The Canoe

You were probably wondering what this blog post was about considering the title is "The Canoe". Well, it is all about my precious little doggie Charlie Chew Meatball Travaglini.  "The Canoe" is just one of his many names, and you may be wondering how he in fact  conceived that name....however....I can not help you with that. See, I am not sure how that name came about....it just came out of my mouth one day and ever since then we have been calling him that on rare occasions. So before we go any further let me just go ahead and break down a list of the many other names out there that we call him and let's see if I can also give you the whys behind some of the names:

- Charlie Chew (he chewed up my shirt, our carpet, the end of our night stands, my books, random q-tips found in garbage etc.)

- The Chew   (reference above)

- Chewy Man  (reference above)

- The Canoe   (not sure)

- Canoey Man  (again....not sure)

- Meatball   (Nick calls him this...I think it's an Italian thing?!?)

- Canoe Cachew  (it rhymed...thought it was cute)

- Lil Char Char  (when I pet his little head...awww)

- Char Canar (it rhymed....again i thought it was cute)

- Little Freak   (when he initially chewed up my shirt...our carpet...etc....he gets called this when he does things like that)

- Pee Pee man   (he peed, peed, and peed everywhere when we first got him....peed several places on our laminate hard woods and those spots are now destroyed. He is housed trained now...go figure...after all the damage that has been done)

Any who...with all those crazy names we have for him...and all the psychotic things he has done...like chewing up things...peeing everywhere...etc. I honestly wouldn't trade him for the world. His personality is so stinkin cute and oh so prevalent, and lots of times he mimics a little toddler to us because of his playfulness. He also has the best temperament ever! He turned 1 year old on April 11th...and it seems like we have had him for years. He is such a big part of our family and I just know little John and him will make best buds. All in all...Charlie Chew, Canoe, Meatball, whatever....is such a sweet dog, most friendliest dog ever, never meets a stranger...and has brought a lot of good times and joy into our lives. So today I want to pay tribute to him. Here's to Charlie!!!!

This little rascal rolled around in our dead grass and was covered in it...needless to say the Little Freak (one of those times we would call him this) ran into the house when I had my back turned and shook it everywhere. I was cleaning up dead grass off our carpet...floor and furniture for a good 45 min. He's a trip!

Brief History of "The Canoe"

  We adopted Charlie from the Humane Society last year as my birthday gift from Nick. He is a mixed breed of Basset Hound and Black lab. However, we think he has a little bit of Chow in him because of his spotted tongue and we also think he has Pit Bull because of chest/stance and facial structure. He has the smallest little ears to be a basset hound or a lab. His little body is long like a basset hound, and he has a long tail and short stubby legs. He is solid black...not a spot of white or any other color on him. He had 4 other brothers and sisters who were there that day at the pound. They were acting seriously ridic....jumping up on the kennel and barking all crazy like, but our ole Charlie (his name at the Humane Society was Booberry....yuck!) just sat there looking at us and didn't make a peep. He actually doesn't even bark much. I was concerned that he even had a voice box because he didn't bark for almost 3 months when we first got him (he does whine though, but not a lot). He however does bark when he wants your attention....but it is on rare occasions....like when its a full moon. We def think he was a God send because someone actually  had a deposit on him for purchase the day we got there and laid eyes on him. I was so sad because I wanted  only him out of the other 40 dogs that were there. The lady behind the counter told us if the customer doesn't come by closing then they are considered a no-show and "Booberry" goes back up for adoption....turns out....the customer was a no show and hence forth...we got little Charlie man all to ourselves! Definitely was a divine appointment...thank you Lord.

                           This one is my fav....he's sooo cute!!

  He loves the groomers....like I said...he never meets a stranger :)


   and that my friends is our Charlie :)

Pregnancy Survey

So this is my 3rd post in 2 days...I must be in blogging mode...

*When is your due date?     July 15th 2012 ...a day before my 27th birthday!!!!

*What week are you in?      32 Weeks!!! 

*What was your weight pre-pregnancy?     154lbs...ain't no shame in my game...hehe

*What is your current weight?       188lbs 

*Have you had an ultrasound?     Yes...thankfully everytime I have gone for checkup

*Do you know the gender of your baby? If so, what?      Yes...IT'S A BOY!!!

