Double Birthday Party...

The kids celebrated their 5th and 2nd birthdays at our house today, and we had a blast! It was a bit challenging to blend two party themes, but I found the common denominator and went with that: dirt. Courtney had a gardening party theme, Matthew had a construction zone theme.

We played "pin the bug on the flower" and had a timed game to see who could build a marshmallow tower fastest. We even had a pinata. I used corn husks died in French Vanilla flavored coffee on the cake, and used roses I made from gum paste. I used crushed Oreos as the "dirt". We had a build-your-own-trailmix bar and fresh fruits and veggies. The pom- poms were made from tissue paper, and I printed the signs using my computer. Check out the pics below:)

 Getting ready to build marshmallow towers

Pin the bug on the flower game.

Pinata

 The final blow!

Home Depot aprons to go home with our guests.

A Timely Word...

I have to admit: Sometimes I feel like a really bad mom. I'm sure we all do from time to time. Yesterday was one of those days. I'll spare you the details and just let you know that my 5 yr old thinks she's 30 and my toddler is getting his canines in. (Some of you are laughing to yourselves because you know JUST how it feels!)

Long story short, when I went to bed last night I felt so drained. I was emotionally spent. I had given and given and given, only to be met with complaints, tears, and stinky attitudes from my children. I kept thinking of 2 Corinthians 12:15, which says, "I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me." Have you ever felt that way? Now I know my children don't love me any less than they did yesterday, but sometimes it feels like the more we moms give, the less we're appreciated. Naturally, I was also bombarded with negative thoughts throughout the day, which I'm sure came from the devil as they were meant to get me off-focus from what God has called me to do: to be a loving mother to these two beautiful children, even on the hard days.

(That's when we need to work on the first part of that verse: Gladly spending ourselves and all we have for those God has entrusted to us, namely our children.)

But in the midst of all of the hardships, it's all worth it. Motherhood is so discouraging at times, but it's worth it. It's lonely, but worth it. Frustrating, but worth it. Messy, but worth it. How do I know that? Because I know from the Bible and from experience that God is with me and that He has a greater purpose for my kids than I do. I know that the processes He leads us moms through is a good one- it cleans out all of the selfishness, pride and bad habits. I know that He sees me. I know that He watches as I fold the laundry for the ump-teenth time and I hear Him encouraging me. Sometimes it's so quiet and gentle- just thoughts running through my head, or Bible verses coming to mind. Other times, it's bold and obvious.

I heard God whisper some reassuring words as I folded laundry yesterday, then my husband took time to tell me how much he believes in me. I went to bed feeling better, but still lacked confidence to start the day this morning. So, as we were running errands today God took time to make sure I got the extra encouragement I needed to renew my perspective.

My children were not on their best behavior, nor were they acting like little monkeys in the grocery store. We were just shopping. Everything was normal. As I rounded a corner, a man looked up and said with enthusiasm, "You have inCREDible children!" I thanked him, wondering what on earth he was talking about. In the past 5 minutes I hadn't heard a "yes ma'am" a "please" or an "excuse me." I did however have to swat a hand, apologize to the victim of a shopping cart drive-by and stop a bit of begging.

The man leaned forward and corrected me, saying, "It's in their spirits."

BAM! It hit me. God was speaking through that man to remind me that He is at work in their lives even when I don't see it. Even when they're being ungrateful. Even when they're whining. God is working. God sees the stuff I can't. So often I pay more attention to their behavior than their hearts- but  as 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
I was blown away. I decided to take the kids to Wendy's and think about this for a while. While we were eating, a woman asked how old Matthew was. She then went on to pour out encouragements to me, saying "I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is, keep doing it!" She called my kids things like "awesome" and "so good." That was a far cry from what I wanted to call them yesterday!

Time to repent. Time to praise God. Time to hug my kids and climb out of the rut with them clinging to my back. (Because don't you realize that our being in a rut doesn't just effect us- it effects everyone around us?)

It's amazing what a kind word can do to a weary and anxious heart. I wonder how I'd be feeling right now if those strangers had kept their thoughts to themselves? They had no idea I was struggling. It's not like I was wearing a T-shirt that said "Hug Me- I'm Discouraged!" or "I'm with Cranky ==>." 

Have you been meaning to say something to someone that could potentially lift them up? Say it! You may never know what your co-workers, neighbors or even family members are going through when you're not around. A kind word doesn't have to be elaborate or eloquent... just from the heart.

