Being a Mom…

Being a Mom is hard but it is also the most amazing and rewarding job God could have given me!

I had no idea what to expect when they laid that sweet, baby boy in my arms 13 years ago. He was so small and fragile. I thought my heart would bust with all the love I felt for him. I became a Mom that day.

As I look back over the years, I mostly focus on the good stuff. His first birthday…starting school…playing baseball…all the hugs and kisses. I try to forget things like that one year in pre-school he lost all of his ice cream scoops almost every day – not a good thing.

When I look at this teenager now, I see a boy growing and changing and on his way to becoming a man. I just want to stop time. I know that in 5 short years my baby boy will be going off to college. Since I can’t stop time I will do what I can…enjoy all the moments I have with him and pray a lot!

God has also blessed me with two more children, another boy and a girl. My daughter tells me that God knew I needed a little girl and she is right. She adds so much personality to our family and lots of pink! She brightens my day and I cherish our “girl time”.

My middle child has been the hardest to figure out. He is very different from the other two. He is quiet…a thinker…strong-willed. The good thing is that God has used him to teach me patience. I also realized that there wasn’t just one way to raise a child. What I did for my first child did not work for my second.

Parenting is a lot of trial and error and a whole lot of praying. Each child is a new creation with their own look, personality, and gifts. I am still amazed at how different they are even though they came from the same two parents. Only God could be so creative.

God has also used these three blessings to work on me, change me, and make me dependent on Him. I have had to learn to give God control over every part of my life. Believe me I have tried to do things on my own and it just doesn’t work.

Moms have such a big responsibility raising their children. There are days when I am stressed out and just don’t think I can do anything right, but I can find comfort in knowing that my Father and my children still love me and give me grace. I cling to the days that are great. Those are the ones I will remember when I am older.

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them? Ecclesiastes 3:22

Yes, being a Mom is hard but the benefits are priceless!

Blessings to You,
Melissa

 

“Have to” or “Get to”

Do you have a To Do List…a calendar that is full of activities, responsibilities, and events? Me too! I don’t know about you but I get overwhelmed at times with all the thing that I “have to” do.

Did you catch that…”have to”?

I have to…
wash clothes,
feed my family,
clean the house,
go to baseball/soccer/karate,
go to work,
pay bills.
The list could go on for days!

I have decided to change my attitude by changing my words…I “get to”.

I get to do all of these things because I am blessed! Yes, I know that is hard to remember sometimes when you feel overwhelmed and just don’t think you can keep going.

Think about it though, I get to wash clothes because we have them and I have a washer and dryer (at least I don’t have to use a clothes line like I grew up with).

I get to go to lots of games and activities because God blessed us with three amazing children.

I get to go to work because I am blessed with a job and a way to pay the bills.

See, what a difference! I get to do so many things!

How about you? What do you get to do?

This weekend is Mother’s Day and I get to spend it with my family. I will also get to go to church and spend time with my Mom. I am so blessed to have her!

Blessings to You and enjoy all the things you get to do,
Melissa

Comfort {Five Minute Friday}

It’s Five Minute Friday! I am linking up again with our awesome host, Lisa-Jo. She gives us one word each week and asks us just to write for five minutes. Our word for this week…

COMFORT…

What brings you comfort?

I think back over the past year. I have friends that have lost loved ones. My family has lost loved ones. I am watching my mother in law fight breast cancer. My husband and I went through a rough part of our marriage. I left a 17 year teaching career.

There are so many things in life that leave us asking “Why” and bringing us to our knees.

I have found that when I am on my knees I am the most vulnerable. I am more open to what He has planned for me. I am willing to give up myself and my plans.

I believe we go through these tough times so that He can speak to us and use us and help us grow.

When I think of comfort, I think of resting in His big, strong arms. I don’t have to worry about anything. I know He has me and will take care of me. I can get through anything with Him.

Blessing to You!
Melissa

Check out what the other ladies think about comfort…

Making Memories

Are some weekends just great for you…for making lots of memories? This past weekend was one of those for my family.

Friday started off with a Mom’s breakfast at my daughter’s school. I got to take her to school and spend some quality time with her. (My mom usually takes her since I have to be at work by 8:00.) We ate, we hugged, we kissed, we laughed. What a wonderful way to start my day!

Saturday was a day of torn emotions…my oldest became a teenager! I can’t believe my baby boy is 13, but on the other hand I am so proud of him and the young man he has become. I love that he is not too big to still hug and kiss me. He was disappointed that his baseball game got rained out. The boy LOVES playing baseball! He ended up having a good day though. His best friend came over to spend the night and they got to go bowling. He also got to eat at Waffle House…one of his favorite places.

Sunday we celebrated with my daughter at her baptism. All three of my babies are now saved and baptized. What joy that brings to this mom! I can’t wait to see what God has planned for each one of them. We were so blessed to have all of our parents there to celebrate with us. My Mother-in-law is battling breast cancer right now so we were so very happy that she felt like coming.

It is now Monday…time to go back to work and start another busy week. I will hold on to this past weekend though…so many beautiful memories!

What did you do this past weekend? Did you make some beautiful memories too? I’d love to hear from you.

Blessings to You,
Melissa

Brave {Five Minute Friday}

It’s Five Minute Friday! I am linking up again with our awesome host, Lisa-Jo. She gives us one word each week and asks us just to write for five minutes. Our word for this week…

BRAVE

If you have followed my posts you know that I am going after some God-sized Dreams and I am learning to be brave!

For years I just went through life, happy to be in my comfort zone but always feeling like something was missing. Now that I am going after the dreams that God has placed in my heart, I have had to take some BIG steps out of my comfort zone. I have learned that fear is something I can work through. It can only stop me if I let it.

I love watching and listening to my children. They are dreamers…they are confident…they are full of faith…they are brave. They are still young but I pray that they will hold on to these things. It is so easy to let life take these away.

Has life taken these away from you? Has fear been holding you back from what God has in store for you? My friend, it is time for you to be Brave! Step out, grab our Father’s hand, and go after your God-sized dreams! He created YOU for a purpose and He wants to help you every step of the way.

Blessings to You,
Melissa

Join us over at Lisa Jo’s to see what others have to say about being brave…

Balance in your life…is this even possible?

Are you like me? I have my faith, family, friends, work, health, and dreams. I have a lot going on in my life and only 24 hours a day to do it. Is it really possible to balance all of this?

I couldn’t believe how many books and articles there are on finding balance. After reading several articles, I feel like the term work-life balance is something that our society has created so we believe we can have it all without sacrificing anything. The truth is that every decision we make has a consequence. When we try to achieve balance, we just end up feeling frustrated or like a failure. I don’t know about you but that’s not what I am striving for.

I want love and happiness in my life. I want to grow and learn. I want to be a good and faithful servant while I am here. You too? So we are not looking for balance in our lives, we are looking for peace and joy.

How do we start? We need to look at what really matters in our lives.

What brings you joy? What is your definition of success? These are two important questions to ask yourself as you give up the struggle to be balanced. Setting priorities and goals will also help you find the time for the things that are really important to you.

I have decided to take charge and change the way I go through life. I am tired of feeling guilty because I can’t do everything. I want to focus on what is really important. Would you like to join me on this journey? I will be writing posts about different areas of our lives and how we can find more joy and less stress. (Don’t miss a post…you can get each one by email…just follow my blog.)

I will also be working through Amy Andrews book, Tell Your Time: How to Manage Your Schedule So You Can Live Free. It is only $2.99 for the Kindle right now. I have to be honest…I started this book last year but I never finished it. I let other things take priority but now I am ready to manage my schedule and not let it manage me. Are you ready too? Just message me if you are and I will add you to our private Facebook page. We can do this together!

We will get started on June 1^st. (I can’t imagine trying to do this the last month of school, can you?) We will read and work through the chapters each week and then share. By the time school starts again in August, we will be pros!

Awesome E-book Bundle – This Week Only!

Wow! What a wonderful group of books…something for everyone! I already have some of these books but I just can’t pass up this deal. A bundle of 97 e-books PLUS $140 in Bonus offers! This deal ends on May 4th so get yours today…

Take a look at what is included and order at The Humbled Homemaker.

Blessings to You!
Melissa

 

Friend {Five Minute Friday}

It’s Five Minute Friday! I am linking up again with our awesome host, Lisa-Jo. She gives us one word each week and asks us just to write for five minutes. Our word for this week…

FRIEND

I still remember the first day of 9th grade. I was in a new town and starting high school. I had left all the friends I had grown up with since kindergarten. So scared and so self-conscious.

I was in my English class and I still remember it like it was yesterday. The girl in front of me turned around and introduced herself – Gina. She was new to the school too. I remember she had the sweetest smile and was so much fun to talk to. We were instant friends.

From that first day, we talked (a lot) and spent time together whenever we could. She became my best friend!

Four years of classes, dances, boyfriends, football and basketball games, proms, and finally graduation. We ended up going to different schools but still stayed close.

Then she got married…I was so happy for her but I felt like I was losing her. Then she had her first baby…a beautiful, baby girl. I wasn’t sure where I fit in so our friendship started to slip away.

We lost each other for a while. I look back and I wish I had talked to her more and been honest about how I felt. We missed so many years.

I am so blessed to have her back in my life now! She is so sweet and encouraging and we can still talk for hours when we get the chance. With our busy lives we don’t get to see each other as much as we would like but we know the other is there if needed.

