Saturday, December 12, 2020

My thoughts on baby #6...It's a GIRL!"

I have always wanted to have a daughter, and finding out that was going to happen after 13+ years of motherhood, has definitely been a highlight and bright spot this year, after 2020 being the year of challenges, let downs, and cancellations. We found out in July that baby #6 was a girl and I told Chris that was probably the most exciting conversation I have ever had with someone I didn't know. When the nurse asked if I had any inkling what this baby might be I said, "Well, I have five boys..." 

She then jumped in before I could say anything else and exclaimed in complete amazement, "You have FIVE BOYS?!?" 

I said, "So, is it a boy?" My heart pounding as I waited to hear.

She repeated again as if to try to make sure she had heard me correctly, "YOU HAVE FIVE BOYS?!?" 

I said with eager anticipation and excitement, "It's another boy isn't it?" Curious if my boy mom status I had held for over thirteen years was still intact. 

She then said, "Your five boys are going to have a little SISTER!" I heard the words, but couldn't comprehend. I was stunned. I said, "Really!?!" in amazement not thinking that was even possible.

We both started to cheer and then I asked her what any mom with all one gender would ask, "Can you tell me that one more time?" She laughed and told me that we were indeed going to have a baby girl!


Growing up I was surrounded by boys (I have two younger brothers, I was the only girl trombone player in band, and teachers often sat me with the wild and rambunctious boys to help neutralize the situation 😂), boys are what I knew. So, as a young girl, when friends and I would imagine what our future families might look like I would always respond, "I want all boys and 1 girl (not knowing how many boys that would be 😂)." Fast forward many, many years later, to have the Lord answer my hearts desire to have a daughter, I'm filled with awe, gratitude, wonder, and excitement. Over the years, I began to think that one desire would go unmet. I love all my boys, and the special calling the Lord gave me of being a boy mom these last almost 14 years. But, I often wondered why I couldn't also get to experience having a daughter. Some thoughts that went through my head....Did the Lord think I wouldn't be a good mom to a girl? Maybe it was just my calling to raise a few good, godly men. After 5 sweet boys we thought our days of expanding our family were complete. I am honored and blessed to be the mom to five handsome boys.




To be given such a gift, at 40 years old nonetheless, when I wasn't even sure another baby would be possible, is a huge blessing from the Lord. When I sit in awe and wonder of this sweet blessing, I can't help but be reminded God knew this plan for our family all along; that this sweet girl, would be the youngest of six, with five older brothers. He knows everything about her, things that we do not yet know; what she looks like, her personality, her gifts and talents, how she will handle all these brothers 😂,  her future occupation, and the list goes on and on. The one thing I do know is He has a great plan and purpose for her life and I'm thankful that plan includes her being in our family. Now, I'm praying and trusting God will equip me with what I need to be a good mom to a girl.


👉🏻Something to encourage your heart and mine today. When you think the story is already written, or a door has been closed, or you are in a season of waiting; know God is the One who knows the plan and purpose for  your life.  Trust Him and His timing. He has a good and perfect plan and purpose for you.

Friday, October 2, 2020

Five Things Friday-October 2

 It's October! I can't even began to tell you how much I love fall, my favorite season hands down. I downloaded this cute free print by KaylaAimee.com, you can find it here to celebrate my favorite season and one of my favorite books of all time, Anne of Green Gables. I am definitely glad we live in a world where there are Octobers!


{one} Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf

While we are on the topic of fall I have to share my favorite fall pumpkin bread recipe. My friend Libby posted a pic of the yummy pumpkin bread she made the other day, and the moment I saw it I knew I had to make some. It looked delicious. And wouldn't you know, I had just got home from the grocery store 😂, so I craved pumpkin bread until my next trip to the store. She sent me the recipe and it is a Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf, by CopyKat. If you love pumpkin you have to make this recipe. I left out the cardamom and pumpkin seeds and it was still delicious! With the amount of boys I have in my house one loaf didn't last long and I had to make another batch. Just FYI one can of pumpkin puree will make two loaves so next time I will just make two at once! 

