What My Toddler Taught Me About Jesus

I want to teach my toddler about Jesus. So I try. Try is the key word.

We read a children's Bible every night. It goes a little something like this...
"Ok Little Man, let's read our Bible story for the night!"
I grab Little Man and sit him in my lap and start to read.
He gets up. Grabs his truck book and shoves it in my face instead of Bible.
"Let's read a quick Bible story first, okay bud?"
Back into my lap he goes.
Repeat this 20 times until the story is over.

We also pray during meal times, which go a little better...
"Alright! Who is ready to pray?"
Little James puts his hands together and bows his head.
I start our little prayer which is literally a 5 second prayer.
2 seconds into prayer, little James is already saying AMEN!
Sometimes I say let's pray and they .00000001 seconds later he starts the AMEN!

Kinda cute right? And you're probably thinking, "ummm Jillianne, toddlers don't sit still and are always on the move...duh!" And I realize that and I am happy with our effort to teach our son about Jesus and how wonderful He is! But there are times in our effort to show Little Man Jesus that I get frustrated because I just want him to listen to this cool Bible story! But through it all I came to realize something. Jesus doesn't force me to sit down and read a story or force me to pray a certain way. He died on the cross for me and the simple act of me accepting His love into my life was enough for Him.

So the next time my toddler's prayer is .00005 seconds and a simple AMEN I will rejoice and be glad! Or if I get one sentence of our Bible story out and I have to read it while little James runs around the room, it'll be okay. Just loving on my child and helping him grow into an awesome man of God is enough. He is a year and half old for crying out loud! I'll just stop and tell myself. "Breathe Jillianne. Just love on him and show him Jesus."

Blessings,

My Quirky Marriage

My marriage has many fun quirks, as I hope yours does. There are just little things that probably wouldn't make sense to anyone but my husband and me. These things are what make our marriage unique & exciting. Without them we'd just be doing the same thing day in and day out.

Here are some examples:

Ever since we started dating we have loved watching movies together. Our cinematic tastes can be quite different, but there's usually something we can agree to watch together. One of our favorite parts of any movie is the trivia. My hubby is really good at spotting the composer before the movie's even really started. And I can't remember the last time we watched an entire movie all the way through without pausing it. And not just because of our 15 month old. It's because we're both on IMDB trying to figure out what else that actor/actress is in.

We were recently introduced to a card game called Nertz. If you've never played it, it's basically multiplayer speed solitaire. It can get really competitive and downright violent if you play with the wrong right people. We've been playing a few hands each night after we put our Little One to bed, but it was getting old just playing hand after hand. So we put our own twist on it. The loser of each round has to complete a task. This is usually some sort of exercise like 1 minute of plank, 30 sit ups, or row 400m. This comes in handy, especially when I wasn't able to work out that day.

From the outside it might look like we argue a lot. But really we just like to debate semantics. You know, the super trivial stuff that usually gets glossed over. *Side note: Last night we had a discussion about coloring books. Specifically Many Mini Minnie Mouse Coloring Books. See what I mean?* When we were dating we got into a lot of these "debates" around our families. They'd usually get worried and tell us to stop fighting. But we were having a really great time! (That's probably because I usually won). I wouldn't consider this fighting because it never escalates past a friendly debate. If it ever got more heated then we'd probably have to stop this little game, but for now I think it's a lot of fun.

So if you're feeling like you're in a day-to-day rut, try adding a twist to parts of your routine. Get quirky!

God Bless,

Letting Him Lead

When you played follow the leader on the playground, what was the best position to be in? At the very end, obviously.

Just kidding.

But really it was being the one leading the group and being the leader right? Everyone liked to be the leader, to be the one in charge. Sometimes when it comes to my husband's and I spiritual relationship I like to lead. I'll be the one to say we're going to this church, we need to read our Bibles more, or we're lacking in this area with God. Deep in my heart I know that my husband is the spiritual leader of our family but that little bit if Jillianne that says, "I need to be in control" seems to get in the way.

