The Macs » Blog

I can officially say we have started working on Baby Brother’s room. Yay!
Starting this new project meant saying goodbye to the last bit of extra space we have in our house.
The room we will be using for the nursery/guest room was formerly my craft room/guest room.
And just for the record it NEVER was this clean unless we happened to have guests staying with us.
The floor was usually covered with all my latest projects and anything I couldn’t find a place for.
I cleaned it one last time before taking everything out of the room. 🙂
We had two twin beds in this room.
The bed frames were a clearance find from Crate and Barrel several years ago.
I love them but they are going to have to be stored away for now.
The duvet covers are from my days of working at Eddie Bauer Home.
So sad that store closed…they had the best bedding.
The blue polka dot sheets are from TJ Maxx (I think they were Tommy Hilfiger).
This room also kept all my crafting supplies.
Ribbon, scrap booking, photo albums, fabric, paint, felt, sewing machine, all my Cora’s stuff…
it was all in this room.
This armoire is full of crafting stuff too.
Right now the plan is to use the armoire as Baby Brother’s closet.
It should work perfect.
Where is the crafting stuff going to go??
I have no idea.
There is one little closet in this bedroom too.
It would be the perfect place to store all my crafting supplies..
…but it is Joel’s closet and I don’t think I can really kick him out of his own closet.
The one in our room is the same size and I have sort of taken it over. Imagine that.
Crafting supplies are important and all…but I think the hubby should probably come first!
So, for now the crafting supplies have no home.
They may have to be stored in totes in our unfinished basement…we’ll see.
I cleaned out most of the room while Levi was sleeping.
Joel took the beds apart for me this weekend and Levi thought the whole process was pretty great.
Mattresses on the floor = lots and lots of fun.
A great place for a little boy to get rid of some energy when it is too hot to play outside.
So, the room is cleaned out.
The carpet is being replaced today and the plan is to paint the walls sometime this week.
I can’t wait to get started.
And I am even more excited to meet Baby Brother who will be here so soon!
* * * * * * * * *
Don’t forget the Nancy Leigh DeMoss giveaway ends tonight.
This book is definitely a MUST read!
Leave a comment on this post to enter the giveaway.
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • MFuglseth - Thanks for the peak into the new baby’s room. How exciting to get things rolling. Levi is as cute as ever!
    I would love to win the book.
    Love reading your blog too!
    Take Care,
    Molly 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kelly - Can’t wait to see how you decorate it! I love decorating a new room!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Julie - Way to go, Jess! You got a lot done this weekend. 🙂 Can’t wait to see the room’s transformation.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Stef - sometimes change is SO hard.

    Looking forward to seeing the end result 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Littlest Learners - Your home oozes warmth and charm. I can’t wait to see Baby Brother’s finished room.

    ❤Jodi from…
    ★★The Clutter-Free Classroom★★
    Helping Teachers Get OrganizedReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Farmers - My craft room is in our unfinished basement and I love it! I can get a mess out and don’t have to worry about anybody seeing it,that is until they find out we have a basement in Texas.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amanda - Beautiful room! I bet guests LOVE staying at your house! Can’t wait to see the makeover!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • curtandjenb - I cannot WAIT to see the outcome of this room! I LOVE Levi’s room, I can only imagine how awesome this room is going to be.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Where did you get the armoire?
    Mrs. B.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kimberly - Bravo on all the hard work … I can’t wait to see the end result! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Becca - A beautiful room it was and a beautiful room it will be.

    My crafting and quilting stuff used to reside in closets after the kids took over. A couple of weeks ago I finally claimed the dining room as my room. I put up a design wall and replaced my china with my pretty fabrics in my china cabinet. You could do the same?

    Or it may be time to refinish the basement! We don’t have one. Sob!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Rachel - Looks like some exciting things happening at your house! Enjoy!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amanda - ok, well you’re definitely ahead of me. I was doing so good with ideas and getting it all ready in my head and then came to a big hault the last few weeks. So this got me going again! I want to get the walls painted!

    I can’t wait to see what this room looks like when it’s all done – I know it’s going to be perfect!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Kellys - The doll with the “C” on it…I bought almost the exact same one for my daughter after I saw it on your blog before. It is now her “baby” that she cannot go anywhere without. I think of your lovely Cora every time I go to get her out of her crib and give her extra hugs.

    Just had to share and say thank you for sharing so much with all of us.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Jess,

    I am a faithful reader of your blog and just love your little family. Seems wierd to say that because I have never met you but know if I did we would be fast friends:) I just cannot wait to see what you do with the little guys new room. I love the way you put together your home – it is so inviting so I just cannot wait to see what you decide to do for him.

    Also, a while back you posted Levi taking his first tractor ride with Joel – that was so cool. The picture of the enormous tractor in the front yard and him looking at it longingly is just sooo priceless. I thought it was such a great picture I showed it to my husband and he thought it was awesome too. I love that you are such a down to earth family – making fun out of the ordinary of life.

    Love, patti from indianaReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Moffats - Sad to see the old guest/craft room go but sooooo excited to see the new room and the baby boy who will be in it soon!!! eek!! thanks for keeping the guest bed in the nursery. phew. love the pic of you as a little toddler on the stairs 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Nancy - You have a talent – that’s for sure! I can’t wait to see the finished product! Then the boy that will sleep there!!
    🙂 Congrats again & looking forward to the posts to come!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • jen christians - You have an amazing eye for design! WOW… I think I should hire you to help me out! I love all of you house pictures, they look like they belong in a magazine!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amy C - I must know the color on your walls currently. That would be a fantastic color for my children’s playroom. Can’t wait to see what you create!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kalyn - Love the yellow walls! I know you said something about “red”, can you still keep the yellow walls and highlight with the color red?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Dena - Can’t wait to see how you decorate the nursery!
    Good luck finding a home for your crafting supplies.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lyssa at Living Simple in the South - Cant wait to see what you do with it! Love the before pics…pretty room 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Beautiful “before” pictures! Can’t wait to see the new room, finished. And of course the pictures of the new baby! 🙂 Stinks that the craft stuff is homeless.. Maybe there is a place in your home where you could put another armoire to house it all? This way you have a place to put it, but no one would have to know what’s in it. 🙂 Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well as well as labor and delivery!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Katie - Keep having fun getting ready! I love room makeovers! We weren’t going to repaint the baby room for our 3rd baby after we moved in to our house. We were just going to wing it. But when I was 38 weeks I changed my mind. My husband was very kind and helped me paint the room in a weekend. It was pretty crazy. Good thing I am always overdue:)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Miss G - Jess, my crafting stuff got the boot when we did a nursery too. 🙂 You’ll find a place for it. Glad you’re prioritizing the hubby. 🙂 KellyReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jennifer Dawn - Thanks for sharing. I’m excited to see how it turns out. I also had to give up my craft/guest room to make way for the new little one we are expecting in September. I took over the large entryway closet and kicked the coats out–not the same as kicking hubby out. 🙂 All worth it to hold a sweet new baby. Good luck!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • eileen - OK I am way off topic~we had horrible storms here last night (Chicago) and as I couldn’t sleep – I though of you and your family…and was thinking of baby names again.
    Here are my picks!
    James and Daniel – and if I were to have a boy…Cameron….I love the nic Cam for a boy.
    Thinking of you – praying for you. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

