Sweet dreams cutie pie

Tonight Jaymes & I decided it best to put Ayden to sleep in our bed with us. He's super congested for whatever reason, and I didn't want him getting worked up over being put in his crib (like he has in recent days) and then not being able to sleep because of even worse congestion!

Long story short: We laid down with him after reading his bed time stories, turned out the lights, prayed, and turned on the sound machine. During nap today I used the same method (sleep with mommy) for the same reason and it worked in about 30 seconds! Tonight, Jaymes fell asleep about 30 seconds in, I pretended to be asleep so Ayden would stop talking, and Ayden kept turning from Jaymes to me, smiling up a storm because he was in-between his two most favorite people at bed time!! :) After awhile I thought he was about to drift off but instead he started pointing to my nose, teeth, lips, and eyes.. and smiling as if to think "she has no idea I'm doing this.. mwuahaha!" Little did he know I could see it all through a little crack in my eye. It was precious, it's a memory I don't want to forget.. the simple things in life that make us most happy!!

We had to put him in his crib because he just wouldn't fall asleep after all, but he's going down peacefully so far!

I LOVE THAT BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mismatched candlesticks

My husband and I are two totally different people, we always have been. I think we notice more now, then we did while dating our differences. It’s our choice to let Satan have his way with them, and fued… or, do what the Lord designed us to do TOGETHER.

Sadly, I’m human. I don’t always choose the Lord’s way. There’s times when dangit, I just want to win- I want my point proven. I bet the enemy just loves those moments when I choose my human desires over what’s best. You see, sometimes God draws two TOTALLY different people together because there’s something amazing in each of them, that the other needs. And when they work hard at setting their differences aside, a strong team is created. A team that the Lord can use to further his Kingdom!!

Why does it matter if I’m right, anyways? Or if my ‘point’ is proven.. I’m pretty sure it’s not MY point that needs to be proven to begin with!

There are so many things I can’t do without my husband’s support, his guidance, and his leadership. I have to make a conscious effort every day to forget the things that inevitably drive me ‘crazy’ about him, and love him for who he is (flaws and all!)

I love you, Jaymes Heare!

Forgetting who I am.

I 'stumbled' across a devotional this morning that spoke very loud to me (or, God placed it in my path for a specific reason!) ;)

The main jist was this: A mom of 3 young boys realizes how miserable she is, she struggles daily with feelings of inadequacy & exhaustion, and is completely overwhelmed. She asked herself, "After struggling with 3 years of infertility, shouldn't I be enjoying every single moment of this? What is wrong with me??"


After reading this, I started thinking about how I struggle with the same thoughts! Not every day, and not after struggling with infertility, but I do!! And what's wrong with me? Nothing! I'm human, and those feelings (in doses, might I add) are completely normal! ESPECIALLY with 3 little boys!!

She goes on to say that she knew her soul needed refreshment. She was totally consumed in the day-to-day life of 'stay at home mommy' and she was starting to lose who SHE was beyond that. She chose to find herself again, in the middle of the chaos!


She started creating little 'moments of peace' throughout her home. Fresh cut flowers on her table, a pretty coffee mug, a ruffled blouse. She knew that the answer to peace wasn't found in these things alone, but in Christ. However, finding her identity was a start!

Here's the link, it gave me such a boost!!!


http://glynniswhitwer.com/2012/05/do-you-ever-feel-like-running-away/

When God does a work..

There is so much on my mind right now it's ridiculous! After MUCH deliberation, I think I've decided which topic to blog about tonight.

God is working in me through many different circumstances and people. I've noticed that the harder He works at helping me 'fix' certain areas in my life, the harder the enemy works at stopping Him from getting through to me. I'm in awe of His still small voice! The simple fact that He loves me enough to tell me the same.exact.thing 1,000 times before I ever hear it.. the fact that He doesn't love me any less for the times when I don't listen.

Jaymes & I were talking about legacies, and life purpose last night when the Lord spoke to me (very loudly): "You're here because I want to do an INCREDIBLE work through you, and the reason you feel the enemy tugging that much harder to stop your progress is because he's afraid of what you'll accomplish through MY strength!!!!!"


I told Jaymes immediately what I'd been told, and he smiled as if he already knew.

I have absolutely no idea where the Lord will lead me, or what He's working on accomplishing in my life.. but I can tell you this much, it's going to be something I'll be proud to leave a legacy on!


"Here I am, Lord, send me. Here I am, Lord, I'll go!!!"

Being thankful for every moment.

My son will be 19 months old tomorrow! He is teaching me so much about life every day.. every moment of every day. I'm learning that things like a clean house don't matter. Sounds crazy, right?! Maybe to some, but I see it like this: I'll have forever to do dishes, sweep, mop, do laundry, etc. However, I will not always have this little boy in my home to love on. Yes, he will always be a part of my life.. a HUGE part of my life, but now doesn't last forever.

Life is short, very short. For some of us, too short. I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with a family who knows firsthand how precious every moment is. They have pushed me to accept every single moment as a gift (especially the mother, Erica... she is such an inspiration to me!) I am thankful for the fits that never seem to end, for the tantrums thrown at the worst possible times, for the early mornings, for the messy house, for the moments when I don't think I can fight any longer, for EVERY SINGLE MOMENT.. because I'm alive!!!! Because my son is alive!!! Because my husband is ALIVE!

Because we've been blessed with another day.

Slow down.

Something that's been hitting home for me lately:

I'm guilty of watching the clock, and I'll be the first to admit it. "WHEN is nap time/my next break?!" I know this is destructive and it sets me up, but I also know full well that I'm human and cannot expect myself to not get exhausted from being a mother to an almost 2 year old!!! So I pray for energy, patience, and most of all unconditional love every day.

Just yesterday, a thought that's crossed my mind many times came in again, but with a deeper meaning. Ayden is only under MY loving care for a few more years. Yes, I will always be his mother, and Lord willing our relationship will always be strong, but he'll be 18 before I know it. Legally speaking, that means he's not 'mine' anymore. Bullet straight through my heart.

I have to make these moments count!!

Dishes can wait, who CARES if the house is a wreck! I get so 'busy' with life that I often times forget to slow down and simply enjoy what's right in front of me, my precious son.

I love you so much, Ayden James!

Home is where the heart is.

We've been having so much fun together in our new home it's crazy. The transition has been insanely smooth, so thank you to those that prayed specifically for that on our behalf! Ayden is having the time of his life, and is spending 95% of his days outside because of this BEAUTIFUL weather! He's a little past 18 months now, and I wanted to make a quick list of some of my favorite memories for this month of his life.

Bouncing in my arms (dancing) while I hold him.

Blowing raspberries on my belly, and mouth.

Kissing my boo-boo.

Playing with my bellybutton when he's tired.

Making it his goal to get a crowd laughing.

His love for being barefoot (just like momma).

The way he watches the older boys play across the street.

His genuine concern for how someone's feeling.

His smile, and those big blue eyes.

How he talks- the things he says/ways he says things.

My heart is so full of love, and although this age is difficult in many senses.. I refuse to let the negatives over-shadow the many positives! :)