Blog | The Barela Family

Latest Posts

living it OUT LOUD

Published by Aubrey

We met in fourth grade. I introduced her to Taco Bell. She introduced me to Barbies. I didn’t really stick with the Barbie thing and I’m not sure she was a big fan of T.Bell but most importantly our friendship stuck. Amie’s been my bff ever since. We’ve been through it all together…and more. Although we live miles and miles apart our friendship rock solid. She’s my voice of reason because she knows me better than anyone else, she makes me laugh, and she gets me AND all my craziness. She’s the real deal people.

And she is living it OUT LOUD.

Her joy for the Lord is contagious. You just want to be around her and know what is making her smile. She is constantly growing and learning and applying it to her life. Not just her life but to her family as well. She pursues Jesus with such passion in all that she does. In her marriage, as a mom, as a friend and in her every day life. She doesn’t have it all together (who does?!) and she is not afraid to admit it. But she desires to bring Jesus into every detail.

She has recently embarked on this whole blogging deal and she’s doing it! I am so proud of her. She blogs about life as mom of 3 and their everyday happenings. Let me clue you in she is one of the most creative moms out there. Always doing something extra special and fun with her kiddos. i.e. surprise green hair on St. Patricks Day. Oh, yeah and all those pinterest ideas we mostly just pin on pinterest. She actually does them.

So go check Amie and her blog out and see for yourself how she is living it OUT LOUD!

all in a days work.

Published by Aubrey

Sometimes I forget what my job really is as a mom. I can easily get caught up in the day to day checklist of making meals, cleaning up afterwards, picking up toys, doing laundry, making phone calls, responding to emails, picking up again and then folding some more laundry. Before I know it the day is over and I never did get to see the newest Beyblade Mason created or redo the girls’ babies hair. Ugh. The guilt sinks in.

But I have a clean house. And the kids are fed and the laundry is done. Yes, all good things. All things that are needed to help our family run smoothly and healthily. But is it more important than putting off the most important little people in my world? No.

I want my days work to include those victories of swinging super high on the swings and flipping off the monkey bars. My work also includes changing baby outfits, watching an intense Beyblade battle and throughly talking about the latest lego ship that has been created. In between throwing in a load of laundry and sweeping the kitchen floor I want to hear Mason read a book and watch the girls work on their letters. My days work includes making chipmunk traps, playing with moon dough and ending the day with popsicle cheers.

My full time job is being a mom. Why wouldn’t my work day include these things? This is the heart of my job. Its in the little activities that I learn more about these gifts I have been given to raise up. I have the opportunity to speak into their hearts, to train them up and love on them even in the simplest of moments.

Right here, this is my job. I don’t want to forget that.

So popsicle cheers to that!

like a good cup of coffee

Published by Aubrey

Hello! Today we are jumping into Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. For next several Thursdays we will be discussing the book. I would love to hear your thoughts, what you are learning about yourself, what you are being challenged by as you read. This is my second time reading through and I love how I am catching new things. I’m excited to see how God will use this book in each of our lives.
So let’s go!

There were SO MANY good things that caught my eye and pulled on my heart strings in the first chapters. If it is possible I would describe myself as a “in process” good girl. I think much of what was explained in the good girl ways is where I used to be but I am slowly climbing out. Or at least I see it now, where before I was oblivious to the following:

Always worrying.
Always performing for others.
Always getting lost in what others wanted from me, expected of me.
I was insecure on the inside but on the outside I was easy going and a “good girl”.
I didn’t know who “me” really was because I was a different person for different people.
I always felt the need to “just try harder”.
I was not living to please Him but others. Many others.

And the list could go on and on. It was tiring to keep up with it all. And it was a crazy maker. Therefore, I came to a point where it all needed to stop. I wanted to be 100% Me for Him. No one else.

Over the last several years I can say that my ways have changed a bit. My mind is more focused on an audience of One than everyONE. I fight those “try harder” lies and performance lies with His good and pure truth. Like a strong cup of coffee I soak in the truth that He is enough, more than enough. I don’t need to DO anything, try harder, be a certain person, always have it together to make Him or others love me more. Just be 100% me.

Now I haven’t arrived or anything like that. I still easily fall back into the performance trap. Wanting to be the best wife, mom, friend, Christian, neighbor, daughter, sister there ever was. Wanting to have it all together, at all times. It’s exhausting, I tell you! But when I feel the pull to go down that road I recognize it quicker now. I know the pattern and I know it doesn’t work. It’s a crazy maker more like it. I steer myself back to the truth. Because I know I am not believing truth in the moment. I am being driven by fear. Fear of failure, fear of disappointment, fear of not looking a certain way, fear of messing up.