Oops. I meant to post this yesterday. Sorry! Hope you all have a good weekend…
This summer I have been reading A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I first heard Nancy speak when I listened to one of her breakout sessions from the True Woman conference. She was speaking on our devotional lives and I was so challenged and encouraged by what she had to say. You might say I was needing a little “kick in the pants” to make my time with the Lord the priority of my day…everyday.
Listening to Nancy challenge the ladies at the conference to do a 30-day challenge got me thinking that I needed to do my own 30-day challenge here at The Macs. That was the inspiration behind my 30-Day Challenge in June. Wow! I am so thankful that I made that commitment to “just do it” and get up every morning (before Levi woke up) to spend time in the Word and in prayer. I didn’t decide every morning whether I was going to get up and meet with God. It was something that was already decided and it became part of my everyday. That decision has really been life-changing for me.
Of course, the goal of this challenge was that at the end of June I wouldn’t stop meeting with the Lord first thing in the mornings. This would just be the beginning of making the Lord the priority of my days for the rest of my life. I have continued meeting with the Lord in the mornings, but I can’t say that the month of July hasn’t brought with it a few struggles. {I guess I really need the accountability of my blogging friends!} Even this week I have hit my snooze button a few more times than I would like to admit. And I know that a new baby joining our family will bring with it a few challenges in keeping the Lord a priority. But I am pressing on and not giving up. I am confident that the Lord is going to use this time I set aside to teach me, encourage me, guide and direct me, strengthen me for each day, draw me closer to Himself, and forever change my relationship with Him.
So back to the book…
This week as I was reading, Nancy referred to the passage in Isaiah that God used in BSF to start nudging at my heart about my daily priorities. Here is what she had to say:
The words of Isaiah 50:4-5 have often helped to tune my heart; many times, even before getting out of bed in the morning, I have meditated on this passage and prayed it back to the Lord:

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.

“Lord God, You are my Lord. You are the Sovereign God. I want You to reign in my life this day. I know that today You will bring people into my life–family members, friends, fellow workers, people I don’t even know–people who are weary and need a word from You to sustain and encourage them. I will not know how to speak the words they need to hear, unless You first instruct me.”

He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

“Thank You, Lord, for waking me this morning. Before I can teach others, I must be taught by You. Before I open my mouth to speak to others, I need to listen to You. Please open my ears to hear what You want to say to me this day.”
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not be rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
“As You speak to me, may my heart be submissive toward You. May I not resist anything that You say to me today.”

I loved the idea of turning this passage in Isaiah into a prayer each morning as I meet with the Lord. What a powerful way to start our day. And how true is it that the minute we start our day we are often bombarded with a busy schedule and meeting the needs of our children or those around us. We need to first be strengthened and instructed by the Lord ourselves, before we can adequately meet the needs of others…even our own kiddos.
A Place of Quiet Rest is full of encouragement as we seek to make the Lord the priority of our days. In this book Nancy talks about the priority, purpose, pattern, problems, practice, and product of a devotional life. There is even a chapter devoted to addressing struggles and questions that we probably all can relate to:
“I just can’t find the time!”
“My time with the Lord often seems hurried.”
“How do I deal with interruptions and distractions?”
“What if I have young children?”
“Sometimes I feel like I’m having my quiet time just out of duty.”
“Truthfully, I don’t have a strong desire to spend time with God.”
“Sometimes God seems a million miles away.”
Whether you are struggling with how to find the time to make God the priority of your days or whether you just need a little encouragement in your devotional life, this is a great book. I have been so challenged and encouraged by it myself that I decided to buy an extra copy to give away to one of you. I hope you will love it too. Here is how you can enter to win:
Giveaway Details:

A Place Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

ONE winner chosen at random

One entry per person

Giveaway ends Monday, July 18th at 12pm (CST)

To enter leave a comment on this post.
Bonus: What is “the hard thing for you” about your devotional life?
or
What has really helped you as you seek to make the Lord the priority of your days?

Happy weekend!
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Megan - I have struggled for years with having a consistent quiet time with the Lord. I was inspired by Nancy’s challenge and your 30 day challenge to begin again. I liked what you said about not struggling each morning with the decision of whether or not to get up because the decision was already made. My son is 15 months old so I found that a key for me was having my quiet time first thing in the morning before he got up. I noticed a real difference in my attitude during the day when I started my day with the Lord. The “hard thing for me” has been getting to bed earlier.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jules - I feel like when things are going good I neglect my quiet times. When I’m struggling with something, I turn to the Lord. I need ( and want) to be consistent with my devotional time!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Megan - I found your blog recently and also participated in the 30 day challenge in my own way. Your blog is so encouraging to me because you are honest and it is very refreshing. I have always struggled with consistency, mainly because I can be lazy and selfish! I long to spend time with God in prayer and reflection, but some days I really do choose not to.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amy Geiser - There have been some difficult relationship situations that I have been in recently that have been a huge wake-up call that I can’t do this alone. I NEED the Word of God to help me as I try to live for God and show God’s love for other people that I don’t always feel. One thing that has been a huge blessing in my life this year is the One Year Chronological Bible. There is no searching for different passages – it is all right there in that day’s reading. Each day at some point (usually morning), I have my quiet prayer time with the Lord and my Bible reading. Your 30 day Challenge was such an inspiration to me to pray also before I read. I notice a difference in my attitude when I start the day this way. And a difference in how I respond to others.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Gene and Annie - I’m still working on it!! The hardest thing for me has been being a mother, but at the same time I know it is sooo important for me to do it!! (Even more so, since I am sherpherding my kiddos)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • JulzVP - Something that has really helped my devotional life is the fact that this summer I nannied 2 girls who were in swim team. I got to sit by the pool for hours every day, and I was able to use that time to be with God. I started seeing how desperately I needed that time with him.
    So sad to say that as soon as swim team ended, my time with Jesus is sporadic at best. All this to say a schedule that I’m forced to keep has been the most helpful.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Brittany - That sounds like a great book! My problem is having the motivation to meet with the Lord. I always say I am going to do it, but then I always end up doing something else. It is quite discouraging. I need to kick it into high gear and just do it!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • JazzerMomma - I have 2 struggles. The first is making the time. The second is keeping my focus. I feel like my mind takes off the minute I wake up and I really find it difficult to stay focused and not think about my “To Do” list.

    Thank you, Jessica! You are so inspiring!
    Susan in IndianaReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sunny - Thank you so much for posting this. I have been struggling with my devotions. I keeps saying, I will do it. I have time. But I spend more time on the computer than anything else. I am lazy. I NEED to though to keep life full and balanced. THANK YOU!!!

    It is wonderful seeing how blessed your life has become. I have been away from blogging for awhile. Congrats!!! http://sunnywithachanceofhope.blogspot.com/ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - I also struggle to have a quiet time with the Lord. I usually try to read my Bible before bed, so that I can fit it in before going to bed, and that is sooo wrong. And by that point, I’m so tired, I can hardly keep my eyes open. My main problem during the school year is that I get up at 4:30 a.m., go to bed waay to late so I’m lucky to get 6-7 hours sleep. It would be a struggle to get up 30 minutes early for devotions so I’m trying to come up with a different schedule.

    Karen in MDReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Paprika - this sounds like a great book!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Meghan - Great giveaway Jess! I am only on day 8 of the challenge (off to a late start) but I have already felt such a difference in how it’s changed my days. One thing I am trying to do differently in my devotional time, is to spend time just LISTENING. I have never made this a focus and have found it really challenging with a 5 month old that’s napping and a huge list of to-do’s looming over head. But even though it’s challenging for me, it’s been such a blessing. I keep trying to remember to be still and just bask in His presence. Thanks for the update on how you’re doing, Jess. You always lift me up. 😉ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jenny - I just find it so hard to find the time-and like someone else here posted-keeping my focus when I do find / make the time. It’s hard with little ones!!! When I finally get a break or a moment alone, I just want to sit-breathe and not do much else. It’s definitely not something I’m proud of-I know it needs to change. 🙁ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • merlin - I, like many others, need encouragement, so that daily devotion is actually a daily habit and that the peaks and valleys of devotion time might diminish. I don’t like to admit that it takes fear, worry, chaos, tragedy, grief… to drive me to my knees when I should be there everyday regardless of the events in my life.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Bethany - Quiet time is so hard. I struggle with feeling like I’m not doing “enough”. I am working towards meeting Him regularly. I love the encouragement you are giving here on this blog. If you do another thirty day challenge, I’ll jump on board! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Abby - I want God to know he is a priority and that I “need him every hour”. I struggle with being distracted and having wandering thoughts. I try to journal using the P-A-R-T system (praise, admit, request, and thanks). It helps me focus. I love finding new ways to make my time with Him more intentional.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - I am the youth director for my church. While I am able to find time for the lord on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings…I’d love to find my quiet place for him everyday without it being a rushed situation. I’d love to pass this same knowledge onto my youth group as well.

