Craving More

I think I can safely say that as humans we are always craving more. I know this is certainly true in my life. I often find myself in the middle of a struggle between being content but also desiring growth and more out of this life I am living. In my nearly 30 years of life, I have definitely experienced various seasons; there have been seasons of plenty and seasons of need. It recently clicked for me that until I stop craving earthly treasures and crave a strong, fresh closeness with God that emptiness will never fully go away. Currently my family is in what I call a time of transition. I can literally feel it. I can feel being in the middle, being squished, unable to breathe at times, and waiting for what's next. Normally I would wait to write down my thoughts until after the transition and until after I've grown and learned some life lessons. I'm not new to this season of transition. I've made it through several in my almost 3 decades of life. I'm choosing to write now because I've learned there is still beauty in the middle and in the struggle. Do I want answers? Yes. Do I want to know the plan and be able to share it with my praying family and friends? Yes. Right now I'm learning that I need to be content in the transition. I need to be alert in the transition. God IS preparing me for something big. He is calling me to trust Him and to be patient. His Word gets me through my daily struggle while I wait for answers. Where do you want us? What do you want us to do? How can we bless others? Only God knows what tomorrow holds. My trust in God grows daily as I'm learning to be content with what we have but continuing to press on toward the prize. I crave closeness with God because He is the only one who can hold me up when I'm at my lowest and worry begins to creep in. In James chapter 4 we read Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lords will, we will live and do this or that." These verses speak so strongly to me in this season of my life. I only want to live Gods plan for my life. In growing closer to Him, He will guide me down the path he prepared for me. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21. No matter how grand of an amazing life I can imagine for myself God has an even better plan! This brings me so much hope! God does not want us to just settle with what's easy. It's good to work hard and strive for excellence. But balance is required. In striving for excellence we need to check our motives and never allow greed or comparison to be a driving force in life. Craving more out of life begins with craving closeness with our Heavenly Father. He wants to bless us. He wants us to rely on him and trust him. Learning to be content no matter what season of life I am in is crucial to staying positive and hopeful. "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13. So thankful that Gods grace is mighty enough to bring us through every situation imaginable. I truthfully look forward to the next step that God is preparing us for but until that day arrives I will be content and alert during this season of transition. This season of feeling unsettled. I'm reminded of my daughters first year of life and even the beginning of her second year. In the middle of it I was often overwhelmed by everything. I look back now and am thankful for the precious time I had with her. Sure I was often behind on laundry, dishes, and cleaning and money was definitely tight but God always provided and He still provides all we need. Thankfully I was able to truly enjoy multiple moments of simply being in her presence, watching her play and enjoy life. Such simple and yet profound moments with my daughter that I will cherish forever. God is so good and so faithful and I know I can trust in Him always. While I am waiting for answers I am thankful for Gods peace in my life especially when there are so many unknowns. I love Philippians chapter 4. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I challenge you to always guard your hearts and minds no matter what season of life you are in. Don't let Satan steal your joy. I know I am still a work in progress. I also know that the closer I grow to God the closer I am to becoming the person He created me to be. Lord you are the potter and I am the clay. I pray your will Lord will be done in my life. The joy of the Lord truly is my strength.

MKs FIRST Swimming Lesson

Mary Katherine is now 19 months old! Woah! That happened fast! We decided to take advantage of a great opportunity last week! My sister's daughter is taking swim lessons from our Aunt and invited us to come too! We went to Leafmore pool which is where my Mom and Aunt grew up swimming and so did my siblings and I. It was very special bringing her there for her first official swim lesson. My Aunt is a certified swim instructor and she is the Swim Coach for a local high school. I was very impressed with how well MK did! She worked on kicking her legs in the water, blowing bubbles, going under the water without taking in any water, jumping from the ledge, and floating on her back! It was such a fun day!



Vickery Creek Trail and Waterfall

I am so happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone last week and went on so many adventures with my daughter and family and friends. Just last week alone we visited a local botanical garden, waterfall, did swimming lessons, toured a local whiskey distillery, and had a beautiful Sunday in Midtown Atlanta! For my daughter and I our biggest adventure was the hike to see the Vickery Creek Waterfall near Roswell Mill. If you live near the Atlanta area, you should definitely visit this beautiful nature trail, covered bridge, mill ruins, and waterfall! MK and I had a blast with some of our friends! It was about an hour drive to Roswell Mill, but it was so worth it once we arrived!! We hiked about 2 miles down and then 2 miles back. I wore MK for a good bit of the hiking on my back, and she loved it!! We both loved seeing the awesome waterfall, but MKs favorite part was definitely playing in the water of the creek near a little sandy beach part of the hike! I look forward to many more adventures with my little girl by my side!



This is me

I few years ago I took the Meyers Briggs personality test and discovered I'm an INFJ. That stands for introverted intuitive feeling judging. I took this before I became a mommy. I was curious if it had changed at all. For the most part it didn't change. I'm a little more relaxed than I used to be but not as much as I wish I was. That perfectionist tendency still comes out occasionally. I'm sure a second child  would cause me to have to relax much more, but I'm not quite ready for #2! I have my hands full with #1! If you've never taken this little test you should! It's surprisingly accurate!

Idealist
Doer
Dreamer
Vision
Practicality
Concerned about relationships/humanity
Takes disproportionate amount of responsibility
Will suddenly withdraw into self
Gentle
Caring
Complex
Intuitive
Artistic
Creative
Lives in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities
Orderly
Private, difficult to understand
Ignores others opinions
Perfectionist
Believes in constant growth
Sensitive

Some of these are positive and some aren't. They are all still true to some degree. I feel that motherhood can be lonely, but then I think maybe it's my personality that causes this. I've decided this week to step out of my comfort zone for my sake and my daughters sake. I've planned outings for she and I for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This is a huge deal for me. I'm much more comfortable just staying home all day until I go to work in the afternoon. My daughter deserves better. I have no idea how these outings are going to go but I'm hoping for the best!

January 2016

Wow! It's been over 6 months since I last blogged! I really want to blog more this year but I'm not sure if it's going to happen. The end of 2015 was absolutely crazy for so many reasons. The biggest change was our HUGE move from Alabama to Georgia! We are finally starting to get adjusted to the time change and our new living conditions!! Another big change is that I went back to work after our move to Georgia!! I love my new job, but definitely miss my little girl while I am away from her. Thankfully we moved closer to my family and my mom is able to watch her while I am at work!! Speaking of MK she has experienced many milestones and we love watching her grow and her personality blossom! The biggest change or milestone for her was WALKING!!! At 13 months we had a super fast and adventurous walker. She started taking a few steps around 11 months but nothing major until after Thanksgiving. Now she thinks she's miss independent and is in to EVERYTHING!! My whole world suddenly became like a land mine of possible dangers. It has truly been a test of my trust in Jesus to keep her safe when my eyes are not on her. Mary Katherine fills our lives with so much joy and laughter!! I thank God for her everyday!!! I can't believe that as of January 18 she will have been ours for 14 whole months!! Thank you Lord for choosing me to be MKs mommy!! I look forward to all the new adventures that 2016 will bring us!! One of many goals is to really focus on seeking God FIRST!! He has been so good and faithful to me!! I'm working on putting God first, my husband second, my daughter third, and growing spiritually deeper. I am standing on Gods promises for my life and I know 2016 is going to be a GREAT year!! I hope you too are enjoying a great new year!!!

Summer 2015

This summer is flying by! We celebrated you turning 7 months old Mary Katherine and Father's Day all in the same weekend! We are looking forward to your first beach adventure in July! We love watching you play and explore your world around you! Mommy and Daddy love you so much baby girl!

Life Lately