In Response To: "Having Babies {In An Opposite World}

I came across this post today and just had to share.  Take a look at this mother's response to young pregnancies.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was in shock.  I had been on birth control, so I was not expecting it at all.  

I had always knew I would be a mother one day, the Lord willing.  

But I had my plans.  I was going to finish school, travel a bit, own a house and then we would start our family.

God has his plans.  Plans far greater than mine- and thank goodness for that.

I remember when I found out, though I was in shock I was also excited and scared out of my mind. 

So many thoughts went through my head in such a short period of time. 

I was terrified to tell family and friends as I wasn't sure how they would take it.

I remember going to school and getting those stares day after day.  

Even though we had been married for a year before we got pregnant, 

I felt like I was in high school still as other students stopped and looked at my baby bump. 

Though we haven't followed the norm of finishing school before starting our family,

I wouldn't wish it any other way. 

Yes, it will be hard in the first few years,
our finances will be tight,
we won't be able to travel the world for quite a while,
and we can no longer live our lives for just ourselves.  

But I love the fact that I will be young and able to play with my daughter as she grows up.
I love that we will have more time with her.
And I am so very thankful for this beautiful girl God has blessed us with.  

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him. ~ Psalm 127:3

God loves his children, they are gifts from Him. 

So why is it so often when young couples get pregnant early others make comments 

about age, wealth, and whether or not the pregnancy was planned. 

It's okay to be scared, but just remember how great a gift you have been given.  

No matter what age you are.  

My Beautiful Baby Girl

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Lesson 2.2- The Danger of Being a Bad Example

I've been going through these slowly but try to take a look back at the other parts of this parenting study:)

Ezekiel 20:15-26

Vs 18-" I warned their children not to follow in their parent's footsteps..."

Proverbs 22:5-6 

"Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;

He who guards himself will be far from them.  

Train up a child in the way he should go, 

Even when he is old and he will not depart from it."

We are to guard ourselves from the "thorns and snares".  

So as far as parenting goes, how do we know if something is a thorn? 

Here are some quick questions to ask yourself:

• Is the example I'm setting something I would want my child doing? 
• Am I hiding this habit of mine from my child? 
• Am I setting a Biblical example?

Obviously there are more, but as parents it is our jobs to raise our children for the Lord.  

He has given us this wonderful responsibility, but more often than not we stray from our duties to set good examples. 

That's part of being human though. 

Let God use you in the way He intended, 

and show your child the way to the Lord through your example.  

One of the awesome truths of parenting though is sometimes our children help us work on our downfalls. 

I have learned so much more patience since having Peyton.  

I have had to become more of a gentle person since having my daughter, and I'm positive as she grows she will only help me shape more of myself.  

Just Like Mommy and Daddy

Remember when I wrote about what Peyton may look like while I was pregnant?  (if not check it out here)

Well this week I got looking at baby pictures of Wes and I and I loved seeing the similarities between our pictures and some of Peyton's pictures.

Here are some of them:

This Is Me- Brianna

Remember the  "This is Me" Guest Blog Series?  Here is a wonderful post from a fellow blogger Brianna about how motherhood has changed her.  (If you get time check out her blog - you won't regret it:) )  

[My name is Brianna and I blog at Tea with Bri. I love spending time with Jesus, my family…and blogging in spare moments.]

I’ve always dreamed of being a mom. I used to line up all my dolls and read to them. I had one doll that I named Michael, and I carried him everywhere, pretending he was my little baby. As an only child, I wished I had a younger brother or sister to take care of. I’d see other children walking their siblings to school, checking in on them during recess, or rough housing with them at home and I would long to be in their shoes. I have always been fascinated by the way siblings interact, and the relationships they have with one another. I loved children, I just never had much of an opportunity to be around them.

Penelope Rose

In May 2012 my opportunity arrived. I gave birth to a beautiful little girl, and suddenly I was in the role of a life-time. I had never held a baby before. I remember holding her for the first time, so tentatively and so nervous. I was a mother, but I didn’t feel like one. It was all so surreal. I had never been around a newborn, and suddenly I was responsible for one.

Those early days were a blur. Some moments I felt completely confident, like I was the greatest mother in the world. Then something would happen, like low milk production, or a critical comment, and all my resolve would disappear.

