Learning How to Say No

"Learning how to say No".....

Well it is easier said than done when you grew up with a mom who was the person you went to for everything.. even if you needed a spoon, she probably had one in her purse. I think I got some of her "skills" for lack of a better word. I don't do much, but in the grand scheme of things in my world, I do more than my fair share. I am a control freak-- but only when I am having to do something for crafts. Everything else, you just can have that, I am only interested in the crafts....

Last year, I really started to notice that I was getting run down and that everyone (in my world that is a lot of people) was relying on me to do all of their duties with my MOPS group. I felt as though I was the only reliable one, so therefore I had to be at the meetings 45 minutes early to prepare....  I did that every meeting for the entire year, except for 1 time when I was late. On top of that, which only happened twice a month, I was starting to work at the local "Parents Day Out" (which is the same as Mother's Day Out, but we like to be different at our school!) I wasn't doing that full time- just when I was needed--which was a lot. Now in their defense, I did say YES a lot.

My point? I said YES to a lot, therefore, making me even more dependable. It wore me down. I was low on energy, low on caring and I was low on faith in my spiritual walk. It hasn't been sunny skies with unicorns bouncing around since I started letting go, but it has lifted a weight off of my shoulders. The Lord wants us to do things that we are passionate about, but he also knows our limits & wants us to acknowledge them as well.

The scripture that I read this morning comes from Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do in 

word or deed, do 

all in the name of

the Lord. 

This year we are about to start back up at MOPS and I will say that I have let go of a lot of responsibility and I am feeling really good about it. I feel like if I hadn't backed down some, I would have been stretched thin. This group is not just for me, but for my little Jay Jay (thanks to his cousins, aunt & uncle for that nickname--it kind of stuck with me too) as well. He enjoys it. I needed to slow down for him. 

So, whatever you do, remember that God put you there, he just wants you to set the boundaries in your passions. And if you must, say NO. 

Have a blessed day!

Adventures to see Jesus!

    Brady, Jayden & I decided to go to the park last night. It was actually a perfect time of the day. 6:45pm, everyone's tummies were full, we had our water bottles in hand and the breeze felt good! (Although when the breeze would pick up, it would blow the smell of the trashcan -- to the right of where we were sitting -- and then I would get that horrendous smell in my nose. Other than that, it was perfect!)

Jayden was playing with a little boy--about a year's difference in age, but that didn't stop them! Brady had gone over to check on both of them and he overheard this conversation:

Little Boy: How about you chase me?
Jayden: Well, let's go on an adventure to see Jesus!
Little Boy: Where is Jesus?
Jayden: He's in Heaven!

When Brady came back to tell me this, my heart melted. I knew exactly in that moment this is the feeling parents get when their little kids tell others about Jesus.


Backstory on the adventures: One time in Wonderworld at our church--I was over the 5 year old's that day. I had done the story, we had colored and done our craft and then in the back of stack of papers was a piece of paper titles "Going on an adventure to Egypt!" All of the kids had a blast, even my kiddo (who is obviously not 5, but wanted to stay in with mommy). Anyway, somewhere in between that day and when I went to hang out with my Sis, BIL (Bro-in-love) and all 6 of their kids (they have 8 total. 1 lives in another state while serving our country as a US Marine--OORAH! And the other one works...because she likes the $$). They apparently were bored, so I decided we'd go on an adventure to see Jesus...So there it started. Jayden had a blast. So occasionally, we will go on adventures to see Jesus and Grandpa.

I promise you, kids pick up on what you teach them pretty quickly. Jayden might not fully understand the meaning of Jesus loving us and us loving Jesus, but if he's already telling kids at the park that he wants to go an adventure to see Jesus, then we must be doing something right!

Have a Blessed Thursday!

Bluebonnets 2016

It's been a month and then some since I have posted! I am so sorry. I'll give a quick update. A month ago now, I started working a the local PDO aka Parents Day Out (most know it as MDO aka Mother's Day Out). Jayden gets to go to school while I get to work. I have enjoyed it! It reminds me of my old job back in college working at a daycare in College Station. I loved that job!!

So between working (right now I am only subbing when needed) and still being the most awesome Creative Activities Leader at DFC MOPS and figuring out how to still do my household duties, I have been quite busy! I commend those who do it every day!! God bless you parents who work!!

So without further ado, let me show you our Bluebonnet pictures from this year. My plan was to take Jayden back out this week to take more, but with some Indian Paintbrushes in the mix...that was until it started raining. Maybe it'll clear up later today and I can take him. Or tomorrow. (lol)

I found this patch on our way to church one morning and decided it was a great place to go take them. When we left the house, it was cloudy (which I hear is the best time to take pictures), but when we got to this special patch, the sun was out and was in our eyes! Shame on the sun!!! Some are taken from my phone and some from my camera. I will post which is which under each picture.

Taken by my Nikon

Taken by my phone

Taken by my phone

Taken by my phone

Taken by my phone

Taken with my Nikon

Taken with my Nikon

Taken with my Nikon-- one of my favorites

Taken with my phone

Taken with my Nikon--Mia & Grandma's favorite!

 

To Sew or Not To Sew?

Some might be shocked, but I actually don't know how to sew! What?! Yes, that's right folks, this former Girl Scout & crafter of all things doesn't know how to sew! Jay-man's costume wasn't made using a sewing machine....it was made using Hot Glue (one of my favorite products)!

The whole costume in it's entirety! Even the crown was made by hot gluing 2 pieces of felt together!

It's hard to see, but his Aunt made him the other crown--to completely match his costume! Thank you Aunt Jena!

As you can see, I'm pretty proud of my work with the hot glue gun! Let's not forget these adorable little bow ties!

