Lawson's Kindergarten FIAR Book Report.

For starters, how is my first born finishing up Kinder???

It's been a while since my last post...like years...but who's counting? I started blogging for all the right reasons: God asked me to; keeping family up-to-date; and lastly, as a place my kids can come back to and read all our family shenanigans. But then I started worrying about my lack of writing skills. However, I'm gonna put that to the side and start blogging again (once a year or so;) because God put it on my heart to do this years ago. So with all that being said if you're a grammar and English nazi, go find another blog to read. K. Whew, that's off my chest... now let's move on.

Lawson was so brave today and did so good on his book report. He's 5. A book report at 5. He's a genius.

He choose Night of the moonjellies by Mark Shasha. We had fun trying to decide what craft to do. I gave him a few options from Pinterest (how did parents survive before this was a thing) and he got to pick his favorite. Cutting isn't is most favorite thing to do so this took lots of patience creating but we made it happen without too many tears.

A last minute addition was cookies for the class. He came home Monday insisting on making jelly fish cookies for his classmates. I apliged, mainly because I had been gone for a week and mom guilt set in, halfway kidding. I would love to tell you we got out all the ingredients and created some memories baking together but alas I made a call to Memorial Bakery.

Thanks for reading!

Lawson 15 Months

Yea, so I'm nearly a month behind.  Better late then never has been my motto the past few months.

Height 31 3/4 inches (71%)

Weight 26 lbs (88%)

Head Circumference 19 inches (86%)

He did great with his shots and Dr. Clarke said he is one smart and healthy baby.

Can say: amen, uh-o, nana (I think he's trying to say banana), tickle, dog, bye-bye, Gigi, Pappy, Mimi, Mommy, Daddy, babe, nose, no-no, eye and the newest big word bicycle. 

Climber.  The other day he was on the table before I knew it.  Exciting times ahead :/

Determined.

Starting to put things in the toilet, hit, whine and throw food off his high chair.  As you can imagine loving discipline is in full effect.  

Loves Kyndel, the dog. 

Gives the best kisses and hugs. 

Has such a silly personality. 

Loves to laugh. 

Loves to dance.

Peek-a-boo is so much fun! 

"Super Why" is his favorite show.

Loves the outdoors.

Loves his Pappy.

100% boy!!

When you look back...

I remember it like it was yesterday.  Living in Stephenville, TX as a college student.  I thought I had my life so together; I always told my friends I wanted to live my life with no regrets.  I never wanted to look back on my life and say, "I wish I would have...".  This was one of the driving factors in my desire to go to graduate school in PA.  Of course, I was scared to death to leave all I ever knew and I knew if I didn't get accepted or got accepted but was too scared to leave I would have a huge regret.

I look back and realize I was so self-absorbed that it's not even funny...well maybe a little funny ;)  Let me just put it out there...there are many things in my life I look back on and regret.  The problem with this is that I've let those regrets take a piece of my heart and transform itself into guilt and shame.  This guilt and shame is paralyzing.

I've got to get past this and truly accept God's gift of grace and forgiveness.  I've got to start with my relationship with my creator.  The one who knows me better then I know myself. 

This week he has given me a few verses that I want to share with you.

Isaiah 48:17 NIV
"This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Joshua 1:8-9 NIV
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Hebrews 10:23 The Message Bible
"Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word."

1 Peter 1 13-16
"So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

This week God has shown me I can't do anything without him.  How am I supposed to know how to live daily if I'm not reading in my creators manual (the Bible) daily? 

 

Every week will bring new challenges.  I'm thankful for the word I was given this week.  It's getting me one step closer to being who God created me to be.


I need to print off my declarations and post them in the bathroom where I see myself everyday and need to be reminded of how my Heavenly Father sees me.
*I am confident.
*I am disciplined spirit, soul and body.
*I am highly focused.
*I am creative.
*I am loved.
*I am highly favored with God and men.

I've been working out at least 3 times a week and I can't even begin to tell you how much stronger I feel.  I would say about 75% of the time I eat 1700 calories a day.  I haven't lost any weight which is a little discouraging but I'm not going to focus on the number on the scale.  I'm going to focus on the fact that I feel stronger and my mind is starting to become less foggy.  As my friend Kayla always reminds me, "Celebrate the small victories!!"

Looking forward to another great week and can't wait to see what the Lord shows me next week.  I can feel His spirit rising up in me, and the confidence I know I have will soon follow!!

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and being real enough to share your struggles too!  We will overcome!

Lotts of love,
Tiff 

Overwhelmed by you!

I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed I am with everyone's encouragement. The emails, FB posts, FB messages and texts meant so much to me and I'm seriously overwhelmed with your out pouring of love and honesty.

This is going to be a daily battle and your prayers will help me battle my mind and daily struggles.

I was so hesitant to blog about this journey because to be honest with you I don't want to be "that girl" that has self esteem issues and of course fear of failure.  However I know God wants to me to do this and be very open and honest.  I will try my hardest.

When I read yesterday's blog I know those were God's words not mine.  I'm sure throughout this journey it will be clear when it's me writing and when it's God.  Forgive me for the days when it's all about me...

So my 3 day journey...Monday and Tuesday were so good, I spoke truth, ate well, drank plenty of water and exercised.  Today different story.  Lawson has been sick and I think it finally got me.  My throat is super inflamed, horrible cough and really lethargic.  Went to the doc and they gave me a cough syrup with hydrocodine in it, WOW, I think it made my feel even worse.  Yea the cough is gone but geez I feel pretty loopy.  I also think these nights of broken sleep are starting to get the best of me.  Lawson has been waking up around 3am and if I don't get to bed till 11ish it makes for a rough night.  After I finish this blog I'm hitting the sack with the house a total disaster :/

Even though today was a bad day, I ate unhealthy, didn't exercise, drank more diet coke then water and just felt blah.  Tomorrow is a new day and I refuse to give into my old ways!  I'm gonna make mistakes and have bad days, fact.

