Resolutions? The Word of the Year? Which do you do?

It's a new year!

Anyone else feeling completely bombarded by everyone's lists of resolutions and words for the year and good intentions?

As a mom of young kiddos, I know that I will break any resolution I make within a very short time.

So, I resolve to not make any resolutions.
*haha*

Instead, I resolve (winkwink) to live intentionally this year.

Some people are picking a word to define who they want to be this year and I guess I like that idea because that's what I did.

I desire to be a woman of intention.

I am going to be intentional with:

• the food I eat
• more protein, more fiber, more water, consistent vitamins, less white sugar!
• how I respond when my kids want my attention
• really listen and respond well when they ask something or tell a story... not just enough to get them to move on.
• with what I'm reading
• spend time actually processing what I'm reading. This may mean reading less so that I can actually understand and remember what I've read. (In years past, I've read the number of book that ends the current year - example: I read 13 books in 2013. I thought about 15 books in 2015, but that is so unrealistic that I decided to take the pressure off myself and read to learn and process instead of reading to check it off my to-do list)
• every time I take out my camera 
• take the time to get it right in camera. Stop relying so much on post-processing.
• do less so that I can do what I'm doing well

And, if you haven't read Shauna Niequist's blog post called Burn the Candles yet, go do it!
Hoping this motivates you for the new year.
-kt

New Year

Well, it's been about two months since my last post.

*I'm a little nervous*

I guess my last post was a little controversial.

I guessed that was going to happen, but I didn't guess how much it was going to affect me.

I received wonderful feedback from people who know me, but people I don't know were pretty judgmental and, honestly, rude. Some had constructive things to say with good intentions, but most were just plain mean.

I do not approve of that kind of stuff.

If you don't know me, maybe err on the side of grace in what you don't understand... or ask questions.

I'm afraid that all too often, people forget that there are real people behind these blogs who have feelings. And, this is MY blog. So, if you don't like what you're reading, either respond in a way that encourages conversation so that I can hear your point (instead of your rude judgments) OR stop reading and move on.

Anyway, I guess I just wish we could stop hiding behind our computer/phone/tablet screens and remember that common courtesies and politeness still applies to our interactions.

Give a little grace.

If you would say it differently to the person over a cup of coffee, say it that way online. Be kind. Let's learn from each other, not hate on one another. Let's make the internet a place where we can be together, sharing ideas and thoughts and our hearts in a way that allows us to grow together. Even if you disagree with someone, you can choose kindness.

I mean, that is what I'm trying to teach my 5 year old.

Maybe us grown-ups need a little reminder, too.

Have a great day!
-kt

Why We Let Our Kids Go Trick-or-Treating... and other thoughts on Halloween

 Halloween is a very controversial topic among Christians.

*I am not suggesting that this should be the standard for your family. I believe that each Christian should ask the Lord what he/she should do and should base their actions on that.*

My husband and I have done that. We are comfortable with our decision.
I will not judge you for your decision... please offer me the same level of respect.

So, with that said, here's our thoughts on Halloween.

I personally am quite uncomfortable with most Halloween decorations. I place pumpkins around my home, but it pretty much stops there. I don't believe in ghosts or zombies and I don't want my home to be covered in those things. I want my home to always be inviting, warm, loving, and traditional Halloween decorations do not reflect those things.

While we obviously don't want to train our children to participate in evil, we do want to train our children to get in there and actively fight it.

And, while you can make a point by standing on the sidelines, you're not truly in the fight unless you're IN the fight. You can't win a battle if you don't participate.

Jesus didn't sit on the sidelines. He called out the demons. He ate dinner with hookers and corrupt tax collectors. He looked evil in the face and, when it seemed all hope was lost, he rose again and conquered it forever. 

He got his hands dirty.

I was the kind of kid who, if kept away from something "bad," began to fear it. I still fear the unknown. I wish that instead I had someone walk me though scary or controversial situations to show me how to handle it and how to stay above reproach in the midst of it.

Fear and lack of understanding is NOT how I want my kids to face unknown or new situations.

We will accomplish so much more by taking our small children around and showing those who hoped to scare them that our kids are already wise enough to know there is nothing to fear by their decorations and costumes because they have Jesus on their side.

I want my kids to be able to walk into every situation armed with the power of Christ and the ability to bring light into it. And, I want them to show others that we can always have fun and experience joy with them.

I will not send them into situations unarmed or alone. But, my husband and I can walk with them through this and teach them how to be "in the world but not of it."

It's possible.

And, I don't think I'll do it perfect every time, but thankfully God shows me grace and I trust that He can protect my kids even when I fail.

I know that as they grow, situations are going to be a lot harder to discern than 'should I let my kids put on a cute costume and get free candy?' But I believe the principle will remain the same.

Instead of staying in our own little bubble to make a point, we can go out on a night where most of our neighbors are outside, walking around, open to talking and getting to know others. We can introduce ourselves and let them see that we're humans, too. We can be friendly and kind and compliment their children's costumes. We can laugh with them and share some sweets. We can make memories with them. We can set a good example by having fun and creative costumes without the scary/gory aspect. We can "do life" with our neighbors.

We can get our hands dirty. 

