Miriam's 7 and 8 month posts

Life is just going too fast! And it's just sooo busy with my four kiddos! Miriam is just over 8 months old, and call me crazy, but thinking about her not being a baby anymore (in a few short months) gives me baby fever. Don't get me wrong, I don't wanna be pregnant again right away! But the baby stage is just so precious and special. I'm trying to soak it up the best I can, just in case she is our last.

Some of my favorite things about Miriam these days ....
*She is giving hugs and kisses 🥰🥰🥰
*Her scrunchy-nose smiles 😍
*She has a super cute growl
*She sticks her tongue out a lot
*She's starting to play on the floor for longer periods of time
*She tries to sit up when I'm changing her diaper
*She can sit unsupported if I sit her up, but she still starts to fall quite a bit.
*She is all about mama, lights up and shakes when I enter the room 🤗🥰 (I'm ok with it 😉)
*She also loves snuggles and playing with daddy, hugs (and slaps) from Elisha, and watching her sisters' shenanigans.
*She watches Baby Einstein, plays in her saucer, and sits in her bumbo seat quite a bit throughout her days.
*She's such a happy girl until her independence has come to an end. 😉
*And just yesterday, she started eating baby food.

Life is crazy with four kiddos running around, but I truly love it, and it helps me grow, grow, grow! Thank you, Jesus, for growth and for my sweet Miriam Joy! ❤

Miriam is 6 months old!

Our sweet baby is 6 months old! The days are long, but the years are short couldn't be any more true!

Miriam is ...
*teething! She is popping her first two teeth this week! She's definitely been more weepy and has wanted to be held more, but she is still a sweetheart.
*doing a good job growing in independence.  She is enjoying Baby Einstein quite a bit these days and easily sits through more than one episode at a time. She has also been doing a great job of hanging out on the floor in her bumbo seat through all my morning to do's.
*sticking out her tongue and making super cute and funny movements with her mouth all the time. Maybe connected to teething?
*watching her hands all the time. Her hands keep her occupied for short periods of time when she's hanging on her own and while she's being held.
*grasping objects and playing with toys some.
*sitting and bouncing in her saucer for decent chunks of time.
*starting more baby babbles that sound closer to talking than just baby noises.
*going through a big-time mama phase right now.  It can be exhausting with three other kiddos to care for too. But it feels wonderful to be the one she wants the most. 🥰

Miriam is also getting (at least some of) her first-year monthly updates during the age of the Coronavirus. It's really going well ... God is so gracious. But it has been rough. We don't get to go to church or family group on Sundays, storytime on Tuesdays, playdates on Wednesday, or Bible Study Fellowship on Fridays ... just to name a few things. Everything is virtual until President Trump lifts the quarantine. We are only supposed to visit the grocery store, drive-thrus, and places outdoors while practicing social distancing. It's been hard, for sure. But I am thankful for the grace and perspective and strength that God has been giving this mama and her family. 🤗 I guess the biggest perk of being a baby in this season of life is that Miriam doesn't even have a clue. She just gets held and loved on no matter what. 😘

FOTS: Faithfulness

I started some posts about the Fruit of the Spirit a few years back, and I never finished 'em. So I think I'm gonna slowly start writing about the Fruit of the Spirits (FOTS) again.

Here are my latest thoughts on faithfulness ...

It has always been the time to be faithful. But now ... in this season of the Coronavirus ... we have the opportunity to be faithful in the smallest possible ways.
Today, I can be faithful to
*load the dishwasher
*change a fourth poopy diaper
*handle yet another temper tantrum
*take my kids outside to play
*pray for that friend who needs encouragement
*get my workout done
*wipe up the huge water spill from Barbie's pool party
*skip dessert
*put the leftovers from dinner away
*sit with my shenaniganizin' daughter for a few extra minutes at bedtime even though I'm dead tired
*never give up doing my very best (and letting that be enough).

