31 Days | Day 21 : Psalm 127 :3-4

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

It's almost time. 

30 hours from now I will be on my way to the hospital.

To have another baby.  

I feel like I have been pregnant for years.  Maybe that's why they tell you to wait longer in between pregnancies? 

But the day will be here and gone before I know it.  Before I know it I will be holding another precious newborn and forget all about how uncomfortable I am.  

Then we will have to relearn life...life with 2 kids.  

I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.  I know we will find our new normal...eventually.

We've spent the last few days in super baby prep mode and one of the things that I've decided is that it's going to be in everyone's best interest if I don't attempt to write the last 10 days of this series.  I'll keep blogging, but I am not going to put that pressure on myself to write every single day for the first 10 days of this little girl's life.  Anyone who has birthed a child know's a newborn mama's brain is not is top condition those first few days.

I won't put you through the pain of having to read whatever my sleep deprived, medicated brain could possibly come up with.

So, this will be my last post of the series.  

We will just rename this to "21 days" , it works... :)

...Stay tuned for a baby announcement very soon!

31 Days | Day 20 : Practical Task 3

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

Create.

I'm really tired.  I totally forgot to blog today. 

This is one of those days that I wanted to just go to bed and say forget it.  

And I probably should have...because this has the potential to make no sense :)

So, I'll keep it simple.  

Your practical task today is art.  

Create something.

Do an art project with your toddler.

Get out the chalk, crayons, or even the paint.

...and Let them get messy :)

It allows them to express their freedom in such a fun way.  It's so natural to just create.  We were made to be creative beings.  And kids are great examples of just letting go and creating without judgement.  Kids don't worry if you will like it or not, they just know that you will.  

So, next time you are having a rough day, pull up Pinterest on your iPhone and find a fun little art project.  It may make a mess but it will be worth it to see the joy on your kids face.  (and if you aren't in the mood for a mess, a couple crayons or stickers can go a long way, too :)

{ Ellis' first time coloring in a coloring book October 20, 2013 }

31 Days | Day 19 : 1 Corinthians 10:31

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

Working or not working...this post is not about that.  Moms do what is best for their kids.  done and done.  I mean it.  I am not getting into it :)  

But what I do want to talk about is doing something outside of taking care of your kids.  

There is definitely something to be said for having an activity that fuels you and refills your tank to be able to get up the next morning and do it all again.  Just as the work week is only 5 days long and Sunday is a day of rest, we were created to take a break.  No one can go all the time doing the same thing.  

We just weren't created that way.  

So, mamas...do something.

Do something fun...!

For some mamas that is a girls' group, bible study, or just reading a good book.  

For others it's having a set workout routine, coffee date all by yourself, or a part time job.

For me, it's my online business and this blog.  It gives me a chance to check out, drink a cup of coffee, and write.  Or to sit down after Ellis has gone to bed at my sewing machine and create something.  It gives me a chance to relax and take my brain off of the chaos of the day.  And furthermore, I love the ability to give (even a very little :) bit of support to the family through my shop.  

Find your something.  Something that brings you joy, and allow yourself a little break from hands-on motherhood.  

You will feel better and your kids will like you better :)  I promise.

31 Days | Day 18 : 1 Thessalonians 5:11

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

One simple way that we can hear God above the noise in our homes is to take the focus off of ourselves and focus on others.

Encourage others.

Do something today (or tomorrow since I am posting this so late :) to lift another mom up.  Take them a coffee, send an encouraging text, or give them a call letting them know you appreciate them.  Little random acts of kindness can make a world of difference for a tired mom's soul.

I'm going to give a little shout out to a few online blogging friends who I look up to for mama advice.  You ladies encourage me as well as many other mamas out there.  These are also all ladies who have been chugging along side me with their 31day series as well :) Thanks for sharing your stories. 

Go check out these lovely ladies :)

Kara-Kae @ The mom diggity

Jessi @ Naptime Diaries

Christa @ Ora Dale Speaks

Bobbi @ Bobbi Blogs

Julie @ Green Eggs & Hammes

Melody Joy @ Dance Parties in the Rain


This is just a few of soooo very many!  

