimes they need to eat more than other times, sometimes they need more stimulation than other times...etc. It's just a continuous cycle and so, just relax and let your precious baby make their own schedule. It just takes one less thing off your shoulders if you just let them do it... because they will do it naturally!

#3: Take Time Away!

I encourage every new mom (actually all moms with young children) to take time away for YOU! Sometimes new moms become so overwhelmed with motherhood, they lose their own identity and their identity literally becomes their baby! I mean, don't get my wrong... I spend most days with my sweet Beckett and that little boy is my life! But, I still try to take some time away and sometimes my husband has to force me out of the house! I think it's just our nurturing spirit to feel that we need to be with our babies all the time.... but we don't. They will survive without us for a few hours here and there! It's so important to rest and rejuvenate your mind, meditate, refocus, exercise, read, find a hobby...just do something for YOU that doesn't involve your baby or your spouse. It will do wonders for your mind and your mood!

#4: Date Night is a Must!

If you are married, it is so important to still be able to spend time with your husband! I mean, if it weren't for your husband, you wouldn't even have that sweet precious baby so don't forget about him! He has needs just like your baby does, even though they are just a bit different ;). Take time to go out (kid-less) and do something you both enjoy! If you are looking for ideas, go to www.thedatingdivas.com. This site is pretty cool with LOTS of ideas to make your husband feel special! :) But, do date night! Find a sitter, a family member or friend who can watch your baby for the evening while you go out! I have been thankful to have in-laws watch Beckett so Jeff and I can have date night once a week! Even if it's twice a month or even once a month is better than no date night! The point is to still make time for your husband! Biblically, your marriage comes before your baby but so often, we put our sweet babies before our marriage! And don't get me wrong, sometimes we have to! I know I do! Sometimes it's necessary and a "must" to put our babies 1st! They have different and more demanding needs than our husbands, so I understand! All I am saying is to NOT forget about your husband. Remember all the things you used to do for him.... and try to still do those things from time to time. I am guilty of this myself! But, just try to make time for him! He needs your time, your attention, your affection...etc.

#5: It's OK to ask for help!

I told my husband during Beckett's 1st 3 months that sleep was the GREATEST gift he could give me... and it was SO true! During those few months, I would have done anything just for a good nights sleep! It's ok to ask for help so you can get some rest! It's ok to ask for help even with night feedings! Sometimes moms can feel overwhelmed with doing it "all" and when mom is overwhelmed.... baby feels the tension too! Sometimes I have to just tell me husband, "Honey, I need a minute." or "Babe, I need some time." and he will take care of Beckett for me so I can have a little time. However, I understand not everyone is married or has a husband who will be willing to help out...  So, don't be afraid to ask from a family member or a friend! Don't hesitate to ask for help in whatever area you may need it in when it comes to parenthood! Asking for help doesn't make you a bad mother! It makes you a better one!

#6: Take Naps!

Even if you don't want to take a nap, take a nap! Period.

#7: You are a Good Mommy!

Don't let others make you feel you are not a good mother just because you don't do things the same as them! As long as you are allowing the Lord to guide your decisions with your sweet baby, you are doing just fine! And every mom messes up! You don't have to be mother of the year! Your little one is going to love you no matter what! :) So, believe that you are a good mom and don't compare yourself with other moms! God made you the way he wants you to be and he made your baby the he wanted your baby and he put you both together! God knows what he is doing! So, tell yourself daily what a good mom you are and find people to surround yourself with who are going to tell you the same thing!

#8: Leave the dishes!

Ya know, I am one of those woman who really does like to have a clean house and when things are out of order, I get a little stressed out! BUT... I have really had to learn to just relax with it! It's not worth stressing over! It's not like you don't have enough to stress over anyway so why let the dishes or the laundry stress you out even more??? I mean, it sounds silly when I type it that I would even let something as little as dirty dishes put stress on me! lol. So, leave the dishes, leave the laundry, leave the dirty bathrooms! I'm not saying leave them forever... just leave them until you are ready or more rested. And it's also ok to ask for help in this area. It's not easy juggling your baby and all his needs, your marriage, work, keeping a house clean and all the other demands you may have in your life so if I was going to mark anything off that list to relieve stress from my life... it would def. be cleaning! :) I would actually happily mark that duty off my list any day! ;)

#9: Get some fresh air!

