Resolutions

I am one of those people that really likes making New Year's Resolutions. Not so much because I believe there is anything magical or special about a new year. But, I think a new year is a good benchmark for looking towards the next year and looking at the last one. And I am always seeking to grow as a person. I have loved reading blog posts and talking to my friends about their resolutions for this year. So, I decided to go ahead and blog mine.

This past year I was totally living in survival mode. I am excited to be more intentional this year. So, without further ado...

1. Read through the Bible in a year. I did this a few years back and found that it was during this time that I had the most spiritual growth and was also the most disciplined in my daily Bible reading. I decided this year was a good year to do it again.
2. Exercise everyday- even if it is just 5 or 10 minutes. I definitely want to lose weight and be healthier in the new year. I know for me, when I exercise I tend to eat and feel better. So, I want to make it a priority this year.
3. Stick to our budget. Enough said.
4. Make better food choices. I know this is vague. But, I am looking to take it one day at a time in the new year and when it comes to food my main goal is just to do better than I have been.
5. Drink more water, less soda. This goes along with eating better. I went Diet Coke free for 6 months last year and I know it was so good for me. Not sure that I am ready to commit to that but, less is better.
6. Have a date night every week. Most weeks this will be a "date night in". For awhile there we were doing great at making this a priority but we fell of the wagon a bit on this one. My marriage is my highest priority after my relationship with the Lord and I need to make sure I am treating it that way.
7. Have a family game night once a week. Because, obviously, family game night is awesome.
8. Count 1,000 gifts this year, Ann Voskamp style.
9. Go to St. Louis Family Camp this summer. I have wanted to do this for the past few years and we haven't been able to make it work. Hopefully this is the year!
10. Focus on my HOME- my family, my life. I want to be less concerned about what other people are doing and focus on the ministry God has given specifically to me.
11. Meal plan. This is another thing I have fallen off the wagon on and our budget and wastelines have definitely paid the price.
12. Read to the kids everyday. This is something I usually do already but I want to make sure I stay intentional about it. Nick reads to our kids every night before bed so I have to make time for it other times during the day.
13. Stick to a cleaning routine. A messy house stresses me out... 
14. Talk to Nick before making plans. This is less because Nick minds me making plans or anything. But, I know I am quick to say "yes" to everything that comes along. Waiting to talk to Nick gives me time to think things through and also helps us decide what is best for our family.
15. Play classical music at home more. I believe exposing our children to good music is an important part of their education so it is something I just want to be more intentional about this year.

So, there they are. My 15 goals for the new year! Can't wait to see how 2014 plays out!

New Years Recap

We had a blast ringing in the new year! Our dearest friends the Jenkins family came up from Springfield to spend New Years Eve and New Years day with us! I think we have a new tradition? (Please say yes Christina!) :)

Their crew rolled into town around 3 in the afternoon and the kids immediately dissapeared, ready to play. Our kids all love each other so much and it is such a blessing to watch them play and play. 

For dinner New Years Eve we decided to do appetizers. We had quite the spread! Southwestern eggrolls, queso and chips, chicken bites, smokies, meatballs, cheese fondue, cheese and summer sausage... 

And for dessert we had a chocolate fountain and then some amazing peanut butter/chocolate/pretzel deliciousness that Christina made. 

We had a fabulous night just hanging out, eating too much, and laughing constantly. I think the kiddos crashed around 9 and the adults actually made it to midnight!

The next day we spent playing and then we had to top it off by taking our friends to our favorite pizza buffet for lunch.

We are so thankful for these friends that are much more like family. And we can't wait to see them again next month when we head to Springfield to celebrate my... gasp... 30th birthday ;). 

Christmas 2013 Recap

I can't believe all of the holidays fun is over and it will be back to reality in a few short days! Our family was sick right up until the weekend before Christmas so things were pretty calm around here leading up to Christmas. We didn't get to go and do a lot of our "usual" pre-Christmas activities. But, honestly, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. I learned that missing all of those things didn't really take anything away from our Christmas season as a family. In fact, I would say this was our best one to date. I felt like we had the perfect amount of activity and rest the week of Christmas.

The Friday before Christmas we went to Nick's work Christmas party. I was a little stressed to go since I didn't know anyone and wasn't sure what to expect but it ended up being a great night. Plus, it is always fun to get dressed up and go somewhere fancy with the man you love the most. It was also fun putting faces with all of the names I hear Nick talk about.

Saturday evening was our Christmas celebration with my mom's side of the family. Pretty sure I didn't get a single picture the whole night. Whoops!

Sunday we went to church and then in the afternoon we headed to Illinois to celebrate Christmas with Nick's sister and her family. I am thankful that we get together with them every year around Christmas and we always have so much fun (apparently too much fun to stop and take pics!) Jaime made delicious potato soup... I might have begged for leftovers... and a chocolate fountain! The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and it was just a fabulous evening. We ended it by driving through their town's light display which has sort of become a fun little tradition for our family.

