Real Life Mama

I now get to enjoy moments like these, every day, ALL day! It's my dream come true! 

You're probably thinking - "Really, mama? All day, every day? Because my days aren't like this EVERY day and especially not ALL day." 

So let's be real. ALL day EVERY day isn't like this. My little guy rarely has a bad day {Praise the Lord}, but I {yes, this mama right here!!} have plenty of bad days. 

I struggle with being a mama, friends. 

Almost daily. 

If you're anything like me, those cute little faces, like my little Christian man above, really do make it all worth it. But there are a lot of days that I question what I'm doing. 

If I were to write down everything I do in a day I know the list would be long and I'm sure your's would be too! 

But this is the list I see in my mind when I think about my day: 

Didn't read the Bible long enough. 

Fed the baby. 

Changed the baby.

Cleaned up spit up. 

Folded laundry. 

Washed dishes. 

Made the beds. 

Cooked dinner. 

Tried to squeeze in some blogging...and the baby woke up.

Fed the baby again. 

Cleaned up baby after a major blow out. 

And the list repeats itself... again, and again, and again. 

Day in and day out. 

When the day is over what "accomplishments" do I have to show for myself? 

Usually it's not a whole lot in a tangible sense. There are no "promotions" for motherhood. Unless, that is, you count adding in another bundle of joy!? :) {No, we aren't expecting again!}

I don't know about you, but I'm often left with a lot of doubt. 

Is being mommy really enough????

I should have blogged more. 

I should have made a healthier dinner. 

I should have really deep cleaned and organized the kitchen. 

I should have baked a homemade dessert for small group instead of buying the packaged cookies from the store. 

I should have played with the baby more. 

I should have, I should have, I should have. 

The funny thing is that most of us probably feel this way as moms. But the pressure to do more and be more is probably coming from moms too!! 

Let's be real with one another. 

Let's have playdates in our pajamas {because we don't really get dressed up every day! Or is that just me?? }. 

There's nothing that makes me happier than when I get together with another mom and both of us are in our comfy clothes and haven't showered. 

Let's bring the packaged snacks to gatherings. 

Let's delete our pinterest accounts and take away the pressures of this world to be more. 

Loving on our little ones and showing them the love of Christ, leading them in truth daily is 

ENOUGH.

Being mommy is more than enough. 

It's everything. 

I'm talking to myself here too. We are the best moms for our kids. No one can do it better than we can. Our specific kids were given to us for a reason. And we are everything they need. So even when the only rewards of mothering is the smiles and hugs and laughter, let's remind each other that we are enough. 

Being mommy is enough. 

If you don't believe me...just ask your little one. 

I think my little guy thinks I'm just enough :) 

Even if we can't see it, there is a purpose to all the little, tedious tasks we do.

Psalm 138:8

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands."

The Parent Room

Does your church have a Parent Room? 

That room in the back of the church all set up with cozy rocking chairs, toys, and TV screens so you can watch the service...all while being segregated from the rest of the church. 

This wasn't my perspective on the Parent Room before having a baby. I used to think how great it was for churches to have a space for parents and children to still participate in the worship service. But now, now I feel more of an obligation to go to this room whenever Christian makes a peep during church even when people just turn and smile at our cute little {sometimes too chatty}baby boy.

Don't get me wrong, I love when Christian makes people smile, but I still feel a tinge of guilt when I get these looks as I'm trying to help Christian hold back his chatty thoughts. 

I know the Parent Room exists to allow families to still experience church without disturbing others, but:

How much is too much? 

How loud is too loud? 

When I'm in the Parent Room watching the service, I might as well be cozied up on my couch at home watching the service. 

I feel segregated. 

It's as if I'm walking around with a sign on my forehead:

I'm with a Baby. I will proceed to the Parent Room. 

But just because I have a baby who maybe sometimes makes some noise in church does that really mean I have to sit in the Parent Room?  

Maybe all of his jabbering is actually him praying in tongues. I don't have the gift of interpreting tongues, so I couldn't tell you, but maybe! 

