Happy 2nd Birthday James!

     My first born son, is now 2 years old! Where has the time gone?! James has been quite the tough child to figure out. With him being my first born, I was a new mom. I had no idea what to do with anything. I thought I had things together. Little did I know how much God was about to (and still continues to) teach me patience.
     James had all kinds of issues when he was a baby. From tummy/reflux issues, to dehydration and weight issues. It didn't help that I got pregnant again when James was only 4 months old. But, God knew what he was doing. I didn't think that I could do this mom thing. I wasn't cut out for the job. How could I be a mom to 2 when I couldn't even take care of 1 without falling a part and crying.
    God had mercy on me, and gave us Ezra who was an easy baby in almost every way, giving myself more relaxation and feeling like I can do this mom thing after all.
     While James still continues to be his strong-willed self, every day I find that God gives me more patience and endurance to get through the day.
     I have good days and bad days. When it's a good day, it makes me treasure them all the more. James is starting to actually say words now, making us sooooo happy! We taught him some basic sign language so that we can communicate a little bit before he learns to talk. He used to be such a shy child, and always disliked when other people held him or spoke to him. He's starting to come out of his shell a little bit. He takes a while to warm up to people, but when he does, he gives you all kinds of smiles and giggles. James absolutely adores his daddy, and will usually choose to be with my husband over myself, which usually works out since I have another little boy to take care of.
    James loves his little brother who's almost 1. They're starting to interact a little bit more. You can usually hear a giggle from Ezra when he sees James round a corner.
     James loves to be chased around, and for you to run while he chases you. He loves Almond Butter, cheerios, eggs, and healthy muffins as his favorite foods. We love our little boy and are excited to see what the Lord does in his life this year. Love you little boy of ours!

I'm back

     Hi all! I know, it's been a while.
     I've been trying to get into the new rhythm of things, now that we're done with sickness... for now, and now that I feel like I know how to be a mama to two boys, I feel like like is starting to feel normal. Summer is coming, and I get to be outside more. Perks of us having a park behind us... we can go out and have fun without driving anywhere. ;)
     James is almost 2 years old now. He still isn't talking yet, but he says a few words, and signs a couple as well. He's been a tough child, and still is, but there are days when we're outside, and he splashes in the puddles or runs in the field making noises, that make me grateful that I'm his mama. I get to see him discover things, and handle situations on a daily basis. I get to see him be a big brother to Ezra, and oh my goodness, how he loves his little brother! <3
     Ezra is... well, the face that makes us all smile in the morning. He's 9 months old now, and always full of smiles. He reminds all of us to be a little more joyful. Ezra loves his big brother, and often times if he's fussy, and I bring him over to his big brother, he calms down. Ezra loves playing with Lego's, spoons, books.(when he gets his hands on them) He sits up really well, and is so close to crawling! He scoots a little bit, depending on his mood.
     I tell my husband often times, "God knew what He was doing when He gave us Ezra!" Ezra is seriously my laid back happy baby.
     As far as myself goes, I'm back to teaching piano lessons, in between naps, making dinner, and keeping up with the household chores.
     This last week, was the starting of some ladies in our church doing a group Bible Study during the week, which gave myself some fellow-shipping with like-minded mamas. Along with starting the group Bible Study, my mom and I are trying to do a book study together on Psalm 117. I have to admit, I don't have as much time to do this as I'd like. But, I love my mama, and this seemed fun to do as a mother/daughter thing. Plus, I always love the Psalms. ;)
     This season of life has been a growing period for me both spiritually and physically. Having a son who knows how to test my patience on a daily basis, has reminded me how faithful my Savior is to constantly forgive me and to be patient with me daily.
     So, that's what's new for me lately. I'm hoping to write on here a little more often, but we'll see. I like to publish things when I have a picture of my kiddos to go a long with it, but my computer isn't always wanting to do that.
     What's new with ya'll? Any summer activities you're looking forward to? 

