Just enough faith to see the beauty

   I didn't think this flower had much potential to be completely honest with you. This past early spring I was buying my seed packets. All organic and probably more packets than I needed for the space I had. I was dreaming. Once I tallied up how much I had spent I spoke to myself at the store, "Alright, that's enough for today, Jame. No more. You've got a lot of work ahead of you." Yes, I speak to myself when spending money :) (but not out loud...haha). Such as "Those 3 shirts are adorable but you must only choose one today." or at Costco (if you know me, you know it's my happy place) "It's either guac or hummus today." Hard decisions I tell ya.

   So on this particular shopping excursion I wasn't going to spend a cent of money more on seeds or anything to do with gardening. But then, I saw packages of gorgeous flowers with vibrant reds and oranges for cheap. Real cheap. Like 20 WHOLE cents cheap. How could that be?! Yes, I can do that I told myself. I tossed two packages into my already full cart. And I thought if they work...great! And if they don't...no worries! No guilt trip for wasting money. I planned on buying already bloomed flowers later in the spring anyways. Flowers from under someone else's careful and expert care. I've never planted flower seeds before but have done a few vegetables. 

   In my heart I think I already set my mind up that these probably would not amount to much. So as I planted my tomato and pepper seeds into a special seed starting tray inside my house I also worked on the flower seeds. They were so small. But those I put in an empty egg carton with soil. Nothing fancy. I carefully watered the all seeds and allowed for the sun to shine on them directly. Placing them on the deck on warm days and on our kitchen counter on cooler days and at night. The other veggie seeds had sprouted but not yet the flowers. Still I waited patiently and eventually at the end of May there were a few thin green stems that had sprouted of the 15. I squished those stems that were still alive into one of my outside planters. This planter that had already been filled with beautiful flowers. At this point, I was thinking those thin green sprouts were possibly just weeds. However, I wasn't going to give up just yet. THEN, one day at the end of July this gorgeous orange Zinnia had bloomed from a long stem. It took me by complete surprise! Surprised because deep down I wasn't entirely sure much would come from those 20 cent packets. Because that's inexpensive for a hearty flower to grow isn't it? How naive I was. I stood in AWE and amazement at the beauty. I think I even teared up at God's faithfulness. And in delight at the incredible gift it is to garden and be able to reap those benefits. And a week later another one bloomed, a pink one. And I think a third one will be blooming very soon :).

A smile came over my face and I was grateful. Grateful that I didn't just give up.Grateful that I continued to try to do the best I could day after day. Grateful that my mustard seed faith was enough to keep going. To keep believing that possibly something beautiful would finally come. 

He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Luke 17:6 NIV

   This story isn't really about having faith regarding seeds growing. But rather having faith that God is at work when the surrounding factors seem against your favor. It's about believing that God has a plan when our faith seems small. He tells us if we have faith even as small as a mustard seed that is enough. That is enough to do big things because nothing will be impossible for you. Trust in Him and He will allow you to bloom to your full potential. He will not give up on you. 

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20 NIV

P.S. Next spring don't hesitate to buy a few packets of those cheap seeds, I know I will :). 

Our lovely temporary home...

Let me tell you a fact I have learned with much certainty over the past 2 months. That simple fact is that no matter where you are, as long as you are with your family and remain positive--> you will be okay. Not just okay but really + truly + perfectly A-OK :). 

I have learned this because our family sold our first home. Our starter home we had for 9 years. Our family of 5 was ready for new memories in a new home. However, we did not find that "dream home" to move into seamlessly like we thought we would. I'm not going to lie, it was sad leaving our home. It was hard. We had such amazing memories there. With much thought and consideration we were so  thankful to be able to rent a wonderful {smaller} home for the time being. 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom small.

But you know what? This experience has been completely humbling and incredible! I really would not trade it for the whole world. We are living in the cutest older home with the prettiest trees. The fall colors are everywhere. I can not get enough of the reds and oranges. And the views are glorious from every angle.

 One evening as I was reflecting over my life and the future, my youngest caught my attention "Mama! Look! Out dat window. The sky is pretty red!" I turn my head to look out the window in our living room. The sunset was a beautiful red and deep orange! One of the prettiest sights I've seen.
Because I can not miss a special photo opportunity of God's beauty, I ran outside for a picture. In the drizzling rain I quickly took a picture. As I came closer to the view, I noticed 3 peaceful deer in the field.

THREE. God is so good! In that second I knew that God was speaking to me. He was clearly telling me that my purpose right now is here. It's in this rental home. My purpose is being the best Mom I can be to my 3 kids. Memories will be made in this home. As long as we are together and remain positive everything is going to be really good. 

There's a hill in the back that my oldest has decided will be awesome for snow tubing down. Over the jumps he will make. Because, he is all about making jumps these days. There is a concrete path from the garage to the house that my kids need to ride a bike or scooter to and from each day. It's the cutest. We have a beautiful road to take walks on. A gas station super close that my oldest thinks is the best in case we run out of milk. We've walked down the road to the restaurant to eat. Seriously, we are so thankful. 

The leaves! Some may think I'm crazy to think this but I am loving the leaves. The kids are, too. At our other home we mostly had pine trees. Raking up huge leaf piles and listening to the giggles from the kiddos while they jump in over and over is music to my ears. And I don't even mind that my raked piles end up all over the yard again. Memories!

We have a rope swing we made in the back in which the oldest kids love to have underdogs on. We didn't have a rope swing at our other home. They laugh as the branches brush up against their legs as they go so high. 

Trees to climb {carefully} is a favorite. 

 In August my son picked me a gorgeous flower with the root and all. That was too sweet!

This simpler living has brought our family closer. I thought we were a close fam before but now I know for sure we can be closer :). And that we are. I know what everyone is doing at each moment of the day at home. There's no hiding an extra piece of candy or trying to take my phone to play games on it without Mama knowing. I see all and know all. There is not a dishwasher and I have learned that we can be perfectly fine without one. My son even has learned to wash dishes and I think his wife will definitely thank me one day. And my hands are super clean, just sayin'. 

A large portion of our belongings are still in 2 storage units. The kids are learning to enjoy playing with only some of their toys. When we stop at the storage unit and they see an old toy, it's like Christmas to them! The boys are sharing a room which has taught them how to show respect to one another. My youngest son absolutely loves his bunk bed. He was so excited when he found out he gets to sleep on one and share a room with his bro. 

My husband and I laugh so much because for one, our "bedroom" is in the porch. We are sleeping on our oldest son's full size bed instead of our fancy newer mattress because it won't fit :). These are the memories I will miss and love to look back on. Because life is too serious sometimes to not laugh about it. Our dining room table fits us 5 perfectly. We can pray over our meals and eat as a family. I just love family dinners. 

We are thankful for a roof over our heads, running water, meals and laughs to share, beds and blankets. A washer and dryer to wash the many many loads of laundry we accumulate. The warmth inside with the recent cooler temps outside. Grateful to have a kitchen to prepare meals at. Baking pumpkin pie, muffins and cookies is a favorite. We are grateful that God has given this opportunity to be thankful for all this and more. 

This home will be temporary but our family is FOREVER. 

Happy is the family centered on God, thankful hearts and love.

When all seems right in the world again...

On tough days it is amazing what a simple thing can do to lighten your feelings. 

My cute 4 year old was busy playing with toys in his "fort" as he loves to do. He wanted me to close my eyes because he had something for me. I did so and he was very adamant that I don't open them until he said so. 

So, I waited and waited. 

Then I felt his sweet and warm hands touching my finger wiggling something on there. When I was allowed to open my eyes, I see that he placed this big plastic ring with a bow on my finger. 

Then he ran away excitedly. 

Awe! My heart melted into a puddle and I gave him the biggest hug (and may have shed a tear).

 Such a sweet surprise! His heart is so kind!

....And all is right in the world again :). 

And then he gives me a fake shot in my arm and takes some of my blood and tells me I'm brave. That little charmer has my heart forever and ever. 

Here we are after he put the ring on my finger :). The picture is blurry and perfect at the same time! I've come to realize that it is hard sometimes to get a "still" picture. And I will accept that because in this season of life, that's how it is with playful kids. I will cherish the blurry pictures because they are so special.

