Humble and Kind

If you are a country music fan then you have probably heard Tim McGraw's song "humble and kind". It is a powerful song that to me says a lot. In todays world it is not hard to find hate and judgement around every corner. Its like walking on egg shells. It seems like everything is offensive to someone.
With the new year approaching I felt convicted about finding a verse of the year. As I was listening to KLRC a verse was said and I knew that was my verse:

Ephesians 5:2

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

There is no greater love than Christ's love. He died for us....All of us. Not just the believers but everyone.

This verse fits into my life so perfectly. Love as Christ loved. Its very simple. Its not hard to do. It just means to love all. That includes people who believe differently than me. People who look and act differently. People who are living life just as myself. Just Love. Christ is love. It is not judgmental. It is beautiful and kind.  

Jesus showed love to the sick, poor, rich, powerful and hungry. He sought them out and loved them.

How can I be a light for Christ by judging someone and their situation. How can I be a light by turning my back and walking away. How can I be a light without love. I cant choose to just love the people who are just like me. I cant choose to love the people who are easy to love. I cant pick and choose as I please.  

My job is to plant a seed of love and pray for the growth of that seed. Every night I pray for my children. I pray that they are humble, kind and show love to all. I never want my children to turn their back on someone just because they have a different outlook then they do. I want them to show Christ's light to everyone they meet. I want them to serve the community with a servants heart. Every night this is my prayer. Being a parent is hard especially in todays world. A world that can consume and break a person so easily. A world where we put ourselves into boxes and divide ourselves over every belief. We separate ourselves by religion, political party, city/rural, female/male, educated/uneducated ect. If we try to be in more than one box then our other boxes get mad. Its ridiculous. We need to unite as one. Christ loves more than just the church going believer. He loves us ALL.

 

So go out and be a light. Love those who may not know that Christ loves them. Love those who have no one. Love those who seem to have it all. You never know what someone is going through so just love.

 

      

New year. New goals.

As a child I grew up spending most of my summer days wandering fields, creeks and woods. I would climb trees, cross water and was never afraid to go onto land I had not been on before. I would catch tadpoles by the one lane bridge and run from cows when I got to close to the babies. It was a time in my life that I was tanned from the sun, dirty from the fields and fearless. My Mom wouldn't know where I was and I would eventually go home tired and ready for the next adventure. I would know to be home by sunset because if I saw our big blue van looking for me I knew I would be in huge trouble. I would race back home on my bike that I left in the ditch by the creek. I would sometimes take my friends along with me. Morgan and I even caught a fish with just a string and hook. I would ride my bike for miles a day and never felt tired. These are memories that I cherish.

As I got older life changed. I traded my dirty tennis shoes for trendy shoes. I went from going on nature adventures to shopping sprees. I became aware that the snakes in the creek scared me. I started watching more reality TV. I went from spending hours outside to talking on the phone and spending my weekends at the movies. I started to worry about my hair and going out with friends. I grew up.

Don't get me wrong I have always loved hiking here and there and spending time outside but it stopped becoming a part of my routine and life. Once I had children I realized how quickly a year goes by. I feel like 2016 was gone before I really realized it was 2016. As I was reflecting on the year and what I wanted for 2017 I decided to set some life changing goals. One of which is to get back into nature and go on as many nature adventures as I can. I want to show Jax and Aria Gods creations and how to step into the woods with love and respect for the outdoors. I want to them to have memories like mine instead of memories of what they watched on a screen as a child. So on the second day of 2017 I wanted to step back into nature and open my eyes to what I have truly been missing. The sounds, the crunch of fallen leaves, the brisk fresh air and the beauty of it all. So I took my black lab Leo and hit the Mt Kessler trail for some reflecting. It felt great and a spark came back to life. I cant wait to share this goal with my family and I have big plans. I already have dreams of camping and the river with Justin, Jax, Aria and Leo.

I have a feeling 2017 is going to be the best one yet. Here a few snap shots I took this morning while on my hike. I encourage you all to step outside and really open your eyes to the beauty of the great outdoors. Even if its a small walk down the road. I encourage you to turn off your TV, sit your phone down and go outside.

Another goal for 2017 is to blog more and share our adventures along the way. I have many goals this year and cant wait to share them all! Happy new year ya'll!!

XOXO
Tiffany

So long 2016.

2016 was full of adventure. Here is my year in review.

                       I went to Vegas for the first time. It was all I thought it would be and more.

 My best and oldest best friend got married in one of the most beautiful weddings ever. It was a great day even through the rain.

 We went to Disney world as a huge Family. It was hot, exhausting but by far the most fun!! I cant wait to go back!

 We got to do some relaxing in Colorado with family. It was beautiful and relaxing. It was a much needed vacation!

 Justin and I got to go to Baltimore...just the two of us. I can not tell you how nice it was just to be adults all weekend. So fun exploring, eating and talking for hours.

