No One Does It All

Every once in a while I'm talking with someone and they mention how they don't know how I "do it all". And then I laugh in their face. And then I apologize for laughing in their face. And then I assure them that I don't do it all. Not even close.

It's easy to look at someone's successes, home, children, relationships, lifestyle... and compare it to your shortcomings. I know, because I do this too. Especially on Instagram. People on Instagram look like they have it all together... like, how do you find all these white walls and perfectly arranged greenery?!?! (I obviously have a high standard for perfection.) 

Here's the thing. We're all good at something. Some people can smell out those white walls like it's a double decker juicy lucy cheeseburger, and some of us are really funny. (Guess which one I am...) Some of us have beautifully decorated, sparkly clean homes, and some of us are really good at baking. Some of us are really good at doing crafts with our kids and some of us can put an outfit together like Rachel Zoe. 

And here's what happens. The Rachel Zoe-esque fashionista mom sees the Martha Stewart-esque crafty mom post her third kid-craft of the day and she wishes she was a better mom while the crafty mom sees an amazing outfit without any trace of spit-up and wishes she wishes she could look like that. They both dig a little further and find out that not only does fashionista mom have an incredible closet, but she has perfectly dressed twin 3 year olds, a 4 month old, and a flat stomach. A flat stomach. And that crafty mom isn't only super talented and selfless with her time, but she home cooks every meal from scratch, From scratch, 

All the sudden, fashionista mom thinks crafty mom can do it all and crafty mom thinks that fashionista mom can do it all. And they both feel like they're letting their families down because they're not like the other mom. 

You know what fashionista mom doesn't consider? That crafty mom can craft because she lives in her pjs. You know what crafty mom doesn't consider? That fashionista mom can put together outfits like that because she's not crafting with her kids all day. 

Neither one are doing it all. They're just doing what the other isn't. 

I usually get asked how I "do it all" by moms who clean their homes all day long, dress their kids even if they don't leave the house and would never think of feeding their family popcorn for dinner. They don't know that unless I'm going somewhere that day I drop my daughter off for school in my pajamas and bare feet... and pick her up the same way. They don't see that my kids will either be in pajamas or dress up clothes at home (unless they slept in the clothes they were wearing the day before). They don't see that the pile of dishes in my sink won't get done until 10 minutes before my husband arrives home from work. They don't consider that I do what I do because I don't do what they do!

So, stop comparing yourself to someone else, and start boldly being YOU! Know that God made you how you are for a reason. Know that to Him, you're doing it all when you're doing what He has for you!!! Proudly be YOU, and praise God that in your weaknesses He is strong!!!

School Conference Tears

Photo Credit / / Abigail Niemann Photography

Our oldest, Peyton, had her first school conferences earlier this week, I didn't expect to feel nervous, but I guess it's hard to shake those "school conference nerves" when you've had them as long as you can remember (I wasn't the best student... school conferences we're never my favorite thing in life). I brought Peyton with me and as we waited for our time slot in the hallway, we talked about her first day of school. How she felt "a little bit nervous, mom", wondered if she would ever remember her teacher's or friend's names, didn't know if she would ever learn to read... and we talked about how far she has already come! She knows and loves her teachers, she has a whole lunch table of friends, and she's becoming a more and more confident reader every day! She walked me down the hall of her school and showed me her artwork, the lost and found, where she kept her slippers and hat and gloves... she was so happy and proud and it eased my nerves a little bit as I remembered how much I love her school.

When it was our turn, Peyton colored in the hall as I walked into her classroom. Her three teachers welcomed me and we sat around a child-sized table on child-sized chairs surrounded by the organized beauty of Montessori learning stations. I took out my notebook, and with butterflies in my stomach from all my memories of my own school conferences, prepared myself for a list of what I was doing wrong. See, Peyton is at school only three days a week, while we homeschool her two days a week. There is a learning curve to the homeschooling parent when they are teaching in this hybrid week, and I knew I had some things to improve on at home.

