all. the. things. (my brain today)

...so many things on the brain and the heart.
I gotta start somewhere, right?

(and just forgive the bluntness of this post..I'm just writing as I go.)
I just have so much that I mull over daily about what I'd like to blog about, but then sitting down to do it seems daunting for some reason.
But not right now...because I just realized "why? why does it have to be all neat and pretty in a package or a certain topic each time I write?"
(and by "each time" i obviously mean like every 2-3 weeks, lol)

no but really...I think there is a great aspect to blogging and writing for yourself, in that you can make your own rules.
And if there's a million "all the things" spinning round in your wound-up pregnant brain,
then by all means, share all the things, no?

so here ya go. :)
a little bit (well a few bits) of my heart and mind lately.
just go with it, mmmkay?

I am uncomfortable and so physically tired.
I LOVE being pregnant and I love this sweet baby we prayed for for so long,
but gosh my body is worn out!
I know its party because I have a 2 and a 4 year old to mother at the same time,
but also I think just having had so many pregnancies at this point, my body is like "woah"!
But here I sit with only 8 1/2 weeks to go and I know it'll all be worth it when we hold our baby boy.
I keep telling people that I honestly think I might feel better and less tired when he is actually here!
I know that sounds crazy (and you moms of newborns can whip my brain back into reality)...but I just personally don't do well with being physically uncomfortable and think I will prob feel so much better when I don't have 30+ pounds hanging on the front of me.
so there's that.


and on that note...EIGHT AND A HALF WEEKS LEFT.
Whaaaaat?! How did this happen so fast, y'all?
I feel like I was just announcing it and here we are so close!!
I have a weird inner-feeling that he is coming early. Not TOO early, maybe just a week or so.
Watch. he'll prob come on Bethany's birthday, Jan 4th. (I am due Jan 9th)
Both my girls came the day before the were due, so we'll see.
So ready for him to be here and our little family to have another sweet one to love on!

Mothering. (big sigh).
Mothering lately.
Not just the pregnancy thing making it more difficult, but I feel like both my girls are just in a tough season lately. Both are more whiney and more demanding.
Thus is life with a 2 and 4 year old though, right?
I think part of it is that Abigail is just growing so much and kindof starting to figure out things that are really important to her in her days, and I am learning to adjust/plan for those things.
I love figuring out what nurtures her gifts and abilities best, though it seems to be a little tough at times if I don' get it "just right". It's neat to see her grow though.
And Bethany, my sweet B. 
Let's just say I have been reading "Raising Your Spirited Child"...and learning a WHOLE lot. :)
(that's DEF a post to come, maybe even a series, lol)
She is my refiner that's for sure. but I also love learning how to nurture the ways God has made her different than her big sister. This book is teaching me a TON.
Really overall, I have just needed a lot of grace in my mothering lately.
I have had to repent to them both and ask forgiveness for my impatience with them, more often than I wish.
But you know what? I am glad for the chance (as much as it doesn't feel good to me) to teach them that even Mama can't do it all in her own strength. That even Mama messes up. That Mama needs Jesus too.
One day at a time, y'all, one day at a time. :)


Community.
On a different note, the Lord has been bringing us community that we have prayed for here in Norman.
Seems like we had to wait a while, but now we see why...it was for just the right group, at just the right time, without us even initiating it ourselves.  I love when God works like that, even though it requires waiting. Makes you realize HIS timings really are worth the wait.
So we have started meeting weekly with this new lifegroup, and I can already tell God is going to move big in it. I can't wait and am so delighted about it. Thank you Lord for rich fellowship!

Holy Spirit stuff.
(that's what I'm gonna call it)
I've gotten to have some good/interesting discussions lately with friends who are seeking out what "more of the Holy Spirit" means. 
People that are in the middle of some pretty awesome realizations that there is more to the Lord than what they have always known. 
That there is so much He offers to us as His children...and that there is NO need to be afraid of it any longer.
A large-church pastor in Dallas recently made a video basically stating the opposite of what we believe...
and not just what we believe, but what we have actually experienced and even OFTEN experience as Biblical works of the Holy Spirit. 
It grieved my heart so much because we know so many who hang on every word this man says. (which in itself is a problem, just sayin.) 
Anyways, it sparked some discussion and some really great thoughts about this matter.
Parker and I have been walking this road of seeing miraculous things and hearing prohetic things, etc for a long time now and are so happy to see others we know start to experience it too, as they break out of the box that "religion" has put God in.
If you know our story, and some of the testimonies I have even shared here on my blog...and if you know us...then hopefully you can see that God REALLY is that powerful. That he cannot be put in a box.
Or else a lot of my life and my story must be a lie, right? 
But instead, it's truth,  and it's founded in the love of a really good Father.
Also, it's pretty amazing to see people get healed and have prophetic words spoken over their life, when they least expect it! ha!
Yay, God!

hmmm. what else?
I guess that's all for now.
Just a few (long) tid-bits on the brain today
No real conclusuon, no real point, just sharing my life with you.
Thanks for listening!

