Merry Christmas!

What a glimpse of the happiness and joy to come!  Saw this on a friends facebook and had to share! We're not sure where the video came from originally.  

It made me think about how excited Matt and I (as well as any other parents awaiting their child's birth) were waiting to meet Samuel!  I couldn't wait to be a mom, see his face, and hold him, kiss him all over... so many emotions during the waiting period!  I can't imagine how much more thoughts and emotions were going through people's minds and hearts while waiting for Jesus Christ to be born.  
The hope he was to bring the world.  Some believed what was said, that he would one day be Christ, King and some thought it was insane.   For those who believed, I can't imagine how they felt and how hopeful they were while awaiting his birth and the excitement that was going on.... and how thankful they were on that day and after because of fulfilled promises

This was probably just a glimpse...

Merry Christmas (early!)

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Here is the sermon from this past Sunday at our church, Christ Covenant.  It is so clear and forward.  If you have extra time on your hands and want to listen to a great sermon, this is a great one.  Whether you are a christian or not.

I could not be more thankful for this church and for two pastors that share God's word with us directly, and have such a gift of clarity and communicating in love and humility.

Its the one labeled: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector    date: November 25, 2012

Sorry for the millions of INVITES!

So I guess every time I add an address to this blog for viewing, it re-sends an invite to EVERYONE.  i' m so sorry!  If I figure out how to stop it I will or if anyone knows how ... please let me know!  Please just ignore them and delete and again So sorry!

A glimpse into my Mind lately...

Well it's been quite a few months since I've written.  Samuel is now 16 1/2 months!  Crazy!

I haven't written much lately, not because I don't have time or don't know what to write about but more I have SO much to write about I don't know where to start or sometimes they're a bit more deeper and its weird thinking that random people may be reading this that I have never met or even know from facebook (if that's considered knowing someone haha).

I'll start with writing about whats been on my mind a lot lately, especially with Thanksgiving recently passing.
This year has been a very sweet and mind blowing year so far.  Sweet because of how much has changed in my life and ours, more so spiritually I'd say.   There's been a lot of change and that one big thing being, staying at home with Samuel.  I love it 130% and would not trade this time for one second or any amount of money... through God's extreme grace in my life, I have found joy even in the day to day mundane things.  Waking up, getting Samuel out of bed, feeding him, relaxing a bit, drinking coffee, playing on the ground, folding clothes, cleaning, showering, taking him outside, cooking, even being alone a lot (because we live further out).

My biggest thing or challenge at the beginning of this new phase in life was being or "feeling" alone with a drastic change in lifestyle...but of course this all passed fairly quickly :)

Then we decided to make our move to Baker, which I'm so grateful for but was hard for me because I was mentally not as close to friends anymore (I say mentally because truth is, even living in Baton Rouge, the traffic is so bad it still takes 15 minutes to get anywhere, at least!).   Just being alone a lot during the day and  not being a "busy body".  And by busy, I'm referring to an outside-of- home job, something where you are constantly doing doing doing and thinking about work and people.

Needless to say, I noticed a drastic difference in what I thought about all day and how it dictated my mood, attitude, and contentment.  It's like all a sudden I had all this still time.

I thought a lot about shopping, wanting things (probably because I spent a lot of time on the internet looking at stuff), being really lazy (I am already pretty laid back personality so if I don't structure myself, Samuel and I could stay inside all day and play and relax together haha).
I was praying and journaling every so often, spending time in God's word or reading a book so I started to really pray about what I had noticed with my thought life... just asking the Lord to give me a heart of gratefulness, and contentment and to teach me how to deal and re wire my thinking now that I was not constantly around people (I'm very extroverted!).  This verse always comes to mind, 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   So I did that, and I have seen so much change through out the year.

