Today..... you are 3!

It seems like yesterday........ I was determined to prove I could deliver a child all naturally 

Seems like yesterday when a STRONG bright eyed 7lbs 6oz baby boy entered this world

Seems like yesterday when I paced the floor for hours under the lights to keep you content

Seems like yesterday when you started teething at the age of 2 months old and made it known to all!

Seems like yesterday when my heart melted at that first smile, aw those dimples! 

first laugh

first steps

first mama

first I love you :)

 Seems like yesterday you turned 1

Life feels so foreign when I think of NOT being a mother and how incomplete I am without you 

Seems like yesterday I prayed for a happy and healthy child

(oh wait! That I continue to do)

 Seems like yesterday I said "when will this phase end?" then say "oh I miss the baby stages!"

Seems like yesterday you were in diapers (am thankful that stage is over :) )

Seems like yesterday your favorite food I quickly found out was BREAD and still is

Today, you are ALL BOY and ALL PLAY but also have such a sweet sensitive nature

Today, you love cars, trains, and tractors

Today, you LOVE animals and the outdoors

Today, you attempt challenges more than once, you are not a quitter 

Today, you love to cuddle

Your love language is by far words of affirmation 

I love to see your facial expressions and enthusiasm when given encouragement 

A little encouragement goes a long way, a lot goes even further

Today, you are quick to forgive

Today, you know just when I need a hug! 

Today, you love to learn 

Today, you are a social butterfly and LOVE people

You are such a great brother to Ali Cat:) She loves you~

And I LOVE YOU!!

 Today we celebrate LIFE! Your life Maximus!

One of the greatest privileges in this life has been bringing you into my world.

I am SO THANKFUL God has entrusted me with such a precious gift. 

Today, I spent about two hours looking through all your pictures!

Today, you teach me so much about myself.

 Today, you push me to strive to be the best woman of God that I can be. 

Psalm 127:3

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. 

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Today, you are learning what it means to AGAPE love the Lord

Today, you are being molded and building character 

Today, you are my son...and will be forever. 

My prayer is that I could continue to grow more and more like Jesus. I pray that God would mold you into an honest, caring, respectful of women and others, strong and decisive, a good worker, loyal and faithful, a good communicator, emotionally secure and secure in your masculinity, keeper of commitments, self disciplined and control, love others, and most of all an understanding of the Word and have a love and passion for Jesus Christ and be a leader and LIFE changer for HIM. 

I am so excited to be a part of your life Maximus and be here for you as you grow and walk through life and look forward to every step of the way. God is SO good! Know you are LOVED!

Two eyes that shine so bright
Two lips that kiss goodnite
Two arms that hold me tight
That little boy of mine.
No one could ever know, how much your coming has meant
To me you're everything. You're something heaven has sent
You're all the world to me
You climb upon my knee
To me you'll always be
That little boy of mine

<3 Love your Mama

Where to start! Maybe just by BREATHING!!
I feel like I have SO much to say, but no words? How does that make any sense?! So, lookout...this blog may be a conglomeration of things and venting.  

First, my beautiful babies! 

My bff just had a post about a "trying" day as a parent.. we all have those moments I am sure.. and this week it seems like has been especially trying, if not past couple of weeks for me! Lots of changes are going on for my whole family, but these two little ones sure bring SO much joy into my life & I feel blessed beyond measure that God has given them to me!!!

Secondly, besides the "trying" weeks that I have had.. the past three days or so takes the cake. Life seems completely turned upside down, nothing seems to make sense in my head, and everywhere I turn Im getting punches thrown to bring me down. Doubt, Fear, Insecurities have been a few which equal = emotional wreck = unhealthy reactions = feelings of inadequacy = bombed test! = a LOW state of mind = a VICIOUS cycle & battle over the flesh and Spirit!

SO, as I've reached a breaking point this evening while driving home from school, I decided to take God time in my car (which should have happened WAY sooner than now). I love having these moments where I turn everything off and really praise the Lord in Spirit & truth. He knows everything I am going through, beyond what I myself even comprehend I am going through. And in the midst of how I am feeling, God places a song on my heart to start praising Him with. I LOVE LOVE LOVE when this happens!

Thirdly, God is Good! 

In the good times and the bad- I know that God has my back! No matter where I am, God can come and give me a Spirit of Praise and thankfulness! God can take normal, everyday people like you and I to do extraordinary things. But often fear, doubt, insecurities, etc. fueled by excuses hinders us from accomplishing those things. We focus on why WE can't instead of WHO can!  "... greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world" 1 John 4:4. (this is a verse I turn to often) Don't let opinions and possibility of failure keep you from your purpose. Life is so short... and the clock is ticking to accomplish and do what God has set before us. 

Lindsay

Entering the Blog World!

I did it! I finally decided to take the step to enter the blog world! In fact, I've had an account for quite sometime, but just used it to see what others had to say, get craft ideas, parenting tips, cooking, etc. Myself and writing have a love/hate relationship so bare with me. I am not the best writer, but love how I feel when I've taken some "me" time to write down my thoughts. For my first blog, I'd like to explain why I chose the title "Beauty From Ashes Isaiah 61:2-3"...

Isaiah 61:2-3 says,"...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who greive in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."

There is also a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that I got from another blogger that sums this up perfectly:

Beauty Will Rise
It was the day the world went wrong
I screamed til my voice was gone
And i watched through the tears as everything
came crashing down
slowly panic turns to pain
as we awake to what remains
and sift through the ashes that are left behind

But buried deep beneath
all of our broken dreams
we have this hope

Out of these ashes...beauty will rise
and we will dance among the ruins
we will see Him with our own eyes
Out of these ashes...beauty will rise
For we know, joy is coming in the morning
in the morning, beauty will rise

So take another breath for now
and let the tears come washing down
and if you can't believe, I will believe for you

Cuz I have seen the signs of spring!
Just watch and see.

I can hear it in the distance
and its not too far away
its the music and the laughter
of a wedding and a feast
I can almost feel the hand of God
reaching for my face
to wipe the tears away and say
"It's time to make everything new."

"Make it all new."

This song speaks so much of how my life has been these past couple years. Even when I can't make sense of everything that happens or know exactly what to do at times, in the end I know beauty will rise and come out of the ashes. Psalm 31:14 says "God is the author of life and SOVEREIGN over everything" Amen! I have decided to let God be the author in my life and stop trying to be God myself. I do not want to settle for God's second best or settle for a plan of my own making. So my prayer this evening is that you Lord direct and guide me through your Word & Holy Spirit to make the right choices! In that I have peace.. :)

Lindsay