{two} Johnson Farms Mums

Each fall one of my favorite things to do is drive over to Johnson Farms and get mums! They have the best  mums around. They are big 3 gallon mums for $12.99. I love that they catch my eye each time I pull into my driveway. If you are in or near Kansas City, Johnson Farms is a must stop for fall mums. It's a working farm with a Pumpkin Patch too, and don't forget to grab some Pumpkin Donuts when you are there.



{three} Lottie Lemon bows

Most of you know I'm a mom to five boys and until recently did not have one stitch of pink or bows in my house! Shortly after finding out baby #6 was a girl I vividly remember the moment I realized that I would get to buy girly things, and I was so excited! When it comes to little girl hair accessories there is a huge selection out there, so I began the search for what I envisioned on our baby girl (or my style, I guess you would say...that's the fun part when they are little you get to dress them how you want, right! 🙌🏻). I found a lot of cute, amazing bow companies, but many were monthly based subscription and I wanted to find a shop where I could order what I wanted (I needed some good basic colors that would go with a lot) and not be tied to a subscription. I found Lottie Lemon on etsy and I loved that she such a large selection of colors, prints, and that you even pick the style you want each bow. She has a fun chart to help you make your selection. 

She has sets she has put together that you can purchase or you can do a custom set, which is what I did. I know I will be back to order more! My first set arrived and I was over the moon.

The quality is amazing, and I may have let out a squeal over the simple fact that I now have hair bows in my house! Definitely check her out on ETSY.

{four} Trustworthy Bible Study by Lysa TerKeurst

As I was studying in 1 Kings this week in my Bible study I was reminded that God already holds control and the ultimate victory, therefore, we can trust Him. 2020 has been quite a year, hasn't it? It's thrown us all some curve balls and challenges we didn't see coming. Tension is running high, as an important election is quickly approaching and social media is quickly becoming a place of division. I'm not one to get heated about political issues, I've always voted for the candidate that will support the issues that line up with my convictions. But social media has given people an accessible platform to quickly and easily say whatever they want, and I will say, I have found myself getting worked up over something someone has posted. It's easy to feel discouraged but the reminder this week that "God is good at being God, so I can trust Him," (a statement that Lysa TerKeurst made in our video session) brought so much comfort. I'm so thankful for God's Word. It is living and active and I shouldn't be surprised that the timing of what I was reading and studying in 1 Kings would align so timely with what I'm going through today.

{five} Fudge Filled Bars 

I've been making these bars since I was in high school. Back before the internet was the go to place for recipes, my mom would get a monthly magazine called, Taste of Home. I always looked forward to browsing the recipes each month. She made Fudge Filled Bars, after seeing them in an issue, and they were an immediate hit. I would make them for tailgate parties in college, and friends would always ask for the recipe. I'm telling you this is a must add to your list! I made some on Monday night for the Chiefs game, and my boys always devour them. I will say, don't forget the salt! I've done that once or twice (on accident) and they still taste amazing, but the salt adds the perfect balance to the sweetness in this recipe! You can find the recipe HERE.



 Happy Friday Friends! Enjoy the beautiful October weather! What are your favorite things from this week?

In case you missed it this week:

Pregnancy Fitness 

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Pregnancy Fitness

 Today, I'm 24 weeks with baby #6!


Let's talk fitness during pregnancy. Did you know that researchers at Duke did a study and found that pregnant women reach the same peak levels of endurance as those competing in Ironman--so the physical intensity of pregnancy is like running a 40-week marathon? WOW...and that's without even getting up from the couch!

I've stayed active my entire pregnancy and it's made a huge difference, in my physical and emotional health. **Also, before we go any further, please talk with your doctor to make sure it is safe and you are cleared to workout during pregnancy. Most of the time if you aren't experiencing any complications and are not high risk they will clear you to keep doing what you were doing pre-pregnancy.

