4 months and counting

Ok, so I realize I am horrible at updating the blog with all things Luke. So here is the low down with the little munchkin.

Can't see it, but there is a tooth coming in on the bottom!

He is a super baby I am convinced, he has mom's thunder muscle thighs, a six pack of abs, and he has shoulder muscles. Ya, the last one is not true but it sure does look like it!
He loves to stand all the time, with our help of course. He is now 4 months and a week, so crazy how time flies!
He is sleeping great, just waking up once to eat then goes right back to sleep and wakes up at around 7-8 all smiles! I just love it, what a way to wake up, to a beautiful, healthy, happy little blessing named Luke.
As many of you know because I am such a proud momma, he is rolling over both ways now. Rather, he has learned to roll from his back to his front and hasn't rolled the other way in so long because he just loves his new trick.
He loves to laugh, he giggles at all the silly songs I sing and the faces we make, and loves peek-a-boo.
He is getting his hair in mostly on top but so cute and fuzzy!
He is doing great at the Y childcare, they love him and he takes a bottle if he is hungry, soooo helpful. This is a huge blessing, I can still have my hour or two everyday to exercise and be sane, I am addicted to endorphins. I know this keeps me healthy and makes me a better wife and mother.
He is teething like crazy, chewing and drooling on everything, bibs are now a part of every outfit. We feel it coming in, so cool!
He loves Baby Einstein and Veggie Tales, we only have one movie of Veggie Tales and I know the whole movie.
He got a new jumperoo for Christmas among many other toys, and while he doesn't last long in it somedays, he is a rockstar at that thing!
He loves his tummy time and has such a strong head.
He lights up when he sees his daddy and loves to have daddy time, so blessed to have Nick as his dad! I am so glad Nick is an awesome dad because he will be taking care of Luke for two days 8 hours a day by himself in February while I train to become a Body Pump instructor!

I am loving being a mother with every day that goes by, its crazy that a year ago on Saturday I found out I was pregnant, broke down crying, well I did. I didn't have this planned for my life, and now I look at our little boy and would never take it back. I really miss youth ministry and I know I will do it again some day and will volunteer when Luke gets older, but for now, being a stay at home mom is the best job, most important, and most rewarding job the Lord has and will ever give me.

He got his daddy's old rattle!

Santa's cutest elf!

Thank you Abba for your plan, it is so much better than we can ever fathom and can every make ourselves. You knew what was in store for our family before Nick and I ever met, and I praise you for every moment, good and bad. I praise you for the trials and the joy in every day you give us. Thank you for this sweet baby boy you have given us to raise. Let us do it well and according to your Word. You are our life, more than the air we breathe, more than the food we eat, more than all the delights in our life. Let our lives and the way we act towards others fully reflect our love for you. Let Luke see that this family, his parents love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. You are so good, Holy, Righteous, King of Kings, the Great High Priest! We love you and in your Son we pray, AMEN!


~Caitlyn

Life-long resolutions part 1

Your relationship with the Lord and aspects of it should not just  be a New Year's resolution, but a life-long resolution. I know many Christ-followers are making their New Year's resolutions and many are read my Bible every day, pray more, journal more, love others more, and go to church more. I believe that New Year's resolutions usually fail, because we are trying to do things by ourself. I love what Ann Voskamp says in her blog, "Trying harder only results in harder trials." We were not meant to do this on our own, we were given the Holy Spirit when we gave our life to Christ, but we as self-centered human beings set out to do it all by ourselves. You see we live in a world that screams self-reliance, self-power, self-centrality, but we are not of the world. Jesus asks of the Father in John 17:15-17, "¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by^[a] the truth; your word is truth." We can't be sanctified which means to be set apart or to be made holy, purified, without knowing and being in the Word. 


Ok ok, let me confess, I find it so hard especially now that I have a baby, to get in the Word daily. So I am writing this to myself as well. Here is my challenge to myself and every reader out there.

1. Dive head first!
    -Ask of the Lord for a hunger and thirst for the Word. He doesn't want you to read and meditate out of a sense of duty and obligation. We as a church I feel pressure every Christian in our pews so much to do the morning "quiet time" that they are pushed away towards things that they like to do. We enjoy facebook, pinterest, youtube, blogs, and tv that we spend more time on those than we ever do with our Creator. Wake up you sleepers! He wants you, he wants a relationship with you, he wrote a whole book full of truth for us, why aren't we diving in? Lord that is my prayer for me and everyone else reading this, that we would hunger and thirst for your Word. I pray it would come alive when we read it, i pray we soak it up deep in our bones, that it penetrates to the deepest part of our being, that we store it up in our hearts as your Word says. I pray that we would use it more than any other earthly "wisdom", that you are our ultimate guide our life, our tree, our base that we build everything on. I pray that we would love your Law! Amen.


