Love, that 4 letter word that can mean so many things to so many different people. Like I love junk food, LOVE it! Doughnuts, cake, chocolate, ice cream....I could go on and on. I also love my husband and family, but in a total different sense of the word. The love I want to talk about is the lovey dovey love between a man and a woman. You know, the googly eyed kind? I often (maybe more than I should) joke with my husband about the way he treated me when we were dating, it's so different now than it was then. Why though? After 7 years of marriage we still love each other very much, so what has changed? I have even talked about this with several of my friends, who all have the same question, why can't we be in the -new and exciting, googly eyed, dating love- all the time?
"Love never gives up, cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of the truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies." 1 Corinthians 13
No where in that verse, does it say, love never changes, because it does. Love is constant, but can be shone differently.
My hubs and I dated for 6 months before we got engaged, then 9 months later we were married. While we were dating, he brought me flowers EVERY month on the anniversary of the day he first asked me out. Anytime I would mention that I wanted something or liked something, he would immediately buy it for me. He took me on dates all the time. He held my hand or had his arm around me constantly. Now, 7 years later, I get flowers on the typical holidays, our anniversary and some times valentines day. He rarely buys me spontaneous things, we don't go on dates much and are not the cuddly couple we once were. I rarely get the "hey just thinking about you" texts any more either. Does that mean we love each other less? Absolutely not, our love has just changed, with our lives changing. We now have busy jobs and a family that keeps us on the go. Now he shows me he loves me in other ways. Like going to work for our family, he works long and hard too. He wrestles and plays with the boys. He brings me the birthday cake milkshake from Zaxby's (cause we all now that's the true sign of love). After so much change though, some things are still the same. I still look at him just the way I did on our wedding day, with the same amount, if not more, of love. Cause now, we have true love, I don't love him because he's "perfect in each and every way," no we are past that. I love him because I choose to. When I'm driving down the road, and he pops in my mind, I can't help but smile. Our marriage has not been perfect, we've had our ups and downs just like everyone else, but all that aside, he is still my other half, and I would choose him again. I said till death do us part, and I intend to keep it that way, no matter how many valleys we have to go through. I choose to love him, and I choose to get thru the bad and continue on to the better places. Our love has changed, and sometimes when I see people at church that (you can tell) are in an early stage of love, it makes me miss what we had years ago, but we have come so far in our relationship, that I don't need that type of love. Now I need a deeper love, a lasting and forever-I'm in it for the long haul- love. That my friends, is what I have :) Not a perfect marriage and life, but I have the man God designed for me. He isn't perfect, but I love him just like Christ loves me, when I'm not perfect. It's not always easy, but it's definitely always worth it. Chelsea
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Snips and snails and puppy dog tails
Every time I am out in public with my 2 boys, people always ask me (seeing that I am obviously pregnant) "is it a girl this time?" I always respond with, "no" and smile. You would be surprised with some of the responses I get. Most people have this look of disappointment on their face, and then they say, "I'm sorry". This one woman started laughing so hard, she could hardly take my food order. I mean, am I the first woman in history to have 3 boys??? I don't get it. Maybe it's because sometimes I don't have "total" control over my kids when we are out and about (yes sometimes I am THAT mom, you know the one I'm talking about), so people are thinking, wow she doesn't need any more kids, she can't control the ones she has! What's wrong with having all boys?
Do I want a girl? Sure, but it's just not meant to be (for now maybe), and I am totally ok with 3 boys....right? I mean I DO get tired of cleaning up all the pee and mess that comes with boys. I get tired of breaking up all the brawls that can and will occur anywhere...like your friends baby shower...in the middle of the present opening circle...it happened. Boys are VERY different than girls, even from the beginning as babies. I will look at some of my friends daughters, they are so cute and neat, they will just sit quietly and read a book...then there are my boys, who will loudly declare in a crowded doctors office, "I HAVE TO GO POO POO!!!!" or cry and throw a massive tantrum, because they haven't eaten in 20 minutes. I love my boys with every ounce of love I have, no doubt. Do I get overwhelmed, almost daily? Yes. Is it hard staying so busy with them? Yes Would I change it? Never. My life is so full, I don't know what I ever did without kids. My husband and I have truly discussed that, "what did we do before kids?" You have this void in your life, before you have kids, you don't always know it's there, and then other times you do. I don't think we knew ours was there..until after we had our first son, and all was well and perfect in our lives. We were full and in love with life, still are.
I said all that to say this, again, what's wrong with having all boys? I personally believe boys are harder children than girls are, but in the teenage years girls will become more difficult to raise. PERSONALLY, now I may have a total different outlook when my boys get older! I get the honor of raising up godly men, and I think we can all agree that we need more of them in this crazy world. I get the blessing of watching them treat their future wives, with the respect that I taught them. I get to teach them about life and the importance of being a gentlemen and having manners. I have the opportunity to make them great. That to me, is a big responsibility. Sometimes I feel like I fail at that daily, I feel like I yell too much or didn't spend enough quality time with them, but as I lay them down at night, they are so loving and genuine and they say to me "I love you" with these huge smiles, and I get these huge hugs...that lets me know, I'm doing something right. As I was making some birthday decorations for my almost 3 year old, I asked him if he liked them, he said yes, and then he said "I'm so proud of you". I could have cried, because that meant, in all the chaos and all the tears (from us both) I was getting through to him. All I can do is trust in the Lord to lead me and guide me on this parenting journey, cause He knows I would NOT be able to do it with out him!!! I am currently reading 2 books that are really helping me understand males, not only my children, but my husband as well. Wild at heart- By John Elderdge and Shepherding a child's heart- by Tedd Tripp They are both great reads, but if you have boys, I would definitely recommend Wild at heart.
Chelsea
Do I want a girl? Sure, but it's just not meant to be (for now maybe), and I am totally ok with 3 boys....right? I mean I DO get tired of cleaning up all the pee and mess that comes with boys. I get tired of breaking up all the brawls that can and will occur anywhere...like your friends baby shower...in the middle of the present opening circle...it happened. Boys are VERY different than girls, even from the beginning as babies. I will look at some of my friends daughters, they are so cute and neat, they will just sit quietly and read a book...then there are my boys, who will loudly declare in a crowded doctors office, "I HAVE TO GO POO POO!!!!" or cry and throw a massive tantrum, because they haven't eaten in 20 minutes. I love my boys with every ounce of love I have, no doubt. Do I get overwhelmed, almost daily? Yes. Is it hard staying so busy with them? Yes Would I change it? Never. My life is so full, I don't know what I ever did without kids. My husband and I have truly discussed that, "what did we do before kids?" You have this void in your life, before you have kids, you don't always know it's there, and then other times you do. I don't think we knew ours was there..until after we had our first son, and all was well and perfect in our lives. We were full and in love with life, still are.
I said all that to say this, again, what's wrong with having all boys? I personally believe boys are harder children than girls are, but in the teenage years girls will become more difficult to raise. PERSONALLY, now I may have a total different outlook when my boys get older! I get the honor of raising up godly men, and I think we can all agree that we need more of them in this crazy world. I get the blessing of watching them treat their future wives, with the respect that I taught them. I get to teach them about life and the importance of being a gentlemen and having manners. I have the opportunity to make them great. That to me, is a big responsibility. Sometimes I feel like I fail at that daily, I feel like I yell too much or didn't spend enough quality time with them, but as I lay them down at night, they are so loving and genuine and they say to me "I love you" with these huge smiles, and I get these huge hugs...that lets me know, I'm doing something right. As I was making some birthday decorations for my almost 3 year old, I asked him if he liked them, he said yes, and then he said "I'm so proud of you". I could have cried, because that meant, in all the chaos and all the tears (from us both) I was getting through to him. All I can do is trust in the Lord to lead me and guide me on this parenting journey, cause He knows I would NOT be able to do it with out him!!! I am currently reading 2 books that are really helping me understand males, not only my children, but my husband as well. Wild at heart- By John Elderdge and Shepherding a child's heart- by Tedd Tripp They are both great reads, but if you have boys, I would definitely recommend Wild at heart.
Chelsea
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Life as I know it right now.
My first post as an official "blogger"!!!!!! I am so excited to finally do this! Keeping a blog is something I have been thinking about for awhile now, and more recently it has been on my mind, so I just did it :) I am starting so many new things in life, I figure this will be a good way to keep track of everything.
1) We are starting our first year as homeschoolers next month. We will be doing kindergarten and a small amount of things with the (almost) 3 year old. I am so excited to start this, I feel like it's just something our family should do right now. I have completely lost faith in our society, and I want to be in control of my children and the things they learn so..here we go!
2) My precious baby will be 3 in August!! Can't believe it, he is such a joy to have in our lives, he definitely has his own personality and way of doing life. There never really is a dull moment at our house! I am planning a (hopefully) amazing birthday party for him. Since it's in the summer, we will just have a party at our home, we bought a big inflatable water slide that the kids will have a blast on. Can't wait to post pictures of it :)
3) We are expecting baby (boy) number 3 the first of September. I am so in love with him already, I just cannot wait to hold him and stare into his precious face :)
So, with all that being said, we are going to have a very hectic next couple of months!! I'm sure part of this has to do with my pregnant hormones, but I have just been feeling so overwhelmed with life lately. I am such a type A person, I like to be organized and in control, and sometimes, you just can't be. I have really been praying for peace and help in this situation. I just keep remembering these two verses, "When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn". Psalm 142:3
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1
I love that He cares so much about me, He is there to comfort little ole me, in my tiny struggles of day to day life. I love that He cares enough for me to listen every time I call His name. I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do in my life next!
Chelsea
1) We are starting our first year as homeschoolers next month. We will be doing kindergarten and a small amount of things with the (almost) 3 year old. I am so excited to start this, I feel like it's just something our family should do right now. I have completely lost faith in our society, and I want to be in control of my children and the things they learn so..here we go!
2) My precious baby will be 3 in August!! Can't believe it, he is such a joy to have in our lives, he definitely has his own personality and way of doing life. There never really is a dull moment at our house! I am planning a (hopefully) amazing birthday party for him. Since it's in the summer, we will just have a party at our home, we bought a big inflatable water slide that the kids will have a blast on. Can't wait to post pictures of it :)
3) We are expecting baby (boy) number 3 the first of September. I am so in love with him already, I just cannot wait to hold him and stare into his precious face :)
So, with all that being said, we are going to have a very hectic next couple of months!! I'm sure part of this has to do with my pregnant hormones, but I have just been feeling so overwhelmed with life lately. I am such a type A person, I like to be organized and in control, and sometimes, you just can't be. I have really been praying for peace and help in this situation. I just keep remembering these two verses, "When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn". Psalm 142:3
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1
I love that He cares so much about me, He is there to comfort little ole me, in my tiny struggles of day to day life. I love that He cares enough for me to listen every time I call His name. I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do in my life next!
Chelsea
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