sneak peek

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Just a few quick note to post today . . .

The past few months I've been working on a few things and I'll be sharing all the details soon!
This is just a little sneak peek though!

STAY TUNED! 

Truth on Unpredictable Days

I’m not what you would describe as a type A person, so control hasn’t been a struggle in my life. 
Or so I thought until recently . .
I’m not a structured person, although I am tempted by pretty planners &
I’m also not spontaneous, though an unplanned getaway sounds dreamy!

I prefer rhythm & predictability or admiringly known as “disguised control” .

Last week this adorable 8month old yanked control out from beneath me & flat out punched predictability in the face!
Harbor’s sleep has been erratic meaning
our rhythm has been non existent!
The days of unpredictability led to unproductive days followed by an avalanche of self centered criticism & condemnation. 

As I begrudgingly sat in stillness, attempting yet again to induce Harbor into a nap, the Father spoke :
“I see you. You’re not alone.”
& the dam broke as the Father flooded my soul with truth;
Truth that noticeably slid out of focus as I fixed my eyes on my circumstances.
➕ Truth that He is faithful. 

➕ Truth that He has carried me through difficulty & uncertainty. 

➕Truth that although I’m sleep deprived,
I’m abundantly thankful our sweet boy is home & not lying in a bed in the NICU. 

➕ Truth that although Harbor seems increasingly needy, my heart explodes with gratitude, recalling that endless week my empty arms ached to hold him!

➕ Truth that although Harbor is struggling with sleep, it’s because he’s growing mentally & physically. 

➕ Truth that I am loved as my husband graciously holds Harbor for hours during the night so that I can sleep. 

➕ Truth that these moments of childhood are more precious than predictability.
Moments which are painfully evident as our oldest talks about life & the future & my heart aches because the bittersweet truth is that these days of childhood are fleeting. 

So as the tears of selfishness flush out of my soul, tears of gratitude began streaming down my face. 
I hold Harbor close & whisper “thank you”.
Thank you for the gift of beauty, grace & Truth especially on unpredictable days. 
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For more grace filled encouragement like this, follow along on my FB page :  

 

self care // exercise

 

Continuing my series on self care, today I want to briefly talk about exercise. 

We all know that exercise is physically beneficial, but studies show that

exercise helps lessen symptoms of depression, proving that exercise benefits 

our soul emotionally and mentally as well. 

Personally, I've never been more keenly aware of this connection than I am 

currently! Following Harbor’s complicated birth, a NICU stay, postpartum 

hormones and sleepless nights, I battled continuous storms of unpredictable 

emotions and self deprecating thoughts. 

It’s taken a multi pronged approach but honestly, one of the greatest 

contributions to balancing my emotions, has been getting back into an 

exercise rhythm. 

My goal is to try to squeeze in some form of movement every day, 

whether that’s walking for a half hour or spending 15 minutes focused on a 

target area; I make sure to prioritize movement into my day. 

The beauty of exercise, is the multitude of options available, and with a bit 

of effort, you can find a specific form that is an enjoyable experience! 

 

Personally I’ve found two : barre workouts (which I’ll post on later) & Pilates. 

I  discovered Pilates soon after the birth of my first son, nearly two decades 

ago, and knew instantly that I found my perfect match!

Pilates focuses on mindful movement while strengthening & toning the body’s 

muscles; if you’ve ever been interested in what Pilates is all about, today I 

have the perfect opportunity to tell you about! 

 

 

Robin over at The Balanced Life is hosting a "Back to the Mat" 7 day challenge

that will introduce you to the Pilates method.

So whether you’ve fallen out of an exercise routine or you just need a bit of 

motivation to begin again, I hope you’ll join me for Back to the Mat. 

Sign up via the link below: https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/backtothemat/ 

 

 

➕ Robin also created {this} daily printable, which I’ve also downloaded on 

my phone; it encourages me to prioritize movement even on the busiest day!

Head here for a full description of each exercise & to get your copy.  

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PS // if you feel like you’re battling depression of any kind, seek help! 

Talk with someone! You DON’T have to stay in the place that you’re in! 

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Motherhood + self care

Lest anyone here think that I’ve got it altogether, here’s a secret that you most likely don’t know about me;

self care isn’t easy for me to prioritize!!

For almost 18 years I’ve bought into this exaggerated belief system
“that our children & our spouse matter more than we do ..
that truly loving them is putting their needs above our own ..”
But mama’s choosing to take care our ourselves is important!!

Over the next week I want to talk about my personal experience with practicing self care but please, I beg you, when you hear me talking about why I believe it’s important to take care of ourselves, remember that I’m currently learning to implement this in my own life! 
 
As a Christian, my faith and relationship with the Father fuel every part of my life,
mentally + emotionally + physically  
I believe that you and I are created to breathe life into the people around us, 
Our kids . Our spouse . Our home . Our co-workers . Our world .
But we can’t do that if we don’t prioritize nourishing our souls. 