I love how Emily said: (pg.19)

Fear drives.
But love leads.

When I feel that out of control feeling, when I am just going, going, going and I don’t even know why or where? I know it is out of fear. I don’t want to stop going out of the fear of failure, disappointment, ruining my reputation that more than anything is built up in my head. This fear is a driving force that will eventually take me out. But when I think of being led in love there is a confidence that is almost indescribable. I walk with assurance. I am known fully and the pressure is gone. Like a good cup of strong coffee I soak in the truth.

ahhhh….it is good.

I want to stay in this place of surrender to Him and not to everyone and everything else. But it takes discipline and time to re work those lies and those patterns to stay in His truth.

What do you think? What does being a good girl look like for you? Are you being driven by fear or lead in love?
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! Let’s chat…

sometimes you just have to…

Published by Aubrey

It was barely above 70 and the wind was blowing. But the kids were a little crazy, snippy at each other and loud. Louder than normal I should say. It was not ideal swimming weather in my opinion but we needed a change of activities rather quickly to redirect the momentum in the house. Swimming it is! We all were freezing, we didn’t last long BUT it worked. We did have some fun at the pool and when we came home the kids were ready to chill out a bit. The moods were much better and there was peace in the house.

I’ve found that when things get a little hairy and we are spiraling out of control sometimes I just need to do something out of the box to get us back on track.
Even if it means freezing in the pool water…

Living it OUT LOUD!

Published by Aubrey

(photo credit)

Today is my first post in a new series I’m starting called Living it OUT LOUD! It’s all about shining the light on someone who I think is living His love out loud in their day to day life. I hope to spread some encouragement to them and you as the reader.

So here we go!

Ten years ago we met when we were both newlyweds, her 6 weeks newly married and me 9 months. There was an instant connection and friendship that formed between Kyra and I that has only grown stronger over the years. There are now 7 kids between us, many shared experiences that have challenged and grown us, including the San Fransisco Nike Women’s marathon. That’s right, people this woman is a fellow marathoner! Hard core. Through all that we have experienced together and individually she has kept on with grace and a faith that is attractive and encouraging. You just want to be around her!

Kyra blogs at Chatterbox Corner about her eventful life with triplets (that’s right, I told you she is hard core!) and their new 3 month old. She shares what she is learning, what she is passionate about and how she can’t do it on her own. One thing that is true of Kyra is that she is a woman of the Word and she daily tries to apply to her everyday life as she serves her family. There is much to be learned and enjoyed on her blog. So I invite you all to meet one of my closest friends Kyra. Don’t be shy, leave a comment. She’ll be sure to write you back. You may just find yourself a new friend as well!

Don’t miss out.

Published by Aubrey

Life can get messy. It can be unpredictable. Unknown. Crazy and maddening.

But in the mess and unpredictability there is also a lot of fun. An opportunity for hope to bloom, a chance to step out in faith and trust.

The unknown gives us the space to grow and change…hopefully for the better.

Don’t miss out on what the mess can bring you. You might just be pleasantly surprised by the beauty that comes out!

5 on friday.

Published by Aubrey

1. Awhile back I read Emily Freeman’s book “Grace for Good Girl”. It was awesome and amazing and I can’t say enough about it. Emily is hosting a Grace for the Good Girl book club this summer and will be reading and discussing along with her readers. I loved the book so much I’m going to read it again and I want to invite you to join me. On Thursdays I will be posting my thoughts on the book. I would love to hear your thoughts as well. Check out Emily’s blog Chatting At the Sky for all the details and the reading schedule. First post will be June 7 on chapters 1-3. So get out there and get your book. You don’t want to miss out. Really. I’m being serious here people!

Grace for the Good Girl

2. I also will be doing something else my blog called “Living it out loud!” It’s where I will have the opportunity to share with you some of the wonderful women whom I know or I have “met” online that are living His love OUT LOUD! It gives me a chance to encourage these ladies in being the wonderful women, mamas, wives, servants, friends they are! So get ready you are going to have the opportunity to be encouraged as well and meet some pretty awesome girls!

3. Ahhhh! My marathon is 2 weeks away! I’m feeling ready. Or more like I’m just ready to do this thing! The marathon is June 17. If you are a Canton local I would love to see your face along the route. Check this link out to see the route and get race info. Any and all encouragement will be much appreciated!

4. Another little something for the Canton locals my brother is sponsoring his first road race on June 28, Run 4 Richville. It is a fun, family 5k during the Richville Homecoming. There are awards to top finishers and giveaways for each participant. Check out his blog for more details. Proceeds with go to Iron Tri and the Richville Homecoming. I will be there and I would love to see you!