I am so glad she had the courage to turn around that first day of school. She changed my life forever!

Check out some other posts on friendship over at Lisa-Jo’s…

Rest, Fun, and Yummy Cupcakes

Linking up with Holley again and our God-sized Dream Team! This past week worked out perfectly for my post…Holley wanted us to take some time to play and then post about it.

Have you ever looked at your calendar and thought…whew what a busy week ahead!

That’s what I thought last weekend. I saw one child taking the CRCT all week, projects, soccer games, baseball practices and games, Awanas, getting ready for the in(rl) conference, oh and working 8 hours a day.

I am so thankful that last weekend was a “free” weekend for us…no practices or ballgames. It gave me some time to catch up on housework and have a little fun.

I actually accomplished one of my goals for 2013…completing a 5K! A friend and I did the Chick-fil-a 5K in Athens Saturday morning. I have to say that I really enjoyed it! Now that I know I can do it, I want to train harder and get faster and do another one. Maybe a 10K next year!

Have you ever had one of those days you just want to hold on to? Saturday was fun, but Sunday was one of those days.

We had a wonderful morning at church and we had nothing else planned for the day. I did something I hardly ever get to do…take a nap! My daughter and I snuggled up and slept for a few hours…it was just what I needed.

We woke up to the smell of smoke from my husband’s grill. He was getting ready to cook his fabulous hamburgers so Kat and I decided to make dessert.

I have to admit I have way too many yummy desserts on my Pinterest board but this one stood out…Berry-licious Strawberry Cake. We ended up making cupcakes with the homemade cream cheese frosting. Best cupcakes I have ever made!!

We enjoyed our supper and dessert and then enjoyed just hanging out together until bedtime.

I haven’t had a weekend like that in a very long time and it was much needed. I do love that our kids are active but what a gift to have one fun, relaxing weekend.

Are you a busy mom or dad too? What do you like to do for fun?

Blessing to You!
Melissa

Check out what the other dreamers did for fun…

Who would like a shirt to remind you that you are Beautiful? You are God’s creation and he adores you! I am working with a company right now to get these made and they are $15. Just message me if you would like one or purchase one at my Etsy shop if you need it shipped. All profits will go toward starting a non-profit organization and organizing a ladies conference.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/130205756/beautiful-1-peter-33-4-t-shirt

A Beautiful Start

Welcome! I am late writing this week’s post but now I see why I just couldn’t write earlier this week.

Holley reminds us that the most important part of any God-sized dream is the Giver of it. She asked us to set aside a particular time this past week to be with Him–to pray, journal, take a walk or simply sit quietly and listen.

I have be wrestling with what to do next. I can already look back over the past few months and see how He has changed me. I am stronger and more confident. He has shown me that it is okay to admit and share my flaws. He has shown me that I am worthy and beautiful because He created me.

I have started stepping out of my comfy spot as a follower and I am becoming a leader, an encourager.

Through this journey I have found different parts of my dream but they all lead back to encouraging others.

I have felt a calling to start a non-profit organization as part of my God-sized dream but I have felt God slowing me down and pushing that back for now. Earlier this week I just wasn’t sure what He wanted me to do besides write on my blog and encourage others through my daily life.

Well on Tuesday I asked and I got an answer.

I have had ideas swirling around in my mind about having a conference here in Georgia. I thought that I should wait to have it after I got my non-profit going. That’s what I get for thinking. I now feel that he wants me to start with the conference.

I love how he puts people in our lives and uses them to help lead us. I met my friend Jill when I asked to be added to a Good Morning Girls Bible study. I have never met her face to face, but she has become a good friend of mine.

On Tuesday, she posted the Dove Real Beauty Sketches video in the Bible study we are co-leading. I made a comment that helping others see themselves like God sees them has been a passion of mine and I would love to have a conference. Within a few minutes, she had offered to help me with her event planning and photography skills. Then she said, “Doing something is the first step!”

That’s all I needed. Just a friend telling me to get started. That got me excited and I posted on my FB page that I wanted to have a conference and that led other friends offering to help.

After the excitement wore off I could hear that chihuahua barking at me and nipping at my heels. (Check out my post on my Chihuahua.) I started doubting whether I could really do this. How would I take care of all the details?

Well I sent that chihuahua home and I started to make a list. A list things to do and who could help me do it. I am excited again and I know that I can do this with God’s help and direction.

I want this to be a day that reminds each one of us that we are beautiful. Our Creator made us and even knows the number of hairs on our head. He loves us and He has great plans for us.

Would you like to help? Let me know. I’d love to have you as a part of our team. I would truly appreciate prayer too!

Want to see what the other dreamers found out when they took time to spend with our Giver? Just click on the button below.