It was a phenomenal year for me. I grew and I learned life lessons. I got to travel and explore with family and friends. I learned that no matter what life throws you stand up for what you believe and pray for truth. I have a strong feeling that 2017 is going to be a year of change and a year that will be even greater than 2016.  I cant wait to share it with ya'll!!

Cheers to the new year!!

Christmas joy

Each year Christmas becomes more special in my heart. Its a time that family gets together. I didn't think Christmas as an adult would be as exciting as it is for children until I became a Mom. Each year as the kids get older the more I love watching the joy that comes from them. As a Christian and a Mom my main job at Christmas is making the birth of Christ the focal point of Christmas. Its a hard task with how Christmas is marketed in stores, on TV and even the radio. It is marketed as an event of stuff and the want to the most gifts under the tree. This was the first year that Jax understood the idea of gifts and it was a struggle explaining to him that not having 100 gifts under the tree is ok.

Before we had children we discussed and agreed that each of our children would receive 3 gifts from us at Christmas. With a stocking of course and we made a deal with Santa that he would only leave 1 gift per child each year :) The reasoning is simple. 1. They truly don't need anything. But most importantly it allows us to explain Christ's birth and how he received 3 gifts on the day of this birth. If the son of God got 3 gifts then 3 gifts is more than enough. I will say this year was harder than normal to only get 3 gifts because I love to gift people and I mean kids toys are pretty fun.

I am reminded this morning though how glad I am that we set this rule so many years ago. Both of my children have opened every single box and toy and has played with it for 15 seconds before moving on to the  next toy. Its not their fault they just want to see what the next toy can do but it is a good example of our society today. The idea that one thing is never going to be as good as the next item. The idea that we need as much stuff as possible to be happy. When in reality its the people and family we are around that should make us feel the happiest. Its a constant struggle.

For example as I have gotten older my favorite part of the Holidays is playing games with family. Its a mixture of comedy and competition that is so much fun. Don't get me wrong I enjoy getting gifts but playing ultimate Frisbee on Christmas eve and cards against humanity on Christmas gave me so much joy. To me that is what Christs birth should be about. Family, friends and giving back to others.

So as we welcome 2017 my goal is to teach Jax and Aria the true meaning of being Christ's children and how to serve him to the fullest.

A tree full of love.

Growing up I loved decorating the tree for Christmas. I loved getting out the ornaments I had made the year before. I loved the fake apples that we put on it every year and how after the arguing that would occur (because that happened every year haha) I would look at our tree with such happiness in my heart. It was the start of Christmas and time with family.

My Mom had this glass tree with holes and I loved changing the colors on it. She would make fudge and peanut brittle that was a favorite among many. My dad loved the light up star for the top of the tree. Its the small things I remember and cherish even more to this day.

I may not have that glass Christmas tree or the light up star but they will forever be in my heart. Even though I miss my parents even more during the Holiday season I know those sweet memories are being passed down to the next generation.

Each year the few days after Thanksgiving I pull out our decorations and start the process of decorating. Jax and Aria loved putting the ornaments on the tree this year. Each one placed in the exact spot it doesn't belong...but each on hung with laughter. Each year the kids pick out an ornament to add to the collection of memories. We have baby ornaments for Justin and handmade one from Jax. We have glittery ones and even a power ranger one. We have a marine for support of Stephen and handmade ones from Grammie. It is a tree full of memories. I look on Pinterest and facebook and see all the beautiful, well organized, color coordinated trees and still love mine more. It is a tree that may be small and fake but it is a tree that my kids will remember.

We made hot chocolate and laughed. It was  perfect way to start the Christmas season.

                     She loved looking at all the ornaments and moving them at least 100 times!

                                                    Jax putting the finishing touches on.

And at last hot chocolate.

 

XOXO-Tiffany

My loves and fall leaves

I mean I guess I could be pretty partial but I think that these two are just the cutest. I love Jax's love for life and Arias spunky nature.

It took some bribery and a lot of crazy faces from me but I think they turned out pretty great.

 

 

 

XOXO-Tiffany

 

 

A bright spot in a dark world

When I turn on the news I mostly see darkness and heartache. I see a country and world that is broken. It makes my heart sad to know that this is what we live in today. But as I sit here on my blanket outside watching Jax play with a rock and a frog magnet he found in the dirt my heart smiles.

If you could look into his big blue eyes you would see the same thing I do. Joy, happiness and a love for life. He feels deeply even at 4 years old. His happiness is contagious. When he is mad you will know it and when he sad his tears cant be stopped.
Every night I pray that he grows to be kind to everyone and shows love. He truly is my bright spot in this dark world.

My hope for him is that as he grows he does not let this world tear him down like it has so many times. My hope is that he and others his age can be the change for their generation. My hope is that he always beats to his own drum and continues to have a servants heart. Even on the days he makes me want to pull my hair out I go to bed so full of love for the sweet boy who made me a Mom. My mini me in so many ways. Today and everyday he is My Handsome Jax.

This picture is the perfect example of his personality. While in Colorado we snuck away so I could take his picture by the water and he danced and laughed the whole time.