31 Days | Day 17 : Psalm 126:2

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

This morning was one of those days that was hard to get going.  I was able to get up, walk down the stairs and plop myself back on the couch.  Bryan is such a great help in the mornings, getting up with Ellis, changing him and getting him his morning milk. 

I am so thankful for that.  

(side note:  for anyone new here, I am almost 39 weeks pregnant.  I promise I'm not always this tired.  I am serious when I say I think I will sleep deeper, longer, and more peacefully with a newborn than I do right now...and believe you-me, I know what a newborn brings.  So, please look past my complaints of being so tired.  But really, I write from where I am and hope that I can meet a few of you here.  I know there are a few mamas reading along that are oh so pregnant like me.  So...holla.)

Back to this morning...

We watched a little Thomas, we read tons and tons of books, and we watching a little more Thomas while I closed my eyes on the couch, just for a few minutes.

Then I was awoken to the all too familiar "thump, thump, thump, thump, thump" and I open my eyes to see exactly what I already knew I would see: Ellis dancing on the coffee table.  

Seriously...this kid loves to dance on the coffee table. 

At this point he knows he has been caught.  He knows that he is not supposed to be up there...and he freezes.  As if it's innate in his tiny-boy mind to think that if he stops I won't know what he was just doing...that he can somehow pretend that it didn't just happen.  

I sit up and look at him with my best you-know-that's-not-a-good-choice look.  After about 3 seconds of continuing to freeze, he lets out the biggest joy filled, arms high in the air squeal and just starts dancing like there's no tomorrow.  He says "dance, dance, dance, dance" and stomps his little feet faster than I've ever seen him move. 

And in that moment.  Instead of getting mad.  Instead of keeping my serious look and following through with consistent discipline...

I just laugh. 

...and laugh,

...and laugh.  

We laughed together.  

I held his hands and danced right along with him. 

(no worries, I stayed on the ground people...)

It was exactly what I needed to get out of my morning funk. 

and as we laughed in such a moment of pure toddler-dancing-on-the-table-joy, I couldn't help but think of the truth of this verse in Psalm 126:2...

"the Lord really has done great things..."

31 Days | Day 16 : 1 Samuel 16:7b // + a few fun shop events!!

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

We have been watching a lot of VeggieTales around here lately.  Ellis loves them and it's somewhat of a break from all of the Thomas the train that was starting to haunt my dreams.  He's always loved the music, but recently he's started really stopping and watching the characters and following the story (as much as his little, growing brain can comprehend).  It's so crazy and fun to see him laugh at the silly parts...whether he really knows why he is laughing or not is beside the point :)

More so, I just love knowing that he's learning some great bibles stories and lessons from such a young age.  And the newer ones, are hilarious...even for us parents! 

Usually while he's watching, I use the time to get something done around the house.  After picking up, wiping down the incredibly gross toddler-sticky surfaces in our living room, vacuuming, picking up more spilled cheerios, and folding a load of laundry, I felt exhausted.  My aching, full-of-baby body just can't do much more than that, as little of a task as it seems.  So I sat down on the couch and tried to get my son to snuggle with me for just a few minutes.  Of course he wanted nothing to do with me and my non-existant lap, so down he went.  

As Ellis was dancing along to the "bible verse" song at the end of the show, I was wallowing in my exhaustion wondering (again for the 100th time in the last few days), "how in the world am I going to keep this house clean and keep up with life when I have 2 kids, I can barely do it now...how do other moms do it with 3, 4, 5 kids??? etc..."  

Just then, Larry the Cucumber answered...(not really, I know the TV doesn't speak to me...I'm not that exhausted)

"The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The Lord looks at the heart...

God knows how tired I am.  He knows I'm not lazy.  (most days... :) He sees my heart.  He doesn't judge us based on the condition of our home.  He doesn't care if we wear our sweats all day long if that's the best we can do.  He cares about the condition of my heart.

He cares that we are looking to Him for satisfaction in our parenting, not to other moms who seemingly can do it all.  I don't know how those other moms really feel.  They could be just as tired as me, if not more.  They could feel even more of a mess.  For all I know those same moms are looking at me wondering how I do it all, when I clearly don't. 

I need to remember that God does see my heart.

He knows my good intentions.

He feels how tired I am.

And He wants us moms, ultimately, to find our satisfaction in Him.

