choose joy

Design by Kelly Cummings

Joy, a choice?
I totally agree.
Sometimes even P has to choose joy, ha!





We choose joy by celebrating 
our two year old who is becoming a little girl,
(man, potty training is hard!)
our seventh month old healthy baby,
our energetic, sweet four year old,
and our friendship and love,
our family.

We chose joy by focusing on
Jesus, 
what he has done for us,
how much he loves us,
even though we don't deserve it.
ALL that He so graciously gives to us.

We choose joy by not letting 
frustrations and worry rule.
We rest in His faithfulness.

And by choosing joy
our weekend was splendid.
We were blessed, we are blessed, 
and we hope to bless.

i hope to always remember this joyful weekend

this is cord

Cord, my middle girl, requires lots of patience right now. And sometimes I feel like she'll continue to stretch me as she grows. I have stopped asking God for patience, ha. Not really, but on days like today, when I leave the room only to hear the baby begin to fuss and peek back in to find a 37 lb. ball of crazy laying on top of her, laughing, my first thought is "Lord, this isn't how I want to learn more patience."

But this same ball of crazy, hours later, takes off, bouncing to her bed for a nap. Stops suddenly, cuts her marble eyes back at me, purses her delicate lips and comes bounding back for a big, sloppy kiss on my cheek (little lips make the sloppiest kisses, dogs excluded here). My heart feels full and warm like a blanket fresh out of the dryer has been placed on it. 
That's my girl.

And then, minutes later, I get up frustrated because I keep wandering into the pages of an engrossing novel, only to be torn away by the squeaky noises coming from the napping room. I sigh, she is out of bed again, and she knows better, oh stars, does she know better. I feel worn, SERIOUSLY? I stop outside the door to control my frustrations and notice those same squeaky noise have a small melody about them, whimsical in a way. Peering through the crack (the door must always be cracked, per N's requests demands), I feel a great release and overwhelming love as I watch a sweet big sister singing lullabies to her dozing baby sister. The phrase about a heart bursting is a true feeling.
That's my girl.

She is clever, in a quiet way. Firm, strong-willed, and loving. She is lighthearted, and hilarious. She tends to be prone to head bonks and bruised knees. And full of kisses and snuggles. This kid, this precious daughter of God, is one exhausting little girl, and challenges me to be a better mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Also, she encourages me to take naps, because I never know when I will find crayon on the walls, unused wipes all over the floor, car titles drawn on (in marker too!), number 2 on the carpet, etc.
That's my girl.

I love you, Cord!

thankful to be your mama

weekend

ingredients for a weekend

me + him 

date night

sushi

zeppoli

cappuccino

late night talks

good books

sleeping in

coffee date

...at the same time...

the girls

Thank you Nathan for this picture!

slumber party at our very good good friends 

(Shout out to the Irwins! We love you guys!)

wagon rides

outside

horses

dogs

movies

pizza

more outside

...followed by...

me + him + the girls

s'mores (I know we have a problem)

gardening

sunshine

dirt

calzones

church

naps

sweetest baby 

Nora drew an Alicorn (we know everything My Little Pony here)

Azaleas at a nearby park

...finish off with...

1 family drawing party

and Voila! 

That was our weekend!

How was your weekend? 

#nomakeup430

Wow, guys, thank you!

Your kind comments regarding my last post 

made me feel very encouraged

and I hope that I was able to 

encourage you all as well.

...

So, this no make up challenge 

has been just that, a challenge.

There have been quite a few mornings

where I tell myself, 

A little eyeliner would make your eyes look so much better.

Its okay, you didn't get any sleep, and your dark circles are rough.

Then on Saturday,

I woke up to a HUGE zit on my cheek,

whaaaa?

But, every time I close my make up bag,

give myself the "You CAN do it" pep talk.

I try to focus on what I really like about my features.

My eyelashes rock,

my eyes are a pretty color,

my nose isn't THAT red,

and that scar on my nose

is just so me!!

I walk away from the mirror

back straighter,

smile brighter,

and more joy in my heart,

because HE created me,

and that is the most incredible feeling.

Halfway there!!

my new specs from BonLook

Also check out this great documentary from Dove on real beauty

What do you like about you? I really want you to go to your mirror and find your best feature and focus on that! I would love to know what you discover!

Full

As a very young mom,

with three very young daughters,

strangers often feel that they know me.

I often get asked if they are all mine.

I am told at least twice anytime we go out, 

"You've got your hands full."

(We have heard that so much, Nora asked what it means.)