I feel like it has made me a deep thinker haha.  That's what I'm known as around here!  But it has and I'd rather that than a "surfacey" thinker, I guess that's what you'd call it?!  Only because of the Holy Spirit that the Lord seals us with when He changes our hearts ( Ephesians 1:11-14 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.) have I been sensitive to my thoughts all through out the day all day.  Which has caused confessing sin and praying for those things I constantly try to find significance in... I guess bottom line is I see the things I really treasure by noticing what I think about constantly.  But I don't have guilt or over analyze, I really truly think and know its Christ in me who shows me these things and has given me and us a desire to really live an abundant life, and are realizing how screwed up we really are.  I know (because of what scripture says) that I don't have to be perfect and I never will, and that I can go to the Lord with anything.  I don't have to feel guilty for thinking things I shouldn't be, I can go to Him and confess and He, over time, has and is "breaking" my heart.  I've seen slowly how much He truly cares and loves His children and just the point of this life which is to glorify Him through everything we do and to get to know our Lord more, even if that looks very very imperfect... and of course to enjoy every season of life and everything He has given us.  "Every good and perfect gift comes from above.." (james 1:17)
Wooo, now that to me is SWEET AND REFRESHING!  Makes me teary eyed just writing it.

It's been a humbling year because of that.  I have enjoyed some simple things, I've seen an attitude change in my heart (any my MOUTH!), which effects our marriage, my patience with Samuel, love for people, priorities, you name it.  

It amazes me that He decided to take me,( little old broken me, who came from disastrous home--no hard feelings just being blunt and honest-- and who knows in the world's eyes was and is week and vulnerable, didn't know how to do anything, scared but at times acted like I had it together) and change my heart even after I claimed I wanted nothing to do with God and was confused, taught me patience, is teaching endurance and has changed my family and people in our family's lives and hopefully future generations.  Bottom line, it's nothing I did or am doing now that caused change in my life.  I'm not special or different. Its just humbling.  I made a commitment to follow Christ, and follow Him for real (i've cared for SOO long in highschool, even when I was younger and especially in college what people thought about me mainly friends and guys I was close with because they were my family, I was with them all the time and depended on them a lot for a home, a ride, especially love, etc so I knew when I made this choice that it was all in or nothing at all and walk away misserably.)  Think we all care about what people think to some degree, some just aren't as vulnerable and open to publish it on a page (haha!) and some may not have it that severe because they were provided normal things growing up.  I don't want to be passive (which is what I naturally want to do) or settle for a not abundant life... and I want more than anything in this whole world for our children, by God's grace, to know Him and get that this life is empty with out Christ. 

Things we do on a daily basis the mundane and the really fun things like playing, trips to the park, vacation, family, shopping, friends, you name it, is 100 % times sweeter and RICHER when you know these things are not meant to fulfill you ( which at times we don't realize thats what we want them to do) but to just have fun and knowing our future hope is not here on Earth but in eternity.  It makes anything and hopefully all circumstances a bit easier.  Because that situation or circumstance becomes this teeny tiny small (see my picture or mental image at bottom) when everything is in perspective.  Maybe its His way of preparing me for some very hard things we'll face here on earth in the future, who knows, only He.

Well, enjoy my visual because it's what comes to mind!  The (^) is our circumstance or situation we're in and the line is just the bigger picture or the eternal picture

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SORRY for the worlds longest post... I guess it makes up for months of not blogging ??  :)

" Knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4: 14-18
 

Hmmm what's our favorite thing to do???

We love going to the pool!!!  I could live in one, I'm pretty sure Samuel could too!  This past weekend was a fun busy one!  We got to visit with Hannah and Olivia for a while on Friday!  Got some great hang out time while they both napped for few hrs... so refreshing.   I love good, quality time ( what I mean is long convos, coffee, dinner, etc) with friends.  Its refueling, encouraging, fun and just love and appreciate good friendships!

On Saturday we were outside the whole day!  Matt played with Samuel and with wood (haha anytime he can be doing something with wood work he will!), Ms. Stephanie trimmed some bushes, and Samuel and I played in his baby pool all day!  I love being outside, so healthy and good for the soul!

 

Water was everywhere!... on the floor, counter, blinds..

On Sunday, we went to our Aunt Tarrel and Uncle David's house and swam, ate, and visited with family all day!  It was so much fun... we missed them a lot!

