A Momma's Dress.

Yesterday we decided to go out for a nice lunch to PF Chang's & to walk around the mall before taking Jeremy to the field. One thing I have noticed everytime we go out to eat is that I never leave the restaurant in clean clothes, ever. Either I have spilt something on myself or Jace has kindly left something on my shirt. Well, today it was my dress. Not just a spot but a HUGE spot, lol!

Jace loves the fried rice w/chicken at PF Chang's probably just as much as we do. He is such a great kid! I feel so blessed to have a child that I can take to restaurants & not feel a huge bother to everyone else there, however, it is still much for work me. :) He is so independent already! He wants to use the spoon yet makes an obvious mess but doesn't like for me to "help" him. I guess its good his personality is more independent than dependent?? I like to think so. Anyway, because he is so independent he usually leaves a nice mess for the waiter/waitress to clean up. Yesterday, he left me a nice mess to clean up... on my dress! Jeremy & I just looked at each other & laughed.

As we were getting in the car Jeremy was talking to Jace about getting my dress dirty & turns to me to say, "Its a momma's dress". This made me smile. This is so true. When we went to the mall I didn't care I had PF Chang's all over my dress or that anyone else saw it. I had such a great lunch with my boys & thats all that really matters. Jace got to enjoy a big boy lunch with momma & daddy. Some may sweat the little things like having a huge stain on their dress but this momma is just glad she has a sweet little boy to put stains on her dress! I think it becomes natural not to care as much when you become a momma!

I am sure this won't be my last "momma's dress" & I am ok with that :) I just become good friends with the Spray & Wash at home! 

Influence.

Today I have been thinking about the influence we have on Jace. God has given us a precious gift & also given such a big responsibility. The responsibility I am talking about isn't to feed, clothe, bath, play, teach, & protect Jace...but HOW we feed, clothe, bath, play, & protect Jace. The little things each day make a huge impact on his tomorrow. 

Beth Moore says that women are the most influential because "when momma's having a bad day ain't nobody having a good day" lol... isn't that so true though? Our kids feed off of our personality. 

Here are 2 cute stories:

One of my past mentor's told me her son brought home her Mother's Day card last year & all the questions about her were answered about her helping others & her loving Jesus... this year they were about working out... She said she prays that she is more influential about Christ than working out but both are important. I thought to myself... If Jace could talk what would he say? What will he say in a few years?? What will he say about Jeremy? Do we focus more on health & fitness or Christ? 

This same friend of mine is on a trip to take her oldest son (mentioned above & I think 7 or 8 yr old) to Haiti to serve. I CANNOT wait to be able to take Jace on a mission trip that he will be able to remember!!!!!!

My older sister, Stephanie told me that each morning on the way to drop off her 5 yr old (at the time)daughter Anna to school they spend their time having "girl talk" & each day they pray together while driving in the car. Not too long ago this was their convo:

Anna- "Mom, did GG (grandma) pray with you this much?" Steph- "No, but I wish we would have. We do more so now." Anna- "I wish we wouldn't have to pray about everything all the time...(with a big sigh)"

She is so honest sometimes but this just shows the kind of impact they are making on her... a positive one even though she thinks its all the time now she will look back & remember how her parents influenced her.

I am anxious to see my son's point of view but a little nervous too... I pray daily we are influencing our son & future children the way God desires us to. I hope that when Jace makes a Mother's Day card he thinks of me & sees Jesus (working out is ok too but not #1). I hope we pray so much with him he questions why we do it so much so we can explain it to him. I pray when he goes to college & is learning to be on his own he remembers the things we have taught him about faith. I pray on his wedding day he takes his wife off to pray when they walk out of the church like his daddy did with me. I pray he influences his children the way he hope to have influenced him.

I know these things are many years from now but influencing him starts today.

Fun Cooking.

Daddy & Jace cooked momma her favorite meal for breakfast: 

Homemade Waffles!!

On Mother's Day we were apart but woke up to a "late but yummy" Mother's Day breakfast & card with my 2 favorite boys! :) Not sure who had more fun? Them or me?? lol!

Here are some pics I took during the fun! 

Jace screaming with excitement!

ROAR!!!!

Copying Daddy.

Well hello Jace!

Dad's turn!

My Mother's Day might not have been on the actual holiday, however, it was by far sweet & my favorite! Thanks boys! 

