NYE 2014

"I'm going to take a picture so you can see the sass you are giving me right now."

So, for New Year's Eve I got a personal trainer. I've wanted one since I had the boys and I've begged my husband to just do it. He is amazingly smart when it comes to anything health/fitness but he has always said nooooo way. He's afraid to hurt my feelings or make me mad.... and most of all, he knows how easily I say, "I don't want to do it anymore" and throw a big hissy fit when it gets too hard. He also says how perfect my body is already and I don't need it.... WHATEV. That's why I love the man so much, but this body needs some bootcamp. So, knowing how much of a tight wad he is.... I strategically told him the other day that I'm getting a personal trainer and what did he say.... "I'LL DO IT!" Win. Worked like a charm. I've already had training sesh #1 and I think he's trying to kill me. I brought out my cute little weights and he laughed and traded me out. This is not going to be fun by any means.

I know, I know.... EVERYONE and their dog makes the resolution to lose weight. It's true... and it's also true that I may fail. But I'm not trying to "get skinny." I want to be fit and most of all, healthy. I want to be a role model for my boys and I would like to not feel like a fatty next to my stud of a husband. haha! I think this is my year... We are taking an anniversary trip to somewhere tropical in July (6 months) and I WILL wear whatever swimsuit and cute summery clothes I want, confidently by gosh! I also turn the big 3-0 next year and I would really like to be living a healthier life style by then. I think I'll try to blog more, maybe to keep me on track.. but let's be honest, that might not happen. I always have great intentions on keeping the blog up to date and it gets worse and worse by the year.

Most importantly......... 

I can say one thing I accomplished in 2014 was building a better relationship with the Lord. I feel much closer to Him now than I did at the beginning of the year, or ever, and I'll continue to work on myself daily to serve Him better. Corey has become such an amazing God-fearing man that leads our little family with such grace. Our boys are absolutely precious and Christian already has so many great questions and comments about Jesus and heaven. I have an amazing best friend that always points me in the right direction when I need it. My family and church family are so wonderful and so supportive. For all of that, I am truly grateful and blessed.

"The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though they may stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord upholds them with His hand." Psalm 37:23-24

Catch UP!

Well, I'm way behind because so much has went on that I would have LOVED to document every moment of. I've decided to spend at least one lunch a week eating at my computer and catching up on here. I don't want to forget all of these precious memories that go by so quickly. So, this is going to be a little long recap. :)

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Biggest News lately - Christian started Pre-School on August 19th. He LOVES it!!!!! We are beyond thrilled with our decision to put him in First Place Academy. Corey and I prayed about finding the right place for over a year and we can't believe it's already time for him to start. We both teared up a little on our way to his open house just talking about it. He goes two days a week until noon and he has had a wonderful first few weeks. He wakes up SO excited to get ready for school in the mornings. :) I love our conversations we have on our way to school in the mornings - they seriously make my day and are one of the most enjoyable moments with him right now. We talk about everything. I pray every night for this to be an amazing year for him and that his little light shines bright for Jesus!!

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8-21-14 His first Show & Tell at school and he chose to take his firetruck of course. He said he wanted to tell all of his friends about his daddy being a firefighter.

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This next few weeks are color weeks and I'm having way too much fun dressing him for the color of the day!! He helps me pick out his shirt at night and I think he loves it too... haha!

BLUE DAY!

GREEN DAY!

He got to be the special helper yesterday & he was super excited about that!

Which means he also got to dress the weather bear! :)

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I also started back to school & grad school. I adore my kiddos this year... They really are awesome!! My classes are a lot of fun and we are off to a great start. I'm SOOOO happy that I'm done with Research & Statistics, the nightmarish class I took this summer. It drained every bit of life right out of me at times. I'm taking Practicum this semester so I get to start doing some real counseling and I'm nervous/excited about that. I redid the look of my classroom over the summer and I'm just in love with it. It was so time consuming but well worth it. The kids really love it and that's all that matters. I'll post pics of that soon as soon as I get some time.

There are major perks to working with your best friend! :)

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Harrison lives a pretty easy life that still consists only of eating, playing, sleeping, and staying with his Nana while we are at work and bubby is at school. He is about the most chill, easy going child I've ever met... He may look just like me but he totally got his daddy's laid back personality. He's starting to talk so much and saying new words each day. I can't even imagine him having a conversation with me but I know that day will be here before we know it. He thinks his big brother hung the moon and he's daddy's buddy! He's rough, rowdy, and always smiling! :)

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Bad news: I've been having gallbladder attacks again... BOO! I thought I had magically escaped the problems but after two years of being attack-free, it hit me hard a few nights ago. :( Worst. Pain. EVER.  I have an appointment with a surgeon on Monday and the plan is to have surgery on Wednesday. I'm a nervous wreck so prayers are greatly appreciated. 

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I feel like I shouldn't end this wonderful post on a bad note, so let me not leave out my wonderful hubby. He's almost done with our first flip house... It should be finished by the end of the week or next week. Super excited to get it on the market and hopeful it will sell quickly. What a blessing that would be! He's been hard at work loving his job at the fire department and taking night classes twice a week so every moment we get together, I cherish greatly! I'm so proud of what an amazing husband and daddy he is and just feel super lucky. <3 

He DOES direct my paths.

I have a lot of thoughts. My head is really busy... definitely not as busy these days as it used to be.. and for that I'm thankful. But tonight was just one of those nights I guess. I was thinking of a situation that 6 months ago would have drove me crazy. It would have consumed my thoughts, stressed me out, and all for nothing. Tonight was different. As I was thinking about the situation, I said to myself, "Maybe I'm not supposed to understand... Maybe God is just directing my paths." Immediately a light went off... MAYBE??? MAYBE God is JUST directing my paths??? Of course God is directing my paths.... which is exactly why it doesn't matter how hard I try to make something happen, if it's not in line with God's will for my life, chances are I should just get over it. Did I really just discover something that I've been searching for all my life? All this stress, heart ache, trying to please people, worrying for nothing... all of this could have been as simple as letting it go and letting God take over? No..... no way... In my controlling-like brain it could have never been that simple. But it is. And tonight I realized that. I've thought it many times, but I didn't truly feel it until tonight. There is no doubt in my mind that as I started to think about this same situation that would have got me down a few months ago, God immediately stepped in and spoke to me. His words are powerful. His words are comforting. And best of all, His word is TRUTH.

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. -Proverbs 3:6

Tuesday Blessings

I'm obviously the worst blogger on earth. Harrison became a toddler one day and that was that. haha! I haven't given up on it completely though. This blog is a way for me to document precious memories and I've already wished I had written down some of the sweet moments that I can't remember every detail of already. So, my plan is to make an effort to post more often, even if they are short and sweet. These posts are really just for me to be able to look back and read one day anyway and for our family to enjoy hearing about the boys. :) 

Today, I took the boys with me to run errands. I have been pinning and brainstorming like crazy and could not wait any longer to get some things for my classroom. I am so excited about my purchases!! Eek!! 😊 Any place that has stationary, office supplies, and craft stuff is heavenly to me. I love Learning Oasis and the boys love the Toy Zone in there so it's a win, win. Then we went to Hobby Lobby.. One of my favorite places ever. I probably did way too much damage for one day so maybe the husband won't look at the checking account. If he does, who could get mad about me wanting to create the best learning environment possible for my kids?! 😉👍 I'm sure he will just be happy to see that I'm doing something with the crazy amount of hours that I spend on Pinterest each night. 

Adorable chalkboard.. I'm a sucker for pennants. 

I'm obsessed with the fabric I got to put together. I'm going to give this whole sewing thing a go... It could be interesting but I'm determined. A couple of table skirts and a curtain shouldn't be too complicated, right?? 😁 I'll be calling on my mom for back up. 

This cross is also a chalkboard.. Love. 

Cute new frames that may or may not make it to my classroom.. I love them lots for the house, too! 💛 Corey says we are at maximum chevron capacity though. 

I have big, exciting plans for this metallic gold paint...

And I bought this picture because it looks good with the black and white striped, gold polka dot fabric. It also has the perfect saying for my classroom.

I get so excited to decorate my room each year and more excited to meet all my new kiddos!! #lovemyjob I'm pretty sure hashtags do not belong in the blog world but I like them. And this is my blog. 

Anyway, on our way in to Hobby Lobby, I was holding Harrison on my hip and holding Christian's hand. He looked up at me and said, "We are all connected.... except daddy, he is at work." I thought it was the sweetest thing. I have no idea where that even came from because I've never said it. And the fact that he included daddy was pretty sweet too, because he was thinking how we are all connected. ❤️ That little boy has such a sweet heart. Then, while we were shopping, he starts singing "Hey, hey, dear Jesus.. Hey, hey, He is risen!" Which is a mix of a song from VBS and one that he's made up.. lol I didn't even know he knew that song at all. A couple that was close by thought it was so cute and thanked me for raising him to know Jesus. They were an older couple and so so sweet. All the while, Harrison is trying his best to sing along and definitely making up his own version. He was so good the entire time we were out, like usual. That kid hardly makes a peep.. He just strolls around, smiling, like he's the happiest thing in the world. I sure am proud of those babies. I spend a lot of time praying about this parenting thing, doubting myself, and asking the Lord for guidance to raise them in His word... And it's days like today that I feel like He shines a little light down to say, "you're doing alright, my child." 

C is THREE!