    Robyn
    WyomingReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • brandonlk - I just hate admitting that I lack the motivation to get up in the morning. Lately not even in the morning. I can’t get myself to open my Bible or even read lately. I get into a funk and it takes a while to get out!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Erin - The loss of my son Christian 11 weeks ago has rocked me to the core. I find that when my 2 year old is napping, I am at my saddest and I don’t always find the time to read His word b/c I try to fill my mind with anything but my reality.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • katherine - I’d love to read this book. The hardest part for me changes but during the summer it is not having a structure to my quiet times (no BSF).ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • mary - This has been a continual struggle for me since children began coming along 8 years ago… THANK YOU for your encouragement. Getting up early is a struggle for me, but if I don’t spend time with the Lord first thing, it doesn’t seem to happen!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Greens - The hard thing for me is time! I have two young kids at home, I work from home as a transcriptionist, always have a long to do list, and need to keep up on house duties. I always feel guilty about not having time to get it all done and I let my quiet times suffer as a result.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lane - The thing I struggle with the most is finding time. Although that’s really just a big fat excuse because somehow I have time to check blogs,email, and facebook. I obviously have time, but I don’t make it a priority.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Thank you for the chance to win this great book. I struggle to really concentrate during my quiet times. My mind so often wonders to the chores that need to be started or the things that will be happening that day. I started your 30 day challenge last week. A little late but it is so good for me.
    meadow1994@yahoo.comReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Juliann - The hardest thing for me is getting up early – I love the morning “calm before the storm” – but my kiddos are up between 5:30-6am most days…so that quiet time is EARLY for me.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Sieberts - what an awesome book! I struggle with finding the ‘right time’ to have quiet time and not getting DISTRACTED-that’s my biggest obstical.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • karen - The hard thing? Being consistent. Lord, please forgive me!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • KT - I REALLY enjoyed listening to Nancy’s talk about devotion. I am seeing a difference every day in my attitude and perspective from my time with the Lord. Making the decision ahead of time has really made a difference for me. Remembering that it is not a “to do” thing but more about my heart and showing my devotion to him helps too. Not getting up before the rest of my family is what hinders me from my time with the Lord. That book looks great!!
    Katie T.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lisa - I am a “do-er” (Martha) and must work on being a “be-er” (Mary). Like Mary, being willing to sit at the feet of Jesus and to trust and obey all He has for me. Instead of starting on laundry, cleaning, making my lists, etc. I need the discipline of just sitting at His feet first thing in the morning.
    Thank you, Jess, for being genuine. I am a pastor’s wife in California. I found your blog thru a friend asking for prayer for Cora. I have faithfully followed you every day since. You are a great example to me and I thank God for your obedience in all things. God is using you in a mighty way all over this country! I don’t comment much because you are so articulate and me . . . not so much. 🙂 Thanks for being thoughtful to buy an extra copy of Nancy’s book. If I don’t win it on July 18th, I’ll be buying a copy on July 19th. 🙂 It sounds very promising as something I could lead my women through this Fall. Blessings on your precious family. Can’t believe you’re about to have your 3rd baby! (I have 2 sons; 10 and 12). Anyways, you’re the type of person I wish I could be friends with in IRL. But I will continue to glean wisdom from you through your blog!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Erin - The hardest part of my devotional life is making time, especially with a little one at home. I’m a new mom (my son is 3 months old), so I’ve never before had to learn how to make time for devotions while taking care of a child who is completely and totally dependent on me to fulfill his every need. It’s quite a challenge! I’ve been encouraged by the Isaiah 40:11 which says that the Lord will gently lead those with young. I know that God understands my situation and has grace with me.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jennifer - Sounds like a challenging and encouraging book. The most difficult part about my quiet time us being consistent! I have the desire and go through good spurts, but then I find myself struggling again…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Becky - When I am inconsistent in my walk with the Lord, I always have to remind myself that I make time for what matters. I have a deep need for a connection with the Lord and when it is missing, I am reminded of what is missing in my day.
    Becky
    beckomk@aol.comReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Cozy in Texas - I came across your lovely blog today. The hardest thing for me is attending church alone. Sometimes people treat you like you are invisible.
    AnnReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Ruthie - I have two main struggles.

    1st: giving God priority over sleep. I love to sleep. Waking up a bit early is SO hard for me to do. I’ve never successfully done it.

    2nd: I read the Word each day, but the real devotional, going deep time with the Lord? Very hard for me. I struggle being totally honest and vulnerable before my Lord. I am always afraid of what my questions might reveal. Dumb, I know, but still I struggle.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • sl - I struggled to be constant in my devotion time each day. This bbok sounds awesome!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Suzy Q - A year ago, I would have said being consistent. Now, having learned a wonderful lesson is discipline, I struggle with quality and not just “checking the box” every morning. And I agree with Megan – getting to bed earlier would make getting up in the morning a lot easier!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Linda S - The biggest roadblock for me, in regards to a devotional life, is time. With four kids, the oldest being 9, once they are up, we are running all day. I used to get downtime on my commute to work, but without that quiet car time, I struggle.

    And I don’t think, “please Lord help this child stop whining” counts.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Benny boy... - I’m currently reading another book by Nancy – Surrender. It’s been a great read. Sometimes I get overwhelmed when I try to read the Bible, but when I take a passage and just break it down and allow the Lord to speak to me – I always walk away amazed. I can’t wait until the next day’s devotional time. But then I get busy and time goes by and I forget the feelings that intimacy brings. I need to keep it at the forefront of my mind.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Michelle - I find it hard to be consistent; I seem to go in spurts.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tina Miles - I, too, struggle with getting up and consistency. It seems the times I try to get up early, a child gets up even earlier then normal!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jody - The biggest obstacle for me is that I don’t have a set daily schedule right now. I’ve noticed that it is something I need to work on so I can be more purposeful in my relationship with Jesus.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • joshandamy - Something that has helped me has been (surprisingly) becoming a new momma. The time I have while nursing him in the evenings before bed has helped me to have a set time devoted to reading God’s Word. I would like to start my days this way, but find I am too tired. This is something I would like to change! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • SmithieMomma - So happy to have your encouragement to prioritize time with the Lord. I struggle with consistency and distraction. Thanks for the chance to win – I love to hear Revive our Hearts on the Radio and am sure I’d enjoy the book. . .ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Brittany - Like many others, I seem to lean more toward spending time with the Lord in the bad, and neglect Him in the good. I have two small children and many times I feel that I am not using any time during the day for me. I always am doing for the boys……it’s hard and I struggle. I pray that the Lord helps me more intentional everyday – good or bad.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • bayleesmommy07 - I have been going through a separation from my husband who wants a divorce, I have been clinging to God in hopes He can work in my husbands heart but sometimes I am finding it hard to hang on to the hope, specially with taking care of our daughter, work, stress, life in general . I want to have a better relationship with God & not have it be ebbs & flows. I try to have quiet times but I find myself making excuses when I am tired or dont feel like I have time to do it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • A - I have been wanting to read this book for a long time! So glad you posted about it! The hardest thing for me is setting aside a consistent time each day to spent time with the Lord. Mornings would be most reliable but I am soooo tired that I keep hitting the snooze until Its too late to even get it done (Sound familiar 🙂 Then I am struggling to find the time during the day or struggling to keep my eyes open when I do it before bed. Would love to hear more of your feedback on the book!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Becca - I can make up excuses all day long but it’s simply a matter of not doing what is important to me. I know that I’m a better momma and wife when I spend time in the word but I can’t seem to find a restful place to do it. Maybe I need to stop trying to create the perfect environment and just do it! Thanks for the giveaway.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Denise - I love praying the Word back to the Lord! (that why I like Mom’s In Touch so much)

    What has helped me as I struggle with being consistent, is journaling my prayers. It helps seeing the answers come and knowing God cares about every aspect of our lives.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kelly Arena - I find, as you do, being bombarded with other obligations can make me put time with the Lord as 2nd or 3rd…Your blog is a great encouragement! Thanks for the giveaway!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jen - The hardest part for me is finding the quiet moment with 2 little boys running around on my heels all day long. Then when I do find that moment, the next challenge is knowing where to begin. DO I just open the bible and read whatever chapter I land on, or do I open an old bible study I went through? The book you are giving away looks really good- would love to read it!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jen - The hardest thing about alone time is the stuff I don’t always want to hear. The accountability that God bestows upon me when I least expect it and the discipline to endure the pain and trials I’ve created for myself. It would be a lot easier if I just listened instead, right?

