LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

Sometimes you can go somewhere a million times, wearing it out in your mind like you would your favorite tennis shoes, then you get some new laces and BAM! New shoes. Okay, I might be reaching on that one, but my point was Henry and I took his daddy to the Sacramento Zoo for the first time. We've been so many times and we have our normal routine, it was fun taking Steve with us this time and sharing all the things we love about the zoo.

The Orangutans were Steve's favorite. I personally don't trust them after seeing 'Rise of the Apes' and then having a monkey punch the glass right in front of my son, scaring the poor boy! They are entertaining though...I'll give them that. 

 

Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective to remember how much you love where you're at...or some yummy Merlino's...either way, the zoo + my loves + Merlino's = loving where you're at...always!!

Today's Reflection:

Lord, thank you for some fresh perspective and the opportunity to share something I love with those I love. What else do I need some fresh perspective on? What else have I just let become a part of the daily grind that I forget the reason I love it in the first place?

THANK YOU FOR THE MILK

Since my son started talking I have tried to make sure "Please" and "Thank You" were in his vocabulary. Lately he's been really getting into "Thank You" It's actually pretty cute and makes me laugh. He has been thanking me for things and then later when I'm not expecting it, out of nowhere he'll say "Mommy, thank you again for my _____." This morning he asked for cereal and after I served it for him he took a bite and said "Mommy, you put milk in here? Thank you for the milk" It made me laugh and I thought, did he think I wouldn't give him milk?

Suddenly God stirred in my heart...

My son was thankful, even for something expected like milk in his cereal. How often does God come through for me almost to a point where I just expect it. How often do I thank him for the expected things? Shamefully not enough. I get in such a routine of expecting God to not only give me 'cereal' but give me 'milk' too that I forget to thank him.  

 

Today's Reflection:

Lord,

Thank  you for not only the job my husband has but the paycheck that is more than enough for us each and every month!

Thank you not only for another great day but also for letting me wake up to experience it!

Thank you not only for my Husband but for getting him home safely to me everyday!

Thank you for not only my church but for each sermon that leaves me hungry for more!

Thank you not only for your word, but for the freedom to follow it openly!

Thank you for not only my children, but for how much I love them!

Thank you not only for a son, but for my son and the lessons he teaches me!

" So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

-Colossians 2:6-7

SEGUNDA STYLE

I got Spring fever the first day the sun decided to come out from hiding behind rain clouds. I quickly headed to my favorite segunda (thrift store, for my newer readers) and scored exactly what I needed to quench my thirst for spring! 

Best of all, and some of my fellow mommies might appreciate this, it has pockets! Huge pockets, the kind that can easily hide 3 cars or a couple of choo choo trains...

I think about why I get so excited when I score something I adore and feel pretty in at the segunda. Realizing that most things if not everything is a God thing, I feel like he's nodding at me, saying "Don't worry, I'll take care of you." I see people in their name brand clothes, killer shoes, beautiful accessories, I know it's not in the budget for me. Just take a look in the magazines and even their "Steals" cost at least $40. Please, don't mistake me I don't think it's wrong to spend that much, I just know, now is not the time for me to do it. So I try not to lust after the things I can not have and be happy with the things I can, the little blessings and "finds" that God sends my way!

Today's Reflection:

Sometimes God calls us to go down a certain path which can take us out of our comfort zone or cause us to make changes in our life. When I decided to become a stay at home mom I wasn't sure all that it would entail. I could have never guessed how much sacrifice it would take and if I could even make those sacrifices. Here's what I know, when God is calling you to do something, don't worry about the little things, he'll take care of them for you. God knows what I will encounter and what I will need, little and big and he will take care of those things for me.

"Moses raised another objection to God: "Master, please, I don't talk well. I've never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer."

God said, "And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn't it I, God? So, get going. I'll be right there with you—with your mouth! I'll be right there to teach you what to say."
-Exodus 4:10-12 (The Message)

HAND ME DOWNS

This little teddy bear is a hand me down. It's a little worn and not very fluffy. It doesn't giggle when you press it's tummy or play music and it's pretty old! It was once my husbands and now my son calls it his. It's been a good friend to him. He sleeps with it and will ask for it when he needs a little comforting. He knows it once was daddy's, but he doesn't mind the second hand use, he loves that little teddy bear, just like I imagine his dad once did...

My mother handed me down her love for trying to make things on my own. I even have her old sewing machine and just about any other little tool or gadget she decides to pass down my way. I never see them as old or used, but instead as my mother's. I think about the late nights she spent sitting behind the machine sewing just like I do some nights. I think about all the things she's made and all the things I hope to make...

 

Today's Reflection:

I realize there are many things I can hand down to my children. Somethings they probably don't want, my obnoxious laugh, my inability to filter inappropriate comments, my fear of silence during a conversation, my anger...yeah that's right, not only do they not want that, I don't want to give them that. I want to hand them down the good things, the things that not only would they be proud to take but God would too. I'm working on the positives things right now, trying to shove out the negatives in hopes that whatever I hand them down they are worth handing down, they are treasured, not only by them, but in heaven. 

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

-Deuteronomy 4:9

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT

This is an easy 'Loving where you're at'. On Saturday, hundreds of people crowded under the freeway to show support for Sacto MoFo. We came from near and far, some for their love of mobile food or their love of anything Sacramento and some for their love of supporting small business. I have a hard time not loving anything that food is involved in! This was my first time braving Sacto MoFo and it has given me another reason to love my city.

of course, we came out to see one Truck in particular! That's right, Gypsy was there too! Most of you know I'd go just about anywhere for my sister, I'd volunteer as tribute and enter the hunger games for her, I'd travel to Mount Doom for her to destroy a ring, so dragging my kids and husband on a hot day under the free way was a pleasure...

