6 Habits of Choosing Joy as a Mama

Original Photograph by Cameron Faye Photography

After my little funkity funk last week, I decided to reevaluate what choosing joy looks like for me...because I wasn't choosing it. I needed to remember how to choose it and  keep choosing it. I know that joy should be a constant to those who know Jesus Christ (Phil 4:4) as Lord because we have contentment in our salvation. This is not our home! We must make sure out thoughts are focused on things above (Col 3:2). Keeping that in mind, I want to make sure I am choosing joy daily and maximizing the potential for Christ to work through me on this side of Heaven. These are 6 habits that I strive to integrate in my day-to-day life in order to keep my mind right. ;) 

1. Open your Bible.The most important and not so ironically also the easiest to kick to the curb. When I make myself (yes, I said make myself--owning it) start my day with a little She Reads Truth over coffee, for instance, it awakens the Holy Spirit within me. Days are a battle sometimes! Spiritual warfare is real! We must arm and encourage ourselves with Scripture daily in order to keep our eternal mindset. It's the Living Word of God (Heb 4:12)! (Side note: I pray that one day I can stop making myself open the Bible every morning and instead find my soul earnestly thirsting for His Truth!)
2. Get after those endorphins.I know,  I know. But when you are used to them, the lack thereof is REAL and it's a STRUGGLE. I seriously am grumpier and feel ickier about myself if I skip a workout. I generally try to work out 5-6 times a week. My one stop shop in town is Hilliard Studio Method. Hilliard makes me feel powerful. The vibe is girl power. Strength. Pushing yourself. I guess you can say I am officially an endorphin addict. (I even craved that endorphin release all through my pregnancy too!) 
3. Be in community with others (and be authentic about it!). Y'all know I'm a BIG believer in doing life with others. When I say "do life" I don't mean do life as pretty as it is on Instagram. Doing life with others invites them into your messy, real, struggling, self. Friends share joys and burdens (Rom 12:15; Gal 6:2). They hold you accountable. They keep it real. These are the relationships that echo the little saying that quality is better than quantity in the friend world. :)
4. When it comes to how you mama, listen to your heart.I didn't realize it, but this was a big one for me in my funk. Honestly, the first 5.5 months or so of mamahood were pretty easy. They were me walking in my dreams come true. Then we approached month 6, and I hit a wall. I started to doubt myself. My brain started telling me ways that I'd failed. (EW!) We all mama differently, and that's okay. That is life! I mean, think about all of the different personalities every human has. There's no way there is ONE way to "mama" with all of our different makeups. That being said, I needed to give myself permission to do things my way--forsaking what others/society might think. My hubby was on board with my heart and my choices, so I granted myself that permission to listen to who I believe God created ME (not everyone! but ME!) to be as a mama. 
5. Count your blessings.Cliche, yes. Does it work, yes. Since coming out of my funk, I've gone to bed every night counting my blessings. I don't mean like this "I'm thankful for my faith, my family, my friends, and my home." Those are givens. I know God sees that thankfulness in my heart. Instead, I tried to creatively count my blessings...maybe like I was counting sheep to fall asleep now that I think about it. I just wanted to hone in on the day to day "isms" I often overlook. I'm thankful for the flannel sheet sandwich I'm wrapped up in. I'm thankful that whenever Mark half wakes up at night he tells me he loves me. I'm thankful that my sister and I are brining little cousins into the world.  I'm thankful for the way Nancy crawls towards me and reaches for me. I'm thankful for organic half and half and stevia in the raw because makes my coffee taste so darn good. I'm thankful for snuggling on the couch while [finally] binge watch Parenthood with my hubby. Be creative! Count your blessings instead of sheep to sleep. :) (1 Thes 5:18)
6. Pray. This one. All throughout the day. (1 Thes 5:17) Do it. And not just in your head! I want Nancy to know her mama prays. How will she know I am in communication with my Heavenly Father throughout the day if I only keep those thoughts in my head? Sure, I pray over her at night, but I want her to see/hear more than that. I MUST model prayer for my daughter (and future kiddos). It's mutually beneficial. It steadies my heart and shows hers my desperate need for grace.
That's my list. What's on yours? How do you choose joy and keep choosing it?