    I think August will include a 30 day challenge, too. Thanks for the encouragement. <><ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Julie - In a word…everything. I think that is the devils biggest joy. Placing things in the way of our devotional time is his ultimate goal, and unfortunately there are so many ways we are distracted. Through my life those distractions have changed, but they are always there.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristin Stegent - My hard thing is that I am organized and like to have a schedule, but I have four kids 4 and under. Ha. I have been making it a priority to spend time with God every day even if it doesn’t happen the same time every day. I am in a season of craving Him! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Marsha - I’ve found over the years that there are always reasons that will make it hard for me to find that time in my day to communicate with God and that I just have to set those things aside. And sometimes, when I seem to do best, I will find that I am just doing it as a check off item on my to do list and that I’m not getting much out of it, nor am I giving much of myself over to God. The key for me is in knowing just how much difference that time is to my life… how much better things go when I GENUINELY communicate with God. It doesn’t mean my life becomes easy or without concerns or problems, just that I deal with life better. I think starting the day with Him is critical but learning to use short breath prayers all day to express gratitude, worries, concerns, turn over situations is also important. They may be as brief as ‘thank you’ or ‘help me with this’ but it all helps get me through the days.

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity and although we are very different in where we are in terms of life situation, I find reading your blog to be inspirational and encouraging. The old can and does learn from the young!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amanda - Thanks to your 30 day challenge, I can honestly say my quiet time with the Lord was the best it had ever been. But already in July I have not been doing so great. I would say overall my “hard thing” is just learning and developing a quality prayer time with the Lord. I can be so good with reading and thinking and journaling, and then not take the time to really spend with the Lord in conversation. Thanks for this giveaway – I’m pretty sure I’ll get the book even if I don’t win!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amy - The snooze button is my biggest failure. I struggle so much with getting out of bed early.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Ingrams - Gosh, I guess my excuse is just that I don’t have the time… I know that’s not true but there is something keeping me from taking the time out I need with the Lord. When I really get down to it, I’d say it’s my pride that keeps me away, because I want to think I can handle it all on my own. Thanks for being so open and sharing with us!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristen - Like you, I have a small child and another due in September. It is challenging for me to have quiet time because I often feel the pull of home life and all that comes with it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tera K - I have always wanted a consistent, daily time with the Lord. Unfortunately, I lack the discipline. My husband would like a daily time with the Lord as well, yet he also lacks the discipline. We have been wanting to do daily devotions together, but lack a consistent time. Perhaps Nancy’s book will have some good suggestions for this! Blessings to you!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Don, Aimee, Kaitlyn and Kysen - I think what I struggle most with is feeling guilty taking time for myself…away from kids, away from my husband, away from work, and away from just the everyday hustle and bustle! I feel like my every minute needs to spent with my children…scared that I am going to miss something, scared that I am not going to be there when they needs me! I forget that I need to fulfill my own needs and that top need is to turn to the center of my being with devotion to the one who knows me best…MY SAVIOR!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • nicole@http://theclarks-nicole.blogspot.com/ - It is very hard to find time for quiet time. I struggle this everyday. I want to sleep in ,but that leaves no time for the bible. Nap time is an option,but sometimes it does not go as planned. Night time could work,but sometimes I am just to tired. See my drift? I really need to work on finding a set time even it means giving something else up. I would love to read the bok.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Mrs.Gabriel - The hard thing for me is waking up earlier than I already do to have quality time with God. I wake up early to get to my school, and in September we’ll be adding a baby to that routine and I know it will be even trickier!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Nina - I find it very difficult at times to find a quiet time to just listen to the Lord. Reading your blog has encouraged me to try harder to make that special time. I would love to be able to get my focus back on the Lord, and not so much on the “duties of the day” God Bless…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • L ~ S - I find it harder to have regular devotions when I am not on a schedule. When I was always working at the same time, I had a set routine. I need to find a time that works even when the rest of my day is flexible…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • AshleyM19 - I would love to win this book. I have been looking for something to jumpstart my relationship with God.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kara Janzen - I would love to read this book! You seem to find such great devotionals! My biggest struggle is having consistent prayer time and knowing “how to” pray. My mind always wonders off and I find myself praying the same things day after day and feel like there’s no depth to it! I’d love to do a better job of incorporating prayers for my hubby and children, like you mentioned in one of your previous posts. If I don’t “win” this book, I might just have to go out and buy it! And speaking of books…I have your friendship book to get back to you! I lent it to a friend here and she just got it back to me so next time in KS, I’ll bring it along! Hope you’re doing well!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • mommyof2sons - Looks like a great book. My problem is taking the time and being consistent. Need to carve out time each day to spend time with God!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • BURNS FAMILY - The hardest part of devotions for me is keeping my mind focused on God and not letting it fill up with things I think I need to be doing instead. I enjoy my devotions, but I need to be more intentional with my time with God.

    Thank you!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Michelle - I struggle to have quiet time with the Lord because it doesn’t seem to give me the same “instant gratification” that I feel when I spend time with a friend, watch a good tv show or work on a project. It is easy to talk myself out of doing it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Brian and Ashley - I would love to read Nancy’s book. Like so many people have said in their comments, the thing that most stands in my way is my idea of how much time I have to do things during the day. I know the Lord is faithful and will speak through His Word, but I let life get in my way. More than anything, I want to glorify Him, but I struggle to make my time with Him a priority, which doesn’t glorify Him at all.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Laura - the hardest thing for me is actually DOING it. I talk to God alot during the day, i just need to work on “being still” while JUST focusing on HIM and His word!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Leatha - What has helped me in my devotional time is when I first wake up I realize that the Lord is waiting on me to talk with Him. This helps me to realize that I don’t want to keep Him waiting on me. In addition, what has helped me is to journal my prayers. I write letters to God in my prayer journal. This helps me. I would really enjoy reading Nancy’s book. I have read other books by Nancy and I’m sure it is a fabulous read!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Liz - I currently have 2 children under three and finding the time and energy to sit and have much quantity time with the Lord is a regular challenge. For now I think it’s about the quality of the time that I am able to find. Frankly, discipline in this area of life is one I am praying the Lord will help me grow in.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Mary - I always feel there is so much for me to do in the evenings after work!I already get up at the crack of dawn, work all day and have 2 children and a husband to look after. I always try and read before bed. Seems like something never fails to get in my way – laundry, internet, TV, exercise, you name it. Sometimes I go through periods where I read the Bible constantly, others where I get sidetracked:)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristen Jones - I struggle to meet with the Lord first thing in the morning, because I have to be at work so early and then by the time I get home I am exhausted. I just have to be more disciplined and START the day with Him!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jane - Oh this is something that I have struggled with my whole life. I guess I just like sleeping too much, and it’s winter in Australia at the moment which does not help one bit. I know that I need to go to bed earlier and have a spot set up before I go to bed. I will work on that tonight. Maybe a cup of tea would be helpful to keep me warm whilst I spend time with God.
    Thanks so much for your consistent reminders about the importance of this, I know that partly it is to remind yourself, but please know that God is using you in a very powerful way to work in many lives at the same time!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Frenchs - The hard thing for me is quieting my heart and mind.,.not getting off on bunny trail thoughts, my grocery list, my email, blogging or laundry. I get up early before my house does, but still struggle to find quiet…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Carly - This book looks great! In the morning I find it easy to be distracted by everything I feel “needs” to be done, so sometimes it is hard for me to focus on what I know is really a necessity.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Beth - I often find it difficult to focus. Either the kids are interrupting, or I’m exhausted. It’s a challenge for sure, but the rewards for facing it are well worth it. I’d love to read Nancy’s book!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jamie - I’m lazy is the biggest problem. I get consumed with housework and my kids, so if I get a chance where things are quiet and I can sit down for 30 minutes, I just try to catch a nap! I also don’t know a good way to really have a “structured” quiet time bc I basically just open up my Bible and flip around while reading the stuff I’ve already highlighted. I’d love to wing this book!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kelly - Consistency would be my major hurdle. It hurts to admit that I am constantly hitting the snooze button instead of getting up before my girls so that I can focus on God and His plans for the day.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Newby Clan - I would definately say just motivation. I am just lazy. I need a good kick in the rear end at times.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • k and c's mom - What has helped me seek the Lord daily? His faithfulness to me over the last decades that had me walking through some pretty difficult situations that I did not create. Clinging to Him and remembering His faithfulness lead me back day after day…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jess - oh dear jess, i think i find many things hard about my own devotional time… my real trouble is that i can be a great starter, quick out of the gates, but i lack that whole endurance thing. ‘i want’ to do it but just haven’t been able to get consistant time. trying to get up before the 4 of them do (and they…really i mean the youngest two, do not have a consistant wake-up time) has it’s own issues and then there is my mind issue…the all or nothing type mentality- if i cannot have some quiet alone time by waking up earlier (because one of the 4 woke up too) then why bother? awk, i am working on it and trying to be content with the hit or miss devotional times.