Thank you VeggieTales for teaching Ellis and me something today...and for giving me a few moments of rest.  

---------------------------------------------------------------

A couple quick things happening today that you don't want to miss out on!!!

1.  ThriveMoms giveaway today!

Do you follow @Thrive_moms on Instagram?  You'll want to go ahead and do that right away if you don't!  They are doing a giveaway today featuring my Shop!  They are giving away a BeautifullyEsoteric scripture print!!  All you have to do to enter is tag #thrivemoms with your "Show us your fall" photo!

One lucky mama will be receiving this {my favorite} scripture print from the BE shop!

{and if you don't win, you can always purchase the print in my shop 

with code: THRIVE10 for 10% off your order}

2. Oh Sweet Joy's 2013 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide is open to applicants!!

This is awesome for many reasons!  I just love Kim's heart behind supporting online handmade businesses.  (...And she's a pretty awesome lady herself!)  

If you have a handmade shop, apply now!!  She is offering so much for such a great price...it will be more than worth your investment!!  What better way to get your shop name out there in front of so many people for the holiday shopping season?  There are limited spots, so don't wait :)

{And...just a little side note...Kim asked me to collaborate with her on this year's gift guide logo design and I couldn't have been more honored!!  So, all of the graphics you see for the gift guide this year were designed by yours truly...with Kim's creative genius in mind of course :) }

3.  Custom graphic and blog design options coming soon to the Beautifully Esoteric shop.

// I'm going to leave you hanging on this one for now...but bloggers/shop owners looking for creative, unique custom logo & design work... keep your eyes peeled.  

31 Days | Day 15: Community continued + baby news!

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

I ran across a great blog post today over at Thrivemoms.  It came perfectly after my post yesterday.  And I think community and fellowship is so important that I'm going to spend another day on it.

So, today I will simply leave you with a link...and a request:

If you are a mom, go check out this ministry and sign up for their newsletter.  
It will bless your tired mama spirit and keep your heart focused on what matters.



And if that's not enough, how about some baby news? :)

This little gal has decided to come into the world as stubborn as her big brother.  She is still breech at 38.5 weeks (only 2-3% of all babies are breech at this point), so unless she changes her mind in the the next 7 days, we will meet her via c-section next wednesday morning!!  Yikes.  Prayers welcome and I'll be doing my best to keep up with these blog posts...

31 Days | Day 14 : Acts 2:42

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

Fellowship is one of my favorite words.  

We weren't created to do this life alone. 

I think one of the hardest things for me when I became a mom was giving up our freedom.  I wanted things to be as they were before.  I wanted to go out with our friends and not have to leave right after dinner.   I wanted to go to every potluck and every girls night.  Oh and don't get me started on the Starbucks outings and lunch dates I had to pass on.  Just being real...

(as a side note, I don't think it does other moms any justice when we paint the picture of being perfect and loving every single moment of being a mom.  :) So, I choose to be honest.  There were days where I didn't want to change another diaper, I wanted to just leave and hang out with my friends.  And that doesn't make me a bad mom...or you either!)

I found a new joy, a love for my new "normal"...but it took a while.  It took time for me to realize that staying at home wasn't a burden, but rather a stage in life that we were in and what I was actually missing out on was enjoying my son by always thinking about the outings I was missing.

If you know me at all, you know I strive for, but constantly struggle with finding balance in all areas of my life.  I tend to be all in or all out.  I tend to be fully confident or completely insecure.  I know that there is a need for finding and staying near that line of what is healthy, but straddling the fence is not something I'm good at maintaining.  

I'm really good at identifying the line, but rarely seem to find it.  On my own.

So, I started staying home everyday.  Bryan had evening meetings and it was just easier for me to stay in my sweats and eat dinner with Ellis rather than pack him up, makes plans, and head out to dinner with a friend.  Morning coffee on the couch while Ellis watched Thomas was easier than morning park dates.  Doing laundry and planning dinner would occupy my day and be my excuse for not going out on playdates or running the errands that were screaming my name.  

I completely fell to the other extreme.  

Once again, in my life, I'm learning that finding a balance is always healthier.  There's a fellowship balance.  We need to break bread with others and do life together, but not at the expense of the wellbeing of our children.  While, on the flip side, we need to take time to get out and not use taking care of our children as an excuse not to find true fellowship.

