Faith-Filled Friday: 13 years of motherhood

Today my baby turns thirteen.

My baby TURNS THIRTEEN!

That sweet life-changer, love-grower, heart-skipper, breath-stopper, little baby boy I held in my tired arms as I blinked back tears, weighted with the immense privilege to share one of God's children with the world, is now too big to even give me a hug most days.

But tonight, as we chatted before bed, I took the opportunity to give him a fresh start. One with 365 days ahead to claim as new (and this goes for me too)!

I asked him to try and think how he can show those around him his Love for God with his whole heart, entire mind, and full strength. And it didn't take him long.
He knew his answers. I'll not share them here because I am going to also start by being a little more discreet for my boy-man's sake. But I will say, by his answers I saw that his heart is bigger than he shows, his mind is sharper than he admits, and his strength has so much potential for greatness...I pray, pray, pray a cover of protection over his character.

Thanks to this boy born on this day, I became a mom. And now, I am a mom of a teenager. There's going to be a lot of stepping up to the challenge around here. And stepping out in love and grace!

Have a faith-filled Friday...and weekend.

Home Improvement crave, thanks HGTV!

So, I am pretty content in my house. It took a while to make it a home, but now, I love it. Even so, I dream often about how I can make it even better. IF you knew me as a child, that wouldn't surprise you. Besides writing fairytales in my spare time, I would sit and draw floor plans for hours. Yep, I was a ten year old with the heart of an architect (perhaps it's because my grandfather aka my hero, was a contractor.)

It's good to dream, but sometimes as an adult, that home-plan dreaming can be a trap of discontentment. Especially after long marathon viewings of HGTV to stir up that "If only"..."List it!" attitude.

But one way to curb that, is my bigger fascination with Pinterest. Yep. Right now, I just LOVE this old but new-to-me social media app. I might not be able to make all these projects happen around my house to make it my dream home, but I can fill up a board with everything and scroll through it and dream to my heart's content.

Want to see my favorite home ideas so far? Do you have a 'Home' board I can explore and share? Let me know!

https://www.pinterest.com/agdicken/home-improvement/

Preview to Wednesday's Post

Living with an Atheist has taught me a thing or two about skepticism. Staying close to my faith has opened my eyes to skepticism as a tool for my children. Come by tomorrow!

Mama Drama Monday: Homesick Hurts

The boys love visiting their grandparents. But we live far...far...away. Trips are longer than just a few days.
So when my sons get homesick, it makes me wish I could snap my fingers and clear up that distance between us.

Missing my babies, even if they are in the double digits now. And that's Mama Drama for real.

Choosing Life Is Not Always Easy

It can be scary and courageous. 

And it's up to us to stop judging and start loving the women who are on the edge of that decision.

 Life is never a regret.

Click here to see One woman's story.