joy Archives - Home With The Boys

Jump: Living the Dream

April 23, 2013 By Erin 23 Comments

I can’t even believe some of the things I actually did this weekend.

I am a raging extrovert, but being an extrovert and being courageous are not the same thing. I wasn’t quite sure how God would show up for me this weekend at the Jumping Tandem Retreat, maybe instilling bits of courage here and there. I thought He may nudge me towards one dream or whisper to me about another.

Instead, I found Him painting boldly on my heart with strokes of passion and clarity and, yes, the courage to jump, both literally and figuratively.

He took His dream for me, the one I had only mentioned in passing, nervous and scared that someone might hold me to it, and He made me SPEAK that dream OUT LOUD to others.

Amazing

He took my biggest dream obstacles – the ones in my head – and He spoke through Jennifer to help me lay them down – no, even better, throw them out and bury them for good.

He surrounded me with other dreamers…

Erin and Lisa-Jo

Lisa-Jo, the greatest (in)courager and cheerleader for moms there ever was…

Jessica, Erin, and Vickie

My new Pacific Northwest heart sisters, Jessica and Vickie, pursuing and encouraging love in community over at Walk Agape…

Sarah and Erin

My fabulous roomie for the weekend, Sarah, who entranced me with her energy and stories of life in musical theatre!

…other dreamers all feeling the nerves and excitement and fear and indigestion that come along with the BIG things He has planned to draw us closer to Him. We dreamed together. We worshipped together {Oh, did we worship}. We believed together. And from my dear friends Holley and Lisa-Jo, we rediscovered the meaning of success in relation to our dreams…

Success is obedience to God.

Unlike any other conference or gathering I had ever attended, I did not walk away overwhelmed with a million things to try or be or do. I walked away from this weekend ready to jump. And to take that jump with joy, knowing that just getting started on His dream for me was success.

In a rare moment of bravery, when I registered for this retreat, I signed up for the additional “Be Brave” activity as well. I later learned that activity would involve net-climbing, tall towers, and a zip line, and my bravery turned to knocking knees and chattering teeth {from the nerves AND the cold, windy weather!}.

Raw Emotion

I climbed up that two-story net, worked my way up another tangled mess to the second platform, and within seconds of scooting myself off that 54-foot high platform and flying across the air, I knew exactly why God had me up there.

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The guide told me the steps I would take leading up to my jump: they involved me sitting on the platform, her unclipping me, and me moving myself forward whenever I was ready. She did the unclipping, I yelled to let the ground crew know I was on my way, and I JUST WENT.

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I knew that if I sat there for even a second longer, I might not jump at all. I didn’t think. I left no time for doubt or worry or fear. I just jumped.

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And God said, “Now do EXACTLY THAT with the dream I’ve given you.”

I’ve spent way too much time sitting on the edge of His dream for me, looking down, afraid and doubting and feeling inadequate. It’s time for obedience. I am living the dream.

Deidra's smile

Thank you, lovely, wonderful Deidra, for being obedient to His dream for YOU which has now inspired each of us who were in attendance. It was all blessing.

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P.S. The zip line was AMAZING, as was experiencing it with this bunch of awesome women. If you ever get the chance, DO. IT.

*THANK YOU to the most lovely Laura for the zip line pictures. You captured each moment so perfectly!

**Later this week, or whenever I have some more time to process the sessions, I will post more of the words of inspiration shared by the fabulous speakers! Good, good stuff.

I’m linking up with Holley and the God-sized dreamers this week about how we PLAY in the middle of our dreams. Zip-lining counts, right?!

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Filed Under: God-sized Dreams, inspiration, joy

Realistic Refreshment

April 15, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

I just adore that two lovely blog friends have been focusing on refreshment lately. Jessi and Hayley are doing such a wonderful job encouraging us as women to step back and fill up our own tanks before we burnout. Last week they focused on refreshing yourself with some new fun and easy hair, makeup, and wardrobe tips, as well as sharing some things they find refreshing in their own lives.

I’ve latched on quite tightly to one of their “movements” the last few weekends and it has been my biggest source of realistic refreshment: analog weekends.

From Friday evening to Sunday evening, I stay off of social media. I focus on home and family and reading and writing and interacting right here, right now.

This was my third weekend of social media blackout. I can’t even tell you how freeing it has been. I say “yes” a lot more to my family. When there’s some downtime and I’m tempted to reach for my phone and check Facebook, I grab a book instead. More projects are getting done.

