I was so inspired by the homily that was shared at church on Sunday. It really hit home because I had been having some struggles with my job as a stay at home mom. I absolutely love the time I have with my kids on the day to day basis, but let's be real. It's not always easy. 

My past week:

A three year old whose energy is too much for his little 30 pound body, chasing my poor dog around the house with anything from a toy golf club to a paper towel roll...flailing his body on the carpet... sliding down muddy hills on his pants... kicking every ball we own down the street... wrestling with his baby sister... wanting to talk, but having nothing to say, which results in nonsense and "Mommy" repeatedly for hours on end... nap time spent blowing whistles and decorating his bedroom walls with sidewalk chalk... climbing the bookshelf... I could go on. And I promise you, he's a really good kid. It just this minor bump in the road. It's almost as if the moment he turned 3, he decided it was time to take on the terrible two's and three's all at once. And IT. EXHAUSTS. ME.

Combine that with a teething one year old, suffering from allergies. This has lead to sleepless nights and lots and lots of Tylenol on hand. This same one year old is also climbing on everything, spilling her milk in various spots throughout the house, and unrolling every roll of toilet paper she can get her hands on. 

Any as if that won't keep me busy, there is a little boy I am growing that makes me want to pee ALL THE TIME and decides that the middle of the night is the best time to keep Mama awake.

Truly, I am not complaining. This is the nature of the beast. And it's just my reality right now. I know that I will miss it all one day and I try my best not to take this day-to-day experiences for granted. I would much rather be living this dream of mine than sending these kiddos off to college any time soon. I adore motherhood, but weeks like last week can wear on any person. 

This has recently been on my mind... I have been thinking about what will my big "CHANGE THE WORLD" moment be in this lifetime while I am so busy changing diapers and chasing kids? What will be my 15 minutes of fame when I can barely choke down a sandwich without having to stop for a potty break?

And in my conversations with God I feel like I have figured at least part of that out. 

These weeks are my "CHANGE THE WORLD" moments. These everyday moments are the times that I get to shape my children's lives by showing them unconditional love, by serving them, by being an example of patience, by modeling kindness, by making it known to them and my husband that this is where I want to be...here with them even when they are running reckless and screaming their heads off. 

I am changing their worlds. And in turn, changing the world through them. I couldn't imagine a more powerful job. I am a huge role in shaping their character, along with the other amazing people that God has/ will place in their lives, and in that role, I am making a mark.  

The message at church this Sunday was about how Jesus very clearly told his disciples how to love him. To love him is to serve others and to love others. This is pretty much what is on the resume of a stay at home mother. (And yes, working mothers, too.) But I know that for me, my job is how I love Jesus. It is my vocation as a full-time mother and wife that allows me ways to love Jesus.  I get a chance every moment to serve other people and to love other people. And in loving Jesus, I get to change the world. 

Thank you, God. For choosing me for this role. I live my dream and in it I get to change the world through these amazing children who've already changed my world.

Linked up here!

Friday Favorites: Easter Edition

I cannot believe that Easter is only two days away! It came quick this year. Good Friday is such a holy day for so many. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR LOVING US SO MUCH to die on the cross for us.  In two days we can sing ALLELUIA! I've had a great time with my kids this year in prepping for Easter. and getting ready for Spring. Here are my favorites this week!

ONE: Our Easter Bunny Picture

Y'all, I can't help it. This picture cracks me up, Typically, my Elena is the brave one and Ty is terrified of things like the Easter bunny.  She wanted nothing to do with this very sweet looking Easter bunny and Ty was excited to cheese it up for this picture. PS- I LOVE BASS PRO! These free bunny pictures are amazing.

TWO: EASTER BASKET PREP

I think I must be the slackest Easter bunny out there because I am just now putting Ty and Elena's baskets together. I try to keep it somewhat practical, yet fun. Here is what they are getting: Disney DVD (I'm trying to build our collection!), socks, play-dough, toothbrush, window clings, crayons, bath toys, and fruit snacks. What is the Easter bunny bringing to your house?

THREE: SPRING BEDDING

I get so excited to flip my room from Fall/Winter to Spring/ Summer.  I actually made the time this week to change my window treatments and bedding. I found this bedding two years ago at Home Goods and have no desire to get new Spring bedding. I absolutely love this quilt. It brightens up my whole room! 

FOUR: EASTER BRUNCH MEAL PREP

I am so excited to make brunch for my family this Easter Sunday. We plan on waking up to see what the bunny brought, reading the Easter story with the kids, enjoying brunch, then heading to church. Afterwards we will spend the rest of the day with family. I love holidays! Here is what I have planned for my brunch menu: Belgium Waffle bar: complete with strawberries, blackberries, whipped cream, Nutella, and hot syrup; Hash Brown casserole: Recipe here! This little boy is having me crave hash browns!; Bacon (of course!) 