Don't ever stop cuddling precious baby boy!

 Samuel Blake is by far the sweetest little spirit! I can't wait to see what he is going to be like every month that goes by. He loves to cuddle! And not just with me... he cuddles with Mr. Bear, Matt, my phone some times haha, his Nana... but I have to admit that I get a lot of those sweet cuddles! If I lay down on the floor or on the bed, he spots me and smiles while he squints those little eyes and crawls up to me and kisses me on the lips - well his form of a kiss- touches my lips with his loads of lovely drool :), or he lays on my shoulder, or my stomach or even my legs and makes a sweet sound! He is so loving! One of the cutest things he's been doing since last week is he'll grab Mr. Bear and place him on the floor (throwing him a little bit) and will go lay his whole body on him and look at me or watch the TV, melts my heart.. something about little boys! He laughs so much and smiles all the time, I LOVE it and hope he never changes! I tried capturing a few pictures of those moments                                                            

He'll spot me from across the room while he's playing and just come

  give me his "I love yous"

with Mr. Bear

My favorite song right now!...Christina Perri - A Thousand Years

Dad's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads we know (including our own dads)!   Being a husband and a dad is such a huge responsibility... You all have to provide financially, think for your family's needs: spiritually, family decisions, etc and usually are the ultimate decision makers.  It is a huge responsibility, its an amazing one I know, but I always tell Matt that being the husband and father (as I see it) is not easy!  You all are the leaders of future family generations and your love specifically will shape and encourage your children both male and females.  The love and affection you have for your children and for your wife creates SUCH a security and safety net for them.
We always joke around and I tell Matt "gosh I am SO HAPPY I'm not the male... I would be soo over whelmed, nervous and stressed!" haha funny but it's so true.  The Lord knew what He was doing when He decided to make me a female :), especially the one to be married to Matt because we fill in what the other lacks, etc.

And lastly, thank you Matt for being an awesome dad!  Thank you for all you do for us and especially what you don't know you are doing for Samuel already.  I have never seen a man (grow to) love the Lord so much... by that I mean see his true need for a Savior because of an understanding of his sinfulness.  He is constantly thinking on the gospel by always talking to me about the Lord,  singing hymns at home and work (in the shower, while getting dressed, playing with Samuel, etc... it's very sweet to hear), asking me hard questions that challenge my thought life, always reading books (fun ones and challenging ones), reading the scriptures, etc.

4 months old!

It's encouraging to see the Lord's promise to His people as He says in Philippians, "..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."   Such a promise that is FULL of grace.   This is the greatest jewel to pass down to our children and for them to see.  And of course love your silliness, randomness, talents, etc.



We had a great weekend swimming, relaxing, and kicking the soccer ball around at the park

Father's Day morning! (11 months old)

Catching up

We have been staying very busy this past month!  The weather has been amazing which I think has a lot to do with it :)   We've been going to parks, walking the lakes, visiting with friends, visiting family, and cooking.  We are having so much fun with Samuel right now.  He makes us laugh so much!!  Every stage has been very enjoyable and sweet but this one particularly has been so much fun, he's so interactive!

HAPPY 8 MONTHS!

 Today, Samuel Blake is 8 months old........ MY GOSH time is FLYING by, its crazy!  My sweet baby is almost not a baby anymore!

  After 6 months they change so much.  Start eating more, personalities flourish etc.   I just read that at 8 months he can start having some water, he can eat so much more food.  Today, I made baby food for the first time!  It was so easy and I loved doing it... a bag of frozen peas is less than $2.00, and 2 pack of baby food stage 1 is $0.99 if it's on sale- that lasts me maybe 2 days if I decide to do that veggie or fruit once a day.  Can't wait to play more with different foods!

I used our blender, and when I pulled it out I saw that it had a setting for baby food!  I was not going to buy anything special to make baby food, was going to use the blender regardless.  But saw that and got very happy!  :)

2 great sites for out of the box ideas and when you're done doing the basics are:

homemade-baby-food-recipes.com
and
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

Soon-to-be new addition to our family!...