Yes. My church not only offers a Parent Room but also offers a Nursery with free childcare. 

But maybe I want my child in church with me. Maybe I want him to experience worship. And maybe I want him to feel like just because he has energy and a voice he doesn't have to leave church but in fact is welcomed there too. 

There is always the question, though, of how much am I actually getting out of church by having my child there with me? Half the time I rarely remember what the sermon was even about because I spend the whole time worrying about whether Christian is too loud or finding another toy to entertain him or sometimes even feeding him during the service. 

Now that Christian is 6 months old and getting older and more active every day, I'm needing to find a solution. Not just a solution, though, but a balance. A balance between teaching him to worship and love church and God and know that he is accepted and welcomed in this place but also allowing me to experience those same things. 

I grew up going to church every Sunday experiencing the full service. It was a much more traditional service, but I was there for all of it. I had my moments where I would escape and crawl under all the pews and make a real scene, but I experienced church with my family. But I also learned that church was a boring place where you needed to be quiet. I don't want Christian to learn this either. 

So what's the answer, the solution, the balance? 

Do I take him to child care now? Every other week? Do I sit in the parent room and be distracted not just by my own child but those of others as well, yet form bonds and relationships with the other parents in the room? Or do I continue to boycott the parent room and just take Christian to the full church service? He really loves the lights and the music.

Right now we have been mainly sitting outside the parent room. A lot of parents seem to sit in this area. It's still fully part of the worship center and with all the other people at church. It's just close to the parent room so if your little one does get too loud you can quickly make your exit.

I guess I like this option, but I almost wish that it was a designated family section. Still part of the church service but surrounded by those who've also "been there" and are understanding of sometimes chatty little ones. In some ways this is basically what it is, but not formally.

Now, don't get me wrong, no one has ever really given us dirty looks or anything like that. I just always worry that I'm disrupting someone's quiet, intimate time with God by keeping my little guy in the service. And I'm thankful for the Parent Room so that I can still experience church when Christian does have those times where he gets way out of hand, but I just don't want to feel pressured to go there...But maybe I'm creating the pressure myself....

Do you sit in the Parent Room at church? Do you start there or do you move there if your little one gets too noisy? How do you decide how much is too much and how loud is too loud? Do you like the Parent Room? Or do you feel segregated and pressured to go there? 

The Thankful Project Day 18: A Choice.

Welcome to day 18 of The Thankful Project. Today's prompt is: A Choice. To learn more about The Thankful Project, find the list of prompts and join in the fun, click {here}.

I'm linking up with Kenzie at Chasing Happy for this post. 

Actually, this is yesterday's prompt...I'm a day late. But if you remember right, I said I wouldn't be posting every day, so I guess this is when you're getting it!

Choices.

Do you like them?

It seems the older I get, the more choices I have to make. Making choices is not something I'm necessarily thankful for as I'm SUPER indecisive!! But one choice that I've made and I'm so thankful that I did, is the choice to be part of Christian Community.

When my husband and I first joined our church, we were only dating. We were young {actually we still are young} and wanted to be a part of a couples group. Unfortunately Fortunately enough for us, our church didn't have a young couples group. I say "fortunately" because this meant we got to start our own group! Since we were only dating, it seemed weird for us to join a couples group of seasoned married people. Looking back, I know they would have been great mentors for us, but I'm so glad that we decided to form our own group.

God really has formed this group and we are so lucky to be part of it!

It's been just over 2 years now since we decided to start our own group and it's been a long journey. Actually, it took several months from the time we decided to "start" our group for dating, engaged, and newlywed couples before we even had a group! Being that we were only dating, we didn't fit into a lot of the couples that were looking to join groups. Instead of forming our own group, we actually formed 2 other groups first! Neither of which we were invited to be part of...sheesh! *all part of God's plan*

Finally, in January 2011, we had our first small group! We hosted it at Jim's house and were so nervous that no one would show up! We actually only were meeting with 2 other couples at the time...both were just dating. Eventually a married couple joined our group, Jim and I got engaged, one of the other couples got engaged, and another couple broke up. Over the past 2 years, though, our group has really grown and changed.

I am so blessed by them! 

We now have 6 couples {that's a total of 12 people!!} with 2 more prospective couples joining! I can't even put into words the blessing that this has been for us. It means so much to have couple friends who are in the same season of life and who love the Lord. It's also been really fun to all "grow" together. We are not only learning more about God and each other, but we are also growing through seasons. Jim and I are now married with a baby, another couple just celebrated their one year wedding anniversary, 2 other couples just welcomed little ones, and we hope to soon see another couple get engaged...soon :)

These people have become our best friends.

They are the people we hang out with on the weekends.

The people we share our joys and our hurts and concerns with so they can lift us up in prayer.

The people we talk about our kids with and learn about parenting with.

The people we laugh with and learn about God from.

We do life together.
And that is what I think God designed community to be. 

Acts 2:42
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer."

I thank God every day for providing us with this amazing community.

What choice are you thankful for? Are you thankful for choices? Are you part of a "community"? If not, I highly recommend you find your people! 
Don't be afraid to step out. I know you will be glad you did! 

And now it occurs to me that we don't even have a group picture! We need to make that happen! 

Who Says Church Can't Be Fun???

Last weekend the theme at church was "Homecoming" and we went all out! 

That's right...we did the WAVE in church! So fun! Check it out on the videos below! 

And just when I thought it was over....there was more! So "Homecoming" video take 2! 

We got serious too. 

When we go home, its often to a place of comfort and security...familiarity. But "Homecoming" isn't just about our earthly homes, its about returning to our heavenly home too. And the way to that heavenly home is only through Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). 

When we return to him, we have all we will ever need. 

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

or you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord

forever."

If you are looking for a church to call home, I encourage you to check out Hosanna! 

We would love to have you join us some week!

I trust that the Lord will meet you there! 

Psalm 139 "He is fearfully and wonderfully made!"

Psalm 139:13-16

"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; 

you formed me in my mother's womb. 

I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made! 

I worship in adoration - what a creation! 

You know me inside and out, 

you know every bone in my body; 

you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, 

how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 

Like an open book, you watched me grown from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day. 

Every day I wake up to this sweet face and feel so blessed that he is ours. That God has chosen us to be his parents. I still remember how in awe I was on the day that he was born. I can't imagine giving birth and NOT believing there is a God. 

Christian was not an accident. He was formed in my womb by God. How can something (someone) so miraculous be an accident? 

As he lays sleeping in my arms, I stare at him in wonder, amazed by his little eye lashes, the way his heart beats strong and healthy and his little chest moves up an down as he breathes. 

This baby in my arms is not the doll of my childhood, but a living, breathing human that has been entrusted to my care, our care.  I often think, wonder, when his parents will come for him, or who we should ask what they want done for him. 

And then I remember...WE are his parents. And WE get to decide. Yes, we have been given an amazing circle of support we can look to when we are uncertain, but ultimately Christian is a child of God who has been entrusted to us, to love, support and guide. 

Jim and I are his parents here on earth, but God is the one who has formed him and given him life. And what a miracle that is! 

It is so fun to watch our little boy grow and change each day and I'm in so much awe! 

From how his body knew to take his first breath and let out that first cry, to his chatty "language" and ear to ear grins.

I can't get enough of this little guy and am so excited for all that God has in store for him! 

I often find myself worrying...worrying about little things that my hubby tells me aren't "valid worries". He is right. I worry is Christian getting enough to eat, is he happy, is he still breathing, does he know how much we love him??? The list goes on and on. 

Our baby boy gains a good 2 pounds a month so he is definitely getting enough to eat!

He is all smiles almost all day long and HAS to be happy. 

I can only trust that I am showing him how much we love him. 

Ultimately, God knows the plan He has for Christian's life and all we can do is trust in Him and do our best to follow his lead in caring for Christian and guiding him to that path. 

We are so THANKFUL for this opportunity and our hearts overflow with love for this little gift. 

Who knew someone so small could create a love so big?