Life is constantly full of out of unforeseen, uncontrollable circumstances, like an infant who keeps you up literally almost all.night.long or hormonal, preadolescent kids who literally equate one of their brothers taking their pen as a violation of their human rights; I mean they’re literally throwing punches! And I’m not talking about some engraved expensive pen, I’m talking about  a cheap @** I come in a twelve pack from Dollar Tree pen!!

While these may seem like insignificant examples, when I don’t prioritize nurturing my soul, I find myself reacting, and often overreacting, to circumstances rather than remembering 
// Who’s // already got my circumstances.

I want to share my story not because I have the answers, quite the opposite!  I often get caught up in life’s circumstances. I forget perspective. I need encouragement.
I'm sharing because preaching to my own heart reminds me of the truth.
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Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go apologize to my kids for yelling over how stupid it is to fight over a pen! 
Follow along over at beauty and grace {everyday} on facebook for more posts like this. 

beauty & grace {everyday}

Hey mama’s!
I’m so excited to finally share a bit of my heart behind the change that’s happening in this little online space..
A few years ago I was in the busy season of Barn sales, and although that season of life has ended,
I’m still just as passionate about celebrating the beauty of motherhood!

I personally believe that our homes are the most important place in earth & mama’s,
we greatly influence the atmosphere of our homes by what we believe & what we speak!!
Yet often times, meeting the demands of motherhood finds us empty because we prioritize everything except our own souls. Over time, we can loose sight of the big picture & completely overlook the beauty filled life we’ve each been given!

See I’m that girl who repeatedly stumbles when I try to stand on my own strength &
who often despairs when I forget Faith is choosing to declare all He is rather than all we see.

In this new space you’ll find me
#preachingtomyself & prioritizing a #wholehealthylifestyle
because I believe we can have healthy minds + live whole lives

You’ll find me attempting too find
#purposefulperspective & see the
#extraordinaryinmyordinary

I’ll also post snippets of our family’s personal journey of #homeschoolingwithbeautyandgrace

Hear this!
I am not a perfect mom; I don’t have a perfect home or perfect kids or the perfect curriculum.
I’m daily.walking.proof of the need to
#declaretruthinyourtrial
to choose + purposefully walk in {beauty & grace}everyday

You won’t find formula’s here or a step by step guide to self improvement .. nope!
Just encouragement, hope & truth.
A place where real life & real struggles find real grace.

I hope you'll join me over on Facebook  // Let’s feed our souls mama!!

Christmas reflections for a New Year

   

                          Last Christmas season life felt a bit slower. Each day planned and purposeful,

whether it was a day full of baking or a leisurely late night drive.

This year however, I found myself longing to replicate those moments;

 Christmas shopping dates with my hubby, warm drink in my hand, and pressure far from me.

Yet, that didn't happen.

At least I thought it didn't. Honestly, it just didn't look exactly like last year. 

As comparison nagged at my emotions, I struggled to feel that this Christmas somehow was lacking...

didn't measure up.

 Didn't feel like it should, which obviously meant something was wrong.

In the silence, the Father began to reveal that I honestly was longing for an experience. Last years experience

The past. Familiarity. 

The same longing that crowds of multitudes and even His own followers looked for, 

miracles to be duplicated.

In all honesty, Nothing, absolutely nothing was wrong with this Christmas!

What a silly stupid lie!

 A scheme of the enemy to minimize the current beauty of the Father's workings in our life!

The plans we had this year were the plans for this year.

Finishing up our kitchen remodel; chauffeuring teens here and there; 

Opening our home to family and friends that He led to our doorstep.

Date nights on the town exchanged with late night, side by side, online shopping.

In the same way, many missed the Messiah's birth because they misunderstood, 

awaiting for their King to come in the manner their minds accepted.

 I don't want to miss His heartbeat because it looked different last year.

I never want to miss the beauty while longing for the familiar.

 Personally, I prefer simplicity, but I never want to idealize or idolize what Christmas should look like.

 I continually want to walk in step with His movement, day by day. Mindful of what He lays before me.

 Not distracted from what's in front of me, by looking at what was behind.

 

Beautifully extraordinary

  Do you ever look through old photo's and instantly are drawn back, sifting through a rush of emotions?

This happens quite often for me. 

Pictures of the past have a way of drawing me back in time, but with an ability of perspective from today.

 I recall the days with these five Guys; those muddy days that felt insignificant.

 Those days I felt life was overwhelming and could barely trudge through the trenches. Beautiful.

 

Those days I felt I barely survived while other were thriving. Beautiful.

                 Those days the dishes piled high and toys were strewn throughout my home. Beautiful.

Those times I hadn't showered in days, and the kids dinner consisted of frozen chicken nuggets... 

