Encouraging Others

Hello all!

It seems to be the trend that "2016 was a horrible year."
I hope you can look back and at least see a few positives.
Let's work toward looking back at 2017 and calling it at least a "good" year.

I often think, there is no way I could get through 

'this' 

if it weren't for my relationship with Jesus.

Some of my friends went through big trials last year, I sent encouraging words to them and wanted to compile the list.

If you ever find yourself in a tough spot I hope you remember this blog post & read a couple of these bible verses &/or quotes and feel a little peace.
Or if a friend is going through something you can point them this way, or copy some of these encouraging words to share with them.


Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 46: 5 God is within her, she will not fail.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 29:6 Jesus looked at them and said, "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Psalm 4:8 In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.

"For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, it's insides come out, and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction." Cynthia Occelli

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." Dolly Parton

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Keep your head up, keep your heart strong.

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind along an unfamiliar way; I will guide them down paths they have never traveled. I will turn the darkness in front of them into light, and level out the rough ground. This is what I will do for them. I will not abandon them.

Peace, love & joy,

Nicole

For : the stay-at-home parent

Greetings!

I recently saw someone I hadn't seen in a couple years.
He asked how I've been, what I've been up to, what I do for work?

My response : "I'm just a stay-at-home mom."

Instantly, I cringed at my response.
Just. I am not JUST anything.

I am a pirate, a queen,

and a multitude of other characters.

I am an elephant, a bear,

and countless other animals.

I am a toilet bowl cleaner, cook, 

and a doer of many other household chores. 

I am a supporter, a listener, an ouchie kisser, 

and I possess a mishmash of other qualities. 

Today, as I'm planning out Christmas gifts, I am the best bargain hunter and thrift-scorer! 

I need to give myself more credit for what it is I actually do all day. 

And if I know other stay-at-home parents like I think I do, 

you need to give yourself more credit as well! 

Being a stay-at-home parent is not for the meek.
You are an eclectic mix with an extremely broad resumé.

Embrace your multiple identities!

Be the best you can be! 

Do 'work' you're proud of!

Love. Love well!

And remember, you're not just anything...

Wishing you all the best in your parenting journey,

Nicole

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Being A Parent

Oh, parents! 

May you never forget the moment your child arrived.

When your child is new to you there is this connection that is indescribable! 

You're in "the love bubble."

Penelope Joy

Lillian August

They are perfect. 
They smell so stinking delicious you really do just want to eat them right up! 

Years go on and things change :
Just like with any relationship the excitement, newness, thrill-of-it-all dissipates.

You find yourself realizing :

The infatuation has worn off...with my kid(s)!

But the thing about being a parent : there is no "breaking up." 

You're in it for the long-haul. 

So, what does this really mean?!

You have to start putting in serious work.
You have to choose to love them through it all. 
You have to start being intentional. 

Take a few deep breaths. 

Now, have a dance party! 

Allow your kids to be kids.

Let them get dirty.

Read them their favorite book over & over.

Get on their level & explore the magic in everything. 

Give them more hugs. 

Did you know kids give THE BEST hugs?!

Never forget the joy. 
Don't give up.
Love them unconditionally.
Love them well. 

Wishing you all the best in your parenting journey!  

Personality Test

Hello friends! 

I recently took a personality test. 

***I actually took it twice (just to be sure) and got the same "answer."***

Introversion (I), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Judgment (J)

The rarest personality of all 16 - only making up 

1% of the population. 

I feel like this test expressed me in a way I haven't known how to verbalize. 

The main thing it confirmed for me : 

I see 'helping others' as my purpose in life.

It gives me chills how accurate my 'result' is and helped me better understand myself.

I desire to be honest, transparent & raw.

It's important to me that I remain authentic, genuine & sincere. 
I enjoy sharing the messy & beautiful parts of life.  

My hope is it serves as a reminder:

You are not alone in your struggles. 

You are not alone in your successes. 

I believe sympathizing connects people in the most wonderful ways. 

I encourage you all to take a personality test! 

It only took a few minutes and it was free! 