We experienced a miscarriage. This was something I had dealt with quietly and to myself for a while since my husband was away. When he came back home, I had been so used to being in control and dealing with things my way that I had forgotten what it was like to have someone lead me to the feet of Christ. But when I relinquished that control and allowed my husband to lead me to God's peace I began to get back to the place where I don't have to have a hold on everything because I have a husband who brings me to the One who does. Letting my husband lead allowed me to notice things that he does for me and our family and the things God's does through him.

He prays with me. Not only do my husband and I pray for each other but he prays with me. Sometimes all I need is for him to reach for my hands, bring me close and we come together as one before the Lord. Eloquently spoken and poetic words are not my husband's strong suit but when we pray together the Lord's heart just flows out of him.

He wasn't my hero. God is going to be my ultimate hero. I realize  that for men, coming to your wife's rescue is the macho and honorable thing to do. Honestly, I just needed my husband to sit, listen, and let me cry.
He keeps me in check. Sometimes my flesh burns (not literally of course) when my husband shows me something in my life that isn't glorify God. I actually get mad at him. I hate that I am not being a godly mother or wife at the time but the fact that dear hubby catches me is something that I need.
He keeps God the center. Not only does my husband keep my accountable for my actions but he backs it up with scripture. It is a good reminder for me to remember God in all I do and it shows me that my husband is keeping God #1 and keeping His word in his heart.

I love that I let my man lead. I get to see the strong leader that God has called Him to become and I get to humble the controlling spirit within me.

How does your husband lead you and your family?

Blessings,

Drum roll please....

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Well it looks like half of the James & June team is moving to Hungary! June and her family will be taking a European vacation for the next few years! Well, Papa Bear might work a little while we're over there. :)

We found out the great news a little over a week ago and have been crazy busy ever since! Turns out moving overseas is a lot of work! But even with all of the stress of handling everything, I can't help but be excited for this new adventure! God has great plans for our family and we can't wait to live them out.

We're definitely going to miss our friends and family here in the States, but we absolutely could not pass up an opportunity like this. We've always wanted to live abroad, we just didn't know it would happen this quickly. It's truly a once-in-a-career chance.

Fear not, readers! James & June will continue blogging away. James will get to talk about his family and life in the U.S. & June will tell her tales of travel!

So if you've ever been blessed to see this part of the world, we want to hear all about it! What were your favorite places to see? Any sage advice for June & her crew?

We can't wait to tell you all about it! And look forward to many posts about preparing to move over the next few months. I want you to learn through our successes & (hopefully very few) mistakes!

God Bless, 

Small Business Feature: Laura Ryan Photography

Photo Credit Laura Ryan Photography

Today we are excited to feature a business that we both love and adore. More specifically we love the business owner! Laura Ryan Photography has captured a few special moments for our families and we just can't get enough. If you are looking for a photographer with passion, heart, and someone who is genuine, Laura Ryan is your girl. We hope you take the time to get to know and love her as much as we do!

Photo Credit Laura Ryan Photography

What made you want to be a photographer? (Or How did you get your start as a photographer?)

Why? I think the why is the most important behind everything that we do, and for me it is the foundation for my business; it is my heart. I want to capture real life – the raw, the messy, the good, the beautiful, and the story that is their story.

What is your favorite type of a photoshoot?

Photo Credit Laura Ryan Photography

This is hard! Each type of photoshoot tells a different story and I love it for that reason, but births certainly have a special place in my heart. There is nothing more special than the love that I get to witness during a birth. The way a mama embraces the pain because she know that it will be worth it, the way a husband comforts his wife because he would trade her places if he could, and the way they both embrace their baby for the first time. There is nothing like it in this world.

I still remember my first birth. I knew this family had struggled with 5 years of infertility so I knew that it would be emotional and that I could not miss that first moment. The nurses hand baby to Mama and she whispers, “I have waited for you for so long.” I was able to capture that moment for that family. A memory that sadly would have faded over time, but because they have those images, the family can remember that moment forever.

What is the most rewarding thing about your job?

Aside from being able to capture such precious memories for people, I think the most rewarding part of my job is the relationships I form with my clients. Because of the nature of the photos I take, I get to know my clients on a more personal level. I am with them through some of the most vulnerable times in their lives and it’s an honor to be part of it. I truly believe that God has given each of us a story and it’s my job to do that story justice.

