The joys (and trials!) of being a stay at home mom!

I have been a stay at home mom now for 13 weeks (a little longer, but 13 weeks with Aaliya) and I've got to say that it has been one of the most fulfilling 13 weeks if my life. I love staying home with my little girl, I love being able to wake up in the morning and enjoy her right alongside (and much more!) of my morning coffee. I love having her smiles and gurgles fill up my day and I love not missing her firsts and her quirks. Along with those joys have come many trials and changes so to speak. Our lifestyle has drastically changed and so has our comfort level. Weekly lunches and goin out have made their way out and in its place have come lots of tears and prayers that God will come through and provide for us our daily bread. I am so pleased to say, He has yet to let me down. Our lifestyle has changed, but we know this is just a season. When I start to panic and begin to look for 9-5 kinda work, I remember that this is only a season. Aaliya will only be a baby once and how important it is for her and for me to be there, helping establish a solid foundation. We may not have the little (and big!) extras we may desire, but when I'm sitting with Aaliya and her gummy smile lights up the room, I remember (dare I forget!) that she is my special blessing and worth every sacrifice made. I remember vacations are temporary, entertainment is time wasted and things will be eaten by moths.

PS. Mary Jo over at Covenant Homemaking is having a great series on "Coming Home." Make it a point to check it out.

The House-Hunting Chronicles, pt. 1

So, recently (very!), my husband and I prayerfully decided to purchase a home. We believe the Lord has given us a gift of hospitality and we desire to own a larger home so that we may open our home in a greater fashion. After all, it's a buyer's market and it should be a piece of cake, right? WRONG! So wrong! We have found many a houses we like, however they have all been short sales (which means they take SUPER long) or slightly out of our budget. It has been a crazy experience and it's only just begun. We are coming against a few challenges, so, I'm masking you join us in prayer in this matter.

- Pray we find a home we like in a nice neighborhood within our price point.
- Pray financing, inspections and everything else goes smoothly with no set-backs.
- Pray for supernatural favor with seller and financing. 6% closing costs!
- Pray for supernatural provision for this house.

How may I pray for you?

A Mother's Calling

I have always wanted to be a mom. I never forced it, nor did I want it out of it's God's intended timing, but growing up, I always knew I had the "calling" of a mother. Ironically, there have been several encouraging, prophetic words spoken over me saying that I carry "a mother's anointing." What a blessing, honor and privilege to carry the calling of a mother. I think of my precious gift, Aaliya Liberty, and am super choked up at the thought that the Lord has given her to me, as a gift, and that He knows she belongs to Him, and I am but a steward of His children. Nevertheless, the grace poured out over this mama since the birth of her little "defender of freedom" has had her in a perpetual state of thanksgiving and awe at how good my God is. Regardless of the good, the bad, and the ugly choices I have made, my sweet precious girl has been the favor of the Lord upon my life. Despite the hardships faced (financially, emotionally) because of choices made to rear her, that sweet precious life is worth it all... Then, I think about my sweet Daniella Grace. She is not of my womb, and yet she is mine. I have loved her as my firstborn and prayed to the God above she will know no difference in my love between her and her sister. Once again, the Lord has been gracious, and He has heard my cry. If my Father can grant to me the grace to love another's child as if it were my own, then I cannot help but think He is calling my family to become the family of a rejected child, a wounded teenager or a stranded soul. My husband (whether he knows it or not) carries the burden of a father, and I believe one of the reasons He places us together... Grant to this family, oh God, a burden for adoption, for fostering and for providing for this generation!

Proverbs 31: The continual study

It seems as though I am on a continual study of the Proverbs 31 woman and wife. I absolutely love that passage of Scripture because it is a reminder that the Lord values the ministry of a wife and a mother. He has called her as much as any pastor, prophet and apostle and He values the tasks at her right hand. He has even given women our own little guide as to His desires and standards for us regarding this ministry. I believe Proverbs 31 is a beautifully painted picture of a woman who is a wife and a mother and is full of the Holy Spirit. I believe that in as much as I can ask Him what He wants to speak during a preaching, or what He's speaking to someone through prophecy, I can ask Him how He'd like me to keep the home He has entrusted me with, how to manage time & money wisely and how to honor Him by staying at home. I believe He can teach me how to grocery shop on a budget and how to rear our children. Essentially, isn't that what the Proverbs 31 passage is all about?

Amazon Mom=Awesome

Mommy's excited!

Just found out about Amazon Mom on the Amazon website, and I'm pretty excited. I found a box of 216 size 1 Pampers Swaddlers for $20.19. This makes mama very excited, and very proud. I have made it a goal to live a frugal lifestyle until our circumstances change, and have felt like I have been a huge failure. This find encourages me to keep pressing on! :)