Beautiful. Completely Beautiful!

 My insignificant daily, my mundane, my ordinary

The Father redeems what I deem insignificant into lovely, memorable, extraordinary.

 

" The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes and surely it is in the everyday

things around us that the beauty of life lies."

-Laura Ingalls Wilder 

I wish I could honestly say that in the midst of those tough days, I had the eyes to see beauty hidden in the mess. 

The beautiful redemption rests in the truth that the God who turned water into wine,

can take my meager and insignificant, and weave it into a beautiful tapestry for His purpose.

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light, so that you can understand the hope

 to which He has called you {Eph. 1:18}

Truth for my Child

Our first official week of the 2016/17 school year is almost complete.
This week we gently eased back into school mode.
 I held a loose idea of what our days would look like, and we certainly had struggles,
but the Father planned for something lovely.

Earlier this week, I lay tossing and turning, not over curriculum, but with a strong stirring upon my heart.

 A stirring of what truly matters most in our day to day.

 
My heart begin to well up with the enormity of the daily opportunity I've been given as a mom
to speak life over my children. To declare the truth to them.

Truth that they might often not believe. 

Truth that they the world has lied to them about.

Truth of who they are; not based on actions, but a child their Father has redeemed them as.

I awoke the next morning, penning words from the Father;

You are righteous, not b/c of actions, but simply b/c you believe.

You are my child; my son, my daughter.

You are royalty and have the complete inheritance as my child.

You can never disinherit all that I've given you. You are not in lack.

I have provided and will continually, abundantly provide more than you can imagine!

You are unconditionally loved, no matter what you do, or how much you mess up.

You are NOT a disappointment.

My arms are continually open toward you.

When you feel distance, turn around, you'll see Me. I am never far from you.

I will never leave, never turn aside.

I am always perusing you, always longing for you. 

I am your Shepherd.

When you fall, when you're wounded and cannot walk,

I will carry you close to my heart, so you hear my heartbeat toward you.

Your falling does not anger me; You are pleasing! 

Not b/c of how you act, how you look, or what you say.

You are mine and I delight in you!

When I look at you, I see a clean and spotless child b/c of the priceless blood which paid for your righteousness.

I love you when you are unlovable. 

I am your Father, standing with open arms, welcoming you my child.

I've prepared a wondrous feast, I've put the finest clothes on your back.

All of my kingdom is yours, simply b/c you.are.mine." 

the Gift of Children

I am absolutely, abundantly in love with this lovely little family of mine!
Having a large family is truly a fulfillment of one of my heart's desires, one that I didn't even realize I had until I was blessed with this priceless gift.

This past week, our oldest two boys were away at youth camp.
 This is the second time they've been away in two months, and boy, I've missed them more than imaginable!

Yes, my home was still full of laughter and noise; yes I still have four other children keeping me busy...

But when the house gets quiet, and I walk by their bedroom door each night,
I don't hear their loud music, their voices, their laughter over teenage antics.

While my boys have been away, I find myself reflecting on the fullness, the completeness each child brings;
The children who make our house a home.

  Daily, I'm amazed at the individuality of each child and how one can be so entirely different than their siblings within the same family.
One is quiet and contemplative, serious and task oriented;
One is constantly talking, sharing what's on his mind;
One is silly, trying to make everyone laugh.

Within a family you're accepted regardless of the personality differences you share.

The passions you have, the irritations.

We daily get to live the lovely and the hard, messy frustrations together, confident that love covers it all.

Getting to live this life with each of them, each of their personality types, each of their strengths,
each of their hindrances, is truly a gift! An indescribable gift.

I treasure each and every single day I wake to live this life with my family.

Why I photograph my "perfect life"

First off, I do NOT have a perfect life! Quite honestly, some days are messy hard!

I wake up before the herd, the house is still quiet; sip my coffee, which the best husband made.

 One by one, sleepy kids stroll downstairs sweetly, then it's all downhill from there.

Sister doesn't want eggs, almost a half gallon of milk spilled, "brother is sitting too close to me"

A headache strikes and you want to go back to bed for the entire day! 

but the day must go on. 

After the breakfast mess is clear, and husband out the door, I long for the lovely, the best things.
  Little Brother wants to read, so we head to his favorite spot.
As he arranges his buddies, smiles his dimpled grin, he snuggles close.
 This time nourishes my heart.  I quickly capture it with a photo. 

As I listen to him read, I breathe deep; all five of my boys have accomplished this childhood milestone.
I recall to mind the hard days of four boys ages five and under, three in diapers. The days I just survived. 

Those days have transitioned into an overflowing home full of books, lego's, and loud drum sets {plural}

During those "routine days" of life when my guys were little, I photographed what felt like the mundane.
Silly boys just being silly!
 Those photographs are treasures to my heart today!
Treasures of encouragement; reminders of lovely days; even the loveliness that I overlooked.
Looking at those photographs today, my heart is bursting!
Bursting with the gratefulness for the reminders of my beautiful, abundantly blessed life!

