Called 2 Bow

Its that time of year again.   Everyone starts chatting about their New Year’s Resolutions.   We hear about people’s health goals (“I’m training to run a marathon this year”), spiritual goals (“I’m going to get up and read my Bible EVERY morning before the family wakes up”), even reading goals (“I’m going to read one non-fiction book a month”).   These goals are great but lets be honest, in most cases, these resolutions won’t last.   Have you ever had a gym membership and saw the difference of crowds in January compared to even February?   We get bogged down by the busyness of life and drop those goals in a heartbeat.   I’ve never really been a resolution girl because I know that I will be like the many that give up too quickly.   A few years ago my mom started a New Year’s tradition where she chose a word for the year instead of resolutions.   It was like a theme she would focus on for the year.   Sometimes she had a scripture to go a...

I have always identified with Mary.   Maybe it isn’t so much “identified” as “inspired by”.   How can you not be amazed by her story?   Her willingness to step up, in faith, and follow the Lord’s plan.      I guess I first felt the connection to Mary when I was in high school.   I played her in our church’s Christmas musical.   I remember having one of our couch pillows ace bandaged to my belly and then putting that blue robe over it.   It looked pretty realistic.   But what I remember the most were the jokes.   People would pass me backstage and say all sorts of things.   As an innocent teenager, my cheeks were a permanent shade of pink.   I remember even my pastor getting in on that joke by saying “do your parent’s know?”   Ha. Ha.   Very funny.   I’d try to laugh it off but I was humiliated.    And I was expected to get up in front of the church and sing now? I’m sure the humiliation I fe...

One thing I am not thankful for this year is Etsy.   I have spent far too much of my husband’s hard earned cash on this website.   Too many things for Addie Grace and too many things for myself.   But I LOVE the shirt I got for Thanksgiving and because I spent so much money on it, I’m wearing it as much as I can.   The shirt is white with garnet writing that says “This is what I’m thankful for” in a pretty script over my belly.   Truer words have never been spoken.   I have truly spent this Thanksgiving season in a state of gratefulness.   How can you not when last year was so awful?   I wore my shirt to church on Sunday and enjoyed all the comments from the people as I passed by. I even got to share the twin’s story when I was asked “how many kids do you have?”   So much to be thankful for this year. As I stood in my thanksgiving shirt I couldn’t help but tear up as we sang one of my favorite songs, Faithful To The End by Bethel Music. ...

We’ve had Addie Grace’s Wizard of Oz nursery theme picked out for months now.   I have been working on curtains for about that long.   I have a plethora of pinterest ideas floating around in my head to add to the décor.   I also have a friend coming to paint a mural on the wall.   Plans and ideas.   In reality- her room will probably never get finished, much like her brother’s!   But for now, we have ideas.   We picked Wizard of Oz because of the subtle rainbow that’s involved.   The rainbow isn’t the main element of the story but it is still significant.   “Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue…”   Addie Grace is our rainbow- our baby after loss.   We’ve been through the storm and our skies are blue.   I like to spend Monday mornings reviewing the message at church on Sunday.   I re-write the notes into Addie’s bible.   I started that tradition with Trey.   Each of my kids have a bible that I write i...

Yall.   I cried this morning.   What brought me to such a state?   The Walton’s Thanksgiving special.   WHAT?!   I can blame it on hormones.   But I know that’s not it.   I’ve been reflecting a lot these last few days.   Comparing last year to this year.   The difference is night and day.   Two different Halloweens.   Two different Thanksgivings.   Two different Christmases.   I saw a picture on facebook this morning that said “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life”.   How true that is!   I can’t help but have a heart full of gratitude- my life is FULL. Last year we lost twins at 20 weeks.   This year, we celebrate the life of Miss Addie Grace.   I am 26 weeks along, celebrating every day we have with this sweet girl.   She is a dancer- CONSTANTLY moving.   Trey never kicked.   He just pushed against my ribs.   The twins were not very active- even with two of them.   Eve...

I hate politics.   Its an ugly word for me.   I don’t like the tension that is involved.   I’m uncomfortable with the confrontation that comes when the debate is in full swing.   I have never taken a strong stance on any candidate.   There just too much we don’t know.   This election is different though.   This election you can’t help but get sucked in.   We have a financially driven reality star up against a lifelong politician, elbow deep in conspiracy.   Those two choices can leave you terrified but today I saw a new perspective.   I’ve heard many people share how scared they are for our country.   I’ve said that myself.   I’ve heard people talk about how they cannot vote for either candidate because of the major flaws they see in each one.   I’ve heard people say that they fear what this election means for the future of their children.   All of these are true- I can’t deny it!   Our pastor spoke abo...

In May of 2015 my husband and I went on a dream vacation to New Zealand.   This trip was better than our honeymoon.   We traveled all around the country and hit all the tourist hotspots.   New Zealand is absolutely beautiful.   I have never seen such lush, green countryside.   In our travels, one particular symbol seemed to pop up everywhere.   I remember seeing it on the side of a building and asked my husband what it was.   The symbol is called a Koru.   It was used by the natives of New Zealand, the Maori, to symbolize new life , growth , strength and peace .   Once I found out its meaning I got so excited.   That is what we came to New Zealand for: a new beginning.   Our 10 year anniversary was coming up so we decided to celebrate with this trip.   But the truth is, we needed to get away.   We needed some rest.   We needed a break.    The past year had been tough because we were struggling wit...