We even braved a ridiculously long line for some Chando's Tacos...

and ice cream...

 

 

So Sacto MoFo, get two thumbs up for a reason to Love Sacramento!

Today's Reflection:

Lord, I pray that you bless Sacramento and the business here! Thank you for the people in Sacramento who continue to make it great and bring hope and inspiration to it. Watch over this beautiful city and those who live in it.

Thank you!

IS THIS REAL?

Yesterday was pretty normal. I did things that I'm sure a million moms have done hundreds of times for many years now. Got the kids ready, took Henry to the dentist, had lunch with daddy and visited toy store. Amidst the eating and drinking and laughing with my family I had this overwhelming joy and the sudden question looming over me, how did I get here? Ever have that happen? I'm looking around at my husband, who I love more than anything, my two kids healthy, sweet and the reason my heart beats, we're all just sitting there having lunch and I'm overwhelmed with happiness. I imagine when I was a little girl I probably played house and did this exact same thing, it almost feels surreal. I realize, I probably don't deserve all of this, but somehow God has decided to lavish me with these intangible gifts. Amazing!

 I imagine Henry had the same kind of joy when we walked in to the toy store. We let him pick out a toy for being so brave while getting his teeth shaved at the dentist (see here if you're not up to date). He walked down every aisle taking stock and weighing out his options. I got a little nervous when he started scoping out the pools, but in the end he picked a little choo choo train...

 

Today's Reflection:

Lord thank you for making this real!

"So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun."

-Ecclesiastes 8:15

PROTECTION FROM 'MONSTERS'

As a mom, there are times when my son will come running to me for protection from the monsters and dinosaurs that are out to get him. Most times he is playing a game, but sometimes he is geniunely scared that the shadows in his room at night are actual monsters. The first time this happened I immediately told him how Jesus was always with him and he wouldn't let any monsters get to him. Now it's become somewhat of a production, he's reminded that Jesus is protecting him, and then in an act of bravery, him and I stand up to the monsters or dinosaurs after him. It's usually a lot of posturing and a few of my best kung fu moves. This is then followed by me shouting at the monsters, you know the usually stuff "Hey you monster get out of here!" "Mommy's here now monster!" "Monster don't you even think about trying to scare me, because I will kung fu you!" (pretty scary right? and no I've never been in a street gang, I'm just naturally gangsta!)

Today's Reflection:

I think about how I need to run to my heavenly father  when I need protection from monsters. Not actual monsters of course, but sometimes it feels like you come across people who purposely try to hurt you or your character, they try to beat you up, sometimes physically but most times emotionally, and even spiritually. Sometimes they are even successful. I came across this scripture the other day, Psalm 37. I love this verse in particular, especially as translated in 'The Message':

"Bad guys have it in for the good guys, obsessed with doing them in. But God isn't losing any sleep; to him they're a joke with no punch line.  Bullies brandish their swords, pull back on their bows with a flourish. They're out to beat up on the harmless, or mug that nice man out walking his dog. A banana peel lands them flat on their faces—slapstick figures in a moral circus."

-Psalm 37:12-15

I love that! I love how 'Gangsta' God is, he's not even losing sleep over the bad guys. Why then, should I lose any sleep when I know that God has got my back? So I continue to cling to him, I continue to trust in him and his word. I focus on God and not the bad guys and 'kung fuing' them (unless of course he wants me to!).

Lord thank you for your protection!

BLOG PARTY

Just wanted to take a minute to welcome my fellow bloggers linking up for the Ultimate Blog Party! Welcome to Love, Marriage, Baby, Nap! I hope you stay a while and make yourself at home. My name is Serena, I am imperfect and in need of some fixing, but I am thankful everyday for the grace that God has given me and the chance to try again. Just a little about me, I am first and far most God's daughter, I am Serena, wife to the love of my life...  

and mommy to the two sweetest, little loves a girl could ask for...

 

Thanks again for stopping by!

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

-Matthew 18:20

GYPSY KINDA WEEKEND

Sorry no post yesterday! I've been sick, but for those concerned readers, I am starting to turn a corner. There's lots to share with you, we had a really great weekend. On Saturday my big sister opened Sacramento's first Fashion truck! We all turned out to support 'Gypsy' her mobile boutique...

Here's my big sister, she worked extremely hard, along with her husband and many others they really put a lot of love into this truck...

 

Here's a sneak peek inside, but you can find so much more on her site (www.gypsymobileboutique.com) You can also see Gypsy live and in person this weekend at SactoMoFo. 

It's the cutest little truck I've ever seen and even better in person, I just know you all will love it! Even Henry Ray loves his Auntie's little black truck...

All in all it was a great weekend hanging out with Gypsy... 

  

 

Today's Reflection:
Courage has been one of my favorite words this last year. It takes courage to change, courage to not follow others, courage to move forward, courage to stand up and say "Lord I trust in you, I give everything to you!". This Sunday the topic of  the sermon was Courage, which hit home with me. I admire courageous people, I am not always so courageous. I'm so proud of my sister for finding the courage for pursuing a dream of hers. I'm thankful for God giving her the opportunity and the support she needs. Lord, I trust in you, please bless my sister and her new adventure. Let it Glorify you and who you are an never stray from that!

"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."
-Proverbs 16:3 9 (NLT)