Trying to Get It All Done...

As wives, and mothers, especially to young children, we tend to have high expectations. We want to be able to do it all. We think that when we have Little Ones, and are pregnant, we can still do the things we did without them. That it should still be as easy for us to do it perfectly. We get frustrated when we can't clean certain things, when things go unchecked on our to-do list.

 But you know what? We can't get it all done. God doesn't want us to get it all done. Because when we try to get it all done, our Little Ones don't get that extra special attention they need. And this time that we can't get it all done will go by so fast. Before we know it, we will be able to get it all done, and we will have those little hands, that have grown big, to help us get it done. And when they are helping us get it done, we will be so glad that we took the extra time to cuddle and kiss them, to slow down and enjoy the little things. To invest the time that we would have been doing something on our to-do list, to teach them something and help shape them into who they will become.

    We need to have realistic expectations of what we can do at certain times in our lives. Lately, it has been hard for me because I want to do so much...I want to be able to change the world. To do things that I have always wanted to do.  But you know what? God has called me to be a wife to an incredible man, and a Mommy to a beautiful little girl with her sibling on the way. I need to care for them to the best of my ability with God's help. And you know what? In doing that, I will be changing the world. I will be changing it for God's glory, raising up the next generation, making my home the center of my ministry. Because in reality, that is the only way we can truly make a difference in this world is by investing in the eternal things. Yes, living out your convictions, and changing certain things do matter, but we need to not get caught up in trying to do it all. We need to lower are expectations to reality, and then we will be able to do what we are called to do to the fullest with His help. But, I am still going to do those things I have always wanted to do. Maybe not as soon as I had wanted, or as big as I had wanted. But God and my family come first, over the things that I want. And putting God and family first...when I am able to do those things I've always wanted to...I'll be able to enjoy it even more. :)

Be You, Bravely!

     Today I went to MOPS (MOPS stands for Mothers Of Preschoolers) for the first time. I was nervous to go, because I didn't know how Jane would do and I had never been to anything like that before.  But Leighton kept encouraging me to go, so I went, and I am so glad I did!! I was so incredibly blessed! The women I was able to meet were wonderful and it was so refreshing to just be able to be with a bunch of women and be encouraged...something I have really needed lately.

     It has really been a struggle for me since Leighton has been gone so much with work because of the drought, and Jane has been going through a new stage which has been a bit of a challenge. I was just feeling so alone and run down...in great need of encouragement and fellowship. The Lord has really been teaching me a lot and stretching me to places I didn't necessarily want to be stretched. But the Lord knows what is best for His children. So when a dear friend invited me to go to MOPS, I thought this might be a good thing to try. It is so wonderful how the Body of Christ can come together and just encourage one another. It is so needed, for everyone!

     The theme for MOPS this year is Be You, Bravely! Sometimes, we get stuck in our daily routines, and we forget to take reasonable risks, strive to meet new goals, because we just get caught up it getting through each day. We get distracted from the big decisions by the immediate needs of the day. We are meant to live deeply for the Lord, and to be who He made us to be, Bravely! because if we never step out of our comfort zone, or strive to meet new goals in our life, we won't be able to be all the Lord wants us to be as His child and as the wife and mother He has called us to be.

    I am so looking forward to these many meetings and what I can learn, what the Lord will do in me, and hopefully the Lord will use me to bless another mother on this amazing, rollercoaster ride of a journey called motherhood!

    And so, no matter what stage in life you are, Be You, Bravely! for the Lord! Because when you do, you will be incredibly blessed and truly be able to be used by the Lord for His Glory!

Being A Farmer's Wife...

     Being a farmer's wife...a thought I have always liked and always wanted to be, but didn't truly understand all that it would take to be one.

Being a farmer's wife, you have to get used to early hours, REALLY early hours, and late-into-the-night hours.

 And eating your meals at odd hours in the day. And your noon meal being your main meal, because sometimes who knows when your man will be in to eat dinner at night.

You understand that when a storm is coming and you have hay down, just how important it is to get it in, or you will be out a lot of money from it being rained on.

You understand that your man, who you love so much, works so hard at his job because it's part of him. And if you want to spend more time with him, you have to take advantage of those hauling trips, the tractor rides, the shop work, because this life requires so much time, you just learn to roll with it.

And you have to learn to love the land as he does. It hurts to see the ground that you work so hard on, go through a drought and the crop that brings you your livelihood die, and you can't do anything about it.
 You come to realize just how awesome 4-wheel drive really is!

 You learn to trust God in a much deeper sense, knowing that He's all you have that's for sure.

You learn that when there is a wedding, or some fun gathering, something almost ALWAYS comes up. Like the cows are out, or the fence is down, or this part broke and you need to fix it ASAP or else, or the tire is flat. It's just almost always something.

 You learn that cows really do think the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and they will take every opportunity to try and get there.

You learn to make the best out of every situation, because having a bad attitude won't change it and it really makes it worse. So you find something good about it, and focus on that, because if you don't, you won't get through this life very happy.

You learn all sorts of things about parts, and tractors, and farm implements, and trucks, and trailers, and you realize that you end up talking about them, a lot, because it's what you do.