Remember Hebrews 3:13 today: "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." You never know who has been struggling to get free from the deceitfulness of sin. Your kind word may be just what it takes to soften their heart again toward the Lord.

The Satisfaction of a Job Well Done...

I have a confession to make: I struggle with comparison. I know! Shocker, right? Ok, in all seriousness, I think we all do to some degree. I usually brush it off and call it "my competitive nature," and then feed it, cuddle it and encourage it; as if it were a pet or something.

I've come to realize lately that comparison truly is the greatest enemy to joy in our lives. God knows it. Theodore Roosevelt knew it. I'm beginning to understand it... a little. 

I ran across this verse a few days ago, and I can't get it out of my mind:

"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." -Galatians 6:4-5

"Pay CAREFUL attention". Responsibility. Intentionality. Diligence. "Your OWN work".

Honestly, sometimes I skip that part. Instead of being diligent in the things I deem important, I just scoot through life hoping that they get done. I assume that if I believe they're important, then I will do them. But that's not always the case.

If I don't PLAN to have time with Jesus, I won't.

If I don't PLAN to read with my kids, I won't.

If I don't PLAN to work out, I won't.

I love all of those things- but simply loving something doesn't make me do it. They're all high on my list of priorities, but I tend to do what is right in front of me first. I go to the kitchen for a glass of water and stop to put the cups in the dishwasher. Then I walk to the office, see the computer and sit down to balance the checkbook. I head to my bedroom to get stamps and stop to make my bed. Before long, the day is half gone and I am spent. I've done my chores but missed out on great opportunities with my God and my kids. I've accomplished much, but none of the things I was hoping to accomplish.

Then, when I get on Facebook and see friends who have finished their laundry, lost 10 lbs, completed the potty training process or taught their children to memorize the Bill of Rights, I feel defeated. Comparison (or "competition" as I like to call it) steals my joy. Not because I'm mad at them for doing all of those things- I think those things are great! But because I'm disappointed in myself for not paying careful attention to my own work. I'm discouraged because I'm actually paying more attention to THEIR work than my own. I commend their conduct while shucking responsibility for my own with excuses like "I was too ____________" (busy, tired, stressed, whatever).


So how do I get out of that rut? I don't have all the answers. I'm still working on it, but here are some things I know:

Number 1: I've got to get in God's Word. The Bible clearly tells us how to prioritize our lives in order to live well and please God. I was so encouraged to find Philippians 2:13, which says "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." I'm blown away by this verse. God is working in us to help us get our priorities in line with His will! And, as Romans 8:31 says, "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" God is on our side!

Number 2: I have to plan for my priorities. I'm a task-oriented person, a planner by nature. I've come to realize that in order to walk in intentionality, I have to plan more than my "to-do" list. I have to plan my "to-be" list. Here is a great saying that I heard from one of our college pastors while I was at Baylor:

"Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance."

So what does that look like in my life? An example: Last week I was quite discouraged at the end of the day over some things I wanted to do but didn't. So I made a list of things I did well and things I could improve upon. I talked to God about this list and decided to try something:

 The next day, I read both lists and did my best to improve on the "not-so-greats." I ordered my tasks in such a way as to help me become the person God is making me to be.  And do you know what? I spent time with Jesus. I played more with my kids. I even did my workout AND got my chores done. I had a better attitude and didn't feel so rushed or exhausted at the end of the day. Being intentional made a huge difference. I planned to be more instead of just wandering through my day, doing whatever task showed up in front of me.

I was joyful.

I was confident.

When I put my head on my pillow that night, I felt "the satisfaction of a job well done." And that is a great feeling.

Have any of you ever been there with me? We all have good days and bad days. Remember on the bad days that God is working in you. He allows us to see our faults so that we can see His mercy and goodness and love toward us. Comparison will steal your joy so quickly. Trust in God and focus on what He wants you to do today instead of what everyone else has accomplished. You can do it! God's grace is so plentiful and available whenever you need it. May God bless you today:)



A Makeover and a Birthday Girl...

Mama is a Verb got a bit of a makeover today. I'm sure you're all getting tired of me changing things up, right?  I've been learning tons on Photoshop lately and made my own heading bar. I love it, so maybe I'll stick with it for a while, haha! (...we'll see...)

I've also added more ways to follow my blog, so check the right side bar. Also, if you'd like to get emails every time I update my blog (don't worry- I don't find time to do it often, so your inbox won't be slammed!), you can sign up for email updates as well.

