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?

Top 10 Tuesday 3/8/2011

Since getting active on twitter and purposefully blogging with this amazing community of women I’m finding so many challenges, groups, and activities and I honestly can’t keep them all straight…so in honor of Top 10 Tuesday I thought I’d make a master list of stuff I’m loving online right now and that I think you should check out!!

1.  Hellomornings

For some reason I can’t get the hellomornings button to show up, but Kat at Inspired to Action has started an accountability group based off of her Maximize your Mornings E-book (free- just click the button on my sidebar).  I’m amazed at the friendships I’ve made through the #hellomornings threads on twitter and these amazing women!!!

2.  Bible in 90 days

Wow wow wow!!!  This challenge has changed me and made me realize how much I need to be in God’s word.  It’s not easy, believe me, but it’s so worth it!!  I’m craving my quiet reading time every day and I’m loving what I’m learning!!!  I can’t believe I have less than a month left and we’re almost in the new testament!!!

3.   3 in 30

I’m getting stuff done…I’m not as overwhelmed…I feel like I have some focus during my down time.  My only complaint is that picking my 3 goals is super hard and there are lots of things I need to get done…still tweaking that process!!!

4.  Relevant11

I’ve gushed enough…do I need to say anything more?

5.  one thousand gifts

Another button I can’t get to work for some reason….but this book is life changing!!  Ann Voskamp is such an amazing gifted writer and I recommend this book to everyone I know!!!

 

6.  Hiding His Word

 

Katie- my accountability captain for #hellomornings has a group of gals working on memorizing scripture and I’ve been watching these girls!!  I’ve decided to start memorizing scripture after I’m done with B90days.  Lord knows with all that is going on in my life right now, I need need need HIS WORD in my heart!!!

7.  Warrior Prayers

Brooke has written an amazing book called Warrior Prayers and is having a challenge in April to pray together for our sons. More info here.  I’m exciting about praying for my boys with these women!!!

8.  Photography

Brooke also has a journal of a photography newbie and Darcy has a series titled 31 days to better photos that I’m going to be playing with and working through.  No time limits there…I want to take my time and learn how to take good pictures with my new camera!!!

9. Blogging

I’ve found several sources and sites to hopefully help with my intentional blogging.  On is Ann Voskamp’s Upside Down blogger’s prayer.  I’m also working through another series about finding the purpose of my blog and working to be more knowledgeable about blogging (html, buttons, codes…since I apparently have trouble with buttons…half had to be deleted because they didn’t show up!!).  I have many friends that are mentoring me, answering my questions and helping me through it all!!!

10.  Weight loss and overall health

Of course, I’m still doing weight watchers and I downloaded the app for my iPhone.  It’s helping me keep track of my points.  I also have the couch 2 5k app and I did day 1 week 1 today on the treadmill!!!  I plan to keep tracking about my weigh ins on my Wednesday posts and hope to track my couch 2 5k somewhere too!!!

Bonus…#11.  Project Simplify:

 

I’m overwhelmed with all the stuff we have and I’m encouraged by Tsh’s book Organized Simplicity.  (although I won’t let myself read it until I’m done with B90days).  I’m super excited about this project and I’m hoping to participate….

…because seriously…how cute is that button!!!!

 

Wow, lots of stuff…no wonder I feel so busy!!!  It feels good to have it all down!!!  thanks for reading my top 10 list…for more lists check out Oh Amanda and let me know if I’m missing any jewels out there on the old www.

Much Love,

3 in 30 Challenge February Goals

Good Morning!! I'm so excited to be participating in the 3 in 3o challenge started by Meghan & Ashley!! I just found out about it in January so February is my first official month.

So without any further hesitation...here it goes!!!

1. Develop a consistent morning routine to start my days on tuesday-friday.

This will include but is not limited to

a. Joining the Maximize your Morning Challenge @ inspired to action

-I will use the #hellomorning hashtag on twitter to continue to grow relationships with the gals there and have accountability

b. Continue through month 2 of Bible in 90 days @ mom's toolbox (reading 7 days/week)

-I will use the #B90Days hashtag on twitter

c. Begin praying specifically for my boys using Warrior Prayers & MOB society

-I will use the #WarriorPrayers hashtag on twitter

(the am routine goal is specific to tuesday-friday because of my work schedule but I will still probably check in on twitter the other days)

2. I will continue to declutter my house in preparation for Zone Cleaning

Specific projects relating to this are:

Cleaning out pantry

Organizing the boys clothes

Putting size appropriate clothes in Cole's drawers

Cleaning master bedroom

Creating a landing zone near computer

3. Track all of my weight watcher intake and activity points for 2/11

I'm hoping by tracking points and focusing on the good health guidelines I'll be stepping closer to my ultimate goal of 60 pound loss.

I will continue to blog about my progress at weigh ins for my own accountability.

I'm trying to give myself specific SMART goals to start out. I want to be intentional with my time hoping to fight the winter blahs (aka depression/anxiety) that seem to be creeping in.

I'm very excited about this challenge. I've done well with my B90days and have honestly stuck with it more than I've stuck with anything. I'm finding that the community I'm interacting with on twitter is helping immensely. (again, I'm @MommaKristi)

I'm hoping by blogging all of this I'm providing myself with accountability, honesty and transparancy. I find it easy to often hide behind my shell and avoid my real issues.

March's theme will most likely involve the boys much more. I feel like I need to get myself together before I focus too much more on adding extra activities for them right now. I also find that with my am personal worship time and routine (which I've been attempting regularly since starting B90) I am more present during the day with them...which makes for a much better day!!

If you're visiting from twitter or 3 in 30- please leave a message so I can come visit you in return!!!