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,

A Beautiful Mess

Sometimes we start off our days looking like this. Clean white shirts and blow-dried hair. 

LAURA RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Then life happens. But one of the absolute pleasures of motherhood is getting down and dirty with our kids. It's so freeing to set the dishes aside, put the vacuum down, and play!

LAURA RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

We may go from squeaky clean to having mud in places we really wish we didn't, but hearing your Little One's laugh makes it all worth it.  

LAURA RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

 The glory of motherhood comes camouflaged in so much chaos. - Lisa Jo Baker

God Bless,

 &