Blake Riley

Sooo I haven't posted in over a year. If you've been following my blog you should know why. If this is your first encounter with "social-media-me"...well...exactly a year ago I had a baby! His name is Blake Riley. He was born October 14, 2012 at exactly 5pm, weighing at 7lbs 6oz. He is my reminder of God's faithfulness in both mine and Reggie's life. We've prayed for him way before we even conceived him and God answered our prayers in His perfect timing. I got choked up last night just reminding myself about the day he entered our world. And ever since then, life has obviously not been the same. Although I may be sleep deprived and have lost my mind a few times, I'm so thankful for this silly boy. I don't think I have gone a day without smiling because of him.

So in light of Blake's birthday, I thought I'd share that special day with all of you. Enjoy this video made by my talented husband. ;) & Happy birthday my son!

P.S. I'd love to continue blogging about my mommy life hopefully in the near future. But if you don't see me for a while...it's probably because I'm busy being a mommy.

Nursing Cover

So I know I haven't posted any nursery pictures yet. Well that's because...there is no nursery yet! We're still working on sanding that crib so we can paint it and I have yet to finish the crib bedding =D. But I did manage to finish a nursing cover! Nursing covers now and days are soooo expensive and all it really is, is a yard of fabric to cover yourself. I found this easy DIY off of Prudent Baby's blog that you can find here. This is probably one of the more easier projects I have going for me. I figured since I am having a boy, lately all my fabric purchases have been geared towards that but not this time! This project is for mama! Here's a picture of how mine turned out:

Baby Instaspamming

For those that don't follow me on Instagram, here's a round up of recent days carrying baby Blake. Less than a week until I am full term...hope to see this baby soon! ;)

Crib Bedding Fabric

Back from vacation and my fabric came in! So excited. Today I bought the solid sea foam cotton to finish the whole look. Take a lookie! I'll be posting an update on our mini vacay shortly, so stay tuned.

Nesting

So I just ordered my fabric for my baby boys crib bedding. We're going for a colorful theme! I'm so excited and can't wait to receive it in the mail. I'll be making a crib sheet and crib bumper out of the following fabrics from Cloud 9, Monsterz collection! We'll also be adding a solid orange or aqua blue fabric.

I'll be updating soon on how our nursery is coming along, but first onto a mini road trip down south with some friends! ;)

I think I forgot to mention that we're having a baby! A baby boy to be exact! He's due to enter the world in October, right before his mama's birthday. That's why I've been so MIA lately. Well that, and also my bestest friend is getting married in 3 weeks in Maui and I had a crazy idea to nominate myself to do all the DIY projects! =P Anyways, I think I'll be adding a tutorial on a few things that I've made for her wedding, i.e. fabric flower bouquets, garters, pillows...etc!

Hating Religion?

In my high school freshmen history class we were learning about religion. My teacher mentioned something about Christianity being a religion. As a new and immature believe, I begged to differ and went on a little rant in front of the class on how "Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship". I'm sure we've all heard the phrase or even used it. The phrase has much truth to it especially since most people think of the word "religion" as rituals and morals. That is one thing that Christianity is not (Eph 2:8-9). As I look back, I was not loving in any way especially since I called out my teacher basically saying "Who are you to say that. I'm the Christian here and you're not." I've repented since then and learned my lesson especially since he called my parents after that. Yes, although Christianity is based on a relationship with Christ, it's a "religion" none the less, at least defined by the dictionary. Religion defined in the dictionary says:  Something one believes in and follows devotedly. And I believe that was the point my teacher was trying to make...sorry Mr.Radcliffe if you ever happen to read this. I still stand by my argument, that Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ and not about religious works.

I'm sure the majority of us have seen the viral YouTube video "Why I hate religion, but love Jesus" by Jefferson Bethke. As a fan and writer of spoken words, at first I was excited and in awe of his articulate rhymes. I still am in awe! He had wonderful and biblical truths in there. I had to immediately show my husband!  20+ of my Facebook friends posted it! I'm just curious to know how many people actually listened to the words. But after listening to it and reading the lyrics, i can see why respectable people all over the internet have been rebuking and correcting Bethke. What i don't want people to get from it is that Jesus HATES religion, period!  I'm not going to go on about what I think about his poem, just know I think it's great and filled with so much passion! If you want to read something that I mostly agree with, read Deyoung's blog as well as Tullian's blog about it, both from The Gospel Coalition.They both have different point of views yet posses a lot of truth.

