I’m a boy mom…..

In light of what's been going on over the last few months with my dad and the busy-ness called life- I've got one constant and that's my faith in Jesus Christ. That has not changed. Another thing that hasn't changed is he 3 little boys that call me mommy.

I find it ironic that I'm a boy mom (and have 3 little boys under three and a half). If you know me- you know that even  though I was raised a farm girl, I'm a girly girl. I love pink, American girl dolls, makeup and nail polish. I dreamed of a daughter of my own that I could share these loves with. But once Max came into my life I was changed.  I was transformed into a true boy mom.

Eighteen months later Jake was born and I was ecstatic!  These two rough and tumble little boys would be best friends!!  And then we announced another pregnancy and people would say to me withe held tilt nod "so you decided to try for a girl.". Not really!  I mean I would have been thrilled to have a girl- to use that girl name that I've held onto since 2007. But honestly- I knew he was a boy and was perfectly content with it. And Cole now joins us and our family is complete.

There are days that these three boys make me nervous (to think about them being 3 teenagers eating me out of house and home) but all in all- I've found my footing as a boy momma.

There is so much responsibility with being a boy momma though. I want to raise these boys to be Godly men that love Jesus. Surely I had no idea to do that. And Jason being a fairly new Christian himself wasn't sure where to start.

So when my Internet friend Brooke announced on twitter and the mob society website that she created an e-book of prayers for boys I literally stopped in my tracks and pre-ordered it. On. The. Spot.

It was released on valentines day and I promptly printed it and had it spiral bound at office max.  And I read. And read. And prayed. And tears fell. How amazing is it that this book on prayer was indeed an answer to prayers in my own heart that I hadn't even put into words!?!!

From the book:

“And I certainly have no idea how to raise warriors, protectors, worshippers, peacemakers, and friends by myself. But I do know how to get down on my knees and cry out to God on their behalf.”

“So I pray the Word over my boys daily.  Asking the One Who has the power to change hearts of stone into hearts of flesh to find my boys and make them His”

“Prayer.  This battle is best fought on your knees.”

“I don’t pray because I have all the answers.  I pray because I don’t.”

“I don’t pray because I can.  I pray because I can’t.”

(all quotes from WARRIOR PRAYERS, Praying the Word for Boys in the areas they need it most")

I’ve read this book.  I’ve cried tears of these prayers.  I’ve pleaded for God to intervene in these boys life in spite of how Jason and I parent them. 

And I know there are other mom’s out there doing the same thing…and that brings me comfort!!!

 

And then, Brooke decided to give us all a challenge.  To all together pray for 21 days for our boys.  It starts April 1st and I’m honored to be part of this!!

 

It's so fantastic to be part of a community of mom's that care so deeply about their boys that they will get down on their knees for them.

 

So here is my point of all this….do you have a boy?  Are you a mob? You need this book.  Simple and straight forward…It will give you the steps and the words that you don’t think you have in you and give you ways to intercede for those bundles of joy that we call our sons. 

This e-book is only $5.97 and you can print it directly from your computer.  I’m not getting anything from Brooke by saying this…I just want to invite you from the bottom of my heart to pray with me for your boys!!

Then, you can join us for the 21 day Challenge!! You don’t have to have a blog or twitter to participate, you can bookmark Brooke’s blog and just read the posts and comment there.  Or if you do want to jump in and tweet with us or blog the journey with us, please let me know I can help ya get started!!!

I love this book.  I’m so excited to see what God is going to do with a group of mom’s that are committed together to get on their knees for their sons.  I’m eager to see how exactly I can get more out of this book and maybe take it into my own church and have our own local “chapter” of the mob society and share in life together!!!

Please prayerfully consider getting this book, reading it, and joining us on April 1st as we pray up a generation of little boys to become Godly Men!!

So, what do you think?

2011...I'm ready

Happy 2011!!! I can’t believe we’re starting a new year already!!! Where did 2010 go?? We had an amazing 2010 and I’ve been full of thinking here recently…this time of year does it to me….so I thought this would be a good place to maybe try to organize my thoughts.

I took just 6 weeks to recover with all 3 boys before going back to work, but for some reason this time it was a lot harder. I came to the realization this week that if I had taken the “normal 12 weeks” I’d still be off. It makes me kind of sad to think about…especially since I had to sleep all Christmas day. I’ve been back to work for a while now and still am trying to adjust to the night/day thing. I’ve been working nights for seven years but I’m not sure how much more I can take. The schedule is glorious for wanting to do things with the boys during the week and we love our “lazy days”. But going to church and doing things on weekends is really hard. It’s also hard to switch back and forth between days and nights. I’m having trouble sleeping and I can’t do a lot of the things I want to do…which brings me to what is coming up in 2011 for me!!!!

Last year I blogged about my one little word…Focus. I didn’t elaborate on it too much but this year I’m hoping to be more involved with it. Blogger/scrapbooker Ali Edwards coined the phrase one little word (http://aliedwards.com/2010/12/one-little-word-2011.html) and has led people on a journey since 2007. I decided on my word for this year to be BRAVE. On Ali’s blog she shows a photo that has scribbled “one little word can make a big impact on your life.”

As I pondered and prayed over my word for 2011 Nicole Nordeman’s song “Brave” kept popping into my head.
The chorus to the song goes like this:
So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave

Ever since having Jake, I seem to be paralyzed with fear….I’m afraid to go out with more than 1 kid. I’m not at all as strong as I used to be (I feel like I used to be pretty independent). Well, as I’m taking on new challenges this year, I know I’ll need to be BRAVE. I done with just merely surviving. I want to succeed at life. I want to be bold and grow in my faith. I want to be an excellent mother. I want to be healthy!!!

A big scary goal I’ve bitten off for the beginning of this year is to read the Bible in 90 days (www.biblein90days.org) !!!! I read about it from a few bloggers: Jolanthe (www.noordinarymomentsblog.com) Kelleigh (http://kelleighratzlaff.com) last fall and I wanted to do it so bad, but I knew I was due with Cole in the middle of it and I was afraid I’d fail. I’ve been praying about it and I’ve committed to it and we start January 3rd!!!! I’ll be reading with a group of readers from Mom’s Toolbox (www.momstoolbox.com/blog) and hopefully blogging some about this journey here. However, my main focus is to do the reading!! I encourage you to check it out if you’re interested!!! I got the 90 day Bible for Christmas and I also downloaded the kindle version on my iPod touch. I’m praying so hard that I can complete this!!! However, I know my spiritual life needs a boost. To be honest it’s been really hard to get to church over the last year. With the pregnancy fatigue and the boys seeming to always having colds (even right now they’re snotty) it’s really hard to get there. And I know my faith life has taken a back seat. I’m ready to put Jesus back in the driver seat. I know all areas of my life are affected by my faith and as that strengthens I hope all the other areas are strengthened as well.

Which leads me to my next challenge….I alluded to it a few weeks ago. I woke up on the day Cole turned 2 months old and decided it was time to lose weight. I had been noticing on another scrapbooker’s blog her desire to get healthy over 2010. It was a simple concept, move more, eat less. She had started on Weight watchers and then tried to do it on her own before returning to ww at the end of the year. That morning I had read her blog and she had been talking about coming back to ww and starting the new program (points+). I went that morning and I’m loving it!!! I love the new points+ program and have lost weight on it!! I continue to be inspired by Cathy and am using some of her ideas to track my own journey. She summarized her 2010 here (http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/a-year-of-moving-more-and-eating-less-in-scrapbook-pages.html) and I hope I can have her kind of success in 2011. It’s hard to be healthy. Its expensive, it takes planning and takes time. I’ll admit every Tuesday am I’m afraid when I step on that scale, fearing that I’ve slipped up or not tracked right. But I have to be brave and trust myself and know that I can succeed.

