Crazy Weekend: Friday

Last Friday some of my girlfriends and their kids had a "birthday party" for Jesus--complete with making birthday cards, dancing, singing happy birthday, and eating cupcakes:) We LOVE celebrating the season this way and hope it becomes an annual tradition!

Crazy Weekend: Thursday

"mom, why am I dressed like this? I look ridiculous, I can't move, and all my friends are totally gonna make fun of me;)

To say this past weekend was crazy would be an understatement...which is why I am WAY behind on blogging (and somewhat behind on life:) We started it off with a little "country" sledding. Our good friends the Ballards are what we consider "real life" cowboys (and girl;) Sledding with the horses was super fun; we cannot wait to go again!

Top Ten Reasons I haven't Blogged in almost 3 Weeks...

1. It is freezing. I hate cold weather...I know this reason may not make sense to some of you; but being cold makes me not want to do anything.

2. I have two boys.

3. Under the age of 2 (yesterday I changed 5 dirty diapers before noon;)

4. We just bought a house!! So I have been cleaning, unpacking, painting, hanging things, cleaning, etc

5. I seriously doubt people are constantly checking/refreshing my blog page to see what I write about next:)

6. This is a busy season for work (great busy, just busy!)

7. My camera has been dead since Thanksgiving and what is a blog post without pictures?!

8. We have been doing fun things like going to play dates

9. laundry.

10. I am tired;) (see reasons 1-9)

So I will leave you with pics of my two favorite reasons I have not blogged lately...

Family Pictures

Chris and I had not had any "formal" family pictures taken since our wedding...and with two new babies we thought it was time. We picked the coldest Saturday of the year so far to get some outside pics made...here is a preview;) (if you look at these ignore the fact that Charlie's lips are starting to turn purple in the last few:)

you can look at the rest here and if you do- feel free to tell me your favs! Also, the photographer is AWESOME so make sure you browse her website!

FREE Christmas Cards;)

Shutterfly.com has an awesome promotion going on right now for all bloggers...50 FREE Holiday Cards! I use shutterfly all the time and everytime I order they do a great job. (and they have super cute designs; so all you have to do is pick out the pictures;)

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and photo gifts are always great (especially for family!) http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs

Check out!

5 Things I LOVE...

about my (gulp) five month old baby Charlie...

1. you are an angel; seriously, there are good babies; and then there is you;)

2. you smile...a lot--just about every time someone looks at you!

3. the way you watch your brother

4. how you LOVE bath time

5. The way that you are so snuggly;)

(and the way you suck your thumb!)

Missional Mothering

Young mother, it seems like everyone wants something from you. And you’re probably already giving way more than you ever thought you could give. But even with all your giving, you might struggle with guilt—lingering, joy-drenching, energy-sapping guilt—that you should be doing more, giving more, accomplishing more.

Don’t waste that guilt. Pay attention to it. Use it. Take it out of the shadows and examine it in light of Scripture. Is this a godly grief that leads to repentance or a worldly grief that produces death (2 Cor. 7:10)? Is it life-giving or life-depleting? Ask yourself, does this bring fresh joy and peace to those nearest me, or does it add unnecessary stress and strain to my home?

Mother: You have a mission field

Our first and primary mission field is our children. God values our children. Jesus became indignant when the disciples didn’t embrace the worth of children in God’s expanding kingdom (Mark 10:13-16). God tells us that children are his blessing to us (Ps. 127:3). And he places great importance on our teaching our children to love and serve him (Deut. 6:7-9).

Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment in their early years. Your availability, sensitivity, affection, and unhurried attention are irreplaceable.

There are no neutral moments in a young child’s life. Someone is going to be influencing your children, inculcating values and imprinting standards on their impressionable young minds. Let it be you!

Accept your calling from God to serve your family. As a mother, you are helping to shape the souls of your children for Christ and ultimately influence the world. Your children are your gift to the future.

Stay on mission

Does this mean you will never invest in others outside your family? Goodness, no. But if you are a young mother, stay on mission. Use your primary ministry of mothering to serve Christ now. Don’t let anything diminish your unique role as a wife and mother. It is not godly guilt that would call you away from a wholehearted investment in your little ones for his sake.

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Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment in their early years.

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This season in your life is just that—a season. And each season is a divine calling from our creator and king. Organizing a new event at church is important. Teaching your little boy to be kind to his sister is also important. But which one can best be done by you during this season? Serve God well by ministering to your children first. Very soon they will be grown and gone, and you will be unable to recapture the teachable moments you have now.

Mothers, listen to Psalm 78:4-7: “We will . . . tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done . . . that the next generation might know . . . so that they should set their hope in God.”

www.theresurgence.com