My Favorite Things at Home

There are a few details in our home which always make me smile and I thought I would share in this post.

I remember how excited we were when we first moved from our condo to this house and you can read about it here. We had so much more room and the backyard I had so badly wanted for so long.

But then after Jack joined us discontentment slowly began to creep back in. We had so much baby stuff that our guest room become a storage space- and I began looking forward to the day when we would move to a BIGGER home. I really wanted a bed for my mom or sisters to stay with us and not have to sleep on the couch.

I didn't realize how discontent I was until this December. After watching the 'Truth project' one night I was convicted about how the 'next best thing' can rob us from being able to enjoy what we have today.

Since then I've been making more of a conscious effort to stop looking forward to the next house. And to enjoy the space that we have today.

So with that little bit of background- there are a few things at home which I wanted to share because they really make me enjoy our home!

In December my sister Mariela gave me a very thoughtful present- a canvas painting of a picture of Jack when he was 6 months old.

My friend Mary took it over memorial day weekend when we were at the beach. We hung it up over his toy area and he loves to point at it and mumble something in his toddler language- ha!


For my second item- we just purchased a medium sized chalkboard to hang over our dining area. I looked for a long time for one about this size and frame, and was lucky to find this etsy shop with tons of cute chalkboards! This one has a vintage white beaded frame and it matches perfectly with our kitchen.

I absolutely LOVE this chalkboard!! We can write notes to each other, what's on the menu for dinner, a reminder list, and bible verses. It's so practical and love the southern look it gives our home (I used regular chalk at the top, and Chalk in at the bottom)


I love these shelves that hang over our dining area...

I love my small flower pot.

And I love this swing chair in our backyard my father in law got us a few years ago. It's nicely shaded by the grapefruit tree. Too bad its too cold outside to really enjoy it right now.

My grandmother and cousin when Jack was 5 months



Jack back in his 'chubby' days



my mom and Jack

Multitude Mondays

Thank you to my friends Amber and Chrissy for inspiring me to join in 'Multitude Mondays'. You can read more about what it is here, but simply it's writing down daily all the things you're thankful for until you reach 1,000.

I will be posting these every Monday until then. Hoping it will transform my half-empty type of attitude into gratefulness.

I am thankful...

January 17

1. For Beth Moore's writing and the truth in her words
2. For the reminder that Satan's ultimate goal for my life is destruction,   but that Jesus came to make me whole
3. For the sound of a cute three year old singing happy birthday to Steve over the phone
4. For the blessing of a genuine friendship in Steve's life
5. For how David has the gift of always making us laugh with the silliest of comments

January 18

6. For my brother in law being extra good to Steve and me this week
7. For the encouragement of a co-worker to exercise by coming along with me
8. For my changed perspective by praying for people who I work with
9. For the joy of watching Jack play during bathtime

10. For good laughter with Steve as we settle down for the night

January 19, 2011

11. For protection from a car accident as I drive to and from work
12. For the blessing of a kind supervisor who I like and respect
13. For when I feel something is too big for me to tackle, I can rest in the peace that God gives me and not stress out as I normally would
14. For fellowship with girlfriends
15. For the power of praying for one another

January 20, 2011

16. For spending the day at home with Jack
17. For a beautiful sunny afternoon in our backyard
18. For first hand stories of how foster parents can really change a child's life in just a few months
19. For being part of JL love bundles and all I've learned from it

20. That these backpacks will be used by children during a time of need

January 21, 2011

21. For Steve's health and the gift of another year of life on his 30th birthday!
22. For how Andrew has changed my perspective of birthdays
23. For a productive day in which I was able to rest and get a lot done
24. For helpful neighbors who watch out for us
25. For a delicious dinner at my favorite restaurant Jotos with Steve and family

January 22, 2011

26. For the blessing of good weather
27. For remembering through pictures how much Steve and I have been through
28. For a fun time with family and friends at Steve's surprise party

29. For the Lord graciously providing the means for this party as everything belongs to him
30. For memories

January 23, 2011

31. For a day of rest.
32. For how much time flies by when you are spending it with family
33. For the fun Jack has being around grandparents, aunts, and uncles
34. For Jack communicating with us more and more, letting us know what he likes and doesn't like
35. For how much I miss having a quiet time when I don't have one

New Year's Resolutions

Over the last few weeks I've thought a lot about my role as a mother and wife. I remember so badly wanting to be both and how I had to wait longer than I had planned before either of them came to be. I guess sometimes in the routine of everyday life I forget what an honor and blessing it is to be both.

Here are some of the goals I wrote down for 2011- most I wanted to keep for myself :)

As a Parent:

1. To enroll Jack in an ISR swimming class. This is an intensive daily 4-6 week class in which he'll learn how to float if he falls into a pool (so more of a life-saving class than swimming). We have been putting this off because its expensive and it will take dedication to bring him to class EVERY day- but we have finally made the decision to do this! Thank you to my friend Shelly for reminding me this Thanksgiving about protecting our children and pool safety. And Natasha for recommending an instructor in Tampa.