What if Jesus had said, "Oh geez, that guy is demon possessed! That's too much darkness and I won't take part in that, because that's just too much! Obviously Satan has won this round..."? I don't ever want my kids to think there is so much bad that the good they can bring isn't worth getting into it.

I don't believe that by trick-or-treating I'm being passive and exposing my children to evils that they don't yet understand. I KNOW I'm being intentional and using this to teach them spiritual principles... and letting them have a little fun and a little sugar-rush along the way is a plus.

If we don't stand up and fight evil, bring light into it, show it that it cannot win, who will?

I believe that by ignoring it or fearing it, we give it more power. We need to get involved. We need to participate. We need to go in armed with God's power and spread His light. We won't be able to share our opinions about the origin of this day if we aren't around anyone who will hear it. And, we'll never be able to speak to someone on a heart level when they are feeling judged. Do life with people. Love them where they are. Stay above reproach in the midst of controversial situations. Be the light that Jesus wants us to be. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Hide it under a bushel? NO! Let it shine.

-kt

Three

I've only been the mom to three kiddos for a month now, so I don't claim to be an expert here, but... here are some of the things I've learned this past month.


1. Us parents may be outnumbered now and we may have had to switch from man-to-man to a zone defense BUT we still have four hands between the two of us and there are only three of them so we still have the advantage... right?

2. 2-year-olds enjoy having a baby in the house for approximately 15 minutes each day. The whole rest of the day is spent in agony over the fact that they no longer can command mommy's full attention at any given moment.

3. Number 3 has the ability to know the second you are about to put food in your mouth and will demand to also be fed at that precise moment. Count on it.

4. With all the baby gear finding it's way out of storage, my otherwise uncluttered house is beginning to feel quite claustrophobic. I feel another round of purging, garbage and donations coming on... if only I could find the time...

5. Being SUPER INTENTIONAL about spending time with your spouse becomes even more important. Merely being roommates is unacceptable. We must be a team. And there has to be life-giving friendship and romance between the two of you or these days can get long and lonely.

6. Making sure the older kids feel connected to the baby at least once a day is invaluable. Letting them "hold" her or help with a diaper change (read: throw away the dirty one) makes them feel like they are important and they seem to love her even more in those moments. And, it helps them be more patient when she is taking me away from them temporarily.

7. Having some alone time in the morning before the older two wake is even more important for me now. I gotta get my game face on before the littles attack my morning. Otherwise, I feel like this...

8. Let people love you. Having help is not a sign that you can't do things on your own. It's simply an expression of the care that others have for you and, frankly, a blessing. Accept it.

I'm sure I have many more lessons coming my way, but this is all I have time for right now.
-kt

Hey Baby

Goodbye heartburn and goodbye Tums.

Goodbye carpel tunnel.

Goodbye insomnia.

Goodbye Restless Legs.

Goodbye sore hips.

Goodbye limited mobility.

Goodbye maternity clothes.

Goodbye waddle.

Goodbye side-sleeping.

Hello, baby.

Is there anything sweeter than a newborn?

Nope.
-kt

Baby Girl Bed Head - Installment 8

This was the loveliness we woke up to on August 11th.

She actually asked me to take her picture.

My little lovey.
-kt

So,... this is happening...

Homeschooling.

One of the things my husband and I disagreed on in the early negotiations of our marriage.

He was all for it.

My thought was, "Why would I homeschool? I survived public school. Our kids can, too!"
(Seriously, though, the thought totally intimidated me!)

But, this boy.

Oh, this boy.

He's so smart. And, he LOVES to learn.

We feel like he's ready to be challenged more than can be provided right now in a classroom setting.

Not to mention how far we live from school right now.

And, the fact that his newest little sister is going to show up in about 2 1/2 weeks. 

Yes, my motives are (kinda) selfish.

No, I don't want to have to drive into town 3 days a week with a 2 year old and a newborn this winter to pick the Little Mister up.
No, I don't want the morning battles we had last year when he needed to get up for preschool but was sleeping soundly.

BUT...

Mostly, I want to see him be challenged and learn at grow at a pace that is best for him,... not dependent on what is best for all the kids in his class.
I want to spend that time influencing him.
I want to have a Bible lesson included in his studies.
I want the chance for his dad to be involved, too.
I want his little sister to get the benefit of watching him learn.
I want to be the one who gets to see how excited he is to learn new things.
I want the chance to plan field trips and other activities with the other homeschool families here.

This really has nothing to do with the school.
We honestly love the teachers he'd have this year and he really loved going to school last year.

It would be good to send him back to school,...
   ... but we feel that this is best.

So, today we started this journey and honestly, it was awesome.
We finished a lot sooner than I thought we would and he was asking for more.
I had a doctor's appt to get to so we couldn't do more today but I love the flexibility that this will give us. Most days we will be able to do what he wants/needs. He was so excited.

I think the biggest challenges are going to be mine: patience, preparation, etc.
But, I'm excited to see how we both grow through it.

I've also felt a little bit like he has been overshadowed by the Little Miss's health issues. This is going to be quality and focused one-on-one time just for him. I'm excited to see how we bond through it.

Wish us luck!
I plan to post updates and things I learn along the way.

-kt