2. Join a community
    No I didn't say commune, we aren't FLDS here. By this I mean, surround yourself with loving, Christ-following, godly, real, and encouraging friends. God gives us church, He gives us brothers and sisters in Christ to lift us up and encourage us, and speak truth to us. He speaks through them so be listening. At the same time ask the Lord to make you a great friend as well, loving and active in others lives. Put yourself last, serve others, love others. Let me give a shout out to my sister who is one of very few that gets it. She lives in a very low-income mostly african-american community, in an old house with two other girls. Down the street is the "boys house" where they meet weekly with all the neighbors, serve food, hang with kids. They just do life with each other and those they live around. I am in awe of her and her selfless faithful heart to do exactly what Jesus did. I live in suburbia and I confess I am nowhere near doing this well. I am a part of a group of godly young women who challenge and encourage me. But I am not serving those who are in need, who don't know Jesus. I truly admire her. So this is my prayer for all of us, Lord, may you surround us with people who love you and passionately pursue you. Reveal yourself in my brothers and sisters, let me open up my heart and mind to what others share with me. Let us prayerfully reach out to others, smiling, talking to, encouraging everyone around me, that our light would shine so bright that they know something is different because of Christ in us. Thank you Lord for all the friends you give us, let us not take advantage of them but put them first. Amen.


3. Talk to your Dad
   Man, he is waiting to hear from you. I always listen to James MacDonald everyday and he is talking now about prayer. He mentions that God already knows what we are praying for, rather prayer is for us. It is for us to commune with the creator of the universe. How awesome is that??? We were given the gift of Jesus, he died so that we could have eternal life and a relationship with the Lord now. Back in the Old Testament times, only the high priest could talk to God and he had to go through so many rituals to get to God. But now, we are able to talk to God anytime, anywhere, for any reason. Why aren't we doing that more?? I can tell you, because we have our priorities out of whack. We like our lives with busyness, so we don't have "time" to talk to God. This is for me too, if I was to not talk to Nick, my husband, we wouldn't have a marriage.  So why would I neglect and not pursue God in prayer. I can't have a great relationship without talking to Him. The Lord our God has paved the way, so lets walk on it!

Here are a few resources I use every day in my time with God.

I always pray for Nick using this awesome book, Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.
I start off my quiet time with Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
I am loving this incredible blog that kind of goes off of her great book. Ann Voskamp is very gifted with her words and is so poetic and seeks passionately after the Lord. Always reminding us to give thanks in place of fear and stress. So good for us busy moms! Blog is here and book is here

~Caitlyn

Overwhelm Me With JOY

Let me start out by saying I wish I had more time to blog and more talent. I am not a writer but love sharing my heart and some wisdom on certain things. So here we go, I am a wreck! Yes, we are all a wreck and this season, the Christmas season has reminded me more and more of why I need Jesus, because He is strong and I am soooo weak! When I was little I loved Christmas, when I was working and we had more money, I loved Christmas, but ever since we are a one income, 3 person family, I dread this time of year. The Lord is teaching me so much through these really pessimistic feelings though and I am so grateful.

For one, I am a selfish person. I am not good at gift-giving, it's not my love language, I don't want Chrsitmas gifts to be completely honest, and I am awful at buying or making things for those I love. Well, wait, I feel the obligation of Christmas to buy gifts or make gifts, when I feel like this season is about Christ and all year long I should buy things out of the goodness of my heart for my loved ones not because someone decided you must give gifts to everyone because it is Christmas. Although in this, I am understanding that I am probably the only one that feels this way in my circle, so I would really offend others if I didn't get them gifts. So God is helping me find a balance in it all.

Second, is since we have a sweet baby boy now, I am really thinking about all the traditions I want to have with our family every Christmas. One being Advent, researching it and hearing more about it since we now go to a Methodist church, I really want to celebrate this in some form or fashion as a family starting next year. Another tradition would be having a nativity at the bottom of our tree because he is the reason for the season not necessarily all the presents. Then I would love to of course every year read the Christmas story, no not about Santa, but about Jesus in Luke. Another that I would love to do later on as Luke and if we have any more children get older, is to not receive any gifts one year and put all that money towards a family or more for their Christmas gifts. This showing that we have all that we need, and others need this more. I am continually asking the Lord to bring me joy in this holiday season and less stress or resentment.