You learn the joys of life on the farm. When spring comes and the calves are born. And sometimes you have to bottle feed one of them because they were too weak when they were born, or for some reason, there Momma didn't want them, so you become there Momma. And when you go out early in the morning to feed that calf, and she comes running when she hears you, nuzzles in close and closes her eyes while she's eating, you know why you do this.

You also learn the sorrows that it brings, and you cry, when one of your best cows die while giving birth to a calf and you loose them both.

You learn to love spring, when everything is fresh and you are planting your fields, praying for a good crop this fall as your driving your tractor in the field.

 And Summer, when it's full-bore business and sometimes you wonder if it will ever slow down. Then harvest comes and its a go-go-go time because you got to get it in before the frost, or snow, or some storm that always seems to threaten appearing whenever you need to harvest something.

Then Thanksgiving comes, and you are blessed beyond measure for all that the Lord has done for you this year, protecting you and your family from so many accidents that could have happened or been worse, for the crop that we were able to harvest, for always providing, even when we didn't see a way to make it work.

Being a farmer's wife has taught me so much about this life. How much you take for granted, like water. How truly precious water is and how you really can't survive without it. How wonderful it is, to look out at your harvested fields at sunset with your husband, just sitting in the quite, realizing how nothing else in this world can bring you this feeling than being a farmer's wife.

Leighton and I when we were engaged.

Jane is 6 Months Old!

Jane is 6 months old already! Where does the time go!? I am so cherishing every moment with this sweet daughter of ours! She has the sweetest personality and is a SUPER cuddly girl!!  I did a photo shoot this afternoon since I haven't really did one since she was born. It was beautiful weather and she was in a good mood so I decided to take advantage of it! Enjoy the pictures and I'll post her latest update soon! :)

 

Some Pictures...

I thought I'd just share some random pictures of us. It's been awhile since I've done that. So hope you enjoy. :)

 

 

 

Janes first tractor ride!!

Love this man of mine!!!

On Mother's Day

Workin' Hard!

5 Months Old...



What are you up to these days!?

* You weigh 12lb 11oz (8th percentile)

* You are 25 inches long (46th percentile)

* You wear size 2 diaper

* You haven't been taking very good naps as of late

*You can roll over from your tummy to your back, and you are trying very hard to roll from your back to your tummy!

* You smile at everyone and you bring a smile to everyone's face!

* You LOVE your jumper!!

* You are kind of lazy when it comes to standing when we hold you. You stand for a few seconds and then go limp and want to sit.

* You giggle when we tickle you and act silly. :)

* You grab things very well...and of course they go straight to your mouth!

* You are very talkative and you love talking to your feet. :)

* The only way you will sleep is if your face is buried in your blankets.

* You kick your socks off ALL the time!!

* You got to meet your new cousin, Bryannah, and you aren't quite sure what to think of her. Every time you look at her you have to look back at us and you have a look of "what is that?" on your face.

* You are very interested in everything that Daddy or I eat, so tonight we are going to give you your first taste of real food... Squash! :) we will see how that goes!

* You were in the grass for the first time a few days ago...you didn't know what to think! You didn't like to sit in it, so you sat in my lap and you kept grabbing it with both hands not sure what to make of it!!

* You have quite the cry...you are really teaching Mommy patience!!

 

 

Three Months Old...

 

 

 

What are you up to these days?!

 

* You weigh 11lbs 1oz (17%)

 

* You are 23 1/8 inches long (41%)

 

*You wear size 1 diaper.

 

*You wear 3 month and 3-6 month cloths.

 

*Your personality is really starting to show! Your such a sweet, smiley girl most of the time...but with a bit of a temper if you've had enough of something. :)

 

*You got to meet your Auntie Kelli for the first time!! You really liked her too. :)

 

* You are a WONDERFUL sleeper! Usually 8-10  hours a night which makes for a very happy Mommy! :)

 

*You love when I get you dressed each morning...you coo and smile the whole time.

 

*You take two naps a day...usually 2-3 hours long.

 

*You are all smiles!

 

*You love going on walks...by the end you are usually asleep.

 

*You LOVE to talk! Especially when Daddy comes home.

 

* You finally enjoy taking your bath! You used to cry through the whole thing. Now you smile, coo, and even splash in the water!

 

*You do really good on long car rides. You especially did good when we went on our three day trip.

 

* You don't particularly like "tummy time". You get quite frustrated when you can't roll over...but it won't be long till you can!

 

*You love when I read books to you....you talk the whole time. :)

 

*You found your hands and feet! Your hands are always in your mouth or your trying to get them in there. You like to look at your feet especially when your in your car seat and talk to them.

 

*You had your first holiday, Easter. :)

 

*You got to meet you Great Uncle Bill, Great Aunt Jennifer and great cousins for the first time.

 

This past month so many things have already changed!! We have so enjoyed getting to see you grow and change. We pray daily that you would grow up to be a beautiful girl for the Lord and that it will show in everything you do! We love you Jane!

 

 

You LOVE to cuddle! Laying on my shoulder while wide awake...love every second of it!

You look SO big in this picture!

Love you sleeping in the wrap. :)

In Uncle Wade's arms. (Leighton would NEVER wear a Case shirt! :)

You love sitting in your high chair! I can't believe you are already big enough to do it!