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's Birth Story

On September 21st, I was on my way home from the store with my girlies. We were headed home to grab their things and head to granny and grampy's for a sleepover. Some very subtle contractions had started around 1:30pm, on that drive home. Over the next several hours, the contractions got a tad bit less and less subtle. After I dropped the girls off at their sleepover, Darrell and I went out for our last date night as the parents of only two kiddos. We went to see the movie, "The House with the Clock in its Walls." My contractions started getting a little more uncomfortable throughout the movie. I was pretty sure I'd be going into labor within the next 24 hours at the latest. I woke up between 7 and 7:30am with contractions that were fluctuating between 10 and 15 minutes apart. They were uncomfortable enough that I wasn't gonna be able to sleep. So I grabbed my coloring through the Psalms coloring book, opened up to Psalm 34:4, and started coloring through the early contractions. Shortly after that, we called the grandparents to let them know that today was the day and to just keep the kiddos. God's timing is so gracious. The plan was for the girls to stay with granny and grampy and gma during Elisha's birth, so they were already there!

At around 8:30am, my contractions were about 7 minutes apart, so we decided to grab some Chick-fil-A and head to the hospital. We got checked in, and I was in my gown and in the hospital bed by 9:30am. It was pretty smooth. I got my epidural! Praise, Jesus! And other than my blood pressure dropping a bit for a time after the epidural, everything was great. I only pushed for about 20 or 30 minutes, and the only real feeling of childbirth I had through the labor process was when the nurse made me wait to push after I had been pushing while no one was watching. What? I gotta get this baby out, people! There is no waiting when mama says it's time!! ... Let's just say, I know waaaaay more than I EVER wanted to know about the term "prairie dogging." Longest minute of my life as I waited for the doctor to get into position to catch my little guy. And yes, I shared that TMI with the nurses and doctor, so of course, I need to share it with the world. ;)
Praise, Jesus, Elisha got out safe and sound. September 22, 2018 at 1:45pm. 7 pounds 13 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long. ... I even opened my eyes through part of the birth! ;) We also got to leave the hospital a day early. And it has been a crazy adventure loving and training three kids under the age of 4 ever since!

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! ❤