Ok, changing the subject again, Luke is 3 1/2 months old and I feel as thought our lives have never been the same. Granted yes, we have a baby and it won't be.Yet, it feels like one attack spiritually after another, it is a very hard, yet rewarding season we are in. Just as I was getting over my gallbladder issues, Luke gets a cold that turns into ear infections and horrible chest infection. It is the hardest thing to watch your little baby suffer, not being able to cough anything up, watch him with a fever, and listen to his stuffy nose and then watch him scream bloody murder as you suction out all the snot. The joy of being a mom, it's just one of those things. Yet, he is coming out of this, he is a little stuffy and coughing a little but much better, the smiles are back and giggles and shorter naps. The Lord is stronger and will not give us anything we can't handle. He is fighting for us and we are standing strong in that promise.

The family before our Turkey Day 4 mile run at the Turkey Trot.

My boys are so good lookin in flannel!

Enjoying our Thanksgiving lunch.

Luke is getting so big, he weighs 13.8 lbs and is #2 diapers! He is such a joy-filled baby, laughs, smiles, giggles, and coos all the time. I love being a stay at home mom, wouldn't want to miss any of these moments. So proud he is rolling over from front to back, he did this at 2 1/2 months! We think he is going to be walking really early! He loves his bumbo seat, his little peacock toy, and standing on any surface with our help of course. The new thing is when he is in his bumbo, he reaches and knocks over anything in his path, vitamin bottles sugar container, candles, he knocks it over and loves it. All this while chewing on the bumbo because he is getting a tooth! I can't believe he will be able to eat solids in a few months, not that we will introduce it right away. We are watching him and when he is grabbing for it, we will start with sweet potato or avocado, no rice cereal for this kid! He loves to hear his name and turns every time and smiles, and the biggest smiles sometimes are when daddy comes home, he loves him. So thankful for this little bundle of joy, he is going to do great things for people and for Jesus with his love.

Oh I forgot to mention, I am below my pre-baby weight! Thanks to eating healthy, exercising, and breastfeeding I am getting my body back. As I was going through the gallbladder pain, I was constantly researching what to do and eat and not eat when I was hurting and found incredible stuff. This blog is so helpful on living and eating as the Lord has called us to do in a health perspective. We are given this body and are called to take care of it physically as we do spiritually. What we eat and put in our bodies shouldn't be junk put whole, real, unprocessed, and healthy food. We as a family are doing a lot more organics, less meat, more nuts,  and more fruits and veggies to feed our engines with good fuel not watered down harmful junk. I believe that while this is more expensive that the Lord with provide financially as we choose to take care of these temples. Not to mention we are doing it to prevent further diseases and illnesses. While I know we are not in full control, prevention is the key instead of getting sick and living on medication.

Til next time, have a blessed and merry Christmas.
Thank you Lord for sending your one and only Son to be born in a manger to an incredible mother and father who listened to your voice and obeyed. Thank you for bringing our Savior into this world over 2000 years ago so that we may have life and have it abundantly. May we as Christ-followers seek to love, serve, and respect others this season and every day of our lives. May we put ourselves last and others first loving them as we love ourselves. We pray for your kingdom to come! We love you Dad! Amen!

Lord's Army

I always love to sing the song "I'm in the Lord's Army" to Luke. I truly believe that he is going to do mighty things for God's Kingdom and the enemy has nothing against him. We pray for him that he would walk in faith and not by sight, that he would be bold and courageous, a mighty man of God! We love to see him grow and learn as God grows him more than we can see right now. He is such a joy and we love to look at all these smiles.

The joy of the Lord is our strength, and he is full of it!

On a personal note, this has been one of the hardest months physically and emotionally since he has been born. Luckily he was sleeping for 9-10 hours a night so I was able to sleep, so blessed. Yet, I have had horrible stomach aches for almost nonstop and its worse after I eat. After going to the ER and GI specialist, it was the chiropractor that finally figured out I have a very weak gallbladder and it is most likely inflamed. I am praying that it's not gall stones, as I research, it is very common after and during pregnancy because of all the hormones. I go in for an ultrasound on Tuesday, so we will know for sure. While being sick has really been hard, I am very limited on what I can eat, and have not been able to work out or do much at all. You see after you work really hard to lose weight and then get pregnant, you get down on yourself as you see the post baby body. 

So looking back, talking with friends, and really praying, I believe that this physical illness is only of the enemy. I know this is spiritual warfare and I am on the frontline now to fight with God behind me. I am healthy, I eat healthy, I take care of myself, we were actively pursuing the Lord and raising up Luke as we could to love Him. Satan hates that and he got me right where he knew it would hurt me emotionally,  physically, and spiritually. I started to believe all the lies, then realized that where I am weak, He is strong. 