*Do you have a name picked out? What?      John Nicholas Travaglini

*Is the child being named after someone?    His father - Nicholas John Travaglini

*Who is going to be with you during delivery?    Just Nick & me and baby T.

*Natural or medicated childbirth?    Ummm whatever....not gonna get hung up on that....just want him here safe and sound...lol.

*How are you feeling right about now?   I am feeling ok...tired a bunch...hot as crikey...restless sleeping... having right leg pain....cankle swelling ;)...hungry...and a few minor cramps here and there...but over all...I'm good. :)

*What was the first thing you bought for baby?  Onesies, and books.

*What colors are the walls in the nursery?      Pastel Blue

*What is the nursery theme?        We went with an Ikea jungle themed nursery...but we put our own twist on it. Colors are blue, green, yellow, orange and red.

What is your favorite part of the nursery?     Our almost 6 foot orange giraffe wall decal. Will post pics of nursery in coming blogs...cause you have to see it! :)

*What is your favorite baby gift so far that someone has given  you?     Well there are several- his crib, his bassinet, Nick's baby shoes & rocker, a hand crochet teddy bear, and a handmade car seat cover.

*Do you feel you are ready to have a baby?  Well...there is no turning back now. Absolutely!

*Are you excited or scared about delivery?    Ummm...trying not to think about it...so thanks for bringing it up. Jk. In all honesty I am a little nervous, but excited to go through every ounce of it just to have him in our arms!

*Any food cravings?    1st trimester I craved salt n vinegar chips & mcdonalds french fries- pretty much anything salty. 2nd trimester I craved all sweet & sugary stuff like sour patch kids & icecream ...now I will eat just about anything at this point!!

*Anything you loved before that you absolutely cannot eat anymore?   Cottage cheese....the texture gets me every time.

*Age when you found out you were pregnant:     26

*Did you experience any pregnancy symptoms and what?:    Yes, sore breast, increased tiredness, nausea, implantation cramps, missed menstrual

*How far along were you when you found out?: The day before missed menstrual was due...I just felt something was off with my body....and so I took a test and saw those 2 beloved pink lines!

*Was your little one planned or a surprise?:     We were going with the flow this time..

*What was your first reaction when you found out you were pregnant?:  Praise the Lord!!!

*Who was the first person you told that you were pregnant?:  Hubby of course

*How far along were you when you felt baby kick for the first time?: 19 1/2 weeks

*What month did you find out the sex of your baby?:  February  at 19 weeks, so I was in my 4th month of pregnancy.

*Have you/are you planning on attending any Lamaze classes?:  Naw, just watch a couple YouTube videos and hope for the best.

*What kind of birth plan are you considering?:   I am opened to all options...just want baby happy & healthy.

* What pregnancy related books have you read/are you currently reading?: "What to expect when your expecting", & "Praying your way through your pregnancy"

*Any weird pregnancy dreams?:   Oh gosh, a ton...too many to count. Crazy ones from forgetting to feed my baby, to delivering sextuplets....

*Are you planning on breast feeding?:    Yes

*Do you plan on having any more little ones?:    Oh yes....God willing :)

 *What's the funniest thing that's happened to you while you're pregnant?  Well, it wasn't funny then...but it is now. I thought my amniotic fluid was leaking at around 24 weeks...went to doc and found out it was just me peeing on myself.

*Last but not least...what is the one piece of advice every pregnant woman should have?      Pray your way through your pregnancy...everything will either make you nervous, frightened for your baby, scared out of your mind or worried sick. There is not a thing you can do but to rest, relax, don't over do it... and enjoy being pregnant. Leave everything else up to the Lord...cause He is the one that is growing that little miracle inside of you. Trust Him.

Season of change...

In the last few months I have noticed a huge change in myself and a shift in my priorities. Although it had me utterly confused for a split second...I have  since then, with Gods help and a little help from an old wise woman, realized that my priorities, feelings, dreams, goals and passions are in fact shifting...which is totally normal since I  am in full preparation for motherhood....

