How To Encourage New Parents

My husband and I were at church recently. I was sitting in our usual spot, with Flynn in my lap and Justin standing right behind the pew. We were just talking a little bit before Justin needed to get his saxophone out to play for the song service. Another member walked over to where we were and said, "Let me look at this wide eyed guy", referring to Flynn, and then said to Justin, in a joking manner "I am not going to talk to you, you don't matter anymore, its all about the baby".

It was a harmless joke really. But, I got to thinking about it.

That "joke" is kind of true.

People no longer ask how we (my husband and I) are doing, or even say hello to us at times. I mean, I genuinely cannot remember the last time some one said hello to me, or asked about how Justin and I are doing first. Flynn is always talked to first. They always say hello, and ask him how he is doing.

Never mind the fact he is 7 months old and cannot utter a word. And I am the one standing there holding him...

And it is not just us. I have noticed it with other new parents in my circle. And society as a whole.

New dads and moms don't really get any attention or interaction. Or maybe not as much as before they became parents.

And I cannot blame people for being eager to interact with a new baby, or young children. I mean, they are precious, adorable, and so sweetly innocent. Just BEGGING to be oooed... and ahhhed... over.

Especially mine. I am pretty sure he is the cutest baby ever created... ;)

But, babies, while precious and adorable require A LOT of work and even more sacrifice. And guess who is doing all that work and sacrifice?

Daddy and mommy.

Babies and children the majority of the time are well taken care of. Even when their health is compromised, they have the best of care coming from daddy and mommy.

In the form of not sleeping to feed and change said baby. Walking them hours on end to help the colicky one sleep. Comforting them when they feel bad or scared. Going through the constant mental toll of realizing you have been put in charge of a human soul, straight from the LORD Himself.

Kind of a scary fact to think about at times...

If any body needs to be asked how they are doing, or ooohed and ahhhed over. Its parents all over this world.

This job ain't easy. Yes, it is soooo... blessed. But with great blessing comes an even greater responsibility.

A responsibility that require enormous sacrifice and dying to one self EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY. (a responsibility I prayed for and am so beyond blessed and thankful to have)

If there is one piece of advice I could give to anyone (talking to myself here too...) on how to encourage new parents, it would be to genuinely ask how THEY are doing BEFORE the baby.

Maybe even offer a wee bit of praise or a tiny word of encouragement for only sleeping 4 hours last night.

But then don't be surprised if they fall over dead with shock, or stammer or blankly stare at you in their sleep deprived, mentally drained state. :D 

 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

 

 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

As a new parent, what has someone done to encourage you? Or even if you are not a parent, what has been the best form of simple encouragement to come on some of your hardest days?

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

An Anniversary, Grassfed Beef, and Herbs

April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go. ~Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

 

How have you dear folks been of late? I pray that your days have been full of warming spring days, plenty of time soaking in some much needed Vitamin D while admiring the beauty of blooming flowers and budding leaves. :)

 

Life has been very well here in NC. There has not been anything too out of the ordinary. Just daily life, continuing it's ebb and flow. And this shy country gal, holding on and enjoying the blessings GOD has bestowed.

 

Like cooking breakfast for supper...

 

Celebrating our second wedding anniversary with a beach visit...

 



 

 

And stopping by our church on the way back, to continue last years tradition of recreating our first kiss.



 

I got to spend a day shopping with my mom...



 

And just about did a victory dance upon finding local grass fed beef at a local farmers market, for an AMAZING price. No joke, I had to use every bit of self control I have to keep from skipping and squealing... :D

 

Herbs were another purchase from the farmers market.



 

What a blessing it is, for it to FINALLY be warm enough to plant...



 

and spruce up the front porch.



 

 

We adopted five little Dominique chicks! :D

1 day old

2 weeks old

And words cannot express the excitement of owning chickens again!

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

What sweet, simple things of everyday life are you enjoying this spring?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

Christmas Busyness, and Blessings

Well hello there friends and family! I pray that you are all having a blessed day in our LORD! The weather this second to last day of 2014 is cloudy and a chilly 45 degrees! A far cry from the weather we had for Christmas. Temps were up in the 60's and even 70's those days. :D

 

So how was your Christmas? I pray that it was a peaceful, joyful time for you. Mine was mostly that. Lots of coming and goings. But it was a pleasant holiday. I'll show ya...

 

Since Justin and I have been together, holidays are a go, go, go time for us. Long gone are the days I would spend at home, prepearing for the day. Now, I prepare for a whirlwind of comings and goings.

 

It all starts on Christmas Eve. I spend the morning cooking for lunch at Justin's parents, with all of his family. After lunch, presents are opened and everyone sort of sits and visits.

 

Following an afternoon visiting, we then prepare and head out for our Church's Christmas Eve service. Then, it's off to another family dinner, with Justin's extended family. Following that, it's time to head to my parents to visit with some of my extended family that has come into town. Then after they head back to their camper for the evening, my parents, my siblings, Justin, and I then sit down for our annual watching of the "Nativity Story".

 

Following the movie, Justin and I head home and look into our stocking. And then it's time to get some shut eye for Christmas morning.

 

Christmas morning we head to my parents for breakfast, and then presents are opened sometime after that with all the family...

Fun with the cousins

 

My beautiful sister

My granddaddy and his friend

Mama



My brother was pretty happy that I got him some "Dragon's Blood" soap. He was with me in Whole Foods one day and saw it and he begged for it then.

 

Daddy happy to get his favorite, hard to find candy

Justin and I both received the same gift, $25 Outback gift cards. We were able to use them for a date night last night, after going to see "Unbroken".

One amazing, take my breath away, good lookin' man. ;)

 Following presents, and the afternoon meal, it was time for pics...

 

Grandaddy, with most of his grandkids.

 

Ain't they cute? :D

After most of the extended family leaves home, Justin goes hunting, and I stay and visit with my siblings. After he is done hunting, he picks me up and then we head back to our house to open our presents to one another.

 

At long last, we are finally able to just sit, cuddle on the couch, listen to Christmas music, and relax from the busyness.

 

Yes, my holidays are go, go, go. But they are spent with family. And family is one of the greatest blessings of all. :)

 

How do you spend your holidays?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

Last Week, and Christmas Decor

Good day friends and family! I pray you are all having a wonderfully blessed day in our LORD! It was a gloriously warm day here in NC. The temps for the first day of December were in the 70's!

Woo-hoo! It made spending time outdoors very enjoyable. :D

 

So how was your Thanksgiving week? Ours stayed pretty busy with the usual comings and goings the first part of the week, and the celebration of the holiday the second part of the week. But it was a blessed week. We were able to have lunch at my parents, and dinner at his parents. :)

 

 

I awoke bright and early at 2:45 am to do some Black Friday shopping with my mom and sister. I was a bit worried there would be nothing left with sales beginning Thursday evening. But I was pleasantly surprised with empty aisles, and well stocked shelves. :D

 

I was back home around 8:30 am. I slept for an hour, and awoke with not one inkling of a desire to put up my Christmas décor. I sat in a chair in the living room for two hours, not moving until I finally had Justin fix me a cup of coffee. My energy quickly arrived after that. :D

 

 

This Christmas tree was purchased on Black Friday last year. I waited in line at Home Depot, in 30 degree temps, to get this tree. It was originally $300, on sale for $69. Well worth the wait. :)

 

Most of the ornaments I already owned. I purchased or made most of them, and put them into my hope chest. And the burlap garland and tree skirt were once the aisle runner from our wedding. :)

 

 

Notice something else about our living room? We purchased furniture!

 

Our previous couch was on loan from Justin's aunt. We have talked about buying furniture for quite a while now. We have been wanting to be more hospitable, but have not had room for many people to sit. So we finally took the plunge, and picked out this living room set. :)

 



 Here's a look at the rest of our Christmas décor in and about the house...

Kitchen Table

Stockings I sewed up last year

 

Same wreath from last year. Vey simple design I have incorporated into most of my wreath making this year

Some of my summer flower pots with pine cones, and dollar store ornaments

The lantern was another hope chest item. The wood board was also left from the wedding

Justin's antlers from last years deer









 

Not décor, but they are kinda cute I think ;P

 

Do you decorate much for Christmas? Do you buy or make most of your décor?

Have a wonderfully blessed day! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel