What is parenting?

I'm not really sure if this post has any point to it besides me just sharing my thoughts but I thought well that's why I did create this lil space to begin with. 

So here it goes....As Bowden gets closer to 18 months, I have been thinking a lot about how this parenting thing is pretty easy; we got Bowden on a pretty good schedule, sometimes he tells us when its Night Night time, I can pretty much guess when he's gonna poop (maybe you didn't want to know that) we know what he really loves to do; like go on walks, play outside with Linus, and build blocks. That sounds good right, like we are doing an okay job. It's getting so good, we are like we should have more kids, we know what to expect now. Bring it on!!

HAHAHA

YEAH RIGHT!

Are we NAIVE (probably) but I never thought much about what parenting entails.

When we first talked about having kids, I concerned myself a lot with learning about babies and how to take care of them and sure Lance and I talked about how our kids are not gonna get spoiled and they will only get a couple presents at Christmas (ya that one didn't stick), and we would occasionally talk about discipline; how we got spanked or our mouths washed out with soap and we turned out great,so our kids will get disciplined. But to be honest Discipline....I don't like it, not sure how to do it, not even sure if it works. 

And here we are at 18 months.... Just to give you a glimpse

Bowden enjoying personal time eating a snack and watching Mickey

Then he flipped the switch, it was kinda funny cuz I wanted to take a picture of him smiling at me, and then he didn't like that.

Had to add this one, he was so upset, the blurriness is him throwing his head back n forth, notice he finally got Linus' attention

It's been like this non stop the whole week, we even had an all sprawled out on the floor in Jamba Juice moment, luckily there was only one other lady there and the two employees who were teenagers, probably thought it was entertaining. However, I'm embarrassed because you feel like you can't console him or like you even know your child. I wish I had a picture of that one but like I said I was embarrassed and that would just look wrong taking a pic of my son while he is sobbing his guts out on the fruit stained floor.

So lately, I have been getting great advice from other moms, researching a lot on parenting styles and everyone does it so different according to their child's personality and the behavior. There are some really good articles I pinned on Pinterest, not to throw my beliefs on other moms but just to share in case your curious what's out there. Here are some: 

What I wish I had known before I had kids that I know now 

5 Tips to Discipline Toddlers 

 31 ways to pray for your kids

Some days, I would worry so much if it was a tantrum and how to stop it, instead of really going to the root of it. This last week Bowden hadn't been feeling good, he ran a fever for 3 days and hasn't had a big appetite. Then one day, he seems to be doing pretty good, eating fine, sleeping good, and all of the sudden throws the biggest fit. I didn't think to put the last few days with this tantrum because he seemed to be fine and thought he is just throwing a fit. When really he could still not be feeling well. It's only been a week, he could still not be feeling well and I shouldn't assume the worse, especially in a toddler.

I have those fears, "Will my kid be spoiled?" "Will he be rebellious?"  "What if he throws a tantrum in a public place?" oh wait... he did that last one already lol. 

After getting great advice,  we are gonna try some things out, if they work, great if not, it's not the end of the world, I'm learning to not stress about the lil things, love more, be more compassionate,  and be patient (that's always a hard one) you can't go wrong with those!

In the end, I love my son, I think he likes me okay, he is not out to get me, even though it might feel like it, and he is learning to talk and communicate and so am I.

So what is parenting? 

Parenting is hard on the sick and fussy days when your not sure if they are teething, gassy, or tired but easy on the days they take good naps, eat all their meals, and give you some time while they entertain themselves with toys. Parenting is frustrating when you know they want something but can't seem to solve their puzzle but it is also so rewarding when they squeeze your neck, give you kisses, and run up from behind to give you "leg hugs."Parenting is one of the greatest joys I have experienced and such a blessing that I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Christmas Traditions

Tradition: the handing down of belief, statements, legends, and information from generation to generation

Since Lance and I have been married we haven't really started any of our own Christmas traditions together, I had some growing up as well as him and we have done some of each others but I think it's time we decide what traditions we want to continue in our family and some new ones we want to begin to carry! So I decided to write all of our traditions that our families started and then some possible new ones and go from there!

Christmas last year in Cali!

Old Traditions

Tradition #1: We always got an ornament every year since I was born and the year Lance and I got married my parents boxed up my ornaments and gave them to me to decorate our first tree..(I think I like this one for Bowden.)

My newest ornament that Lance got me from his trip to El Salvador

Tradition #2: We decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving...(I think we will keep that one...you have to decorate the tree sometime might as well be then :)

Tradition #3 Lance always got Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Day everyone would wear them and take pictures...I think that's cute and since we have been married they still do it (I think there was only 1 year we didn't get jammies and it was a big deal!)

Tradition #4 Our family would go to breakfast on Christmas Eve morning and then to the Candlelight service that night.....(Candlelight service is a definite keeper)

Tradition #5 Growing up us kids would get one "big" present that was the ultimate present and our dad would hide it and put the the first clue in our stocking and it would lead to more clues and then eventually to our present. I'm pretty sure we did this til we were in high school, then we got too smart for my dad's clues. (Maybe when Bowden is older we can do this)

New Traditions 

Tradition # 6 Get the kids a new Christmas book each year and read it to them and then read the the real Christmas story on Christmas Eve or Christmas day (We will definitely read the Christmas story)

Tradition #7 3 Gifts- I read this in a blog that a family does 3 gifts only, to represent the 3 wise men and another family I heard does 3 gifts: a "Want, Need, and a Surprise" I like this maybe combining the 2 ideas. Then kids won't get to greedy and it keeps it simple. (I'm not sure we will do this one but it's a good idea.)

Tradition #8 This blog has some creative traditions to do like sprinkle magic reindeer food on the lawn so santa knows where to lead the reindeer (magic food is oats and glitter) that's a cute idea

Tradition #9 This site also has some great traditions like having a baking party and delivering the cookies to local fire station or hospital. 

Tradition #10 Baking a cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday (I love this one)

So many great traditions out there, it's hard to choose! I know that this time of the year gets really busy and sometimes it's easy to loose sight of the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Lance and I went to the ice display a couple weeks ago and it's all decked out in Christmas but our favorite part was the last scene and it was an ice sculpture of the nativity scene and it was beautiful and it made my heart happy to see it! 

Then last night Lance got us tickets to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular for our anniversary and the show was amazing but the best part was the end, they told/sang the Christmas story and at the end people were clapping and saying "Amen". I loved it! All that to say, is we love traditions and will probably do most of these and maybe add more but the one tradition that we will carry on is making sure we celebrate Jesus' birthday and not forgetting that this is what Christmas is all about!

I don't care what people say "Jesus really IS the REASON for the SEASON"

I did it! I'm a College Graduate!!!

Wohoo!!!!! I'm so uncontrollably excited you have no idea..so let me tell you! 8 years ago I made a decision to not focus on school and focus on ministry, which has been amazing and is what I needed to do! Well 2 years ago I made a 5 year goals list and I put school back on this list, to finish and get my bachelors, not sure how or where I was going to accomplish this I just knew it was something I wanted to do. Well last year I was blessed with an amazing opportunity... I was given a free scholarship to finish school and get my degree! So who wouldn't jump on that train. I decided to add that to my New Years Goals List and finish school by the end of the year. So I began to work.... at a rather slow pace and then I found out I was pregnant....hmmm....so I decided to pick it up a lil faster. Then one weekend in January I went to a women's conference and a truly, amazing young girl, inspired me and challenged me with her testimony. I walked away that weekend with a new, New Years Goal.... to finish school before I have Bowden (who is due any day...August 27th is my due date) wow I must have been crazy but I wasn't...I was motivated and ready! I just told Bowden he can come early but only after I finish school!

Well friends, I'm here to tell you that I did it!!! I accomplished that goal, I am going to graduate with my bachelors degree in business administration!!!! So Bowden, you may grace us with your presence any day now!!!

I'm so thankful to my husband who has encouraged me along the way...especially the days I wanted to give up and the day I found out I still needed one more class! Also my sweet friend who shall remain nameless, you are truly an inspiration and I'm so grateful for your life's testimony that motivated me and challenged me!!(ok enough with the academy award speech)

Anything is Possible, and most days you have to be your own encourager, just don't give up and if you have a goal write it down. It's so neat because the 5 year goals list I made 2 years ago, half of those goals are coming to pass!!!

Oh ya I forgot to mention that my husband gave me a lil incentive, he said that if I finished school before Bowden comes he would buy me a watch!

Let's just say I have been celebrating all week!!!

Recap

Week 37

WEIGHT: 137

FOOD CRAVINGS: McDonalds cheeseburger and fries...a lot of sweets

SYMPTOMS: started having more braxton hicks contractions, some cramping, a random hiccup every morning I wake up...it's pretty funny

WHAT'S NEW: I am dilated to a 2 so my Dr. says Bowden should come a lil early...that would be nice!

Summer Lovin

Wow its been awhile.... but I'm still here just took a lil break from the blogging. I have really been loving this summer. It's been refreshing and I feel like I'm learning so much about myself and life in general. Some things I have been lovin:

1.  I have been enjoying my morning coffee dates with God it's like a special time I have that I really do cherish.

2. Dates and hang out time with my hubby, what can I say he's my Best Friend, we went to the rodeo last week it was my first one, it was pretty fun! My favorite thing to watch was the little kids that ride the sheep lol so funny

3. Making my own lattes! I have an espresso machine that I got for my birthday last year I didn't really get to use it that much so these past few weeks I have really broke it in! Carmel Macchiato is my fav to make!

4. Thrifting, Projects and of course NEW recipes

Pineapple Cupcakes- These were so delicious def a keeper!

Well thats just a lil update, I have one more month left til I get to do what I love doing; Masters Commission, discipleling college aged students! So this time I have left I have just been reflecting on my summer and some things I still want to do! I'm really excited for this next month, some beautiful babies are gonna be born, my brother is getting married, and I get to see my family in California!!! Wohoo, time is of the essence people lets seize the day!

“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't

own it, but you can use it. You can't keep

it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it

you can never get it back.”

 

Make it Count

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose."

This morning was a little different for me, I woke up kinda early and heard God saying "I was not promised today" now to have that be the first thing I hear in the morning was a little scary, I immediately thought "am I gonna die today, that is true I'm not promised today or tomorrow or the next!" my heart was in a little bit of a panic I didn't know what to do with that, my husband was still alseep next to me, I wasn't going to wake him up so I just pondered those words and decided I needed to get up. I went to the living room sat on the couch for a few minutes still processing my life and the fact it could be over any minute, and then it hit me well if this is the last time of my life I can't live in fear I need to live in urgency and purpose! I know I want my life to be purposeful and to be all that God intended it be but to wake up with those words it was like a slap in my face to be more careful and detailed with my life because I don't know when its going to be over and I'm not going to live counting my days down but live out the rest of my days and make them COUNT! So wherever your at in your life, you were created for purpose and to live every day the way it was intended too!

Simple Words

Mondays are my Saturdays to a lot of people, it's my day off. Like some people I like to have a balanced day off... what does that mean? Well I like to sleep in, relax, but yet get some kind of work done whether its cleaning or running errands.. all at my own pace. Now don't get me wrong there have been some days where I am completely lazy and just stay in my pjs and don't get ready til 3 in the afternoon and watch movies all morning... I love those days just the same!

 I like Mondays it's a day to reflect on the past week and get ready for the next. Something I know all too well and yet still run in to time to time is "worrying" or "stressing" that was last week for me and my husband quickly reminded me that it does no good. 

Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life."

Sometimes I feel if I think and stress too much about something that a solution will pop out of nowhere...lol that's a stupid idea. What I need to do is realize "Ok God you have always taken care of me, you have always provided I have never gone without, you always given me guidance, and you always give me your strength when I need it." So simple yet I forget it and have to be reminded.

So this week I'm a free bird, worry free, stress free, living for the now and focusing on God. I encourage those that whatever your thinking too much about to set it free so you can live free. Have a blessed week!

Psalms 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Simple Words

"THE SMALLEST CROWD YOU WILL EVER LEAD IS YOURSELF....

BUT IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE" -John Maxwell

When God speaks to me it's usually pretty simple, sometimes loud and clear and sometimes in a whisper. I feel like it might be that way for a lot of people. Most of the time it's me hearing God in my own thoughts saying something like this..."OLIVIA YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO DO DUH"  lol well it's different everytime but somehow God always gets His Way and His Will through to me.

I just wanted to share what God has been teaching me and like I said it's pretty simple but to just "lead yourself" no one else can do it for you, other than God you know yourself best. Sometimes we feel like we can't grow or be challenged until someone else paves the way but what God has been telling me is "Olivia lead yourself by following me I am the way"  Is God going to put leaders and accountability in your life of course but we have the choice to make ourselves grow. My prayer is to strive to be a great leader not of a crowd but of myself. Thank you God for always teaching me and loving me.

"FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH I CALL TO YOU, I CALL AS MY HEART GROWS FAINT, LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I." Psalms 61:2