So when I first started having these feelings around the second trimester I thought something was wrong with me. I found myself constantly thinking...am I losing my passion and drive? What's going on with me? Oh where art thou my desires for the things I once thought so highly of? I had a long discussion with an ole wise woman who told me, "it's totally normal honey...it's just your body and mind preparing for motherhood dear, not to worry". I use to have these big, huge dreams for myself....these career goals that I wanted to obtain and these great, over the top things I wanted to do in ministry for the Lord. Now, these days, I am finding myself so content and at peace with just being the best wife and mother in the world and letting that be my first and foremost ministry. I told Nick a couple weeks ago, "I think I would actually be extremely content the rest of my life being a career waitress and just serving my family." Before, that didn't seem all that too successful to me. It is so funny to me now, and I feel so foolish at how superficial and ignorant I acted and thought. Not to down play any woman/mother/wife that has a huge corporate career and or involved in a huge ministry and holds down a family...cause that is absolutely astounding and I admire those that do, but for this season of life that I am in now I just earnestly desire to focus on being a awesome wife to Nick and a beautiful mother to John and serving the Lord by serving them first. 

I truly think, let me back up a min, I truly know....the ministry of wife hood and motherhood is one that is powerful and oh so important. We as women should never neglect that calling, especially those in my generation of woman. Society now a days seems to frown upon the women that are not working outside the home and being a career driven individual. Growing up in my grandmother's generation being a stay at home mom, or part-time stay at home mom was ideal, and society frowned upon those women that weren't ole "Suzy home-maker" per say. Now, I am not saying that every mother should be a stay at home mom because you have to do what you have to do for your family to provide if situations and finances call for it, but keeping our families, as mothers and wives, at the center and keeping Christ first is so heavily important in today's world.

You know...I use to think I had to be the next Beth Moore or Joyce Meyer to be effective in ministry or be something great for the Lord or to even be a success in life. But, I've now come to realize that Christ receives great joy when He sees His children serving in order, in love, with great joy and a willinging spirit. I once heard someone say "how can we serve others in ministry or do missions when our first mission (husband and wives, children) in our homes are neglected...it just doesn't add up, it just doesn't make sense."...and it truly doesn't add up or make sense. Oh how I have had to ask the Lord's forgiveness for putting Nick on the back burner, for him coming in second so many times. There are times when I was rushing out first thing to serve someone else in need, and his needs were not being met at home. It pangs my heart to think that I have done that, and I think it is so easy to do that because we take our loved ones for granted lots of times, but I am greatful that the Lord is showing me this now....in order to be effective and used by Him and for His glory...never neglect your home life and serving your family first....we must start there! For it is often times them that need us the most.


So in closing this blog I will say I am finding myself prioritizing my life, goals, dreams, desires, wants, wishes and all of the above.  Now I haven't literately sat down and made a list of it all in order, but its just the change and attitude of my heart that is evolving into something different for this season. God always knows whats best!

13 weeks left and....

Let me just first start off by saying that this post is about 6 weeks too late. I started it nearly 6 weeks ago...and logged in today for the first and realized I never published it to my blog. It was kind of a nice surprise to log into and see...hehe. Enjoy!


It's been an emotional last couple of weeks. I only have 13 weeks left till baby John is here and in my mind and heart I am growing increasingly anxious....


I was watching a TV show the other day that showed a young girl graduating from high school, and her mother made this statement, "Oh...where did the time go? She was just in my arms a few moments ago, now I am sending her off into the world...it went by too fast." Boy....did that hit me hard and out of no where I started sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't help to think of the same thing happening to baby John with graduating in 19 years!! Ahhh...I don't even want to think of "Congratulations Class of 2031". He is not even here yet and I already don't want to let him go. Oh how I long to hold him in my arms, but a part of me wants him to stay right here in my womb...because at least there I know he is with me and protected, safe from the world. I pray that mine and Nicks journey with him in this life-time will be a long, and beautiful one. I pray that I will never forget  to just stop and cherish every waking moment and memory with him and to never take it for granted....because it is true...they just grow up so fast right before your eyes and you can never get those moments in time back. Then, before you know it, they are gone...off into this vast open world God made for them. But, I know truly deep down that he is not only just ours, but he is the Lord's and that is so reassuring to me.


It feels like I am entering a new chapter in life...and for the first time I am understanding things about the Lord, and myself that I have sought out for so long to understand...

