BOYS WILL BE BOYS!

I love how Cooper looks at these men who I hope will have Godly, loving, and positive influences in his life. 

I love you Dad

I love you Pops

I love you Poppa Joe

My parents made a random visit last week. Also, a good surprise!

And I hope these little feet find their journey to be blessed and full of serving God and others with love and selflessness. (I love his little feet)

1st Razorback Game/ 1st ER visit

This weekend Cooper had an event filled one. We were so excited to begin football season and cheer on the Hogs! Gramma, Pops and Aunt KK came for a weekend visit which was so fun! We got to hangout and rest together along with a wonderful brunch today!

I decorated my table with all these Razorback dishes we got when we got married.

Gramma and Pops

GO HOGS GO!

Also in this weekend we had our 1st trip to the ER. Gramma and Cooper fell which ended in him hitting his head so just to be safe we wanted him to get checked out. He cried, but was acting normal and did wonderful for all his checks at the hospital. Gramma is still not feeling well and hopefully this week she can get better!

Dad and Cooper waiting for doctor

Me and my baby! Oh, how I love him. He nursed at the hospital, slept and played.

rest time before his CT scan

him getting his scan. I was nervous to do this, but when they told me he could act normal and still have bleeding, I got concerned and just wanted to make sure. We had a good report and today has been wonderful and typical for him. We love this little guy so much! Praise God that him and Gramma are okay, that was scary!!!

Tomorrow is Labor Day and I'm looking forward to a visit with my dear friends Emily and Amy Bell!!!

The Moby!!!

So I received a moby wrap and have spent weeks trying to figure it out by reading the instructions and couldn't! My amazing sister in law comes to visit and tells me to use a you tube tutorial. So smart!

Here I am practicing with zebra baby:





And here I am with my baby!




It's not perfect but at least ive got the concept to keep at it!

We had a wonderful weekend and just went to eat at hog haus and TCBY on campus!
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RE-Blog: Choosing Life

This is from my sweet friend Erin, her thoughts spoke to me so much so I wanted to document this for me to have as a reference and to share with others. 

 

" Today, I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him, for he is life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deut. 30:19-20

Oh how this verse spoke so directly to me today at mommy group! We had the privelege of listening to a licensed Christian counselor share from her experience working with young moms this week, and the word God had given her spoke so specifically to me. She spoke about the importance of our choices, more specifically choosing life or death in daily decisions as moms and wives.

She compared ways that we choose between life and death in our daily grind.

Choosing Life: investing in God's calling on your life, knowing God's Word, taking godly council, and keeping priorities right with God first.

Choosing Death: unforgiveness, negative thinking, worrying, unrealistic expectations, and getting too busy

I know after looking at that list that I struggle a lot with unrealistic expectations and getting too busy!

She also hit on some key beliefs that she has noticed most young moms and wives struggle with that keep them from living in the abundant life God has for them and keeps them from choosing life. She went on to explain the power our beliefs have in our life and why they can keep us from choosing life. Among her many points, the one that struck me deeply was that when we decided to BELIEVE in Jesus, it changed eternity. Just our belief. Wow. I have continued to meditate on this since leaving. How quickly I can forget that what is so deep in my heart affects every aspect of my life: thinking, actions, parenting, sacrificing for my husband, the kind of friend I am, etc.

Over the past few years, God has continued to reveal to me the power in my thought life and beliefs, and today when she said that it was like God was saying, "Erin, your beliefs are holding you back. Your beliefs are keeping you from choosing life in certain situations. Your beliefs are keeping you from experiencing all the abundance I have for you. Choose life. Choose to bring your beliefs to me and let me speak truth into them."

Here are the Beliefs She Mentioned and then the Truths that we need to ask God to place deep within us as He roots out the lies.

Lies:

I have to be perfect.

I must have everyone's love and approval.

I must have everything go my way to be happy.

Life should be easy.

I need_____ to be happy.

I have to do it ALL!

Truths:

Home is my greatest mission field.

My children are a gift. My specific children are perfect for me, strengths and weaknesses.

My husband is an opportunity to love and serve sacrificially.

God has given me everything for and joy in this life.

We are most like Jesus when we serve.

So many of these hit home for me. I want my home to be full of life and abundance. I realized today that starts with me. I have often heard that the mom sets the tone for the home, and after having experienced only a brief 20 months as a mom thus far, I couldn't agree more. Sadly, I have been taking this for granted. I have been looking to my husband to fulfill my needs instead of the Lord and become bitter and frustrated when he doesn't. I have been treating parts of my role as a mom and wife as a duty/burden instead of a privilege, like fixing dinner, doing the laundry, cleaning the house, etc.

I walked away challenged and inspired. My mission is to make my home full of life and abundance. I pray that this scripture and her words would be an encouragement to all of you young moms out there that are trying to "do it all," to do the same, CHOOSE LIFE. May you find peace and rest as you bring the negative beliefs/lies to the loving grace of the Father and exchange it for his truth and peace instead.

Posted by Craig and Erin at 11:44 AM

Fun with friends!!!

This week Cooper had a lunch date with Reese and Campbell, two adorable almost 1 year olds, thanks Leah and Kate-we had a blast!

Then yesterday our bible study babies from the past year decided to start a weekly play date! We went over to Elizabeths and just hung out and ate a yummy brunch! I'm posting all these pics Elizabeth took just because it's funny to try to get 5 babies under 1 to look right at a camera.

Youngest to oldest




Cooper, Tatum, Ellery, Tucker and Asa




Cooper is for sure yelling here! This boy is relentless when it's time to eat.



Probably the best if we can photoshop my hand out :)



This weekend is going to be filled with family fun and razorback football!!!


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