I just wanted to point out, that it's not simply "religion" we should HATE. Christ expressed grief towards the motives and self righteousness behind most religions (Matthew 23). As a Christian, if your life is devoted to Christ...well then that's a "religion"(by definition) to LOVE.

As far as Bethke goes, I praise God for his genuineness and love for people's souls!! I can tell he really wants people to understand that it's all about the gospel, Christ's work is finished. Grace is a FREE gift! Free means you don't have to work for it.

friend

(a drafted post i wrote 2 years ago and forgot to publish)

I started thinking after I read something off an anonymous post. It concerns me how often we can see people in the hallways or run into them in the bathroom and say "hi" with a smile, write "happy birthday" on peoples facebook walls or "like" a status they posted. Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe that person is in need of prayer or someone to encourage them? The term "friend" seems to be lacking definition now and days.


friend
–noun
1.person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2.person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3.person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?

Blogging

I think this year I want to blog more. I've neglected the blog world and entered the tumblr nation! It's just not the same. There's so much I need to update you on, I just don't know where to start!! I think the last you've heard of from my life was that I got married...well its been almost 2 years! 2 wonderful years ;)

Anyways, it's extremely late and I just wanted to let you know that I'll be blogging more!

yaaaaaaayyyyyy!
lyss

Rejoice Always

(I KNOW BLOG WORLD I'VE NEGLECTED YOU!!)

In response to Kimberli Marie's post.

Funny, because yesterday when she wrote this, I was studying for discipleship and we were going through a chapter called "God, My Heart, & Stuff" in the book "Worldliness". That chapter is basically talking about covetousness and discontentment with what we have. There was a verse in there that fit being content perfectly!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I especially like the end part of that verse...FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU!!! So we should rejoice because our perfect God has a perfect plan for us.

Here's a quote from the chapter "If you measure true wealth by material assets, you won’t come out looking prosperous. Like everyone, you have more than some and not as much as many others. But if you measure your riches through what Christ did at Calvary - God's wrath appeased, our sin atoned, our soul redeemed - you're immediately transformed into the richest of the rich."

After reading that quote, I was so convicted! Why am I complaining? Why am I discontent with whatever circumstance I'm in? I have Christ! I have EVERYTHING I could possibly need to be satisfied! But yet my sinful self is looking else wear, to things that are perishable. What a fool! “Like everyone, you have more than some and not as much as many others.” God’s blessed me with A LOT already! Yet, I constantly want more.

2 Corinthians 8:9 "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."

I’M RICH!!!! ETERNALLY RICH!

At first, when I knew we were going to study about materialism, I foolishly thought that it wouldn’t pertain to me. Thinking, it was going to be talking about coveting over wealth and riches. But materialism isn’t necessarily the clothes we wear or the house we live in. It can also be the drive of wanting a lot of friends, or a husband or wife, or baby, anything or anyone that we think will “satisfy” us.

In James 1, it talks about testing through trials and those who remain steadfast in trials will be blessed. It also says in verse 17, that every good gift and perfect gift is from above. I was telling my disciple today that we are eternally rich! Everything else, all the blessings God gives us is like an added bonus! We don’t necessarily need it because we already have all that we need to be satisfied, but yet God gives it to us anyways. And we should be forever grateful.

I remember a quote I read a while back that said something about when we’re discontent; we’re basically saying, “Jesus, you’re not enough”. It’s almost like a slap in the face. Discontentment means to be unsatisfied. Ask yourself when you are discontent, why are you not satisfied and who are you not satisfied with? Of course we’re not perfect and that’s ok because we have a God who is perfect. He can strengthen us to do all things (Phil 4:13), to be content! In Worldliness it says something about how it’s ok to have stuff, but not ok when our stuff has us. It’s ok to pray for things we desire but don’t live off of those desires. It’s ok to want a family, I think almost everyone wants a family, but don’t live for having a family. To live is Christ; to die is gain (Phil 1:21).

Just like Kimberli mentioned Matthew 6, in verse 33 it says “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Our minds should be on Christ and not distracted by our wants and desires. Quoted from Kimberli, “if you are discontent in your circumstance: fight! Don’t give up your pleas to the Lord for contentment until He answers! Don’t give up, He does fully satisfy. But when He acts, seek Him still more and more. He’s worth it!”

I remember actually talking to Kimberli once, and she reminded me that it's not necessarily about being content and ok with the circumstance we're given, but to be satisfied in Christ and what Christ is doing.