Christ's Blood

Easter always makes me really think about Jesus dying on the cross and what it really means. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that my King died for me. That the only sinless man that ever lived, died such a horrible and painful death...to save all of us awful sinners. It's so humbling. It makes me really think about the life I'm living and want to better it, so that he didn't die to save me for nothing.

I've heard so many people in the past say that they don't go to church because they have a horrible past, that God wouldn't and couldn't love them. Those thoughts are straight from the devil, that's what he wants God's children to think. It is nothing but a lie. It makes me realize that there are so many misconceptions about "Christians" and "Christianity". 

Someone on Facebook posted this awhile ago and it really stirred something in me. It was someone that I knew from high school, and I had a pretty dark time during my senior year, and for a second, I thought maybe they were posting it about me! 

And then that didn't matter and I realized that it is just so sad that non-Christians think that Jesus lovers think like this! That those who love Jesus are most concerned with hiding their pasts. No! If anything, we hope that any struggles we have had, can be used as a testimony to where their lives turned. That even the ugliest of sinners can be saved! I'm not one to advertise my struggles and sinful ways in my late teens or early twenties, but that certainly does not mean that I am ashamed of my past. If I thought in anyway that my story or my experiences could help heal, save, or bring peace to others, I would not hesitate to be completely honest and forthcoming about things that I've been through in my past.

So quite contrary to this "funny" internet card, PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT MY PAST LOOKED LIKE! Because I am saved. I am the daughter of the King. And I have been forgiven. And so can you.

In worship today, part of the lyrics of one of the songs, spoke about how the blood of Jesus took away our shame. Amen! The freedom we have in Christ is like no other! It truly is amazing love, that I strive to know more and more about. God gave his only son and watched him suffer on that cross. As a mother, I cannot even begin to imagine how painful that must of been. And for Jesus, our Savior, to of lived a perfect and pure life, to go through what he went through. Man, if that doesn't bring tears to your eyes... 

I pray that I can walk with the Lord for the rest of my life. I confess my sins and know that you have forgiven me. That the holy spirit with grow within me. That my life is one that will glorify God. I love you Jesus and what you have done for us sinners will not be forgotten. Let the story of your life and resurrection be forever etched into my heart. 

Week in Instragram Pictures

Hudson is 6 Months!

I feel like I just gave birth to this precious little boy yesterday, but it's been over half a year now! He is such a blessing and I feel so lucky to be his mommy. Hudson has changed so much in the last few weeks, part of that makes me a little weepy, but mostly it's just fun.

 

Stats:

 

16lbs 2oz (25th percentile)

28.5" (95th percentile)

 

He's a long skinny baby, but the doctor isn't concerned because he staying on the same growth curve. That's just the way the little peanut is built.

 

 

Sleep: Oh glorious sleep. Hudson was waking up 2-4 times a night at the 5 month mark. For the last two weeks...he sleeps from about 7:30pm-6:30am straight! It is a wonderful, wonderful thing. He still sleeps swaddled, yes, I know that he's 6 months old...but I need sleep, too!! We're slowly transitioning him out of it by leaving one or both arms out. When he wakes up around 6:30am, I swoop him up and bring him into bed with me. This is such a special time for us. I wrap my arms around him and then he turns onto his side and cuddles into my chest to sleep for another hour. Oh how I love his sweetness...and an extra hour of sleep rest.

He naps really well, too. He almost always takes three naps per day, they vary in length between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.

We put him down awake at all nap/bed times. 75% of the time he doesn't make a peep, but sometimes he fights it a bit. Even then, he fusses for a few minutes and just falls right asleep. I feel so fortunate to have kids that don't need to be rocked to sleep before putting them down. When he wakes up before I know he's gotten enough rest, I just put his pacifier back in his mouth and he usually falls right back asleep.

 



Eating: We introduced Hudson to solids this month. He loves food! So far he's had apples, butternut squash, bananas, green beans, and peas. I give him food 1-2 times a day. I've also been trying out some baby led weaning approaches and he seems to really like that. He ate almost a whole banana one day, just holding it and taking bites of it all my himself. He drinks a 5oz bottle every three hours or so. So...that means that he weaned from nursing this month. It was a pretty smooth transition and it was time for both of us. He seems to be happier and I was ready to have my body back. There has been much less spit up, as well.

He started sitting up by himself this month. He seems much more content to not be held now that he can sit up and see what's going on around him. He also usually insists on holding his bottle himself, too. He'd rather feed himself, as well. See a pattern? Yes, we have a very independent little guy on our hands. Oh yeah, and he has two bottom teeth!

He's wearing mostly 6 months clothes right now. I've been putting him in some 6-12 month and 9 month clothes, but they are still pretty big on this little guy. He wears size 3 diapers. He really likes his big brother and dog, he's constantly smiling and laughing at them.

He's starting to really like playing with toys, especially with Hunter. The weather has been so nice here, that I've been putting Hudson in the Ergo carrier and taking the boys to the park. Hudson relaxes in the carrier while I swing with him and he just seem so peaceful! We've been known to swing for almost an hour while watching Hunter play around us. It's such a wonderful time for all of us.

He brings so much joy to our family. Hudson, we love you so so so much.

Life in Oklahoma

Now that we've been moved into our new house for over a month, I feel like we're settled and have gotten into a new routine. Life has definitely slowed down for us, and I have to admit, I'm very much loving that.

Hudson has decided that he is a bit of a home body. He likes to nap every two hours or so...and he only likes to do that in his room. There is no rocking him to sleep, snoozing in the car seat, dozing off in the swing anymore. He wants to be swaddled and with a pacifier in his room. And if he doesn't have that, he gets pretty upset with me. So, you can imagine, I don't like to leave the house with him for more than a couple hours. And oddly, I'm really adjusting to that just fine. It's forced me to slow down and just focus on my little guys. Hunter likes the alone time with me while Hudson naps. We cuddle up and watch a TV show, read books, he helps me unload the dishwasher, clears the floor of all his toys when I want to vacuum, etc. It's a good routine.

Every week, pretty much looks the same for us:

Monday night; I go to women's fellowship by myself at the church.
Tuesday: Hunter has preschool, Hudson and I grocery shop during that time.
Wednesday: Whole family goes to church service that night
Thursday: Hunter has preschool
Friday: Cheat night from Paleo eating....almost always pizza.
Saturday: ???
Sunday: Whole family goes to church

I never thought that having such a "boring" life would bring me so much peace and contentment. But that's exactly what it has done. I don't ever feel bored or cooped up. It has made me much more aware of God's presence in my life. "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. It allows me more time for reflection and intentional living. I have time to read my bible or other books and have started a spiritual journal, too. It's just so calming and freeing not to be tied up with a million errands and obligations.

A big part of the contentment I feel is due to Jesse's job. He is home all the time, which is a huge change. He flies a few days a week and is gone from either 7am-5pm or 5pm-3am, otherwise, he has a normal office job. We can actually make plans in advance and know he'll be around. Such a change from him being away from us 200+ days a year. He comes home for lunch everyday that he's not flying and is around every morning when we wake up.

I do miss all my family and friends. I think of them often and talk and text with them, too. But I cannot dwell on not being there to see them. I have to just use the resources I have to stay in contact and keep close relationships with them.

Overall, we are so excited to be where we are. Jesse is loving the rural living and we are all loving the almost continuous sunshine! It's so nice to take a walk with the family after dinner or be able to take Hunter to the playground almost anytime! I'm sure I won't be loving the sun nearly as much come summer when it's 100+ degrees everyday, though! I'm almost certain I will be buying some last minute plane tickets home to get out of the heat at some point!