My head is clearer and my thoughts are more my own. It’s funny how clearing the social media voices out of the mind can do that!

I didn’t go to a spa. I didn’t go away for the weekend. I didn’t take a bath or get a massage. I was with my family all weekend {except for my running & working out time}, but I still feel refreshed and ready to take on this next week. Between managing homeschool and little ones and a doctor’s schedule and managing a few websites and… {I’ll just stop there} weekends like these are what I call realistic refreshment.

And this is what realistic refreshment looked like this weekend…

French Dip

French dip for Friday supper, leftovers all weekend.

JJ Bread Lover

Our little bread lover!

Monkey Bread

Monkey bread. Enough said.

WWII Puzzle

1000 piece puzzle picked out by Big J at Costco Friday. Started Saturday. This much done by Sunday night, mostly by The Hubby, some by me, a little by Big J.

I want to issue a challenge to you this week. First of all, read the Refresh posts from Hayley and Jessi. Pick one of their refresh ideas and run with it this week – try a new hairstyle, change up your make-up, put together a new outfit from clothes in your closet. And then take the week to think about this…

What is ONE way you could find refreshment this upcoming weekend?

The challenge part is that the ONE thing cannot involve leaving your house, hiring a babysitter, or spending any money. How is that for realistic? Pick something now and then make plans this week to make sure it actually happens!

I can’t wait to hear your answers! Let’s inspire one another!

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Filed Under: family, inspiration, joy, priorities, reading

Dreaming for Another Year

March 26, 2013 By Erin 6 Comments

Birthdays are cause for celebration!

You didn’t have to tell Little J that twice – he made me feel like the most important, special person in the whole world on my birthday. I felt totally celebrated by all of my guys!

I’m also finding my birthday to be a great time of reflection and dreaming! Instead of lamenting turning another year older, I did some birthday praying and dreaming about all God has in store for the next year!

It almost feels a little like New Year’s to me, but I’m not making resolutions to lose weight or get more organized. I’m taking my God-sized dreams and laying out a few areas that I want to see grow in the next year. God spoke three things very clearly into my life as we celebrated my birthday yesterday. Seriously, there was no mistaking what He wants to work in me as I move towards 33…

1. I want to understand grace more fully and practice it more regularly, especially within our family.

Grace is not a new word to me, but after having read Connecting Church & Home by Tim Kimmel {review coming soon}, author of Grace-Based Parenting {which is on my t0-read list}, I’m realizing I don’t really know much about living a life full of grace, especially in relation to my children. I just know I want to know more about grace and how to live it out.

2. I want to experience greater intimacy with God and with The Hubby.

Our busy lives don’t allow much time for depth of relationship. I’m not ok with that. I want a closer, deeper relationship with my Savior, not just cramming in Bible study before the kids wake up. I want spend more time talking and connecting with The Hubby, particularly when his schedule only allows for us to see each a couple hours a day.

3. I want to discover what a true Sabbath looks and feels like for our family.

I took last weekend “off” from social media. It was the most restful two days I’ve had in as long as I remember. But that’s just a piece of figuring out how our family is best refreshed on the weekends, or another Sabbath day when The Hubby’s work hours don’t allow for Sunday rest. My sister gave me 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life for my birthday and I’m really looking forward to soaking up those insights on a Sabbath day.

I feel like this is the real-life living out of my God-sized dream – the nuts and bolts of being able to grow closer to God, bless my family, and write to encourage other families with integrity and without burning out!

What areas do you hope to grow in as you approach another birthday, whether it is next week or next year?

Read more stories of God-sized dreams lived out in real-life over at Holley’s place today!

*This post contains affiliate links.

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Filed Under: God-sized Dreams, inspiration, joy

Joy in the Right Places

March 19, 2013 By Erin 4 Comments

Joy

The sounds of instrumental worship music and the scent of my favorite candle wafted through the air as I sipped a warm cup of coffee. This is my happy place as I spend time communing with my Father before the day begins, particularly before anyone else is awake, but also sweet when the older two are reading their Bibles alongside me.

The littlest let out squeals of laughter as I pretended to eat his chubby cheeks. His oldest brother said, “Again! Make him laugh again!” So I did. And we laughed until he got the hiccups. He pulled himself to standing and then let go, proud grin on his face all the while, several times today.