I've been doing 3-5 days of group training at my gym and running. I'll be honest, as a runner who hit a PR last year, it was discouraging to see my times begin to increase and workouts begin to get hard. But, I kept showing up. And do you know what? It didn't take long for the disappointment to wear off, and for my mindset to shift to feeling success in the fact that I showed up, got it done, and didn't give up. It's paying off. I've not had any round ligament pain this pregnancy, or any aches and pains! And I'm 40 years old! I would say the only thing I've done differently this pregnancy is consistent weight training. I can't recommend it enough.

Tips for Pregnant Mommas

1. Find an activity that you enjoy, it will help you stay motivated. And don't judge your workout based on time or amount of weight you can lift, etc. This also isn't the time to be setting out to smash any personal records or hard to reach goals. I find it's better to be cautious than overzealous.

2. Listen to your body. Know when to slow down or take a break. Some days you just don't feel like working out, and that's okay.

3. Don't give up (unless you are told to suspend exercise by a healthcare professional). The benefits are so good for you and baby.

4. Drink lots of water! It's important to stay hydrated. Don't walk out the door without it!

5. Be proud of yourself for any amount of activity you accomplish. You are after all, already running a 40-week marathon!

Friday, May 1, 2020

Five Things Friday

It's May! Here are five things from me on this Fabulous Friday!

{one} 
Garden. Last Saturday, I spent time tilling my small garden and getting it ready to plant my new crop of vegetables and fruit 🍅😉. I was so excited that we stopped by my favorite small business plant/garden pop up shop and picked up some plants and flowers. I came straight home and got them planted, and woke up the next morning to unexpected rain💦. There was two inches of water standing in my garden! I must say I was a little bummed, if I had known I would have held off in planting. However, I think all is well. I planted tomatoes (4), green peppers(4), red peppers (1), macarroni peppers (4), jalapeños (4), zucchini (1), and basil (1). I would like to find cilantro (I've stopped at two stores and still no cilantro). I've never had much luck with my bell peppers or zucchini but maybe this will be my year. What are your favorite things to plant?


{two}
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
I can't wait for this book to arrive on my doorstep so I can start reading. Would you like to join me?

"In Get Out of Your Head, Jennie inspires and equips us to transform our emotions, our outlook, and even our circumstances by taking control of our thoughts. Our enemy is determined to get in our heads to make us feel helpless, overwhelmed, and incapable of making a difference for the kingdom of God. But when we submit our minds to Christ, the promises and goodness of God flood our lives in remarkable ways. It starts in your head. And from there, the possibilities are endless."

Jennie Allen also has a Bible study on this topic that I will be starting with a group of women via Zoom, in a few weeks, a 6-week study in the book of Philippians. If you would like to get involved in a women's Bible study, I would love for you to join us.



{three}
Whole 30 Comfort Food. If you are looking for a "clean eating" meal that tastes great give these Lazy Meatloaf Muffins a try. The recipe calls for Whole 30 approved ketchup, My favorite is Primal Kitchen Ketchup Organic Unsweetened you can find it at Walmart, Target, and your local grocery store. I've made my own ketchup, but it just doesn't come close to Primal Kitchen's Ketchup! 



{four}
Next Tuesday, we are going to run a virtual 5K as a family, the Fiesta Frenzy5K, on Cinco De Mayo! It's been fun to have the boys get out and "train." It's a great way to for them to some physical activity, and to get out of the house. We have been taking daily 5K walks, where they either ride their bikes or walk. I hope that maybe we are developing little runners, and maybe one day some of my boys will want to do some distance running with me, a mom can dream 😉! But no matter what, it's great to get out and move your body and get some exercise. What have you been doing to get out and move?

{five} 
The Chosen. Have you heard of the new series on the life of Jesus? My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of Jesus. Check it out https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen. The Bible study I'm currently in "Finding I Am," by Lysa TerKeurst, looks at the "I Am" statements of Jesus. In the last episode of season one, two of those statements were covered and it's fun to see what you are studying in the Bible be acted out on the big screen.


