"Pinch Proof" Our St. Patrick's Day Weekend re-cap.

Our little family was pinch proof on Saturday with all of our green on. Little Miss Carys got tons of attention at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in her green outfit and of course her red hair. Girlfriend does have just a touch of Irish in her blood J

Carys has just started really clapping and waving and we loved every minute of watching her clap and wave at the people in the parade. To say she LOVED IT would be an understatement. We made it a goal to spend as much time as possible doing fun family things on the weekends and this weekend we made progress on that goal. I am so blessed to be this sweet girl’s momma!

sidenote: I NEVER take pictures with my glasses on but I'm trying to embrace the camera and jump in photos more often.

checking out the bands

Waving to the cars

clapping along to the YMCA :)

Our Sunday was a lazy one we missed church which I hate doing but we just flat over-slept it was a much needed day of extra sleep for our entire family. After we lounged away our morning we played ball outside with our sweet baby girl.

Later Alligators...

Mrs.  A

Thanksgiving Tuesday

Have you ever had a week where everything that happens feels like it cuts you into many pieces and that you are constantly being handed your words on a silver platter? Well I am totally having one of those weeks I am learning just how much being a mom can test your patience, and remind you of your own short comings. I have had a trying week with my little girl and the funny thing is I can see myself in everything she's done recently. There's nothing like the actions of your child to make you realize your own shortcomings. My child is not a bad kid but she is definitely testing her boundaries this week and well frankly I'm feeling like I don't know how to deal with it.

 I am so thankful for the amazing women in my life that I lean on as my mommy mentors they have helped me walk through this more than they will ever know. I only hope someday to be the encouragement to a new mom that I have had from my mentors! Without these women in my life I am certain I would've broke down over a motherhood issue many many times. Thankfully the times I have had breakdowns these wonderful amazing women have been there to pick me up and dust me off and tell me to keep going. I can't tell you how many times I've called one of them crying and saying I've totally screwed up my kid only for them to remind me that kids are resilient and we are learning right along with them. I often forget that as a new mom I'm allowed to make mistakes I am human I am NOT supermom no matter how many times I try to convince myself that I am I always ALWAYS fall short!

In a world full of women who seem to be at war with each other over mommy issues I am so blessed to have these amazing women not judging me but teaching me and walking beside me! They exemplify the Titus 2 woman and they are some of my dearest friends! I hope I never forget how lucky I am!


Later Alligators...

Mrs. A

Sunday Meditations The Mission Field of Motherhood

My baby turned 1 last week officially entering the world of toddlerhood AKA the trying years and I have been busily running after her distracting her playing with her and in general enjoying her. But yesterday I was brought to my knees my sweet child bit and drew blood I was so stunned I yelled in pain and tapped her on the cheek to which she wailed! I immediately crumbled thinking myself a horrible parent and the thought has remained with me through today. I have felt myself unprepared for the years ahead and I find myself terrified of what's to come. I confessed this to my mom mentor that I feel completely unprepared to lead my child through the coming years and she reminded me that not only am I to lead I am to train, explain, and show her Jesus through my actions.

We've been speaking a lot about being burdened to save the lost souls of the world in our Sunday school class at church and I can honestly say sharing the gospel is a burden I feel for me God took this lesson in a completely different direction than I think it was presented and made me realize that my mission field is my home and my daughter is the lost soul I am trying to save. As much as I shutter to think of a future in which Carys doesn't choose Jesus if I don't live my life as an example that could someday be my reality. She is always watching me and learning even when I'm not speaking and I am terrified of that. I am crawling in the arms of Jesus and asking him to Lead me so I can lead her.

 I've never really thought of my home as my mission field before today but it is and I must make the best of every opportunity presented. I am reminded of the song lyrics we chose to put above Carys's crib "The Words I Would Say"  by the Sidewalk Prophets. The quotes we put above her bed are "Be strong in the Lord and Never Give Up Hope, you're gonna do great things I already know" but the lyrics I am reminded of now are "I know cause I've already been there so please here these simple truths" The reality is that the truth of Jesus and His saving grace is simple but teaching it to a child that seems like a mountainous task and one I am now responsible for completing. My only hope is to draw closer to Him and rest in His strength while teaching my children to do the same.

What about you have you thought of your home as a mission field before? and if so what are you doing to win the battle for Christ? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Later Alligators....
Mrs. A