Perspectives

At the moment I've got the TV on for the sake of drowning out the little one crying. He has a hard time being comforted by anyone but me, so we're trying to help him adjust. I feel like barging in and saving the day. It breaks my heart to hear him cry when I know I could stop it, but it's ok. He's ok. He's healthy, safe and loved.

Has anyone heard the story of Jaycee Duggard?
Kidnapped, held against her will for over 18 years, mistreated, used, abused. She gave birth to 2 children (as a result of the abuse) in a backyard. The first at age 14. Breastfed for a period of 6 years total. All the while her abuser was on parole. REALLY!? This story made my stomach turn, my heart ache and my blood boil. But after watching the way she conducted herself during a recent interview, her reflections on what she went threw, I was astonished at her poise. She was completely positive about her future, the love she has for her kids, and actually comforted her mother about regrets she had from that day.

We tend to stress about the little glitches in our day. The little things. I know I, as a SAHM, tend to get into a rut sometimes because I feel lonely or stuck in the same day-to-day thing. But when I think of this story, all I can think is, "if she can have joy and purpose after all that, I have no excuse to complain."

When we put into perspective that HEY! Our kids have food, clothes, a warm bed and people that love them, we can be thankful and joyful even in what feels like chaos. We have all we need and more. I know it's a topic we all talk about from time to time, but I just really felt the need to say it again. Life is good! Let the little things go. And for goodness sake! tell the people you love how much you love them!

Our families are usually the first people we snap at when we're feeling short tempered, but let's try and remember that these are the ones that know us best and need us the most. Show them you love them. My family makes me pretty crazy. Lately every time I feel my mind going into grumble mode, I tell myself, "do unto others...." It keeps me from feeling annoyed by every little thing. Maybe that's because it reminds me of my own humanity. Maybe it's because I realize I want to treat them better. I know God gave us this commandment because he knew it would benefit everyone involved.

As I would have them do to me-
Lindsay

P.S. Allen got Asher to sleep (Daddy FTW!!)

Twenty-Four

It's a strange thing to grow up. One day I'm graduating High School, then, 7 years and 2 kids later I realize I'm not a teenager anymore.
It's quite a relief if you ask me. Most people ask you on your birthday, "how does it feel?" and this year I actually had an answer.

"It feels great!"

I feel like I am finally comfortable in my own skin. No more awkwardness. No more comparing myself to others or feeling inadequate in some way. I don't feel the need to explain myself to anyone. I don't feel like I have to always say the right thing to spare someone's feelings. I'm not setting out to be hurtful, but I am comfortable with the truth.

Some might think "why did you get married before you knew who you wanted to be, or felt like yourself?" and my answer to that would be that I would never have found myself without my Husband. He is as much a part of me as anything else in the world. I am so thankful I found him.

As I feel a season of change is upon us all, I am filled with excitement and caution. Excitement because God always has a way of blowing my mind! Caution to not jump head first into anything without first consulting the part of me that knows what's right.

I'm ok knowing I'm not done making mistakes, but I know now I can handle them. I am what I was always meant to be. A wife. A mother. A woman. I can't wait to see what else goes on that list.

So in love with life.
Lindsay

Mid-Year Resolution

Anybody cringe at that title?

Today is June 1st!! It's always been easy for me to break my year into 2 parts: First half birthday, second half Christmas. (My primary love language is GIFTS if that explains anything.) So when my birthday comes around, it's always a good time for me to think about the year ahead. Where do I stand on the things I set out to accomplish on that first midnight in January?

What about my health? Everyone puts their health on their wish list for the coming year. Have the holiday weekends and birthday/ graduation parties thrown you for a loop? Yes.

All is not lost, though. We have time to catch it, to readjust. To make an actual effort. Think of this as your mid-term grade for the year.

Because it's time for a change. Everywhere I look, I see change happening. People's lives are changing, people's outlooks are changing and just the overall feeling day-to-day is changing. So let's all hop on board.

If you're the one with all the changes happening to you, embrace it! I mean, really, what choice is there?

And if you're thinking that not much has changed in your life lately, well.. maybe you need a change in perspective. Mine lately has been love. Thinking about other people and what they're going through and trying to love them despite their choices. Lord knows I'm glad He does that for me.

Let's all make a point to actually meet our goals. Not lose sight. Run the race and feel what it is to succeed at something personal.

Because next January, I'd like to start a new journey.
Lindsay

The In Between

From the time Allen leaves the house to the time he gets home, I run the show around here. Every diaper, every meal, every tear, every correction- they're my responsibility.

I love that I get to be at home with my boys. It's what makes sense for us, and I feel really blessed to do it. But sometimes I do feel a little less than appreciated. Like when my family comes home and says "this house looks the same as it did when I left." Not realizing that I had to work on keeping it that way. They didn't see the pile of toys Ira dumped out that I helped him clean up, or the crumbs he left all over the table that I had to wipe off. The loads of laundry that have been washed, dried, folded and put away. They sometimes don't see what goes on in between.

It's not a complaint. I understand that nobody can read minds or know what happened when they weren't there. My point today is what we mamas do in that time. Do we shrug it off and think "he'll never know the difference," or take our sweet time getting around to things because no body's watching? Or do we rise to the occasion to excel in our daily lives, knowing that it's important work and God can still develop our character at home, doing housework and caring for children?

The in between is important. Listen to what God said to Samuel in his search for Saul's replacement, "...Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7b
1 Samuel 16:7

These are the teaching moments God has set in place for us. I know He's got big plans for every one of us here- reaching the World for Christ is no easy feat. So let's make it count. Even if we don't get the recognition, God sees it all. The servant hood, the perseverance, the giving of yourself joyfully. It all counts for something. When we change the way we look at it, and forgive our families for their humanity, we will start having better days and truly enjoying what we do.

