It Was Time...

For our sweet boy to have his first haircut so that's what I did today! I don't think I did too bad! I got the scissors, small clippers (or electric shaver...or whatever it is!), a comb, and detangler spray and went to work while he napped! I'm glad I didn't attempt this while he was awake or attempt to pay someone else do it! I had one *small* spot I wanted to fix when he woke and the slightest touch of ANYTHING to his neck made him cringe. I should've thought of this because his neck is one of our favorite places to tickle him! Anywho, it still looks good! 

I love this kid of ours so much. He's going to be a jokester just like his dad (and so many other relatives (; ) Thank you God for this good and perfect gift from You!

When I Am Weak, He Is Strong!

Today was one of those long days as a stay at home mom because JohnDavid didn't feel good and because I began my day without Jesus. I left my Bible at church last night along with my current devotional book and notebook and I felt lost without it this morning...even though we have other Bibles here at home I could've used, I chose not to "because it's just not the same as MY Bible that I write all in." Honestly, I know better by now than to even attempt to do anything without Jesus but I'm oh so sinful. Sweet JohnDavid coughed all night and all day, was really clingy and whiny, and by the time bedtime rolled around I felt like an overdone steak. Today wasn't all that bad now that I'm looking back on it, but in the moments when I was frustrated I see how weak I am without Jesus. The truth is I'm ALWAYS weak without Jesus. I'm even weak WITH Jesus but it's then that I'm supposed to lean into Him and His strength! I LOVE these words of Paul:

“Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 HCSB

When I don't seek Him or lean into Him, I don't see His strength let alone feel strong or victorious. I told Jeremy this evening that I had gone in the negative with housework today and that I had some bad mama moments and his sweet, understanding reply was: "That's what tomorrow is for." Y'all...this man of mine gets me. He KNOWS what I need to hear and SAYS it. He's good to me and he's good for me. 

One highlight of today was while JohnDavid and I were outside. I was pulling weeds and JohnDavid began to yell "Pawpaw! Pawpaw! Pawpaw!" I looked up and saw Jeremy's pawpaw walking up his driveway to move his garbage can and JohnDavid took off down the hill towards his house. So I got up in a hurry and didn't grab my phone (camera) or even my glasses. And you know what? There were several times I wanted to have my phone with me for snapping photos of this all boy of ours knee deep in dirt, sitting on a "mawnmower", playing with nerf guns with Pawpaw, or begging me to "ride Mama" in a Step 2 toy that had to be pushed. But since I didn't have my camera I actually got to be ALL IN in the moment and it's an afternoon I won't soon forget. Those big brown eyes and long lashes, the way he runs,  the way he says "mawnmower" and "pishies", the way Pawpaw laughs and grins at him, the way JohnDavid lays in the dirt pushing Tonka trunks...the stories Pawpaw tells me of the days gone by...these are the sweetest times as a stay at home mama. I'm so thankful I get to do this every single day. I'm also really thankful that JohnDavid has so many grandparents and great grandparents that we get to visit with on a weekly basis! I love to hear stories from my grandparents and Jeremy's grandparents and the "good ol' days." We are so blessed and I was reminded of God's love for me in this afternoon. Nevertheless, I was happy to lay our snotty, congested, coughing boy down for bed and unwind. Tomorrow I plan to begin my day right...right in the Word of the Lord asking Him for His strength for the day because I know I can't do it on my own. 

Smitten with you!

Almost 19 months ago I gave birth to our handsome son. I still have to pinch myself that this is our life. I've never wanted nothing more than to be a wife and mommy. And both, being a wife and a mommy, have been far more magnificent than I ever dreamed. I'm so thankful for this season and for the little boy that still loves to be draped in our arms. 

Picture day!

It's no secret I love to take pictures, have pictures taken, look at pictures, etc.. My mom paid for a photographer to take pictures at JohnDavid's first birthday party back in April and I really loved the pictures and the photographer, Wilson Oppert. (Local peeps: if you need pics use Wilson Oppert Photography!) When it came time for our fall pics (to be used for our Christmas cards) I knew who I was going to call! Here's a sneak peek from our session yesterday: 

My sister-in-law, Jennifer, brother-in-law, Johnathan, and my nephews, Jansen and Jaken, also had their pics taken and I can't wait to see the pics Wilson got of the cousins! Here's a sneak pic of them: 

Aren't they adorable?? I'm a little biased but I sure think they are! ❤️

Anyhow, it's still rainy here but God is faithful to shine even when the sun doesn't! Happy Sunday! 

It's raining, it's pouring...

Today was kind of gloomy for us and the rain didn't help that. Our pastor of 7+ years is resigning and our hearts hurt. I absolutely believe it is God's will for him to do so, for God's glory and for the good of their family, but man it stinks. Jeremy and I can't express how much we love our pastor and his family. We simply cannot say in words what his teachings, encouragement, mentorship, and their friendship has meant to us spiritually and in our marriage. 

