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press on

Thanks for your sweet comments on my last post…which was forever ago! There is something about January that keeps my feet dragging. A heaviness that comes as I remember all that January held four years ago. I often feel like I need the Lord to take me by the hand and pull me along at this time of year. And I’m so thankful that He will do just that.

Anyway…I wanted to clarify that I didn’t mean that last year was ‘wasted’ in the sense that being a mom to my boys is a waste of my time. ‘Wasted’ might have been a bad choice of word. I know that at this stage in my life my hours are going to be poured into my children. It might not seem like I get much done outside the home…or even inside the home, right?! My boys are my purpose and it is a total privilege to be their mama. Believe me, I don’t take that for granted! And some days it will feel like I am just surviving and that is totally okay. But as I looked back over the past year I felt like too often I wasn’t pursuing God with my whole heart both on the fun days of being a mom and on the hard, surviving days of being a mom.

Yesterday at church our pastor taught from Philippians 3:12-16. Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) He said press on means to pursue. As we pursue God we are transformed. As we spend time in God’s Word we are changed and His Word gives us direction. Our pastor made this statement: Our Father in heaven greatly desires for each of us to learn how to live in the now. Not living in my own strength, not just surviving, but fully alive as I pursue God with all of my heart. This year I want to live in the now, fully alive in Christ. I want to seek God on those ‘just surviving’ days…because He can use even those ‘just surviving’ days to transform me. I want to get to the end of the year and be changed. I hope that makes sense!

Okay…so how about a few pictures of my two monkeys? We had a whole week of no sickness last week…except there were still some runny noses going on in these pictures because they are from a few weeks ago. Yay for being healthy!

The boys got one trike for Christmas and one trike for Levi’s birthday. I know we don’t need two of everything, but man it sure eliminates a lot of arguing when there are two trikes!

I am sure Levi is giving Griffin directions on where and how they would be riding their trikes. He is assuming the oldest ‘bossy pants’ role quite nicely. 🙂

Griffin likes to follow along but when he doesn’t get what he wants out of the deal he lets Levi know. He is a fighter.

He watches his brother so closely. And he wants to do everything he is doing.

Levi even found a way to haul a ‘load’ on his trike. That boy is always hauling a load around somewhere.

Griffin is making me doubt my ability to parent so much more than Levi ever did. Which is probably a good thing because God is the only one who gives me any ability to parent anyway. I need to be on my knees for my kids and Griffin is definitely driving me to my knees. Thanks, buddy!

He is a hard one to figure out. But he sure knows how to make his mama smile!

I can hardly believe this is the last week of January. I am so looking forward to a year filled with spending my days with these two boys. And as I change diapers, read stories, make lunches, clean up messes, do laundry, play, laugh, fill up sippy cups, search for pacifiers, cry, teach, have sleepless nights, and love them with all that I am…may I be pursuing hard after God in the midst of it all. May I end this year transformed. And may my boys see Jesus in me.

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  • Angie @ Creating Our Home - The cry of my heart is that my children see Jesus in me, also. It can be so difficult sometimes. Thank you for this post. It is beautiful!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Sara & Angie-Keep pressing on! Being a mom is such an important job. Your kiddos are so blessed to have moms who long to walk closely with Jesus.

    • Jess - Sara & Angie-Keep pressing on! Being a mom is such an important job. Your kiddos are so blessed to have moms who long to walk closely with Jesus.ReplyCancel

  • Sarah@ This Farm Family's Life - Just when you think you have your kids figured out, they seem to throw a curve ball. Our middle child is definitely our test. She is so much more strong willed than our oldest and definitely has a temper. I thank God every day for my family. This was a great post!ReplyCancel

  • Mary Ann - I see Jesus in you so I’m sure the boys do too. I can’t help but smile when I see pictures of your children…..they are so loved and so adored. Lucky little guys, they are!!! There is a saying “we sometimes get into thick of thin things” but I think you are doing everything the Lord wants you to do. Mothering is hard, endless, tiring work but it is the very role that means the most in the end. Mothers are very special in the Lord’s eyes and all those many things you do each day may seem mundane (yikes…the diaper changes, messes, sippy cups, more messes!!) but you are training your little boys to become men….the kind of man your husband seems to be!! So let’s talk about weather for a moment….in SLC Utah we’ve had very unusuallly cold temps, snow, fog, freezing rain (more unusual stuff for our valley), more snow, and no break in between. Glad you guys got a little time to be outside and that your boys are getting over being sick. Take care and have a wonderful, albeit busy, day!! Your little monkeys are adorable.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Mary Ann-Thanks for the encouragement! It is cold and a little snowy here this week too. 🙂

    • Jess - Mary Ann-Thanks for the encouragement! It is cold and a little snowy here this week too. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Ashley - I SO get this!! Having 4 kiddos, we are in the very thick of this right now with one of our own! Thanks SO much for sharing!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Ashley-Thanks for sharing…hang in there!

  • Ellen - Hi! I don’t comment much on blogs, but I love reading yours. It is super encouraging. But I just had to say that I am in total understanding of your statement about the difference in parenting your boys as individuals. I always tell people that I thought I was such a good mom until my second came along. She reminded me, and still does, what a challenge parenting is :)But like you, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I Just pray every day that I can be the kind of mom to both my girls that they need!!
    Take Care!
    EllenReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Ellen-I think our kiddos are just another reminder of how we constantly need the Lord’s strength and help. Being a mom is the greatest thing ever but also so hard some days…I am so thankful the Lord’s sufficient grace each day. Thanks for commenting! 🙂

    • Jess - Ellen-I think our kiddos are just another reminder of how we constantly need the Lord’s strength and help. Being a mom is the greatest thing ever but also so hard some days…I am so thankful the Lord’s sufficient grace each day. Thanks for commenting! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Tiffany J - Your monkeys are precious. And they remind me so much of my two boys. My older also has the “bossy pants” thing nailed. And my youngest is tough to figure out too. But he’s so darn cute that it makes up for it. Wishing you lots of blessings in 2013!ReplyCancel

  • Mel - I love coming to your blog. You are so encouraging. And I love looking through your pictures. You have encouraged and uplifted me on days where I needed it most. I wish we loved close and could be friends! lol. Thanks for sharing your heart and passion for Christ to those who read your posts!!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Mel-Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement too!

    • Jess - Mel-Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement too!ReplyCancel

  • Stefanie - They are so cute. Those footie jammies and hats…so sweet! Love the pics!ReplyCancel

  • Laura - We’ve had a lot of illness this winter too. My boys(dad included) are currently getting over a stomach bug. I’m so ready to be done with illness. I hope to have a week free of illness soon too. AND I really hope I don’t get the current illness. Here’s to being well and not taking it for granted!ReplyCancel