Sunday, July 7, 2013

Passport to Purity -Our Special Getaway {Plus a Reader's Discount!}


Off for an adventure with my girl. Can. Not. Wait.

When she was 11, we had the talk...you know, the birds and the bees...S-E-X.

I survived. She survived.

After discussing the science and mechanics of it all, I knew as a believer, that wasn't going to be enough. I would have to take it a step further. She needed to understand His glorious design for all the crazy things happening to her body. His beautiful purpose for sex within marriage. I knew she would have to know her worth...her value in God's eyes.

If not, this world would eat her alive.

I introduced her to the concept of purity and my desire to take her away for a weekend to discuss it in depth.

She looked at me like I had no less than 3 heads, so I told her to just let me know when she felt she might be interested in learning more...and we left it at that.

She is now 13, and recently she let me know that she was ready.

I swear. I'd eat it every. live. long. day. if I could. #chipotle #guacaholic

I ordered Passport 2 Purity, booked a hotel in Nashville, and spent 3 glorious days eating copious amounts of Chipotle and sour gummy worms in bed with my girl.

We hit the vending machine, and the day old lobby coffee, more times than I care to mention.

It was a total blast.

I won't go into all the details out of respect for her privacy, but I do want to share my love for this program.

Purity weekend

I am super picky about how I approach this stuff with my kids.

I do not want them to be turned off to the truth of God's word simply because I picked a hokey method in which to do so. 

I've seen Christian curriculum, that although well meaning, I myself have a hard time reading, never mind expecting my teenagers to be able to relate. 

I'm sorry, but I just don't think, "you shouldn't have sex until you are married" is enough. In fact, the statistics prove it's not. 

Did you know that 80% of single Christians will not wait until they are married to have sex?

Let's face it...the stuff our kids are facing is tough. Brutal even. They are bombarded sexually left and right. They need to hear about the hard stuff. And they need to hear it from you, mom and dad.

I was so stinkin' impressed with Passport 2 Purity and how relevant the content was. 

Untitled

The activities for each session were the highlight of the program according to my "hands-on" learner.

They were fun...but most importantly, they were applicable to what she had just learned.

I may have nearly died of embarrassment...at least twice. And I am pretty sure that when I get to heaven, I will be receiving an extra jewel in my crown.

In fact, I'm counting on it. 


But by the time we wrapped up our time together, I saw this beautiful young lady sitting next to me full of understanding, convictions {her own}, and empowered to walk this purity thing out.

Really mom?!

What a precious time spent with my beautiful girl...laughing, crying, and talking about the really. hard. stuff. that she will face in life.

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We wrapped up our weekend with a little antiquing in Historic downtown Franklin.

I raised her right.

Purity Ring

And a purity ring.

Having a blast. Just me and my girl.

I pray this was a weekend that she never forgets. I know I won't.

Parents:
Talk to your children about their purity. Equip them with the power of  'decisions made' before they find themselves in situations they can't handle.

Think you can't afford it? You can't afford not to.

Think you don't have time? Make time.

You won't regret it. :)

Family Life is offering a special discount to my readers. Go to their website and enter the code P2PMOMS to receive a 20% discount on all Passport 2 Purity products.

* Just a head's up. We choose not to promote "dating" {in the typical sense} in our home so when we came to the last section titled "Crossing the Date Line," I only used the things that applied to our family's goals. You can personalize this program to meet your needs if you listen ahead of time.**

 ** I did not receive compensation for my opinion or endorsement of this product. Family Life did not ask me to review this product. I believed in it so much, that I asked them if they would offer a discount to my readers and they obliged. :)






"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Thursday, June 6, 2013

13 Things on Her 13th Birthday


06 28 10_1617

Antiques are unique.
So are you.
Never try to fit in.
Stand out baby girl.

11yearsofpink

Outgrow your shoes.
Never outgrow your family.

She turned 2 on this trip. Don't blink folks. #shesalmost13 #imamess @magpie26

You are loved more than all the sand in the oceans.

Never a dull moment when out to eat with these 3.

Laugh.
At yourself.
Often.

----------------------------------------

Fear is a liar.
Don't listen.

Downtown #nashville today. @tymcawesome is at Lipscomb for cadaver lab. Hitting Trader Joe's and Whole Foods with my girl @magpie26 while we wait. #homeschool

Wear your retainers.
For the rest of your life child.

----------------------------------------

Circumstances will not always be a choice.
Joy will.

Minnie kisses. It's tradition. #disney

Never be too old to be a kid.

Just found this on my daughters instagram. Where did my little girl go?! Oh. My. Word. She's stunning. @magpie26

You have tremendous value and worth.
Neither of those can be determined by this world.

@magpie26 bangin out G, C, and D. Thanks @ashjoy1 :)

You...

Homeschool Talent Show. #homeschool

are so stinkin....

magphoto

...talented!
Be confident in them all!

----------------------------------------

There are no limits to what you can do through Christ.
When the world tells you there is no way,
Hold tight to Jesus.
He will make one.

My beautiful daughter. Lead role in her Drama performance tonight. #proudmom

You are beautiful.
You are perfect.
You are enough.
Period.

**And one to grown on....

Don't be a people pleaser.
Like never.
Ever.
It's exhausting.
Please God.
It's all that matters in the end.

Happy 13th Birthday sweet girl!


Sunday, October 7, 2012

Because Sometimes Real Life Comes Before Blogging


Sometimes life...real life...needs me more.

Sometimes the ever changing needs and seasons of children growing up requires more time...more attention.

Sometimes God opens new doors and brings new opportunities...and they need more time...more attention.

And in the chaos of trying to be everything to everyone...I only manage to feel like I am failing at all of it.


In July I felt God asking me to lay down my blog for a while.

Ouch.

I needed to be reminded.

I blog because moment by moment, memories are being made...and I want to remember...not be remembered.

I blog because I want to capture every moment I am given with my children...not capture an audience. {If I do...I am truly grateful...but not the goal}

I blog because clocks tick without permission, memories scramble in my mind with age, their faces change, their voices change, they grow taller and taller and I cannot stop any of it...only purge every detail here while I still remember.

I blog because every now and again, He gives me something to say...and I am to be obedient in sharing.

I see things like "stats" and "hits" growing...

My inbox fills with offers to write and promote and join...and I am tempted to please the masses...

Maybe I should this...or maybe I should that...I could do this to draw more...or I could start doing that to make my blog more....

Please do not get me wrong or take anything I am saying out of context.
I am so grateful for every momma blogger out there that is able to consistently blog or make a career out of blogging.
I have formed some of the most precious, genuine friendships through the community of bloggers.
My life is all the better because of their willingness to share their wisdom and engage with their readers.
Not to mention my decor.

But so often I have to be reminded...this is not what He has asked of me in this season of my life.

It is not the calling He has placed on me.

It is not to be my focus.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tonight...my house is in order...His blessing is on this...it is time.

So forgive me as I break the golden rules of blogging...1) apologizing for being absent so long 2) sharing way too many pictures. 3) writing more than a couple of paragraphs 4) confessing how much I have missed sharing my mindless ramblings with you all. :)

This.....this is why...in this season of my life....I blog.....


Went into @magpie26 's room to put something away. Found this on her mirror. Must be her favorites. Gosh she makes me proud that girl of mine. God is going to use her in such a big way. #1000gifts

Because there are moments I catch a glimpse of my daughter's faith...and it takes my breath away.

Dessert and orange juice for breakfast per the birthday boy's request. Happy 10th birthday Aidan!!! #mybabyboy #doubledigits

Because my youngest child turned double digits...and requests cupcakes and orange juice for breakfast...and I oblige because he is my baby. Poor kid...he doesn't have a clue that I'm never gonna let him leave.

He fell asleep here in my lap...and I kinda just don't want to move. Ever. #mybabyboy #1000gifts

Because even though he's double digits...he still falls asleep in my lap...and I never want to move.

Apparently Bo felt he needed a little bling. So he took the a/c vent.

Because my four legged child likes to lay on the air vents...and take them with him. We call this Bo's bling.

Las Paletas. #summerlist

Because we make a summer list...and check things off.

Wax. Pretty much my BFF right now. #ouch

Because even at 36 you're not too old to wear braces...again.

They don't call it The Emerald Coast for nothin'.

Because this exact view has been a yearly tradition for the past 9 years.

Sugar White Sand. Two Beach Chairs. Sunrise. My Man. #1000gifts

Because the kids are older now...and we get to sip our coffee on the beach at sunrise...alone.

Sunset. Had no idea that bird was there. Bonus. #nofilter

Because sometimes...if I'm lucky...a seagull flies into my frame...at just the right time.

Never a dull moment when out to eat with these 3.

Because there is never a dull moment with these three.

A boy and his hot chocolate. #tradition

Because hot cocoa at The Donut Hole is also tradition.

Date night at Camille's. #havingateenagerisawesome

Because having a teenager means having date night at the beach. ::please refrain from all metal mouth jokes::

Busted...having fun together. #siblings

Because sometimes they aren't looking...and I catch them...having fun...together.