I can be faithful in these small things by allowing the Holy Spirit to transform my attitude. I can ask God to help me see each and every task as a way to serve my loved ones, and ultimately, Him.
Please, God. Teach and empower me to be faithful ... one day at a time. 🙌

Miriam is 5 months old!

This gorgeous babe is 5 months old! Precious. Beautiful. Laid back. Full of smiles. Miriam is the best! ❤

What has she been up to?
- Rolling from back to belly
- Watching her hands, playing with dangling toys in front of her face, and sucking on her fingers
- Drooling like crazy
- Smiles and engages with her surroundings and facial expressions more than last month
- Watching a bit of Baby Einstein
- Watching her siblings and laughing at their shenanigans
- Sleeping through the night maybe 75% of the time

So in love with our babe #4 ❤

Daddy is one class away from having his bachelor's degree in business management in the medical field. Mommy is learning to thrive and not just survive this crazy life with 4 kids under 5. And we're hoping to be in our own house by the end of 2020. God is faithful and gracious, and we are excited to see where He leads. 🤗

Miriam's 3 and 4 month posts

Well, I have a feeling a lot of Miriam's posts are gonna be late. Sorry, baby girl. I really am trying to do my best. Life is just a bit cray cray with you four kiddos around. And I am loving it!!!

So at four months, Miriam is ....

*still the sweetest, little personality

*starting to become fairly needy 😱 ... she wants to be held a lot more; she has already started wanting only me when I'm in the room, sometimes, not even letting her grandparents hold her without crying; she still gives me some independent time in her pack n play, frog seat, and on the changing table, but she doesn't last nearly as long as she did about a month ago.

*studying her hands a lot

*becoming pretty vocal with her baby babbles and coos ❤

*full of smiles and laughs when her siblings come to say hi, make funny faces, or give her a hug

*wearing 6-month clothes and 6-9/9-month sleepers, and she drinks 6-7 ounces of formula every 2-3 hours

*really getting good at sleeping through the night (9:30-ish to 7:30-ish many nights of the week) 🤗

Miriam really is the sweetest!

One of my favorite things about her is any time I put her down on the changing table or sit her somewhere to face me, she just grins and grins at me. It makes my life knowing I have her love ❤

I haven't been sharing what mama's been up to for several posts because I feel like a miracle has happened when I actually get a blog post written! Ha!

But lately, and for the past year, I have really been growing in my faith, and more specifically, my prayer life. I've practiced to the point that I almost always turn to the Lord first in my circumstances instead of worrying or condemning myself. And when there is a need, I lift it to the Lord right away. Or if I need wisdom, I ask God for it. It may sound simple, but these habits have been life-changing. I am so thankful for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Miriam's 1 and 2-month posts

 

Isn't she gorgeous???
I am so in love with our beautiful Miriam Joy 😍
She is absolutely the sweetest baby. 🥰
I am, of course, behind with her posts because, like I said in Elisha's 1-year post - wow! - life with four kids under 5 is cray cray!! But wow, it's an adventure! And I truly love it.
So ... what is Miriam up to these days?
She smiles a lot ... which is so precious!
She is getting better at occupying herself, which is incredibly helpful. So I just rotate her around the house throughout the day, and she's happy.
She's still up once or twice a night, but she's given us a few full-night sleeps.
She is the stinkiest kid we've had so far ... faking us out with farts everyday, and she cries every time she poops.
She eats every 2 hours when she's awake for it.
She has made all of us, especially Haddie, fall in love with her.
She is growing like a weed - 12 pounds 9 ounces at 7 weeks old and already wearing size 3-month clothes.
And she is so strong, lifts her head and can almost hold her head up completely by herself.

Elisha is one year old!

