Simplify

Another long day! But what day isn't long with a newborn? I'm on the verge of overdoing things again. I need to continue to fight this nature of mine to overwork! An overworked mom isn't good for anyone. Not my husband, my children my community or myself. Easier said than done! I sometimes feel like I just run in circles, cleaning the same messes, making the same mistakes, getting upset about the same things, ect...

 The word that keeps coming to mind is peace. My word of the year. Just simply: peace. Even the word "simple" stands out in my mind. The words "simple" and "peace" are two words that I continue to wrestle with. Living simple and creating a home atmosphere where peace abides sounds like such a deceivingly simple, easy thing.  But it's the opposite! Learning to find repose and rest in a world that screams more and that stays on 24/7 tales so much self control. Self control and planning. 

I could go on and on about this subject, but I think the two biggest things I will focus on is:

#1. Make time to be alone with God and hear His voice!

I'm in the weird, sleepless stage of surviving the newborn weeks while still taking care of my other young children. So I don't think necessarily God expects me to stay up in the mornings to read my bible and journal. ( Gotta catch that sleep when I where I can!) But being mindful of my time is a big deal. So these days although I may not being spending much time reading and studying the word, I can open my bible for a few minutes or simply find a much loved verse and copy it out and let my heart dwell on that; compared to tuning out totally and scrolling through facebook for the 15th time.

#2. Continue to Minimize.

I have been working towards the path of minimalism for years. Although I have come a long way from where I was, I still have much more to learn! 

There are no shortcuts to leading a life of less. Anyone can clean their house or get rid of things, but to truly minimize, truly be happy with less, takes time. Less clutter, less tv, less stress, less stuff. letting go. So far, I have realized the less we own and the less we choose to overburden ourselves with, the more we enjoy. I want to make more time to enjoy life, and less cleaning it! 

So there it is, my two things. Looking to the Lord and seeking His face and keep our home life simple and stress free. 

Elijah Daniel Isaacs

Introducing:

 Elijah Daniel Isaacs 

We welcomed our 4th blessing and sweetest new little babe Friday, April 14th 2017. He came into this world 10 days early and with eyes opened wide. His was my most beautiful and shortest labor.

I really am truly at a lack for words of how much I am reveling in this little one. He is the perfect addition to our family and we are all smitten with him! In my heart I know God has big plans for him and I just feel such a joy holding him. He is so precious and perfect!

I could go on and on, but instead let me just share some of my favorite photos....

Children are a gift from the Lord...

Psalm 127:3

Welcome, 2017 ~

I have been wrestling a little bit with myself and the New Year. I'm a big goal and list person and pride myself on working hard. I have been itching for a new, big, year long goal to work towards over this coming year. Last year I felt God giving me the go ahead to start on the path to bigger financial goals ( not really seeing anything, but getting out of debt! ) and buying our first home. Both of which were big deals and took a lot of time and work! And this year so far has just felt... slow. And a little exhausting. 

During prayer and quite time I feel God asking me to spend more quite time with Him and becoming a better steward of my time in general. Not for any major "goal" per say. Just, investing in my children and worthwhile hobbies. It honestly makes me feel restless! But, after a few weeks of searching and clinging to my own ideas of goals, I have finally decided to jump wholeheartedly in the simple yet difficult task of simply slowing down and bringing more peace into our lives. That's my word this year: Peace.

Peace can mean so many different things. But for me, it means more time with God. Less TV. Less comparing myself with others and other people's view of me. More time playing with my children and less time watching tv or sending them off to play without me. Less internet and social media, more writing and reading. 

I want to do far less shopping and simplify our bills. Pay down debt and put money in savings. Nothing causes stress like financial stress, and I plan on being better at looking long term.