Hope yall have a great Monday and start of the week...
now off to prepare for the Arctic blast.



because of Parker.

because of him...

I trust God more.
I dream more.
I love better.
I am a better mom.
I am challenged to pursue all God made me to be.
I watch his example.
I am becoming more organized. (he might debate that one)
I love to talk for hours.
I am realizing the potential I have.
I am more confident.


because of him...

They know how much they are loved.
They feel secure.
They anticipate time together.
They love others well.
They have compassion for others like he does.
They rest peacefully at night.
They feel safe in every way.
They love bluegrass music. :)
They love the outdoors.
They know their Heavenly Father's love.


because of him...

Others feel blessed.
Others do not feel judged.
Others are accepted for exactly who they are.
Others are given to, in many ways.
Others are discipled and led.
Others have a better understanding of their Heavenly Father.
Others receive healing.
Others learn to hear the Lord.
Others are loved well.
Others know what a true brother and friend is.


because of him...

I can see the goodness of God in ways I never knew I could.
And our girls can too.
And others in his life.

Parker, we are truly blessed because of you.
Happy Birthday, my love.


hello November


(image via pinterest, lindsey ocker photography)

This really is my favorite month.
I never actually knew that until recently, when my little girl asked me what my favorite was.
I reflected on it for a minute while curious eyes stared at me for an answer.

"November. November is my favorite."

I reflected on that answer again later...

Because it's Parker's birthday (the 5th), my favorite day of the year.
Because it's the start of pretty colors outside.
All things Thanksgiving meal.
The Aggies are still playing football.
It's the start of the weather finally feeling cooler.
Boots.
Holiday season that includes lots of family time.
The air just smells fresher.
Giant piles of leaves for little people to jump into.
The start of "birthday season" for our entire little family.
Scarves.
Pumpkin Cake.
Roasting marshmallows around our fire pit.
Pretty picture taking.
Planning Christmas and birthday gifting
Fires in the fireplace (we are having our first one tonight!)
Yummy smelling Fall and Winter candles.
Just all of it, really.

and then I reflected on why I am loving THIS particular November...

Because we are now just 10 weeks our from meeting our new baby boy.
Because it means cool weather after a warm last couple months.
Parker and I are dreaming together about different things (business and personal),
and actually seeing some of those things come to fruition.
Tiny boots, for my ever-growing girls.
New spiritual family we get to do life with weekly now...a huge answer to prayer.
Friendships that have gone deeper...another answer to prayer.
Noone in my family has been sick yet. (this time last year was tough for us all)
God showing me how His words over me really do NOT return void.
Cute Fall dresses for my girlies.
Healthy pregnancy.
The excuse to wear leggings, giant sweaters, and uggs every day, because it's cold and because, well, pregnant.
Our marriage feels more connected than ever.
Making some big decisions about future education for our kids is being confirmed.
This month I feel "capable"...with His strength.
and last but not least, freedom to eat more fun Fall-ish food, because again, pregnant. :)

Whether you love this time of year or not, I pray that you find the blessings around you.
That the next few months of cold and holidays and family (and sometimes more stress), would draw you closer to the Lord.
That you would just stop and breath in the crisp, beautiful, created-for-you air.

Happy November, y'all.


Sweet Potato Brownies. mmmmmm.

Yummy for this time of year...
I thought I would share one of my FAVORITE desserts with y'all today, again. :)
And no, we aren't eating Paleo at the moment (hello, preggo life), but this is a great recipe if you are OR aren't!
Enjoy and Happy Friday!

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this is a DELISH paleo-friendly (and great Fall) dessert you will make like all. the. time.
trust me, it's good. :)

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SWEET POTATO BROWNIES

what you need:
1 sweet potato (baked)
3 eggs, whisked
1/4 cup Coconut Oil, melted
1/3 cup raw honey
1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (Enjoy Life brand is best, but I used Nestle Dark Chocolate)
3 TBSP Coconut flour
2 TBSP unsweetened Cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon

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Bake your sweet potato. I bake mine on a cookie sheet for about 1 hour at 425 degrees.
Poking some holes in the potato will help in bake...and also make your little one feel like she's helping. :)

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After potato is baked, peel off the skin (it should slip off pretty easily), and mash it up in a large bowl.
(now you can turn oven down to 350 degrees.)

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whisk your eggs, and melt the coconut oil.

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add all the wet ingredients (coconut oil, eggs, honey, and vanilla) to the mashed up potato.
mix well.

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add in all the dry ingredients (coconut flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and cinnamon)
mix well.

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now stir in those chocolate chips. yumm.

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Pour it all in an 8x8 baking dish, and bake for 30-35 minutes on 350.
And get ready for your kitchen to smell like heaven.

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let them cool just a bit...and ENJOY this delish dessert.
oh, and feel great about yourself that you are enjoying (aka, eating a whole pan of) this yummy, processed-sugar-free, gluten-free, paleo dessert.

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you really might eat the whole dish, no lie. :)


{I found this incredible recipe on my favorite Paleo site, PaleOMG
She has GREAT recipes that I use ALL the time...check it out!!}