Like this sweet friend of mine who took a 2 hour walk with me on a beautiful fall day. She's such a blessing in my life! Her kindness shines for all to see and I love her so much. Spending time with friends is so precious!

And the perfect timing for a specific devotion from "Our Daily Bread."

"Time spent in prayer is always time well spent." I love that! We will never regret praying and praying. 

I am so very thankful for these special moments to treasure. They seem to turn up while being intentional about watching and listening for. 

Blessings to you, Jamie

Thank you...

Have you ever had one of those days where your eyes are opened to so much thankfulness your heart could just burst?! 

This one day my 2 littles and I headed out for some errand running fun. It was a long drive to the stores we needed to go to and it ended up being a long morning.  

And I met so many sweethearts that day who just made my day :)!

Thank you to the kind hearted man that drew smilies on my Costco receipt to give my kids a smile. You have no idea how much that meant to us. 

Thank you to the business man who told me he would push my cart back after I unloaded all my groceries into my car and buckled my kids up. He said he'd been there before with the kids and gave me a big smile. ❤️ I practically teared up at his generous act. I told him "Thank you" probably 5+ times. This simple act of kindness I have never encountered before. And it made me think that I need to do this for others. 

Thank you to the cute Grandma who commented on how good my kids are which made me very thankful! She was absolutely darling and my kiddos were being really great. This allowed me to give the littles some praise as well because hearing it from someone else means so much.

Thank you to the pretty lady at Once upon a child who gave my kids stickers to keep them busy while I was paying. She kept chatting with them while ringing up my purchases. And she paid attention to them. Kids love to be noticed and loved on. And she did just that. 

And last but not least....Thank you to the adorable Grandpa who gave me a laugh telling me the kids clothes I was purchasing wouldn't fit me. He was so cute I could've given him a hug. 

Thankfully, Jamie

A beautiful day for a bike ride...

Last week we took the opportunity to go on a bike ride to the nearby park while big brother was at school. The sun was shining and it was a glorious day! I rode my bike with the trailer for the kiddos. 

It started as such a picture perfect bike ride. The kids enjoying the scenery and myself enjoying the exercise. The bike ride to the park is only a little over a mile away so it didn't take too long for us to approach the path through the woods. Although, I underestimated the ditch we had to ride in. 

Woops!

The bike trailer hook broke from my bike. I tried to fix it but it was not going to hold the weight in the back. Possibly the weight in the back exceeded the max limit? :)

My sweet boy had to walk and was not loving that idea. You can only imagine. (Insert whines here). And I was thinking how am I going to get them back home? We can't go to the park as I promised and now I'll need to force him to walk. I knew he could do it, though. But I needed to gain patience to encourage him. 

So with some coaxing and "You can do it"s we were on our way back. Thankfully I was able to walk my bike with the trailer still attached fine. I started chatting about the day and the road. Distracting. As well as asking God to strengthen us. 

Then I noticed the tar strips in the road. Hmmm...I asked Troy see if he could jump over the tar strips. He did it once and twice. Smiles from ear to ear!! And in that second I was thankful for something as silly as those tar stips on the road! Because they encouraged Troy to keep going with no more complaining. Pretty soon he was running far ahead and I was counting each one he jumped over and cheering him on.  And they just kept going..... 

And that is the day I wrote "I am thankful for tar stips" in my thankful journal. I never thought I'd write that :). We got home and all were happy. From feeling frustrated to feeling more thankful is an awesome thing!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5&6

Thankful!

Blessings, Jamie

Thankful Challenge//Giveaway

I started reading this amazing book "One Thousand Gifts" By: Ann Voskamp. My sweet sister gave it to me for my birthday and it was one of the very best presents to be given. In it the author speaks about writing down 1,000 reasons you are thankful. Since reading it I've been sounding off things I'm thankful for...from the moment I wake up until the time my head touches the pillow at night. And my friends, it has CHANGED MY LIFE! It makes waking up much more easier, too. :) One of the secrets to living a happy life isn't just living a thankful life it's living a thank FULL life and taking note of each thing. To actually fixate on each particular reason I'm grateful every single day is deeply humbling and satisfying. Simple things that I hadn't given a second thought have given my life more meaning with this new habit. Allowing God's perfect plan to unfold by being more aware of His gifts is making me grow stronger. We have been given countless beautiful gifts from God. Everywhere we look there is something. Just looking out the window and seeing the beautiful texture of the trees each being completely different. And looking up at the gorgeous blues of the sky with big white fluffy clouds that vary in size and shape. Looking into the eyes of your child so pure and loving. Listening to the laughter of your friend. Tasting the sweetness of fruit. So many gifts to see, feel, hear and taste. As well as so many moments to treasure.

