Saturday, October 24, 2015

fresh start.

Today is an exciting day for our little family. 

Today, after a long transition season, we are moving into our apartment! 

The past 6 months has been filled with driving, suit cases, unpacked boxes, squishing all in one bed, staying with family, and being on someone else's schedule. 
We have enjoyed this season of seeing family we havent seen in years and having help with our boys as we mesh into a family of 4. 

Now, JaydenMichael is about to be 6 months and crawling all over the place.... and SethJason is a typical two year old. It was time we got into our own place. 

We were so blessed and were able to buy everything we needed or were gifted by members in the church my in laws go to. And to be honest with you...... we have never had this nice of stuff. 
I am so so excited to have my own place to decorate again. 
Our apartment has a work out room, pool, and even a playground! It still is a commute for Husby for work but it was right at our price point and with everything, we couldnt pass it up. 

This whole getting back to our own place really feels like a fresh start.

Husby and I have had some really great conversation the past week about changes we wanted to make in our lives to better our marriage and family. I wouldnt say we were struggling but, as always, there is room for improvement. 
We have made the decision to start doing family devotion time again so I bought both of us our own daily devotionals as well as a couples one to do once a week. I even got SethJason a little toddler one (Jesus Calling for Little Ones by Sarah Young. $5 on amazon)! 
So every morning we will have some family devotion time in our new apartment with delicious coffee made from our Keurig (my splurge item). 

It was easy for us to decide to make all these changes with this new big transition. 
We want to invest more into our boys and each other. We desire to have Christ first in our marriage and in our parenting. This is truly a fresh start for us. 
I know we didnt NEED a move to decide to make these changes but it just felt right in this season. A lot of people do New Year's Resolutions to start doing things differently. These instances make us reevaluate how we are living and prompt us to change. 

Remember sweet friends, you dont need a new year, or big move, or different season to start fresh. His mercies are new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23) and His joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). No matter what is going on, what season we are in, what we lack, or what we are afraid of.... we can always turn a new leaf. We can always run to the Lord. Whether we are already living wholeheartedly after Jesus, feeling a little lukewarm, or just heard of His name yesterday -- He is there waiting for us. 
We can make a commitment for change. 

So, that is where I am at today. 

starting fresh.

new apartments, renewing commitments, and love. - Mrs. V

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

I love Fall

The title of this post says it all.... I love Fall.

Like truly truly love. 

I have literally been picking out everything I can that is pumpkin spice. 

YUP. I am one of those girls. 

I have had pumpkin spice coffee, pancakes, mochi, m&ms, waffles, tea, and of course pumpkin spice lattes. I cant wait to go to Trader Joes this weekend and pick up some more pumpkin items too (mmm.. pumpkin chai is on my list).

I am only allowed to endulge in this spicy, sweet, delicious little  big gourd one season a year. So I get as much as I can, while I can.

Speaking of those beautiful orange vegetables, I am extremely excited to take my boys to their first pumpkin patch next weekend. We have been putting it off for so long but I told my Husby that we have to do it next weekend since there are only 2 more weekends left in October.
I am still debating whether we will carve them or just paint them.. but of course I have to take pictures of SethJason and JaydenMicheal in the pumpkins.

SethJason and I have also been enjoying the falling leaves.
He has been wanting to go outside everyday... which I am totally okay with.
He runs and jumps and throws the leaves all over.
Today I was editing a picture I took of him and tells me "pho down" and grabs my hand.
Nothing makes me want to jump up faster then my 2 year old telling me to unplug.
we ran and jumped over the leaves together.

It still isnt THAT cold... well, besides in the morning time... but I am so ready to walk around in my leggings, boots, and scarves.

Truly, I wish it was Fall all year round... but then maybe I wouldnt appreciate as much.

Whats your favorite season? Is pumpkin spice your friend or foe?

falling leaves, more pumpkin spice, and love. - Mrs. V



Tuesday, October 13, 2015

what you dont see {social media lies}

My little family of four had family pictures taken last week.
I try to take pictures once a year to see our family grow and get older. I really really love getting them done. My husband and kids done exactly look forward to it, the way that I do. hehe.

After getting some previews back and posting them to social media I realized something... social media totally lies!



You see this super cute picture of my guys and I laughing. Pure joy on our faces.
And although it is true..... it isnt all that is there.

You dont see that my amazing husband and I were arguing that morning while getting ready to go.

You dont see that I got maybe 5 hours of sleep (NOT in a row).

You dont see that my 2 year old is very strong willed and independant and even the simplest task can be a struggle.

You dont see that my 5 month old is starting to teethe and wanting to be held nonstop.

You dont see that we worry about bills being paid, that the house was dirty, and there was so much laundry to do.

You dont see that I have insecurites. About my looks, my mothering ability, my wife skills, and being adequate.

You dont see that my husband just worked 6 days straight and only had that day off to start all over again.

- . - . - . -

Now, I dont believe that we should share every little nitty gritty detail on social media. Facebook, Twitter, and instagram are not appropriate places to publicly vent to (in my opinion).
But just know that the picture or status you are envious of or comparing yourself to isnt the whole truth.
I know, for me, I look at other people's homes or activities with their kids and I look over at SethJason, who is watching his 3rd episode of Little Einsteins, and I feel awful!
I read a status about how in love two people are, while I am in mid-argument with my husband, and I feel jealous.


Comparison is the thief of joy.

Social media is the highlight reel!
You see the filtered, cropped, sometimes staged, edited versions of their lives.
If your life is messy, crazy, confusing, frustrating, sometimes tough, know that you are not alone! Those moments just dont make it on to my instagram.

laughs, tears, and love. - Mrs V.