"My whole life I have struggled with trying to understand God's love for me. I mean...I know His word, and  I know how amazing His love is written down for us in His word, and how completely indescribable His sacrificial love was shown on the cross, etc.... but never could I truly grasp just the unconditional aspect of His love that He actually has for His children....for me. In the Bible it says that "God is love" ...it is just who He is. But, growing up I just couldn't grasp it for some reason. Someone told me a while back that you will begin to taste  just a bit of unconditional love when you have children of your own some day. I now feel like I am just getting to a place where I am experiencing that for the first time....the way that I already love John so much is I know just a snippet of how compelling God's unconditional love is for us....for me. I believe that having children is the closest thing that we have on this earth and in our life times to experience that. Wow...and just think He is SO good because He blesses those with children to experience and taste that unconditional love even when they don't acknowledge or recognize Him as Lord & Savior. I stand in awe. I am so overwhelmed to know that He favored Nick and I, and wants us to experience a glimpse and just a taste of that. For so long I prayed and really searched out how deep His love was for me....and now Lord....I am truly getting it for the first time. It is one of the most heartfelt and absolutely amazing things to feel, to know and trust in."

What a lovely chapter it is that I am entering. Can't wait to hold my little Johnny man and to look into his precious eyes. This mysterious little one that has jabbed, punched, kicked, nestled, tossed, and invaded my sacred womb has also invaded my very heart and for that I am truly blessed!

25 weeks!!

I am now 25 weeks!!!!!...and baby is size of an EGGPLANT...in case your like me and not 100 % sure what that is...it's a type of "botanical" fruit found in the produce section at your local grocery store...that looks like this   . I got that information off of a pregnancy website. It's pretty unbelievable that baby John is already that size. I saw one today while me and Nick were out grocery shopping. It's a pretty big piece of fruit. I was tempted to pick it up and place in on top of my belly to visualize how he measured in side of there. I knew he had to be somewhat bigger compared to a few weeks ago when he was the size of an onion, because he sure is kicking up a storm and I have even felt him wiggle his way under my right rib at night time once or twice! 

Everything is pretty going smoothly except for some of the hormones I have been experiencing and the massive acid reflux and indigestion I have been having. OUCH!!! I have never had that before pregnancy so I've been getting my first dose of it with in the past week or so. No fun....keeps me up all night and making me have a sour stomach and feel nausea too. Everyone keeps telling me "ohhh that means baby John will come out with a head full of hair." Lol...I couldn't help to think of an eggplant with a little black wig on top when they say that. Too funny! But I know with all the acid reflux...sour stomach and nausea that I have been feeling lately it will be so worth it when he is finally in our arms. The hormones and mood swings can attack at any given moment. I got teary eyed at a Downy fabric softner commercial a few weeks ago....something with the music in the background and the fluffly little bear falling was just so precious to me...lol. I also have noticed that things that hardly ever bothered me before pregnancy or things that I was passionate about before has been now amplified by 10. Hince, I have pulled the plug on my facebook page for a while. On top of being on it 24/7 and noticing that it was becoming a first priority in my life...Nick also noticed that I was just a little too emotional to handle social media at this point with the way my hormones have been playing out. He trips me out...because he knows me so well...and the fact that even though I am having a psycho factor right now he still loves me . So thankful for that man...do not have any clue what I would do without him and the Lord's guidance in my life. I have recently heard carrying girl babies gives you much more of a boost of estrogen hormones....so your once crazy pregnancy hormones might be 20 times worse. Whew...if that is in fact true I am just so grateful this is all that I am experiencing now with carrying baby John. AHHHH....only 3 more months left...but I am loving every single minute of pregnancy and wouldn't trade any sour stomach, morning sickness, back ache, nausea, sleepless nights, over heating, crazy hormonal  mood swings for nothing....lol just have to apologize along the way to a bunch of people.

We finally started painting the nursery last weekend. Finished up most of the painting last night except for a few touch up spots. We went with a pretty pastel blue color. I will definitely have to upload and send out pics to everyone once we get a little more progress going. I have been going through a bit of a nesting stage recently. Last week I felt the undying urge to completely organize and clean out our entire closet. I spent about 3 or 4 hours vacuuming the baseboards, putting winter clothes away, making a good will pile, putting away pre pregnancy clothes, organizing our shoes and hanging clothes up by long sleeves, short sleeve etc. I next want to tackle organizing every cabinet in our house too. I have heard of mothers going through nesting right before baby comes. It's like they get a huge burst of energy and they want to clean, organize, prep, and baby proof their home. I had one friend that completely felt like she needed to disinfect her entire house top to bottom before baby came. Cleaning and wiping away in nooks and crannies of her house on her hands in knees that she never even knew existed before. She said she did it every week until her water broke. She just wanted it to be super de-duper clean. Now...I haven't gotten to that point yet, but in away I totally understand her urges. 