When I think of how much TV we watched this past year, it's embarrassing, even to me. We are doing better, but I still would love to see the TV on less and see what else we can fill our time with. I want to work on nature studies and notebook journaling. I want to fill our time learning crafts and hobbies and exposing the kids to all sorts of arts and letting them discover what they're passionate about. Investing more time cultivating friendships and a sense of community and showing Christlike love to others is also something I want our family to be passionate about!  

So here's to a year brimming with joy and peace ~

Also, only about 14 more weeks until baby#4 is here!!!! Eeek!!!

Runaway

Sometimes running away isn't a bad thing. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself these past few days. Running away has been exactly what I have wanted for the kids and I. An escape.

Our days have been going pretty smooth now that we are getting into the groove of our new routines and our new home. But mini meltdowns have still been prevalent. Nothing major that would ruin your day per say. Just the many, mini tiny issues that pop up seemingly every 15 minutes. I am fine and can handle most issues, but after issue #548 and crying meltdown #3 I have to run into my room, shut the door and ask for God's good grace to come upon me quickly.

I know these are the type of things every single mom on the face of the earth faces. But somehow that fact does little to console me. God reminds me that He is working in and growing me just as much as He is my children through these years. But wow. Some days are exhausting! Not hard, per say. Just exhausting. I know the recipe:

Pray. Love on my children. Read. Fights happen. Discipline according to the crime. Set boundaries. Stick to my guns. Repeat.

This is literally all my life some days. Like, all 12 hours. It's not hard. Just beyond exhausting.

So, that's how life was this morning. As I was in the bathroom pretending to pee for the 40th time that morning praying, I decided we needed to go! (Not to the bathroom) But away, out of the house! there are still 110* temps out there, so we went to one of our favorite places in the whole world.... the Library! The Clute library is one of our favorite getaways. Something for mom and the kids!

So, we went and spent a whole solid hour there! I tribute Bat Boy lasting that long to my oils. Seriously, really. These oils are truly a blessing and have changed my life. A drop of doTERRA's grounding blend (One of my favs!) and a drop of lavender oil to his forehead and wrists and he lasted quietly for an hour! ( If you buy one thing for "yourself" this year, buy these two oils. They are magic. And if you use my link, I get a commission ;) doterra oils Meg Isaacs )

After that, we went to Mc Donald's so the kids could run off some steam and I slowly sip coffee. It was amazing.

After that, the kids suggested we try the "new library" which is in Freeport. We fell in love, again! Oh I love good libraries! Freeport is a small Texas town, but their library was perfect! An adorable children's area with a pirate ship that the kids could play on and find a reading nook to read in. Lots of computers, a good selection of books and chairs positioned just right for moms ( or dads!) to be able to read and do their own thing while still supervising the children's area.
It wasn't by any means large, but the selection was good and the area open and inviting. We used doTERRA's grounding blend and lavender and this time stayed 90 minutes. 90 minutes!

Bliss!

After we finally left, Daisy girl brought up how sad she was that she didn't get a cake on her birthday a few months back. Her birthday happened to fall on closing day on the house. While my parents were here from Wisconsin. She got some amazing gifts, it was crazy. There was no cake. So in some last minute change of plans, we bought a birthday cake at the store on the way home. :)

So tonight we set at a Elsa and frozen themed dinner table and sang happy birthday together and ate cake after dinner. It was divine! Daisy girl's heart was filled with joy and all was good. Then Bat Boy and Wonder Girl and all of them melted down again. But you know what? That's ok. Today was good. We all got a break. We all had fun. No tvs, no computers no friends. Just us and lots of books and story telling. Everyone's love cups were filled and it helped us get through the last evening slump and tonight, when I go to bed. I won't be pouring out my heart to God begging for the strength to help me make it at this mothering thing. I'm going to hold onto all the joyful moments of today and savor their smiles and thank God that I get to do this.

So if you are at your wits end and parenting feel exhausting and you feel like you're going to lose your cool. Say a prayer and run away. With your kids! Be it the backyard or the library or just get lost in a book. Taking a break from the days helps reset everyone.

Stay joyful friends!