Wow, this post is beyond late, but life with four kids under 4-and-a-half is crazy, okay. 😉 Better late than never! I'm determined to post all the monthly posts in EACH of my babies' first year of life, but I never made it my goal to post them in a timely manner. 😉 #realisticmomgoals 😁👍🤗

So our little buddy turned a year old almost two months ago. Around that time, he had just started coasting along furniture, and to be honest, the rest of what I share is probably after he turned a year because I've already forgotten what he was doing right at a year. I blame that on having his Irish town four days before his first birthday. 😉
*Elisha became a big brother. 🥰
*He has literally explored the entire downstairs (everywhere he can get to, that is), so I think he's bored a lot of days. I try to help keep him occupied, but I'll admit that he's on his own to roam quite a bit because of my 4-under-4.
*He's still not walking, but he's getting close. He can stand on his own, and is close to being brave enough to let go of both of our hands to take a step.
*He still only has four teeth ... surely, the next ones will come in soon.
*He loves playing peekaboo in his high chair, giving me and his sisters hugs, pulling his sisters' hair, pushing the stools out of the way so that he can play with the vcr/dvd players, eating our food and will pretty much never take baby food anymore, being held, crawling all over me when I sit on the floor with him ...
*Elisha is the sweetest boy, and I'm curious to see how much of his stubbornness will stick with him as he gets older.
I'm so thankful to have a boy ❤

Elisha is 11 months old!

Oh, Elisha dude! You are one, crazy guy! You are such a silly, happy, stubborn baby, and I am so thankful for you.

Elisha's been keeping us on our toes lately with all his 11-month-old shenanigans. But it has been fun (almost all the time). 😉
He's pulling himself up on to furniture and our legs when we're sitting down. I'm sure he'll be coasting along that furniture within the next week or two. We've also had to put the gate up because he started climbing the stairs a couple weeks ago. He is incredibly loud and bubbly. He loves to laugh. He's starting to do a little peek-a-boo of his own ... I've only seen him cover an eye or two during meal time in his high chair. He likes to start squealing halfway through most of his meals, which is pretty hilarious but makes meal time twice as long. He popped another tooth in the past week or so, and so he's backing off on his baby food again. He does still like crackers and applesauce though ... those are probably his favorite foods at the moment. He is mighty stubborn for naps and bedtimes still ... so sorry, dude, but you'll be continuing to tough it out on your own more and more as your little sister arrives. And he's trying to rip off our faces and rip out our hair with his violent hugs and kisses, but it is worth it! So adorable!

Elisha is the sweetest and the happiest! I'm so thankful for our baby boy! It's crazy to think that his little sister will be here by the time I share his 1-year post! We're so close!

Mama is so excited (and a little nervous) to plan Elisha's first birthday party, meet Miriam, and grow as a mama as she juggles FOUR kiddos in the coming months.
I've been thinking about this season of life lately.....thinking about how much I truly love it, about how HARD it is, about how incredibly blessed we are, about how much I'm growing as a person and a Christian, and about how HARD it is. Yes, it is doubly hard right now. 😉 But oh, the joys of spiritual growth! I wouldn't trade that for all the world! I am more exhausted than I've ever been, getting pretty stinkin' uncomfortable with this pregnancy, and overwhelmed with all the time with my kids and the busyness of our lives .... but I am so excited to meet and love our little Miriam Joy, grow as a wife and a mama, start up the motherhood ministry at Calvary, cheer on my hubby while he finishes his degree, and embrace new mercies for each day. Life is just too good to stay bogged down for too long. I'm gonna do more than just hang in there with this next big transition with MJ. I'm expecting to thrive ... a little at a time, day by day ... and pick myself up, ask for help - daggonit! - and snatch up all the grace I can find. Through constant practice, not by being perfect. #thankyoujesus 😁

Radiant with Joy

Radiant with joy.
Doesn't that sound amazing? I mean to truly live that way ... to be so full of joy that others just SEE it in you, on you, and all around you ... wow. I want that kind of joy.

God gave me a verse a few weeks ago, and it has been sticking with me ... coming to mind and teaching me a little bit more about this lesson concerning dependence on God.
I have struggled with depending on God for so many years. I want to embrace the Truth that God is made perfect in my weakness, but I really hate being weak, especially, if I've been working at that weak area for a long time. But ya know? That is pride. ... Dangit. Another struggle to work through. 😉 But to embrace this Truth that depending on the Lord is ok, even good, is tough! But I'm learning that I can find JOY in my need for God because my need for Him is His purpose for me. So instead of feeling guilty and condemning myself over every little mistake, I need to dust myself off, take a deep breath, and whisper, "let's try this again, Jesus." And then remind myself that becoming more like Jesus is a process, and that's perfect!
God gave me Psalm 34:5, which says, "Those who look to the Lord for help will be radiant with joy. No shadow of shame will darken their faces." This promise is beautiful for this season of my life because joy can be so easy to find as a mama, and yet, so hard at times too. If I want to radiate joy, I need to ask God for His help instead of relying on my own strength. And my joy will grow as I remember that I don't need to feel shame when I sin because Jesus has already taken that mistake and covered it clean with His precious blood. ... Wow. Jesus, help these Truths soak in! I don't want to live in condemnation any longer. I want my joy to be full, complete, and radiant. Thank you, Jesus, for your power in my life through your word.

And thank you, Lord, for our beautiful baby number four whose middle name will always remind me of your promise of joy to me. Can't wait to add her to these beautiful babes of mine!
Miriam Joy Thompson
9/12/19

Elisha is 10 months old!

My sweet boy ❤
I can't believe he is 10 months old already! He and his sisters have been keepin' me hoppin' these past 10 months .... it's hard to believe his little sister is only 7 weeks away from being born ... give or take a few days. 😉 I am so excited and overwhelmed. It's gonna be crazy and amazing! ❤

Well, this boy has been a busy, little guy this past month. He is crawling everywhere and getting into anything he can get his hands on. He is starting to reach for things on low tables ... I'll probably be sharing that he's pulling up on those tables in next month's post! He has popped his second tooth through, and we're confident he's working on more. He's still a stubborn napper during the day, but he is starting to have some quiet time in his crib and being put to bed without being rocked to sleep. He's experimenting with more solid foods like noodles and pancakes and eggs. He really likes toys that make noise and chasing after balls. He's giving hugs and kisses. ❤ I know I always miss a few things, but those are the highlights.

Mama is getting more exhausted by the day .... but also more excited. I can't believe it, but I'm actually looking forward to Miriam's birth (usually, that's the scary part!)! The time in the hospital can be so precious ... other than sleeping on the hospital bed. 😉 I've also been making plans for homeschooling Haddie for preschool this school year and starting up a motherhood ministry at our church this fall. I'm reading parenting books, watching through the first five seasons of When Calls the Heart for the third time, and continually striving to not only keep my sanity but cherish the moments. Yep, I'm keeping busy! 😉
I truly love being a stay-at-home mom, and I wouldn't trade it for anything ... even on days like today when my children are doing everything in their power to keep any of us from having a quiet time. 🤯 I love you, my sweet children!

Elisha is 9 months old!

Our handsome Elisha dude is 9 months old! Time is still flying!

Elisha is ...
*Sitting up all by himself.
*Still doing his flopping inchworm crawl, but he's getting faster ... and he's starting to use his arms to pull his knees forward a bit.
*He finally popped his first tooth the first week of June, and he's been on daily doses of Tylenol ever since ... he's working on some more.
*He has started giving up on baby food ... gagging on it or just not interested. Could be related to teething?
*Waving and watching people wave might be his favorite pastime. He's not waving in response quite yet, but I think he's starting to understand that a wave means hi. :)
*Laughs the most watching Haddie twirl, getting tickles from Daddy, and bouncing to "this is the way the ladies ride."
*Loves sitting and playing with Daddy ... gets extra excited when Daddy gets home everyday.
*Grandma is still his favorite nap buddy.

Mama is ...
*Growing more exhausted by the week while growing her fourth little human ❤
*Overcoming lies!
*Trying to cut back on my kids' TV watching
*Trying to train my kids to eat more veggies and drink more water ... it's a SLOW process considering I'm still trying to train myself to do these things!
*So, so thankful to be home with my babies everyday!
*So, so thankful for my husband who is working so hard at balancing, work, school, and his family. He's amazing!

Elisha's 6, 7, and 8 month posts

I am definitely not savvy with my blog post layouts. Gosh, I've been trying to get these pictures centered and side-by-side for a half an hour! Oh, well. I've got pictures, and I've got text. Let's get thos post rollin' 'cause I'm also apparently not savvy about posting on time - I missed month 6 AND 7! Whew! Life with three kids is crazy, and I'm about to have kid number FOUR in less than 4 months!

Ok, let's get to it ... here's what y'all have been missing about my handsome number three. ❤

Elisha is learning to do and enjoying so much these days!

*Bouncing in his saucer

*Eating tons of baby food

*Playing on the floor

*He started inchworm crawling this week

*No teeth yet, but I really think one is hanging out under the surface, waiting to pop through any day. We shall see.

*Interacting with various toys

*Enjoys his crazy sisters' shenanigans

*Claps, laughs, and waves a lot

*Can almost sit up on his own ... almost

*Very attentive when people sing to him

*King of screams, squeals, and grunts

*Still a big sleep-fighter ... the lamest napper of our children this far ... he will take 1-3 cat naps a day and will only sleep a decent chunk if he gets to sleep on someone

*Sweetest, happiest little guy around 😍

Mama is learning a lot too!

*Patience ... it's a slow lesson

*Letting go ... it will be years before I get another daily quiet time to myself. I have too many children and not enough rooms to train them to play in. That has been one of THE toughest adjustments.

*I don't have to be perfect. I just need to do my best.

*I NEED weekly time away from my children.

*I NEED a passion to pour into outside of my children ... so thankful to be launching a motherhood ministry at my church this year!

*I am still "perfecting" the practice of a regular (daily as much as possible) quiet time with Jesus. Gosh, it is extra tough in this season.

*Constantly striving to be selfless and a servant.

*Trying to find ways to minister to others WITH my children.

*Continuing to try not to let my constant exhaustion get the better of me.

*Striving to remain thankful and cherish the moments in the midst of this HARDEST, most REWARDING love/job of my life (motherhood) ❤

      

Elisha is 5 months old!

Growin' like a weed!
This boy is the sweetest, most adorable little guy! I am in love!
He is creeping out of 6-month clothes, plays with and stares at his hands all the time, and has flipped from his back to his belly a couple of times ... on the table - eek! He has started eating some baby food. He really enjoys attention from his big sisters, even if it's a bit rough at times. I think he feels the love. ❤ He's fairly independent still but has been wanting to be held more lately, especially by his mama. He's pretty happy most of the time.

I'm really trying to cherish the baby stage with Elisha, but gosh, it's hard with two spunky big sisters around. Life has been tough lately. I've really struggled with my attitude and shaking the mom guilt. But God is the Blessed Controller of every part of my life. I will keep refocusing my perspective. God is faithful even when I fall short. His grace is sufficient. Thank you, Jesus! Daddy and Mommy get back from the cruise tomorrow, so I can try all over again. Jesus, be my strength! Gotta love my pep talks! ;)

Elisha is 4 months old!

This handsome boy turned four months on on January 22nd. I'm only a few weeks behind in writing his growth update. ;)

Gosh, he is the sweetest! He is super agreeable. He really only fusses when he needs something. He's great at independent time ... on the table, looking up at the hanging lights, in his upright frog seat, in his pack 'n play or rock 'n play - he's such a trooper. He's starting to sit up stronger all the time ... can't quite sit up on his own yet. He really likes tickles, playing with his hands, laughs with daddy, cooing and squealing, watching his sisters play, and ducking on his hands. He recently started toughing it out over night too .... still just as happy and agreeable as before, maybe even a little more independent. And mommy and daddy are getting more sleep ... really, Elisha is too.

I'm lovin' being a mama to this sweet boy! ❤

Elisha is 3 months old!