2. To consistently speak Spanish to Jack. I try to speak spanish to Jack as much as I can, but it is soo much easier for me to speak English! It takes a lot of effort for me to speak spanish because I have to translate everything for Steve too (so its like teaching him as well). But I know that if I speak it consistently to Jack he will pick it up pretty quick! Thank you to Raquel who inspired me that its worth the effort in teaching our little ones spanish since we already have that gift.

3. To teach Jack how to sign and say 'please' and not give in to whining. This one takes a lot of effort too! Its so much easier to just give him something when he points at it and whines. But I have seen children much younger than him nicely sign 'please' when they would like something with none of the screaming. So we have been consistent about it these last few week and Jack is finally picking it up! I would say he does it about 80% of the time now so I'm hoping that he will really pick it up by next year. And thank you Raquel for inspiring me for this one too.

4. To memorize bible verses so that we can teach Jack God's word as he grows up. A few months ago my dear friend Whitney gave me the book 'Don't make me count to three! A mom's look at heart-oriented Discipline' and it was such an incredible eye opening and convicting book for me. I know there are a lot of parenting books out there with different methods on raising children, but the message of this book is to always go back to God's word for guidance on raising and disciplining our children. A few highlights from the book for me were:

- To not just train a child's outward behavior, but to discipline them in such a way that you reach their heart as well.

- To not laugh at our children when they sin (lie, throw a temper tantrum, etc) which I know its hard to do sometimes because they're so stinking cute!!

- When disciplining them on what not to do, inmediately show them the correct way to do something so they'll learn for next time, and not get exasperated.

- To memorize scripture so that we may teach it to our children as they learn growing up. She specifically points to scripture about forgiving others, loving, not being jealous, etc. All scriptures which I can't quote today, but I know they'll be very important once the day comes that I may teach it to Jack- and I know that day is just around the corner!

Personal

1. To learn how to BAKE!

2. To greet Steve with a smile when he walks in the door from work no matter how tired I may be.

3. To learn how to country line dance.

4. To finish a book before I start reading the next one.

4. To do sit ups on the days I don't have time work out.

5. To drink less coffee (after my starbucks giftcard runs out of course :) )

_________________________________________________________________________

As I wrote down these goals I realized although I'm called to serve to the Lord by being a wife and mother- I will continue to fail often in this role. I am sorting through identifying what is my part and what is God's part in the process. I am very thankful I've already seen His grace cover me the many times I've fallen short. and I'm thankful for a God who does not ask me to be perfect, but asks me to depend on HIM for everything!

And a big thanks to all my friends who encourage me to be a better mother and wife- Shelly, Mary, Amber, Kindra, Lela, Bethany, Chrissy, Rachel, Heather, Paula, Kelly, Natasha, Kristen, Whitney, Raquel, and any I may have forgotten to mention. I have learned a lot from each of you and hope that we will continue to encourage each other for years to come.

Hope you all had a wonderful New year!!

Christmas Time

It's been a while since I blogged with this busy month of getting ready for Christmas day. This year Jack is starting to know what's going on around him (he was 3 months last Dec) and its been really fun to watch! He can say 'San-na' and 'Ho ho ho'. Now if he could only stick his little belly out and rub it- ha! 

Here's a picture of me and Jack early in December after church



He was actually somewhat smiling at the camera!

Here are pictures from visiting Steve's grandparents Memaw and Bepop. I wish we could see them more often- they are just the nicest most loving couple. And Bepop is so funny!! Usually during Christmas and birthdays he will put a bow on his head and walk around with it to make us smile. He has a contagious laugh.

Bepop and Jack

When we were up there we helped set up the Christmas tree. I asked my mother in law Patti and Memaw (her mom) pose with a sad face before setting up the tree. They humored my request but I can tell Patti is
trying hard not to laugh :)

Here's the happy picture after setting up the tree. They sure look alike don't they?


Jack looking at the ornaments.

Here's a picture from our small group Christmas party. We just joined a few months ago and have really enjoyed it. There is nothing like fellowship and talking about what God is doing in our lives.

This was our first year of taking pictures with Santa at the mall! We went with all of Steve's direct family and much to my surprise it went really well. Jack didn't cry as I thought he would and even smiled on all his pictures. I just hope he keeps this up for next year!

Grandpa and Jack accidentally wore matching outfits

Below are some pictures from my father in law's yearly Christmas party! He is always good to pray and praise God before kicking off the festivities, and I am really grateful he mentioned Andrew in his prayer this year. Sometimes in watching the joy that Jack brings to our families, a part of me misses Andrew and wonder if others think about him too. It is good to know they do.

He found the sugar!! Coke cans everywhere



Sweet friends

In the midst of the busyness of December its so easy for me to lose sight of what Christmas is all about. I am thankful for the moments I'm reminded that its not about the presents, parties, dinners, etc. On Christmas day we celebrate that a savior was sent to earth to redeem and bring life to a broken world. I am thankful He loves us that much!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!