5. Last but not least we are on a mission this weekend to get ready for and succeed in having a garage sale and lemonade stand. Oh, Lord help us! I’m highly motivated to count the money at the end of the day and then go spend it. But the preparation of it all is overwhelming. This will be the kids first lemonade stand and they are more than excited! It’s a great opportunity teach them about hard work, the value of money and practice giving with a cheerful heart. So we will see how that all goes.

Happy Friday friends! Enjoy your weekend!

because I love you…

Published by Aubrey

love is patient..because I love you I will choose patience when you want to pick out 27 little trinkets and purses for the five minute car drive we are about to take.
love is kind…because I love you I will choose kindess when my tank is empty at the end of the night and you ask 3 more abstract questions and for another drink of water.
love is not envious, nor does it boast…because I love you I will not covet your bigger house or larger income. I will choose thankfulness for what I have.
love is not proud…because I love them I will choose humility and not judge my friends. We are in this crazy life of being a mom together.
love is not rude…because I love you I will choose my words and actions wisely at all times.
love is not self seeking…because I love you I will put your needs before my own.
love is not easily angered…because I love you I will choose self control when I have to carry you half way around the neighborhood kicking and screaming in full on tantrum mode.
love keeps no record of wrongs…because I love you I will choose to forgive even when it hurts so much.
love does not delight in evil but in truth…because I love you I will choose wisely what your little eyes and ears see and hear.
love protects…because I love you I will always speak well of you in front of others.
love trusts…because I love you I will always walk by your side and believe the best in you.
love hopes..because I love you I will pray for your future.
love perseveres…because I love you I choose to never give up on us.

I’m studying 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter right now. It’s often read at wedding ceremonies. It was read at ours. But I’m clearly seeing that it isn’t just meant for newlyweds but for all of us, in each relationship with have. How I love my husband, my kids, my friends, even strangers is all wrapped up in this chapter. The love Paul describes in 1 Corinthians is the real deal. It’s the kind of love I want to receive and more importantly the kind of love I want to give. But so often I fall short. Still, I’m encouraged and strengthened in knowing that his grace is more than enough for me. Through His love for me and others He boldly shows me how it’s done. I know I can only do love like Him with Him. I need lots of reminders. I will still mess up, fail miserably and pretty much do the opposite of love. So will you. But He’s ok with that. He graciously brings us back and shows us again. Time and time again. You are a work in progress. I am a work in progress. We ALL are. Let’s remember that as we are pressed hard to show love to our spouse, our kids, our friends, our enemies, a stranger. Let’s choose love and choose to live it out in all that we do.

let it begin.

Published by Aubrey

Let it begin.
Summer, that is.
Yes. Let it begin.

The calendar dosen’t officially say summer but school is out, the temperature is in the mid 90’s and the pool is open! It is summer my friends.

The last few weeks were just what I was praying for. Restful, a time of reflection and I gained a little margin. All things that were much needed. It was a great way for me to transition into our summer schedule. Amen.

This summer is going to be FUN! Already the girls have learned to ride their bikes without training wheels , swimming without life jackets and jumping into the deep end like wild women! Mase is back to dominating the diving board and praying for a half inch growth spurt ASAP so he can go on the water slides at the pool. Yesterday we went to the pool and Brian and I actually sat on the lounge chairs for 25 minutes while the kids were in the pool. Yeah, that didn’t happen ALL summer long last year. This summer we are relishing in the fact that our kids are getting older and more independent.

Summer for us is all about:
later bedtimes, way too much ice cream, bike rides, long days at the pool, summer camp, grilling out for most dinners and using paper plates, spray parks, VBS, hanging out with friends, beach vacation, lazy afternoons and lots and lots of family time.

So here we go into summer.

Let it begin!

What are you planning for your summer?

time out.

Published by Aubrey

Photo credit

At our house we have a time out chair. And it gets used pretty often. More often than not the chair is not used for discipline but to give the person a break because their actions are showing they need it. They are overwhelmed, not thinking straight resulting in not making the best decisions. A little time is good to clear the head, get a little space from the situation and take a breath.

Well I have given myself a timeout from blogging. Yes, even big kids like us need time outs. I just need a little breather, a little space, some time to refresh. I was finding I had no margin in my life but always pushing way past my limit. I want to makes sure I keep my first priorities first and be in the right mind to not just make okay decisions but the best decisions for me and my family.

I’m not going to lie, some of you have checked in with me to see if I was ok because of the lack of blog posts and that feels good! Thanks for missing me. I enjoy and appreciate each and every comment. I look forward to coming back soon with a renewed and refreshed mind and spirit!