    all that said i really appreciated your 30 day challenge and how you approached it. i wasn’t able to do all 30 days but it encouraged me and held me accountable. thanks dear sister!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - It is hard for me to be consistent, and also to not just do it to do it, but to actually fellowship with the Lord. I am NOT a morning person, but wish I was! I was actually up before my children today and I love the peace and quiet of the morning to be with the Lord.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristi - Waking up early…I definitely do better having my quiet time early before the children wake up. I just have to discipline myself to go to bed early so that I can wake up earlier :). Thanks for this fun giveaway!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • gmarie - Having lost our first baby in my fifth month of pregnancy I have found that the blessing of our 7 month lil blessing of a daughter has taught me to include the Lord in every part of my day. Through dedicating myself to bring her up in the Lord I find myself talking about, teaching about, praying to, singing about, and reading about the Lord all throughout our day as I spend my time with her. What began as my attempt to grow her knowledge in HIM has in turn deepened my relationship and knowledge in and of HIM. God is amazing and mysteriously wonderful in HIS ways :).ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Barb - I love the verses in Isaiah 50:4-5 I love that the Lord will give me “an instructed tongue” so I can be refreshment to the weary. I have struggled for years to have a consistent time with the Lord for a number of various reasons “excuses”! Your blog has been such an encouragement to me & today’s post was extremely helpful in realizing that I just need to make it a priority and know that God will use it no matter what my feelings happen to be on any given day. You are such a testimony to so many and your photos are absolutely beautiful! Thank you for blessing so many of us with your life.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Karie - Staying consistent.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sandy P - If I don’t get things done in the morning, I just don’t get them done. I really struggle creating the habit of getting up before my children.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tabitha - I think spending daily time with the Lord is something everyone struggles with! Thanks for the encouragement!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kara - I’ve found that if I don’t get my quiet time in for the day, turning on and focusing on my Christian music really helps me focus and take a deep breath. AND that can be done with two kids at my feet!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Hi there! This book does sound super encouraging and the kick start I need in spending more time with the Lord. I sometimes just feel overwhelmed and not sure where to start, but the point is just starting and spending time with Him. I need to have no excuses and just do it!
    Sam D.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Ruth in Virginia - The struggle is truly sitting down and making the time and really opening my heart. Shutting all the noise out and letting the Lord in…working on it but tough.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Heather - Precious friend,
    Though I have never met you I feel we are kindred spirits. One day I would love to give you a real hug. Thank you for your transparency & honesty with the 30 day challenge. He is life changing! I am a mom of 4 & know all too well the mess I can make when I try to take on the day without the Lord. I’m thankful for His love, grace, patience & kindness that draws me to Him over & over & over.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • jill w - i have just struggled with making Him a priority in my life right now.. i love nancy leigh demoss, and have done a couple of her bible studies. i appreciate your openness to your struggles with devotional time, and your encouragement to keep at it..

    thanks !!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Danielle H. - It sounds just like what I need to read right now. I would love an opportunity to read it!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - I am beginning to recognize that many of my prayers are selfish, and I need to lean on the One who knows what I truly need in this life, and how I can use my words and time to show others His true Love!
    TiffanyReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - I struggle to be consistent with my devotional/quiet time with the Lord. I don’t know if I’ll ever find the “perfect” time to spend with God, but I try to catch the moments when I can do this throughout my day.
    DonnaReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Jess I have been so inspired by your challenge. More than ever before, I have felt the urging of the Holy Spirit for me to arise and have a consistent quiet time in the mornings before my little ones awake. Unfortunately, my flesh continues to fight my spirit in my desire. I struggle with “perfectionism” and so when I am not consistent in something, my flesh desires to stop trying because I can’t do it perfectly but I know that this is exactly where the devil wants me. Instead, I need to rise up and keep striving towards my goal. I would love to win this book as an added encouragement in my journey.
    –Kristy (akwallace4@yahoo.com)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Paige - I struggle with consistancy. I usually end up studying late at night. I am praying for an accountability partner for morning devotions. I know our mornings/days would go much smoother if I did.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jennifer Ezell - Sounds like a great book!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Diana - I did her “Seeking Him” study two summers ago, and it was so incredible!
    I agree that the decision already being made is key. I committed this year to read through my bible in a year with a particular reading plan, and I get up first thing and do have my reading before I get out of bed. It makes such a difference. But the challenge for me is not making God just a habit, I don’t want Him to be something I check off my list. Reading the Word is partaking of HIM, and sometimes I fail to remember that and focu on His presence in the process.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Growing up, I was never exposed to the idea of daily devotional, and as a young mother and wife striving to know the Lord better, it hasn’t really happened for me yet. So for me it is simply getting started and trying to figure out how it all works has been the challenge for me.
    MelissaReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Stef - I would love to get this book. So I think if I don’t win, I will head over to Amazon and buy my own copy 🙂
    thanks for doing this, Jess.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tina - I’d love to win! What a great book! My biggest challenge is making time for a daily quiet time. And a lot of time, my mind wanders to my to do list…sometimes I feel like I am just giving God a list of requests and not taking the time to really listen to Him.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Boccias - This sounds really good. I’ve been hurting and lonely and not seeking the Lord.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amanda - I guess the hardest thing for me is being purposeful. I think you use the word intentional. I always think that becoming a godly woman is just going to happen – at least I act like I think that! But it doesn’t, it takes intentionally pursuing Christ in order to become more like Him.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Angie - I struggle with having a consistent, uninterrupted time with the Lord. I know that it is important, and I just need to make it my priority!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Deb - I took you up on your challenge and have been meeting with the Lord before my son awakes. I has been easier than trying to stay awake and do it before bed:) Hoping I can continue once school starts again.
    DebReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amber - Thanks for the reminder to enter. Love your heart!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • marietta - Thank you for the reminder….I am working on being consistent with my morning time with Jesus. So hard to be consistent..I need help!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Cindy - The hard thing for me is getting up early enough to fit my devotions in first thing in the morning. Baby boy’s sleep schedule is still unpredictable and if I miss doing it before he awakes, I get distracted and have a hard time fitting it back in. But I have found that since I have been more focused on my devotions as a result of your 30 day , I turn to the Lord more in prayer throughout my day…when I’m folding laundry or driving somewhere or making dinner! And that has made all the difference!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • MCA - I struggle with the part of just checking it off my “to-do” list for the day. Some of it is me, some of it not having something that holds my attention. I’d love this book as I have read some of her other books/devotionals and loved them. Thanks for the chance!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sarah Marie - Finding quiet time.. time that others won’t pop in and distract my thoughts. But mostly not making excuses… My life NEEDS this time so I WILL be figuring it out and soon.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tom and Mira Ehrlich - Jessica,
    I did this book in a Bible study a few years ago. It was great and helped me tremendously. Glad to hear you’re reading it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jennifer - Being the mother of 5 kids (the youngest 1 year old twins), makes it difficult to have consistent, quiet time with God. If I’m lazy and don’t get it done early before the kids are up, it gets put on the back burner.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Arianne - My most difficult thing is getting to bed at a decent time. I don’t have a hard time getting up, but I do have difficulty staying away from the internet during this quiet time before the boys get up. I’m currently reading Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling” and it gives me something to chew on.
    Thanks!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Adrienne - The hardest part of doing my quiet time, is reminding myself that this time with the Lord is more important than anything else I do. SO often I convince myself that other things are more important. I did the 30 day challenge with you, and it was such a refreshing experience. I missed a few days, but I kept up for the most part and it really showed me that I can always make time for it if I really want to. So thanks for these reminders and encouragements that you have been faithful to post:)ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Dena - I’m trying to be consistent in the morning before the kids are awake but that’s easier said than done.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • My name is Amee - I would love to win this book!
    Since starting a new job last Aug. 2010, I drive 1 hour to work & 1 hr home. I ‘ve made it part of my devotion to have prayer time on my way to work before I turn the radio on! Sometimes I catch myself fixing to turn the radio, & I’m like nope..I can’t listen to the radio until I’ve talked to God & thanked him for all of my blessings & a long list of other things. It gives me “me” time with God! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Doris pinto - I am Doris,from what I can read. It has been sad news and scam to everyone about Voodoo casters or so. But to me they are so real cause one worked for me not quite two weeks. I traveled down to where his shrine his and we both did the ritual and sacrifice. and now me and my ex are living very ok now.I don’t know about you but Voodoo is real;love marriage,finance, job promotion ,lottery Voodoo,poker voodoo,golf Voodoo,Law & Court case Spells,money voodoo,weigh loss voodoo,diabetic voodoo,hypertensive voodoo,high cholesterol voodoo,Trouble in marriage,Barrenness(need a child),Luck, Money Spells,it’s all he does. I used my money to purchase everything he used he never collected a dime from. He told me I can repay him anytime with anything from my heart. Now I don’t know how to do that. If you can help or you need his help write him on (nativedoctor101@live.com) Thank you.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