Monday my mom and Grandma came over to decorate Christmas cookies with the kids. My mom decided to go ahead and bake all of the cookies ahead of time and just bring them over which was just perfect for our kids ages. All the fun and no waiting! My mom and I also realized who the elementary school teacher of the bunch was during the morning... my Grandma June was so patient and good at helping the kids decorate through the chaos! It was a very special morning and definitely one of my favorite moments of Christmas this year.

I was a little bummed on Christmas Eve because Nick had to work all day. But, knowing that we were going to Kitaro for dinner (a Japanese hibachi restaraunt) made it better. I started off the day taking Sam to the doctor (turned out he still had a nasty ear infection that antibiotics hadn't helped).  Then we got to go to dinner with my parents and sister and brother in-law. I love our Christmas Eve dinner! Being at one of my favorite resteraunts with my favorite people is just such a blessing. Then we came back to our house for some games. My family left after a little bit and we put the kids to bed. Then Nick and I turned on a movie and wrapped presents. It was a perfectly lovely Christmas Eve.

The kids were so excited when they woke up Christmas morning (obviously!). And Sam gave me an amazing Christmas present... he slept through the night for the first time in his life! We let the kids open their stockings and then we had breakfast. We lit the Advent candles and Nick read the Christmas story from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Then we opened presents. We stuck with our three present rule for our kiddos so they each got a book, a new board game, and then some little toy figurines I found at the Disney Store. Max got a Phineus and Pherb set, Jack got Monsters Inc. (he had informed us that he ONLY wanted Monsters Inc. toys for Christmas, ha) and Sophie got Sophia the First. Sam got shoes for Christmas since he didn't have any and apparently people frown on letting your children go barefoot in the winter...

After we let the kids play for a bit we went and picked up my Grandma and then headed out to my parent's. We immediately opened presents with them. Everyone got all sorts of fun things! Max's favorite was probably his bb gun that he had been begging for. Sophie got Frozen dolls that she loved and a pink toy rifle that she was suprisingly stoked about! Jack loved his Monsters Inc. toys of course. Sam got a push walker that he loved. Nick got lots of fun board games and computer stuff (I have no idea!). I was totally spoiled but my favorite gift is between a big red R or my new knife set...

For lunch my parent's ordered a ham smoked by a local BBQ place that is amazing. And then my mom made all the amazing sides. Now, I like ham fine. But this ham.... this ham was amazing. I can't begin to describe the deliciousness that was this ham. Thankfully I got to take home leftovers of that too. After lunch we spent the rest of the day just hanging out with my family. We played some games, watched some movies, and just chatted. It was lovely.

Sorry this post was a little long. I just wanted to remember all of the fun we had! IT was a blessed celebration for sure.

The Gift Our Children Really Want

I just wanted to pop in and share this article from my very favorite, Sally Clarkson, "The Gift All Children Want the Most, Even When They Grow Up". It was a a beautiful reminder for me during this season, but also one I need to remember all year long.

I didn't realize until having children how all they really want is their mama (and dad's!) TIME and ATTENTION. People often say it is about quality, not quantity. But, if we are being honest, when it comes to our children, it is about both. They want our hugs when they first get out of bed in the morning. They want our attention as we chat over their bowl of Cheerios. They want us to watch and play their favorite toys with them. They want us there to kiss their toes when they stub them on their favorite toy that they forgot to put away....In the everyday moments they want us. And at Christmas time they do too.

So, in this crazy season of sickness at our house I am going to be thankful that I have the opportunity to give my chldren the gift that they want the most this Christmas and always- me. And while it sounds very self-important we all know deep down that it isn't. It just is. When children are hurt or sad or scared, they want Mom. And when they are happy or excited or want to be funny, they want Mom. And I am thankful that I can spend my days and years giving them that. And praying that they can take it with them and pass it on to their own children one day...

'Tis the Season

... to be sick apparently! We have had very few healthy days in the past several weeks. I would be totally lying if I said it doesn't have me pretty down. This is my favorite season of the year and I feel like we are missing out on all of the fun by staying home sick. We have had to miss out on or cancel several activities this season because of illness in our family. From pink eye, to ear and sinus infections, to all sorts of various coughs, congestions, etc...

I have really been struggling to deal with my frustration and then guilt about all of this sickness during this season as during this time I am watching a family from our church suffer through this season...

The McCormick family is a very loved family in our church who have 11 children! They are a kind wonderful family! Whenever women in our church are struggling with anything one of the first things I would hear is "Audra McCormick told me this..." They are a loving family who love God and their children well. Earlier this year before their 11th child was born she was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 and the family was told there was only a 5% chance that she would be alive at birth. Hadley Mae was born alive and has been alive now for 127 days! We are all so overjoyed for their family. But, at the same time. It is a very hard road for this sweet family as they know that the day will come soon that they will have to say goodbye to their sweet girl. Hadley deals regularly with episodes of apnea and other issues as well. At the same time, her father has been in and out of the hospital with a very serious case of pneumonia and hasn't been able to work (he owns his own business). To keep up with this sweet family please like Hadley Mae's Facebook page here. And if you feel led to give please go here. Even a small amount would bless this family so much during this time. The last thing this family should have to be worrying about right now is finances.