Fellowship was created to be a beautiful thing.  Living out true life, together, is what we were made to do.  It's not about proving ourselves to others, but rather reaching out and helping each other.  

Living in the mess with other moms.  

Letting our kids entertain each other rather than trying to do it all ourselves.  

Allowing your friends to sit while you pick up a few toys for them.

(...because somehow it doesn't feel like a chore at someone else's house...?  How is that?!)

So find some fellowship this week.  Some true fellowship.  Allow yourself to sit and be loved on, while at the same time reaching out to help someone else who needs it.  Plan that park date, and actually go.  Have lunch with another mom.  If you have a little extra energy, take someone else's kids so that they can take a nap :)  Get 2 lattes instead of one and find someone to drink it with.  

Fellowship was created by God and glorifies Him.  Don't try and do it all alone.    

31 Days | Day 13: Practical Task 2

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

A great, easy way to experience God in your daily life with toddlers is to get outside! 

We try and get outside at least once a day to let Ellis run.  There's just something about little kids and nature.  Something that sets them free and gives them a joyful spirit.  

The best part is that there is no prep needed.  (besides shoes... sometimes...) We just explore.  Explore creation.  Ellis walks through the gardens, plays in the dirt, and asks, "What's that?" about 342 times. 

We were created by the same God that created the earth and everything in it.  Luke 19:40 tells us that the rocks will cry out even if we don't.  Creation screams His name.  

Sometimes, getting outside seems like a stretch for me.  Dirt and I have never been friends...and don't get me started on bugs.  But my toddler has taught me that a little dirt is good for our souls.  At least for his... :)  So, I'm getting better at accepting and even encouraging a little dirt.

The next time that your toddler is throwing a fit or even just getting restless from all the routine, go ahead and take a few minutes to go outside.  It will do wonders for reenergizing your spirit, and as an added perk, it will wear out your kid!  

And what mom doesn't want that?

{Kickapoo Creek Park, Oct 11, 2013}

31 Days | Day 12 : Psalm 46:10

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

There's no fluff with this one.  There's no fancy story or long-winded explanation.  I'm going to let the scripture speak for itself.  Because yesterday was a very fun day, but today I'm tired...

...and in these moments I choose to be still and just rest.    

31 Days | Day 11 : Matthew 1:23

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

"Ellis..."

"Ellis..."

"Ellis!!"

"Ellis Hay!"

Sometimes I wonder if we teach kids that they really don't have to listen until we use their full name, after spouting their first name 3 times.  

I've resorted to just going straight to the "Ellis Hay" when I really need him to listen.  

Like when he's dancing on the coffee table.  Laughing at me as if to say, "I know this is wrong, but danger? I laugh in the face of danger..."  

Maybe I shouldn't have shown him Lion King already...

I digress...

But it's in these times that I am repeating his name over and over again that I stop and think back to where his name came from...

I was about 8 months pregnant and our firstborn still had no name.  We knew he was a boy, but we just had not settled on the name.  I, In all of my nesting, pregnant glory, was not okay with this.  There were so many unknowns about to hit us, that I was not going to be the lady at the hospital that couldn't leave because her kid had no name.  So, I called a family Starbucks meaning and declared that we weren't leaving without a name.  We knew we were looking for a certain style.  Something old and strong, yet still hip sounding.  Yep, I said hip.  We downloaded a book called "A is for Atticus" and we sat there with our coffees as Bryan literally started reading every name from the beginning.  

We got to the E's...and there it was.  The name I loved, but Bryan had turned down months ago.  I said nothing as he read it.  "Ellis...Quiet yet strong, classy but still cool."  He looked up at me with a smile.  

"Well, what do you think??"  

Every part of me wanted to scream, "are you kidding me?! Do you not remember this name and how silly you thought it was a few months ago...?!"

But I didn't.

I simply said, "I love it!"  

We googled the name to make sure there were no red flags associated with the name that we didn't know about.  And to our surprise, we found further definition of the name...

"The Lord is my God"  

Done deal.  and he was named.

To this day, Bryan will admit to maybe remembering that I brought the name up prior to that night, however, what he didn't have the first time hearing the name was a meaning.  The meaning gave the name life.  

