My full and kooky life as a homeschooling mommy to 2 great kids, raising a child with HLHS (Hypolastic Left Heart Syndrome), coping with depression, following Jesus, and being much too camera happy.
Easter is a day to celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. As said by the pastor today, “the miracle I need most has already happened with the resurrection of Jesus” (Jud Wilhite, Central Church). It’s the best news. Yet I find myself complaining of the ever-growing craft mess on the table, unloading the dishwasher, stopping myself with every nerve in my mind and body, to not yell at the kids to stop playing video games. And then I feel better about life when my kids are smiling big after they find their surprise Easter plushies. Goodness, I am missing the bigger picture and focusing too much on the little things.
What I need today and after: readjustment of how I view what I see. These are blessings not hindrances to my life and faith. I got long ways to go in my faith journey, but Easter reminds me how Jesus loves me despite my flaws. Thank the Lord!
Hope you are all having a great Easter and staying well and healthy. Thanks everyone for visiting my blog; as always, appreciate you all.
As my kids are getting older, their music tastes constantly change. We go back and forth from listening to their favored pop music to Christian songs. I like their music too but my preference is contemporary Christian music. It depends on our moods.
Occasionally they’ll switch to Minecraft YouTubers who remix songs to new lyrics made into the Minecraft theme. ahhhhhhhh! Too much video games and block style characters.
This song is not connected to Minecraft but it’s a good song to hear when you need motivation to move: “We’ll meet again” by The FatRat.
Still, we come back to our favorite radio station: Klove (Christian radio network).
We recommend 5 songs that will help deepen your faith through the storms of life:
“Amadeo”Still My God by Ryan Stevenson. When I first the title of this song, it took me back to the movie “Amadeus” about Mozart. I eventually learned the word Amadeo is a Latin derivative meaning “lover of God.” Click on the link to read what the artist says about the song.
“Yes I will” by Vertical Worship This song is about choosing to praise God in the lowest valley’s of life and believing that God is working all things out.
“Let it rain” by Crowder. The music has a happy beat that puts you in a good mood. Makes you want to dance. Song about letting God’s will prevail; lyrics pose questions that are relatable for everyone. (I’m not articulating it well, but I hope you’ll check it out.)
“21 years” by Toby Mac. This song isn’t usually played on Klove (don’t know why), but you can hear and see the music video on YouTube. Toby Mac wrote this song after his eldest son, Truett McKeehan, suddenly passed in October 2019. He was 21 years old. Lyrics are powerful, personal, grieving yet confident of seeing his son again in heaven.
“Unstoppable God” by Sanctus Real This band has a special place in my heart. I first learned about Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome from the story of Matt Hammitt’s, the original lead singer of this band, son (Bowen) born with this congenital heart defect. I didn’t know that a few years later Ellis would be born with the same condition. Bowen’s story has inspired and encouraged me immensely.
I hope you’ll listen to one or all of these songs and get uplifted! Stay well and happy.
My six-year old daughter, Ellis, still experiences separation anxiety. Yesterday morning I sat in the back of her science class because she refused to let me out of her sight. It’s been like this for months.
I used to think Elliot, now 8 years old, had worse separation anxiety than his sister, but I unintentionally overlooked Ellis’ in dealing with his. It could be that she is going through a phase too. It’s hard to know what’s really going on with kids each time they go through something. So many questions!! So many worries!!
My hypothesis is that her heart condition fuels her insecurity and separation anxiety. She’s always had me by her side, in good or bad times. When she feels sick, she won’t let me out of her sight. For her first two years, I couldn’t leave her longer than an hour. When she noticed I wasn’t there, she would cry inconsolably. I used to call these years my 5-mile-radius life.
When she was younger…dreading the check-ups. We usually came home crying together.
The mommy inside of me wants to be there for her as much as
possible, but my needs get overshadowed. I worry about me getting sick and not
being able to care for her. I can’t think about it for too long because I end
up in a puddle of tears and worry. The worry spreads and these times I need the
peace of God to cover an imminent panic attack. My weakness brings me closer to
God.
