Blog Hop - This is All I Have to Give

It's so funny how God works sometimes.  I've mentioned that this Proverbs 31 study came to my email right when I needed it.  Well, for a while now, I've been feeling like such a failure in everything I do, but especially this past week. Then, what is one of the topics this week, but 'This is All I Have to Give'.  I think I said those exact words to Chris just a couple of days ago.  Sometimes, as a mom, especially a working mom, you feel pulled in so many directions.  You miss all those sweet moments with your kids while you're working and then by the time you get home, the trials of the day have you so worn down that you can't enjoy the moments you have left before bedtime.  I, personally, have such guilt that decisions I've made are what is keeping my kids from having the life that I would love for them to have. You know, if I wouldn't have gotten credit cards, I'd have more money for family trips, etc.  These little things can eat away at you if you let them. 

In my conversation with Chris, I was telling him that I'm just tired and I feel like I'm at my breaking point.  I don't feel like I can handle much more.  Not only that, the things that I am trying to do - pay off debt, pass the CPA exam, lose weight, make memories that my kids will remember forever - seems like those never happen either.  I feel like I try to do so much that nothing gets done.  

• Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails - Proverbs 19:21
• Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed - Proverbs 16:3

Lysa states, "Remember that everything that happens to you is first filtered through God's hand.  What you might see as distractions, God might see as divine appointments."  Whew!  That puts things into perspective.  That will make you take a step back and realize, maybe I'm not by myself at all.  I don't need to shoulder the burden alone.  So, this week, I'm going to try to take a step back and enjoy the here and now.  I don't need to compare my life to those around me.  God has created me to be the moma to my four wonderful babies.  I'm the Mom that He had planned for them and that's good enough for me!

Being a Mom is Tough (Blog Hop)

I think when we become a mom, we're under the impression that it's all lovey, dovey, piece of cake.  It doesn't take long for you to realize it's anything but a fairy tale.  At least, if you're being honest anyway.  I know there are some moms out there that are always talking about how everything is perfect, couldn't be better.  Personally, I don't buy it.  But who knows, maybe they're just trying to speak it to existence!  

Lately, with four kids, a husband that works non-stop, along with my job and trying to study for the CPA exam, I feel like my job as a mom is getting pushed to back burner.  I. Hate. That.  Let me tell you, when Satan knows a weakness in your armor, that's where he attacks.  I've been having plenty of pity parties..you know the kind where if you would've just done this differently, life would be perfect right now.  I'm constantly feeling pulled in 20 directions.  To the point of just bursting into tears from the mom guilt of it all.  

That is the reason I enrolled into this online study of "Am I Messing Up My Kids" by Lisa TerKeurst.  I'm hoping that this study will help me re-align and realize that everything is going to be okay.  And maybe, just maybe my kids will be okay.  

My number one goal in life is to raise happy, healthy kids that love life and all it has to offer.  I want them to look back at their childhood and be completely happy with all their memories.  I know, that seems like a tall order.  Reading the book, I came across a sentence that completely stuck with me.  It was just what I needed.
      
"You are a good mom, my friend...even if like me you've had a few bad moments.  You are exactly the mom God knew your children needed.  Let's live in that truth today."

If I don't learn anything else from that study other than that sentence, it will be worth it to have participated.  That's exactly what this momma needed to hear.  

Hattie - 15 Months!

Well, little Hattie-girl is 15 months old!  Hard to believe it!  Seems like just yesterday that she was my (not-so) teeny, tiny baby.  At 15 Months, Hattie:

-weighs 21 lbs, 10 oz (30%)
-is 29" long (11%)
-has a head circumference of 46.2 (58%)
-wears size 4 diapers 
-wears 18 mth clothes
-wears size 4 shoes (she has itty bitty baby feet still)
-has 6 teeth
-loves to wrestle.  If the boys are wrestling, she's quick to jump right in the middle
-finally started walking..she can go everywhere now and does.  Although, every once in a while, she decides that crawling may be faster. 
-has started really talking, saying mama, dada, no, yes, bubba (for Landon or Nixon), and Lily.  She'll also imitate most anything if she's in a good mood
-sleeps from 7:30 - 8:00 pm until 8:00-10:00 am.  Chris has also gotten her in the habit of taking 3 hour naps during the day
-eats like a hog.  I think the girl would eat all day, every day if you'd let her.  Her favorite snack is animal crackers
-is finally getting hair long enough for a hair bow.  She's really working on a little baby mullet so I'm thinking it's time for her first trim soon 
-loves the beach.  We've been multiple times this year and she'll crawl right into the water and waves if we let her.  She also loves to play in the sand.  She'll play non-stop.  
-since we've been to the beach so much, she has the cutest little tan lines and baby girl has a pretty good tan going on.  
-has plenty of nicknames: Patty, Patty-Wheeze, Wheezy, Pumpkin-head, Monkey, Pat, & Hattie-girl

I love this little girl more than life itself.  She has so much personality already and has definitely fit right in with our little family.  She's the baby and I'm pretty sure she already knows how to work that card.  I can't wait to see what the next few months hold as she starts to talk and interact more with her siblings.  Hattie-girl, I love you to the moon and back!