Have a great weekend!

In case you missed it this week:

Healthy Chicken and Veggies

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Healthy Chicken and Veggies

If you are looking for a healthy meal that the entire family will love, look no further. This easy chicken and veggie recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It is a family favorite at our house! It even gets rave reviews from the picky teenager. Actually, the last time I made this meal my 13 year old said, "Mom, can you make this meal again soon?" My jaw about hit the floor. He's hard to please unless you are serving take out or anything that fits in the unhealthy category 😂. I felt like I had just won an Academy Award or 1st Place on Top Chef! 

The beauty of this recipe is you can use any combination of veggies you have on hand, and you can change it up each time you make it. It is a great meal for busy nights because you can prep the veggies ahead of time and simply line the pan and pop it right in the oven! If you serve it over cauliflower rice it is a clean eating recipe!




Healthy Chicken and Veggies

Ingredients:

  • ●2 medium boneless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
  • ●1 medium red onion, chopped
  • ●1 medium zucchini chopped
  • ●1 medium yellow squash
  • ●broccoli florets (2 cups)
  • ●bell peppers (any variety you would like. I used red, green, and orange bell peppers), chopped
  • ●any other veggies you would like to use (mushroom and grape tomatoes are also delicious in this recipe)
  • ●2 cloves garlic minced
  • ●1 T Italian seasoning
  • ●1 tsp salt
  • ●1/2 tsp pepper
  • ●1/2 tsp paprika
  • ●2 T olive oil (avocado oil for clean eating recipe)
  • ●Brown, Wild, or Cauliflower Rice, cooked (optional)
Instructions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a cooking sheet/pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking   spray.
  2. Cut all veggies and chicken and line on cooking pan.
  3. Drizzle chicken and veggies with olive oil.
  4. Prepare seasoning in a small bowl, stir to combine and sprinkle evenly over chicken and veggies.
  5. Bake 15-20 minutes until chicken is tender and veggies roasted.
  6. Prepare rice, and place portion in bowl. Spoon chicken and veggies on top of rice.




Enjoy! This meal is delicious and is great for left overs!



Thursday, March 12, 2020

Three Ways to Wait Well

You will be restless in your waiting, until you surrender your will to God.
Are you in a season of waiting? Maybe you are waiting on:

  • *A child (positive pregnancy test or adoption)
  • *A new job
  • *Healing (illness, restoration of a relationship, or marriage)
  • *A spouse
  • *A loved one to come to Christ, or a wayward child to return home.
As humans we don't do waiting well. Why is that? Because we want what we want when we want it!

In the Bible (Genesis 15-18) we see Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the child the Lord had promised. The answer did not come until Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah, 99. By the world's standards, all hope seemed lost for them. During the waiting, Sarah let fear and doubt take hold and she took matters into her own hands by giving Abraham her maidservant, Hagar, so that Hagar might bear a child for them. Most of us are thinking, "HOLD ON! Stop! This is a bad idea." Yes, it was a bad idea, but how often do we try to step ahead of God and take control in situations in our life? We all may be a little more like Sarah than we thought.

God had promised Abraham that Sarah would be the "mother of nations." Genesis 17:16 tells us she would conceive and bear a son, but Sarah did not believe, so much so, that in Chapter 18 when she overheard the promise, she laughed. And the Lord responded,
"Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'will I really have a child, now that I am old' Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:13-14
Think about that for a moment. Is your situation too hard for the Lord? Is my situation too difficult for Jesus? No. Nothing is too hard for Him. Let that encourage you in your wait today.

Waiting is hard. Especially in our microwave mentality culture. Waiting can feel like a passive activity. That we have no part other than sitting and twiddling our thumbs, while time slowly ticks by, wallowing in our circumstances. Waiting is not a passive activity. God wants us to actively participate in the waiting, to seek Him. We do this by filling our mind with truth about God's character.
"Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth." Colossians 3:2
Waiting reveals where we are putting our trust, in ourselves or in Christ? Let me give you three ways to wait well while putting your faith in Jesus, not self.