Because today is what separates my past from my future-
Lindsay

Daily Goals- printout

Hey friends! Lately I've been working on doing some of my posts via VIDEO! I'm really excited about it, but I'm also not very software savvy, so don't expect anything ground breaking.

In the mean time, I have been using these handy little daily goals printouts. They have really helped me stay focused throughout my day. I've seen a few circulating on Pinterest, but none really met the needs of my day (either too vague or WAY too detailed.) So I made my own.
Feel free to print them out, I suggest doing 10 copies totalling 30. You'll be set for a month.
As a side note, I don't use one EVERY day, but for days when I'm home and really need to get certain tasks done, it really REALLY helps me stay productive.

Go forth and conquer!
 -Lindsay

P.S. this is my first time using google docs, so if you can't open it, please let me know so I can figure it out :)

Our Biggest Responsibility

My heart breaks every single time I see or a hear yet another story of a child being mistreated, abused, neglected or even killed. We all say the same thing to ourselves. "Who could do such a thing?"

While watching Life Today on Wednesday, they were promoting a campaign to help rescue children from the Sex Trade Industry. Lord knows that if there was one thing I could put my heart and soul into, it would be this. Because I believe in purity and innocence being restored. Because I know the power God has to give people their dignity back. Because children have the right to be children.

And it hit me.

Have you ever seen a predator animal hunting a herd of their prey? The predator always hunts the most vulnerable, the small, the weak. That's how our enemy operates. He sees our children as a huge target, and I am not ok with that.

So I'm here, writing because I feel that we have a tremendous responsibility to preserve innocence. Yes, there are exterior things that we need to be cautious of. I don't want to let my kids see too much in the ways of violence and sex. I don't trust just anybody to care for my children. I am careful when I take them out not to let them get too far. But some of the things that damage kids long term happen at home.

The words spoken to them. The way we show how we feel about them.

Here are a few things that we can all change as parents to keep our homes a positive environment.

• Be positive. Instead of saying "don't..don't...don't!" Be specific. Example: Say "feet on the floor," instead of "don't stand on the table."
• Do not ever let your child believe that their actions change how you feel about them. This will teach them to become people pleasers instead of allowing them to be themselves and tell the truth. If you are getting frustrated, take a deep breath, tell them you love them and that you know they are good kids. If it's really driving you nuts, call for backup! 
• Try to keep other relationships healthy at home. It's ok to have some disagreements, and it's ok for them to see a little of that, but if it's getting heated take it to another room or call a time out. After all, they do what we do, not what we say. If Mommy's disrespecting Daddy, why shouldn't they, too? 
• Always, always, always talk up their abilities! "You're so smart!" "You're so Strong!" and for girls it's absolutely healthy to say "you're so beautiful!" I want my children to have confidence in life. Imagine the great things God can do with them if they already believe they can do a lot. I'm not suggesting we celebrate mediocrity, (don't just say something out of nowhere,) but do celebrate their gifts! 
• Be real. When the time comes to talk about the big issues, don't be afraid to be honest about your past. Sex, alcohol, friends.. those things that might still feel like touchy issues to you. Talking about it candidly might be (or might not be) the thing that gives them perspective before making a wrong choice. 
• Expect failure. We are human. We are never going to do EVERYTHING right. Neither are our kids. It's really important not to set a standard of perfection just because you know better. Your kids are not your big do-over. They are people who are going to need Salvation just as much as anyone. They have temptations and free will. If you really want to be there for them in those big mess-up moments, don't judge. You were there, remember? Be ready to talk through it, to pray through it and to remind them that life goes on, and forgiveness is there. 

This generation means so much to God. And they are under attack for it. They will be the ones to reach the nations and prepare the way for the Coming of the LORD. We need to give them the best possible start so that they can literally change the world. 

A Stay-At-Home-Mommy's Heart- Failures

I can remember thinking, "when I have kids, I'm not going to let them [insert bad habit here]"

HA! 

When I worked in the daycare setting, nap time was a joke. I hated it. I could never get my class to just fall asleep. Now, with my two-year-old I'm facing the same challenges. I literally feel so frustrated sometimes because I just don't know what else I can possibly do. 

I am also not used to being far from the house. So when we go out, I always feel unprepared. In my mind, I never wanted to tote a big diaper bag. So I put a few things in my purse and go. Well.. that's not always the best plan. 

So the thought I had today is this: I need to be more teachable. 

I cannot assume that just because I now I have children, I am going to instinctively do everything right. 

So where do I go for guidance? Who knows, better than me, how to care for these precious little guys? 

Their creator. 

The Lord says, "I'll be strong where you are weak." He fills in the blanks, he gives us a broader perspective on how those little decisions affect things long-term, he gives us clarity in parenting with wisdom without trying to fit a certain mold. 

I accept that I'm not perfect. I acknowledge that I need help, and not just advice from an article or someone who's done it a certain way. I need instruction from the designer of life, from my heavenly Father, who never made a single mistake or a selfish choice regarding my well being. 

Lord open my mind and give me peace, patience and enthusiasm in the work that I do. I am so blessed beyond recognition to have the ability to raise my children at home, in a loving environment. Don't ever let me take it for granted. Teach me to instruct them according to the men you want them to be. Continually show me areas in need of improvement. And above all, guard their hearts through the process. Don't let foolish words change the way they see themselves and take our mistakes and use them for the good in their lives. Amen. 

Clinging to Grace-

Lindsay