I am proud to be your wife & momma!

Some things never change.

Having a 14 month old son has really changed my role on gameday, for the most part. 

Instead of:

-sleeping in

-going to the gym & napping on my time

-getting ready slowy & getting "fixed" up

-dropping Jeremy off & reading in the truck until game time

-sitting on the edge of my seat in total focus while Jeremy is pitching

I am:

-waking up to a little boy saying "momma!" in the next room

-fixing breakfast

-GIVING baths

-laying down a handsome little boy for his nap

-packing snacks, juice, milk, tylenol(we are teething still), blankets, toys, & hats

-setting in the Target parking lot for 30 minutes letting my son finish his nap before we attempt a baseball game

-driving through Chick-fil-A for dinner

-change diaper, wipe snotty nose, throw away trash, double check for toys, put my "backpack" diaper bag on & walk w/Jace into stadium

-juggling Jace & his toys during games while trying to keep up with the game

-limiting my bathroom breaks to one per game

However, some things never change.

I still:

-pray all day for Jeremy's game

-am the proudest wife in the stands

-love going to the games

-enjoy our "new" gameday routine

-get a knot in my stomach before the game bc I am excited to watch Jeremy pitch

-want to jump up in joy when he strikes someone out but instead sit quietly with pure confidence in my husband & expect him to get the job done.

-send him an "I love you..way to go" text when he finishes

-& I still love my role on gameday.

My routine may have changed & maybe even my role a little... but I don't feel like Jace has taken away anything from the game... just added a little bit more joy to it :) I am enjoying gameday so far this year no matter what the scoreboard says... good or bad. We know God has a divine purpose for our family in those stands & on that baseball field. May all the Glory go to Him in all we do.... even on gameday.

Cheering for Daddy!

Jace's new hat

Momma & Jace

Keeping a close eye on the mascot, Kino.

The little things...

Enjoy the little things in life... 

for one day you will look back & realize they were big things.

As a family we have made some big decisions the past few weeks. We have been praying for a long time now about what direction to go with traveling during the season. After flying back & forth severals times every few weeks trying to adjust to 2 different schedules & A LOT of praying we found that being together was number 1.

Nothing beats watching Jace look up into his daddy's eyes & watch them play together. We flew in yesterday & Jeremy was at the airport to pick us up. When we walked out to where he was standing Jace immediately started kicking his feet & squealing with joy. I loved it! That right there reassured our answer to coming out here. We want to be together to share the little things that happen daily.

Yes, I still have my own business as a personal trainer, however, I will be keeping my schedule like a teacher's. I will work during the school year & take off in the summer's to travel with Jeremy. I will be offering a few different alternatives during the summer but will be back in time to begin personal & fit camp sessions! I feel so blessed to be able to choose my schedule AND have so many great clients who support us being with Jeremy! :)

I am thankful today for the little things in life! What are you thankful for????

Tough love.

I have loved being able to watch Jace & Benjamin interact lately. They have became pretty good buds... most of the time anyway! ;)

Yesterday we spent the evening at Anna's softball game & I spent the whole time playing with these two. Benjamin is FULL of energy & now that Jace is walking he loves to chase Ben around. 

Benjamin kept wanting to "wrestle" with Jace & at times I would find him holding Jace in a head lock. Jace would wimper & then get right back up to chase him again. Ben would go after me as well & say "Go Down!" while trying to push me down... lol... So I would pretend to fall & he would wrestle me. Jace did not care too much for this. He rushed over to his momma & started patting me with hugs & kisses really worried Ben had hurt me. 

Each day Jace is learning something new & growing so fast! Saying new words & beginning to run & not walk.... soaking up each moment as they pass by!

Rollercoasters

Life's Rollercoasters

Do you ever feel like your life reflects this picture? 

Here is my perspective of a rollercoaster:

-Jumbled mess

-Looks scary at times

-High & lows

-surprising turns

-seat belts are a must

This picture represents what our life can feel like at times. So thankful we have a God who loves us so much that Jesus Christ can be our seat belt & safety through the rollercoaster rides, that He is already in our tomorrow's turns, in the ups AND the downs, even when it gets a little scary. I am thankful He will walk with me no matter what kind of rollercoaster ride I am on.

I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. ~ Psalm 73:23