The Hubby was able to call more than once throughout the day. Just hearing his voice is enough to improve whatever attitude I may have developed in the midst of the responsibilities and chaos of home. The phone call saying he is on his way home is the sweetest. Later that night, we would sit on our bed, eat some popcorn, and watch The West Wing {our fifth or sixth time through the whole series} and all feels right with the world.

We cuddled up on the couch, just the two big boys and I, to read some picture books about Easter. After they settled into bed, we started a new chapter book as the night wound down. And they begged to talk to each other for “just five more minutes” before they had to go to sleep.

These are the joys of my everyday – the part of my God-sized dream that God has called me to keep FIRST. Whatever else may come of my God-sized dream, THIS stuff is always meant to be my main source of joy.

My God-sized dream is to encourage families to grow closer to God and closer together through my writing while keeping my relationship with God and my own family as my first priorities.

But that other part brings joy as well…

When I get away to write, it’s just me and Him, and writing feels like an act of worship.

The ideas He plants in my head to write are often more for me than anyone else. Writing to encourage other families has been the encouragement I needed for me and my own family!

And then there are the comments, the emails, the words from YOU that frequently bring me to tears. The joy that comes from being used by God to encourage someone else is entirely humbling and quite amazing.

Joy. In the everyday and the dreaming world, there is plenty of joy to go around.

What brings you joy?

Read more about the joy of other God-sized dreamers over at Holley’s place today!

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Filed Under: family, God-sized Dreams, joy

Too Busy Living Life To Write About Life!

January 22, 2013 By Erin 5 Comments

Well, hello again!

Yes, I am alive! Yes, we are doing well! I just took a little unscheduled break here as life at home picked up and some exciting things were happening in other areas of this online space!

First, for the “real life” stuff…

The Hubby spent four days working noon to midnight shifts in the ER. Yikes. I. MISSED. HIM. But two days off were the reward at the end of that not-so-fun streak!

We’re glad to have him home and he’s glad to be around when we’re all awake!

Big J was invited to test for his next Taekwondo belt! He started Taekwondo in November and has really enjoyed it. I love the mix of fun and discipline these taekwondo lessons have been for him! The test was a combination of physical skills and memorization of the Taekwondo oath and tenets. He did SO well at his test, but we won’t find out the results for another week or so! We are proud of him either way!

Double J started clapping this week, so all day long I just want to play pat-a-cake and find new ways to make him clap because it is TOO CUTE. And Little J has us in stitches with his funny voices, dramatic reading of books, and all-around craziness. The older boys also started AWANA at our new church and are already loving it!

I was able to witness a miracle as dear friends who were on the brink of divorce renewed their vows over the weekend. There were some major tears as we watched God redeem what seemed beyond hope. Nothing is beyond hope with God. I was blessed and honored to be there. Praise the Lord that He still works in mysterious and wonderful ways!

My local Bible study started up again last week, and this time around we’re reading Desperate! We hadn’t met since November and I missed those girls! I’m really looking forward to our regular meetings again, especially talking about coming alongside each other in our motherhood journeys! I also has a blast at our church’s ladies’ craft night! Everybody just ate and chatted and worked on their own creative projects – loved it!

And then there is this blog-o-sphere…

Today, I’m posting over at the Tommy Nelson blog with a fun way to get those younger kids actively involved in Bible stories! After being stuck inside on below-zero wind chill days, this activity has helped us get some crazies out more than a few times! And it involves animals, which the boys loved! Head over there to check it out!

But the majority of my computer time has been spent working on behind-the-scenes details for the new site, Raising Hearty Boys! As most of you know, I’m the co-founder of The MOB Society {for mothers of boys}, and we’re in the middle of some major expansion right now! In January we added Boy Dads: In the Trenches of Fatherhood to our network, which is now Raising Boys Media! Raising Hearty Boys is set to launch next as a place for parents to find all things food and fitness related for boys! I have always loved to cook and bake, and exercise has become such an important part of our family life, so I am thrilled to be serving as editor for this new site! I’ll post more details as the launch date approaches!

And last, but not least, I’ve been working on my God-sized dream. If you’ll remember, part of my dream is to do what God is calling me to do while keeping Him and my family prioritized. As I sit down to write this post, I realize just how many times in the past week I’ve chosen time with Him and time with the boys before getting online or sitting down to write. It feels good. It feels right. And I have a lot more inspiration to draw from when the time to write comes! What a blessing!

That’s a full plate right there, but life is good! What’s been on your plate lately? How can I pray for you?