I don't think Charlie has noticed anything yet. They say dogs can sense when their female owner is pregnant. Either he is too young to sense that or he does sense it and has a good way of hiding it. He will be 1 year old on the 11th of April. He is such a sweet, good dog. I had a ton of people ask me how do I think he will do once baby comes. I honestly think he will be great. Of course he will not have our full undivided attention anymore, but we will be sure to try and include him as much as possible. I think he will have no problem adjusting. Someone mentioned buying a baby doll to get him use to a baby or even bringing home one of baby John's blankets from hospital and exposing him to baby John's scent beforehand. Sounds too complicated to me. I think he will do just fine....lol hope I don't eat my words. Just kidding. I am sure he will do great!

I have been craving everything under the sun, like crazy, that has got to be quite possibly the worst thing to eat while pregnant. I had picked up a box of sour patch kids candy (little bit size gummies that are sour on the outside) while at Target the other day. I can remember opening the box and taking a couple little bites out of it while I was walking around the store. I got up to the cash register and placed my items on top of the counter and the cashier picks up the box and goes "ma'am...ummm did you know these are empty?!" LOL....I turned beat red, and said "oh gosh...I ate the whole box before I got up here!" Everyone behind me in line just chuckled...and one person even said "looks like baby wanted those things pretty bad", I usually can only eat a handful of sour patch kids then I start to feel full and a little sick, but honestly I probably could of ate another whole box of them. I go to doctor in a couple weeks for my Gestational Diabetes screening. Yikes..I'm so nervous. I think I am going to talk to my doctor about my compulsive eating habits and maybe he can offer up suggestions. Praying baby is still happy and healthy...bless his heart...momma feeding him all kinds of craziness...I'll have to apologize when he gets here. I am sure he will just be happy to be in our arms safe and sound.

I can't believe he will be here in less than 3 months. So thankful for his little life God has truly blessed us with. So excited to see Nick as a father, and experience motherhood for the first time. It truly is a gift from the Lord!!!

IT'S A B.O.Y!!!

So we found out on Monday, February 20th that we will be bringing  a baby BOY into the world!! Oh how thrilled we are, and over the moon excited with joy and anticipation! I never thought I would be a mom to a boy, actually I was fully convinced in my mind, and even had friends and family members (Nick however was Switzerland) convinced as well that we were having a Girl. Lol...so...sit down and stay a while because...here's the story....


Our first doctors visit was at 6 weeks. It was then that we saw our sweet little Doe (called baby Doe because at that point we did not know if baby was a Jane or a John). I wept tears as I saw that little heart just a flickering on the screen. It looked like a little white blob, but it was the most beautiful white blob I have ever seen. At that point, I immediately contracted baby fever. I wanted to go out and start decorating, buy baby clothes, pick out names, etc right then and there...like as soon as we left the doctor's office. Nick and I had orginally decided we did not want to know the sex because we were told by several people "that there are only few surprises in life, and finding out the sex at birth is definitely one of those," so we truly wanted to wait. I was down for it. But, in the back of my mind I felt all along that it was a Girl.


As weeks went on I kept seeing pink everywhere...and the name I wanted for our precious girl kept popping up randomly in places. I thought it was a premonition...the Lord was giving me a revelation. haha. Ok...so maybe I didn't fully think that...but sounds good. Any who...I began to get severe morning sickness, headaches, food aversions to my favorite foods and then cravings for sour and salty things. I was told this is a sign of carrying a girl. Everywhere I went everyone kept saying..."oh Corey you are glowing...your having a girl." I kept thinking...yes I know. My little girl. I kept telling Nick over the course of several weeks, "it's a girl...I just know it....let's pick out baby names, and pick out nursery room decor." Bless my husband's heart he just kept saying "ok dear". But, I think he was convinced it was a boy this whole time.


So...we both decided on the girl name, we even went and bought a few girly nursery decor items. I had in my mind hair bows that I was going to create, and pinterest projects I was going to craft that involved our little girls name...already pinned and ready to go. Like I said I was fully convinced!! Eventually as weeks progressed and this little space invader of this sacred womb began to take over my heart I started writing to him/HER in a little journal...still referring to it as Little Doe, but was so sure it was a girl in my mind. I had people come up to me at work, and church and asked me, "so have you found out yet...what is it?!" I kept telling them, "oh no, we won't find out, but I know its a girl anyways"...because I had mother's instinct...and that never fails...right??!! lol.