Real Talk | Mind Wars

Via

I've been in a funk this week. Or maybe the last two weeks. I guess I just didn't realize I was in it last week, but my husband did. He came home for lunch everyday to be with me. I literally just thought he wanted to come home to water the grass. (Ha!) Toward the end of the week, he told me he kept coming home for lunch because I just wasn't my happy self in the mornings like usual. I'm not annoyingly bubbly in the morning, but recently I've been waking up cranky, disgruntled, and eager to make it through the hours till the next naptime. My joy was being stolen. And I was (am!) allowing that to happen.
I want to be real and authentic. It's not all butterflies and roses everyday. I love my husband, I love my family, and I love our life, but there are hard moments too.
I am behind on...mmm...just about everything at this point. There isn't a One Room Challenge post this week because I did [absolutely] nothing for it. Our sunroom roof is leaking.I have way too many emails, texts, Facebook, messages, etc to catch up on. Nancy has been waking up lots more than just once a night and getting upset and worked up until I [cave? and] nurse her.I'm tired.I have a headache.I just contacted my counselor from years ago to help me sort through some "daddy wounds" that have recently resurfaced now that I have my own daughter.There is a little voice in my head that sometimes goes, "But really, what did you do all day?"
This isn't a sob fest; it isn't meant to be a list of complaints either. It's a recognition that spiritual warfare exists as well as a proclamation and reminder that I will not let Satan steal my joy. I am so encouraged by so many of you friends and mamas (I've read this post from my sweet blog friend Erika multiple times today!). I want this blog to be a place where women feel inspired and encouraged by one another. I don't want it to look like I have a perfect life. I don't. No one does! Let's just remember to love on and life each other up though the trenches, the funks, and days when we feel robbed of joy. No matter how we mama, we are all in this together. Motherhood is crazy. It's beautiful. It's hard. It's messy. And it's glorious. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it. Just keepin' in real, y'all. I love you friends dearly! Thanks for being a part of my world.

Via
P.S. This song has been running through my head all day. I am clinging to its Truth! I hope it ignites joy to return in your heart when you feel it fleeing! xxP.P.S. Nancy's Nursery is still in the running for Project Nursery's October Room. Vote again? Please? The voting is almost over! Promise! Thanks, friends! 

Nancy's Nursery

Four months into her life, Nancy finally has a nursery and, boy, was it worth the wait! It's currently the only completed room in our house, and that's because it's my favorite. This room--by far--has the most thought, articulation, and love put into it. I created an inspiration board for her room earlier this year, and it wound up being pretty on point! The only "big" change I made was changing the room color from sea salt to pink. Since we have sea salt throughout our house in various other rooms, I'm so glad I listened to my mom and sister and went for pale pink. 

The first time Mark walked into this room, he said, "Wow. It's so white in here." That, my friends, was music to my ears. Welcome to this bright, light space...Nancy's nursery.

 In lieu of a changing table, I use this bed to change Nancy. The bed is a family heirloom and was also my bed as a little girl. My mama also used it as a "changing table" throughout the years. It's the perfect height for the job.

 One of my dearest, best friends, Lizzie, gifted Nancy this amazing abstract painting. She is an an incredible artist. Lizzie used 1 Peter 1:6-7 to inspire this painting. It is absolutely my favorite part of the nursery. This piece of art is special on so many levels, and I cannot wait to watch Nancy grow with it throughout her life.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV

 I created this mini gallery wall by combning Design Love Fest's Dress Your Tech images + PicMonkey for text + Dollar Tree frames spray painted gold. Simple and cost friendly! My favorite is the middle right. Nancy's name means "grace," so I love having its definition in her room.

This candle is the candle of all candles for a baby nursery, and it's made by one of my girlfriends! Lavender + baby powder = OMG perfection (especially after a stinky diaper change).

 I knew I wanted to mix patterns in the crib. I am in love with the herringbone on the bumper and how both the gold patterns are actually shiny, metallic gold.

 This lovely teapot is a reminder of Nancy's baby shower--a tea party! 

