Mommy Wars :: Who Am I?

Lately I've been growing and understanding more about motherhood and what it means to me, so these ideas are a couple of posts in the making but today I want to quickly mention the "mommy wars". Maybe it's me, but I feel like it's everywhere or more likely the ideas of not falling into the traps of the "mommy wars". I follow a few Mom blogs and may receive anywhere from 1-3 emails a day concerning motherhood. Many times those emails have been just what I needed that day, but lately I feel like "ahhh, I do not want to read anything else about motherhood". lol. 

Many of the articles I read try to encourage us not to fall into the lies of comparing or trying to be it all. And that's where I want to start today. One article pointed out how we try to be different people, we see "fashionable mom" in the store and try to be more like her for a week, then we see "organic mom" so we try to be like her, then "fit mom", "crafty mom", "awesome-cook mom"...etc. And we end up just discouraged because we try to be all 10 different types of people at the same time. It just doesn't work. 

My problem probably comes from myself, that I set expectations on myself that nobody else does based on all these ideas that swirl around in my head. 

I know this of course doesn't apply to just moms, but people in general and I think it stems from an insecurity of who we are. Not finding our identity in Jesus, His love & who HE made us to be. And then as a result being that person to the best of our ability and using our gifts to serve God and love our husbands, children and others.

So, I decided to share with you some of WHO I AM (I'm going to focus more on the areas of the home since that's where I am 90% of my life):

• I am thankful I get to be a stay-at-home-mom and do not take it for granted.
• I would love for my house to look like something out of Pottery Barn (wouldn't we all)! Decorating is somewhat of a challenge for my non-abstract mind and non-crafty self, but I love a finished product I am happy with.
• I love a clean and picked up house.
• I love eating good food, but I do not like spending an hour cooking, eating for 10 min and then 30 minutes cleaning up- not worth it. So I prefer to stick to simple but tasty dinners.
• I try at least one new recipe every week, sometimes more. Which is sometimes to Dan and I's regret. lol. But I can't help myself, the pictures always look so yummy!
• I am not a health-nut, but I do provide balanced meals for my family.
• I bake a lot!
• I am a hard worker. Something I got from my mom and I am very thankful for! Thank you mom!
• I am passionate about photography!! Obviously! That is my main interest after all the other things being a mom includes. I love the way I feel after I capture an image that is beautiful. It is an art form and it pumps up my creative juices.
• I am a believer in Babywise and schedules for infants.
• I think my day-to-day life would be easier if I actually followed the routine I have for me and the kids. Next month. :) 
• My kids go to bed around 8:15 or earlier. 
• When things get hard, my tendency is to give up.
• I love sweets way more than is good for me. :)
• My concern for my general appearance, clothes & exercise has diminished as I've had kids because who has the time and money for that. lol.
• I can be very task-orientated and selfish in my heart. (which is it's own post coming soon)
• I make some of my own baby food to save money; not because I think store food is bad.
• I can almost 100% guarantee I will never have a garden in my lifetime although I would love the result of one. haha.
• I never care to learn to sew, but I appreciate immensely the people in my life who do & have used their gift to be a blessing to me!
• I am not a good sleeper.
• I love going through boxes, re-organizing and am very good at throwing things out!! 
• I feel like I am the queen of "special things" haha. Ask Dan, he'll tell you it's true. Every time we go out or do something fun I always want to add it to it by getting a "special drink", "special toy", "special outfit" or "special treat"...etc. It's a good thing I don't or we would have no money and our kids would be spoiled rotten. 
• Dates are very important to me, like birthdays, holidays...etc. Even we celebrate on a different day, the day itself needs to be something special!
• Both of my kids have a special song I sing to them before they go to sleep.
• My perfect weather is sunny and 70 degrees.
• I am entirely thankful for all the amazing friends and family God has put in my life! They keep me sane and help me not get lost in my own world.

Obviously this it not extensive and doesn't touch all my sin problems. We all have sin that we must deal with, and that is where Jesus is the answer! So thankful for Jesus dying on the cross and taking the punishment for me so that I can have forgiveness and right standing with God.

My loves :)

God made me and God made you!! I would encourage you to sit down and write out who you are! Let's celebrate in who God has made us to be.

Wedding :: Joe & Stacy

About a month ago I had the privilege of photographing my brother-in-law and now sister-in-law's wedding! It was a perfect evening on the lake. Congrats to you Joe & Stacy and I hope you enjoy your pictures!

6 Month Gavin

Gavin recently turned 6 months and throughout the past couple weeks I just keep experiencing shock over how fast it's gone. I am already putting newborn gear away and moving on to the next stage of babyhood. He sits so well and loves to play with toys! It's funny because I can tell when he's had enough with his baby toys and wants what Aiden has, which is usually Hot Wheels. I already see how he just wants to be a part of everything. He is constantly moving and bouncing if he can and he dances (bounces) when there is music, seriously. :) 

He still doesn't roll at all. If he is on his back he will scoot himself backwards, usually very unhappily. If he is on his tummy he will be happy for about 5 minutes and kind of scoot around and then he is done, so very done.  

I love the 6 month age, it is so fun for them to start to see the world a new way and experience things and grow. Gavin is so aware of what is going on and it really catches me off guard because again, I can't believe we are this point already! 

I love these 6 month pictures because they are just so him. I can't quite figure out what his eyes are going to be. Right now they are just dark and I, of course, love them! Enjoy, he's quite a charmer. :)

    "Mom, I am so done with this..."

Brothers

There is something special between the bonds of siblings that is just simply awesome. It's funny to think back to when my sisters and I were young and people would tell us "your sister is your best friend; she'll always be there". I remember thinking "ya right" :). And guess what, they WERE right! I love each one of my sisters so deeply and I know they are always there for me. 

Already one of my greatest joys as a mom is to see my two boys bond. I know they are both so little, but it starts here, during the days they won't even remember. I don't know what it's like to have a brother or to see how brothers live together and be close. I also know that not all siblings are "kindred spirits" (Anne of Green Gables anyone?). So it brings me again to the realization that their relationship is in God's hands. Which is becoming quite a theme in my life- EVERYTHING IS IN GOD'S HANDS!!! Dan and I will do our best as parents to help cultivate a close relationship between our kids and one of the best things we can do is to pray. And so I am and will continue to do so.

A Word in Pictures :: Outside

Hello friends! This month's blog circle is very fitting I think! It being June, and a slow start to summer here, I believe most of us love being outside and the fun things we get to do. At the beginning of this month I definitely felt overwhelmed with life and all that "needed to be done", but then I made a decision- that this summer was going to be about having fun. Every chance we could! And it really has helped my focus. And I want to keep it that way. That the things like housework and "you-fill-in-the-blank" can wait. Around here we wait 9 months for nice weather and when it's here I am going to make the most of it!! So, on Instagram I made up a hashtag to compile all of our fun this summer! Here are a few- Instagram style!

Here are some non-instagram photos that are still some of my favorites. :)

At the end of the summer we are going to pick some to print and hang up. These two so far are the only ones that are must haves! I give all the credit to Dan who we have recently discovered is very talented in the phone photography arena!!!

Now head over to Jody's blog & see how they have spent their time outside!