Somehow, an entire year has nearly passed, and I still can’t believe I’m a Mom some does. But here I am, with this beautiful curly blonde-haired beauty. A little girl with a smile that melts my heart and a laugh that gets me every time. An extroverted and fun-loving child who loves to explore new places and is at ease in almost any situation.

Before I became a mother I looked at child-rearing from a selfish and child-like perspective. I wanted a child to complete me. I wanted a child to need me. I wanted a child to make me look accomplished and responsible. I wanted a child for companionship and fun.

Now, I realize that having a child means loving, disciplining, and serving a little human-being with their own wants, desires, and ambitions. Motherhood has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with the little soul that God has entrusted with me. Each day I pray that I raise my child in godliness. A child that understands truth and longs to serve others.

Motherhood is nothing like I dreamed of it, because my dreams. But my dreams were flat and boring. The reality of motherhood is that as hard as it is, it is doubly rewarding. I have loved this year, watching my daughter grow to become a little toddler with a spunky personality. I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for our little family…because really, he’s been in charge all along. 

Check my blog out at Tea with Bri to find out more about our family's adventures!

Month 3

Likes:
- Walks
- Funny Faces and Noises
- Yo Gabba Gabba
- Her fists... does she ever like those!


Dislikes:
-naps.  Peyton tends to do little 15 minute catnaps all day but is good at night so I'm not complaining
- Diaper changes... she hates being naked- alot
- Getting in the car seat- though once she is in she usually is pretty good


Big Steps:
-Laughs! They are so cute but she will only laugh about something for a minute or so before you have to find something else funny to her
- Lifting her head- she's getting strong!


Funny Quotes:
- I was with my friend and Wes came in and I said to Peyton "Look it's Daddy" and she was cranky and just looked at him and started bawling
- I was playing with Peyton after I thought she had all her burps and spit-ups out.  Lucky me got a face full of spit-up.... good thing I closed my mouth!
- While at Volleyball at church, Wes and I were playing with her and heard her first laugh- so cool we both got to see it the first time !

Our Beautiful Girl!

Yep... that's right shes doing the "Blue Steel" look!

Our Vows

Every now and again, I like to look at our wedding scrapbook.

On one of the pages I have copies of the vows we wrote to each other.

Here is how they went:

"I, Wesley, take you Breanna, to be my wife.  I promise to devote myself to you by marriage by loving for you, caring for you, and growing a friendship that I will be thankful for and amazed by.  I promise I will give you everything I have to protect you and care for you and I promise to raise our kids the way that God has shown us and will show us.  I promise to be your faithful husband until the day I die."

"Wes, from the moment I met you, I knew there was something special about you.  You have been my best friend for the last five years, and I would not be the person I am without you in my life.  I have loved getting to know you more and more each day, and am looking forward to the new things I learn about you as we spend the rest of our lives together.  I am so thankful to God for allowing our paths to cross.  I promise to love you unconditionally with all my heart for the rest of my life, through good times and bad.  I will always be faithful, encouraging and comforting to you, cherishing each day we are given together while we allow God to work through our lives."

No matter what happens, I plan to stick to these promises I made to my husband on our wedding day.
Life has brought us to a completely different point than where we were 2 years ago,
but nothing about these vows have changed.

I love Wes and always will.

Happy Two Year Anniversary to a Wonderful 
Father, Friend and Husband!

Celebrating Two Years!

Today, our little family went on an outing to Niagara Falls!   

When Wes had his 19th birthday, we visited the Falls and tend to come back every so often since it is nice but not crazy expensive type of date.  

On November 14, 2009, Wes took me to Niagara Falls and proposed to me while overlooking the falls at a viewpoint.  

We returned today to celebrate our 2nd anniversary (on Tuesday), as well as bring Peyton for her first time.

We left early in the morning at 10:00 am.... yes 10:00 is early for us to be out of the door all ready at.

We then visited some of the houses that Wes has been working on (I love seeing all the hard work he does to provide for Peyton and I), and even got to walk through some of the unfinished townhouses and look at the inside.

Afterwards, we visited our friends, and Peyton had a little baby play date for a bit.  

 Then we drove to Niagara-on-the-Lake (seeing as for some reason it started to snow today... weird right?!).  

It is such a lovely little town and the little shops are so nice.  

We then finished our day with a dinner at the Mandarine.  