The sweetly affirmed the learning curve, gave me some tips on what to focus on at home, and then Miss Susan's eyes lit up as she went to get Peyton's Bible Verse journal. She flipped through the colorful, detailed pictures that Peyton had drawn above carefully copied verses of truth and my face started to get hot. It took all I had to not break down into a puddle of tears as she told me how impressed she was in Peyton's understanding of Biblical truth concepts. She showed me examples of how Peyton's drawings showed a level of understanding that could only be explained by the Holy Spirit, and how she loves to share these truths with her teachers and classmates. I was speechless not because I didn't have words, but because I knew if I opened my mouth to speak that I would start ugly crying all my pent up school conference PTSD, and proud momma tears and they wouldn't stop. And the teachers would think I'm emotionally unstable. Which is entirely true haha.

The drive home was basically me breaking down every 5 seconds telling Peyton how proud I am of her, and thanking God that we get to send her to this school. My biggest prayer for her is that whatever she learns at school will only help her live the adventurous life that God has for her. So, when the school that I've been wanting to send her to for three years has the same passion and goal for my daughter, I can't help but get super emotional and thank God times a million.

I talk about it a lot, but God put this school on my heart long before it was possible for us to even think of sending our kids there. We were struggling to buy groceries and knew that school tuition was completely out of the question... but God had a plan. Four years ago, I never would have imagined that we would be able to afford private education through a business I work from my phone in an hour a day... but that was God's plan, and I'm so thankful He lead us here how He did! He ALWAYS has a plan to give us the desires of our heart when we delight in Him! We only have to trust, wait, work, and pray!

What are the desires of your heart? Do you believe that God is able to do what you think is impossible? Are you working toward your goals knowing that God has a plan for your best? Never discount what God will do with your faith! He totally changed our life through one step of faith 15 months ago when I started an in-home business to make $500/month to pay for groceries and he turned it into over $2,000/month to pay for a school that is an answer to YEARS of prayers!

He is ABLE!!! What are you trusting him for today?

I used to Blog...

I used to blog back in 2011/2012. All my friends were doing it and my husband was deploying halfway around the world for a whole year. We had two babies at the time (one born while he was gone) which meant, by 7:30 pm, I had NOTHING to do. I wanted to keep the husband up to date on all the fun we were having back home, and needed something to fill my time with! Blogging was an amazing experience and the friends I made through this platform are still my friends today! But, as I would have guessed, I stopped writing as much soon after Ryan got home, and it's been a few years since this dusty 'ol thing has even been touched! Like Ryan's deployment, this whole blogging thing seems like a lifetime ago!

Instagram has been a good enough outlet for my thoughts... until my ramblings kept getting cut off. You know me, I could probably fill a whole Instagram post with hashtags alone! After all my sighs, gasps, eye rolling, and phone throwing got the attention of my gem of a husband, he suggested I start blogging again. No limits for me and no whining to him! Plus, when I can get my thoughts out in writing, I'm less likely to word vomit all over our night of married people Netflix and Chill. This is looking like a win...

So, I logged into Blogger. And I read a few of my most recent posts. And I cringed. The picture editing... the words... the cheese of it all.

But I'm leaving them up. Probably.

For now, I'll be formulating a couple post ideas, changing a few diapers, ignoring a few loads of laundry, and wondering how one of my most recent blog posts included a toddler that is now seven and a pop culture reference that is now our President.

So, here's to more memories, more kids to blog about, more topics to cover, and more reading entertainment for you every Monday and Friday!

Yes. It's Tuesday.

<3

Baby Powder 101

Class taught by Professor Peyton

#1 Use Liberally.  On Everything. Floors, cribs, dressers, dirty clothes hampers, benches, baby brothers, chairs, closet interiors, your own hair/body... etc.

#2 Baby powder is especially effective when paired with Desitin, vaseline, baby lotion, and baby wipes.

#3 Best when used before responsible uneducated adult enters premises.  (Use in front of baby brother is encouraged for visual teaching purposes)

#4 Warning: When at all possible, do not leave identifiable markings in the baby powder after using. Most adults are not aware of the correct usage of baby powder and will wrongly accuse you of doing something wrong before immediately put you down for a nap.