Well the big day approached us at 19 weeks where we got to see our little one, and for the first time our family could see him/HER too. At this check up they wanted to check baby's organs, heart, brain, spine, anatomy and measurements. We could also find out the sex...well confirm it for me, but at this point we did not want to. I was so anxious upon arriving. My stomach had severe butterflies (now that I think of it, it was baby kicking) and I was antsy. They called my name back and all of us...including daddy walked into the room. I got up on the table...got into position....ready to go. The tech put that jelly substance on my belly...plopped the wand down on top and as soon as she did our precious gift was right there for all to see. Everyone fell silent...it was such a sweet moment....he/SHE had grown so much. The little heart was just a beating away...the little limbs were just a moving...even caught baby yawning and suckling in the womb.....

...."My heart was speechless, and so in love."

Finally, the technician looked over at me and said, "so do you guys want to know the sex?" I immediately shrieked "yes!!!!" Nick bent down and whispered, "are you sure about this...you have been telling me for the last 15 weeks you didn't want to find out...so your positive you want to know?" I kept saying "yes, yes, please tells us...suspense is killing me!" The technician then began to type up on the screen rather slowly IT'S A.......she paused. We all were on the edge of our seats, wide eyed and bushy tailed....BOY!!! "ahhh....wow....awwwww.....congratulations!!!" Was the sounds and words coming in from the background. I honestly had blocked everyone out and sat their amazed, but shocked at the same time. I leaned up from the table and exclaimed "SO YOU MEAN THIS ISN'T A LITTLE NATALIE?!!?" Technician said..."nope...all BOY!" I have to admit I was speechless for a few moments, I didn't honestly know what to do....the thoughts of pink, princesses, hair bows, ruffles, painted finger nails, baby pageants, and barbie dolls went out the window in seconds....and then...

all I could think of was... Beautiful. Oh. You.

With everything Nick and I have been through with failed pregnancies in the past year I was now looking at my healthy, precious baby boy on the screen. Oh shame on me for wanting anything different than what God has so purposely blessed us with!

After the 15 minute initial shock wore off, I was all smiles! My precious BOY! Ahhh...God has away of always stumping me and surprising me at the same time, and nevertheless putting me back in line...with "His ways are not my ways...and He knows the plans He has for me!" We couldn't be more happier and feel so blessed that He entrusted us with such a special gift...girl or not.

"I have already been dreaming and thinking about who and what he will become...a pastor, a lawyer, a teacher, a doctor, a writer...the President lol. Hey...I can dream for my son can't I?!? So excited to hold him, to examine his precious feet, and hands. To gaze upon his cute little nose,ears, and eyes that I just know he will have. I know sincerely in my heart God has big plans for him. My prayers now are continually that God will mold us into Godly parents, to help us set such a firm biblical foundation for him, to love him always, rebuke him with love when necessary, to discipline him with grace, to cherish who he is, to teach him who Christ is, and for him to love the Lord with all his soul, heart, mind and strength. I can't believe it...we are having a baby BOY!!!"

So on ending notes...with every kick, and flutter that I feel going on in there from our precious boy I am reminded of God's faithfulness, grace and love. We are thrilled....and I can only see blue everywhere I go...and I couldn't stand the color blue before, but now it's heavenly looking! I am one proud momma...and I know daddy is just as proud and honored to carry on the Travaglini name..and what little bit of Italian heritage he will have left :). Everyone now keeps coming up to me saying..."you look like a boy mom"...lol I just giggle cause even though I sincerely have no idea what a "boy mom" looks like...I do know I am blessed beyond words and so thankful for his little life....so grateful to bear a son. Even though Mary was carrying the sacrificial lamb, the Savior of all mankind, the king of kings, the prince of peace, and God in the flesh in her precious sacred womb...he was still a son to her, and I can feel for her and any mother out there that is carrying a son for the first time. IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!

& all I can think of when I look down at my expanding belly is... Beautiful. Oh. You.

Grow Up!!!

