Mommy Wars

I came across this post this week, which I loved so I wanted to pass it along.
Stop the Mommy Wars

So often, I find myself comparing my parenting to other friends that have children. 
I think I often forget that every child is different.

Honestly though, I find we make comparisons on the things that in the wide scheme of things do not matter.
I have been given so much advice over this past year,
I just want to tell others
"I am parenting my child the way I choose, I do not need to parent her as you parent your child--
and that is okay"

I cloth diaper (except when visiting others)
I breastfeed (and still do even though she is a year old)
I co sleep (We have tried other methods, it doesn't work for us)
I have a wrap to wear my baby, and a stroller (depending on the occasion)

These are some of the decisions I have made for my daughter,
you may have different opinions. 
And that's okay.

I think what really matters is what we are instilling in our children,
how we are teaching them to treat others and what priorities we are passing down to our children. 
Those are the things that will be with us in years to come,
why not focus on those things and help those other mommies in your life
rather than try to push your way of parenting on them. 

11 Months

Big Steps this Month:
- Saying lots of things (Mama, Dada/Daddy, Kitty, Hi, Bye, Hey)
- Took her first steps!! (Right on her 11th month birthday!)

Likes:
- Loves the cat/my parents dog (will play with Holmes and follow him everywhere)
- Singing
- Food
- Playing with other kids/babies
- Being thrown in the air

Dislikes:
- Bedtime
- Naptime (basically just when she has to slow down in general)
- Apples (just when they are not pureed)

Funny Quotes/Moments:
- She loves taking my glasses and chuckling after
- Just in general, she is a very funny girl, she will do something funny and look at us and wait for a minute then chuckle (with her tongue sticking out)

23 Things You Can Do Along With Being Engaged/Married

While scrolling through my facebook I came along this post.

Now, before I begin, I think being single is a great thing, and some people are called to be single.

But... some people are not - and that is great as well.
This post goes to describe the trend of getting married younger and younger (which I disagree is a trend... but that's another topic)

I actually found it quite offensive when reading these statements:

"How to budget for your prom AND your wedding in the same year!"

"What's HOT: Kids raising Kids."

"Why your Mom doesn't really know what she's talking about."

For those who don't know, I was engaged at 18, married at 19, and pregnant at 20.  

Yes, I realize I was young.  

But I don't regret it one bit. 

And unlike the writer points out, I am not inexperienced with travelling (I have been to 4 of the continents thus far), I am still getting my higher education and have always stuck to my career path, and I did realize that marriage only happens once and have made a vow I plan to keep 20,30 or 50 years down the road.  

Okay.... I admit I was inexperienced with one thing she mentioned- Sex.  But for me that was a choice to wait until marriage, and again I am so glad I waited for my husband to share that with.  

This writer goes on to write 23 things that you can do instead of being engaged (over half of them I have done while engaged, married and a mom but who wants to read the same list twice).  

So here we go : 

23 Things You Can Do Along With Being Engaged/Married:

1. Travel with your husband and/or family (WHAT?! You're telling me being married doesn't mean you are stuck in one place forever?!)
2. Get a higher education 
3. Have dance parties (we honestly have these every night it seems....)
4. Laugh at each other 
5. Follow your dreams
6. Pig out and have a movie night 
7. Have a girls night out (Yes... being married does not mean you have to spend every moment with your spouse)
8. Try that DIY project you have been dying to try out 
9. Have a partner that you can share your deepest thoughts with
10. Plan your wedding (yes... I found this fun even though I had exams only one day before getting married)
11. Read a book 
12. Scrapbook or Crochet
13. Go out dancing
14. Make a birthday cake (This I have tried.... not my finest moment)
15. Go to an amusement park
16. Once you have kids you can literally be as silly as you want (it's for the kids right?)
17. Get to know those older couples that can guide you along in your marriage 
18. Go swimming in the middle of the night 
19. Try that one thing you have always been afraid to do 
20. Encourage each other 
21. Know that you are the only one for each other (yes.. unlike the previous post you cannot date two people at the same time... but why would you want to?)
22. Plan for the future
23. Grow spiritually

Desperate

This week, I am starting a Bible Study with a group of young moms on the book Desperate.

After being invited to take place, and reading what the book was on, I was so excited to dive in. 

This past year, though it has been such a joy and I love my daughter with all my heart, has been tough. 

I have felt loneliness like never before at points, and sometimes I really thought I wouldn't be able to stick this all through.   

I am so blessed that God has begun to show me the role he has chosen me to take on when I became a mother.   

With all that being said, I would like to keep track of the verses and notes throughout this Bible Study.  

Isaiah 41:10 

"Do not fear, for I am with youl do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Matthew 11:28

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavyladen, and I will give you rest."

To Do: 

Make a list of all that is causing you fear, anxiety, or weariness.  

Then give these things to God. 

So where do I start...

fear, anxiety or weariness seems to take up alot of my life.  

I know, these things should be given to God.

Time after time He has shown me his power and parts of His Great Plan, 

but so often I forget and let me worry overtake me . 

• Fears about whether or not I'm being a good enough Mother to Peyton
• Worries about finances and how we will pay the next bills
• Worries about what others think of me and the choices I am making 
• Fears about making sure I am showing Wes how much I care for him (even through those silly fights)
• Worries about upcoming tests/assignments/school-related projects 

Honestly, the list goes on and on.....

God I give them to you.  

I understand I am a mess of a person. 

But everybody is right? 

Please take what I have and use it for your glory, 

whatever you can salvage from this mess of me. 

I understand the big part I am playing in your plan, and in Peyton's life.

Please let me raise her (and any future children) in a way that is pleasing to you. 

I pray you let me find my rest and peace in you.  

Amen.  

2014 Resolutions

Today we welcomed 2014 into our midst.  

Seriously where did the last year go?  

Though 2013 brought forth many changes- I have many resolutions I would love to see take place this year: 

• By this time next year I hope to be done school and in the job market
• I want to lose the baby weight I gained this past year
• I want to work on my relationship with God firstly --and Wesley secondly.  This year has been tough on our marriage and I really want to get things right- but that means strengthening my relationship with God must happen first.  
• I want to stop worrying-- I am and always will be a people pleaser.  I worry if I think somebody doesn't like me to the point it makes me sick.  I need to get my priorities straight and see what really matters.  

What resolutions do you have this New Year?