The names that we speak into our children all carry a meaning.  Words have power and we need to be careful with which ones we choose to use.  

We call Ellis silly things from time to time.  "Dooders", "monkey man", and "boogers"; while they may embarrass him, will not harm him.  But a name like "weirdo" carries a little more weight and so we've decided it's not a good one to use around our house.  And we can all think of much worse names.  

But the name we really want to speak into our son is "The Lord is my God".  We want him to hear his name and know who is ultimately in control of his life.  We want the power of that name to really resonate in him.  

Just as Jesus himself was given a very powerful name.  

31 Days | Day 10 : 1 Corinthians 14:40

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

In the book of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is speaking to the early church about the order and organization of their gatherings.  There are a lot of thing in this chapter that are for a whole 'nother day...like speaking in tongues or women in church.  But hang with me.  If we can look past those hot topics for the sake of his concluding simple advice, I think we have a lot to learn.

The issues at hand were things that needed to be settled for the time being.  There were some early church goers and leaders that were focused on the wrong things.  Paul was laying out some simple guidelines as to try and bring the focus back on what mattered, worshipping God.

I think there's something very clear in this message that we as moms can really take to heart.  There will always be junk in our lives trying to distract us from keeping our eyes on the goal.  

And Paul tells us very simply how we can avoid the distractions...

Everything should be done in an orderly and fitting way.

But wait...didn't you just say yesterday that we didn't need to worry so much about keeping our house in order??

yes. I did.

This is less of an orderly house, and more of an orderly life.  Less clutter, more chaos.  

We can be a bit cluttered in our living room, but when our minds are cluttered is when things start falling apart. 

We don't have to have perfectly organized days.  But we need a bit of order and reason to why we do things.

If we live life completely on the fly, that's when distractions and mistakes take over.  

That's when you get to the checkout lane and realized you forgot your wallet and either have to go back and miss something else during the day or worse even, you decide not to go back to the store.  That's when you are running around trying to getting your house clean for company coming in 30 minutes because you sat around during nap time catching up on last night's shows.  

Or, for goodness sake, you're sitting around one night and it hits you that you will have a newborn baby in less than 2 weeks and you don't even have diapers for her let alone enough clothes or even a true dedicated space for her to sleep.  

"maybe we should have thought about this a little sooner..."

Little mishaps will happen.  Careless mistakes will always be a part of our lives.  Laugh them off and move on.  But you will find that the more you take the time to do a little planning ahead, the less these things will happen and the easier your days will run.  

And the less things distracting and bothering you throughout the day will leave your mind clear to focus on what really matters.  

31 Days | Day 9 : Luke 12:34

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

---------------------------

first things first, did you check out my clarification post update from yesterday? 

 If not, let's go there first...

---------------------------

"A clean house is the sign of a misspent life..." -- Jennifer Kornerman

I grew up with this little quote in a vintage-looking frame hanging in our laundry room (I think it was the laundry room...there goes that memory thing again).  

I always liked it.  I don't know why.  I just was drawn to it for some reason.  

What I love most about it looking back now, is that as a kid, I really don't remember the state of our house.  I don't remember if the beds were made each day.  I have no idea if we had toys everywhere or if my mom kept them picked up and put away.  I definitely don't have any idea if the floor was vacuumed on a regular basis.  

But I remember loving our home.  I remember cuddling up on the couch or chaise with one of our pups and a warm blanket. 

I remember the fires on the cold nights, and standing out by the grill with my dad on the summer nights. Sitting out on the back porch with my mom after dinner and sneaking notes back and forth to my sister when we were both supposed to be in timeout. 

I'm sure there are some of you moms out there that really don't struggle with keeping a tidy house.  I adore you.  I really do.  And if keeping the house in order is what gives you peace, by all means...

But if you are anything like me, cleaning on a regular basis is really not in your repertoire of things you do well.  

At all.

And I think we live in a society that tells us that is wrong.  That we don't have it all together as stay at home moms if we can't do all the things. 

I'm not advocating for a messy, dirty lifestyle.  But I am advocating a purposeful, priority driven lifestyle.  There's a difference between mess, dirt, and chaos.  (stay turned for tomorrow...)  So somedays, I choose mess over clean.

...because I want to be in the moment with my family. 