Honest! Literally, get some fresh air! Go outside! I will never forget my Dad coming to the hospital and telling me to walk outside with him to get some fresh air! It was beginning of November but that day it was warm and absolutely beautiful outside! It was the 1st time I had stepped outdoors in a week and I must say, it really did put life into my step that day! And when I came home, my dad would come over and ask me on a weekly basis, "Have you been outside today?" So, get some fresh air, take a walk, go outside and just sit... whatever you want to do... just do it outside! :) It really does put a little pep in your step! ;)

#10: Just Love your baby!

When it comes down to it, all babies really need from their mommies is lots and lots of LOVE! So, love your baby! You already do it by taking care of him/her! But have those moments where you just sit with your little one and praise God for him/her! Pray for your baby and ask God to protect him and guide you in caring for him! Sometimes I literally will just stare at Beckett in awe! I know it sounds silly but I am so thankful for that little guy and he brings so much joy into my life... way more joy than hardship! Beckett is getting to a stage now where I can't really just sit and hold him anymore... but I so enjoy watching him grow and every stage he has been through so far has been a joy! I love loving him! And being a mommy is the sweetest and greatest blessing I have ever gotten in my life! Nothing really compares to it!

One of Those Days

Today has just been.... one of those days! Why is it that we have "those" days??? I hate it! I am not one of those people that wakes up in the morning and automatically a smile appears upon my face and I am filled with joy! I have to fight for joy and contentment so much in this stage of life that I am in. Joy and contentment is something I have struggled with for a long time, not necessarily during this stage of life of raising my beautiful son who I am so thankful for, yet having no time to focus on much of anything else (except blogging of course ;) ).

I am so blessed, yet sometimes I am SO discontent.

Ya know, it helps me to look to God's word and know that I am not alone. I am not the only one who IS and who HAS struggled with contentment and joy. Paul states in Philippians 4:11, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

Paul doesn't say that it just came "naturally" for him to be content. He doesn't say it is "easy" for him to be content. He says for I have "learned" to be content. I don't know about you but pretty much everything I have ever learned in life has not been an easy lesson to learn! It's been HARD. It was hard for me to make good grades in school, sometimes it's hard for me to love my husband the way I'm supposed to, it's hard for me to show true love to people I am around on a daily basis much less people I don't even know...

My point is: Contentment is something we learn, something we achieve, something we work towards!

The last part of Philippians 4:11 speaks so loudly to me! It not only that Paul "learns" to be content but it says he has learned to be content in WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

WOW! What an achievement! It encourages me to know that even though I am not there yet, it's "possible" for me to get there... in this life! I long to have Paul's contentment. I can't say that if I were sitting in a prison right now for standing up for Christ that I would be content. I can probably guarantee you that I would be discontent. I would miss my family, friends, church, clean clothes and my bathroom. But Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in. I don't want my circumstance to determine my contentment and joy. I want to have that joy no matter what circumstance I may be in!

I have a neighbor right now who just found about a month ago that she has Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She is probably one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known! She used to work for my mom a long time ago when my mom owned her own daycare in our basement. I have know this woman for a long time even though she has just recently entered my life again. I went over to talk with her a couple weeks ago to see how she was doing and how she was feeling. I wanted to see if there was ANYTHING I could do for her or her family. She is married and has 2 beautiful young children. She lost her 1st husband years ago to cancer. But she said something to me that day, that made me look up to this woman even more than I already did. She said, "Ya know, this may not even be about me. This may have to do with someone else. As long as God gets the glory for it, that is all that matters." I wanted to come home and cry when she told me this because it touched me so much. She was the perfect example of contentment in my life that day even though she was lying on her couch feeling much fatigue and with a rash on her face and chest from the treatment. I came home feeling conviction in my own heart because there have been countless times I have prayed, "God, use me! Use me in whatever way you need to.... but just please don't give me cancer or some horrible disease." I felt conviction after hearing Tessa's heart tell me that God would get the glory and she even said it with a smile on her face. She blessed my heart that day. She taught me something that day. Although I am not perfect and know I will fall short and still struggle with contentment often... I am encouraged by Paul and by Tessa's words and her heart for the Lord. I long to have this same mind set. I want to be able to say, "God, use me! Use me in whatever way you need to. Period. "

Thank you God for the example of Paul and the sacrifices he made for YOU. Thank you that I can relate to him as I know he wasn't always content. However, he learned contentment and I know that I can too! Thank you for being right there with me through "those" days and thank you for loving me unconditionally no matter how happy, unhappy, content or discontent I am. I pray that you would allow me to learn who you truly are and allow me to learn your ways. I long for my life to glorify you. -Amen.

Todays Thoughts are Tomorrows Actions

I'm going through this book called, "A Love Worth Giving" by Max Lucado and I just completed a chapter on 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 which says, "Love... keeps no record of wrongs." I was greatly convicted when reading through the words of this chapter and couldn't help but think, "If I'm struggling with this, I know other people must be too." So, of course... I had to blog my thoughts!

The main thought I took from this chapter was "Todays Thoughts are Tomorrows Actions". Is this not true or what? If you disagree with this statement, you just don't realize quit how powerful your mind is. Your thoughts lead to action and that is why it is SO important to take every thought captive! I can't begin to count all the times I have allowed my thoughts to take over my mind and lead to action that hurts those I love most! It's especially difficult for those who are emotional people, like myself! That is why it is so huge that we know the facts, the truth & chose to obey the truth! I am not perfect in this area, by any means! Just ask my sweet husband! ;) I fail to take my thoughts captive and CHOSE not to focus on things that are pure, admirable and lovely (Phil. 4:8) almost every day! However, I desire to make my choices more carefully and those choices all start in the mind. We make a choice to do everything whether it be what mood we are in, what we wear, the things that come out of our mouth and our actions. It may seem small, but our actions are HUGE. They either destroy or build up! I desire for my actions and words to build up and that is why I am choosing to PRAY for my thought life. I am praying that God would give me the strength to take my thoughts captive and to chose to do the right thing, not the hurtful thing. I don't want my mind to be full of trash! I want my mind to be full of things that are PURE. Proverbs 4:23 says to be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. That verse is so BIG to me and I see how true it is from experience.

Max also states in his book that it's not enough to keep the bad stuff out but we have to let the good stuff in. It's not enough to keep no list of wrongs but we have to cultivate a list of blessings. This is such great wisdom! My mother-in-law encouraged me to start writing in a praise journal. I listened to her and now write down my praises, my blessings, my thanks...etc. It really helps me to put things into perspective sometimes and see how blessed I really am in life. I have everything I need and a lot of things I want.

Thank you God for who you are in my life and all you have blessed me with! Forgive me for my negative thoughts God and overwhelm my mind with thoughts of YOU and help me to think on things that ONLY YOU would want me to think on! Help me to focus on the positive in my life and leave the negative for you to work out in your own time. Mold me into the mother, wife, daughter, friend.... person you want me to be! -Amen.

Beckett is 9 months old

Today my little man is 9 months old! Being his Mom has been the greatest/hardest blessing of my life! It's so hard to explain motherhood sometimes but I am definitely in my sweet spot right now loving & caring for him each day! He makes life fresh and new... and busy! ;) 

God has given me so many blessings in life! Things I could never work to deserve! He just showers me  and my family with gifts! I could sit here all day and explain to you how God has worked in my life personally and how he has always provided for me! I don't just mean financially either! 

I have always wanted kids and Jeff and I prayed for a child for several years before we actually got one. We weren't even sure what God had in store for us when it came to being parents or not. After a couple years of trying and praying, we finally had Beckett! 

When I say we prayed for a child, I prayed for specific things at times. I could say it didn't matter, and in reality, it didn't. But, I would be lying if I said I didn't have those thoughts of what I wanted my child to look like or be like? I wondered if our child would be a boy or a girl and I wondered if he/she would have my eyes or Jeff's eyes, my body type or Jeff's, my hair color or Jeff's curls... I wondered so much and had so many things running through my head!