This week I have been focused on Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Along with the full armor of God in Ephesians, I am praying and surrendering this battle to the Lord, I will fight with what he has given me.  I am a beautiful daughter of the Most High King and nothing will defeat me because God is for me! I pray that anyone in the valley knows just who they are in Christ and that Satan has no hold, he has been defeated! I am in the Lord's Army, YES SIR!

Happy Turkey Month!

We have arrived, to November that is. What a joy October was, but let's be honest we can't wait for family time and delicious food. So back to October, Luke is now 2 months old, he is growing so fast!

He is holding his head up so well although he has been doing that for a while, and he loves to stand, with our help of course. His favorite thing to do is the play mat, he loves the lights and a little rattling elephant, he intentionally swats at it and laughs, so cute! We went to our two month doctor's appointment and he is a healthy 12 pounds and 24 inches long, yup in the 80 percentile in length!

On another note, my husband is a rockin' athlete! He is running his first half marathon next week, and did his first bike race today! He rode 26 miles in 1 hour 45 minutes, ya he is a beast. I am so proud of him, he is a healthy and fit man taking care of himself so that he can live a long life and be able to play with his kids and later grandkids.

I am so blessed with the family I have, thank you Lord!

Dear Friends

This time last year we were looking at jobs everywhere in the country from Dallas to Michigan I had applied and interviewed everywhere. This was bittersweet because the Lord has really given me an incredible group of friends and loving community that seeks after the Lord with all that they are. I had this in college and was so blessed to find this here in Katy so quickly! When we found out we were pregnant and we told everyone we were staying because I would stay at home with Luke, they were thrilled and little did we know how much of an impact and blessing they would be to us. I can call or text any one of them with a prayer, for help, for encouragement. I can call any one of them in the middle of the night crying because of my crazy hormones or a crying baby that can't be calmed. I love them, each of them is so different yet so precious to me!

I have no idea what I would do if I was in Michigan when I found out I was pregnant. Lord I thank you for all my friends and all the mothers who have mentored me, loved me, reached out to me, and prayed for me in every circumstance. Being in community like this, surrounded by God-fearing women, has been a crucial piece of my spiritual formation and I am so thankful for every woman that has been in my life! I love you all!

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:7

5 Weeks Old

Already 1 month!

Our little baby is growing up so fast, he is so long and his cheeks are so chubby! All I want to do is kiss his cute little cheeks. We have recently fell in LOVE with the Moby Wrap, it is a miracle sleeper. When I know he is sleepy and fussy, just put on the moby wrap, which I have mastered, then slip him in, then in a good 2 minutes or less he is out. I can do laundry, cook, blog, read, do dishes, and even take a little siesta in the recliner with him in it, oh ya not to mention shopping. See it is amazing the various looks and comments I get when I am carrying him in it, one lady thought it was a dog, seriously!

On another note, Nick turned 26 last week and it was his first birthday as a dad, it was a great pre-birthday, not so much on Sunday, Luke was a little fussy.  A little bragging on my incredible hubby- he is a great husband, so selfless and compassionate, loving, and godly. He makes great financial decisions in order to best steward God's money. He is a such a loving a fun dad, he totally rocked he Eddie Bauer carrier in order to calm Luke yesterday, and bounced the car seat with him in it in order to calm him, he dances in front of Luke to calm him, and dances with Luke in the mirror. I have never seen this side of him, but let me tell ya, it is one of the sexiest things to see your husband be such a fun and loving father! He is also running a half marathon in San Antonio in November, he is a rock star!

On a personal note, after a few good nights, come a few rough nights. He cries for about 3 hours starting at around 8 until we have tried everything to get him to calm down and eat then sleep. So far the moby wrap has won every time!  Yet, he is not totally sleeping at night, he would love to stay awake for 2 hours, not crying, just wide awake in the middle of the night. In these moments I have learned to not get frustrated so easily, be grateful that it could be worse, and pray that God would give me an abundant amount of energy the next day. My prayers lately have been to fill my home with joy and peace. When Luke is not happy and we can't figure it out, we cry out to God for peace and joy in the hard moments. He will never be this little again and I must not dwell on the frustrations and be so negative, but cherish every smile, coo, and giggle. He is our little miracle and he is learning and growing right in front of our eyes!

Oh did I mention, I got the best compliment last week, a lady said that I didn't look like I just had a baby a month ago. Made my day!

He loves bath time!