So, this post is a little late. As usual things have been crazy around here (in a fun, jam-packed, life with three kids is amazing kind of way). I wanted to share some photos of our fun little Valentine’s Day season that we really embraced this year. Now keep in mind that since things have been a little crazy, these images are not edited or corrected or anything… BUT I have faith you can still see the fun we had 
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So, this post is a little late. As usual things have been crazy around here (in a fun, jam-packed, life with three kids is amazing kind of way). I wanted to share some photos of our fun little Valentine’s Day season that we really embraced this year. Now keep in mind that since things have been a little crazy, these images are not edited or corrected or anything… BUT I have faith you can still see the fun we had
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So, this post is a little late. As usual things have been crazy around here (in a fun,
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It’s not just a number to me anymore. It’s a promise fulfilled.
If you have been following this blog for a while, you probably know my life verse: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” -Hebrews 10:23
For a long time I really wasn’t sure I’d ever find love or get married. I hid behind my drive for a career and acted like the marriage and kids thing didn’t matter… But deep down all I longed for was to be loved, to be wanted, to be cherished and to be desired. Before Chris came along I had three “serious” relationships, all of which at one point I thought could be “the one”… but all three of them hurt me, disappointed me, left me.
Then finally- just finally- when I was more in love with Jesus than I was obsessed with the idea of finding love, He brought me Chris. When I found my identity in my crazy love for the Man who died for me, for the Father who created me and wanted me, for the Spirit that lives inside of me, THAT’S when God gave me my deepest, greatest desire- a partner. And besides Chris being my partner in all aspects of life, he is even more- my best friend, my provider, my encourager. He honors me, respects me, loves me, serves me and adores me.
I won’t say there haven’t been hard days, but I will tell you that my man is my perfect match. He himself doesn’t “complete me” a la Jerry Maguire (only Jesus can do that), but the love in his heart for me and our little family and the way he passionately loves and serves his Savior makes our bond complete and impenetrable.
Once upon a time I didn’t think I’d ever have a Valentine… I thought today would forever be “Single Awareness Day”… But this faithful God gave me my dream times four.
Four.
Four perfect, amazing, life-changing Valentines that I literally could not love any more. A husband far greater than my dreams, and three perfect kids who I constantly thank God for entrusting me with. There are days I feel as if my heart will literally explode with love for my four and with gratitude to my Lord who gave them to me.
Today is one of those days.
Happy Valentine’s Day, and may your deepest wishes come true.
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If you know me, you know one thing I am passionate about is kids… I take caring for them very seriously and it infuriates me when things are sold on the market that are not safe or healthy for them. With all the problems children in America face these days, I feel like restrictions should be in place to protect them. We trust organizations like the FDA, EPA and the government to have regulations set up that wouldn’t allow harmful things to be sold, but I am constantly shocked at what’s allowed to be marketed and sold for children.
From the DISGUSTING process fast food goes through before it hits their mouths (see above picture of “chicken nuggets”)… The fact that school cafeteria meats are made from that same gag-worthy process (I mean they’re soaking the meat in ammonia, people! AMMONIA!!!!!)… That moms aren’t informed of the ingredients in the vaccines they’re injecting into their tiny babies fragile system (I do NOT think vaccines are bad, by the way. So don’t fuss at me about that )… To the artificial colors and dyes in SO many things they eat or ingest… To the packaged and processed food that are marketed as “healthy” but one serving contains TWICE the amount of sodium as McDonald’s french fries (yes, you read that right)… To the chemicals in the formula we feed them and the diapers we cover them in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for years… To the toys they chew on that contain toxic chemicals, lead and dyes… To the lotions, soaps and creams we lather on our little ones with more parabens and chemicals than you could ever imagine. Did you know that human skins absorbs 80% of everything we put on it?
Even beautiful things (that I encourage) like baby wearing are tainted by carriers with massive design flaws that can cause hip distortion, and encourage baby facing out which research shows can cause spinal problems and anxiety for baby. (Baby Bjorn, I am talking to you!)
I could go on and on, but I will spare you. My main point here is that it is our responsibility as parents to monitor every.single.thing that we put on or in our little ones. Yes, it seems overwhelming. Yes, it “seems” expensive (but I can tell you from someone who has never had much money that it is TOTALLY doable and worth it). Yes, people might think you’re weird.
I have found that replacing one thing at a time when you run out of it is the easiest and most cost-conscious way to remedy the household things. Replace your chemical laden cleaners with a greener option. All the discount stores sell better options now for the same price as the bad stuff. Buy wooden toys or check labels. Amazon has some AWESOME “green” toy brands at good prices, and Melissa and Doug can be found lots of places now. Pack a school lunch for your kiddos. Yes, this is more work. Consider it an investment and a very small labor of love. Replace processed and packaged foods with fresh foods. Buy organic when you can, but remember organic does NOT always equal healthy- just clean.
I truly believe 110% that cancer and disease rates have sky rocketed over the past few decades due to the junk we have started ingesting and surrounding ourselves with. Cultures that lead a cleaner, more junk-free lifestyle are proven to have lesser rates of these diseases. We are America! We lead the way in so many things, and it frustrates me so much to see us drop the ball so often in this regard. Let’s take better care of our children, our future.
Do I think I am a better mom because I care about this stuff and you don’t? DEFINITELY not! Do I judge you if you feed your kids processed food, buy traditional soap brands or clean with bleach? ABSOLUTELY not! I am definitely NOT the expert, but just a passionate mama who wants the best for her kiddos, like many of you reading this. That looks a little different for me than it does for others, and that’s ok. The goal is always the same- being the best for our babies. Some of the girls whom I respect the most as mothers and as women could care less about any of this. I don’t want this to be polarizing or sound judgey- I just hope to share my passion about this in a helpful, educational, loving way.
Hopping off the soap box now, but feel free to email me at meghanmatt@gmail.com for website and book recommendations on this subject.
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There’s an awesome group of people that have started a revolution of grace. They are called “People of the Second Chance.”
I follow them on Instagram and Twitter and they posted something today that completely smoked me. If this isn’t worth a Tweet repeat, I don’t know what is:
I know I need grace a LOT. And I also know I need to show it more quickly when people I love do things I don’t love.
Grace. Jesus lived this everyday and I pray that one day I will, too.
Will you?
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Our church participated in a seven day fast to kick off the new year. I normally fast something food related and do a liquid fast or Daniel fast, but since I’m nursing that wasn’t an option. I did fast from all added sugar (like not found in fruit, milk, etc)… That was hard. But the other part of my fast was way harder.
I fasted social media. Specifically- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You would think seven days without it would be easy, but it showed me how much I depend on it. And going without it taught me a lot.
1. There are other ways in life to spend my time. It forced me to do more of the things I should be doing- housework, reading to my kids, talking to my husband, spending time with God. Seems obvious, right?
2. I don’t want to be one of those whiny people that complains their life through tweets.
3. I don’t need to narrate my day. No one cares.
4. I don’t need to comment/judge everything.
Don’t get me wrong… I think social media is an awesome and incredible tool. Facebook and twitter have been powerful forces of prayer, ideas, well wishes, and heart connections in my life. And I’m still me- I am outspoken and sometimes people think I say too much.
And that’s fine with me.
I appreciate these outlets for what they are-great ways to connect with old friends and new, get ideas, share interests, and show off pictures of those you love.
I just don’t need to be so… Annoying? Ever-present? I don’t know. I just wanna be more like Jesus.
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