Photo Credit Laura Ryan Photography

How would you describe your style of photography?

Technically speaking I am natural light lifestyle photographer. My sessions typically take place in either the client’s home, an outdoor location, or a hospital/birthing center and we utilize whatever natural light we have available to us.

I also use a different approach to “posing” my clients than the traditional “look this way, place this hand there, and this leg that way, and so forth.” I like to use verbal cues to bring out different emotions (I have to thank my mentor Jamie Clauss for this suggestion) in clients. To give you an idea, at a recent maternity session I asked Mom to just walk through the field for a few minutes and reflect back over her pregnancy and just be in the moment with her daughter. It was beautiful.

What advice would you give others trying to start a business?

As crazy as it sounds, I would give the same advice that my husband gave me. He told me,  “you love this and you could be good or even great at it, so do it or don’t do it because just thinking about it isn't getting you anywhere.” In that moment I decided there was wisdom in what my husband was telling me, and I ran full speed ahead with that and have not looked back.

After that I would tell you that it takes a lot of hard work. Do your research and then validate that research with professionals in your area. Know what it takes to own a business and how to run a business. Know that you will fail but also know that you will soar. Know that success takes time. Know that no dream is too big but also know your limitations. Know when to ask for help and know when you need to take control. Know your vision and know where you want to go.

Photo Credit Laura Ryan Photography

God Bless,

and

5 Things I'd Tell My New Mom Self

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Being a new mom is the most joyous feeling in the world but at the same time it will be one the hardest things you do in your life. Here are a few things we would tell our new mom selves...

• Ask for help. Don't be afraid to ask for help and take it when it is offered! Here I was thinking, my friends probably don't want to be around a screaming baby, so I hesitated to ask for a little help. But honestly, who wouldn't want to hold a cute little baby for an hour while you shower, take a nap, or cook a meal. My friends offered to come and watch little James while I napped, offered to grocery shop for me, and made me food. They are blessings from above!! I didn't want to burden them and appear needy but you're a new mom taking on a new baby. They want to help and you need it. 

• Get Out of the house. Obviously if there is a flu outbreak in your community and you have a newborn, getting out of the house may have to wait. But get your of the house, even it it's to get yourself a milkshake. Getting out makes you feel somewhat of a normal person. Let's face it, you're hormonal, you cry at every little thing, and your clothes don't fit right anymore. Maybe you won't feel completely normal but getting out of the house sure helps.

• Your relationship with your spouse with change. Change it for the better. This experience is new and different. All this time you've taken care of yourself and your spouse. Taking care of a little one is challenging and new. Instead of letting it hinder your relationship, let it better your relationship. Make sure to communicate with your spouse, appreciate your spouse, and work as a team. Love is what brought your little one in the world, let love raise it too.

• You'll have horrible, miserable days. Poop that doesn't end, baby's not eating well, no sleep, and you and your spouse are at each other's necks because of it. It's okay. Parenthood is wonderful and a blessing but some days are just rough. But fear not, tomorrow is a new day filled with new perspective and a chance to start over. You're not expected to get it right, the first time, every time. It's a new experience, embrace the challenge and you will overcome it.

• Sweatpants and yoga pants feel like heaven, but they have to come off sometime. Being pregnant changes your body...A LOT. Personally, I think every postpartum body is beautiful in its own way. I also loved the way stretchy yoga pants and baggy sweatpants made my postpartum body feel comfy and cozy. But seriously...you need to take them off, get ready, and get out of the house. It'll make you feel like a normal person again and there is something about getting ready that makes you feel more awake and ready to take on the day. Even if it's a v-neck,  (maternity) jeans, and washed hair, you will feel better. 

What would you tell your new mom self? 

Blessings,

5 Things I'd Tell My Pregnant Self

So the stick turned blue, huh? Whether you were planning this little miracle or you're a bit surprised, "Oh. My. Goodness." were probably some of your first words. That is, if you were even able to speak at all! I remember approaching my husband, positive pee-stick & instructions in hand, asking him to interpret for me because I'm pretty sure my brain had just turned off.

So congratulations! God has granted you one of the greatest privileges known to womankind. You're soon to be overwhelmed from helpful & not-so-helpful advice from loved ones and complete strangers. Let's hope this falls into the helpful category!

1. Do what's best for you. Do what you have to do to get through the day. My first trimester was a Netflix & saltine cracker blur. Just because someone else walked 3 miles a day while pregnant doesn't mean you have to, too. By all means please don't use the next 38+ weeks setting any couch potato records (unless you're on doctor-ordered bed rest) . Find the balance between healthy and restful that works best for you and your growing family.

2. Buy as many pregnancy/birth/newborn books you want, but read them with a grain of salt. Not everything you read will apply to your unique pregnancy and it might just scare you unnecessarily.
Let your body guide the way, not a book. Again, balance is the key. Find the middle ground between completely ignorant & over-informed and anxious. Remember, real learning will come from hands-on experience.

3. Be prepared, but flexible. Discuss your birthplan with spouse, support team, and medical staff but be ready to be flexible. Stand up for your rights as a patient as long as what you want isn't jeopardizing you or your baby. You may not get the birth experience you dreamed of (just ask us), but get over it. If your baby is healthy, that's all that matters.

4. You & your spouse may have different reactions. Are you the over-excited one & your spouse seems underwhelmed? Or maybe it's the other way around. My husband wasn't too impressed by feeling our little girl kick for the first time while I felt like I was never going to come off that high. But when she was born we both shared so much joy that seeing my husband so happy made all the "underwhelming" moments worth it.
Talk about it! You're both probably feeling lots of emotions. But maybe the only way they can truly be expressed is through conversation.

5. You may not enjoy it all, but try to appreciate it. Open any pregnancy book to chapter one and you're bound to get a laundry list of pregnancy symptoms that aren't very fun: morning sickness, round ligament pain, & heartburn (just to name a few). Try to appreciate even these moments of discomfort. Some women never get the chance to feel the way you do. And while you're complaining to your friend for the umpteenth time about how uncomfortable you are, remember that she might be praying to be on the morning sickness boat.

What do you wish you could have told your pregnant self? We want to know!

God Bless,

5 Things I'd Tell My Pre-Child Self

Deciding it is time to have little ones running around is such an exciting time in life! Whether you are waiting for the right time or in the middle of trying to conceive, the process does take an emotional toll on you. Here are 5 things we would tell ourselves as we went through this season in life.

• Pray about it. Trying or not trying, pray about it. Sometimes it is hard with all the external factors to find peace about your situation. Getting tired of people constantly asking you when you're going to have a baby? Pray for grace to handle the situation well and understanding. Trying and it hasn't happened quite yet? Pray for God's timing and guidance on what to do to be revealed to you. Overall, pray for God's peace for your situation and never hesitate to ask for prayer too! This is something my husband and I do with everything so that we can be confident in our decisions we make as a family.

• Be prepared. Have a pre-conception meeting with your doctor, track your monthly cycle and ovulation, and start saving money. Little steps like these are great for helping you feel a little bit of peace in taking this big step in your life. Biology aside, the journey to having a child is a roller coaster and prepping yourself to the best of your ability (and letting the good Lord take care of the rest) always helps a little.

• Communicate, communicate, communicate. Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page, create goals together, get specific, don't leave any detail un-turned. You want to be on the same wave length as your partner. My husband and I talked about every little concern, our worries, and how we felt going into trying and getting pregnant. Holding things in and letting it explode later is never the way to go. Lastly, keep the conversation going. When I was ready and my husband wasn't ready to have a baby, we still talked about it and voiced our opinions. It's okay to have differing opinions so make sure you discuss and reconnect with each other so you can get on the same page, make new goals together, and move toward those goals.

• Ignore everyone else. Friends might think you're too young to have kids, family make you think you need to get going on making some grandchildren, or everyone else is having babies so you feel like you need to get on that train before it leaves the station. Do what is best for your family. By all means take advice from those whose opinions you value most, but at the end of the day you and your spouse need to make this decision without external pressure and opinions. 