Peyton slept through the whole dinner and the whole way home.  

Honestly it was such a blessing to have the dinner time to ourselves to talk and relax, but so great to be able to share the day with her.

Looking back, it's a little crazy how much things have changed since the first time we visited the Falls just a few short years ago.

Wes and I have both had to make the jump into adulthood very quickly, 

we had to learn how to do this whole marriage thing effectively (though sometimes it may not seem that way), 

and we have had to learn how to put Peyton's needs in front of our own. 

But I wouldn't change any of it.  

Dress Up Time!

Last Friday at AWANA (a children's program at the church), we had Dress Your Leader as one of the incentives for the children.  

It was the last night before awards night and the kids loved dressing us up however they pleased. 

Here were the outcomes from the Sparks group:

And Peyton even got in on the action a bit! 

Baby Turban DIY Hat

I'll admit it. I've gone on a bit of a crocheting spree this week.

I have slowly been collecting patterns I hope to try out via Pinterest and I was able to finish a few of them finally this week.

I absolutely love these hats, that I found at

This Mama Makes Stuff

I first tried the pattern as they gave it but it was way to big for Peyton. Instead I used six double crochets in the first ring and changed everything else accordingly.

Such a cute hat, and great project for beginners!

Je Suis Fini!

Okay, so normally I would not get so excited about only finishing one course in a term.  

But today I finished my online french course I took (over the time I had Peyton until now).  

This was a literature course in which I had to read 5 french novels over the term and write many essays.  

Yes.... I actually brought one of the novels into the labour and delivery room with me....

I'm proud of myself, and thankful to God that I was able to continue on with my studies.  

I really do see how impressive it is for all those young teen mothers who decide to continue on with their studies!

The "Reset" Button

Marriage is tough.

One thing I have struggled with is bringing up old fights days or even weeks later. 

 It's something I'm not proud of because I know in God's example of love He tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs.

One thing we have started recently is our reset button.  

After having a fight and cooling off, we kiss each other as a type of reset.

It means no bringing up the past, but instead completely forgiving.

Does this mean we always forget the wrongs that have been done to us?

Yes... and no.

Obviously, we are human.  It is near impossible for us to completely forget the things that have been done.  

But God forgives and forgets.  

We are to follow his example, and just as he seperates our sins as far as the east is from the west, 

we too should try to forget those wrongs against us.  

It may be hard- most likely it will be very hard. 

But that is why we have our reset button.  

Once we kiss, the past cannot be brought up.  

Honestly, it has helped our relationship so much!

I still struggle with this concept but in my marriage and other relationships, 

but I hope to be able to "reset" these relationships every now and again.  

Are there any grudges you are holding that is affecting the relationships in your life? 

Devotional Diapers

I saw this blog post on these Devotional Diapers and I couldn't help but share them:) 

Devotional Diapers

We had a similar thing at one of my baby showers, as each guest wrote a little note of encouragement on diapers so when I did a diaper change, I had a laugh (imagine that laughing while changing a poo-filled diaper!).

I love this idea as especially in the first few weeks it is so hard to find the time to get into the Word of God.  What a great idea to use those small times of diaper changes to read an encouraging piece of scripture.  

I must remember this for upcoming baby showers!

Finding My Faults

Today I was able to do my devotions.  Although this is something I should be doing daily (and it's been a struggle for as long as I can remember), as I picked up my Bible today and wiped the dust off I realized how far away from God I have grown in the past few months as I find myself busy with other daily tasks.

I really did not know where I should start.  And something lead me to Job 31.
In this chapter, Job is going over his life and asking some questions about certain things that may have preoccupied his time or took his focus away from God.

The ones that got me were:

• If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me, how could I face God? ... For God created both me and my servants.  He created us both in the womb.  (vs. 13-15)
• Have I put my trust in money, or felt secure because of my gold? (vs. 24)
• Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart? (vs. 33)

God created us all equal.  He loves us all the same.  We are here to help each other and to glorify God.  

So often, I find myself happy or sad depending on my circumstances in life.  God will take care of us no matter what our circumstances.  We are his children- he treats us as HIS children.  

So why is it we so often try to hide our faults and sins from others?  

I have talked about this subject in previous posts but verse 33 really got me thinking about some of my faults that I have hidden from others.  

