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simply love.

Published by Aubrey

Theia’s been asking a lot of questions which have led to some awesome conversations. Brian and I are both amazed at how even at 4 years old there is so much their little heads and hearts can take in.

She quietly sat at the table and drew this picture, and glued a cross of yarn on it. When she was done she asked me to write at the top “I love you Jesus.”

Wow, I know what my heart did when she asked me and then to watch her proudly tape it up in the kitchen. I can’t imagine what Jesus’ heart did.

It reminded me that is all He wants-my love. Heart abandoned, hold nothing back. Just a love that follows Him, that listens to Him, that waits for Him. There’s nothing tricky or complicated about it. It’s not performance based or guilt ridden. Simply love ME he says.

I love when I get these big reminders from the little people in my life.

Thanks Theia.

simple words.

Published by Aubrey

photo credit

Simple words I needed to read this morning.

Stop worrying, hurrying, planning, rushing, stessing.

Be still.

Enjoy the moments right now, even if they are not what you planned

And know.

Know I am here, right now when things are going unplanned.

I hear you.

My promises are still true. Know I will never leave you or forsake you.

Know that you can unload your burdens on me and I will take them for you.

Know there is hope in me.

Be still

and

know.

***found this picture via pinterest on viewalongtheway. very cute ideas!

my last day.

Published by Aubrey

photo credit
Today is my last day being 33…what shall I do?

Well I think I will go for a run with the dog at 5:30am because that will be my only alone time for the day. I will come home to 3 kids already awake and wanting breakfast. Way to early for me but I’ve learned… this happens.

I will quietly put on my headphones, open my bible and steal some moments with Jesus for much needed strength and patience while bowls of cinnamon toast crunch are being devoured and Dragon Tales plays on netflix.

I will take a shower and get ready in less than 30 min all the while the bathroom being a revolving door of people in and out asking questions like “where is my favorite rock?” and “what if superheroes really controlled the earth?” and “why can’t I wear my bathing suit out today?”

I will use my best persuasive tactics to get 3 little people dressed and out the door by 8:45. I will be the referee while driving reminding little hands to keep to themselves and repeating “use kind words please”. One hand on the steering wheel, the other one usually stretched awkwardly behind me searching for a dropped object that is needed NOW!

I will play legos, paint toenails, help with art projects, play hide and seek and I spy.

I will wait for that magic hour of room time when I can sit and take a deep breath.

I will clean up a lot of messes and give lots of hugs.

I will make a quick, easy dinner so we can go off to ballet and basketball.

I will do baths, books and bedtime routine all the while trying not to fall asleep before the kids.

When the house is quiet I will prepare for the next day, when we do it all over again. And again I will steal a couple moments. But this time with my other love. My husband. When did it happen that a short, uninterrupted conversation at the end of the day becomes a gift? Well I’m sure it’s almost 10pm now, bedtime it is.

Yes, this is what my average day looks like these days. Is this what I thought age 33/34 would look like? Probably not. I’m not sure what I thought it would be, really. Honestly, it wasn’t that long ago that I thought 34 sounded old! Of course as I proudly take on that age tomorrow it doesn’t sound old at all! I love my life, though draining at times. But along with the long, tiring days there is a whole lot of fun, silliness and newness with each day. This is what keeps me feeling young no matter what age I am.

So happy birthday to me. Joyfully embracing another new year and thankful for each moment I have!

I choose.

Published by Aubrey

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I choose joy.

I choose gratitude.

I choose to step over the legos, babies, star wars figures and strollers and not complain that I just cleaned up.

I choose gentleness.

I choose to get up in the dark to have a moment to myself.

I choose to follow Him when even when I don’t feel Him.

I choose to focus on what I have and not what I want.

I choose to give when I don’t feel like it.

I choose to give grace.

I choose to accept grace.

I choose to discipline even when I don’t want to deal with it.

I choose to slow down when I don’t want to.

I choose get my priorities in order when they so easily get out of whack.

I choose to compare myself to an audience of One instead of the many others that catch my eye.

I choose to love when I don’t want to.

I choose to forgive when it’s hard.

I choose to ask for forgiveness when it’s even harder.

I choose to walk by faith and not by sight.

Yes, I choose. But not on my own. He chose me first. And with His help, His guidance, His power He enables me to chose Him. And so gently leads me back when I don’t.

O father, help me to fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good consciousness. 1 Timothy 1:18

It’s what we do.

Published by Aubrey

We are making our way to my parents house as I type. As we drive I’m thinking about all things I am looking forward to. The things we do every year. These are the things that just happen without us thinking because it’s just what we do.