I have nothing much today.
Just a few random pictures and a few random thoughts.
I can hardly put my thoughts together to form a post these days.
Maybe it is because it is way too hot to be pregnant.
Don’t get me wrong…I am so thankful to be pregnant again.
And I am so thankful for this little boy that will soon be joining our family.
But it is REALLY hot in Kansas this week.
I have always loved summer and the heat has never really bothered me much.
But this summer is HOT.
I am sure the prego belly doesn’t help.
Can I just say that I am SO THANKFUL for air conditioning!?
What would we do without it?
 Levi doesn’t seem to mind the heat at all.
Check out those dirty hands and the nice farmer’s tan.
He has been really into not wearing a shirt these days like his daddy.
He doesn’t even want to sleep with one on.
So sweet how he wants to mimic everything his daddy does.
I am so thankful that he has a great daddy to follow after.
Remember how I told you our garden was a total failure this year?
We pretty much tilled everything up.
We thought our potatoes were our only successful crop, but even those were pretty bad.
I had already bought pumpkin seeds and wanted to get them in the ground…
I just didn’t want to go out in the heat and do it myself.
So Levi and Joel were nice enough to do it for me.
Hopefully our pumpkins will be more successful than the rest of our garden.
I just need to remember to water them. 🙂

Levi is needing a haircut…his daddy almost can’t stand it.
But I love those sweet little curls in the back.
I am putting off the first haircut as long as I can.
And I have no idea what is up with the blonde hair??
It just keeps getting blonder and blonder.

Levi has been wanting to rock with me in his rocking chair lately.
Every night before bed he points at the rocking chair in his room and says “rock, rock”.
It might be a stalling technique…but I love it.
I am cherishing every moment of our “rock, rock” time together.
I found this little red rocking chair last week at the antique store.
He really likes it.
And now he doesn’t have to steal my chair and can even “rock, rock” outside.

My zinnias are beautiful right now.
They are about the only thing alive in my garden.
Thankfully they love the heat…unlike me. 🙂

 They can survive the heat…
but hopefully they can survive my mischievous son too.
Little boys can be hard on a mama’s garden.
Hope you are enjoying these summer days.
I noticed they are already putting school supplies out in the store.
Crazy how fast time goes sometimes!
A reminder to enjoy every moment…even the hot, summer ones.
I will post the giveaway {you know, the one that was supposed to be last week} sometime tomorrow.
Make sure you check back!
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Mandy - The farmer’s tan!!! Adorable!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Rachel - Hang in there. Praying for comfort and for cooler temps!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Michelle - Levi is so stinkin cute in the picture with the garden! He’s getting so big!

    Praying for comfort for you <3

    –MichelleReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Meghan - Hi Jess! I just completed my first week of my very belated 30 day challenge. God has blessed me so much in the time I’ve carved out to spend with Him this week. I wanted to know how you’re doing since the 30 day challenge has ended. Your posts inspired me so much. I am so grateful for what you shared. Hang in there with the heat. I was so grateful for a February baby, myself. Don’t know how you summer preggos do it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • This is the day! - The last picture of Levi is so precious!!! He is such a doll and getting so big. My kids don’t mind the heat either and want to play outside all the time.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - Diddo!
    I know exactly how you are feeling! I live in Kansas, am preggers (due in mid September), and am trying to keep up with my two boys (ages 2 & 4).
    I hope we can catch a break from this heat sometime soon!! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Meggie - I can SO relate. The heat is really getting to this pregnant mama too! I’m in Georgia and the humidity is terrible. At least we know we’re not alone I guess! The pictures of Levi are adorable!! selphpartyof3.blogspot.comReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Shosh - your pictures are beautiful! can i ask what lens you usually use for these?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • songskatesang - He is sooo precious! Praying for some cooler weather for you!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Mum2twopreciousgifts - Jess. The photos of Levi are totally adorable. Thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • karen - Love it! The photos are just adorable…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • katherine - Love all the photos, especially the one of Levi in the garden. So cute!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Alex(andra) - What an adorable farmer’s tan!! This Kansas heat has been absolutely ridiculous… I can’t even imagine it being pregnant. I hope it cools off soon for you!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Keith and Margaret - My son had blonde hair like Levi with little curls in back too,that I couldn’t bear to cut off. His eyebrows started growing in darker as a young boy, and then his hair got darker until now at almost 21he has very dark brown hair, but with reddish facial hair.

    The picture of Levi on the swing reminds me of my son’s smile and hair when he was that age. I also remember being pregnant with him in August and just laying under a fan for an afternoon, I was so miserably hot.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Rich and Carolyn Dewey - You have been in my thoughts and prayers in this HEAT!

    My grandson’s hair was white when he was a year and up to a little over two, then it began to darken. Today, almost 18 years later (YIKES!) it’s a very dark chocolate brown. Wouldn’t know it was the same kid!