Nevertheless, JohnDavid is a bright spot in our days. He LOVED the rain and loved getting wet. Hope your Sunday was a wonderful day!

Life is good today!

I tried to drink my coffee warm almost 10 times this morning and that's no exaggeration. I never did finish it but I did find it in the microwave at 2:14pm! This week has been so busy for me between housework and the fall festival at church...to top off my exhaustion JohnDavid's been into lots of "fun" things this week, such as a HOT PINK SHARPIE on our KHAKI couch! In case you're wondering, alcohol, fingernail polish remover, and toothpaste with baking soda will ALMOST get it out when scrubbed to death. 😁 But you know what? I wouldn't trade a single moment of this life of mine for anything. Some days are long as a mom, but the years are short. Soon the sight of our little boy pushing this lawnmower will be a faint memory. 

So, for now, I soak up the numerous kisses that follow a spanking because he knows he has done wrong and he wants to make it better, I soak up the snuggles and giggles and fascination with bugs, I soak up the fact that he's wants "mama" all day and to nurse so much, and I soak up every line of Nemo (we've watched it for over a year now, literally) because tomorrow he'll be a bit more grown. 

On the road again...

I feel like JohnDavid and I have become nomads. From Georgia to Texas to South Carolina and now to Arkansas all in about 5 weeks time span! One thing I've noticed in all these places (and I'm certain Arkansas will be the same) is that people are the same no matter where you go. People are people. People are looking for happiness everywhere. The people in South Carolina aren't much different than the people in South Alabama. Every one of us has a story. Every one of us has problems. And thankfully, there is ONE solution for us all. JESUS. Jesus is the ONLY One who can satisfy all of us. Do you know Him? I'd love to share Him with you if you don't.

Authentic Intimacy!

My most favorite Christian ministry for women is Authentic Intimacy. I'm incredibly passionate about having a godly marriage and God's design for intimacy. I strive to be the Smokin' Hot Mama described in Song of Solomon (my "Passion Pursuit" friends will understand what I mean!) and I long to share what I have learned along the way with others.

If you haven't heard of Authentic Intimacy, you must check it out! For you, your spouse, your kids, your friends, etc.. There is someone you know that will benefit from this ministry! A good friend of mine asked me to join her and a few friends in a Bible study called "Passion Pursuit" written by Dr. Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow (founders of Authentic Intimacy). The study was A-MAZING. Biblical. Practical. Marriage changing. Eye opening. And did I mention A-MAZING? I was so moved by their mission and their heart for women and marriages and intimacy that I took the study to my church and lead a small group of 4 women through it. We've just recently finished and my hope is that each of those women take the study and share it with 4 more! 

A popular book of erotica is "50 Shades of Grey" and in response to this book, Dr. Juli Slattery and Dannah Gresh wrote "Pulling Back the Shades". I was chosen to be on the book launch team of "Pulling Back the Shades" earlier this year and I was just chosen to be on the new book launch team by Authentic Intimacy called "25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask About Sex, Love, and Intimacy" by Dr. Juli Slattery. I'm so excited about the opportunity to share with the social world and my real life relationships about this book. Perhaps the thing I love most about Authentic Intimacy is that these ladies share the Gospel and they don't shy away from the tough stuff!

Check out their website and the new book! I'd love to answer any questions you may have about the resources I've used through Authentic Intimacy!

https://authenticintimacy.com/25-questions/

Gardening for my heart!

It's such a nice afternoon I decided I'd weed my overgrown flower beds while JohnDavid played. I collected the weeds in his John Deere wagon and upon finishing I found my helper's shoes placed neatly on top. 😊 Weeding hurts my back (like that's anything new!) but it's therapeutic to my mind and soul. I realize how weeds look so similar to the plants, I realize how many weeds are present when I'm up close and personal with the flower bed, and I realize how even the smallest weed has the longest root. The same is true for our spiritual lives. Our sin roots are deep...even for those "small sins." It's easy to miss how flawed we are when we view ourselves from afar but when we examine our hearts and minds up close we realize how wicked and sinful we are. And Satan crafts sins to be almost as pretty (if not prettier...ask Eve!) as the godly things. I'm thankful for my time in the flower bed today. I'm thankful those ugly weeds/sins don't have the last say. I'm thankful for my Redeemer and that I know He lives! 

Encouragement

A friend told me over dinner last night that I was doing a good job with JohnDavid. Her words of affirmation and encouragement couldn't have come at a better time as I was beyond exhausted and weary from the consistency required in disciplining a toddler. Isn't it nice to have friends that encourage us? And isn't it nice that God sends those encouragements at just the right time? When was the last time someone encouraged you? When was the last time you encouraged someone?

Motherhood is exhausting but I'm so thankful I get to be a mommy to this silly all boy toddler!