All made with hot glue! 

I did "learn how to sew" when I was a Girl Scout, but I never pursued it anymore because I absolutely had no interest. So now I am kicking myself for not asking my mom to teach me and not even taking a home-EC course in high school! Because I see all of these cute things on Pinterest that I WANT TO MAKE! (Examples: Dino Tails or Plush Alphabet or even something for myself A pretty Skirt!)

So this morning, since I couldn't sleep I got out of bed, came into the "new office"--well someday soon...hopefully (lol). I enjoyed some quiet time with Jesus & then I got on YouTube and watched my very first sewing video! I can't wait to get started!!!! I just have to buy some things first, but fabric is NOT one of them because I have been stocking up for quite some time on that! :)

I will update y'all later on how I did! Oh and did I mention that I will also be teaching myself how to sew by hand? Because I received this pretty dress & it has a rip in it. And I can't bear to let it go just because of that tiny little tear! I want to be able to wear it this summer while we are on vacay!

I hope y'all have a blessed Thursday!



But if we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

What Love Is

In our women's bible study group at church we just started the book What Love Is by Kelly Minter. I am only on Day 2 of "homework" and I must say that I am hooked. Taking a dive into the Letters of 1, 2, 3 John and the love he had for Jesus and for all those to know about Jesus has actually got me quite hooked!

This morning, while reading Day 1 of our "homework" something really caught my eye was this quote from Kelly: "The Lord calls each of us to our own unique race, just as He called a fisherman named John."

We can't compare ourselves to everyone else, because then we aren't opening our hearts, ears and eyes to listen to what God has called us to do. I know as a woman, I can't help but compare myself to other moms. Whether they're more stylish than me, they're skinnier than me or if they're cooler than me. What I do know is that God doesn't care about any of that and I have to be willing to listen because he called me here for a specific reason!

This study was just for me. In the time I needed it the most. Staying true to myself, to my family and most importantly to my God. I look forward to reading more, and learning exactly what Love is and how I can actually put into words & actions the kind of love God has for me.
 

Have a blessed Saturday!! 

Public Apology

Long time, no post! Every time I have wanted to post, life got up and said "No, you need to do this!"

I hate when that happens. So now, I am up early, enjoying my coffee, enjoying some time with Jesus and now I am here. I was on Facebook looking at some people who are my family and thinking "I haven't seen them in awhile, I need to see them." I am a family person, but only when I'm accepted. I love seeing family, whether by blood or by marriage. Or that was the case, until almost 3 years ago when my daddy went to his forever home. Losing a parent has changed my life, my way of thinking and my way of doing things. I don't take things for granted as much, I take a lot more things to heart and if I get ignored or something similar, my feelings get hurt.

If I left you abruptly, didn't talk to you for awhile, or cried in your presence recently, I am sorry. I truly am. Feelings come over me, reminding me of how certain things wouldn't have been had at my house growing up and then the tears flow.

With this being said, my family, by marriage or by blood is my everything. I can't change who I am and I won't. My daddy was one of those parents who said "if they hit you, you hit them back" and my mom was just the opposite, telling us that it was wrong." I have learned from the best and depending on my mood, I could do one or the other.

And you want to know something so extremely odd that I have learned in this grieving process? As the years grow longer since my daddy's passing, I am not crying every month, but sometimes if something triggers inside of me, most often when I am with a large group of people who happen to be my family, whether it be a past feeling, a past memory or whatever, that is when I notice the pain/joy I have in my heart.


I went down a rabbit hole, but here's the gist of the post: I am sorry if you have questioned my act of selfishness. Can't promise it won't happen again, but I'm hoping with time and prayer and my God beside me, that I will be better able to control the pain.


God Bless always.

Christmas Pics 2015

It's me again! Do you know what time of the year is drawing near? CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

If anyone knows me, they know that I love all things Christmas. Growing up, that was my favorite time of the year and it still is to this day! My daddy would get so excited about Christmas, my mom would stuff our stockings full of cool things, daddy would record us opening all of our gifts (no joke--4 hours worth- at least!!). Christmas has always been a special time of year for me. Not because of the gifts, but because we get to rejoice in knowing that Christ was born to later die for our sins! Yes, FOR OUR SINS!! And I love spending time with my family.

Well, anyway, back to my point.
Every year, we would always put up the tree AFTER Thanksgiving--that's a shocker for those who have known me in the most recent years. I always said that when I'm either on my own, or married--whichever came first, I would put my tree up the FIRST weekend in November. I have done just that since Brady and I have been married.

Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving. I love gathering together, giving thanks for the many blessings in my life and EATING! But....we've never had Thanksgiving here, and even if we did, my tree would still be up. Lol I just know how much I loved Christmas growing up and I want to pass on the tradition to Jayden.

Sooooo.....in October (yes, October) we had our Christmas pictures done. I love them. My boys look so handsome! I love that she captures the love that we share in pictures! Donna with Captivate Photography is my bestest friend, my Sis {in Christ} and my favorite photographer EVER! (If you visit the above link, you'll see my Bridal pic as her cover photo---yes, I'm bragging!) This year we didn't do the "normal Christmas colors" because Jayden's awesome Mia (my mom-in-love) bought him this adorable outfit and I just loved the colors! And the leaves changing and the beautiful pond in the background, well you'll just have to see for yourself! So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorites!

 

God Bless Each of you!! 

P.S. HAPPY VETERANS DAY!! Thank you to all the men and women who have served to keep our country the Land of the FREE! Without your selflessness, we wouldn't be able to walk, talk and praise our God. Thank you so very much, your service never goes unnoticed. 

Have a blessed week!