God’s gentle reminders

Date: May 30, 2013

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Bible Study, Children, Faith, Faith, Family, Into the Word Wednesday, Jesus, Life, Link-ups, Parenting

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The other night I got a phone call asking if I could come into work that night instead of the next. Oh, and a few hours earlier than usual. I didn’t exactly want to but I know that I’m called to do what I’m doing.

The baby has been teething and mom was sick. She is down for the count with the flu.

So I went in two hours earlier than I’d planned on a day I wasn’t exactly prepared. I usually try to get a nap on days when I’ll be up sporadically during the night.

This didn’t happen. I was already tired just getting ready. I was leaving pretty much right after the kids went to bed. Instead of having a leisurely bedtime routine we were a bit rushed.

As I was saying good night and tucking in sheets, my little one looked at me with the biggest and brightest eyes asking to pray. Actually he grabbed my hand and said ‘Pray now, mommy’ while flashing me that smile that makes me absolutely melt. You know the one. Your kids probably have one too. It’s the smile that makes you want to give them whatever they want in that moment.

My heart may have melted right out of my chest.

In my hubbub of running around unprepared for the night ahead, I’d bypassed one of the most important parts of our bedtime routine. I didn’t mean to do so.

I was helping someone else out in a time of need and working toward still fulfilling my obligations for my family before I left.

As I prayed in that moment with my little guy, I felt a wave of peace wash over me. I had debated whether or not I should stop my life and my plans to help out. It was as if I was being told I was making the right decision to stop my life to help out in a time of need but…

Even in our hastiness to get the kids to bed, finish a project, or other household projects, He is taking care of us. He is keeping watch over us. He provides gentle reminders that we still need him.

Tonight, it just happened to be in the form of a three year old so happy about talking to God that he reminds me of just how important it really is. He can remind us in unexpected ways and in unexpected places. I absolutely love that about Him!!

I’ve stopped striving for perfection. Just as I am here to remind and teach my kids, He is there to remind us. I think God and I have a pretty good thing going right now. I’m okay with God’s gentle reminders as long as they keep coming in the form of a sweet little baby face with a growing love of prayer!

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Dreams, Fears, & Leading by Example

Date: April 14, 2013

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Children, Dreams, Exceptional, Faith, Faith, Family, Fear, Life, Parenting, Purpose, Spouse, Uncategorized

Comments: 3 Replies

So, it’s official!

For a while now I’ve been taking notes, slowly working on the outline for a book.

Well, a few nights ago it felt right to start the actual writing process. Instead of snippets of ideas, there were actual words, sentences, and paragraphs full of the thoughts that have been taking root for the past few years.

It took less than an hour to have several pages written in several different chapters.

I’ve waited. Why? I’m not of all of the reasons but I’m positive fear was a huge part of it. Perhaps now the time is right. Perhaps all that is inside is just finding its way out.

I tell you straight out that I do not know what will come of it. Maybe something, maybe nothing. For now, I plan to write and see what happens.

Let’s talk friend to friend for a minute.

Have you ever felt as though you may start something and not finish it? Or not be good enough? Or not have the time to commit to it? So nervous and afraid of these things that you don’t share any of the ideas you have swimming around in your head.

Me too.

It can be difficult to come out and share your dreams with others. Your fears, too, for that matter.

I was inspired to come out about one of my biggest dreams. Inspired by this post from a dear friend. Monica came right out and said something purely amazing. She said this, ‘but you know what the consequence is for pursuing dreams so fearfully and quietly? We lose dreamers.’

After sitting down and starting the real bones of an actual book, I thought about not telling a single soul. I thought about working on it quietly and if anything came of it, I’d share.

Then I realized this would be the exact wrong thing to do. You see, we have two of the most amazing children in the entire world. What kind of example am I setting by not even trying? What kind of conversations will we have 30-40 years from now when I’m filled with regret over the things I didn’t pursue?

I know I’m not the only parent that truly believe their children will grow up and accomplish great things. Just a few weeks ago I had yet another conversation with a very precocious little guy about trying something new. I remember telling him that it’s okay if he’s not good at something as long as he gives it his all. His all includes asking for help, practicing, and above all else, actually trying.

So, here I am, living out loud starting now.

I’m not going to simply have these conversations while they are growing up. I’m going to show them that it’s okay to try, to succeed, or to fail. I’m going to show them all of this through leading by example.

Are you with me?

What is your dream? To grow a generation full of dreamers, it’s going to start with us! <— tweet

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After {5 Minute Friday}

Date: April 5, 2013

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: After, Attitude, Children, Family, Five Minute Friday, Life, Link-ups, Love, Parenting, Purpose, Uncategorized

Comments: 6 Replies

What will be left?