My 12 year old daughter reading "Kisses From Katie"...on her own accord...again. This excited me and scares me to my core all at the same time. #kissesfromkatie #amazima #amazimaministries

Because I catch my 12 year old daughter reading Kisses From Katie...for the second time...and I feel terrified/excited/happy/humbled/inspired/terrified...all at the same time.

Just found this on my daughters instagram. Where did my little girl go?! Oh. My. Word. She's stunning. @magpie26

Because I find a picture of said 12 year old on Instagram and the air is sucked from my chest because I see the stunning young woman she is becoming.

My daughter just painted this for me. @magpie26 #sigh #sheamazesme

Because she paints things like this...and I think...how on earth did such a talented, passionate, artistic, being ever come from my DNA???

My world right now.  #homeschool #advancedbiology #havemercy

Because we are homeschooling through high school...and Advanced Biology is a beast.

Spending the day with my teenager. Cadaver lab at Lipscomb, now lunch at Chipotle. Mercy...such a handsome fella. :)

Because my 16 year old gets to do cool things like cadaver labs {yes, real cadavers} at Lipscomb University...followed by lunch dates with mom at Chipotle.

Not quite...but honestly...pretty darn good. This was my last hurdle to get over in the quest to be dairy free. #dairyfree

Because at 36 I've not only decided to correct what my 12 year old non-retainer wearing self did to 3 years of orthodontia...but I've also decided to radically change the way we eat in our home.

Our new date night routine. Loving it. #nogmos @oopajm1

Because a new way of eating means a new kind of date night. Healthy is sexy.

Leaf collecting with my kiddos. Got all 30 leaves we needed and a gorgeous sunset. Bonus. #homeschool #nofilter

Because 7th grade leaf collections lead to roaming the lake with my kiddos...at sunset.

This weeks vintage lovelies. I may or may not have run across the flea market like a (not so graceful) gazelle to grab that coke crate. Then, I may or may not have held onto it like it was a winning lottery ticket when I saw the price... $25. Oh and the c

Because a spontaneous trip to the flea market leads to super duper cheap vintage finds.

Camping on the lake...and this. #hellofall

Because summer fades...and gives way to fall...and that means camping on the lake. And pumpkin butter.

"3rd Annual LCA camping trip last day football game." #homeschool

Because fall is not complete without our annual LCA {homeschool tutorial} camping trip.

Best friends since 3rd grade.

Because some friendships started in the 2nd grade...and are still going strong.

Bringing the classroom to life. Junior docent day at The home of President Andrew Jackson. #homeschool #thehermitage

Because every fall we take part in the Junior Docent program at The Hermitage...home of President Andrew Jackson.
Because he is the only kid I have left that does not think he is too cool.

On our way to the partway...celebrating 10 years of the uniqueness that is "Aidan".

Because every now and then...I get lucky enough to capture a moment like this.
Tyler and his sheepish grin.
Maggie and her infectious smile.
And Aidan...my one of a kind Aidan... being one of a kind Aidan.

Because one day...they will be grown and gone {I will have no choice but to get a lap dog}...and this is all I will have left.

This is why I blog.

Remind me.

life rearranged




"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Friday, June 8, 2012

12 Reasons Everyone Should Have a 12 Year Old Daughter


1. They like to shop.

2. They have a massive stash of lip gloss.

3. Your shoe collection doubles automatically.

magphoto

magcolorfair

magb&wfair

4. They love what you love. Their love of photography is just the excuse you need to upgrade your camera.

Love these girls. @magpie26 @sophielain @ashjoy1

Best friends. #homeschool

5. They pick really cool friends that you genuinely enjoy hanging out with.

maggiestyle

I declare...I have the classiest 11 year old around.

6. They have more style in their pinky finger than you will ever dream of having.

7. Instant pedicure partner.

My beautiful daughter. Lead role in her Drama performance tonight. #proudmom

8. They are beautiful.

My girl is making us yellow cupcakes with Reese's peanut butter cups baked into the middle. Thanks for the special baking pan Aunt Ashley!! #familynight

9. They bake.

Guilty pleasure. Chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies. My favorite cookies ever. #janphotoaday

10. They can make these for you.

On my cleaning playlist. Ain't even ashamed. #confessions #yesim35 #bieber

11. You can get away with listening to this...guilt free.

Found the precious picture of my girl at one month old today. She's 11 now. :-( #timestopplease

Picking up @sophielain and @ashjoy1 and heading to the mall. A little "I turn 12 next week" celebration. @magpie26 #lovehavingadaughter

12. That baby girl that you used to call daughter slowly becomes so much more....your best friend.

HAPPY {belated} BIRTHDAY MAGPIE!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!



"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

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