I can say after 9 months of raising our son, God has gone above and beyond what I ever imagined wanting in a child. What I imagined my son to look like is NOT at ALL what he looks like.... but it was and is SOO much better! Beckett is (to me) the most handsome little boy in the world with his Daddy's sweet blue eyes, his Mommy's blonde hair and both of our curls! I secretly prayed for those curls! ;) He has enough chunkiness to him to make me want squeeze him every chance I see his little fat rolls! I secretly prayed for a chunky baby too! ;) haha. He has his Mommy's strong will and his Daddy's sweet spirit. Yes, it's possible for one person to be strong willed and have a sweet, gentle spirit. ;) He has a cry that can move his Grandma to her feet before you can even blink! (Love you Heidi)! Nobody seems to make this little guy laugh as much as his Nanny! And man, is his laugh not contagious! If anyone is ever having a bad day, just come and hear my precious son's laughter and your day will be sunshine again! Beckett loves people who are animated and that is why my loving husband is so sweet with him! Beckett loves to be goofy and have fun and nobody can be more goofy with him than his Daddy! 

I could go on and on.... 

Beckett has taught me so much about life in the short time he has been here! He has taught me to see certain things in people that I never really noticed before! He has taught me to notice more good in people! He has taught me patience and flexibility (even though I'm still working on being better at those things). He has taught me forgiveness and unconditional love. He is so loving, no matter what! I know God will continue to use that sweet guy in my life to teach me and Jeff different things! I am forever grateful for the time I have with Beckett and our family! Happy Birthday to the cutest, funniest, happiest little boy I have ever known! Thank you God for showing so much Mercy in my life and help me to show that same Mercy to others that you have shown to me!

Encourage someone today

People need encouragement!

I know I do!

I think about the different people in my life right now who are dealing with ... "something"! The sweet lady across the street from me comes to mind who just found out she has Lung Cancer! The family member also comes to mind who is lonely & doesn't know why! The friend of mine who is a new mom and feels extremely drained and overwhelmed! The husband who feels like he struggles to provide for his family! The wife who feels like she isn't good enough! The neighbor who struggles with anger and self control! The sweet friends whose marriage is crumbling! My heart goes out to so many people..... many not even mentioned! My heart even goes out to people I don't know!

We, as Christians, are called to LOVE, to encourage, to build up.... to meet the needs of others and to serve! We are called to consider others better than ourselves!

I can be sooo selfish sometimes, thinking of my OWN needs, my OWN desires! I desire for the Lord to change my heart and mold me into who he wants me to be! I want to be an encourager and help those who need me.... even those who don't think they need anyone. I desire to live a life of LOVE!

If you know me, hold me accountable to this..... ask me, who have you encouraged today? Who have you loved today? Who have you built up today?

-Philippians 2:3
-1 Corinthians 4:1-2
-Mark 10:45
-John 12:26

God, show me how to live like you, be more like you! I want my life to reflect you! -Amen.

C4 Small Group!

I just had to say how encouraged I was last night during our C4 Small Group! It is so encouraging to  be around people who love each other and want to see each other change for the better (with no judgement)! I love how I can be around other people of different ages and different walks of life & still feel connected to them in some way! God is good and He is working in the lives of so many people around me and I am trusting that he is going to do great things within our discipleship group! Thank you Lord for your encouragement, your unconditional love and your forgiveness! Help me to show more of you to others by the way I live my life!

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Yesterday, we celebrated my wonderful husband’s 25th Birthday! :) I am so thankful for this man God brought into my life and I don’t know where I’d be without him! I love celebrating Birthdays, Holidays and everyday with him! Life is sweeter with him in it and I am thankful for the Godly man he is and how he encourages me daily, prays with me & loves me even when I am being difficult! I can really be hard to live with sometimes with my high stress personality but this man certainly knows how to put a sense of calmness in me & make me feel like everything is going to be okay, even when I feel like I am about to fall apart! I am blessed to know him and be married to him. I am blessed to call him my best friend and partner in life! I’d never change it or wish for something more! I love you Jeffrey Steven Marburger! Thanks for going through life with me!