We will be having some baby chicks soon!   Matt has been wanting for the past year and half or so to have fresh chicken eggs and a garden!  He is definitely a farmer at heart!   If he lived in another life or time, he'd be a farmer with plants and animals and a carpenter! Love that about him

This past weekend he started building the chicken coop, should be completed soon!   Not sure how many we'll have yet but excited to have baby chicks and to have fresh eggs!
This should be interesting  :)

Everyone has helped a little bit, even if holding a piece of wood for him...

   

Happy sick Boy!

Samuel has had RSV (think and hope we are at the very end of it)...  We've been busy doing breathing treatments 3 times a day and I've been sick as well but finally got some antibiotics from the doctor yesterday!   He's been so happy still while being sick, it amazes me haha!  I'm so grumpy when I'm sick... fever, cough, snot and all and he still screams and laughs in his jumparoo! 
He's been running fever every night for about a week... but he's back to his happy self and we're down to 1 treatment a day :)
We had to take some pictures of him doing his treatments... the more we did them the more laid back he got.. it was so cute.  We started off with the mask you put over mouth and nose which with tv on, he would sit and watch it calmly but luckily a friend had the pacifier attachment, which is so much better!

Hopefully soon, we'll be getting out more again!  Just in time with this beautiful weather!

Thought I'd Share...

Tim Keller and his wife, Kathy, share a small bit on the book they wrote on marriage, and well, on marriage itself... this is such a good, rich, Truth based book

http://www.faithfamilyfoundation.org/?p=720

Mi Samuelito!

The past 2 weeks I have been making it a goal to speak only in Spanish for at least an hour to Samuel!  We do it in the mornings after his first nap.   This is mainly for me right now, to get me used to thinking and speaking in Spanish.   Even though I know it fluently, its hard to turn that switch on and say everything in Spanish (to think in Spanish)... I mean everything! Even all that baby talk we do with them like they understand us haha!  Just in everything I do I'm telling him what I'm doing.  Like wiping his mouth after he eats, being silly with him, changing his diaper, playing with toys, body parts, etc.  Its been sooo good for me!  I'm noticing the more I do it the more it becomes natural.  My goal is that as he gets older, I'd speak as much Spanish to him as I can, hopefully majority of the day!  When he learns his first few words, we'll teach them to him in Spanish as well.
That is how I know Spanish... my parents never sat me down and gave me lessons, I just heard it all the time!  We learned English by going to school.  It is amazing how the brain works, how a child can absorb, learn, and retain two different languages with out even knowing it!   I remember going to a small after school program my mom worked at, I'd sit in there while she taught the kids.  I remember them doing their alphabet and I did not even know them in Spanish.  One day I just tried saying them in bed over and over because I remembered most of them or over heard her.  The ones I did not know, I'd ask my dad and re say them.  I taught myself how to write and read as well and growing up we'd write our grandparents letters and my dad would mail them.  Spanish is so easy to write and read, its spelled and pronounced the way it sounds, unlike English. 

I definitely want to pass this language down to our children.  It's part of my family!  Also, I don't want it to end with me and years later when my children have children, here my grandchildren say "yeah my mom's parents spoke Spanish but..."  And it's SO useful in today's world!

My New Love!

I loved watching infomercials when I was little! And space saver bags were one of the ones I thought were so cool.  Well about two months ago, I decided to see if they were still out there thinking it'd be great for our situation and for permanently storing Samuel and future kid's clothes!

two comforters and decorative pillows

I found their website (spacebag.com) and ordered a big package they had!  I (we) love them!  Packing things in them was our entertainment Monday!  It's great because you can put them under the bed, closet, garage, attic,etc.  They won't get moldy or wet!   Monday, while Matt packed a lot, I sorted through all of Samuel's clothes.   I vacuum packed all of his clothes organized by sizes/months, burp cloths, socks, bibs, extra towels and blankets we don't need anymore, I did all my winter clothes, all of Matt and I's winter "stuff" things like hats, gloves, scarves, etc.  And I packed my maternity clothes!   The best part is its not a pain to re open if you may have forgotten something.. you just open the bag at the top, stick whatever you forgot in, seal it and attach the vacuum nozzle. Enjoy some of the before and afters!