So while I am frustrated at all of our sickness, I know (and have to remind myself often) that Lord willing, we will all be well soon. It can be hard to keep perspective that this is not true for the McCormick family and so many other families. We want the Christmas season to be a time of 24/7 fun.We believe Pinterest that from Thanksgiving to New Years everyday should be a party. But, the reality is, that Christmas time, like all other times of year comes with hard things for many people. Sickness and pain don't go away. Daily struggles still abound (and are often brought even more to light during what can be a stressful season!)

But, I think we can see the meaning and beauty of Christmas even better when we are suffering (in a small or big way) during this time of year. Because without Christmas, without Christ coming, our suffering would be for nothing. We would have no hope. But, Hope came to earth on Christmas day. I might be celebrating Christmas by wiping lots of runny noses, administering lots of medicines, and getting little sleep instead of the way that I would like to. But, I have the hope of heaven. And not only heaven, a Savior who is walking with me, and the McCormick family, and your family even now as we go through hard things.

We have the opportunity to worship Christ well in our suffering. In the hard things. Our perfect gingerbread houses do not give hope to a broken world the way that seeing people sustained and moved by the love of Christ while going through struggles does.

And if you are suffering in any way this season (big or small) I would love to be praying for you! Please leave a comment or send me a private message and I will be praying for you! And we can all take comfort from Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." 

The Christmas Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Seriously, sometimes I think I am more excited about Christmas than my kiddos.

But, while I love the holidays I have a tendency to stress myself out a bit. The past few years I have loved the idea of Advent calendars that have an activity to do as a family everyday. But, with having little kids (several by the way, ha!) I often found myself more frazzled than anything. I read this article, "To the Mamas of Littles During the Holidays" and immediately felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I especially loved her advice when considering holiday activities, "If it makes you yell, it's a No. Everytime". I have really been trying to wrap my mind around the fact lately that what kids want more than fun crafts, exciting vacations and outings, and elaborate scavenger hunts is a happy mom. A mom that smiles and laughs and hugs. A lot. And this article was the perfect reminder at the perfect time.

So, we decided to keep our family celebration of Advent simple and focused. We are putting it right into our regular family worship time. I love the Jesus Storybook Bible anyway and when I found this resource I knew it would be the perfect fit for us right now.

Go here and you can print out beautiful story cards and daily readings. I printed them out and then we are hanging them on a piece of twine with a mini-clothespin after every reading. Simple.

I also knew I wanted to do an Advent study on my own this year. There are so many good ones out right now that I wanted to do them all! But, that really doesn't work. I am reading this one with Nick, Good News of Great Joy by John Piper.

The readings are short and lovely and filled with good news.

In my morning time I am following along with the Good Morning Girls Advent study. My friend Crystal is doing it too so it is neat to share what we are learning.

I feel like we have also really found a good balance in doing some fun activities to celebrate the season and also not overwhelming ourselves. Last weekend we took the kids to dinner (we had a giftcard, woo hoo!) and then went to see the zoo for the Wild Lights display (I forgot my phone in the car so no pics, oops.) The weather was perfect and we had the best time. It was a fun way to kick off the holiday season.


This weekend we are heading to Springfield to spend the weekend with one of our favorite families on the planet, the Jenkins family! They invited us to spend the weekend with them this fall and we seriously questioned their sanity inviting our crazy family of 6 to stay with them in their home. We had a blast! And are now seriously questioning their sanity even more because they invited us to come back and do it again! Our original plan was to hit up Silver Dollar City and see the lights on Friday but with a forecast of 20 degrees we went with plan b... which will include spending time with even more dear friends and just hanging out. We are stoked. I hear the names Maddie and Zack about 50 times a day.

Also on the agenda in the weeks to come are a Christmas get together with our small group, a game night with good friends, Nick's work party, the Moore family Christmas, and then we will definitely need to fit in a drive-through light display and baking Christmas cookies. I am not feeling overwhelmed and that feels very good!

So, we are enjoying this season. We have the Christmas pjs going...


And we know that all this boy will want for Christmas is his two front teeth ;)


(I keep singing that song and he is totally confused... ha!)

I hope everyone else is enjoying this season and finding the balance of worship, simplicity, and fun that can be so hard to grasp.

I will leave with this. I read this verse for the Good Morning Girls study this morning and got chills (Jeremiah 33:14,15).


He is coming.

Sam P. is 9 months old!

This guy has been 9 months old for about a week now. And I must say, he does 9 months old well. He has learned a few new tricks and is pretty happy most of the time (a big improvement from how he was from months 2-7!). He still isn't the best sleeper at night but naps are going much better. He also is pulling up to standing wherever he can, feeding himself well, crawling instead of army crawling sometimes, and making all sorts of sounds.

However, staying still for pictures is not one of his new skills. These were the best I got out of probably 70! Ha! That boy likes to move!