We've been pretty busy around here lately- out of town visits, the Fourth of July in South Arkansas, helping my mom with a minor remodel, and two birthdays only 13 days apart. The party for both of my kiddos is Saturday, so I've been swamped with plans and pinatas and tiny toy bull dozers. I'll be sure to post pictures- it's going to be C-U-T-E!! A dual-themed party as my daughter celebrates her 5th with flowers and gardening fun and my son celebrates his second with full-blown construction zone goodness.


Courtney had a great 5th birthday yesterday. We celebrated at home by making cookies and giving her a new bike. She's really looking forward to all of the party fun this weekend. I posted some of these on Facebook, but here are a re-cap and a few pics for those who missed them.

She was so happy to find a balloon garland on her door when she woke up- thank goodness for Pinterest, where I found the idea!

 

happy to be the birthday girl!

She made birthday cookies and said, "Why don't you take my picture with the beaters?"
(that's my girl!!)

  

She loved her new bike!

 

Learning to ride with Daddy

 

We went to the park today and she had already gotten the hang of it! She'll be a pro before we know it!

Faith Like Shopping Carts...

(My sweet kiddos, the first time Matthew rode in the front without a baby carrier!)

When I go shopping, the most pressing matter on my mind is not which brand of diapers to buy, the sale price of green beans, or even where to park so that I create that perfect triangle between my car, the store and the shopping cart return. No, what I'm thinking about is how to place my children into the cart in order to maximize my time, space and patience for the hour or so that we'll be inside. Usually, Matthew (almost two) sits up front in the seat while Courtney (nearly 5) sits inside of the cart or rides on the end, or walks beside me. It all depends on how long we'll be there and whether or not I'm buying the big pack of toilet paper.

When Courtney sits inside the basket, she's busy. VERY busy. She builds towers from cans of corn, pokes sponges through the tiny "castle windows" that make up the cart's frame, and becomes the narrator for amazing stories full of complex characters. Naturally, this makes it hard for her to hear me. I have to raise my voice, or sometimes even stop the cart and tap her shoulder to bring her out of this creative trance.

And then there's the end of the cart. When Courtney rides here, she's hanging on for dear life! Every stop, turn and bump send her flailing to one side or another- what an adventure!! This often stresses her out a bit, though, so she climbs along the side of the cart, nearly pulling me into a pyramid of Oreos or something (gasp!) breakable. She eventually makes her way to the front of the cart, walking between me and the front wheels. This inevitably leads to some sort of accident, usually caused by my size tens stepping on her little piggies. Tears. Words. Hugs. Back to the end of the cart.

All this time, Matthew sits in the seat as happy as a clam. It's tempting for him to try to follow his sister and jump into the cart, but for the most part he's focused on me. I talk to him, tickle his feet and make silly faces. He gives me high fives and smiles.

As I push the cart up and down the isles, my kiddos always end up exactly where I want them. The journey always leads to the checkout line. The difference in the level of joy we experience is dependent upon where they're sitting. I got to thinking about this. It's a lot like faith.

On the journey of life, we have a choice in where we ride as Jesus guides us:

1) We can "sit in the cart." We can go through life distracted by all of the things around us, barely paying attention to Jesus except when He stops life, taps us on the shoulder, and (like I do with my daughter) says "Look at My eyes- I'm talking to you!"

2) We can "hang on for dear life." We live in a false sense of faith because we're just hanging on, hoping we somehow end up where we're supposed to be. We cringe at every turn, terrified of getting hurt or thrown off the wagon. We yell to Jesus, "Hey! Do you have this thing under control? Because I'm not feelin' it here!" We're far from God, but still His. We convince ourselves that it's all faith, but we're really the ones trying to lean the cart from one side or the other, hoping not to run into something. We try to get up at the front so we can drive, but end up getting our toes stepped on by a very big, very sovereign God.

3) We can sit at the front, facing Jesus, instead of our destination. We can experience our relationship with Him- hear His voice, see the love in His eyes, and respond to His correction when we're tempted to jump into the cart with our friends who are so distracted by the things around them. We don't worry about where we're going- we just enjoy Jesus and trust Him to get us there. THAT is real faith.

So the question is this: Where are you sitting today? Where will you sit tomorrow? Because you do have a choice. Let's all climb up into the baby seat today, respond to Jesus, and let Him get us to the end with joy and delight.