Before

 
 

After!

On the right, is all my heavy winter clothes... probably between 50 to 60 items at least! (use door knob as a guide :)  )


These will definitely be used a lot in our house hold!

Packing or Blogging?

I haven't blogged in a few days with our packing, so decided to take a little break.  This past week has been a crazy, busy packing week!   We've been busy packing away, at times it really feels like we have not made a dent... probably because everything is still sitting in our apartment.   Samuel and I have had fun in between packing... he truly is such a joy and makes me smile and laugh all the time!  He's been my fun "breather" break, we've taken lots of cute pictures this week.... no crawling yet!

Matt and I have done many movie nights to "take breaks" haha!    As much as I do not like to pack, I do love to get RID of things... feels so good!!  I've thrown away so much and we have 9 or 10 goodwill bags to go of our clothes and some other things! 


 These two pictures on the left are from today... he found a new teething toy.  It's the top on a container of gas drops, the top is squishy so he can bight on it and suck on it!


                    

  

This week has been such an emotional week for me!  Really though, when am I not emotional?!  I'm going to miss our sweet cozy apartment that Matt and I have made into our home!   The other day we were looking around and Matt said, Carla our decorations and apartment is nice!  I said babe, thanks to you!!!  Haha because one day, Matt asked in the sweetest most innocent way if we could use our gift cards from our wedding (this was a year and half later) to buy some things for the apartment! haha, poor guy!  I mean now that I think about it, we have not had even curtains for the LONGEST time!  So we did, it was the funnest day because it was like a shopping spree!  So he is the reason it looks cute I always tell him!   I'm growing in this area: decorating, etc, and thinking about these things.  Guess I just didn't pay attention to it or realize how empty our apartment was until he said something!

We also noticed that EVERYTHING in our living room and in our rooms was given to us!  Amazing how the Lord provides!  Everything except the black book shelf Matt built and Samuel's crib we bought... even sweet Samuel's crib was a gift from many good friends!  And this was Samuel's first home with such a cozy room!  Everywhere I look, I picture him when he was just new born!  The places he'd hang out at  :)

The Lord has provided in amazing and numerous ways...I will MOST definitely miss our home!

Happy Valentines Day!

Found this picture on my camera  :(     Think that was the sweetest, best feeling by far!  Just him laying on me, that instant connection/bond!

 We had a relaxing night... Matt had made a surprise dinner which was homemade spaghetti and meatballs! Have to honestly say, it was the best I've had... the sauce had wine in it and had such a fresh, subtle taste to it and the meatballs were great because they were BIG and he wasn't shy about making a lot!  And a movie marathon night... but we started movie #1 around 9:30 so we were too tired to watch the next one.  And the best part was eating it outside on our balcony.

Moving!

So these two weeks will be packing days for us!  Samuel and I have definitely been procrastinating... Did coat closet, which had everything but coats, last week and now I have come to a halt!
We are moving into Matt's mom's house to finish paying off our school debt in a more extreme or intense way!  And after, to save for a down payment for a house!  That day will be an exciting day!  :)

This past August, we were re evaluating if we wanted to re sign a lease at the end of February, buy a house, or this suggestion came up to move into his moms.  We really didn't want to resign a lease for another year unless we had too, and know we are not financially ready to get into a house commitment... so we decided and talked with others and ultimately his mom, that we would move in late February.

We've been paying off loans from school a little less than a year after we were married!   We paid off the car Matt bought while we were engaged, right after we got married!  That felt good since they depreciate so much!  Matt read Dave Ramsey's financial peace book (I'm sure many of you are familiar with him!) and it changed his view on finances or more yet, just gave him/us direction on how to manage finances!  Most importantly what scripture says about money...  It's been such a GREAT journey thus far.  God has used this extremely, in my own heart, to show me so much of my sin!   Not just in money itself but in jumping on board with Matt and seeing where or what I really put my significance in!  Its been great to trust Matt and back him up with my mind, heart and actions.  I am very opinionated and too, love to try to control things.  Needless to say, it has made us feel even more like a team together, being on the same page about things!
 