Thankfully, we have a merciful God who forgives and separates our sins as far as the east is from the west.  Now it's our job to live with that freedom, don't find security in the things on earth or people on earth, because in the end it won't matter.  

A Mix of Procrastination and Naps

This weekend I have my only exam for school. I have been studying lots, but also in ways putting it off like crazy. Last night I decided to start a sweater for Peyton (though it won't fit her long if we decide to use it for her).

For beginning crocheters ( is that a word?) this pattern is very easy to follow as well as learning a few other techniques via YouTube.

Check out the pattern here :)

Here is my outcome( I didn't do the sleeves or button but rather threaded ribbon through at the end)

Lesson 2.1- Setting the Example

"More is caught than taught..."

This statement is completely true.  So often a child will say something they hear their Mommy and Daddy saying when the think the children aren't listening.  It is up to us to make sure the examples we set for our children are good ones, since no matter what rules we set or lessons we teach them- in the end they will learn more from our examples we set.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (Creator to the created)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.  

1 Timothy 4:12, 15-16 (Younger to the older)
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe... Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.  Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

We must pay attention, children are true imitators- be careful of the example you are setting.  

Titus 2:6-7a (Younger to the older)
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds...

Philippians 3:17 (Mature to the immature)
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

Now obviously every home is different just as every child is different.  This pattern will vary slightly from home to home.  Children learn differently so examples may be more effective taught in one way rather than another.


Deuteronomy 4:9 (Parent to the child)
Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (Parent to the child)
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

"Shall be on your heart"
-the meaning of the word heart is the inner man, the mind, the will, the soul, and the place of understanding,  The Word of God must penetrate to all the deepest parts of ourselves

"you shall teach them diligently"
- this refers to teaching our children in a very clear, direct and sharp way.  We are to inscribe the truths of God on their hearts.  This has the sense of an engraver who inscribes words onto metal- it must be deliberate but careful to achieve the desired end result.

Lesson 1.3- God's Design and Purpose for Children

God uses children in such interesting ways in our lives.  So often, we think as parents it is us who is shaping and molding our children.  But in reality, God really does use the children to shape and mold us.

Even with my 2 month daughter, there are days after crying and crying and more crying I just feel like I need to scream and cry myself.  I have had to learn so much about patience, God's provision and God's love for us through my daughter.

We are the children of God and I am sure there is times he looks at us complaining and fussing and just wonders what in the world is wrong with us.  Why don't we trust him when he has shown us time and time again his love for us.  I've had this same feeling when dealing with Peyton (though I'm sure to a much lesser extent).  Isn't it neat how God uses the little ones in our lives to teach us so much?  

He knows this plan though.  Take a look at the following verses when he talks about how he molds and shapes us as Christians:

2 Corinthians 7:1 
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Titus 2:11-12 
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age

Phillipians 2:12b-13 
... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Colossians 1:9-11 
... that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;

Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.


We must remember that we have two options:

1. We could let our sin tear down our families 
2. We can let our family tear down my sin

God hopes that we will choose the second one and let our children "test" our faults, so that we can grow in these areas of our lives.

"Our children are often one of the main means God uses to show us our sin and mold us more and more into His likeness."
Martha Peace and Stuart W. Scott- The Faithful Paren

"...not only are we to love the Lord,  but we are to raise children who will love God and obey His commandments.  In other words, having kids isn't about us- it's about HIM.  We are called to bear and raise children for the glory of God."
Gary Thomas- Sacred Parenting

The Truth About Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is natural, it will come easy to mom and child.

Now that's just not true.  

Breastfeeding is hard, especially in the first few weeks. 

It does get better.  

During my stay at the hospital, I remember being told over and over that I had to get her used to breastfeeding quickly as the first few days were vital to a good breastfeeding experience.

I tried but more often than not, the latch wasn't right or she wasn't getting enough milk or the pain was to the point I had to take a break.

When it was finally time for me to go home, I remember a few feedings I was almost in tears just from the fact that we weren't getting it. 

Peyton was not getting enough food and I felt like it was my fault as her mother.  

I remember thinking that perhaps breastfeeding wasn't for me, 

maybe all the talk about how wonderful it was- maybe that was just the experience of others.

It does get better.

Peyton is now almost 10 weeks old and it has gotten better, it really is a great bonding experience.

If you are just starting breastfeeding please note it does take time, it is hard, but it will get better.