Not so Normal.

So a few weeks ago on Facebook I posted about not wanting to be "Normal". I didn't really know what that meant at the time. Let me tell you I didn't realize the effect that one statement would have on our lives. 

I have been in a "funk" lately, irritable, frustrated, and very confrontational(in my head). I haven't intentionally lashed out at anyone, but I gave them a piece of my mind (in my mind). I didn't know what was going on. My dear loving husband, I am so glad he is my rock. I am blessed to have him. 

I guess I have always had an issue with "conforming" or doing what is "expected" of me as a Christian, a wife, a mother, and a friend. I found myself asking why I cant be "Normal". Just do what is expected of me, act just right, wear the right clothes and say the right things. It came to me as I was praying over not being normal. 

I am never going to be OK, being normal.

I was created for a greater purpose. I am OK , better than OK just being who I am.

It is something that I lost, somewhere between graduation and 2014. My confidence, in who I really am, and who everyone expects me to be. 

So This is Me

A Wife, I never thought I would be. He is my love. I believe in him. He can do anything he puts his mind to. He has proven himself over and over again. I am Blessed by his love.

A Mother, I want my children even when they act like banshees. I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are smart and wonderful. They are Amazing, their Love for God and others is a true blessing.

I homeschool my children. Its the best choice for our family and it doesn't require your approval. I am very passionate about my children and their education. It is important to me that they receive everything they need. If in the future they need something I cant give them, I will make it available to them. They are my main priority. They are not anti social. My children are not the reason public school is lacking funding. I don't need to send them to a local school out of a sense of duty you feel I should have.(I don't by the way) I am in no way declaring that this is the only way. It is our way, for our family.

I enjoy, enjoying my my children and not just watching them. I want them to Love not hate. Teach them to Obey, Not shame them to submission. I don't want the evil of the world and the hypocrisy of the church to put out their fire for God. I have a tall order to fill. This is my job, no one else will take the blame if I fail. I am responsible for these lives. I delight in them.

Sometimes I need a break, and that is OK. Sometimes I need to let my husband care for my girls. Sometimes I need to let others take my girls. Sometimes I need to lock them out of my room and enjoy a chocolate bar. I don't need anyone to make me feel guilty admitting it.

There are days I don't get dressed until lunch time.

I sit and talk on the phone when I should be cleaning.

I don't mop my floors every week.

Sometimes my folded laundry doesn't get put away before it gets warn again.

I am not going to be stressed out anymore because I am scared of what others may think.

There are days I will be grumpy. Days I don't want to get out of bed.

Old habits die hard.

I am taking my life back.

I don't want to be just another "normal" anything.

We want to be a Not so Normal Happy Family.

♥

Amber

Update from Indiana!

So since February our life has been.. for lack of better words... out of sorts. We are still not settled into our own home. In about 45 days we could be moving, I am so excited to say that. We made an offer on a house and the WONDERFUL owners have been working with us!

 Leaving Florida was hard! :(

 We sure miss them!

 Our Welcome to Indiana!

 A Sleep Over!

 Essie and Jayden

 Manicures 

Princess Milkshake Day

 At Chick-fil-A

 Sleeping Arrangements! ha just kidding they just end up here at times!

 Daisy had pups!

 Trying to stay mad on a Beautiful Day

 Autumn is full of adventure!

Esther and Tinker

We are enjoying the memories that we are making! We still miss Florida, and hope to visit soon!

Change.....isn't just for pockets!

Change isn't just for your pockets... even though at times I would rather keep it there than to let it surface in my life. 

There are many things in life that we can change, some seem more monumental than others. As  a Christian I believe the biggest change in my  life has been and forever will be accepting Christ in my heart. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told

 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 

God cleaned house and got rid of things in my life, he made me new. He created a Change in me. 

Mark 10:7,8 says "⁷ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸ and the two shall become one flesh’; ^[a] so then they are no longer two, but one flesh."

