Super Mom? No thank you.

Ive decided (and its taken me some time to think through this) that I don't like the term "Super Mom".  For some reason Ive heard it a lot lately amongst Christian women and its got me thinkin'.  Here are a few of my thoughts.

Why do we put these kinds of titles on women?  As if being a mom isn't a hard enough job we gotta go handing out awards for those who are better? Better than who? others?  I don't like it one bit.  And its not nice.  Women in general have issues with comparing them selves to other and this just makes it worse.  It puts pressure on woman to be viewed by the world as something more spectacular than a "mom" but really its causing the core of who a godly mom is to crumble.  Just think about it.  We recognize how well she decorated her home, how clean her children are, what great parties she throws, how involved in extra curricular activities she and her kids are in, how she always looks put together, how she works out and eats healthy. None of these things matter.  But if we are constantly recognizing the abilities of others and praising them for it then this becomes what is others strive for.  Don't get me wrong I believe that running a house hold well can be glorifying to God but I also believe it can be what runs women into the ground and the Supermom title tends to encourage the later.  As Christian women we shouldn't be encouraging this behavior that makes women want recognition from the world or even from her brothers and sisters in Christ. We should be encouraging them to seek the Lord in all their responsibilities.  All the things listed above are a mom's life, these things have to be done and they should be done well....for the Glory of God, not the praise of man or other women.   I will say this and hear me loud and clear: NO ONE HAS IT ALL TOGETHER! NO ONE! No matter how put together they look remember, they have struggles too and they need the grace of God each and every day just like you.  We should be caring whether or not our sisters in Christ are growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, not whether they can balance 40 spinning plates on their head. 

The pressure exhausts me and probably more now than ever.  Ive tried to be super mom and reality is, there is just nothing super about me.  I'm a sinner everyday and no matter what the outside looks like I need Jesus everyday if I'm going to make it through this life with joy.  I don't find joy in throwing parties and having people comment about how fun it was, I find joy in knowing that people were able to fellowship with one another and build relationships. I don't find joy in running my kids all over the world, I find joy in watching them grow and learn and experience new things while given the opportunity to teach them about God in every aspect of life.  I don't find joy in exercising, but I find joy in knowing that I'm taking care of myself so that I can be useful and be able to serve others.  I don't find joy in cleaning my house but I do find joy in knowing that I am teaching my kids how to work and care for the things that the Lord has given us.  Its not the visible act, its the heart attitude that only Jesus can give.  What do I strive for? Man's praise or God's Glory?  I know in my twisted heart that the first one jumps out way to often and yet my prayer is that in the end despite my sin God will get the glory for my life.  Otherwise it was all in vain.  That is what the Supermom title stands for in my eyes...vanity (and exhaustion...who can do that and not fall apart at some point...just sayin').

 When I pass on to eternal life I don't want to go with a supermom symbol on my casket, I hope that people would know that I lived by God's great grace and that any accomplishments were not of my own doing, they were of a SUPER-NATURAL God. 

The cutest thing!

I was coming home today and as I was driving down the street I saw Jay on his bike.  Thinking "I wonder where he's going" I then saw little Ty Ty on HIS motorbike taking a "ride" with his dad.  There they were riding side by side....just like a pack.  It was one of those moments when you say to yourself "I never want to forget this moment!"  It was the cutest thing!  I immediately jumped out of the car and grabbed my camera for when they were headed home!

After they got back it was Hudson's turn....I'm sure there will be many more of these in the future.

Off they go!

Cheer Camp!

Kenna went to a cheer camp this week and had a blast!  Selfishly I would love to push her into doing it (she is good) but I want her to want to on her own.  So when she decided to go I was thrilled!  A big pull is that her favorite babysitter, Brooke, is a cheerleader and she was going to be helping with the camp.  She did great!  I was so proud of her!  She even got to do stunts!  SO FUN!

Sarah, Kenna & Brooke.  We love Brooke!

Crazy girls! Doing the Moose jump....that's a new one to me. HA!

My Girl is 9!

Kenna birthday started out with Sweet hugs from Ty Ty!  He was so excited for her that it was her Birfday!

Yummy French toast from her favorite breakfast chef....DADDY!

Then onto Achievers for a 2 hour scrapbook camp with her bestie Avery!

Here are the girls hard at work!

Girls lunch at Cheesecake Factory!

Opening presents!

Admiring their new scrapbooks!

The day ended with a little hot tubbin' and a sleep over in the pool house!

Good times!

Happy Birthday Kenna! We LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!

13 years

This anniversary ended up being....funny...later.  You know how sometimes you just have those days as a couple where things aren't clicking?  Well that happened to be our day.  There were miscommunication and so on...nothing to really be upset about, just didn't flow smoothly.  But as I thought about it, it made me laugh...I LOVE that I have been married to my best friend, the best daddy ever, my lover and...well, the person that I can have off day's with and still love just as much as the on days.  Marriage isn't easy, but even on the days that don't seem to go well there is still so much to be thankful for.  I'm so thankful for this man who loves me despite my sin and I love him.  I pray as the years go on that I will understand grace more, God's grace and extending and receiving it in marriage...and I couldn't think of anyone better to learn that with than my Jay.  I love you.  Happy 13!

South Carolina

Kenna and I had a sweet sweet time in SC.  The city was beautiful and there was so much to see but the best was that we were with our dear dear friends again.  It was wonderful and I am so thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to go and spend 5 days with the girls that we miss so much.

Kenna was so excited to see the Moffatt girls on our Mommy/Daughter trip.

Day One:  We just hung out at the house and went down to the club house.  THIS is the club house!  How cute is that!  Its a barn...I want a barn!

My first time ever eating at Chik-fil-a!  LOVED it!

The girls frosted their own cakes.

April and I got out to see a movie.

Day 2:  Magnolia Plantation....amazingly beautiful!

This is just their front yard! =)

Katy, Ellie, Kenna & Gracie

My favorite bridge!

Yep- We want to be Southern Bells!

I could have stayed here forever!  So Beautiful!

Day 3: Tour of Downtown Charleston.  Just April and I did this which was good cause it was hot, humid and we walked for 2 1/2 hours!  But worth every step!

April & I in front of one of MANY gorgeous homes that we saw.  I belong in the south when it comes to architecture!

Just a cute place that I would love to stay at one day!

Girls Lunch!

This was the cute little restaurant that we ate at....Poogans Porch was the name.

Day 4: Folley Beach

Kenna getting taken out by a wave!

The Moffatt's cute house!

Last day together...it was hard not to cry.

Until next time...cause there WILL be a next time, Lord willing.

Training wheels are GONE!

I'm not sure how there was time for this major event in our lives this week, yet it happened right in the hustle and bustle of all the end of the school year activities....Ty Ty learned to ride his bike WITHOUT training wheels!  GO TY!  He literally learned in about 1 minutes time....it was unbelievable!  He was so excited and the first thing he said when he got up this morning was that he wanted to go ride his bike.  So pretty much all day he's been out there perfecting his skills and I have to say...its IMPRESSIVE!

Comin' atcha Mom!

Flyin' by ya Mom!

See you later alligator!

I mean....really?  1 day?  What a little stud!

Ty is so proud of himself!  He was even more proud when we told him that his siblings didn't learn till they were almost 5 and he is only 4...that's a big deal!~

Seriously THE cutest 4 year old ALIVE!