Pink, Sparkly Fingernails

So last night, after making-eating-and cleaning up dinner with my 2 kiddos- Micah and Caleb (5 and 2 respectively), I decided, why not paint Micah's nails? She is very much a girly girl. Pink room. Hannah Montana. Jewelry. Dresses. She is me- in mini form. While I don't mind a romp in the mud (just don't get it in my hair!), I really love all things girl. Pink is my favorite color. I love getting my nails done. I count down the days until my next hair appointment.  Makeup makes me feel complete- and it seems that I have passed that down to my princess, which just excites me to no end. Now I have someone to shop with- and go and get pedicures with. Someone to buy jewelry for and oooh and ahh over purses with. Ahhh- I've been so blessed. So truly blessed, because I have this amazing little girly girl . Painting her nails last night made me realize how truly lucky I am- that I have someone I can share so much with. Pink. Sparkly. Just like Mommy's. She just beamed from ear to ear after I got done. And hugged my neck "Thanks Mommy".

Just like Mommy. Just like Daddy. Just like Grandma or Grandpa. I pray that we all take a good, hard look at ourselves. Take a long look in the mirror. Are you the person you want your child to grow up and be like? If your child says- I want to be just like you, do you cringe or are you happy? Would you like for them to mimic your actions and words? Or would you be ashamed if they spoke and act like you? Are you modeling behavior that is Christ-like?

This is a big challenge for me at times. I find myself saying things that I would be horrified if my children repeated. I find myself getting angry at the people in front of me in traffic, when I could just be calm and patient. I find myself yelling when I get frustrated. That's a big one. It took a lot of soul searching and praying to realize- that the reason why my children yell so much at me- is because I do a lot of yelling! I'm telling you- God has truly smacked me over the head in the last few weeks about my behavior in front of my children. I'm not a bad parent- there are just a lot of things that I need to work on. Such as- be more involved in my church. Stop talking the talk- and actually walking the walk. Staying calm- when under pressure. Praying more- in front of my children. Reading my Bible more. Saying kinder words to people. Giving back more to my community. My children are going to do what I do- not as I say (well sometimes, they'll pick that up too!) and I want them to be productive, God fearing/loving members of society- but first I need to be that person.

Just like my Daddy- God the Father- so that I can be proud when my children say- Just like my Mommy.




Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Set Apart

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

God spoke these words to Jeremiah when he was but only a child. He gave Jeremiah the words to speak and showed Jeremiah the people to talk to. God appointed Jeremiah. God knew Jeremiah before he was even born. HOW AMAZING! How amazing that God knew us before we were even born. Before we were even formed. He knew us in and out. The number of hairs on our head. The color of our eyes. The color of our skin- and most importantly- our heart. He wanted us before we had even thought of needing Him. That's amazing to me- that He wants me, and that He's wanted me forever.

God has set us apart, just like He did Jeremiah. He has a great plan for each and every one of us. A story line. A path for us to walk. How amazing. That He cares so much for us, that He has a plan. We should live every day in just that way. Set apart. Walking, talking and living like He wants us to. We should be the one that is set apart- the one that gives when others don't want to. The one that stands when everyone else is sitting. The one that He has made us to be. Just open your heart, your eyesm your ears and your mind (and close your lips) and hear what God has to say to us. What plans He has set before us. Then buckle up and enjoy the ride- because you are His chosen one. Set apart.

Thank you Lord for setting us apart. For having a plan for each and every one of us. For forming us in your image, and wanting us as much as we need you. Thank you Lord for loving us even when we don't want to love you and being patient, much as a mother is with her child. Watch over us this week, and open our eyes, ears, and heart to hear and see You and Your plan. Amen.


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Uncommon

I can't take full credit for this topic of choice for the day. I actually read it on another blog that I found (http://www.incourage.me/) - but decided that it was a good topic and wanted to put my spin on it.

Too many times in life are we common. We don't want to create a problem so we keep our mouths shut. We don't want to be different, so we walk away. We don't want to be labeled, so we don't let our true selves shine. But you know what- I'm tired of living that way! I don't want to be common any longer. Let me be labeled. Let me be the loud mouth in the front row. Let me be that Christian woman. The one that doesn't do wild and crazy things. Let me be different. Let me be uncommon.

I'm not afaid of my faith I will tell anyone that I'm a proud Chrisitan and think that God is awesome. I'm not afraid to pray before meals in public. And I'm not afraid to tell people about my life with Him. I just pray that I can pass that strength in my faith to my children, especially Micah. As a girl she has an uphill battle to deal with in the first place. Society places a lot of stigmas and rules on little girls. She can't be- because she's a girl. She can't like- because she's a girl. She can't say- because she's a girl. But I refuse to have her live life in that way. She CAN, do anything. Anything in this world.

I pray that my daughter grows up to be a strong, faithful and passionate person. I pray that she remembers that she is beautiful- inside and out, no matter what anyone tells her. That, the only opinion in this world that matters is the opinion of God. And that as long as she delights Him, then that's all that matters. No one else matters when it comes to that. I pray that she decides to step out of the mold. Be smart. And don't be afraid to show it. Be daring. Be courageous. I pray that she keeps herself pure until the day that she is married, that no one pressures her to do otherwise. And above all of that, I pray that she follows Him as closely as she can, and not be afraid to share her love for Him with others.

Above all of that, I pray that I can guide her the best way I know how. I pray that I continue to be strong and a great example to her. I pray that the Lord continues to give me the wisdom to be a great mother and role model- and down the road- her friend.  I pray that I'm not afraid to show Micah that it's okay to be uncommon. And that she chooses to be too.


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly