March Book Review

Another month has come and gone. I can't believe it!

After "The Month Jen Hatmaker Invaded My Life", I needed something light to read as I processed through everything. I picked up the 5th book of the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. I must confess...I began this series when we were first married. This was 3....almost 4 years ago! I borrowed these books from one of our students, and still haven't finished them! THE SHOCK. THE HORROR. Shame on me. So, I decided it's time! Despite my actions that may appear otherwise, I love this series! It's chalked full of fantasy and beautiful imagery. I want to give Aslan a hug. So, of course I recommend reading these. I have 2 to go! The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was a great and short read!

Alright...I have been terrified to read this next book for a few years. Yet Jen trapped me again :) I keep struggling with what God wants me to do with the message in Interrupted, so my friend Shannon suggested reading 7...a book also by Jen Hatmaker. This book is "an experimental mutiny against excess." She takes 7 months and fasts from 7 different things each month. The purpose?

"7 will be an exercise in simplicity with one goal: to create space for God's kingdom to break through. It will be a tangible way to bow low and repent of greed, ungratefulness, ruined opportunities, and irresponsibility. It's time to admit I'm trapped in the machine, held by my own selfishness. It's time to face our spending and call it what it is: a travesty."

So Jen fasts from each of these 7 things in this order and writes about each day in journal-like format for us to read: 

Month 1: Food- She literally chose 7 foods to eat for the month and could eat those and those alone. No extra spices, sauces, nothing. JUST those 7 foods.

Month 2: Clothes- She chose 7 items of clothes to wear (besides undergarments) and wore ONLY those all month long.

Month 3: Possessions- She gave away 7 items each day of the month to someone who needed it. She didn't just take it to Goodwill...she stored these items up until she found someone who needed them.

Month 4: Media- Her whole family fasted from TV, Gaming, Facebook/Twitter, iPhone apps, Radio, Texting, and the Internet (The last two only when they were a waste of time. She needs them both for work).

Month 5: Waste- Her family recycled, planted a garden, drove only one car, shopped locally only, and bought clothing from second-hand thrift stores.

Month 6: Spending- Her family could only spend at 7 different places. No extra eating out or consumption. 

Month 7: Stress- She and her family observed the Sabbath from Saturday at 5 until Sunday at 5 and had communion in their home. She also followed Seven Sacred Pauses and prayed for specific things 7 different times of the day for a whole month.

Now people...you may think this sounds crazy, and it really does. THAT is exactly why I was terrified to read this book. Sometimes I like being caught in the machine of selfishness...but then again I don't. I have a war waging within me. I don't want it, but I don't know how to get out. So, this book was perfection. Jen is hilarious and raw, insightful and wise. Jesus really used this experiment in her life...she truly found the meaning of fasting. I don't have enough words for how convicting and incredible this book is. Shannon and I read it together, and we kept saying "We'll decide at the end of the book if we're going to do the actual experiment or not." So here we are at the end of the book and well...what's our next excuse? ha! We're leaning toward doing it and tweaking some things to fit our context. I need to learn the art of fasting, and I think this would be huge for our family. 

I can't even give you "this meant the most to me quotations" to you or explain how Jesus used this book in me. My book looks like a child got a hold of an underliner (or "pen" as normal people call it) and went to town! There's just so much GOODNESS.

All of that to say...read Interrupted. Then read 7. It's time to be the Church we're really supposed to be. I'm so tired of being stuck in the machine!

31 Weeks.

At 31 weeks:

Size: Pineapple. About 15.2-16.7 inches. 2.5-3.8 pounds.

Major Happenings: All 5 of his senses are fully developed! Major brain and nerve development is happening. His irises now react to light!

What's Been Happening: Lots and lots of ball games. This past weekend we celebrated EASTER! We are so grateful for our Risen Savior JESUS! We also celebrated Tyler whose birthday was on Easter this year! We're so thankful for him and all he does for our family! He's the BEST!

Sleep: My mother in law brought me some Bath and Body Works aromatherapy called: SLEEP. She gave me body lotion and pillow spray! I don't know if it's because I've been so exhausted or because of this stuff, but I have slept a little better since this weekend!

Miss Anything: Not really this week! I am very glad to read back on Liam's pregnancy and realize some of the (slightly unbearable) pains are what I felt with him too. Oye. I do miss not feeling aches and pains, but it is part of it. I'm just glad to have a healthy baby and to be healthy myself! Thank you, Jesus!

Food Cravings: Chocolate and powdered sugar covered mini donuts. WHY doesn't this baby crave HEALTHY FOOD? Haha!

Bellybutton in or out: Still creepin', y'all!

Wedding Rings on or off: on! Some days they get a little snug when it's hot outside, but we're still hanging on!

Looking Forward to: A semi chill week! It's the students' spring break, so Tyler gets to do a bunch of fun things with them! And then we all get to hang out together in the evenings because there are NO sports events. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE supporting our students and their activities, but a little break in the evenings with family time at home is refreshing!

Friday Favorites

Last Friday Liam and I had to run some errands. Running errands with him is my FAVORITE. He reminds me to enjoy the little things in life! We went to get him an Easter basket for the church Easter egg hunt Saturday, and he just couldn't choose! We went with the one on the left (his right)...it was a couple of dollars more, but it is my FAVORITE!

We went to Walmart for groceries, and Liam's FAVORITE thing about that store is the fish display! I got him out of the cart waaaaaay down the aisle, and he ran all the way to them and squealed! He's clapping for them here!

After the store, we walked with two of our FAVORITE people--Shay and Henry! Shay and I matched from head to toe! We were meant to be sisters. Kindred spirits, we are!

So the day continued to be our FAVORITE because we got a night IN with DADDY! YESSSSSS. We had so much fun at dinner. I actually MADE dinner because we were all home...score! BBQ chicken tacos...it's quickly becoming one of our FAVORITE meals. Tyler and I were having a conversation and weren't paying too much attention to Liam for a minute when all the sudden we saw FRENCH FRIES in his toes! And then he proceeded to eat them....with his TOES! Ahhhh. It was hilarious! Check out the video. (Do not judge our parenting. After a week of toddler-hood tantrums, we all needed a good laugh from our cutie!)

Then daddy made a fire pit...that's his FAVORITE thing to do! Liam helped him gather sticks, and it was precious! I think Liam is his FAVORITE helper!

Saturday morning we went to our church's preschool and children Easter parade/egg hunt. The kids got to decorate bikes, cars, etc. and then parade them around the cul de sac. Then they had a big Easter egg hunt! Liam enjoyed it! Watching him have fun with other kids is my FAVORITE. 

 

 

Then Liam and daddy got some snuggles while they watch Tyler's FAVORITE team-the Kentucky Wildcats. And they won!

Monday evening we went to Tyler's soccer game to cheer our FAVORITE guy on--GO COACH DADDY! They won the game, too! Go Mustangs! We ate suckers together, which made for a happy Liam (and mommy).

 

On Tuesday night we went to watch our girl's JV and Varsity softball teams. Liam got to play with the softball girls and run amok, which are his FAVORITES.

  

 

Thursday we went back to Walmart before family came in for the weekend. Liam found some fun snuggly friends that we had to put "night night" back in their bin so mommy wouldn't have to pay $20 for stuffed animals he doesn't need :) But snuggling them was his FAVORITE part of the trip (besides the fish, of course).

 

After Walmart I had a productive few hours while Liam napped. Several of my to-do list tasks were checked off! Yesssss. It's my FAVORITE to mark stuff off my to-do list. The stars and stripes bowtie was one I made for one of our friend's sons last year, and the blue one was for his Easter outfit this year. I have fun making these bowties!

We made Easter art for grandparents after Liam's nap, which is their FAVORITE! Plus, we made a birthday card for Tyler because his birthday is on Easter!

 

Then we went to cheer daddy and the rest of Calvary's guy team on in church league basketball! Ball is Liam's FAVORITE!

 

All week during the day, Liam and I went to the church for Holy Week services and a lunch afterward. So, it was a bit crazy during the day, and we had activities every night! It was crazy! But we made it :) This weekend Tyler's family is coming to town to celebrate Easter and Tyler's birthday! Yay!

Have a great weekend! 

30 Weeks.

At 30 weeks:

Size: Cucumber. About 15.2-16.7 inches. 2.5-3.8 pounds.

Major Happenings: His skin is getting smoother. His brain is getting wrinklier to make way for essential brain tissue. He's now strong enough to grasp a finger!

What's Been Happening: We had a NICE relaxing weekend at HOME just the three of us this weekend. It was fantastic and MUCH needed! I love our little family. So much!

Sleep: Y'all. This tailbone pain is NO JOKE. So, it's been rough sleeping. And when I get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, all my joints have stiffened up, so the pain shoots through me from my tailbone :( It's been a bit rough on me the past few weeks. And of course lack of sleep makes me GRUMPY. boo.

Miss Anything: Soda. Tyler and I are still trying to resist soda until after the baby comes...AT LEAST. I would love to get it out of my life completely. It's just so hard because it's yummy!

Food Cravings: This week has been pretty calm in the cravings. I haven't had a hankerin' for Doritos in a while!

Bellybutton in or out: Still creeping out!

Wedding Rings on or off: Still on!

Looking Forward to: Tyler's family comes to town this weekend to celebrate Easter and Tyler's birthday! We're looking forward to seeing them again :) Also- I'm now into going to the doctor every two weeks to check up on Harper! WHAAAAAT?! This pregnancy is flying by!

And just as a side note, we have named our baby!

Harper James Clem

We kept second guessing his name, but we love it so much! So, hopefully this is what we'll stick with (much to my dad's dismay--he thinks it's such a girl's name).

Friday Favorites

Time for some more Friday Favorites! aka: my weekly recap :)

This past weekend we went with the Children's Ministry and Middle School Ministry from our church to Great Wolf Lodge. It's this really nice hotel that has an indoor water park! It's one of the kids' FAVORITE places to go! Last year Liam was only 9 months old when we went, so he had more fun this year. Even though he got pretty sick while we were there. Boo. Definitely not my favorite.

Little Liam did a lot of this last time we went:

This time...not so much. But the sweet guy gave me lots and lots of snuggles, which are always my FAVORITE!

 

He even snuggled with Morgan...one of his FAVORITE girls!

Liam played in the water a whole lot with several youth girls. They are his FAVORITES!

  

We ate yummy food while snuggling some more!

The girls (and Jay) gawked over his cuteness, which is for sure Liam's FAVORITE. He likes an audience!

He even got to play with DADDY. His FAVORITE guy on planet earth!

  

 

Tyler is such a great daddy!

Our sweet boy had a cough from our Tennessee trip, and it just escalated. Friday night he and I were up most of the night because his cough kept us awake. He also started running a 100.5 fever while we were there. He ran that fever for 3 straight days. :( Poor sweet guy. He still had a smile on, though! His smile is my FAVORITE! And this guy in a puddle jumper. Wow...cuteness!

 

Sharing mommy's Dippin Dots is his FAVORITE!

  

Once he was OVER the water park and felt completely horrible, I put him in some dry clothes, and he watched Barney with Karsen. Barney is definitely Liam's FAVORITE! Then he hung with mommy before leaving. You can just tell he doesn't feel well!

  

Liam also loved the big kids playing with him as we were waiting to leave...

 

Look at his sweet little transformation! Last year to this year.

 

 

 

My baby boy is growing up, and it's not my favorite but it is at the same time! I saw this quotation this week on Facebook and thought, "YES! Exactly!"

Sunday morning he woke up still with a fever. Booooo! So, he and I laid in mine and Tyler's bed ALL morning long. We watched Barney, Elmo, and Dora. We read tons of books. We drank orange juice, and we rested. Just what he needed. He even proceeded to take a 4 hour nap that afternoon! Resting after a tiresome weekend with my sick boy was my FAVORITE.

Sunday night we had our student leadership team over to the house to meet up, study scripture, and chat about leading with integrity. I love these students! This time on Sunday nights is quickly becoming my FAVORITE.

Monday we went to the doctor and got Liam hooked up with antibiotics...double ear infection for the win. It's a good thing the pink medicine is his FAVORITE! Tuesday I had a doctor's appointment and had this lovely bruise on my arm from my blood sample the day before. It just looked too epic not to share!

Our girl Sam came with us to sit in the car with Liam while I was with the doctor. We then walked around downtown Greenville and had lunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe. This is one of my FAVORITE places to eat downtown! So yummy! 

Liam found a new dog friend:

 

And girlfriend:

 

And gave mommy some lovins':

  

And Sam snapped my new FAVORITE picture of the two of us:

More explorin' and eatin':

We've LOVED the beautiful weather lately! We've gotten outside to ride in Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car, play with cars and balls in the backyard, and pile sticks in the fire pit!

  

We even got to finally watch the varsity girls play softball, while Liam schmoozed Abby and Natalie! 

 

The rest of the week we've been at home getting my baby better! Play-Doh helps!

 

So do mommy's shoes!

 

Liam has been CHALLENGING this week. He's getting over sickness and has found his opinion and the word "no." We've been working on self-control and being kind. But...he's 1. Almost 2. So it's going...how it's going. Shay sent me this picture to keep reminding me to relish it all. I'm so thankful for great, encouraging friends! And the Lord's ability to give me patience that doesn't always come naturally. Or ever come naturally. 

And in the spirit of enjoying the moments, I snapped this picture while we were playing in the backyard yesterday. Be still my heart! He's just my FAVORITE boy. I love seeing his love for life and the light in his eyes! #allthehearteyes

On a completely different note, we've been having discussions about man buns at our house this week, and these just make me LAUGH!

And this is the face of a disappointed, non-man-bun-wearing man.

Have a happy weekend! And at all costs, avoid the man bun :)