Our sweet baby boy is three months old, and I am so in love!

Elisha is really into smiling these days. 😍
He has found his voice, cooing and squealing all the time.
He can roll from belly to back somewhat easily, and he rolled from back to belly on the kitchen table once! Eek!
He doesn't eat quite as often ... closer to three hours between feedings. So he still eats all the time. 😉
He is growing so long ... he will be in 6-month clothing in no time!
He has started watching and engaging with Baby Einstein some.
He is very patient with his crazy sisters and seems to enjoy their hugs and attention. ❤
He's still not sleeping through the night ... falls asleep early, so even when he gives a good stretch, he's up in the middle of the night. Sometimes twice! 😱
He's looking less like Haddie and more like daddy.
He lights up almost every time he sees his mama ... I'm so thankful ❤

Mama is fairly exhausted every single day but loving this life!
I'm so thankful to be home with my babies everyday!
Lately, I've been getting excited for a new year and new study with my Tuesday night Bible study, setting some goals for 2019, doing crafts with my girls, and growing in every way all the time. 😊

Elisha is 2 months old!

Elisha is 2 months old! Time flies just like everyone says.

This boy is the cutest ever! I kiss him all day long! 😍 Here are some things he's been up to lately ....
- Sleeping less throughout the day
- Hanging out on his own more ... he still likes the dining room table best, but he does well in his rock 'n play, pack 'n play, or a blanket on the floor.
- Smiles in response to our facial expressions or tickling
- Sleeping about 6 hours a night ... sometimes closer to 8!
- He's pretty patient with his sisters, even when they they get all up in his business, hugging and poking him 😉
- Still eats about every 2 hours

Mama is still so very thankful for motherhood. But I have been struggling with some burnout while Darrell catches up on some studying. I'm excited for my Bible study in 2019, growing in renewing my mind on a daily basis, and just thankful for the challenges, blessings, and grace I'm experiencing in this crazy season of life.

Haddie is 3-and-a-half!

I forgot to post Haddie's three year post, so here's three and a half!

Her favorite shows: Dora and Friends ("Older Dora"), Puppy Dog Pals, My Little Pony, and "new" episodes of Little Einsteins
- Her favorite things to do: Crafts, painting, playing outside, going to the library, Sunday School, trips to the store - especially Wal-Mart and Dollar General, one-on-one dates with mommy or daddy, sleepovers at Granny and Grampy's house, telling people what to do, and giving her ponies to the people she loves so they won't be alone.
Some of her favorite foods: Plain cheeseburgers, apple sauce, strawberries, mushroom chicken, and pork chops.
My favorite phrase that she says right now: "It's ok, buddy." She says it in the cutest voice to her baby brother multiple times a day.

Haddie is my little firecracker. She is strong-willed and wants to be in control of everything and everyone. She can't stand the word no or being told to wait for something. Needless to say, she is in constant training. 😉 Haddie is also full of sweetness, and she has a tender heart. I have a love-hate relationship with her desire to give her ponies and other toys to everyone so they won't be alone. She doesn't like to be alone, so she doesn't want anyone else to be alone. So sweet! She likes playing with Bethel and picking on her. If she's not hugging and kissing Bethel, she might be hitting and kicking her. And she is smitten with her little brother. She loves showing him books, touching him while he lays around the house, and giving him kisses. She is the most amazing, strong-willed Haddie girl in the world, and I wouldn't trade her for anything. ❤

Bethel is 2 years old!

Bethel turned two years old last Friday! Gosh, it is exciting! Exciting for so many reasons! But mostly because life is awesome and crazy for us right now with Darrell working on an online degree and us maneuvering through life with three kids under 4. And it's exciting to watch Bethel grow. Here's what she's been up to lately ...

