Give Thanks to the Lord...

Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

Lately I have felt lead to post a blog thanking God for all the blessings in my life, because they are many. The past year has also been a very trying time in which it is easy to forget blessings. I was just talking with a friend the other day about how our joy can be stolen because of hardships, big or small. We become disappointed, we didn't get our way, someone we love is suffering, or we worry about the things we can't control (yours truly). Now of course we all have a right to feel these things when bad things happen. I am talking about the inability to let go of disappointment and worry--the habit of dwelling on it and letting it steal the present moment from you. I have two small children at home--the day is full of priceless moments full of joy if I will only let myself experience them. So this is a way of reminding myself that life really isn't so bad. Yes, people I love are going through hard things. I am going through hard things. However, there is so much to be thankful for--and so many good things to focus on too. My prayer is that someday, the negative will only take up a moment of my time, and the beauty of life will take up the majority of my thoughts!

My blessings:

1) My beautiful house. Though much smaller than most dream homes, it meets all our needs. There is a bedroom for everyone, two bathrooms, and a kitchen with lots of counter space! We have a huge deck, and a huge private backyard. Evan was astounded one day this summer when we had the sprinkler going and we were relaxing on the deck. He said, "Do we live here?" (meaning, this place is so cool! Do I really live here?) I said, "Yes. And you know who we can thank for that? God!" Evan responded, "Thank you God!" It was so special!

2) My two wonderful children. Evan is smart, kind, adorable, affectionate, and a true momma's boy. He is such a blessing! Ian is so so so happy! And full of life--you can see in his eyes that when he starts crawling I better watch out. I can already see he's full of mischief and exploration! And did I mention they are both adorable? And healthy? I was blessed beyond belief!

3) My husband. I don't know too many men who will get up with the baby, get up in the morning with the kids, cook, clean, and do laundry (I mean he's willing to help me, I still do those things too!) He also watches the kids pretty much anytime I have something going on without complaint. He is loving and caring--and very unselfish! I am a lucky woman!

4) We have enough. Even though it is easy to get caught up in materialism and our culture, when I truly look at our needs, they are met. I really cannot complain. Even though I don't get to shop for a recreational sport, I can purchase food at the grocery store and know the check won't bounce!

5) I have made the choice to stay home with our kids and so far we are financially stable. Like I said--we don't have more than enough, but we have enough. I would never trade being at home for a bigger house, two nice cars, and the latest fashions for all of us. Even though it can be tempting to look at my neighbor and get jealous, the trade off for a two income home just isn't worth it to me! I have been blessed because it works for us! Not everyone can be in our position!

6) Okay, this is getting long, so I will lump everything else together: family. My in laws are wonderful. My sisters are my best friends. I have a cousin who I am also close to. And I have friends who are fun to be with, are dependable, and point me to God when life is hard.

7) Okay one more! I have an amazing church. Duluth Vineyard is a healthy place where I have received healing for my past, and I have grown in my faith. Great worship, great preaching, great values. So glad I found it!

Okay, what about you? What are you thankful for? I challenge you to make your own list!

Okay, last one, I promise! Our church put on a free event with family portraits being part of it. We were blessed to have Al and Lyndsey Johnson from On3Design take our pictures! Here it is!

The New Mom's guide to survival

So as many of you know, I am the proud mother of two adorable boys.  I love them to pieces.  But, to be honest, I really hate the newborn stage.  Sorry, I know there are many of you out there who can't get enough of the little scrunched up faces, curled up little balls of cute, and sleepless nights.  I'm just not one of those people.  Give me a six month old who takes two naps a day and sleeps through the night, and I will be a happy camper. 


On top of not being a big fan of the newborn stage, I also had post partum depression with both my kids.  With Evan (the oldest), I didn't know I had it, and it took about three months to go away.  That was a very hard time.  With Ian (born 6 months ago), I had it for the first month.  Had it lasted any longer, I would now be on medication.  So...to put it mildly, I have had it rough.  My babies have also been colicky.  Double rough.  So, I feel someone must benefit from knowledge about the best baby products out there.  Here they are:

1.  The Hooter Hider/Udder Cover/Nursing Cover:  The best invention ever for anyone bigger than a B cup!  I envy those moms who can whip out their boob and it is covered by their infants head and their shirt!  I am NOT one of those women!  These amazing contraptions are a piece of lightweight cloth with a wire going through the top that allows you to see your baby and keep you covered at the same time.  I could not live without this invention!

2.  The changing table:  Anyone who thinks these are not necessary must have an amazingly strong back!  I LOVE that I am not hunched over every time I have to change my baby's diaper.  And it's got handy dandy shelves to store everything you could possible need for diapering.  Who wouldn't want one?

3.  Playtex drop ins:  When I was done breast feeding, I bet I saved hours of time not having to wash bottles.  These disposable liners are a pretty awesome invention.

4.  Halo sleep sacks:  Worried that your baby is cold, but don't want to use a blanket because you are worried about SIDS?  The sleep sack is an awesome little blanket that your baby actually wears.  It's like a Snuggy for babies!  It's the best thing ever!

5.  The bouncer (with vibrator).  My colicky baby would not give me a moment of sanity if I didn't have one of these.

6.  The Fisher Price Cradle Swing--Talk about amazing.  This baby swings forward and side to side.  It comes with many different sound options and a mobile to entertain your little one!

7.  The travel system-- LOVE my infant car seat and matching stroller.  And i used the stroller for the next two years up until Ian was born. 

8.  The sit and stand stroller.  If your child will be older than three by the time your next one is born, your older child will love that they can stand on the back and ride along.

9.  A neck/travel pillow:  For all those nights you will fall asleep in a chair while rocking your child.

10. The Exersaucer--You can easily move it from room to room and it entertains your baby for long periods of time!

11. The Baby Bjorn (or any front carrier)--Maybe it's just personality, but Ian LOVES this thing! Literally there is no problem that this carrier doesn't solve for him. He is always happy in it! I have also heard great things about the ERGO.

12. The Baby Bjorn plastic bib. Remember the 70's and 80's when we were kids? My parents had this bib with a shelf at the bottom to catch all our droppings. Seems like it is hard to find now! Go to Target.com and get yourself a plastic bib--you will save loads of time by not having to dig 90% of your baby/toddlers meals out of the high chair. And it is much less disgusting! Plus it is dishwasher safe and easier to wash in the sink as well!

13. The Boppy pillow--great for nursing and for that stage when they are learning to sit and are wobbly. It will keep them steady and provide a soft place to land if they fall!

14. A sound machine--one that plays white noise. It is much easier to live normal lives in our house with the sound machine. It drowns out all other noise so your baby is not wakened as often by your household!

Okay, I know this is quite extensive. I guess pass it on to your expecting friends! I am always one to be prepared, and any expertise I can pass on would make me happy! Coming soon: The list of things you really DON'T need when having a baby!