Here are just a few of the things I have become more grateful for:

30.For the sun that allows natural light to shine while I'm reading outside

 31.For cold water in my kid's kiddi pool that feels so refreshing on my hot feet

32.For the calming sounds of the birds high in the sky

33.For a cool breeze that brushes by me in the heat of the day

34.When my child grabs my hand to show me something special to them

 35.For the sweet taste of refreshing watermelon

36.The joy that a baby turtle brings

37.Beautiful wildflowers that bloom in the field with no special attention

38. The smile of a stranger at the grocery store

39. My Mom's kind and beautiful eyes that brighten as she sees her grand kids together

40. Being able to read The Bible any time of the day and anywhere

41. The quietness of the house at night while all are sleeping

42. Pretty butterflies that Troy can always spot and run after to catch

::::The MORE thankful we are the MORE fully happy we become::::

I encourage you to take the "Thankful Challenge" with me!! Each day write down in a journal 5 (or more) things you are grateful for and do this for 200 days to meet our goal of 1,000 things we are thankful for. And it doesn't even have to end there :). I have a new journal I've dedicated to this. I've been waiting to use it, almost as if saving it especially for this. And how fun it will be to look back on in years to come. Writing down the gifts we are grateful for is key. I love this book so much that I'm going to send one person her book. Just comment below or "like" my post and I will randomly select one person to receive her book. I can't wait for you to be blessed with her Godly wisdom! The drawing will end this Friday at 11:59 pm. I will then contact the winner. 

Have a great day, Jamie :)

My Friday Faves!

Hello!

Today, I'm linking up with these ladies...

Andrea from Momfessionals, 

Narci from Grace and Love Blog 

and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything blog 

For Friday Favorites!

My Favorite Letter...

1.) Over the past month I've been reflecting on all the ways I see my 6 year old son growing up. I'm been jotting all the little things down to compile them into a special letter to him. I cried and laughed a bit while writing it. I got such sweet comments on my facebook page about how it made some of my girlfriends tear up and also make them grateful to be a Mom.

You can read it HERE if you'd like.

Do you see your oldest growing up quickly before your eyes? I sure do. It's bittersweet. I'm excited for him to be growing up but sad because I so wish I could go back to his baby or toddler years. I am so grateful for the (little) man he is becoming :). 

Some of my Favorite purchases...

2.) I've been looking for a cute plaid top and finally found one I really (really) love! The fabric is soft and so comfortable.

However, the one I got is now out of stock. Bummer! But here is a similar one. 

3.) I finally got the scarf that Erika from A Little Bit of Everything  and Mix and Match Mama have been raving about. And they were right about it! It's fab!! I ordered 2 (2 for $38). 1 for me and 1 to gift. Double fab!

Here I am in the 'Denim Blue' color. That color is not available but there are 27 other colors. Many choices.

Check them out here.

4.) I had to try out these earrings because they were only $8! Did I like them?

Yes! 

They are good quality (not great) and beautiful statement (big) earrings. I love the turquoise color. 

Click here to see them.

 5.)  So this favorite moment happened this week. Here's the story: Austin was working on his homework at the table and Troy wanted homework, too. So I gave him one of his PreK worksheets to do. He didn't want to do it. So very quietly Austin did his "homework" for him. Then he said "Good Job, Troy!" I smiled at Austin and asked him if he did it. He gave me a big guilty smile and said no. #alreadycoveringforhisbro #friendsforlife 

Too cute!

6.) And my sweet Troy boy fell asleep on my shoulder this past week! Favorite!! I love my kids so much!!

Happy Weekend to you. 

What are some of your favorites of the past week?

Jamie :)