Inspired to Action

I came across this new blog & am really excited about reading it. I thought I would share it with you! Here is an excerpt from her post earlier this week.

Perfection vs. Balance

The world calls us to be “perfect” mothers, but I believe God calls us to be “balanced” mothers.

A “perfect” mother puts appearance above relationship. A “balanced” mother sacrifices appearance for relationship.

A “perfect” mother seeks approval from others. A “balanced” mother seeks approval from God.

A “perfect” mother finds reward in perceived success. A “balanced” mother’s reward is a peaceful heart, family and home.

A “perfect” mother perpetuates the lie and spreads disillusionment. A “balanced” mother breaks the lie and spreads hope, truth and inspiration.
The Challenge

The challenge for us today is to focus on being balanced rather than perfect. That every moment we’d love our children more than our clean house or the approving look of a stranger. That our confidence, strength, hope and identity would be found in God and the trust He’s put in us by giving us His perfect little gifts that look to us and call us “Mommy.”

Click below to go to Kat's blog & to download her free e-book!

Inspired to Action

I am a Princess :)

Thank you Erica for this prestigious award. I have so many people to thank...but I'll spare you my acceptance speech :) This award is for readers & anyone that knows me has seen me with my nose glued in a book. I can't tell you the number of books I go through in a year, but I will say that I just finished 2 over the weekend (thanks to a visit from my sis-in-law & nieces who helped to entertain my hoodlums) :) I do most of my reading after my kids are in bed at night. Aaron has to remind me at night to PUT THE BOOK DOWN & GO TO SLEEP, TIFFANY!

This is my nightstand & stack of books waiting to be (or currently being) read.



1. Name an author you love.
Karen Kingsbury is my current favorite, but I also love Jodi Picoult, Andy Andrews, Dan Brown, James Patterson & many others!

2. Name an author who highlights your personality.
I see myself in a lot of the books I read - but can't pinpoint a subject who is really 'me'. Guess that makes me unique, haha.

3. Name some books you love.
Just finished the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury - loved it. I really like most of the books I read. I have come to the point that if I am not enjoying a book, I'll quit reading it - why waste my time reading a book I don't like!?

4. Something that always excites you.
Always? Hmmmm...at the moment, a full night sleep or 20 minutes to myself :) A new book, sunny weather, a new baby, a date with my husband.

5. Something you hate
Negativity! Hamburger, or any ground meat, for that matter.

NOW I am passing this award along. All they have to do is grab the princess award above and post the questions and answers. Call me if you need a good book to read :)



And the nominess are:

Courtney @ Carpenters Colorful Collections

Kara @ My Sweet Little Life

Jericho @ Faith Family Fun

Jamie @ In Full Bloom Photography

Opinion on Bibs = Dislike

This is that opinion I was talking about in the last post...she pulls her bib off every time I feed her & was struggling a bit with this one.

7 months

7 months old

*Rolling all over the room...and finding things you shouldn't have.
*Developing a little temper when mommy takes those things away from you.
*Sleeping in the dining room because you were waking your brothers too often.
*Loving all the foods mommy feeds you - even peas!
*Still getting up during the night at least once, usually twice, many nights 3 or 4 times. We're still trying to 'train' you on this sleep thing.
*Still not really into the bottle. You won't actually drink it - you just chew & swallow whatever comes out.
*You are an absolute joy & really developing your personality! You are pretty easy going, but definitely have an opinion on things already!

Commercial...

This is one of the commercials that Aaron has created for TVT's local content channel, advertising a local kitchen store, Clay Gourmet (one of my faves) :)

Bedtime Stories

Bedtime stories always lead to a lot of questions from my boys (in an attempt to prolong bedtime, I'm sure). It has made for some great teaching moments & memories I cherish :)

Last night, we were reading from the book The Story of Jesus. Brecken is quick to remind me of which stories we have already read, so we were down to one story in the book, The Easter Story.

As I was reading the part about Jesus dying, Brecken said, Poor Jesus, he died. I took this opportunity to remind them of how Jesus died for our sins so that we can live forever with Jesus in heaven. I talked about how our hearts are dirty from doing naughty things and how our hearts can be made clean by asking for forgiveness and asking Jesus into our heart. Leighton replied, Or we could take a bath.... They then hammered me with questions about how Jesus can get into their hearts. My answer of 'by asking Him in', was not the answer they were looking for. I pray for & look forward to the day that they understand this! :)

William Michel

7 years ago, Aaron & I began sponsoring this little guy through Compassion. He was 6 years old.

We have corresponded with him through the years. His letters have include drawings, current math problems, brief descriptions of his family & living conditions & thankfulness for our prayers.

This is William today. William & his family are in need of our prayers this week. They live in Haiti. I have been checking the Compassion website daily to see if they have posted information about the sponsor children. The devastation is great in Haiti, a country that was already poverty stricken & in need of aid. We're praying that William, his parents & his 4 siblings are safe.

As they grow

Aaron's brother, Paul, & his wife, Christina gave these to our children as Christmas gifts through the years. We've had Brecken's on his wall for a few years & just received Leighton's & Zoe's this year. They are so fun & the kids love to see how big they are! Isn't Christina talented???

First Christmas Outfit

Over Christmas break, my mom went through a box of baby girl clothes that she had saved from when I was a baby.

This outfit was the outfit I wore for my first Christmas 31 years ago. My Grandma Mary Lynn (whom Zoe Lynnae is named after) bought it as soon as she heard I was born. She died from a virus that attacked her heart, a week later :( I never got to meet her, but have heard many stories about what an amazing lady she was!

And here I am in it 31 years ago...

And Zoe received this chair for Christmas...which was mine...which was originally Grandma Mary Lynn's.

Christmas 2009

Christmas #1 - Our house

Christmas #2 - Poppa John & Nonny's House

Christmas #3 - Grandpa Jack & Grandma Lulu's House
The two additions to the family this year (Jack & Zoe).


Christmas #4 - Papa Phil & Mama Linda's house

Zoe slept through the picture & openings...so here she is a little later sleeping again with Uncle Doug.