- Her favorite shows: Little Einsteins, Dora the Explorer, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
- Her favorite things to do: Draw, drink tea out of a tea cup, sit in her high chair, look at books, play outside, play with glue, paint, and carry around tiny objects like coins.
- Some of her favorite things to eat: Macaroni and cheese, chocolate chip cookie dough Larabars, oatmeal, broccoli, cucumbers, strawberries, cantalope, watermelon, and apple sauce.
My favorite phrase that she says: "Oh, my dear!"

Bethel is super passionate and talkative. She cries at the drop of a hat when she's tired. She is not someone you want to wake up from a nap ... she needs a good 30 minutes on her own before she greets the world, or everyone will regret it! She likes giggling and running around with her sister until Haddie starts getting too rough or picking on her. And she likes holding her little brother. Bethel is a doll! So, so thankful she is mine!

Elisha is 1 month old!

Well, I'm guessing that all of Elisha's posts will be late because life with three kids is cray cray! But here it is ...

Our Elisha Daniel is a dream boat, and here's what he's been up to ...
- Not the best sleeper out of the three kids ... gives us a lot of 2-hour stretches, but he has given us a good number of 4-hour stretches, and maybe three 8-hour stretches.
- Very much our biggest piglet of the three kids ... he eats 4 ounces of formula every hour and a half!
- Loves to be held
- An early tummy-sleeper like the girls
- Likes laying on his back on the dining room table for decent lengths of time
- Started sleeping in his crib but has slowed down with his newborn nose congestion going in full-force
- Smiles but not quite in response to stimulus yet

He's pretty much the cutest ever! 😍

What mama's been up to ...
- Praying a lot! 😉
- Growing in my faith and as an individual more than ever before!
- Striving to be thankful in all circumstances, pray without ceasing, and tap into the power of the Holy Spirit so that I can grow and overcome each day as a wife and mama and Christ-follower
- Reading the book of Psalms, The Confident Mom by Joyce Meyer, and some mama devotionals on YouVersion.
- Loving my mamas' bible study group on Tuesday nights
- Hanging with the kids more while Darrell works on his Business Management degree
- Living in thankfulness for this incredibly tough and amazing season of life! ❤

Season of Sanctification

Well, being a full-time stay-at-home mom is definitely not helping my blogging presence. Ha! That's ok. I'm a mama first. And about to become a mama to THREE kiddos! Any day now, our Elisha Daniel will arrive on the scene. It's super exciting and scary! I can't wait to try mommin' a boy.

I've been thinking a lot about my outlook on life over the past year, and I think about it all the more with baby #3 arriving any day. I am in a season of hardcore sanctification! Motherhood is definitely THE hardest thing I've ever done. My perspective about pretty much every aspect of my life has been tested since becoming a mom.

Every single day I have to ask myself ...
Am I gonna choose joy today even if I'm exhausted, grouchy, burned out, bored, and just plain tired of putting my kids needs before my own?
Am I gonna be thankful no matter what?
Am I gonna choose to be selfless even when it's the hardest choice of my day?
Am I gonna do my very best to cherish the moments because I know that this season with my children is like a vapor?
Am I gonna press into Jesus through prayer and His Word in some capacity and keep growing that quality time with Him so that I can be the most powerful mama possible?
And so many other questions!

Some days, I really do a good job keeping my cool, being thankful, and taking deep breaths when needed. Some days, I wanna crawl into a hole because I know how I responded to that lip from my 3-year-old and the hitting back-and-forth from sister to sister and the fit thrown at bedtime. But everyday, I am learning to hold tightly to God's grace, ask for forgiveness and repent when I mess up, believe God is working in my momming and in my life for my good and His glory, and keep at it! I AM making progress. I AM becoming more like Jesus everyday. I AM chosen by God to be Hadassah and Bethel and Elisha's mama. And it may be the hardest thing E.V.E.R. But it is also THE most rewarding, fulfilling, and sanctifying thing, and I am so thankful for the privilege that is motherhood.

Help me, Jesus! Empower me with your perspective each day. Teach me mightily. And shower me with your grace and mercy to continually practice in all things rather than aim for perfection.



"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him.'"
Lamentations 3:22-24