...because I want to take 20 minutes while he naps to do nothing so I can recharge for when he wakes.

...because I want to enjoy my home and make memories, not make to do lists that will just have to be re-made tomorrow.  

I want my treasure to be in Him and in making memories with my family, because in 20 years, they will have no idea how many dishes are currently piled in my sink.   

---------------------------

And, another picture, just because...

Our little monkey jumping on his bed...and our bare walls.  Maybe that should be my next project? 

You know, after having a baby...

Day 8 : A little clarification...

hello friends...

after a few texts and phone calls I've decided that there was clearly a disconnect between what I meant to write for today's post and what was actually communicated. 

Let's clear something up...everything is fine around here. :)  

Actually, everything is great.  

At the current moment, Ellis is sleeping, I mustered the energy to clean the living room, Bryan is tackling the kitchen, and we are both looking forward to lounging on the couch for the rest of the night.  

In my earlier post, I only meant to input some hypothetical situations as to try and reach people where they are at, whatever they may going through.  It seems as though those situations came across as personal struggles.  I personally am not having to tell my son something difficult.  I personally am not overwhelmed at the end of every day.  

When I said this post was a "struggle for me", all I intended for that to mean was that what I was about to write doesn't come easy to me.  I feared that all of my posts were coming across as if I had it all together.  As if the advice I was giving to other moms was easy stuff for me to do in my own life.  

I wanted to be clear that asking for help (in any general situation) is not easy for me.  I was merely trying to reinforce my human nature is the same as everyone else's...not that there was something wrong that I was having trouble asking for help with.  

Unfortunately, that's not how my words came across.  

So, in conclusion...

I am not perfect.

I struggle to ask for help.

however...there is no current dire need for help in my life. :)

I do truly appreciate everyone's concern.

... and I promise to try and make my posts a little more on the happy side as to avoid any confusion in the future.

10-4?

And, because no post is complete without a picture...how's this for happy?

And if anyone is still convinced that there is something wrong, you are more than welcome to bring me a Starbucks hazelnut macchiato to make me feel better.  

31 Days | Day 8: Proverbs 2:2-3

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

Today's post is a struggle for me. 

I'm writing today's post for me. 

"...ask for understanding."

One of the easiest ways to gain wisdom, is to ask for it.  

We can discuss all the different ways to rest, to be slow to speak, to speak purposefully into our kids lives, all in a great effort to do the right thing all day long.  

But what about the time that you don't know what to do?  What about the situations that leave you dumbfounded and unsure how to respond?  When you discipline over and over and nothing seems to change.  When you are hit with bad news that you somehow have to relay to your child.  When you just have nothing left at the end of a long day and doing the right thing just seems overwhelming. 

Just ask for understanding.

Ask for guidance.  

Ask for intervention. 

And let God give it to you.

This is a hard thing for me to do.  I try to rely on my own understanding and not give up control.  

What I find most often, is that I end up losing control because I refuse to give it up.  

31 Days | Day 7: James 1:19

{A little note if you are new here...I am joining up with The Nester  for a 31 Day blogging series.  

To start back at the beginning or find previous days, click here}

I'm not going to say I haven't ever raised my voice at Ellis.  oh how I wish I could. 

But thankfully I can say the times have been few and far between.  And I've made a choice to try and keep it that way.

Ellis doesn't need to hear me yell because I don't want him motivated by an unhealthy fear.  I want him motivated by love and even authority, but not fear.  He needs to hear when he does something wrong, but not be afraid of the way I'm telling him. 

But anyone living with a toddler knows this is no easy feat.  It surely isn't with my toddler.  He is loud, climbs everything, and runs all day long.  I don't think he knows how to walk, just run.  Anyone who spends 5 minutes with the kid never fails to ask, "Is he always this active?"  

It's their nice way of asking, "Is your son really this crazy?  ...how do you survive?"  

So, when your kid is making poor choice after poor choice, how in the world do you keep your cool?  You have to be slow to speak.  

You have to make a choice before you get in the situation.  You have to know how you want to respond before you have something to respond to.  

Friends, let's make the choice to be slow to speak with our kids.  Make a conscious choice to just take a single deep breath and wait a few seconds before you respond to a frustrating moment.  Furthermore, you will see it change the way your kid reacts, and that's what makes it worth it.