My precious little boy is three and I'm loving every minute of this age!! He is so much fun now... Despite the fact that I hate how fast they grow, I really feel like every stage gets more and more fun! His birthday party this year was completely special to him... His favorite thing to watch on the iPad is Hickory Dickory Dock but instead of the mouse ran up the clock it is the "big blue elephant." So, I decided a while ago I wanted to incorporate that into his small family party. It's the first year I didn't go over board and have a house full of people and it was one of his best birthdays yet. It was still super cute and the cake turned out perfect!

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Christian Michael, you are such a blessing. You have the sweetest and biggest heart that makes mommy so proud. The way you already care so deeply for people and hurt for them is amazing. Sometimes I worry that your big heart for people may hurt you but I know it's going to take you very far in life... and I think and pray your heart for the Lord will be on fire. You are an incredibly smart little boy... you learn so easily and pick up on things very fast. Your vocabulary is awesome and you are very very serious about any kind of work you do. It has to be just perfect and you are very precise... another one of momma's characteristics that is good and bad. lol You are so handsome just like your daddy... it freaks me out how much you look like him at times. You're the best big brother ever and Harrison is so very lucky to have you. He looks up to you SO much and tries to do every thing you do. You teach him a lot and I'm thankful that he has such a wonderful little boy to look up to. You moved up to the pre-k class in Sunday School and church and you go to the kids service on Wednesday nights now... You are loving it and having so much fun! I look forward to you learning more and more about Jesus. We are thinking about enrolling you for preschool in August. You've been blessed with a Nana that is able to stay home with you and teach you your whole life and we are so thankful for that but I think you're ready to go have some social time with other kids, other than at church. It will be good for you and I think you'll have so much fun!! We are praying very hard that KBC is able to open up a preschool soon... That would be such a blessing!!! I could honestly go on and on about all the cute things you do now and how much you know but it would be forever long. I have so many "favorites" with you but I think my fav thing right now is our bedtime routine. I love it.  We read, you let me rock you every night and we sing all of your songs (Jesus Loves Me, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, ABC's, Hickory Dickory Dock, and London Bridges), then you decide what animal you want to be and we crawl to your room and make animal sounds.. haha, this sounds ridiculous but you love it, and then we pray beside your bed on our knees, and I tuck you in but most nights you want me to lay in bed with you for a little bit and you wrap both arms around me. You will never understand how that makes me feel. I have tears in my eyes right now just writing this.... it's the most precious time I have all day. I love you so much Christian Michael... You are my little angel. 

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Stats: I need to measure his height this week. He weighs 32 lbs. Wears 3T in most but still some 2T (pants are a hard one because he's too long for 2T but to slim for 3T), size 9-10 shoe (big foot), and completely out of diapers (has been for a while now, PTL!!). We are working on holding the pencil the correct way and writing, letter/number recognition, and cutting shapes out. He loves using scissors! He does know his moon phases already.. priorities of a science teacher. ;) He can count to atleast 20, knows his abc's, all shapes, and colors, loves challenging puzzles, and really likes to build things and put stuff together. One of his favorite things to do is help me cook. We got a few preschool work books for his birthday that we are going to start on. Of course I will save all of his work like a crazy person. :) I can't wait to see how much he learns and grows over the next year.... Love being his mommy!!

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I was blessed with a snow day on his actual birthday and got to spend the day with him. I made him birthday pancakes and he loved them! :)

Where Feet May Fail

So tonight in class we were asked to think of a song that has meaning to us and then reflect on why it's meaningful. I thought of the obvious childhood songs that I remember my mom singing to me. Although, one song came to mind immediately that explains where I'm at in my life right now. I'm halfway through my dual Master's degree in School Counseling and Marriage/Family Therapy. I'm not going to lie, it's tough. It was a definite calling that I felt led to do or else I can't say I would have taken it on right now while the boys are so little and life is already crazy enough. I love my job and I'm not getting this degree as a way out of teaching. However, I truly believe in listening to that little voice, which I know is God... I know His purpose and plans for my life are far greater than what my plans are. I have felt completely at ease with the decision ever since I started and deciding to go to JBU was the best decision I've ever made. I have grown spiritually so much just through these classes.. Our classes are more like bible study/small group and they are purely amazing! My professors have challenged me beyond my comfort zone and it's made me do a lot of soul searching and I've spent a lot of time in my bible. I know there is a reason for this season of life I'm in and that's just an awesome feeling.

So onto this song... I chose Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong. This song is about having complete faith in God... stepping out into the unknown and just following the Lord with all your heart. Trusting that God knows the plans for my life makes me feel completely safe. 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior"

This is my exact prayer for my life right now. I want to go wherever he will call me. I want my faith to be stronger than ever before and my relationship with the Lord to be greater than it ever has. I'm immediately filled with the Holy Spirit when I listen to this song and praise Him. I don't know what I will end up doing with this degree when I finally get it one day but what I do know is that I want to use it for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. Whether it be helping children, families, or marriages (one day) I hope that I'm able to show others the Lord.

"Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now"

And in case you haven't heard this awesome song:

https://www.google.com/search?q=oceans+hillsong&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Baby Room Goodbyes

So, we have decided it's finally time (maybe a little over due) to transition Christian into a big boy bed... and of course a new room comes with it! ;)  Let me first say, that kid LOVES his crib!! He has been the best sleeper ever from the beginning and we have been a tad bit worried to mess that up. But... he's going to be 3 in a few weeks and it's time. He's also not wanting to sleep in a diaper any more so the only way to let him sleep in undies and not have to wake up to him screaming to go to the bathroom over the monitor is to give him a big boy bed.. (and yes, we still have a monitor in his room and probably will until he's at least 16.. don't judge.. hahaha!) His baby room was done in jungle animals and I have the best memories creating the perfect room with Corey during my pregnancy. I remember how exciting it was for us and how much time we spent in there to make it perfect. I hand painted all of the animals and a palm tree on his wall so it's really sentimental for me. Also, he loved those animals on his wall. He started saying goodnight to them when he was one and every night he would have to kiss them goodnight or pet them before going to sleep. So after two years of these animals being apart of our bed time routine, you can completely understand just how hard it was to say goodbye. :(

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We painted over the animals and tree a few nights ago... We literally had to go through saying our "goodbyes" to each one of them. It was for sure the most emotional thing for me since having the boys. We got him a stuffed animal of each animal on his wall and he sleeps with them so he was fine with it and is so excited about his new room!! I, however, spent the night crying on and off... just when I thought I was good, something else would trigger the tears. Every memory of painting it, being pregnant with him, him growing up way too fast, and now starting a whole new chapter with him just got the best of me. I made Corey listen to all the stories I had to share about when I was pregnant with him, crying through them all, and he listened... and probably thought I was a lunatic. haha! After they were all painted over, him and Christian were in there talking and suddenly Christian ran out to me and said, "Mommy... I am SO excited about my new room!!" and then he ran back in to Corey and I heard him say, "okay daddy, I told her!" LOL! I laughed but seriously was thinking what a great husband I have for trying to make me feel better. 

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The room is now repainted and is looking GREAT! Corey got a new paint sprayer and was excited to use it for the first time so this project didn't take any convincing. We went with the same dark gray color that we used in Harrison's room because we are in love with it. Christian is over the top excited about it now and I'm sure he's also loving the fact that he's got to sleep with us this week during the whole process. I'm hoping tonight we make a little more progress and hopefully get his bed converted into a toddler bed. His bedding came in this week and it's perfect! I have been buying things here and there for his new room for a while now and I'm so excited to get it all decorated and see the finished product!

 

Back to work....

It's back to work for me today and I'm struggling.... I don't normally have a terrible time going back after long breaks, not even summer, but this morning has been pretty rough. I've already cried twice, called my mom to cry, and called Corey to cry. They are with Corey today so I'm making him send me pics through out the day to get me by. I know they are home with either their daddy or nana but it doesn't make it easier for some reason. I want to be the one they wake up to and fix them breakfast and lunch.. and put them down for their nap.. and get them up to play. It's just breaking my heart today. I absolutely love my career and I really like having my own thing outside of the home. I never thought I would be the type to stay at home permanently. Teaching is perfect for me because I have my career I love, teaching/ministering to these kids is my passion, and all the time we get off is perfect for having a family. Maybe I'm just in a funk today... Praying it gets easier!

A few pics over the break...

 Are they not the cutest?! Love those baby boys!!

This is how I know it's nap time... haha!

 At the doctor's office for his booster shot.

 This precious baby boy snuggled up to mommy every night daddy had to work... He's my angel baby!

 Not in the mood for a NYE kiss.. hehe

 We had some really pretty weather on a few days and took advantage of it!

Morning work out with momma! haha

Born Again

I absolutely love the song Born Again by Third Day - It's one of the songs that I belt out with my hand up in the air as I drive down the road crying and praising Jesus, not caring what anyone else thinks that passes me. 

There is so much truth to this song and it makes me so emotional. I was young when I was first saved but I remember it and I remember that feeling. It wasn't long ago that I decided to rededicate my life and this song hits the nail on the head when it says, "It feels like I'm born again.... It feels like I'm breathing for the very first time."  That is EXACTLY what it feels like! God's love for us is so unlike any other love and it's a feeling that no one on earth can give us. This song also makes me so emotional because it reminds me of the day Corey was saved. I feel blessed to have shared that moment with him.. It's a moment I will never ever forget!! I can't wait to share those precious moments with our boys. We pray for their salvation every day and for the Lord to guide their little hearts.

"And I'm convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39