FIVE: RESURRECTION EGGS

Last week at church nursery we made these cute resurrection eggs with the kids. Ty loved doing this. Each plastic Easter egg was filled with something that tied in with the Easter story. Little minds doing big things!

SIX: GOODBERRY'S BROWNIE SUNDAE

I won't lie. I had to have one of these this week. I think my baby is growing because I just can't get full and this was something that I HAD TO HAVE. Not only did I indulge in this but in place of vanilla custard I got the flavor of the day: DULCE DE LECHE. Sinful.

Have the happiest EASTER!
HE IS RISEN! REJOICE!

Linked up with these ladies today!

it will all be ok

The news of our pregnancy was a shock to me and Justin. We are just as thrilled as we ever were for our other two pregnancies, but this time it was completely unplanned and we've had to wrap our heads around three kids.  Right when we felt like we were getting life with two kids under control, God threw us this amazing curveball.

I'm not going to lie... when I first saw that bright blue line on the pregnancy test I had a moment of panic.  I couldn't have asked for a better reaction from Justin. He made my nerves calm and made me feel just plain old excited for an addition to our clan!  His reaction was priceless... giant grin with a resounding "YAY!!"

There was one night, not long after we found out that we would become a family of five that I was asking God how we would manage, and if we should buy a bigger house, and every other question you would think about after finding out you were surprisingly expanding your family. God answered all my prayers and calmed all my worries through Justin that night. As I was running through all these overwhelming scenarios in my head, I heard our two year old wake up in tears screaming for someone.  I clicked on our video monitor to decide if I should go calm him down or let him simmer on his own and as I looked at the screen I saw Justin just sitting down on the bed with him. Justin didn’t know it, but I watched the whole thing play out.  In watching Justin hug Ty and rub his head and tell him that he would be ok, God told me that everything would be ok.  That I have this awesome husband and father of my children to help me with our growing family. 

my handsome hubby with ty

and with elena

I had nothing to worry about because when I would grow slim in patience or energy, I had someone there to pick me up.  I have been at peace with the whole idea of having three children ever since that night. I am so grateful that God continually uses Justin to teach me about love, selflessness, and faith. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our new little one in August with Justin by my side.

Linked up here and here today!

big news!

The past few months have been a roller coaster ride. I remember Justin and I talking on New Years Eve about our visions for the new year, as we always do. Both of us agreed it would be the year of getting all of our ducks in a row... growing my photography business, working toward that promotion at work, starting Ty in preschool, celebrating my 30th birthday with a big trip. We both agreed that it would be a year for a break from adding any kiddos to our family. Little did we know that we already had a little bundle cooking!

A few days later on our trip home from the mountains, Justin asked me if I felt like taking a pregnancy test. I had been extremely exhausted and the night before I was up a lot to use the bathroom. Neither of us thought that we necessarily were pregnant, but wanted to take a test for "peace of mind." So we pulled into a Walgreens in a small town.  I grabbed a test off the shelf and headed toward the bathroom.

The next thing Justin knew, I was walking out of the drug store with tears in my eyes and a bag with the test in my hand.

Without skipping a beat, a huge grin came across his face as he shouted, "YAY!!!"

And there you have it. God had other plans for our year. We were expecting our third child, just like that.

I still think about it and can't believe it. My first trimester was nothing easy. But earlier this week, Justin, Ty, Elena, and I found out that our third is a baby BOY!

When I pictured the make up of my little family, I've always pictured it just as it is... two boys and a girl. I am over the moon excited now that the dust of shock has started to settle. 

Ty knows that there is a baby in my tummy and he loves checking on him. Elena is just going about her merry way trying to keep up with her big bro... not a clue she's getting a little brother in six months. 

I am so grateful for this baby and for God's plan being greater than my own. We cannot WAIT until August to welcome our sweet son into our family! 

the most heartwarming story of love and humility

Recently my grandfather has had a few health issues and my dad had to go spend time with him and my grandmother to bring him back to health.  I am so blessed because I still have all four of my grandparents and have grown up very close to all of them.

It has been a scary time lately because my grandfather has been in the hospital, but in all the stress of the situation came this bright story of love that no one in my family had heard, but one that we all needed to hear. 

While my dad sat in the hospital with his brothers and my grandmother trying to keep my Poppop occupied, he learned so much about his own parents that he'd never know before. This is the story of how they met and how my Poppop grew up. IT AMAZES ME and I am so blessed and humbled that he is my Poppop.  

Both of my grandparents grew up poor.  Mom Mom on a farm in Maryland.  Pop Pop in a row house in downtown Baltimore.  His house was about 15 feet wide and 50 feet deep.  The bathroom was outside in the back.  It was basically an outhouse.  His father had a 4th grade education and worked as a bartender and other odd jobs to support the family.  They never had a car. 

