It's a New Year of Blog Posts

I'll admit; I love to blog!  Not everyday though; sometimes life takes over and I'm given that opportunity to live what I write during the hiatus.
When God gives me an opportunity to reflect on what I have lived, well... I blog.
I pray over each and every post that women, and teen girls out there will find something or someone to relate to.
Therefore this is a year of new blog posts!
Hello 2013!
I am so excited to see what God has in store for our family this year!  
For now I think there's another short blogging hiatus in my near future!
So off I go- 

Living Life! :)

Happy Birthday Shianne

The changes you are making,
your beautiful smile,
your laughter,
your silliness,
your strong will-
I love all of this about you.
Even when it seems rough, I am reminded you are being shaped into a young woman, there are bound to be bumps along the way.
You celebrated your 13th birthday two days ago; I sit back and wonder where the time goes.
I pray as you grow you never lose sight of your purpose in life;
and that you pray through every decision that is yet to come your way.
There will be friends, boys, crushes, dances, dresses, heartbreak, new privileges, loneliness &; fullfillment.
Never forget God will always fill your needs, and will always listen to your prayers.
Please know...
there will be prayers of yours that will be answered in ways you weren't expecting,
but always take heart that "Father knows Best",
 and you my dear,
 are a treasure in His and our eyes.
 
I Love You!

The Last Look Back Post} Posted December '2012

Posted} December 2012

 What if you don't fit in?

 
Dr Seuss certainly got this right!  The desire to fit in has sadly caused parents to try everything in their power to help their child fit in.
While fitting in seems to send an idea to someone as inviting, comforting, and an easier way to get through life; it is just another one of the worlds biggest lies.
Why would I want my children to do what everybody else is doing for the sake of their popularity; instead of teaching them how to stand above the rest; and understand the dangers in life.
I don't want my children to be like everyone else, in a way this sometimes makes me the uncool Mom.  In other words I choose not to be afraid to say no to my children if they are asking about certain types of media, video games,movies, or photo sites that I have researched and found to be unsafe.
Since when did parents stop becoming parents?
Since when did parents start saying oh you can do that since everyone else is; I'd hate for you to be left out, I want you to be cool.
The number of parents parenting this way is extremely high; and I just don't get it.
This makes it very hard for us as Moms to help our children discover the benefits of standing out.
While it is harder- it is still worth it- and it is still possible!

I as a parent do not have any desire to be like the other parents just because they make those decisions, likewise I don't want my children to be like every other kid just because their friends are allowed to do certain things that I do not allow them to do.  
I as a parent seek Gods will; I would like them to do the same.  

Gods will is catered to us as we are His unique creation; He has so much in store for us individually that we may miss out on if we are too busy trying to fit in to this world.  We are called to lead others to Christ; and standing out is key.

God calls us to do our research, and be wise in our decisions; and know why we are making them.  Is it based on what others are doing? Or is it based on the safety of my child?  I choose the second.

Many would argue that the more you don't allow your children to do things; the more they'll want to do it.  
Look at Adam and Eve; they were told not to eat from the tree of life ; but it was in their nature to disobey; 
did that make God change His mind about the rule He set in place; so they could fit in the garden better?  So they could feel more comfortable?
Absolutely not!  
He knew the dangers in store for them; and He loved them.

Just as we love our children we need to be looking into the possible dangers of all things they are exposed to.  Especially in this digital time we live in.
Will our children struggle with obedience to the rules?
I'm sure they will,
but it is our job to keep on teaching, and keep on loving.

"Train a child in the way He should go and He wont depart from it"

Proverbs 22:6

I know this verse to be true,
I am living proof!

I grew up very sheltered (I now like to call it very loved).  :)

There were a ton of things I was not allowed to do; and there were many times I rebelled.  
That never changed my parents- the rules were the rules; if I chose to disobey them I had to live out the consequences of my rebellion.  