Some days are tough, I mean tooth and nail tough.
A photograph captures beauty, even in the midst of chaos.
 I never want to overlook the beautiful surrounding me, each and every day!
Often times that beauty is in the midst of a beautiful mess.

"Through it All"

These lyrics; this song; echo my heart's cry today. 

 One month ago,  May 29th, another of our precious unborn children dances in Heaven. 

 

My second miscarriage has been painful at the loss of our Little One.

Yet, these six years later, The Father continues to carry me, comfort me, and surround my ache with his abundant love.

He is steadfast, true to His loving nature.

Yet I walk in the truth of His nature deeper now than ever before. 

When the enemy lies and steals,

The Father abundantly multiplies, illuminates truth, and renews my mind.

 "Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you 

 Through it all, through it all, it is well

Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you

 And it is well with me.

                    Let go my soul, and trust in Him; the waves and wind still know His name.

It is well, It is well, It is well with my soul "

Teach them Diligently

In only a short time, my teenagers and I will be at Teach them Diligently Nashville. 

We've attended this event for the past three years and it has been such a sweet time of refreshment and encouragement.
 

This beautiful chalk print, which I received from the conference, sits on my dryer and is a daily encouragement to my heart. 

Teach them Diligently hosts conventions in multiple cities each year.

 The Nashville convention is held in the massive and gorgeous Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. 

It's simply stunning!

Our children absolutely love the fountains and water show, the boat ride and the luscious landscaping!
                  {attempting to photograph inside the hotel at night, however, is a huge challenge for me}

By nature, I don't tend to enjoy large crowds, and the mere thought of a convention can quickly leave me feeling overwhelmed. Yet, even the gigantic vendor hall, crowds of people by the hundreds,

 and numerous stacked sessions to choose from,

 the Father gently directs my path to peace, and navigates the weekend, so I walk away feeling refreshed.

If I were chatting with you over coffee, the encouragement I'd give you in person would be,

Begin with prayer

Pray about attending in the first place, pray about your spouse and/or children attending,

pray about your lodging, travel, finances, and your childcare situation.

 Pray about which sessions to attend, pray for God ordained encounters with individuals 

and ultimately that His peace reign in your heart throughout the weekend.

:: Once you feel the Father's direction in all those areas, secure your arrangements.

This can take quite a bit of time, as you may need to plan for travel, book a hotel room, 

research local sites you may want to visit during your stay, food arrangements, etc...

:: Print the speaker session schedule and prayerfully listen to the Spirit's direction regarding which to attend.

Personally, this is a fluid process. While I'm reading the descriptions, and planning which to attend,

the Father had re-directed my sight and heart to another session I hadn't planned on.

AND even once I'm at the conference, I continue to listen to His guidance.

  {Don't fret over not being able to hear all the sessions you'd ultimately like to hear,
You can purchase individual sessions on MP3}

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps" Proverbs 16:9

:: Lastly, I look over the vendor list and again, prayerfully decide which curriculum purchases I need to make and/or which curriculum I'll want to research in person.

You can find Teach them Diligently on FB and they're downloadable app can assist with planning as well.

Our Father is a good, good Father who longs to reveal paths which lead to life.

Be encouraged, a convention of this magnitude may seem like overwhelming chaos, but He calms that storm

He leads, He guides, He directs, and He makes beauty surround.
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You can keep in touch with Elizabeth and receive truth filled encouragement for your mom heart over at Beauty and Grace {everyday}.  

abide

{"I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in the truth" ~ 3 John 1:4}

 
God created my children for His  purposes.
They are distinctly created with gifts and passions. Passions that often times I misjudge as character flaws.
Of course, there certainly are habits like thinking of others, cultivating thoughtfulness, etc.. that I try to be intentional with.

My deep heart's desire is to lead them to the source of truth.
To abide in constant relationship with The Father; to hear his heartbeat, His voice, His Spirit.

 One of my greatest desires is for my kids to know that I'm on their side, that I'm for them!
 When I look deeply in their eyes, greet them happily in the morning, make big deals over the things that are a big deal to them, actively listen, cheer them on, truly try to see life through their eyes


... all these desires that I'm pouring out on them, are but a snippet of the true nature of the Father's heart toward them. 

Yes, those desires to train them and guide them will still be there...but they aren't guiding my days.
When I see character flaws, they aren't overwhelming my spirit. They aren't burdens on my back.
When my mind is reminded of this, I abide in rest. My soul is at rest.
My eyes see the beauty. My heart embraces their passions. I rest because they're in the Fathers hands.

  He loves them so so abundantly!! He is for them!! He longs to lead them into all truth!