I get it...some people do seriously need to stop acting a fool and grow up...but that is not what this blog is about...so please by all means...keep reading :)

Life is all about growth. We grow up and grow out of things. We grow from being a baby.....to a toddler....to an adolescent...to a teenager...to an adult.... and then finally to a senior citizen. When you were a baby you eventually out grew your baby clothes, and your baby food. Your mother or father first fed you breast milk or formula until you out grew that and then you moved on to baby food. You eventually out grew that, and started eating adult food....like steak...yumm...that sounds good right about now. 

Any who...in life we grow and out grow in our wants, desires, and needs. We also grow in our marriages, our relationships, and with our children. Sometimes we outgrow our friends, and we grow with the company at our jobs. But, for the Christian growth could not be more important! We are to never loose sight of who we are in Christ, and in His word! Our growth in Him is vital for our Christian maturity. We need to grow up in Him, and we do that by spending time with Him....and not just once every week, or month, or on a annual basis, but daily! We have His word for a reason. His beautiful love letter to us is not meant to just sit on our bookshelves and collect dust, or be displayed only on our coffee tables, or even only busting it out at special occasions. We are to walk daily with Him and allow His word to transform our lives.

"God's Word is powerful....for the more we know, the more we are to apply to our lives and are held accountable to. In turn the more we grow! So know, apply and grow!"

This is so true! How can we ever be sanctified or be made holy? How can our lives be transformed, or our minds, and spirits be renewed? How can we learn to follow His commands, to guide our children, to honor our husbands, to love our wives, to submit to others, to be a witness, to minister to others, or bear any fruit if we don't read His word, apply it, and grow from it? There are so many born again believers walking around, and every once in a while opening up and reading the Bible and spending just a quick fix in the Word. Then they go and try to live out the Christian walk. They are still walking around with carnal minds, fighting the flesh constantly, getting discouraged, and they can't seem to figure out why their life is so confusing, and what they are doing wrong!


The Christian walk is not always easy, yes....I get that! In fact...I know that....of course I have struggles...face challenges...and battle my flesh!!! But, we have a guide, a standard, a foundation to apply, and grow from every day! It is our responsibility. Paul said "don't just be hearer's of the word, but be doers."- James 1:22.

I have heard many Christians say....I follow the Lord. I go to church, and get feed! I listen to my preacher preach every Sunday and take what He says and go out and apply it. Oh...that's wonderful! But, I recently heard one of my pastors at church say something that spoke volumes to me...and I quote "we are accountable and responsible as Christians for feeding ourselves, yes the Pastor is responsible in feeding his flock, but ultimately we are responsible for feeding ourselves as Christians." He is so right....for when we feed ourselves, we can also pour out (feed) into others, and that allows this whole cycle of being fed and feeding to occur.....hence discipleship and ministering God's Word to others.

WE are commanded to read and apply the Bible as followers of Christ. "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" - Matthew 4:4... and...to"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 
2 Timothy 2:15


Did you know that so many Christian's are deceived, by the works of the enemy? Yes...Christians! They get entangled in what "Self Help", and "worldly wisdom" says. They sometimes wind up following ways of false doctrines, seek out ungodly advice, or get caught up in many heresies, and it is all a direct result of not knowing God's word, and not taking the responsibility to feed themselves! Don't do a disservice to yourself or the Lord in not keeping His commands and meditating on His statures. When you don't feed yourself God's word....you starve...spiritually and you suffer! Read the word, His word is truth...know it, so you don't fall into any heresies, worldly wisdom and the enemy's schemes. Christian's are most vulnerable to the enemy's attacks when they aren't walking with the Lord, and in His word on a daily basis.


I love that Paul tells us in Timothy that "Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action)." 2Timothy 3:16


Wow....it has so much power!!! Power to convict us, to correct us, to instruct us, to guide us, to train us, to live out the Christian walk, and to bring us purpose and joy! Amen...for His word really is "a lamp unto our feets, and a light unto our paths."  Psalm 119:105


So on ending thoughts...our relationship with Christ and our daily walks with Him is so important as believers. We need to get a huge dose of His daily bread, instead of munching on crumbs every once in a while.  We need to walk with Him, pray and seek out His Godly counsel, and allow His Holy Word and Holy Spirit He has given us to guide us!

****Read His word, know His word for yourself, don't spiritually starve yourself, and for everything He has so freely given us  we need to freely give up our lives as living sacrifices to Him.


So Grow up!!! Know, apply and grow!!!




" The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12

Blessings!