I usually try to respond to those people with,

"Full of sweet, good girls"

But, sometimes,

they just don't want to hear me.

People of the World!

I don't regret for one second 

my three precious, sweet gifts.

I always, I MEAN ALWAYS,

wanted to be a mom.

It happened sooner than I expected,

but seriously, I wouldn't trade my life 

for anything!!!

(Sorry, for yelling. Stepping off soap box now)

Yesterday,

We made the trek to Wal*Mart.

While desperately trying to find bananas that weren't bright green,

a woman walked by saying, 

"Oh Honey, I feel for you!"

I may have responded with a very annoyed look on my face,

but was quickly distracted by the toddler yelling, 

"BAPPLES!"

to which, I met with a mimick and a quick tickle to her ribs.

Shaking it off, I looked up to see another woman looking at me.

She said, 

"Congratulations on your three beautiful, well behaved girls.

I can tell you are very passionate about being a mother.

Thank you."

With a huge sigh, and tears welling in my eyes, I whispered,

"Thank you."

OOOHH,

I wanted to hug her, 

say, "Thank you for understanding, I am completely blessed. You have made my day.

 God has been so so good to me."

But, I could barely get out the thanks.

I think she did understand though. 

So my challenge to myself and you, is find someone this weekend

and encourage them, help them, make them feel respected.

Because, I know, that it can stick with them,

and drastically improve their day.

Happy Weekend All!

Let's go play!

April 10

10 Awesome Things about My Guy

1. His love for coffee rivals my own. He is my favorite coffee date. 

2. He is the best girl dad. 
(Our three are so blessed to have him as a father, which means God knew what He was doing all along.)

3. He always smells good, like really good.
(Seriously, check if you don't believe me)

4. He is the funniest person you'll ever meet.
(but, don't ask him to be funny, that just stresses him out)

5. He works so hard at absolutely everything he does.

6.  He doesn't let me win. ever.
(Once he even made me cry, because I am a sore loser)

7. He is about as loyal as they come.

8. He loves me well.

9.  He gets really passionate about God's Kingdom

10. He helps me clean.

(Boo ya!)


Happy Birthday Love!

I am so glad you chose me!

Happy weekend!!

What do you have planned for this weekend?

I hope we get to be outside everyday!!

This weekend for the Greers will include:

-- donuts

-- family nap time

-- s'mores

-- exploring

-- playgrounds

-- birthday prep for my guy

-- pizza movie night

It's going to be grand!!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

30 day no make up challenge

My dear friend, Aanna, wrote this post on her blog a couple months ago.

(good stuff, huh?)

30 days with no make up? ehh no big deal.

I thought, I could totally do that.

But...

I didn't,

couldn't.

Why?

I was too insecure.

My nose is too red,

my eyes are too dark and tired, and 

my eyelashes are too unruly.

The words of her post stuck with me.

"she wanted to be comfortable with the beauty that God gave her."

duh,
that's pretty inspiring.

As a mother of three beautiful tiny girls,

I want to be an example to them

of that comfort.

I want to be a mom 

who is secure in her own beauty,

who embraces the camera.

(because let me tell you, trying to capture a picture of me, let alone no makeup me, is quite awkward)

day 1 - see, awkward!

 So, let's do it!

I don't wear much make up, 

I think I am making up for junior high Eden 

with the white and light blue eyeshadow, YIKES, 

but I am now going without

for 30 days.

My new morning routine is

-- exfoliating scrub

-- lotion with sunscreen

-- fix my hair

-- pinch the cheeks 

day 2

I will definitely let you know how it goes! 

disclaimer: This is a personal challenge, I am not judging you on whether you wear make up or not. I simply want to be an example for my daughters. I want to push myself to love things about me I shy away from. If you want to try this challenge with me and need support let me know, I am all about encouragement. 

how long could you last without make up? a day? a week? forever?

no motiva...o well

yup.
after spending the weekend a little stressed,
and snuggling my little girls,
i am finding it hard to do much of anything else today.
so, 
here are views from my weekend.

tried to capture a few photos pre-tonsil extraction 

waiting

celebrating with bubbles

our eggs

finally feeling a little better.

their relationship makes me so happy

the sweetest baby

it's been fun, but
i am pretty glad March is over.

but,
Thank you Jesus, 
for your love,
promises,
and sacrifice.
Also, for defeating death,
thats really awesome.
You have blessed me incredibly.
may my life be a tiny reflection of your glory.

Happy Easter All! 
Alright, I must try to muster an ounce of that "m" word.
How was your Easter weekend?