11 Years Well Lived!

*Marisa Haas Photography*

11 years ago, *June 1st*, I decided to commit the rest of my life with Jeremy Ketchum!  I can not believe it has been 11 years!  Time goes by entirely too fast!  It may have been 11 years, but I remember our wedding day as if it were yesterday! 

The first few years were our most difficult.  As happy as we were, our baggage was a heavy load!  I knew God had brought us together, and it was my belief in that which kept me moving forward with J. I am sure the feeling was mutual!  ;o) 

Today, I couldn’t be more happy with the man I married!  He isn’t the same person he was in 2002.  He has become more than I had ever dreamed of in a husband.  He has grown more patient, understanding, loving, and has shown me what a Christ-following man should be like; ever changing and being refined only as God can do. 

Thank you Jeremy for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with and leading us in  this adventure called life!!!  I love you!!!

Focus on the kids ...

... this is my task at hand.  

Being a stay at home mom isn't easy.  I have been a working mom before as well, and I would say that was much easier than staying home with them.  However, this is what I wanted to do, and feel God has for me.  

The past couple of weeks have been particularly challenging with moving and all.  And there is so much to be done, unpack, clean, arrange ... rearrange, not to mention the regular day to day things with a family of 7.  Food, diaper changes, potty stops, laundry, etc.  

I have been very stressed trying to get it all done.  My husband has told me on numerous occasions to just focus on the kids, cause that's what is important.  It has been hard, because I want to have everything done.  

But today, I have changed my perspective.  I am going to focus on the kids.  As I have done this, I have found that everything else is falling into place.  Granted I don't have everything done, and some things are waiting.  But the stress level is less and the kids are happier.  

Squeaky 3

I know Jax isn't three yet but it's just around the corner.

A few weeks ago we noticed that Jax had a very squeaky & cracking voice. I thought it was so cute. This lasted until today. When I realized his voice sounds different!

I didn't know that my young man would go through a voice change at such a young age. I expect it from Josh at 12 years old but not a two year old Jaxon. ;-)

That's it. I thought I'd share! Thanks for reading!

God's Will

I knew I'd be moving out of CA one day. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I'd be leaving all that I ever knew, family and friends. And I'm a pretty socialable person. Relationships are important to me.

When God showed us it was time to move to Williams AZ I was excited and scared. Excited to be in His will but scared to start all over.

It sure hasn't been an easy move on any of us. However we all know that we are in the middle of His will and He has us where He wants us. We can not see the whole picture but we trust He can.

I am thankful for the seeds He has planted. The lessons we have learned so far have been priceless. I have learned how to be more dependent on God. To trust Him and His planning over my own. Things I don't think I could have learned while comfortably living in CA. Our kids have learned how to be stronger Christians. To stand up for what they believe in and not give up on that.

These 'seeds' will continue to be watered and I'm excited to see what they will grow into. And I know that they are necessities to a firm foundation.

I am so thankful God meets me where I am and accepts me right now. And even as painful as it can be, I am thankful that He loves me so much. So much in fact that He won't leave me where I am. He wants to grow me, challenge me, and draw me closer to Him.

God's will isn't always comfortable or easy but it is always a learning experience!

Blessings!

Butterfly Wings

Back in April I took Jaxon to a Story/Craft time at our local coffee shop.  It was one of his favorite books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  He had so much fun!  He flew around in his wings for days after that!  


I also thought it would be a good submission for the 'Fly' contest through Epiphanie.  ;o)

My "fly" photo submission in the Epiphanie Camera Bags + My Four Hens photo contest!http://bit.ly/junephotocontest

Overcoming Evil in Parenting

Romans 12:21 says:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I read this while having a particularly hard time as a patent. Lack of sleep and a growing 2 year old while caring for a (almost) three month old makes for a challenging combo.

I wanted to give up on being a mom. I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. Then I felt even worse because I love being a mom and I know I'm blessed to be able to stay home with my kids.

I wondered how I could 'overcome this evil in parenting with good'. How could I be a 'good' parent through all of my fatigue and overcome?

I realized that I had become very short tempered with Jax and telling him 'no' a lot.

I thought I would try it. After all God's word isn't wrong is it.

No more yelling at Jax. No more saying 'no' to everything. And offer other options to him when he can't have what he really wants. And when he needed to go on a time out I would do it calmly and explain things to him. It's amazing how much children really understand!

So through lots of praying to keep calm. Asking God to be my strength in my weakness. And a little determination. After just half a day of doing this things got easier.

I was amazed!

I would love to say that I'm not tired any more but that would be a lie. But! Jax's attitude changed and he became easier to handle.

I love how we can apply Gods word in and to every area in our lives. We just need to be willing and open to it.

Blessings!

Adjusting

It has been an interesting couple of weeks in our home! To start off, we had our baby, McKenzie on March 12th. She came by way of c-section. My mom came on the 9th to help out and prepare some meals for us. So thankful for all of that!!!

I came home from the hospital on the 14th. Then on the 16th ended up in ER due to a spinal headache. The absolute worst pain I have ever been in ... ever! And I have birth two babies naturally, with no medication! I didn't want to get the blood patch to 'fix' the spinal headache because I have an intense fear of needles. My 'prescription' was lots of caffeine, water, and laying down. Thankfully all of that has worked! It took about four days. My kids and husband have been AMAZING. Pulling all of the 'mom-duties' weight, including taking care of Jax.

I'm still not 100%. But the spinal headache is gone. I can deal with the rest of the pain in my abdomen. ;o)

The thing that has been the hardest on me is dealing with Jax. His whole world has been turned upside down. He loves his little sister so much and is so kind to her, holding her, giving her kisses, and being ever so gentle when around her and I. He understands so much and is being so careful when he is around us as to not hurt us. ;o) He is excited about being a big brother and is filling the role nicely.

However, we have had several bouts of fit throwing and screaming. It is so hard for me to deal with his fits, because one, I don't like fits, two, I can't pick him up, three, I have so little energy to deal with it. As, I was getting after him to stop his fit throwing, I realized that I don't treat Kenzie that way. I talk calmly to her and gently. Jax sees this. I am sure it doesn't make any sense to him why mommy would yell at him and not at is new baby sister. I had to catch myself and calm down and talk to him in a cool manner. It didn't help right away, but I am sure in the long run it will make a difference. ;o)

I do all I can to spend time with Jax and remind him how wonderful he is and important he is to me. I do this when he is calm and no longer throwing fits. I've had to let him 'get it out' on his own in his room, but once he is done, we come together and visit.

Cutting this one short - and to an abrupt end - because McKenzie is asking for food! ;o)

Thanks for reading!