When all is said and done, what will we leave behind? Will it be works of great inspiration? Will it be an advancement in science to cure cancer? Could it be a legacy of epic proportions?

It could be any of these things when our time on this earth is over.

Just as important as any of that, as a mom of little ones, I’m working on leaving lasting memories. Right now one of the main callings is to care for my sweet children in the best way I can.

It’s our job as parents to be here, be present, be available. To make them a priority. To instill values in them for when that time comes that they are no longer under our roof.

During the arguments, attitudes, and tears it can be really tough to be a parent. For a split second we can be tired, fed up, or annoyed. It is during these times we must to remember that this is part of parenting too.

Let’s be honest here, parenting is hard. There is almost nothing easy about it. <— Tweet

I’m trying to remember that all of it is important. Because it will shape who they are long after we’re gone. The memories they’ll have, the lessons we’ve taught them, and the lasting legacy we leave with them will guide them through the rest of their lives.

Because I don’t know when the after will come, I’m constantly working on this.

Making it a habit. A ritual. Our life.

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Have something to say about After {5 Minute Friday}? Here’s how it works.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt “After” with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog’s footer}.

3. Go and tell the person who linked up before you what their words meant to you. Every writer longs to feel heard.

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Parenting His Way {Matrimonial Monday}

Date: March 17, 2013

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Children, Faith, Faith, Family, Life, Link-ups, Marriage, Matrimonial Monday, Parenting, Spouse, Uncategorized

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{I’m doing my best to recreate this post…it got lost in the great blog meltdown of 2013.}

During the course of our crazy year and a half here, we’ve learned a lot.

I’ve learned that my kids are more okay with me working outside the house part time than I am. I’ve learned that this experience was wonderful for my husband (who I already thought was amazing and is even more amazing now).

Over the course of the past year and a half we’ve sort of been in transition. I’ve been working more to keep us afloat while hubs is in school. He’s been back in school and the go-to parent more often than before.

I must say this. If the roles have never been reversed in your household, it’s worth doing it at least once. I don’t mean just a weekend either. He has learned how to schedule working at home, schooling at home, and caring for two little ones all in a day (yes along with dishes, lunches, laundry, etc).

For a while it was just the working from home and schooling at home. Then he started adding in popping in a load of laundry or doing the dishes. Then he added in the vacuuming, organizing, baths, etc.

I’ll be honest. I thought it would be a disaster for much longer than it was. I knew eventually he’d get the hang of it but it happened a lot faster than I imagined.

Why? Well, simply because he was in the hot seat. It was him or no one. I was working virtually all the time and sleeping in between (since one job is nights with a newborn).

I learned that I can trust that things will get done whether it’s my way or his way. I learned the the kids no longer look only to me when they need something. This is how it was before simply because I was the parent that was present during their day so it carried over into the evenings and weekends.

The moral of our story is to trust. In the beginning, I had fears of messy kids, a disaster-zone of a house, and a stressed out husband. Of course this is how it was in the beginning but it isn’t like that any longer.

The best part for me is that he loves it. I didn’t think he would. I’ve heard so many people say they just don’t think they could do the stay-at-home mom thing, or the schooling at home thing, or even the working from home thing. He’s loving it and frankly, doesn’t want to have to go back to the grind when school is complete.

Maybe he won’t have to. We don’t know. The good part is our boys seeing that dad isn’t just a night/weekend thing but a full time job if needed. I’m proud of my husband for showing them this. I’m proud of both of us for doing whatever it takes to make this season of our life work.

Ladies, if you have a husband that really steps it up in your marriage and with the kids, we want to hear about it!!

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Afraid {5 Minute Friday}

Date: February 1, 2013

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Uncategorized

Comments: 2 Replies

It had already been a rough road making it to that particular day.

It’s the only time in my life I was paralyzed by fear.

It’s the only time it ever crossed my mind. The thought that I might be leaving them. The thought that I might just not make it through.

I was afraid. I was terrified.

There had already been two natural miscarriages and a vanishing twin. There had already been three separate trips to the hospital with massive amounts of bleeding. Once at 29 weeks, once at 31 weeks, and once at 34 weeks.

I was so anxious about what was going on with my body. I was nervous that at any moment it would turn into another devastation. There were no answers.

There were thoughts that I might not make it through the pregnancy.

There were also concerns that the baby might not make it.

Finally, at 39 weeks, we headed in for the scheduled c-section.

He was finally here. Safe and sound. My sweet baby boy. The second child to call me mommy.

I’ll never forget that sound.

The beautiful cry of the baby I’d prayed over for 273 long days.

Then I was no longer afraid.

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Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}

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