Congratulations on graduating from Baby Powder 101.  You may now register for the inevitable Baby Powder 201 class taught by Professor Vandis.

Ok, Dad...

Ok, Dad... you can come home now.  I am ready to go sledding, and you know mom won't take me.

Oh, by the way... can you bring some snow too?  It's basically been summer around here the past few months and if I grow out of this snowsuit without using it even once mom is not going to be very happy. Mom also says that the snow is only allowed to be here for one day.  Between you and me, she seems kind of high maintenance about this whole thing.

Anyways, can't wait to go sledding with you!

Love you, Dad!

Love, Peyton

Strength for Today, and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

I was a part of a ladies conference this weekend called Empower 2012: Treasured.  I would LOVE to write a post all about it, but I have no pictures from the event.  Since planning for this event consumed my life for the better part of the last few weeks, a post will be coming... just not until I can get some pictures from a beautiful pregnant friend of mine named Ria :)  Or anyone else who will post some to facebook... I don't discriminate, I just need pictures!

The title to this post is from an old hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.  I've sang this song so many times, but this weekend during the conference the phrase "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow" really stood out to me.  

Since my last blog post at the end of October a few things have changed in my life.  Things like my kids growing bigger, smarter, cuter... my husband's return date coming sooner... and my longing for 80 degrees and sunshine becoming stronger have been the usual, expected changes.

But then there were a few unexpected changes as well.  You've probably had some too... you know, the ones you don't plan for.  The ones you don't see coming.  At the top of my list of unexpected changes is the announcement that my Pastor of 16 years was going to be leaving his role as our pastor to go be the "Executive Director of International Ministries" for Converge Worldwide.  

I was beyond shocked when I heard the news.  I mean, talk about unexpected change!  Pastor Ivan has been my only pastor, ever!  I grew up being best friends with his daughter, he was practically my second dad for a big portion of my life.  I never saw this coming... and neither did he.

As a person who likes change, I can see that this is super exciting for both our church and Ivan and his family.  I know that God has a plan for his ministry as a big-shot director, and I know that God has a plan for my church, Edinbrook. 

That hardly makes it any easier to say goodbye.

Today was Ivan's last day as our pastor. As we commissioned him to his new position, from the Pastor of our Edinbrook to the Director of International Ministries I remembered that we are given strength for today, and a bright hope for tomorrow.

For Edinbrook, we have strength in this time of uncertainty, and hope that our God who started a good work in our church will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6) 

Today God offers strength 

• in the often tiring and tedious job you have as a parent
• while you pray for your friend/child/parent/sibling that is far from God
• while you are getting through the work day at a job that you only have to pay the bills
• as you wait for a resume to catch an employer's eye
• in the pain and hardship of this life

And the bright hope that

• your dedication, love, and reliance on the Him will amount to a young life that is sold out to Christ. (Proverbs 22:6)
• He is able to melt the heart of stone. (Ezekiel 11:19)
• His purpose for your life is better than you can ask for, think, or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
• He will provide. (2nd Corinthians 9:8)
• He has overcome this world. (John 16:33)

Will you allow His strength to work in your life today and trust Him for a better tomorrow? God is to be trusted!  His word never fails!

I want to end this blog post with a short video. Shane, is the 17 year old son of my pastor who will be leaving his friends, school, band, and church behind to follow his parents in this ministry.  He wrote a short song with a clear, simple message that I am thankful to be reminded of.

A Photo Collage of My Life the Past Few Weeks

*** WARNING ***

A photo blog post sans witty commentary is all you will get in this post.

It's going to be really boring.

Similar to the title.

I just wanted to get some pictures up for the hubs.  

Who, by the way, just got promoted to Sergeant!  

On to the Pictures...

Women of Faith

Anoka's Halloween Parade

Peyton Being Unnaturally Adorable

Halloween Harvest Fest at Church 2012

<3 <3 <3