    Levi’s a cutie!! Anxious to see #2! You will have a very busy house!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Stacy - He is SOO CUTE!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jenni Lynn - haha, your post had me laughing. I was in Kansas last week and i am pregnant also and it really was miserable and H.O.T! In fact I was asked if I wanted to go to the zoo at one point and I just gave our friends a crazy eyed look….. The strawberry lemonades from Mcdonalds are a tasty summer treat that have helped me! Love the sweet photos of Levi!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kimberly - I cant help but smile everytime I visit your blog. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Marc, Sarah, and Luke - Yep….it is hard to be pregnant in the summer. And, Luke started liking to rock around that age, and he still likes it. In fact, if I’m home, he won’t nap or go to bed without me rocking and singing to him. And, I LOVE it! I won’t stop until he’s ready :). So, I’m glad Levi likes it as well.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Levi’s curls are SO sweet! You need to make a silhouette of him before you cut them off!! Just Google it, their are tons of tutorials on how to make one yourself. 🙂

    Doesn’t it just STINK being pregnant during summer? I live in Florida and with both of my Girls, I was pregnant from January to the beginning of October and I was absolutely MISERABLE in the heat! Once you see that beautiful baby, though.. It will be worth it!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amy Perez - Hi, just a lurker here. Your family is just beautiful. I love hearing (reading) about your adventures. I have 15 month old twins who are quite active and sometimes mischievous themselves!! I was hoping you might share what kind of camera and lens you use. I LOVE taking pics of my kiddos and am looking to upgrade!! Thanks in advance!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristi REDISKE - I live in Arkansas and is HOT here too-I usually love summer but this one hasn’t been that great because of the heat-it started so early. I have a daughter who is pregnant to and actually she is 5 days overdue so I am sure she can identify with you and the heat. Levi is adorable and looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Danielle H. - I live in North Texas and the bank’s thermometer said 111 degrees at 7:00 p.m. last night – seriously YUCK! I can’t even imagine being preggers in this kind of heat! Hang in there and I see that someone else mentioned the frozen strawberry lemonades from McD’s – a seriously delicious treat in this heat! I am ashamed to say how many I’ve had this summer 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Beki - TheRustedChain - Your zinnias look great and mine look sad! They just keep withering up and I thought it was from the heat. ?? My garden, however, looks good! The Man does all the work, thankfully. I just eat the goods.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - I have a bunch of pumpkin seeds I need to plant….what do you have to do? Levi is sooo cute!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • sassy - I have always admired your kids chairs! I LOVE LOVE the wooden ones you use at your family parties! Ihave 2 old tales but am always hunting for tiny chairs as our family grows too!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Heather - I so understand! I’m 32 weeks pregnant and it has been really really hot here (Ohio)! I don’t like summer when I’m not pregnant because of the heat and humidity, this year is insane! And our a/c is broken! Here’s hoping for much cooler weather for all the mommas to be (and everyone else too!)!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

I wish I could brag to you about the abundance of my sweet corn crop this year.
But I can’t.
Our sweet corn was a total failure.
Between the wind and heat and my lack of care…we have no corn to pick.
Bummer.
I weeded one of the nine rows one day and then gave up.
Maybe that was part of the problem!
Thankfully my father-in-law takes much better care of his garden.
And he is so generous that he planted enough corn for everyone to be able to have some.
Joel’s family is big…so that means he planted a lot of sweet corn.
Levi and I went to help freeze all the sweet corn last week.
They picked and husked it and Levi helped load up the wheel barrow.
I helped with the cleaning.
It was much cooler to have your hands in a tub of cold water.
It has been SO HOT in Kansas this summer.
What is the deal?!?!
Levi and his little cousin liked playing in the water too.
It took a long time to rinse off all of the corn and I wasn’t even there when they first started.
Thankfully there were many hands helping.
I’m pretty sure we went through at least three wheelbarrows of corn.
Levi never ran out of ways to keep himself busy.
He thought cleaning his shoes off in the water would be a great idea.
Here the corn is piled up and ready to go inside.
Don’t worry we saved plenty to eat fresh off the cob too!
We cut all the corn off the cob and filled up the pots.
I think by the time everything was bagged and ready to freeze, 
we ended up with over 100 quart size freezer bags.
So yummy.
There is nothing better than pulling out a bag of sweet corn in the middle of the winter.
The recipe we used is my mother-in-law’s:
For every one gallon of corn add…
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 to 2 cups water 
1 stick butter
Cook until boiling and then let corn simmer for 10 minutes. Cool kettle in cold water for several hours until corn is completely cooled. Bag and freeze.
It was a lot of work (and I didn’t even do that much), 
but such a fun day hanging out with Joel’s family.
Of course there were cookies involved too.
And since the big sweet corn harvest we have been enjoying lots…
and lots…
and lots…
and lots of sweet corn.
Thanks Papa for taking such good care of your garden (unlike my Mama)…
and for so generously sharing with all of us!
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • rachel - oh my gosh, I love the pictures of him eating corn! Hilarious!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Beth - Love the corn pictures. He looks so serious – and SO blond. You can tell he’s spent time in the sunshine! Love how he’s a little boy now, not just a baby. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amy - LOVE the pictures of Levi eating the corn!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Farmchick - Great pictures! Looks like you all had a great time. We didn’t get to plant any corn this year…usually we have an overabundance….too wet this year and then when it was dry enough it was too late! Hope you can stop by my farm for a visit and say hi too. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Robin - being from los angeles, farming corn like this is so foreign to me….but so neat!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • marietta - Just love reading your post!!! Thanks for the corn recipe!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Tricia - I love this. It reminds me of my Grandmother. She doesn’t grow corn, but buys it in bulk and freezes in bag. I’ve done it a few times, but hope to keep it up for my family. This was a sweet post.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • This Farm Family's Life - I don’t know how well our sweet corn is going to do either. We plant about 16 rows each year. We had such a late wet spring that it is no where close to being ready. Looks like loads of fun!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Brittany - cutest post ever – levi eating corn made my night!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Stef - You and the other pregnant lady look pretty cute 🙂
    The corn recipe sounds A-mazing!
    Also, the pics of Levi goin’ to town on it… priceless.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Mindy Harris - your belly is adorable! may i plse have a bag of corn? 😉ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Nancy - That looks so good! We love corn & grill it every time we fire up our grill. Sweet corn is a gift from God!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kimberly - I loved this post. I could just smooch your precious Levi’s face off! So adorable! I can only imagine it’s a lot of hard work but it looked like a great day of family bonding & oh the reward when the snow is flying & your freezer is full of sweet corn! YAY Papa! 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amy - those corn pictures are just too cute for words! 🙂 How lucky are you guys to receive such delicious corn. YUMReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Annie - The pics of him eating the corn are just so darn cute!!!!! And you are looking beautiful!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kelly - I am SOOO jealous. I have been privately following your blog for some time now but this post made me so happy. See, I’m a Texas girl and we don’t have sweet corn like y’all. My best friend’s grandfather had corn fields in Illinois and every year they would come in town and we’d eat TONS of that sweet corn. We all cried when he sold his tractor and equipment three years ago.