When we were both working, we would put all of what I brought home towards our debt.   It was good for us to do this not only because of our plan but we knew and had talked about wanting me to be home with our kids, if possible and if I enjoyed it.  So it got us used to one income from the beginning!  I'm so grateful for that!  It's taught me so much self discipline and taught me the difference between "wanting" something and "needing" something... and in appreciating more, the small treats every once in a while!  It's caused me to search my heart and question:  the eternal vs the temporary or the things that satisfy but a minute, weeks, months ("..while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" 2 Cor 4:18-19).  But mostly its challenged me (still even today) to see what the Lord says in the bible about debt, money, idols, etc.  To not be a slave to debt!  At the end, I plan on really going through and thinking about every way the Lord has used this in my life and in our marriage!  
We definitely plan on making our trip to TN and going to Dave Ramsey's show, or rather, his building!  You go to the lobby and call in his show and talk to him and on every Friday he lets callers yell that they are DEBT FREE!!!!  haha... we want to make that our little family trip to the mountains and while we're their, to go yell it out!!  I think his show comes on 107.3 FM 1:00 to 4:00pm... should check it out.  I've listened to it maybe 3 or 4 times.. he's really funny, and sarcastic and its encouraging to hear people's stories!   


His mom is great... we've or she really, has talked to other wise friends and gotten advice for this time while we are there.  So we will have some good structure to start out with to protect Matt and I's family time with Samuel and everyone's time/ space really!  Will take constant communication, and I will take on new house duties which I'm excited about! (apartments are so easy to maintain and clean)  Think it will be a great season of life, with a lot of learning.    Mrs. Lucy, a sweet, wise lady at our church always says, The Lord puts us in classrooms (seasons of life), we can be discontent in these times, whether good or bad or ask the Lord, OK Lord, what do you want to teach me in this classroom?  I over heard her sharing that with someone one day, and it has stuck with me always always!  

So, needless to say we are excited that we have this opportunity and that she is allowing us to move in!   Some of the pluses are: Samuel (we) will have a yard!  He will have so much room to crawl and walk!  and Matt and I can enjoy little get-a ways to the store at night, leaving Samuel home to sleep, and we can go on as many needed (cheap :) dates because someone will always be home for the most part!
 Speaking of crawling.... my little man is about to do just that!    He is definitely growing growing growing DAILY!  Matt and I have seen so much change in him this past week every day, then we ever have!  It's crazy....I get so emotional when I'm playing with him and see him changing but too all these milestones are SOO exciting!

He's already working out hard for the ladies!

Can't wait to know what his little voice will sound like when he can talk, what he will look like, if he will be a cuddler, etc!  He's learned to sit in the last 2 days, hes rocking on his knees some, and I transitioned him out of his sleep sack!  He's so long, I was about to have to order an XL sleep sack.  This one he was in, went up to 18 months, ha but I feel like it gets twisted on him when he is turning in bed or rocking on his knees.  So I decided, why not remove it now.  So seeing him sleeping with out one is crazy!  He looks so cute and much older to me.

Joining the Blogging World!

After a few years of debating and recently, a friend (hannah!) starting a blog, I decided why not?!  I am VERY far from being a great writer or entertainer, but there's a few reasons why I think this will be good:
1.  Feel like this is a great way for me to have a record of our lives with pictures and so on!  Not sure how often I'll write but hopefully I will!  
2.  I process so much by writing... so think this will be great for me to see "whats going on and not going on" in my life/our lives.
3.  Of course to keep close friends and those interested, updated on our highs and lows!

My amazing brother-in-law came up with this fun blog name!  He's a genius.. I love it!  I came up with the sub title, think it describes exactly what the title means or at least what I thought of when I heard it :)


Enjoy the weekend although its freezing!