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Filed Under: family, God-sized Dreams, joy, kiddos, priorities, random, the hubby

Getting My Spark Back

January 14, 2013 By Erin 6 Comments

It’s not just because of winter. I’ve felt a little dull for a while now.

Not dull as in boring, but dull as in not bright, not sharp.

I used to be bubbly and optimistic and a total social butterfly. Yep, I’m the one who constantly got a check next to the “talk too much” box on her report card. In elementary school.

I’m not sure what exactly to blame the dullness on – lack of sleep, the hormone rollercoaster that comes along with being pregnant and nursing, a never-ending to-do list that felt like it was swallowing me whole – I can’t really pinpoint it. I have not felt sad or hopeless or depressed – just BLAH. And the strangest part is that 2012 was a GREAT year for me and for our family – one of the best ever. But still…

Late last year, partially thanks to reading Desperate, I started to realize that I did NOT like my current frame of mind. I related so much to this quote from Sally…

Sitting in the dark, I could suddenly sense the Lord whispering in my ear, “Don’t neglect to see the beauty of life around you while being overwhelmed by the duties of life.”

I don’t know that many people would notice much of an outward difference in my behavior, but ho-hum, cynical, sometimes pessimistic thoughts had taken the place of my old eternal optimist self. I wasn’t feeling like there was much to get excited about in my day-to-day.

I kind of felt like a punch in the gut to make this realization, but a good one, if that makes any sense at all.

What in the world do I have to feel pessimistic or cynical about? Nothing, I tell you. And allowing those thoughts to take over had stolen some of my spark for life as well.

Then God got a hold of me in a few ways to say, “You have LOTS to be excited about, my dear, and I’m going to help you find that spark again!”

It started with my word for 2013: celebrate. Celebrate isn’t about parties and presents, but about the way I want to live every day: celebrating the life God gave me, the calling He has placed on me, the people with which He has surrounded me! One day it meant dancing in the kitchen with Double J, another meant making homemade donuts just to see the smile on the faces of all of my guys. Challenging myself to find reasons to celebrate has made me smile and be silly and I’m loving the word He gave me for this year so much already!

The word of the year choice also naturally led into my commitment to take Ann’s Joy Dare – counting 1,000 gifts in my life in 2013. I used to write a Multitude Monday post here every Monday counting my blessings, but it started to feel unnatural to share those blessings for all to read, so I stopped for a while. Now, I’m craving the counting and, just 14 days into 2013, I’m so glad I took this dare! I have a little moleskine notebook next to my bed to record these gifts each night and my soul rests well when I end the day with gratitude.

Desperate also helped me realize how good creating is for the well-being of my mind. Sally wrote this in a note to Sarah Mae…

Celebrate life in your home in the ways that bring your pleasure. Cultivating the art of life in your home not only brings you happiness, but it makes your home a lively, fun, fulfilling place.

I love making beautiful things, whether it is food or a crochet project or decor for our home. Creating is calming and exciting for me, all at the same time. And a creative project can be completed, which feels like a major accomplishment in the world of laundry and dishes and diaper changes that just don’t stop! I’ve made it one of my goals to do something creative each and every day, even if it is only for five minutes!

And to round this all out, God sent me one more way to bring my spark back. The opening sermon series at our church for 2013 is called “Ignite.” I kid you not. It’s all about bringing back the spark in our relationship with God. He really does give us the desires of our heart when they are lined up with His, doesn’t He?! I know my joy and spark for life are truly found when I am regular communion with Him.

This week’s sermon was about the study of God’s Word. My passion for daily morning study of the Word has come and gone in recent years, but this Advent, I dove into the Good Morning Girls Advent study using the SOAP method and rediscovered how much I LOVE starting my day that way! I’m now working through the current She Reads Truth: Fresh Start plan on YouVersion using the SOAP method. I crave that time in the Word as much as I crave my morning coffee. I call that a “win” towards getting my spark back!

I’m not content to live a dull life, expecting each day to be just like all the rest, missing out on the joy of living with Him and for Him and surrounded by His blessings. The life of a mom is full of routine and responsibility, but it does NOT have to put out your spark for life!

If you’re feeling like I was, let me pray for you and me and all who feel like life is making them dull. There is joy in the midst of the every day and we must each find what ignites the spark in our own lives and make those things a priority!

And if you are a mom feeling this way, I must recommend you read Desperate. You will find encouragement and hope and understanding there. Read it with a friend. Share your feelings with someone who will listen and pray and help. You are not alone.