I used :
16personalities.com

*I am not paid, sponsored, or affiliated with them. I just enjoyed their free test!*

Let me know if you take the test! 

I'm curious to read your result and better understand you! 

Much peace, love & happiness,

Nicole

Reviewing My Sober October

I set a goal and I followed through.

I made it the entire month without a drop of alcohol! 

Giving up alcohol for pregnancy was easy - I had every reason not to drink.

Giving it up "just because" was more difficult than I thought it would be.

We went on vacation to Mammoth & hung out with my sisters. 

While there I wanted to cave and have a glass of wine. 

Zach and I had an evening to ourselves at a local lodge.

The package included a bottle of champagne. 

We went to Wasabi.

It's almost tradition that eating at Wasabi includes sake, beer or wine. 

I went to Canada with a friend.

I wanted a beer with lunch & sake with dinner.

Halloween was last night.

It was a long day with the girlies & I worked - I wanted to end the night with a glass of wine.

There were many weeknights & weekends in-between that alcohol was readily accessible.

Alcohol is a powerful addiction.

While not drinking, I realized how often I used to drink without reason. 

No special occasion, just a difficult day with the girls would lead to a glass of wine - that turned into the whole bottle being emptied. 

So, now that I've completed Sober October what does the future look like?

I'm more conscious of my reasons behind drinking.

My goal is to not just 'drink to drink.'

My goal is to enjoy a glass of wine and 

not feel I have to finish the whole bottle in that sitting.

My goal is to be more health conscious. 

My goal is to be a good example to my girls as to 

what a responsible adult consuming alcohol should be.

New month, new goals!

Happy November!! 

20 Things I Want You To Know & Remember

Dear little love,

I promise to always love you. 

I promise to always welcome you with an open heart & arms. 

I am beyond blessed that God gifted me with you.

I am here to help guide you in creating a wonderful life...

20 things I want you to know & remember. 

1. Love God. Above all else, pursue relationship with Jesus. Every day should start with, "Hello, Jesus!" and end with "Goodnight, God!" Pray without ceasing.
2. Go on adventures; no matter how big or small. 
3. Be a great friend.
4. Create. Play. Draw. Paint. 
5. Read something every day.
6. Get outside as much as possible. Breathe in the fresh air. Explore the outdoors. 
Skip. Jump. Run. Climb. 
7. Ooze positivity. You & those around you will benefit greatly.  
8. Accept others for who they are. 
9. Exude the fruit of The Spirit : love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
10. Keep it simple. 
11. Be confident in who you are.
12. Maintain your health : body, mind & spirit.
13. Love well. Love God, family, friends, acquaintances & strangers. 
14. Laugh often.
15. Enjoy your life. Enjoy the good, bad, ugly & beautiful. 
16. Sometimes all it takes is remembering to "just breathe." 
17. Admit when you're wrong & always apologize if you need to. 
18. Never lose who you are by trying to impress someone else. 
19. Make family a priority.  
20. You are enough. Quit comparing. You were created because this world needed a YOU! We need your stories, passions, experiences, failures & love. This world was meant to exist with you & everything you have to offer. So just be YOU! 

I'll love you forever,

momma

Children's Books

READ!

My mother was a librarian for 14 years of my childhood.

What did this mean for me?

I spent a gazillion hours in the public library thumbing through an assortment of stories.

I was carried away to distant lands. I had fictional friends. I learned & dreamed & explored.

Reading is magical. 

We have so many favorite children's books!
Here are some of our most favorites...

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones 

I Love You Through & Through by Bernadette Rossetti 

Giraffe's Cant Dance by Giles Andreae

Llama Llama Nighty Night by Anna Dewdney

Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller
A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester
Panda-monium! by Cynthia Platt
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Marianna Mayer
Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
God Knows All About Me by Kate Toms
Are You A Cow? by Sandra Boynton
Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth
Witzy's Fun Bath by Katie Kobble
P-O-T-T-Y by Kathy Ireland

I encourage you to read to your children! 

Open up new world's for them.

Create a special bond through reading together. 

I promise you, your child(ren) won't be the only one benefiting! 

Enjoy!

Nicole