Truth-filled Reading

I love to read. :) Especially books that are convicting and full of God-honest truth. I crave "truth"! I know that sounds goofy, but if you think about it, we live in a world that's filled with lies. American culture, pop culture, is constantly feeding us lies about how we should think, live, act, feel, etc. "It's all about me" is the basis of most of those lies, and I've definitely let a lot of it seep into my way of thinking. But, thank the Lord we have His Word to challenge us to look at His truth and follow it, and we have talented Christian's who walk His walk and write all about it.

"Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches" is a wonderful book I read this past weekend. It's only a little over 100 pages, and didn't take much to get through it, especially since I could relate to so much of it. I'm grateful for this little book, though. Rachel Jankovich, the author, did such a great job of shining God's truth into the ordinary, but challenging, every-day life of being a mom. It convicted me to really stay focused on God's calling for my ministry as a mom to these little souls. Even when the day is long and full of one challenge after another, it's important for me to remember that my main job is to show them God's love and His ways. And when I mess up, to show them what repentance looks like. I have to say, there are many opportunities to teach that in particular! :)

I also highly recommend this article that Jankovich wrote, Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank). It's a "truth-filled", convicting article. It made me view my role as a mother very differently, and I'm thankful for that.

So, for all you bored mother's with nothing to do (haha!), check out this book and the article. I would loan you the book, but I think it's wise for me to keep this one within arms length. I need it!

Joshua is 2!

My little bud turned two today...

I don't know why it makes me sad to say that, but it does. When I found out I was pregnant with this sweet child of mine, I was not happy. No lie. I was so upset! And when he was born he was so beautiful and I just fell in love with him but, the first year was hard. I mean, really hard. And now, I sit here and think about the last two years of my life (and really the last three and a half years that I've been a parent) and I think "Wow! What an incredible blessing to be on this journey of parenthood!" To experience the gift of finding out you're pregnant and have that life grow inside of you and then to meet that baby for the first time. To watch them grow and become and to see God at work in these little lives, and to see how He works in me and grows me during this time. What an awesome gift! It's such a huge responsibility, and it takes so much out of me, but the reward is so great.

Anyway, the real meaning of this post is to give a glimpse into the life of this sweet little guy that's been placed in my care. So, here it goes.

He's big. About 33 pounds big...maybe more. He wears pants/shirts made for three year olds, shoes and socks made for four year olds, and if he has to be carried it's usually on his Daddy's shoulders (which is not a bad spot to be). He loves to sing, especially the song "Deep and Wide". He loves to play the guitar...it's the first thing he grabs when we go over to the Stokely's house. He loves Carley. Yes, he fights with her, but he always wants to know where she is and what she's doing. He loves to eat....all the wrong things: french fries, pizza, cupcakes (cu-cakes), ice cream, cookies, you get the idea. He loves horsies, especially Didi and Pop's horsies. He loves his "Kiki" and his doggie. He sleeps with them every night and drags them around the house during the day. He loves hunting deer in our living room and shooting his bow with Daddy. He loves his Daddy. I'd say he loves him more than he loves me. Don't worry, my feelings aren't hurt. :) I'm pretty grateful that he feels that way.

So, that's our Joshua. We gave him the name Joshua Daniel for a reason, and I always pray that God makes him strong and courageous like the men in the Bible, like the wonderful men he's named after, and like his daddy.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Happy Birthday Joshua! You are such a gift and you are so loved!

A little update...

So, apparently I stink at blogging! :) That's okay, though. I'm pretty sure 75% of other bloggers stink at it, too...so I'll just lump myself in with the majority.

If I attempted to update you on my life since my last post, we would sit here forever. (Or, I would sit here forever and you would exit the page instead of reading through the entire post.) So, I'll spare myself and just write the important things.

Carley is 3 1/2. She is everything that a 3 1/2 year old should be, which means that she drives me crazy to the point of wanting to pull my hair out and I'm crazy in love with her to the point of wanting to hold onto her a little too tight. She loves to dance, sing, play dress up, be a princess, entertain, read books, watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, tell me when I'm not being nice, boss Joshua around, shower her family with hugs and kisses, and tell me she loves me. She's stubborn, slightly defiant, really smart, loveable and sweet, and she's the girliest girl I know. I wouldn't change her for the world...but I might consider the thought.



Joshua is going to be two on Wednesday! (AAAHHHH!!!) Where did my baby go??? I'm getting teary-eyed as I write this, because it's just amazing to me that the first two years of his life have just flown by. He is the most amazing little boy...and he is all boy. He loves guns, feeding the horses with Pop, guitars, hunting, wrestling with Daddy, playing with Sister, singing "Jesus Loves Me" and a lot of other songs, dancing, puzzles, blocks, anything outdoors, and snuggling with Mommy (my personal favorite). He is serious, but funny. He is stubborn, but tender. And he is so stinkin adorable, I sometimes consider squeezing his face as hard as I can. (Don't worry, I haven't given into temptation...yet.)



Logan and I are still together. I know you didn't think it would last, but somehow we've managed to keep the love alive! ;) He is wonderful, and breathtakingly handsome, and he is so patient with my neurotic/irrational tendency's, so I can't help but love him. He's smart, talented, sweet, and is seeking after God with more and more passion as he grow's. And he knows how to work hard...thank you, Lord!



I am a mess. :) A joyful, crazy, happy mess! I have a temper that I pray for God to take away all the time. He hasn't yet, so I figure it's going to do some good somewhere! I am passionate and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I love baking and cooking. I hate cleaning, but love the feel of a clean house. I never turn down a pedicure or a shopping trip, and Tuesday night Bible Study is one of my favorite parts of the week. I absolutely love my family and am so thankful I get to stay home with my kids. I struggle with being selfish and wanting my own time, but then realize that time with my kids is not going to last forever and I try to soak up moments with them. I'm striving after God and His will for my life. My only purpose is to glorify Him, and it looks different everyday. I mess up all the time, so I'm even more grateful for grace. One of my favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Love. :)

I hope to update this more often, but I won't make any promises.

Does life ever slow down???

I feel like we have been going 100 miles an hour lately. We've been everywhere, at least it feels like we have. And it seems like every time we put our foot down and think "no more", something else pops up. In two weeks time we went on two major trips and one weekend trip. We've been on 8 different planes and in four different states (sure, one was just during a layover, but it counts).

The first trip was to Tennessee. Logan's grandpa passed away and we went up for the funeral and to visit with family. I believe Grandpa Ingram was around 85 years old and had lived a very good life. It wasn't a time of sadness or mourning, but a time to reflect on "a life well lived" (as the family said). He was ready to go home to the Lord. His body was worn out and he had accomplished everything he felt he needed to. He was ready for his new body and his new home! It was inspiring to know how confident he was in his eternal fate. It's a valuable tool to live every moment knowing that your home is not here, but is eternally in Heaven with our Father. How scary and awesome and wonderful that thought is!

We really enjoyed our time in Tennessee. We loved introducing our kiddos to Logan's family up there. We were able to spend an evening around the campfire just enjoying nature and visiting with one another. I met some new family members, and old ones, that I'd never seen before. All in all, it was worth the effort! We love our extended families! We're thankful for the examples of how to live life for God and take care of your family.

Our next trip was to South Texas for some good old hunting with the Stokely family! It was a great weekend getaway. We met little baby Colton (Joshua's new best friend/hunting buddy) and were able to see Paige master motherhood with two children. Chad and Logan had their precious time together. ;) Logan shot a turkey and Chad shot a hog. Carley and Parker smooched on each other and held hands and we took a lot of pictures so that we can blackmail them in about 15 years. Paige's brother and girlfriend also came, along with Chad's boss and his wife (who cooked up the best ribs I've ever had!!!) We had a lot of fun hanging out in nature, and by Sunday we were all ready to go home.

The last trip we went on was to California for a family reunion on my mom's side. It was a long trip, and it was pretty hard, but it was so great to see my family. We spent time with cousins we hadn't seen in a few years. We showed off our babies. We ate really good food. We drove through beautiful parts of California. We ate In-n-Out Burger (if you haven't had it you're missing out). We celebrated Easter with candy and eggs and family and church. I found out I'm allergic to Aleve (swollen eyes and sinuses for about 12 hours). Carley had a fever and was sick for two days, one of those days being the reunion. We had seven women, two men, a 5 year old, a 2 year old, and a 6 month old, all staying in a four bedroom house. Logan was surrounded by estrogen. (While we were at Steckel Park, where the reunion was held, Logan took off walking in the woods for awhile to gain back his manliness.) The flight home was miserable. The first flight the kids cried the whole time, but finally fell asleep as we were landing. The second flight they were out (thank goodness!) We landed in Texas at 11:45pm, and got to bed at 1:30am. LONG DAY!!! But, it was all worth it!! Don't ask me when I'll do it again, but I'm glad I did it.

So, that's the past two weeks in a nutshell!! It's been a whirlwind, and I'm glad it's over. Are we staying home this weekend, you ask? No! The Beast Feast is taking place and we don't miss out on the Beast Feast! (I'll explain later.) We'll be driving to Magnolia on Friday or Saturday. At least our kids will be adventurous...right??

I have to say, despite all of this running around and craziness that's been taking place, it's been an awesome experience. One of the things that really stood out to me is how wonderful it is to have a partner during all of this. God really has blessed me with a solid marriage. Logan and I could have been picking at each other and taking all of our stresses out on one another, but we stood as a united front! We were a team, and we worked so well together. When we started getting stressed out and frustrated, we talked it through. When the kids were driving us crazy, we looked at each other and said "I love you" and got through it together. I'm so thankful to God for blessing me this way. It's the best gift I could have ever prayed for.

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:10-12