*This post contains affiliate links.

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Filed Under: Celebrate, faith, joy, motherhood, women Tagged With: desperate, joy, moms, motherhood

Little Things and Mental Snapshots

September 15, 2012 By Erin 3 Comments

I went for my longest run ever this morning.

This was also the first time I ran more than 3.1 miles outside by myself. I was a little nervous.

I made three small goals to help me make it through:

1. Just run and don’t think about the distance.

For the most part, I was able to do this. I did have my running app going so The Hubby could track me from home and it would update my pace every time I hit another mile, but other than that I tried to just focus on continuing to run.

2. Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as I ran around the lake trail.

Oh my. The lake at 7:30 in the morning was absolutely breathtaking. Fog was rising off the water, the sun was just coming over the horizon, and I saw several deer and a flock of wild turkey. It was all glorious! I obviously didn’t have my camera along and my phone was in my armband, so I didn’t get pictures of any of this, but I was taking mental snapshots the whole time.

3. Smile at everyone I passed and say good morning or hello or hi – whatever I have enough breath left to say!

This helped me more than anything during the run. I am an extrovert. I like to interact with people. Since I didn’t have anyone running with me to talk to, I had to come up with a different plan. So many people were just chugging along, pained looks on their faces, but almost all of them either smiled or greeted me back when I initiated. I loved every moment of that and each time someone smiled back, I got a fresh burst of energy to keep running.

Other little things that got me through this 7.4 mile run…

*The World War II veteran strolling the trail with his cane.

*Encouraging texts from The Hubby throughout the run.

*Seeing my breath. {I have mentioned fall is my favorite?!}

*People of all shapes, sizes, and ages being active.

*Knowing that I was running faster than the posted speed limit for boats on the lake! {Boats – 5 mph; Me – 6.1 mph}

*Running across the top of the dam and seeing my shadow striding along with me.

*Finishing strong and getting home in time for College Gameday!

*****

Take a few moments to enjoy the little things this weekend and store up a few mental snapshots of special moments! And share them here for us all to enjoy!

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Filed Under: healthy living, joy, living and active, running

Boys of Summer

July 12, 2012 By Erin 3 Comments

This is how my guys enjoy summer…

And I’m enjoying these moments as well!

How is your family enjoying this summer?

FYI: I’m loving the book Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids for great creative outdoor activities to do with the kiddos! Check it out if you are stuck in a rut!

*This post contains affiliate links.

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Filed Under: boys, joy, summer

Is There a Doctor In the House?

May 11, 2012 By Erin 8 Comments

After last weekend, the answer is…

YES!!! There IS a doctor in this house!

I’ve always been proud to be The Hubby’s wife, but that went to the next level last weekend as he officially became Dr. Hubby!

And to think, this little old blog started at the same time his journey to becoming a doctor began…

That’s Big J at two years old and Little J at two months old. Those four years just flew by.

The weekend festivities began with the Hooding Ceremony. This ceremony including the doctoral hooding…

…signing of a book they also signed when they entered medical school…

…and reciting of the Physicians’ Oath. It is at this hooding ceremony that the fourth year medical students officially become doctors! It is extra special because it is only the medical school graduates and their loved ones at this ceremony.

I will freely admit: the tears started that Friday morning and continued at the ceremony. And throughout the weekend. Lots and lots of happy tears.

Saturday was graduation day – the final step, along with the other health professions graduates {pharmacy, nursing, etc.}. The day looked a little like this…

Thanks to my father-in-law for getting up close to get the previous shots while we sat with the kiddos!

Proud boys lovin’ on Daddy!

The whole fam there to celebrate!

Leaving the building as a doctor and a graduate!

Celebratory steakhouse dinner!

Somehow, between wife & mommy & photographer duties over the weekend, this camera phone picture from my dad is the only one of us from the weekend…

And I will treasure it always because you can see the joy in both of our faces!

I’m not sure words can really express how much I love this man, but I feel blessed beyond belief to be married to him. He inspires me with his hard work and perseverance and loves me with everything he has. I thank God continually for what He has done in our life together, and that includes everything along the medical school path over the past four years, because now I can say…

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a doctor in the house!

Congrats honey! I love you!

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Filed Under: joy, med school, the hubby

Swinging in the Sun

April 9, 2012 By Erin Leave a Comment

After the craziness of life these past two weeks {I’ll fill you in tomorrow!}, it was so lovely to just relax and watch the boys do a little swinging in the sun…