The nursery guard. Truth is she tried to photo bomb almost all of these pictures. Bless this protective big sister, Tina!
At the end of the day, Nancy's nursery is filled with so much LOVE. When I rock Nancy at night before she goes to bed, looking at the big L-O-V-E over the bed reminds me of 1 Cor 13:13. Before I lie her sweet sleepy self in her crib each night, I say this verse aloud to her and tell her I love her. This is a special, sacred place in our house. I pray our family grows in love as we grow in this home! 
Shop the post:

FULL SOURCE LIST
WINDOWS + PAINTWall color: SW White Dogwood {read about all of our home's paint colors here}Interior Doors: SW AnonymousCurtainsHardware: Came with the house, I spray painted them gold {similar}CRIBCrib: Hand-me-down (Thanks, Sally!!!) {similar}Bumper: Carousel Designs | Design Your OwnSheetSkirtMobileCrochet BlanketBEDBed: Family HeirloomQuilt: TJ MaxxEuro ShamsGold Polka Dot Shams
Gold Heart Pillow: sukanart on EtsyPomPom BlanketBed Skirt: Pottery Barn, no longer available {similar}WALLPainting Above Crib: Lizzie MorrisonBaby Makes 3 Gold Heart: Hobby LobbyMint, Pink, + Gold love Painting: Slate InteriorsGallery Wall: Dress Your Tech [background] + PicMonkey [add text] + Target [print] + Dollar Tree [frames spray painted gold]Light Up HeartMirror: Hobby LobbyLOVE Letters: Hobby Lobby [spray painted gold]FURNITUREDresser: ThriftedDresser Hardware: Knobs; PullsGliderOttoman: Hobby LobbySide table: Hobby LobbyLeft Bedside TableRight Bedside Table: Marshalls {hardware spray painted gold}FLOORRug: Home GoodsFaux Sheepskin rugACCESSORIESLamps: Home GoodsNANCY letters: Hobby LobbyCandle: Lumina Candle Company Vegan Soy Candle // Lavender + Baby Powder (THE BEST smell especially for a nursery! AND my girlfirend, Sarah, makes them, so they're even more special!)Watercolor of Tina + Nancy: Art Accent on Etsy, c/o"Nancy" gold tulle basket/linerWhite wicker diaper supply basketLovely PillowTeapot: Home GoodsPolka-dot boxes: MarhsallsGold handle tote baskets: Home GoodsDoor Wreath: DIY by Lizzie for Nancy's Fancy Tea Party

The Faith of a Child [That Changes a Mama]

ViaNancy takes up most of my thoughts and energy these days, and I wouldn't have it any other way. All the time I spend with her got me thinking...
My sweet baby girl is and has been completely dependent on me (and daddy too) since birth. She needs me for food, for comfort, for nourishment, for snuggles, for keeping her warm or cool, for safety...everything!  She can't do anything for herself because she is a baby. Though obvious, that simple truth got to me. I was led to dig deep in my heart about what it means to have a "childlike faith." I know form Scripture about how much Jesus loves little children and how our faith should be like theirs.

Via
What if we were completely dependent on Jesus in the same way that babies are completely dependent on their parents? How would our lives be different if we needed Him as much as baby needs his/her mommy or daddy?
Being a mommy is certainly making me reexamine my personal relationship with Jesus. Nancy is already inspiring me to trust, need, and completely depend on Him more. I want to need Jesus as much as Nancy needs me.
Worship Supplements: Unashamed Love; Lord, I Need YouP.S. She Reads Truth "This is the Gospel" begins today! Join me? It's free on the website [always], and it's free on the app for this study! 

Love Your Neighbor

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Yesterday at church the sermon was about ways can love our neighbor. Before our pastor spoke, we had extended "meet and greet" time to say hello to the people around us--this time it lasted about a minute or so instead of the typical 10-20 seconds.
Mark and I spoke with a lovely married couple seated behind us who are probably about the same age as our parents. Of course we connected when we found out that the husband went to Camp Thunderbird when he was 7! :) Anyway, at the end of the service, they met Nancy who had moved from snoozing in Solly wrap with me and into Daddy's arms to dance through the last set of worship. As everyone was leaving, they told us that they were going to pray for our family throughout his week. 
Wow. I can't explain exactly why or how, but that little encouragement meant so much to me--to us. Especially from folks we just met! We talked about that sweet married couple by name multiple times throughout the day yesterday. We both felt so encouraged by their kindness and the short, simple conversation we had with them.
So where am I going with this? I want to encourage y'all to love your neighbor this week. Strike up a conversation. Let's all choose a family, a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger that we meet today and commit them to prayer for the week. Then tell that person or family that you'll be praying for them all week long. Maybe you'll encourage a heart as profoundly as mine was encouraged yesterday.