"But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14 NIV)

Good night friends and thank you again for being YOU, real, honest and encouraging YOU!

Lotts of love,
Tiff

Let's get real, for realz...

I'm feeling like it's time to get real. It's time to take some real life struggles and deal with them. How many times do I need to have myself a dang pity party, seriously?

The past few months I've been really insecure, lacking self confidence and just down right needy. I've never really dealt with these emotions before. I mean sure I would have my days but that's just it, it was days. Not weeks which have turned into months and I'm afraid if I don't get this bull by the horns it's gonna be years. Years wasted. I can't be the only person that has ever dealt with this horrible lack of whatever it is.

Trust me I know that there are way worse things going on in the world and this is super minute. However it's where I'm at and I need to figure out how to get my zeal for life back.

I love being a mommy, I really do so don't hear me say otherwise. I just feel like I've lost myself and I'm starting to hid behind being a mommy.

With all of that being said I want to blog my journey. I want to look back and see this pit God has dug me out of filled with dirt and a beautiful oak growing out of what was once a dark self-righteous hole. I envision my family standing with our Father on top having conquered it, looking back only to see that God does love us and will give us the strength to conquer anything as long as he is our heart.

As I walk with Him daily I pray that I don't lose sight of what the Lord has laid before me, I pray he will change my heart and fill me during the days that I struggle. I'm so thankful to have a husband who no matter what state I'm in, always sees beauty, loves me, and encourages me to be a loving wife, mother, friend and follower.

I hope I can stick with blogging through this journey, your prayers and encouragement will help me so much!

My goals are to love my Father, baby and husband with ALL my heart.
Change the way I speak about myself.
Honestly accept compliments.
Speak positive declarations over myself:
*I am confident.
*I am disciplined spirit, soul and body.
*I am highly focused.
*I am creative.
*I am loved.
*I am highly favored with God and men.
Speak God's word over myself. "I have chosen you and have not cast you away. Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you. I will hold you with My righteous right hand" (Is. 41:9-10). Eat 1700 calories on average. Work out for 30-45 minutes 3-4 times per week. Drink water.

"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily"
-John Maxwell

It seems like only yesterday...

2 bottom teeth - 7 months

That's a wrap

Whew I feel like this was a whirlwind of a week. It always gets a little crazy around here the week before the Women's retreat. I embrace it and TRY to keep a positive attitude.

Moments like this sure help

Monday:
Went shopping for things to donate for the Women's retreat, fun day! Harwin, Sam Moon, Charming Charlies, Nordy. Got lots of really cool items, I can't wait to give them all away next weekend. My favorite donation prize is the bronze beauty bag, so cool!

Tuesday:
Baby food making day. Started at 2pm and didn't completely finish until 10PM! Yes 8 hours to make baby food. It took a lot longer this time because I added a few more organic recipes to the mix. This batch should last a few weeks, I sure hope so anyway. I made a total mess of the kitchen, wish I would have taken a few pics of the process. Peel, chop, steam, cool, blend, label and store.
Here's the menu for sweet baby Lawson for the next few weeks:
Blueberries and Pears
Beets and Blueberries
Spinach and Mango
Parsnips, Lentils, and Apples
Turnips and Sweet Potatoes
Kale, Blueberries, Apple and Fig
Broccoli and Apples
Butternut squash and Pears
Acorn Squash and Lentils
Carrots, Squash and Broccoli

He better love me for this!

Wednesday:
Caught up on the mound of laundry that's been calling my name for 7 days :)
Took Lawson to the park to play with other babies. Every Wednesday moms from the neighborhood meet up at the park. It's been California type weather this week which makes being outside all the more pleasant. This park n' play is where we found out about the YMCA parent/child swim lessons on Saturday from 10:30-11am.

Loves the swing

Thursday:
Lawson had his 9 month check up!
Height: 28 3/4 inches tall, 68 percentile
Weight: 22 12 ounces, 92 percentile
Head Circumference: 18 1/4 inches 86 percentile

Lawson is as healthy as can be. He didn't have to have any shots so I was thankful for that. Dr. Clarke said he's a very smart strong baby.

Lawson is pulling up on EVERYTHING and is starting to get little bumps and bruises, part of being a little boy :)

He nurses 4 times a day and eats 3 solid meals.

He takes a morning and afternoon nap both usually last somewhere between an hour to an hour and a half.

We keep his night time routine the same every night. Bless our food, eat dinner, strip down, take a bath with lots of rubber duckies and rubber letters, lotion, jammies, story time (when we aren't having a melt down), nighty night prayers, nurse, plays in crib for a little bit to wind down and usually out by 7:30pm.

He usually wakes up around 5ish nurse for 10 minutes and goes right back down till 7am.

We also learned today that Uncle Seth took Command, so in honor of this...

My Uncle, My Soldier, My Hero!

Friday:
Workday at the church for the Women's retreat from 9am - 3pm. Today was a long day. After the work day went to the Lowe's (Dave and Mandy Lowe) to get a flat bed trailer so Adam can pick up lumber for the new deck he is building tomorrow...SO EXCITED!!

Ended the day visiting Delaney Hull who was born yesterday :)

I was hoping to get out and "Cover the Night" (http://www.kony2012.com/) with all my Kony posters but that will have to wait till tomorrow.