Another song that has been on my mind is Britney Spear’s “Stronger” (I prefer Glee’s version) but its another source of encouragement for me. It goes along with the whole theme of Move More Eat Less (http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/move-more-eat-less-2011an-invitation-to-you.html) and is part of my minds “soundtrack” if you will. While my “moving more” hasn’t exactly kicked into gear it will. I know I’m strong enough and I deserve it!!!

We’re starting this week with the boys (www.the-e-kids.blogspot.com) doing some regular activities and creating a routine. Maybe it’s just the winter blahs but we’re all going stir crazy. The boys seem to be running laps around us. I think Max has been testing his limits with us and I honestly thinks (and Jason is actually the one who came up with it…) that he needs some one on one attention. I could use some routine and consistency in our days. I’ve been inspired by Carisa (www.1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com), Jolanthe from above but at (http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com) and Erica (www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com) with some ideas for “home preschool” of sorts. I just want some time to focus on my boys, love on them, do crafts with them, and teach them. I’ll be using a combo of ideas from these amazing gals and others to focus on letters, numbers, colors and bible verses. I’ll be documenting that on their blog (and hopefully post more pictures of them there too!!!).

Overall, 2010 was a hard year. I got in a rut. I mentioned the paralyzing fear…I also got lazy. I got comfortable in my own bed (literally) and have blamed my laziness on anything I can…and while those things are legitimate (3 kids in 3 years, full time night shift, etc) it’s time to get my act together. Max is 3…3!!!! I feel like I’ve been napping these last 3 years and I want to remember the little things about this time instead of sleeping through it!! I read a quote on a mothering message board that said this, “the days are long but the years are short.” It’s so true. I find myself sometimes wishing the days would go by faster and I don’t want to do that anymore. Sure it’s tough having 3 young kids but other people have done it and survived!! I have a wonderful support system (hello…Jason is ah-mazing with the boys!!!). My family and inlaws are so helpful!!! I need to buck up and be BRAVE and face each day with the strength God has given me.

For a few months now I’ve been saying 2011 is the year of No Excuses….There is no reason I’m so tired, overweight and unmotivated. It’s time for things to change. It’s time for my house to be cleaned, our debt to be paid off, to get healthy, and to love life!!! Whew- that was a lot to type and thank you if you’re still reading. Mainly this is (like everything I type on this blog) for myself…for my own enjoyment….to record my own journey. It’s nice to look back and see patterns in my posting and remember what I’ve gone through. I often get very excited about my next new thing then end up letting my depression/anxiety/laziness take over and it’s done as quick as it starts. I hope to change that this year…and I hope journaling/blogging about it helps me get through it. If you’re joining me on the journey- please leave me a comment and we can share through this together.

I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ready. I’m BRAVE.

**I typed this from an email at work so the formatting is all wonky and the hyperlinks are old school & not hidden- if they don't work do it the old fashion way and cut & paste....sorry, I wanted to get this out of my mind and written down so I didn't want to wait until I had time to do it**

Starting to feel better...

I am starting to feel better!!! I'm still tired but not so foggy!! If I get a good night sleep I can make it through the day without a nap!! That's progress!!!

Max is getting into everything!!! He's so curious and opens all the cupboards in the kitchen and loves to open the DVD player or eject the Wii games!!! It's tough to keep up!!!

Jason and I have been wondering if we're saying "NO" too much because it's not having much affect on him. I do understand that he's young but I'm concerned about his safety. I've read about 2 books on my message boards- 1 is 1,2,3 Magic and the other is Love and Logic. (You can open these links in a new tab to not lose this post-it's the website for each theory-lots of resources). I bought both books on half.com-love that site!!! Both are very interesting. I'm working through them. It seems silly to read a book to figure out how to take care of your child-but I love learning and seeing the different schools of thoughts on things. And I'm a bit nervous about hitting terrible two's when B is born. It exhausts me just thinking about it!!!

It's thursday-normally Jason is home but he had an education half day at the hospital. So our normal thursday is a little different. At least we have the office tonight!!!

Storytime- 2nd attempt.

So I wanted to make a list of my favorite books, must read books, current reads, and future reads. Wow-not sure if that made sense-but here it goes.
(hyperlink overload, sorry-wanted to make it as easy as possible for anyone to find these books)
Recent Book Purchases:
Babywise and Babywise II by Gary Ezzo
Square foot gardening by Mel Bartholemew
and
Lean Mommy by Lisa Druxman

Current Books checked out from the library:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
(I've never read a Francine Rivers book but they are well reviewed!!)
Several books on bread machine recipes (I borrowed my sister's bread maker and I'm all about baking bread now)

I've checked out a few books that I'm gonna have to come back to. I'm not ready for them yet and they're due back. However, I wanted to document them so I can remember them!!!
Before five in a row by Jane Claire Lambert
Kitchen Table Play & Learn by Tara Coply & Andrea Custer and
Mommy, Teach Me! by Barbara Curtis
You can see the theme of these books. I want to make sure I'm doing learning activities with Max as soon as possible. Not totally just learning projects-but fun playtime/learning things. I searched for the books while it was fresh in my mind, but I know I'll forget it all before I'm ready for them. I'll just check them out again later.

I love pretty much every book I've read from Steeple Hill Cafe. They're motto is "life, faith, and getting it right." I feel that way pretty much every day!!! I love reading about other young women who are learning a little more about God each and every day!!! Many of the authors are now writing stories about young moms....perfect!!!

Parenting books:
Happiest Baby on the Block (want to get Happiest Toddler on the Block next)
by Harvey Karp (check out the website here) (they have excellent videos on the subject too)

Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg (video is not as good here, but excellent concepts).

And of course, Babywise by Ezzo

My "greener living, crunchy experiment" books-
Green Babies, Sage Moms by Lynda Fassa
Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano
Both of these are from the library. They have some good info. I like Green Babies better. Won't be buying either of them though.

Whoa-that was alot. I have a ton of books from the library at any given moment...I always have some to go to. I usually don't have a ton of time to read-so many of the nonfiction ones get flipped through quickly.

Enjoy!!!

Thursday night....

Thursday nights always get me. I work weekend nights, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That allows me to be off monday-thursday. It's just not enough time. I feel like I'm cramming a ton of stuff into those 4 days (which really isn't 4 days because I have to recover on Mondays).

I feel like we got some stuff done this week. You saw my yard/garden post. We also got the under sink area cleaned out and organized. Each week I want to tackle some sort of project-just to feel like I've accomplished something. Next week it's the medicine cabinet and/or laundry room. We'll see.

I found some Ice Cube trays to make baby food!!! (found them at Container Store-afraid I was gonna have to order them online!!) Woo hoo!!! I have a food processor (in red) and a baby food mill. I have everything I need now and I have no excuse. I plan on using www.wholesomebabyfood.com and several books from my library. I'm actually eager to start making purees for Bubby Max. I will then continue it into our food (a la Sneaky Chef style). I'm actually looking forward to it. I've just been hesitant to start for some reason. Fear of messing up, laziness...who knows!!! Well, that's a project for next week!!

Well, The Office's season finale is tonight. I can't wait to watch it!!! We're tivo-ing it and watching it commercial free!!! Woo hoo!!!

More next week.....

Update

I had a great first Mother's day!!! Jason and Max got me a shirt from So Cool Mom. I love the theory behind these products-Live Happy, Love Well!!! Kate wears them on John and Kate plus Eight!! (I love this family BTW!!!).

So we finally had a day without rain-so Grandpa and Great-grandma came up and helped us in our yard!!! We mulched, I planted Wave Petunias, and we finished our Square foot Garden!!