Three Ways to Wait Well

1. Seek Him Through His Word

To wait well, we need to seek Him through His Word. There we can find wisdom and patience for purposeful living. The Bible is full of God's promises, which bring hope in our waiting.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement." 2 Timothy 1:7
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14
I love how the psalmist starts and ends the verse with the same phrase. By repeating it at the beginning and the end we see waiting was being emphasized. It was as if the psalmist knew would need to hear it twice for it to really sink in.

"Wait for the Lord." 

2. Seek Him Through Prayer

The second way to wait well is to seek Him through prayer. When we engage our Savior through prayer, the automatic response is we are no longer focusing on our fears, our troubles, our issues, or even our circumstances. We are fully present in our relationship with our Creator.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

3. Seek Him Through His People

The third way to wait well is to seek Him through His people. We can find encouragement through fellowship of others. The primary purpose of the gathering is encouragement. Encouragement to live a faith-filled life, not a fear-filled life.
"And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encourage each other, all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

Peace will come in your waiting when you realize you exist for Him. As a believer in Christ, our life is a beautiful testimony to the saving grace of Jesus. When you focus on this fact, you realize that no matter the outcome of your waiting, your life will bring Him glory. No matter the outcome, whether it is what you hoped for or something less, your life will bring Him honor, if you are surrendering your will to His. When we have the right perspective on Christ and our circumstances, there is peace and purpose in the waiting.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt



One of my favorite childhood memories involved the Valentine's Day scavenger hunt that my mom would create for my brothers and I each year. She would create clues and my brothers and I would work together to figure out where the clue was taking us and at the end was always a fun surprise. What a fun way to make Valentine's Day special. I love that this activity encourages siblings to work together to read and figure out each clue, it is a fun way to promote team work and strengthen sibling bonds. Fun memories are sure to be made that will stand the test of time. 


This activity is quick and easy to put together. You just need a little prep work, paper or note cards to write the clues on, and a writing utensil! To make it easy, I sit down with a notebook and plan out the places I want to send the boys for each clue. After listing out fun locations in and around the house, I decide the order of the clue locations to send the boys the farthest distance between clues, so the entire hunt can last as long as possible! Now that you know the locations you are sending your kids, the last step is to write the clues. You can be as simple or creative as you like. You can make it festive by adding stickers or using Valentine cards to write the clues on.


A few fun places to send them include the mailbox, microwave, somewhere outside, shower or bath tub, closet, toy box, the sky is the limit. I like to get creative and have a few more challenging clues. You can use a line from a favorite book on their bookshelf and hide the clue in the book. I've hidden a clue inside a board game before, and they had to go get if off the shelf and open the box to find the next clue. I have as much fun creating the clues as the boys do figuring each one out and running to the next place.

Don't forget to write the clue number on each card so you don't forget the order. It makes it easy to hide. You will hand them clue #1 when it is time for the scavenger hunt to begin, so keep it out, and hide the rest of the clues. To ensure they don't see where you are hiding the clues, have them go to a room that you are not using during the hunt. Excitement will build as you are hiding the clues. 


At the last clue spot have a fun small treat or surprise waiting for each child, or a group treat. A few ideas would be a fun item from the dollar store or Target dollar spot, a small box of chocolates, book, favorite sweet treat, hair accessory, etc.

Another fun idea would be to create a family scavenger hunt and the last clue take you to your favorite ice cream shop for an ice cream treat.


Most years my boys want me to hide the clues all over again, even though they know where to go the second time around. They think it is so much fun, and watching the smiles and joy on their face is priceless! Each year they ask if we are going to do a scavenger hunt again, it has turned into a fun family tradition at our house. Enjoy making memories with your family this Valentine's Day!

Here are some more fun Valentine's Day ideas:

Valentine's Day Canvas Art for Kids

Hand Stirred Milkshakes

Special Valentine's Day Breakfast

How do you like to celebrate Valentine's Day with your family?