    Last night as I heated up my frozen corn from the store, I was actually thinking about how much I miss that fresh sweet corn taste. I’m glad you are getting to enjoy it!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kristi - our sweet corn isn’t quite ready yet – maybe another week. We’ve had bad corn luck the past couple of years – one year it just didn’t come up…another year it came up but didn’t pollinate so we had ears but no kernels on them 🙁 Not sure how my hubs is such a great farmer but sweet corn is such a downfall!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Deborah - Just when I think you have posted the cutest picture ever of Levi, here comes the corn on the cob photo! He is such a boy.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Bethany - Yum! I helped my grandparents-in-law do 24 dozen ears a few years ago. It was a lot of work, but so yummy. Levi is starting to look more and more like a little boy! I can’t believe how big he looks by the wheelbarrow.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • LB - He looks so blond in these pictures!!! Love the sweet corn and him gnawing on those cobs. 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Jody - Thanks for the recipe, Jess! We planted a lot more corn this year and it should be ready here in the next week or so. We had talked about canning some of it, but this seems like a much easier way. We’ll also freeze some of the ears. Already been making pickles (well, my stepdad started, I haven’t done any yet). We have similar pictures of Emmy from this summer. We were eating the last of last years crop and she LOVES corn! G’pa gave her a small ear, but she looked over at G’ma and then stole her big ear! Can’t wait to taste this year’s crop. It better be good b/c it was a HOT day when my cousin Bobby & I planted it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lindsay - I so love pictures of babies enjoying corn on the cob. I hope that Kansas heat takes a break! My family back home has been telling me how sweltering hot it is!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Kim - I found the best tool for taking that corn off the cob. Pampered Chef has it! It is designed just for that purpose. It cuts it right at the cob to you get the whole kernel and it is sooo simple. I love it! Just thought I’d mention it because I find it easier and a better cut than a knife, especially doing that many ears.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lesley - Look at him go! Eh…there is always next year….but what you did have….looked sooo amazingly good! nothing better!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Benae - I saw this on some random site tonight and immediately thought of this post! Too bad you didn’t have a few of these to help with all that corn.

    http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?pcode=12866ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Drama Mama - So funny! We moved to Iowa about 4 weeks ago, and I just shucked my first batch of sweet corn last night!!! It was so fun…and SO YUMMY! I can’t wait to make a ton for the winter!!

    ps – Levi eating that corn is PRECIOUS!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

I am 29 weeks today. Hard to believe I am in the third trimester already. These are my 27 week pictures though {just a few weeks late}. My little helper was around like usual. He thought going outside sounded like more fun than watching his mom take silly belly pictures of his brother.
*I have been feeling pretty yucky the past few weeks. Mostly tired, no energy and uncomfortable. I was feeling a little shaky too…wondering if maybe it was a blood sugar issue. But I had my glucose test last week and passed {yay!}. If I am careful about what I eat it seems to help. But that is so hard when you just want to eat everything in sight…especially sweets! At my last appointment the NP told me I might want to slow down on the weight gain…nice. She must not remember that weight gain is my best pregnancy skill! 🙂
*Still no name for baby brother. We have a list of possibilities, but nothing that seems “perfect” yet. I am getting a little nervous, but hopefully one of these days a boy name will sound just right for our little guy.
*The plan was to start on the nursery after the big de-cluttering project and garage sale. So far I haven’t gotten very far. I think I am going to go with red for the nursery. At least I have a plan, right? I have bookmarked a few inspiration pictures. And thanks to a sweet friend we have a cheap crib. It needs a little work, but I think it will be perfect. So, in the next few weeks we are hoping to finish getting the room cleaned out and painted and start getting it ready for baby brother. The summer is going too fast and September will be here before we know it!
* * * * * * * * *
Speaking of sweet boys…


My new friend Amy (we met at craft weekend back in January) has a fundraiser going on right now to bring home their sweet boy Davis. Amy is funny, compassionate, and has such a big heart…so does her family. There are some awesome giveaways too…just incase you needed to be enticed. Go check it out here and help bring Davis home to his forever family.
Happy weekend!
Posted in: Uncategorized
sharepinTweet
Leave a comment

  • Meghan - You look great Jess! How does your hair grow sooo fast? Lucky girl. I hope you get to feeling better soon.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • rentz - Don’t worry about the weight gain. I gained 50-60 pounds with each pregnancy. That sounds awful, doesn’t it? Good thing I lost it all each time! 🙂 But I was NOT a cute pregnant lady and you are super cute!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Scribe - Red would be a beautiful color… and I just love baby naming! One of the first questions I ask my laboring moms is what they will name their new bun… so I can refer to he or she by name during the labor & delivery!

    You love vibrant, happy, and healthy to me!!!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sharon - Jess, you look fantastic. I remember gaining weight was one of my skills as well. Unfortunately for me, it’s a skill I maintained! LOL You are all baby, so I think you will look like you have never have one let alone 3 children. Can I ask you a personal question? Do you and Joel plan to have anymore children? I could see you with at least 4!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Boccias - I think you look awesome! Only things growing are your belly and your hair. 🙂 Sorry you’re not feeling well though. Have fun with the nursery! Can’t wait to see what you do with it.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Lesley - You look amazing! I’m sorry you’ve been feeling a little yucky….hopefully it’s just a passing thing! I know the right name will come…..ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Mindy Harris - jess your thighs stay the same size! how do you do that?
    you are gorgeous!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Melissa Joy - I love the pictures, Jess! Beautiful.

    Also, have you ever shared before where you got your chalkboard (or how you made it)? I am in the market for a big one like that, so am highly curious. Can you share?? 🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Stef - Jess, you look great! Anxious to “meet” your new son. Praying he will be bold for Christ someday!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Ahh, Jess! You are such a cute pregnant woman! 🙂

    What about the name Camden? Cora, Levi and Camden. Sounds good! Whatever name you chose for your little guy, I know it will be a great one! I hope the rest of your pregnancy flies by and an easy labor. ♥ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Sarah - You look beautiful!
    Names are hard for us too, we’ve got our list and talk about it often. Hopefully something will just click for both of us, soon :)!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Becca - I gained a bunch during pregnancy. I couldn’t help it. I was so so hungry. But you do look great!

    My son, Shepherd, has a red nursery. I love love red.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - I looked long and hard at your 13 week and 27 week photos, and the only thing that looked bigger to me was your belly. I wish I looked that good through my pregnancies. My first one I gained 70 lbs, but lost it by her first birthday. The second one I gained 50 lbs, and have only been able to lose 10 of it since he was born over 2 years ago!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • This Farm Family's Life - Red will be so fun to decorate with. Don’t worry what the drs tell you, you look great! I had trouble with my blood sugar as well, but passed my glucose test.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • The Frenchs - What a beautiful, beautiful woman you are! You have a sort of serenity about you. A glow.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • L ~ S - I was determined to be in the 25-35 range and I think I am already past 40! I even think that I am eating ok. I guess we will deal with the results later…Red sounds adorable! I would not stress too much about the nursery, the baby won’t know the difference. Take care of yourself! I was planning on using Seth Adriel, but my SIL used Seth a few months ago, so we had to come up with something else…ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Ashley McWhorter - Saw this adorable Red nursery on another blog, and thought of you. 🙂

    http://richandjenn.blogspot.com/2011/07/tripps-nursery-reveal.htmlReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • meg duerksen - you are too cute.

    🙂ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • mrjasperson - You look great. Pray the rest goes well for you.

    My brother’s name is KYLE and I have always loved that name for a boy….ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Meredith - What about Jake? I always loved that name because it was my grandfather’s nickname. I wanted a Jacob and call him Jake.ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Diana - Glucose test indicates high blood sugar levels, shaky is an indicator of low blood sugar. Try eating small more frequent meals and keep in mind your body may be craving the sweets because you need them with the dipping blood sugars and the resulting shakiness. Be careful, you don’t want to faint from low blood sugar!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Beth - you look amazing!

    I gained 50-60 lbs with each of my pregnancies as well, and got similar comments from my OB. way to make a girl feel good, no?

    no worries about finding a name ~ I think a name will find him. We had a short list of names for our fourth boy, but found we had to ‘sleep on it’…and the name was perfect in the morning.

    continuing to pray for your sweet little family ;0)

    hugs mama!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Amanda - in 9 weeks, I BETTER look like that – I’m quite nervous it just won’t be the case though. I’m afraid I’ll be hearing some advice from the doctor too. I’m already cringing at myself in pictures!ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • Anonymous - i had blood sugar problems and also passed my glucose test with my second and failed with my third. even though i passed, if it’s dropping too fast you’ll get shaky and sick. eating no sugar and few carbs really made me feel better- hope that helps!?ReplyCancel

    [Reply]

  • mbt usa - mbt shoes pregnancy 27 weeks…a little late like usual » The Macs
    mbt usa http://www.haaljevaarbewijs.nl/mbtonline/mbt-usa-mbt.htmlReplyCancel

    [Reply]

« PREVIOUS NEXT »