Thankful for the mess

Life has been tough lately. My son developed whooping cough a couple months ago, which meant lots of weeks of constant throwing up because he was coughing so hard. James has had a lot of things going on with him that we're trying to figure out. But boy, he's such a cutie, and I love him. <3
     This week is supposed to be a week of Thanksgiving, and to look back at what you're grateful for. So, here's my post of thanks.
     Despite so so many hard days of Temper-Tantrums, messy house, dirty dishes, lots of laundry, snotty noses, baby spit up, and coughs, I'm thankful. You know, it's so hard to be grateful when you're in the moment of complete chaos. It's so hard to be grateful when you've barely gotten any sleep, you haven't taken a shower in a couple days, you've got a pile of tissues that need to be thrown away from snotty noses, and you don't remember when the last time was that you ate some food.
     But, looking back through the past couple weeks, months, and years, I am so truly thankful. I'm thankful for the mess my older son makes throughout the day, because it means that he's got an imagination, and that he kept himself occupied through part of the day. I'm thankful for baby hiccups, because it means that my baby has had enough to eat. I'm thankful for a messy kitchen, because that means that we have food to eat, and water to drink. I'm thankful for a dryer, because who knew something so small had such a significance in my life, and with all my dirty laundry, I'm thankful to have a working dryer again!
     I'm thankful for a husband who loves me despite my many sins and weakness, and my many days of lack of patience. I'm thankful for my two boys, because despite those hard days of their mommy having little patience with them, they love me, and trust me to take care of them.
    I'm so very thankful for those little phone calls and texts from friends and family, just checking in. I'm thankful for the ability to drive my husband to work once a week so that not only do I get extra time with my hubs in the car, but also so that my son and I can go to the Chiropractor on a weekly basis.
     I'm thankful for yummy meals that I've found on Pinterest, which makes diet restrictions so much easier to handle.
     I'm thankful for coffee!!!... something so small, but so delicious.
     So, that's only a small portion of what I'm thankful for, but it's good for me to get a different perspective every once in a while, and realize that I have so much to be thankful for!
What are you all thankful for? Comment below.

I have been blessed!

This past week, I've thought a lot about my life.
I've thought about the past/present/future.
I've thought about all the blessings I have in my life that I don't thank God for... Family/Friends, the freedom to worship Christ... etc... What kinds of things are you blessed with? I'd love to hear!
I remembered this song from many years ago, and I thought I'd share it.

I Have Been Blessed
1. When He moves among us all that He does , all of His mercy and all of His Love.And the pen of the writer could write everyday, even this world could never contain howI have been blessed.2.The warmth in the winter, the flowers in Spring, the laughter in Summer, and the changing leaves. The food on my table, a good place to sleep. Clothes on my back, and shoes on my feet

CHORUS:

I have been blessed, God

is so good to me. Precious are His thoughts of you and me. No way I could count them, there's not enough time. So I'll just thank Him for being so kind. God has been good, so good. I have been blessed.

3. Arms that will raise, a voice that can talk, hands that can touch and legs that can walk,

ears that can listen, eyes that can see. Oh, I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe, I have been blessed.
4. I have been blessed, God's so good to me, precious are His thoughts of you and me.No way I could count them, there's not enough time. So, I'll just thank Him for being so kind. God has been so good, I have been blessed.

5. We live in a country, the greatest on earth. Our flag stands for freedom, and what it is worth. She stands in the harbor, Miss Liberty calls. All have gave some, but some gave all.
For me to be blessed 
6. He's my shoulder to lean on when I'm down. The rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed. The place where He hides me under His wings. He's not just a song. He's the reason I sing. I have been blessed.

Are you truly Blessed?

Today’s big question: are you truly blessed?

Happiness is something most people want. In fact, I think we have read somewhere that everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness, but what is true happiness?

Our verse today is the first of the Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” is from the Latin rootbeatus, which means blessed or happy. As you read through these statements of Jesus from His great sermon, you will notice each one starts with the word “blessed,” or in some translations the word is “happy.” Yet there is a much deeper meaning to the meaning of this word than just a favorable feeling. This term actually conveys the idea of fulfillment and complete satisfaction.

The island of Cyprus has been called the “Blessed Isle,” because it was thought to have everything necessary for life contained within its small coastline perimeter. It was self-contained and filled. This is really the meaning of what true blessedness is in respect of the Beatitudes. This blessedness speaks of the actual realization of a true satisfaction and fulfilled joy.

Jesus is never surface deep. The happiness of knowing Him is not like the happiness I feel when I receive a piece of birthday cake. In knowing Jesus, I am completely fulfilled in my life, and there is nothing else that I need. My salvation, eternity, and sanctification are to His glory, and I cannot think of any greater desire. When we come to know Jesus Christ, we come to know true satisfaction in life. Nothing else in this whole world can satisfy—not riches, fame, power, or even my own beloved earthly family.

My satisfaction and joy is only found in Christ and His Cross. There is no one else in whom I can know there is complete victory. No one else has taken the judgment I deserve and paid for my sins. There is none other in whom is found true and everlasting kingship, and there is no one else who is all-encompassing and possesses everlasting mercy, grace, and love.
Only Jesus.

Are you blessed? If so, you will be able to relate to the satisfaction found in the contemplation and realization of the Beatitudes. As my mother would say, “It will bless your socks off.”

Today’s big idea: blessing is more than a happy outcome—it is a complete and
satisfying joy in our Savior.

(Excerpt from Answers in Genesis articles)