Tell them they’re beautiful!

I’m sure, if you’re old enough to be reading this, you’ve had an experience that made you feel less than beautiful. It could be pictures in a magazine, words said in anger, clothes that don’t fit the way you’d like, or a million other things. If you have children, teach them they’re beautiful (cute, handsome, whatever) INSIDE AND OUT, before the world teaches them that they’re not. Send them out into the world with so much self-confidence, nothing can break their image of themself.

This isn’t just for kids, anyone of any age can use this. Compliment your friends and family. Not once, not occasionally, do it often. While you’re at it, learn to talk positively about yourself. Don’t say you “need” makeup, you hate your stretchmarks, you need to put on or lose weight, you’re too tall or short. Don’t talk negatively about others either.

A person who has low self-esteem is going to run to the first person to compliment them. They will stay home when they’re invited out because they don’t have any clothes that they feel confident in. They will always feel compliments are lies yet still crave them. They are the ones in the group who volunteer to take the group picture because they don’t want to be in it. They are also frequently the ones who think or say negative things about others. Hurt people hurt people.

A person with confidence knows their self-worth. They bring others out of their comfort zones because they want them to be happy too. They pull them into pictures they don’t want to be in because they see the beauty in everyone. They complement others because they know it won’t bring them down bringing others up.

God made us in His image. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Tell them they’re beautiful, so when the world tries to say they aren’t, they can stand up and tell the world it’s lying. Tell them they’re beautiful, so when the world tries to say they’re not, they can confidentially say they are a son or daughter of the King and there’s NOTHING more beautiful than that. Until next time, be blessed!

P.S. YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!

5 years

I created this page years ago. I told myself I’d post at least weekly. That means I’m about 200 or so posts behind. I have failed at keeping up with this. Just being honest, I’ll probably fail to keep up with it in the future too. I’ve failed in many ways at many things. I’m just a human.

I have realized, I’ve used having 7 kids as an excuse for failing. Having preemies as an excuse for failing. Having a baby as an excuse for failing. Problems with my sleep, money, relationship, car, you name it, as an excuse for failing. Failing to do things I should do. Failing to be on time. Failing to be the always calm, patient, loving person I dream to be. I’m just a broken human.

For lent, I gave up Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. That’s what lead me back to here. Nursing a baby can be boring when you can’t scroll through Facebook or put on a YouTube video. It makes me feel empty in some ways, like I’m missing out on the world and missing my chance to share myself with the world. Then I think, why would I share myself with the world? What do I have to offer the world? I’m just an average broken human.

Just an average broken human. Just: simply; only; no more than. Average: mediocre; not very good. Broken: having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order. Human: of or characteristic of people as opposed to God or animals or machines, especially in being susceptible to weakness.

To the world “just an average broken human” sounds bad or worthy. Thankfully I’m not of this world. The bible says multiple times in multiple ways that I am enough. That God can turn me into someone amazing. That He can use me for His will. So while I continue trying to do better every day, I rest assured that God is not done with me.

Maybe that’s what I have to share with the world. The failures, achievements, and little moments in life that God is using to shape me in to the person He created me to be. Maybe I have something to share that can help someone else. Maybe, just maybe, sharing my life is what I need, to grow me into who I’m made to be. Until next time, be blessed.

Nobody Knows

Nobody knows how hard it is to be a nicu parent unless they’ve experienced it. Nobody knows how scary it is to have a micro preemie, even on good days, it’s scary. Nobody knows the pain behind the smile when you watch your friends and family members bring home their healthy full term babies or share pregnancy updates. Nobody knows the guilt of constantly feeling like your body failed your babies. Nobody knows the fear of watching your child gasp for air while their stats drop and alarms start going off. Nobody knows how you’re dying inside being away from your kids. Nobody knows the rush of panic every time your phone rings. Nobody knows how 20 seconds can feel like forever waiting for your baby to breathe. Nobody knows the sinking feeling when you put your hand on your stomach and remember your babies aren’t there. Nobody knows the intense joy of seeing your babies open their eyes for the first time. Nobody knows just how huge a gram or milliliter can be. Nobody knows the ultimate feeling of peace having a tiny fragile baby laying on your chest. Nobody knows the excitement of the tiniest milestones. Nobody knows the overwhelming joy of hearing it’s been a boring day. Nobody knows the meaning of trust until you tell the nurses you’ll see them in the morning. Nobody knows and that’s a blessing and a curse.

Everything’s closed

Parents are freaking out over school being closed. Instead of being angry or upset, get to know your kids, have fun, enjoy them. You might remember this as being a scary or frustrating time, they’ll remember the amazing break from school where they got to see their parents and not have to stress about school. Take the time to teach them what they won’t learn in school, how to grow a garden, learn to cook, do dishes/laundry/cleaning, how to change the oil and check the breaks. Talk to them about what’s going on in the world, WHY we’re staying home, why our elderly ARE important. Let them stay up later and look at the stars, get up and watch the sun rise with them, watch the wildlife in your yard. Trust me, your kids will learn some of the most valuable information at home. While everything’s closed, open your heart ❤

God and germs

I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying, “God and germs are everywhere, so say your prayers and wash your hands”. That saying has never been so real until now. I don’t think anyone has made it through these last couple months without hearing about the coronavirus. It’s amazing how a microscopic cell is rattling the world. People arguing if the flu or coronavirus is worse, fighting over toilet paper, panicking, or ignoring everything about it.

Here’s the thing, there’s no right or wrong way to handle this. If buying toilet paper makes you confident to handle whatever comes, then who am I to tell you not to? If ignoring it’s existence helps you, I am proud of you for having that kind of willpower.

I keep seeing, “but whhhhhy all the tp?!” We’re told to prepare for a MINIMUM of a 2 week quarantine. 2 weeks for my family is about 18 rolls. But what if it’s not 2 weeks, it’s the whole 28 day incubation period? Now we need 36 rolls. 36 rolls seems like a lot to some people, but to a “large” family, it’s just a months supply (something I encourage everyone to work towards… new post for prepping?) Either way, if you didn’t get the tp, diapers, wipes, whatever, when you had the chance, don’t get mad that the opportunity is gone, nobody stopped you weeks ago. And if people are buying it just because they can, maybe they thought ahead and want it for trade value if shtf? Remember, Noah built the arc before the rain came.

In the end, we all just want to get through this alive in the most comfortable way possible. Say your prayers and wash your hands ❤

Easter 2019

Today in church, the priest was talking about happiness being our own choice. It spoke to me on a deep level. Life is full of challenges, we can’t control that, but we can control how we react.



Our day started stressful, running late for church (what else is new) kids not listening (what else is new) missing shoes (what else is new) you get the idea. We finally get to church and our kids are dressed up, together, and fairly happy, soooo… PICTURE TIME! Well, I didn’t take into account the fact that the sun was right in their eyes so no good pics, oh well. We get inside and the kids start misbehaving, I start stressing, C starts crying, I’m standing there and say, today I’m going to actively listen to what’s being said, and I’m glad I did. I choose my happiness, not what’s said in a fight, not the things going wrong, not bad pictures, ME.



List of things gone wrong today, it’s probably missing some.



Kids not listeningMissing shoesLate for churchProblems with husbandProblems with momSleep deprivationPainAlternator went out on only vehicle



Guess who’s still happy… I am, because I choose to be. Life is hard enough, why spend it unhappy?