My Heart in the Days Before Nancy

The #1 dream for my entire life: become a mommy. I want to document some of my final thoughts before this dream comes true. I want to remember what was on my heart before I become who I've always known deep, down in my soul that God made me to be: a mommy who raises little disciples. So here is my heart. Raw. A preggo-brain, overjoyed stream of consciousness as we wait for our baby girl...

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I can hardly fathom that I am just days away from my over-20-year-old dream becoming a reality. It's surreal. Mentally, I know our lives are about to change forever; simultaneously, I recognize that I cannot process the magnitude of love and change that will enter our lives (and rock us to the core) at some point this month. I'm going to be a mommy. Mark is going to be a daddy. Parents. Forever. We're starting our family. I know it will be both beautiful and difficult through the years. I know we will learn immensely more about ourselves through our children.

I love the unknowns of these days. Will she come tomorrow? In two weeks? Come late in three weeks? The anticipation of delivery is exhilirating. Mark constantly talks about how he can't wait to meet Nancy. He even had a dream about her birth last night. When leaving for work this morning, he gave me a hug and a kiss and told me he thought she would come early. I'm not convinced she will. I just think she has a daddy who loves her dearly and cannot wait to meet her. These moments of waiting are so sweet and precious. Such treasures.

There are more unknowns I think about too. Will every pregnancy be as joyful and straightforward as this one has been? Does this easy pregnancy mean a hard delivery and/or a difficult baby? How many kids will we wind up having? Will Nancy have brothers? Sisters? Both? Will we adopt like we think we will? I am not anxious to know the answers to any of these questions right now. I just enjoy wandering in my wondering. I rest peacefully knowing that God knows the answer to every one.


Then there's me. Nancy's mommy. She will be with me day in and day out. Who do I want her to see? Foremost, I want her to know how much I love the Lord. I want her to see me reading Scripture, praying, and being intentional about my time with God. I look forward to the days when we can I can equip her with the Word of God. I can't wait to teach her Scripture to the tune of music. And, of course, I want her to see how much I love and adore her daddy. I want her to see me make the best choices for the health and strength of our family. I want her to see me as imperfect as well. I know there will be days when I need her forgiveness. I want to teach her about grace. Over and over again. How we all desperately need it. (And how her name indeed means "grace.") I want to end every day with her in prayer. I want to close her door every night saying, "God loves you, and so do I."


I love the new life we have in Christ, the new life that comes and surrounds us each spring, and the gift of new lives we are given through our children. God's creation and design is absolutely immaculate. Incredible. Incomprehensible. Divine. Glory, glory to Him! Thank you, Jesus, for our first little Houston arrow, Nancy Hope. May we raise her to be Your disciple.

Happy Easter!

French Press Mornings

This is my favorite verse surrounding the Easter season.

It's not everyday that we think about Resurrection power living within us.
Yep, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us! 

HALLELUJAH!

 

I was thrilled to find Romans 8:11 featured on French Press mornings yesterday...the best!

Grab the free 4x6 printable here!

(I think I'm going to have to add this print to Nancy's Nursery!!!)

Remember: our faith is futile and meaningless without the resurrection. I hope y'all have fabulous, beautiful weekends celebrating the Risen King! Go celebrate!!!!

 

 Happy Easter!
 

Spring Link Love

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We are on the brink of spring--it officially begins this Friday. An all day Saturday rainstorm here in Wilmington led to the most gorgeous 70+ degree Sunday with hints of fresh blooms and new life all around. Today in celebration of the upcoming season, I'm sharing some of my favorite springy links that I happened upon this weekend.

First of all, the above free printable. If we weren't in the process of packing up and moving out, I would be printing this beauty, framing it, and setting it in my kitchen!