Last month Elliot got sick with a middle-of-the-night- tummy ache. I stayed up all night comforting him. My body went through the care taking motions and comforting him through the night. He must’ve seen me walking to and fro bathroom to bedroom cleaning up and then dozing off on the floor. He apologized in the middle of his stomach ache for keeping me up that night, and even in my tiredness, my head told me to tell him it was okay and that I just wanted him to feel better. My mouth was moving but my emotions were flat.
The sun was rising and I let out a deep breath wondering how
I would go about the day. The song “Fighting for me” by Riley Clemmons came
into my head. It was comforting to sing the lyrics, to myself of course…it
would’ve been too bizarre to break out into song at 5 a.m.
Yes, I can’t do it alone with my strength, but God can supernaturally fill in the gaps. In what fashion I didn’t know, but I know He has given me respite in surprising ways in the past. He will do it again.
“You will never stop fighting for me
When I can’t fight or myself
Every word is a promise you keep
Cause you love me like nobody else
You stand up for me
In the darkest night
When my faith is weak
You’re still by my side”
This song gave me the words when I didn’t know what to say. I’m
terrible at remembering Bible verses, but song lyrics are much easier to recall
when I need them.
Hi everyone, the following is my latest list of favorite songs. I hope you get a chance to check them out and be blessed by them.
The lyrics are powerful and can raise your spirit when you feel bored, tired, discouraged, or just blah. Happy listening and hope you find a favorite song too.
1. Reason by Unspoken (Elliot’s favorite)
2. Up Again by Dan Bremnes (both kids hear this song on repeat; inspirational song)
3. Burn the Ships by King and Country(my favorite…powerful words and amazing music video)
4. Happy Dance by Mercy Me(this song makes repeat appearances on our list)
5. Let It Rain by Crowder (this song will have you snapping fingers and dancing in the car)
Have a wonderful start to a new week and enjoy the last week of September!
Stay safe on Halloween and enjoy the fun and treats.
Mommy life is full of growing pains along with your kids and it is NOT glamorous. It entails sorting piles of dirty laundry, cooking, cleaning after crumbs, getting annoyed by the sound of your own voice as you constantly tell the kids to brush their teeth, put on their shoes, stop jumping, etc.
Getty Image from TIME Magazine website
One time my friend picked off dried rice pieces from my shirt at a bible study meeting. Last week I got annoyed with Ellis for losing the new nail polish I got from Target. I assumed she misplaced it after tinkering around with it on the drive home. Well, I didn’t expect to find it there but it was chilling out nicely in the fridge next to the carton of milk. As my kids would say in these situations: “doy- yoy- yoy-yoing.”
I thought it’s be fun to list some things I hear most often. Maybe you can relate and we moms can give ourselves a big hug: you’re not alone.
In the ellipses you fill in whatever your kids say most often. Each family dynamic is different and has a lot to do with kid’s and mom’s temperaments.
My list:
Could you..?
Can I…?
I need…
I want…
I wish you could…
I wish we could…
Do we have to…?
I don’t want to…(followed with huffing and puffing)
You always want us to…
You should’ve…
I’m hungry. What do we have…? (I prepare a lot of meals because of Ellis’ medication for weight gain issues)
I pray that today we moms will have enough patience and grace to pick the right battles with our little peeps. I so need to be encouraged that each day makes a difference in our lives and that it’s not wasted time. It is a beautiful thing that kids love us back with those trusting eyes and will forgive so easily even when we are feeling the effects of hanger and exhaustion.
Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Do Everything” lyrics speak to me on those days when I’m still in my pj’s and cooking the 5th meal of the day.
“Do Everything“
Your picking up toys on the living room floor for the fifteenth time today Matching up socks Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip Color on your lips and head out the door
While I may not know you I bet I know you Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you Cause he made you To do Every little thing that you do To bring a smile to His face Tell the story of grace With every move that you make And every little thing you do
Another day and praying us moms glorify God in raising our kids and loving them for who they are.