• You'll never be 100% ready. When taking a big step in life, there may always be a little sense of doubt or worry. Don't let that stop you especially when you've been confident in your decision to have a child. Just pray.

Are you in this season of life right now? Let us know and we will be praying for you :)

Blessings,

5 Things I'd Tell My Newlywed Self

This month we're kicking off a "5 Things I'd Tell My _____ Self" series. We're compiling a list of some of the sage advice we wish we could have given ourselves at different stages of life. Whether you're in these stages, haven't come to them yet, or have long since passed them, we hope you enjoy it! So to start things off here are 5 things we wish we could have told our newlywed selves:

• It's OK when the honeymoon is over (literally and figuratively). Being in the real world together can be so much more romantic. My honeymoon was amazing. Loved every second of it. But we were so excited to get back to reality and experience true married life.

• Your arguments/discussions will change. You could argue over how to properly slice a tomato...*cough*....Jillianne. :) Or maybe you dig deeper into financial differences or thoughts on a future family. But don't for a second quit communicating. Talking through it is the only way to get through it. 

• There's always more to learn about your spouse. It doesn't matter how long you dated or if you've known them since you were a kid. You have a lifetime ahead of you to truly know your partner. The wedding was not the finish line! 

• Never stop dating your spouse. Always strive for a better relationship. This could mean doing something as simple as going for a walk after dinner. Or maybe it's a night out on the town with dinner and a movie. We definitely understand busy schedules, so if your date night means running to the grocery store with your spouse, soak it up! Enjoy it! Don't let these moments pass you by!

• And most importantly, make God the foundation of your marriage. Marriage is a vow between 3 people. To make this work you have to love God more than your spouse. Telling you to love someone more than your spouse may seem odd advice for a newlywed, but putting Christ in the center of your relationship will be the glue that holds it together. 

Did this advice help? We're still constantly learning how to be married. Honestly, I hope we never feel like we have all the answers. Learning about and how to be with my husband is such an amazing experience. 

What advice would you give yourself when you were a newlywed?

Happy Friday! God Bless,

Joyful Week: Traditions

Here are some of our favorite Christmas traditions, old and new:

Growing up, Christmas Eve was always spent with my dad's side of the family. But after they all decided to go party in heaven with Jesus, we needed a new tradition. We decided to go see a movie on Christmas Eve one year and after loving it so much, we made it our new tradition! We like to see lighthearted, family movies. Its so much fun to laugh together! 

One year my parents got me a Christmas ornament that was a lamb holding a cake that said "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" on it. What better way to celebrate than to sing to the most miraculous birthday boy ever! It's a fun reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Who doesn't love looking at Christmas lights? I prefer the simple white outlined houses while pretty much everyone else in my family is more impressed by the multicolored light shows set to music. What's your style?

Now that we have a little one, I'd like to start a new tradition with our little family! Every Christmas Eve, our children will get one gift to open. It'll have new Christmas pajamas, a new movie, and some yummy winter treats like hot chocolate and popcorn. Then we can all sit down as a family in our new PJs and watch a funny movie. Movie theaters can be a little crazy with kiddos so this will be a nice relaxing evening at home. 

Operation Christmas child has been something my husband and I started doing together since before we were married.  I love being being able to make a special box for a child, and to add to that hear the message of Christ. Now that we have our son, we definitely want to have him join in on this tradition. Even though he is still a baby, I want to instill in him a heart of giving from the very beginning. I also enjoy making spritz cookies. They are so simple and easy and just get me in the Christmas spirit. Since the recipe I have makes so many, it is nice to give as gifts too. We also love to drive around our neighborhood and look at everyone's Christmas lights. I love how a decorated house gives off a such a warm feeling in the middle of winter. Lastly, we like to open one present each on Christmas Eve. It is something I always did with my family growing up and it kind of just stuck around when we got married.

What kind of Christmas traditions do you an your family have?
Any new traditions you plan on starting?

God Bless,

and

 

Harvest Week: Traditions

Welcome to Harvest Week! By now I'm sure you've busted out your favorite Thanksgiving decorations and started making those delicious Fall treats. We thought we'd devote a whole week to sharing our favorite traditions (old & new), recipes, decorations, and crafts for this festive season. So sit back and enjoy!