Did anyone see Cinderella?!! Oh my gosh I loved it. I took the girlies I nanny for after school on Friday. Probably the only movie I've seen on opening day since...?! No clue. I'm not a big moviegoer, but I was dying to see this one. :) It was a total bonus having Lady Rose and Daisy (from Downton!) in the film. My favorite part was watching the fairy godmother work her magic. It was really well done and the moral they wove throughout the story miiiight've made me tear up majorly. (And of course it made me all the more ecstatic to have a daughter very soon.) A good ol' wholesome movie it was!

Of course the hint of warm weather had me daydreaming about spring dresses. I probably wear dresses 90% of spring/summer, no lie. Effortless, comfortable, and cute by throwing on 1 item of clothing. Boom. Here are my current faves from my beloved Old Navy.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Let my crushes on stripes, maxis, and fun prints continue. These dresses are perfect for pattern mixing!!! Add a little spring scarf for a POC, and voila!

Y'all have to know by now that I stalk the new desktops on Design Love Fest, and there are some fresh new ones up! I love the staged florals -- so pretty. (But I still can't part from the hot pink lips desktop. It's on my computer and  phone because...hot pink lips. My fave.)

And--best for last--this SRT entry had my heart singing. I really love the Lent study's honest focus on repentance. I've read the verse below hundreds of times, but when paired with the study's teaching and application...goodness! Making repentance a priority has done wonders for my heart and my spirit!

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 Happy Monday and happy almost spring!  

 Head over to meet Laura at The Ozinga Outlook...!

Nancy's Fancy Tea Party

Yes, I am biased, but Nancy's Fancy Tea Party was the most beautiful shower I've ever attended. Wow. My mom, sister, and besties went all out. As my most sacred dream--becoming a mommy--is coming true, I have never felt more loved, enamored, overwhelmed, and at peace...all at once. Growing another life inside of you is the most amazing miracle I've ever experienced. I count it all as joy, and oh what joy it was to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our dear Nancy Hope!

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking, but I have to say thank you to everyone who showered Nancy and me with so, so, so much love and goodness. James 1:17 to fruition...to the max! Thank you. With all of BOTH of our hearts. Blame it on the hormones (Or not! It was really that blessed and emotional of a weekend for me.), but I can't help but cry as I type the words to this post and listen to this song on repeat in the background. I am so humbled that God chose me to be Nancy's mommy and that I have so many amazing women that I get to "do life" with as I transition into motherhood. Glory to God; thank you, Jesus!

 

 Mimi's homemade sweet tea bar

Hot tea bar 

 Mimosa bar

My mom decorated with many of my old baby clothes (and even pink patterned clothespins!)

 Mallory's finger sandwiches were perfection: pimento cheese, cucumber, and chicken salad

 The greatest hostesses on earth!

 My sissy and mommy

 Lizzie and Coley

Mallory and my precious goddaughter, Harper 

 I even got to snap a pic with my hubby before he left for some bro time with my brother-in-law

 Cannot handle the supreme cuteness of baby bloomers. 

I already have visions of Nancy in nothing but a diaper, these, and a bonnet at the beach this summer!

 My sweet Mimimama, soon to be Nancy's "Grandmimi," especially spoiled her first great-grandbaby.

 Captured loving the thought of using this for all my future little Houston bebes

 Nancy's first piece of art, created by my bestie, Lizzie Morrison.

Inspired by 1 Peter 1. I cried. (Obviously.)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9 ESV

 2 of my sweet Bible study girlfriends

 Cheers!...with my mama, Mimi, and my aunts

Party (partea?!) favors

Post-party with the pups :) Had to.

Sources

Wreath: DIY (Lizzie Morrison)

Banner: DIY

Ribbon Garland: Etsy

Cake: Kathy Allen Fine Cakes

Macaroons: Wow Factor Cakes

Glassware + Tablecloth Rental: Party Reflections

Heart Straws: World Market

Monogram Napkins: Darby Cards Nashville on Etsy

Flowers: Wayne Freeman, independent florist

Baby Makes Three + Before I Knew You Signs: Hobby Lobby

Gold Letters on Mantel: Hobby Lobby

Diaper Baby: Baby Binkz on Etsy

Custom Tea Bag Favors: Bushel And Peck Paper on Etsy
My Dress: Purchased at Petal Boutique in Charlotte, NC

 

 Head over to meet Laura at The Ozinga Outlook...!