I've planted a sweet pepper, hot pepper, yellow pepper, green beans, lettuce, onions, carrots, cilantro, oregano, cucumber, zucchini, tomatoes and marigolds. I've mentioned before the Square Foot Gardening method-I'm so excited to see how we do. I would never have imagined planting that much stuff ever before-I'm so excited to see how we end up!!! I'm excited because we bought organic plants from neighbors and many of the other plants were in compost-able pots. I'm hoping we will save some money this summer on produce and I think we're helping out the environment by using green methods!!
Here are some more pictures around the house:

My Lilac Bush:
Another shot of the square:

My Wave Petunias:

(in the last shot you can see my lilies in the background!)

We used 31 bags of mulch-holy cow!!! Thank goodness Great Grandma was here to spend the day with Bubby Max b/c we just finished and we started early!!! (well, we did have breakfast, went to Lowe's twice, took 2 trips to get mulch and stopped for lunch).

This is the first time I've really taken an interest in my flower beds, the mulch and a garden!! I'm so excited!!!

Where did Spring go??

Max and I will be off to Bible Study soon. His napping has been so much better-yay!!!!! He actually slept 3 hours in his crib yesterday!! Woo Hoo!!!

We've been reading Babywise and Babywise 2 which have totally helped. Also Heathly Sleep Habits, Happy Child has been a huge help!!!

Since it's been so darn cold here and we all have been sick we haven't been walking at all!!! I even had to cover one of my bushes tuesday night because of a frost warning!!! I'm ready for that sunny weather we had a few weeks ago!!!

We are putting our garden boxes together today!!! (and by we I mean Jason). I mentioned before that we are using the Square Foot Gardening method. I'm so excited and hope we can get them planted next week!!! I can't wait to try to make Spaghetti sauce this summer and eat all our veggies!!! Jason is even better eating veggies!!!

We're getting there!!

Parenting is a process!! We're learning each day a little more!!! It's tough sometimes though. Max is doing better napping. We're reading a ton of books and looking at all the theories.
Our current read is Babywise II. I know it's controversial-but it has given me some confidence and a little hope!! At some point I'll do a review of all the books we've read and what we like!! We do need continued prayers-but we're getting there!!!
Oh-we bought a jogging stroller!! Its great and I love it!!! Since we've had it we've been walking tons!!! I feel healthier every day!!!
And we've been trying to eat healthier too!!! We went to Whole Foods (which was fun BTW) and got some veggies and frozen fish which we grilled out. Yum!!!! And Jason has converted to brown rice!!! Yay!!! Again-it's all a process but we're getting there!!!

Reflections

I'm going to try to mix in what is going on now with a little backtracking talking about the pregnancy. There are so many things I wanted to remember about the pregnancy that I failed to write down. Luckily, with friends that are pregnant right now, a lot is coming back to me in the form of their questions and experiences!!!
So here I go-trying to track my pregnancy-remembering as much as I can!!!
Erin recently asked me about leg cramps-OH THE LEG CRAMPS!!
I can remember waking up at night thrashing in pain asking Jason for help. I tried everything to get rid of them. I ate bananas, drank OJ, and stretched before bed. Nothing. They just happened. All the time. I can remember getting to work one night not being able to walk because my calves hurt so bad!!! I tried to ice and heat them while at work (not the easiest thing to do).

Max is sitting in his swing right now while I'm typing. I keep forgetting to use it. He's almost too big for it. He usually whimpers when I put him in it-but whenever Jason puts him in-he is fine. Hmmmm.

Today I'm heading out for a day of fun with another Mom. She works as a Nurse where Jason and I work. She has twin 2 year olds!!! She's gotten me turned on to a little bit greener living. She's taking me to the local Market and is going to show me the ropes. She's also gotten me turned on to the books:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
and
Square foot gardening by Mel Bartholemew

Yes-I'm dabbling in hippy-ness!!! Don't worry-just a little bit. It's amazing how being a parent changes you!!!
I hope to update with my finds today!!!