I think I'm starting to get an even clearer picture of the Father's love for us...

Christian's Birth Story - Chapter 3 ... First Comes Love...

Now that the young girl lived so much closer to the young boy, they started to see each other nearly every day! In October, the young man went to the young girl's hometown for the weekend to make a special fall trip to Copper Falls with the young girl's cousin. 

This wasn't the young man's first time meeting the young girl's parents, but it was his first time in her hometown. The young girl new she was falling in love with this young man, but seeing him with her family and in her hometown and realizing how perfectly he fit into her life, she started to see that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him! Not only that, but seeing the young man with the young girl's cousin's baby boy, really sealed the deal! But it had only been 4 months since they met! Little did the young girl know, but the young boy was thinking the same thing! 

By the time the 2 were half way home from their visit to Wisconsin, the young man knew what he had to do! He was planning to take the next week to really think and pray through things but he was almost certain that he needed to ask this girl to marry him! 

The night after the 2 returned to Minnesota, the young girl found herself in tears at the young man's house telling him that she was scared because she could see herself marrying him! To her relief, the young man shared that he felt the same way! He then asked if it would be too soon for her if he were to propose within the next few months and the young girl said she was ready! Who cared what people would think. When you know, you know! 

The proposal plans were then underway and the young man did not do things half way! The young girl was certain that they would be engaged on Christmas :) The anticipation was great! 

And the story continues... 

At our first football game (a local high school game)

Passing my first "test" on a date to the race track. I passed! :) 

Double date to the pumpkin patch

My strong man!

Playing in the corn pit

Hay ride!

Homecoming football game at my Alma Mater - UW-River Falls

Walk around Lake Calhoun after our 4 month anniversary dinner

Visiting Copper Falls...where we realized we were the "the one" for each other!

Watching this man with cute little Blakers melted my heart! I couldn't wait to see him with our own baby someday!

Our first "family" photo with puppy Baxter on our way home to Minnesota

Christian's Baptism

On Saturday, June 8, 2013, Christian James Foote was baptized at our church, Hosanna!

As believers, hubby and I knew that we wanted Christian to be baptized right away. Due to the baptism schedule at our church, and our family all being out of town, we decided to have Christian baptized at only a week old. 

We wanted family to be able to celebrate with us and to see him soon after he was born, so logistically baptizing him early worked best. Plus, our church only does baptisms every other month or so. I also help with the baptisms and the calmest, happiest babies are the teeny tiny ones who sleep through their ceremony. 

Our church baptizes people of all ages. You can be baptized as a baby and/or as an adult. However, we believe that the spirit is just as present in a baby baptism and there is no need to baptize again unless you are moved to do so. Baptism is symbolic of an active faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Hosanna! baptizes children of believers because they "believe that the gift of God's grace in Jesus is so big and God-initiated that it is given even before someone can respond to it. Parents and others then take on the important responsibility of raising the baptized child to understand how big this gift is- to eventually respond by opening it personally one day!" 

It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will be active and moving in Christian's heart and life and that he will one day choose to follow Jesus himself. We have committed to teach him and guide him along that path, Lord willing. 

Here are some pictures from the day as well as a video of the ceremony. We were so blessed to even have the same pastor that married us be able to baptize Christian as well! Not a common thing in our huge church! 

Christian is super blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love him! 

Great Grandma Breiby, Grandma Jill, and Grandpa Jeff

Grandpa Ron and Great Grandma Charlotte

Grandpa Dan and Grandma Karen

Mommy and Daddy's friends 

Dana, Pat, Krista, Alissa, and Jaden and Zoe

'Uncle Pat' - Godfather 

We may have forgotten to get a pic of him in his huge baptism suit outfit..so this is all we have. He also had a beautiful crocheted blanket from Great Grandma Greta. 

Meeting Dana for the first time. 

Meeting Great Grandma Charlotte for the first time.

Meeting Grandpa Jeff for the first time.

So excited for all that the Lord has in store for our little guy! Praying that we will be good examples and guides pointing him to Christ!