the here + now

Sick of all the negativity? Feeling all yuck in your heart? Here's my go-to for encouragement For daily devotions I use  She Reads Truth , you can follow the plan through youverse or online. This is the first plan I have ever stuck to it and didn't quit just days in. It has changed Jesus time to when I feel helpless to that special time almost every day that leads me to more of Him. If you have questions or need help regarding these studies, let me know For in the messy world of mommyhood where it feels like you only receive negativity for the things you should be doing or shouldn't be doing I suggest  Thrive Moms . If you subscribe to the weekly newsletter, you will receive it every Monday morning. This newsletter isn't going to feed you the latest parenting trend or beat you down, but to fill you up with love, encouragement & grace. For the reminder that you are someone so precious to Jesus  Erin  is your girl!! She has such a beautiful way to remind all...

2013 was a big year for us, it was the year we took a huge leap of faith, against what my flesh cried out, we started classes in January 2013 to become a licensed foster family. It took around 6 months to become licensed and we jumped right in, receiving a placement the day we were technically licensed, before even receiving the official letter. As {some of you} know that placement did not stay, you can read more about our journey so far by clicking the foster care tab above. In 2013 I decided to make the change to stop shutting people out, I can not say I have completely overcome that struggle, but it was a tired load to carry. In 2013 I went to my first conference -- The Influence Conference in Indianapolis, IN & God shook my world, as I figured would happen, just not how I thought it would happen. In 2013, God showed me how bound I have been by how I perceive others think about me, my body issues, my weight, my food addiction & my past. He has also given me ...

Truth be told, I am not a fan of sugar cookies & only make these with the kids because of tradition. My mom made them with my brothers & I. I remember Ryan and I always trying to sneak bites of the dough, because let's be honest the dough is 1000x better than the actual cookie.               I may not be a fan and baking in the kitchen turning it into a mess tests my patience, I love how much fun my littles have. I love the laughter and the over use of sprinkles.

From our family to yours,  Merry Christmas!!! Hope was my word for 2013, and I have been filled with hope, confused about keeping hope, discouraged and re-energized knowing m y hope completely rests in Him, that without hope life is very depressing, that hope is such a wellspring for my heart. For 2014 I'm clinging to  Joy . Knowing that in this life with motherhood, and being a wife, and all the emotions that come with foster care that I can do it joy fully. Knowing that as Jessi Connolley said in the "wild mom" class   "I can't do it all, but I can do what God asks of me, joyfully " That I have to choose to have joy .  That joy is all around me, in the goofiness of my husband In the laughter of my children In nature In the prayer from friends & family That joy can even be found while doing the dishes and scrubbing the toilets. J . O . Y .

Before going to The Influence Conference you could say I was on a God high. The trust, the faith, the whatever it is that makes life just feel like it should was just there. I went to Influence and things happened. God wrecked my heart and got me out of my comfort zone. There was a lot of coffee (+ too much fake sugar, which I found out that weekend is definitely a not good thing for my body) a lot of talking & crying & walking & eating & hugging. It was all that I thought it would be and nothing like I thought it would be. My heart was wrecked. I don't think I've ever cried, ok sobbed, during a worship service as much as I did that last night. Pieces of the brokenness being pieced back together. The image of that horse painting by April will never leave my mind, it's stamped forever. My soul sister-friend, Courtney coming by my side just to be there. And of course I was right by my crying buddy, Carrie. I cried because of the wrecking, and the broken...

Come have a virtual cup of coffee with me this afternoon. Do you drink an afternoon cup. It's needed for me. So if we were having coffee together what would you tell me?

I'm linking up with  Megan  and  Kiki  for The Circle, sharing our Christmas decor. I adore Christmas time, the music, the decorations & the remembrance of how our Savior came into this world so humbly. Most of my decorations are hand me downs or thrift store finds, but I love them!

I'm in a season of not wanting to clean. That to-do list may quietly be mocking me. My carpets desperately need swept and that stink in the bathroom can we ignore it?! I go through these seasons, I think it's the "every day mundane" that gets to me so in my own crazy way I rebel. That rebel led me to make some Christmas lock screen images just for you!                                                     Enjoy!!!

Today I am linking up with  Thrive Moms  for Christmas traditions link up. Every Christmas Eve is the same. The anticipation of the next morning, the excitement you can barely stand. Cookies, movies, cuddling &

Last month I jumped on the bandwagon with the November goals. I had set three goals: 1) Not stress about the thanksgiving at my house 2) New header 3) Having Addie completely potty trained. Results 1) There was stress, stress from hurt feelings 2) I did it & I love it 3) Well...we're still working on it, but making progress December Goals: Three worked well last month so we'll stick with it 1) To fully enjoy the season of celebrating Jesus' birth, it's so easy to get down about not being able to buy all the things for all the wonderful people in our lives but that's just not what it's about, but I still out for one day where I can bless everyone with gifts. 2) Last year we did advent activities every day, this year Alex and Livi are playing basketball so I wasn't planning every day and now we haven't done one advent activity. So goal #2 is to give grace & know the teaching and showing love towards others is more important ...

Life just feels to be getting too ahead of me. I just want to lie down and pause the world for a bit so I can catch up. It's just so non stop. The days seem to be closing and I feel failure daily. I was on twitter too much, we didn't even read one book today, I forgot to make dinner so I fed the kids cereal, my house is turned up side down, and I have not done one thing for advent. Rest. I keep hearing work from rest. Why is this so hard to do? When I can't seem to accomplish my normal things I know I need real rest but I keep going hoping I can get ahead, but the truth is it just makes me farther behind.  Rest. Today sounds like a perfect day to rest. Kids are cancelled from school. We can't really go anywhere and I just love Christmas movies. Movies + coffee, sounds like a plan!

It's about to get super Jesus-y here & I couldn't be more elated to share. Yesterday I was on the way to take Alex & Olivia to school and 3 lights went off in my beast to say something wasn't right. I couldn't go faster than 35-40 and going slow made it feel like I was going to stall. I kept thinking I just need to get the kids to school and home. I did make it home and I was scared outta my mind. My husband made the appointment to get the car in today but I had to take it because you know he has to go to a job + he had a microsoft {don't ask me to explain I don't know, but it's a BIG deal} test to take. The last one to get a special certification thingy. [I'm so winning at wife life right now]  My friend said she was going to follow me there, it was the she was going to do it, I had no say. To take it extra safe we put Addie in her car, just in case. I had been praying, she was praying, some of my twitter friends were praying. I had huge knot...

    The Lily Field // Life on a Mission // Trusty Chucks // Mercy Ink // Teressa Jane     Waiting with Joy // Unfading Grace // Sweet Home Santa Barbara // Heather Boersma // See You There a Rafflecopter giveaway open to U.S. / Canada residents ONLY // giveaway dates: December 2nd - 8th, 2013 // winner will be notified no later than Tuesday, December 10th and will have 72 hours to claim prize - failure to do so will result in forfeiture and a new winner will be chosen // TWO winners will receive $100 Visa gift cards // this giveaway is NOT sponsored by VISA // best of luck