I sure do miss the UT vs. A&M games. Luckily there's still plenty of football to be enjoyed after a hearty meal!
We were able to travel back home for Thanksgiving a few years in a row and thoroughly enjoyed the time by camping! It's one of our favorite activities and Hubby's family really knows how to do it up! One year we decided to cook a Mexican themed meal (tamales) instead of the traditional Thanksgiving fare. We loved exploring new recipes so much that we spent the next few years creating new menu themes like Italian (lasagna), Asian (egg rolls & noodle dishes), and back to turkey & dressing.
This year we plan on starting a new tradition: writing down what we're thankful for. Sine we're a new family of three, this will be a fun way to see how we've grown in the coming years.

A lot of Thanksgiving traditions involve football and our family is no different. We always watch the Apple Cup, a rivalry between our alma mater, WSU, and their rival, UW. It is usually the day after Thanksgiving so we look at it as wrapping up our Thanksgiving festivities. While watching the game, we usually put up Christmas lights and decor around the house to bring in the spirit of Christmas. This is something my husband and I started when we first got married and still continue it every year. With my husband's job, sometimes the decorations don't go up right after Thanksgiving but it still gets done eventually and being able to do it together is what makes our traditions special.

Now that we have started a family and have a little one, I wanted to start a new tradition: The Thankful Jar. Starting after Thanksgiving, we will have a designated jar to put things we are thankful for in. It will bein the same place all year round with a pen and paper near by. When we think of something we are thankful for, we'll write it down, stick it in the jar, and come Thanksgiving we'll read everything thing we have to be thankful for each year, then start all over. We have so much to have gratitude for and Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to celebrate it.

What are some of your family's favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
Do you plan on starting any new traditions this year?

God Bless,

 &

Anything Can Happen Thursday: America's Favorite Pastime

My husband and I are baseball fans. Growing up I loved watching the Seattle Mariners every summer. Anyone remember the Kingdome? Not even pieces of the roof falling during the game kept my family and I away. Hence, why it was torn down. My husband on the other hand played baseball growing up and is an avid fan of all things baseball. We have a chest of all his Mariners memorabilia and knick knacks in our closet. So for us it was only fitting that when Kacie and her family invited us to go to a Tacoma Rainiers game, we had to go! And thankfully we made it to their last home stand of the season.

We were so excited to take Little Man to his very first baseball game. We even bought him his very first baseball hat. Thankfully, even with his 90th percentile noggin, he still has room to grow in it. Even though Little Man did not get to enjoy ball park food (hot dogs and garlic fries, YUM) and didn't understand what in the world was going on, it was still great to take our son to something we enjoy so much. I can't wait till he is old enough to take part in such an fun experience

And who doesn't love spending time with great friends!? Even though we didn't know who was winning or losing during the game, we had a blast. Despite the fact that Little James and June were completely off schedule for their night time routines, we had a lot of fun. I love that we will have these memories to tell our kiddos about when they are older.

Are you a baseball fan?
What are your favorite ball park foods?

Blessings,

Anything Can Happen Thursday: Granny Comes to Town

Living away from family can be really hard, especially when you have kids. I grew up down the street from my grandparents and I probably have more memories with them than anyone else. One of the good and bad things about moving a lot is we might always live far away from our extended families. On the plus side, this means we get to have really awesome visits! This past week, Hubby's mom got to stay with us. June just loves her Granny! We went on lots of adventures and she got to experience our day-to-day routine. We were definitely sad to see her go, but we can't wait till her next visit! Here are some highlights of her time in the Pacific Northwest:

Fun times at the park. 

June is less than amused with your puny slide. 

Play time with our friend, James. 

Forced friendship.

Baby's first tricycle!

Super yummy s'mores!

Hubs and I even got to go on a date that
included kayaking, pool, and pizza!

Happy *42nd* birthday, Granny! ;)

Granny helps us cope with yucky shots.

Happy 6 month birthday, Baby Girl!

One last bike ride before Granny leaves. 

Do you live near family?

What kinds of things do you do when family visits?

God Bless,