Pop Pop dropped out of high school.  He wanted to join the Army, but heard that about 50 men per day were being killed on the front line.  He took an aptitude test and he was given a position in the intelligence unit, so he didn't have to go to the front line. While in the Army, he got his high school degree (GED).  He said, "I got lucky."

After the Army, a friend asked him if he wanted to go with him to apply for a job at the Baltimore Gas and Electric company (BGE).  Pop Pop said, "I don't know anything about gas or electric."  His friend replied, "You know what a light bulb is, right?"  To that Pop Pop replied, "okay, I'll go with you."  Again, he passed the aptitude test and was hired by BGE.  He went to night school while he worked at BGE and got his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Baltimore.  He said, "I got lucky."

Everyday Pop Pop would do the same routine.  He would eat his sandwich and Tasty Cake for lunch and then take a walk before returning to work.  One day, his routine got messed up and he didn't have time for a walk, so he was just sitting on a bench when two girls walked by.  He knew one of them from his neighborhood, so he said hi to her.  She introduced him to her friend, Patsy.  They talked for a while and he went back to work.  A few days later, he saw his neighborhood friend and said he enjoyed talking to Patsy and asked if she enjoyed it, too?  His friend said, "Yes, she did!"  He said it was love at first sight.  Mom Mom was working in a dentist's office.  She was the only person in the office besides the dentist, so she did a little bit of everything.  Again, he said, "I got lucky.  This beautiful girl went on a date with me and I had nothing."

Pop Pop worked his way up at BGE.  At the end of his career of 45 years there, he was in the legal department.  He was not a lawyer, but helped the lawyers with investigations.  People in the company would come to him for advice.  He would tell them that all the guys in the offices are the lawyers and they should really ask them.  But, the people would tell him the everyone says to ask Bernie!

Pop Pop never thought he would reach the age of 65.  He cannot believe he went right past 65 and is now 84!  He has always considered himself to be a very lucky man.  

His humility, thankfulness, and love for Mom Mom are truly inspiring!

I didn't changed much from the story my dad shared with my sisters and I because I thought he told it so eloquently.  I hope that you are as inspired and touched by this story as I was. We are so lucky to have the elderly around us. I hope you learn something new about your family this year from someone in your family!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Christmas cards are some of my most favorite things to give and receive. Here is this year's card... our first one as a family of FOUR!

I hope you all have a very blessed, merry Christmas with your loved ones.

FOR UNTO US, A CHILD IS BORN! HALLELUJAH!!!

home is where the heart is

This is a post that I will never be ready to write, yet it is time. This past weekend, Justin and I took our kids down to Lions Paw at Holden Beach one final time.  After nine beautiful years of memories that are unmatched, it was time for my family to share the house with a new family.  I know it might sound crazy that I am so emotional over a vacation home. I am so blessed that my family was able to have a vacation home for so long. I know so many people aren't able to have a vacation house, but to me this place was home.  My parents have moved several times since I moved out of their house for good, but through all the moves, we still had the beach house.

This is the house we had when I met Justin.

This is the house I brought both of my kids to to show them the ocean for the first time.

This is where every year my family left reality to spend time together doing everything and nothing at the same time.

This is where we gathered around a table piled high with seafood and laughed about the happenings from that day on the beach.

This is where were would be so full from huge meals, but still found room for a ride to Beaches and Cream for an ice cream come.

This is where we hung pictures of summers together.

This is where I met the father of my goddaughter and Justin met my closest friends.

This is where we took boat rides on the ICW.

This is where Justin taught Ty to fish.

This is where we sat and played card games until the wee hours of the night.

This is where I had my bachelorette party, complete with a party bus and a massage on the porch.

This is where I hosted two of my friends' bachelorette parties and my sister's bachelorette.

This is where my family all came the day after I got married.

This is where I was busted for throwing a party when I was younger.

This is where I sat with Justin on our babymoon doing nothing but watching HGTV and wondering what parenthood would look like.

This is where we took Ty for our last family of three getaway before Elena was born.

This is where my heart is. 

But this is just a house. It is just walls with bright paint (paint that will always be the "salmon" that my parent's chose). It is just a building where the memories were made.

Thank you, God, for the memories you blessed my family with at this house.
Thank you, God, for the high tides and the low tides and all the times between. 

Thank you, God, for these views.

Thank you God, for the sunny days on the beach and the rainy days on the couch. 

Thank you, God, for the relaxing trips without kids, and the exhausting trips with kids.

Thank you for the cups of coffee on the porch in the morning and the cold beers in the evening.

Thank You for the smiles and laughs.

Thank You for one third of my life happening with this house.

Mostly, thank You for letting me keep the memories with me and giving another family the blessing of this place. Thank you for many summers to come with new family adventures in new places, at new houses. I will never ever forget this place, but I will miss it. A piece of my heart will stay with this house. The stories I have here will be ones that I tell over and over.

Thank you, God. For every moment at Lions Paw Drive.