I was not a teenager who made wise choices; I carried this on to my young adult life- 
I was spiraling downhill for sure.  
I was experiencing the life of fitting in- 
I was doing everything everybody else said was cool; 
and that enticed me for years.  
I didn't even know who I was; because my identity was found in what the world said was fun and free.  
The worst part of it is the world seriously thought this kind of living was standing out and being yourself; 
and I believed the lie, 
I would insist This is who I am; 
but it wasn't.
It was who everyone else was.

Then the time came when God set me free from this bondage, and showed me who I was in Him.  He taught me how to stand out and not be like the rest.  

Even as a Mommy; I don't have to say yes to my kids just because every other parent has said yes to theirs; I instead have an opportunity to stand out, and point out possible dangers to other Mothers who may not see the dangers in the things their children are exposed to, because we all can be blinded by blending in to this world; just because everyone else is doing it.

But God has called us to be so much more!
He has called us to stand out; because only He truly knows our hearts;
and only He can bring out the best qualities in us.

He has created you and me as individuals with unique qualities that He so powerfully brings out in us; to serve a purpose;
to set free the lost, by our example
for Him.

Lets teach our children to stand out; because God knows their hearts better than the world ever will.  They were not created to fit in...
They were created to Stand Out.

Five Minute Friday} Cherished

Today was a day that will be cherished.

Down to the breakfast in bed on my 34th birthday,
the brakes being fixed on my car by my hubby, and the wonderful friends that made a point to come to my home and share my birthday with me, by their own choice- on the fly.

I am brought to happy tears at the thought of how true the few friends I have are.

I am not one of many friends, but the ones I have are so dear to my heart.  
There is such realness in it all, and I am feeling cherished by the women God has answered my prayers with.

I cherish every friendship He has placed in my path; the memories of them all have touched my heart
with such amazement.

No matter where life takes me, God has always placed a good friend in my path.

There is nothing that can make me feel more cherished than that.

********************************

Now it's your turn - click on the five minute Friday logo below to participate, or to just read some beautiful entries based on one word.

A Look Back at Last Year} November '2012

Posted: November 2012

 

Thank You Dad

 

Thank you Dad.  

I've been thinking about you a lot this Thanksgiving Season; and just how grateful I am for you.

Thank you for always teaching me what silly does for the soul.  For the cute languages we would make on our car rides throughout town.  
 Your sayings; oh how they crack me up! 
 "Dang Squid, Mama Jama, Dad gum Punk" and so on hahahahaha.

Thank you for our countless hours playing Super Mario Brothers on the Nintendo; because of you, to this day that is my favorite game.  It makes me think of you. 
You have always been a kid on the inside-
gotta love you for that; that's one of the many things that makes you so fun.

Your strength I admire with a loss for words.  I have watched you push through trials in your life and strive to become better through them all.
You have taught me to think twice, and not to live my life with regret.
I grew up seeing you go through so much pain; between my middle to high school years you experienced loss; of two of the most important people in your life; your only brothers. 
And just under a year ago the unexpected loss of your Father.
My heart has always ached for you; not ever having a clue how these events must have changed the course of your life dramatically.  
I saw you- 
I still see you sometimes when you ache-
 through all this pain I have a Dad who places so much value on life; more than most people I know.  Because of you our family never parts without saying "I Love You"; you taught me just how important that is.
You've shown me what it is to live life through the hardest of circumstances;
and how to have faith even when it is so hard.

Dad you are the epitome of Rockstar; you are "My Rockstar".  You showed this girl what rock music is; and because of you I agree; the Beatles were the best band EVER!
You love playing the guitar; and are by far Alice Coopers biggest fan!!! 
Do you have any idea how fun it is to talk about my Dad with my friends?  You are by far the coolest!!!
You love sports, street bikes (thank God your still here), cars- and you share your Grandsons love of motocross.

Yep; I've got a Starbucks Dad- I am so so so blessed!!! Your such a coffee shop kinda guy; I just Love It!!!!
Oh don't even get me started on movies; You ARE NETFLIX!- hahahaha.

Bottom line My Dad Rocks; that's all I can say;
and I am so Thankful He is my Dad!

I Love You Daddo!

Love,

Your Kiddo