We usually order pizza tonight because who wants to cook, right? Weather permitting, and we are looking so far, we run the Turkey Trot race Thanksgiving morning. No guilt eating that second helping of stuffing:) After the race we come home to eat cinnamon rolls, clementines and egg nog and watch the Macy’s parade. Hands down my family puts together the best feast of food. I love looking down the long table filled with family from age 2 to 83. After the meal my uncle always has some sort of crazy game for us all that ensures lots of laughs. The newspaper ads and catalogs are passed out with paper and pens. Grandma needs her Christmas lists! Of course there is always lots of TV watching and napping off the food coma.
And that’s Thanksgiving for us. I love what this day is about. Spending time with ones you love, giving thanks for all that we have and have been given. It’s mellow, relaxing, fun and simple.

What does your day look like? Any special traditions you are looking forward to?

just hold on.

Published by Aubrey

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Have you had those mornings when you wake up to what seems like a wind storm in your own home. Words, attitudes, demands, complaints are being thrown at you in every direction. Time outs are being delivered before the first sip of coffee, engine lights come on days just days before you are making a road trip and the dog is barking his head off for whatever reason! Please tell me you know these days? I’m not the only one…right?

What do you do? Isn’t easy to just be blown with the wind? To just go with complaining, the crying? Or to fight back with your own wind storm in anger and frustration? Yes, I’ve tried this. But two wind storms don’t really help the situation. It just gets more windy. Shocker.

So I’ve learned to fight. But I fight by holding on. I picture myself in these moments holding on to a tree with all might. The wind blowing in every direction but I am holding firm to that tree, my anchor. And I pray. I pray for strength, peace and hope. For He is faithful.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Hold on my friends. He is with you always. Especially in the wind storms. He hears your prayers. Just hold on. And get that coffee brewing ASAP!

pinterest love for Christmas.

Published by Aubrey

I am feeling the love and excitement for Christmas on Pinterest. Here are some ideas I have found that I would like to incorporate somewhere in our home this season. Come next weekend the the decorating begins! Fa la la la la la!

Have a great weekend! And happy pinning!

Source: smallbirdblog.wordpress.com via Aubrey on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Aubrey on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Aubrey on Pinterest

Source: somethinggreenevents.blogspot.com via Aubrey on Pinterest

thankful.

Published by Aubrey

This banner hangs on our mantle. It’s a constant reminder that I have so much to be thankful for. Here are just a few.

coffee with a new friend last night
weekly coffee date with a special friend tonight
a warm house
hugs and kisses in the morning from 3 little people
a new workout shirt for the gym
answers to prayer
a husband that makes me laugh
connections and friendships being formed through twitter and blogging
a big family to visit and spend time with on Thanksgiving
what I am learning in His Word

Look around. What are you thankful for today?

today is a new day.

Published by Aubrey

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Today is a new day. Today I am choosing to let go of yesterday for it was not a shining moment in my career as a mom. It was a hard day. I am thankful it is behind me. I am thankful His mercies are new each morning. That is grace is more than enough for me. I am thankful today is a new day.

Today I am choosing to put on some “new” clothes. The clothes of impatience, frustration and pride are dirty from yesterday and need to be washed clean. Today I am asking for help from Jesus in helping pick out my clothes. Yes, I still need help in picking out my clothes. And I am okay with that.

Today is a new day.

Letting go and trusting.

Published by Aubrey

From the moment he arrived it was all new. Some things just fell into place, like I was always meant to know and love this little person. Other things, it was trial and error. He has been our little guinea pig from the start. New parents figuring out how to do all this “parenting stuff”. But from moment one he needed me. He needed me to do it all for him. Feed him, bathe him, keep him warm, cut his toenails, wipe his nose. Love and care for him in every possible way. He needed me to figure all this “parenting stuff” out. He relied on me. And I loved that feeling.

Now he is 6. And the “little boy” in him is starting to leave. Just slowly, but I see it happening. And I’ll be honest, it scares me. He doesn’t need me like he used to. Even though we are buying new jeans every 3 months it seems his independence is growing faster than anything. He wants to figure things out on his own. Try new things…with out his mama.

I am learning that though he may not need me like he used to. But he still needs me. He now needs me in new ways. He needs encouragement, needs to be trusted, to be heard, confidence, truth, lots of grace and lots of love. Yes, he needs me in new ways.

As he slowly pulls away from me I pull more closely to the One who has given him to us. For I know He has him. He is always watching, protecting, guiding. He’s got him in ways I never had or ever will. As he turns to figure things out on his own I do my best to point him in the right direction of Him. I slowly let go and trust more.

I also treasure the times when he still climbs up into my lap and wants to snuggle. When he gets hurts and only wants me to help fix it, when he needs that extra security and comfort from his mama.

Oh this letting go and trusting thing is hard. I have a feeling it will only get harder. But I know that is what he needs. To be let go. To be trusted. To be pushed in the most graceful way. I know it is what I need to. But he will always be my little boy.