 I married the man of my dreams,God Blessed me far beoynd what I deserved. I made not only a promise to him(Nathan), but a vow to God that I would Love and Honor this Man for the REST OF MY LIFE. I choose to submit to him, respect him, and honor him. 

Psalm 127:3  "Children are a gift from the LORD, they are a reward from him"

My 3 sweet little Girls, are a Blessing from God. I have given them to God. I pray for them and do my best to instill his love and teachings in them. I try and set an Godly example and Bless them.

All of those changes we so BIG that putting this one last really puts things in perspective. We are Moving in 5 weeks! Moving 21 hours from here! Wow! I thought it was BIG! In reality it is, a big change, and TONS of work. But by far not the biggest in my life! I will survive, even when it all seems crazy and hectic I still have God, My Husband, and My Children. Even if I dont have all my belongings because they are packed or sold. This Change is busting of my pocket. :)

                                         In Christ Love

                                            Amber

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

Not to Busy!

The little hands in my house are always looking for something to do. I had some tomatoes to work up and my girls were so curious as to what I was doing and as I heard my self tell them to "stand back" and "dont touch that". I felt the spirit nudge me,  let them help, teach them, encourage them! Boy, what a blessing it turned out to be I didnt know I had that much patience! :) I have to remind myself "Your not to busy, these are your blessings, treat them that way" ! Its not easy at 5 am when they want to crawl in our bed, or when the dishes take 2x as long as if I just did them myself. What is my time better spent doing that teaching my children?! We had so much fun , spending this time together and doing something productive all at the same time!!

 Mackenzie

 Esther

                                            Autumn even helped to keep Daisy occupied!

This is my JOB, these are my children to teach, this is where God has me in my life! I feel so blessed that I have this as my job, it is a joy to spend my days with my children! They are not my  inconvenience  they are my blessing!!

The newest addition!

<p>Her name is Daisy and we are enjoying her! The girls love to treat her like a doll, they like rocking her and making her sleep! Feeding her flowers and pushing her in the stroller! She is almost potty trained for that I am thankful. It's somthing to get used to having a pup in the house, her favorite thing to do is chew and she does it well! On toes, sticks, shoes, toys! I thought keeping a toddler out of things was a difficult job, I think I would prefer a toddler to train.
                                                                       On another note please pray for my Father-in-Law his health is failing and only by Gods grace will he regain strength! The prognosis isn't good and our family would appreciate  any prayers!                         

Willis The Bear!

This my friends is Willis the bear! He is named after a man, that will forever be in my memories! Not because I knew him well, or spent a lot of time with him. I only remember meeting him once! You see He gave me this Bear as a gift , I would say about 14-15 years ago. I will start at the beginning!

I have many wonderful women in my life!

My Grandma Judy happens to be one of them!

Aunt Beth too!

Whenever they got together(we lived 9 hours apart)

They liked to Shop!

This was one of the rare occasions I got to go along!

We were in a crafty store, lots of things that didn't interest a 8 year old!

I did see one thing that I liked, a little bear that looked so sweet!

I don't know if I knew the answer already or not

but, I asked anyway!

I wasn't surprised when Grandma said No, I don't think so!

Me being the VERY WELL BEHAVED KID I WAS :)

Didn't throw a fit or cry , I simply gave up!

This sweet man asked my grandma

If you don't mind I would like to give it too her for being so good.

Needless to say I got a teddy bear that day

I named him after the kind gentleman that showed me such warm love!

He didn't know me,

He had never even met me!

But he showed me the kindness!

I enjoyed my Willis bear!

My story doesn't end there! Willis was on a shelf for many years , in a bedroom at my grandparents house! Since I have been married and had children of my own, I decided to bring him home with us! I put him on his own special little chair in my bedroom, he reminds me of the kindness that can be shown to others!

On the other hand Mackenzie had other plans for Willis, he is now one of her most favorite companions! Even though his tag says he isn't a toy! She enjoys him very much! So not only has Willis (the Man) blessed me but also my children! One act of kindness can go a long way, even if you don't intend it to ! :)