God Make Me Whole Again!

I have to be honest and say that in this past year of adjusting to being married, being pregnant, and having a baby, that my relationship with the Lord has not been at its strongest. Recently, I had been feeling a void in my life, which I am well aware of what that is. I have recently gone back to what I "know" makes me "whole" again (Jesus). I am go to church, even though it is hard to focus with Parker. I know, we can put him in childcare, but I do not want to. Sure, to you this might sound "crazy", but to me it is not. My child is in "childcare" Monday-Friday, since I work. I love being around Parker so anytime I can get with him I try and get it. Anyhow, I go to church but that isn't enough. Yeah I pray, but I realized my prayer life was weak. I have been, as of this week, praying more, reading inspirational quotes & Bible verses, as well as reading devotionals. I feel, this week, so "joyful". I have the joy in my heart that only a person that has a personal relationship with the Lord would or could "understand". I am feeling good. I feel like I am becoming ME again. Next week I turn the big 3-0! I want to make sure that my 30's are good years. I want to be the mommy, wife, daughter, sister, and friend that I know I could be. The only way I can be all that I am truly is by focusing on God. So, I am telling myself SHAPE UP and FOCUS. When I keep my focus on above my life has more joy and peace.
Other than that, life is going well. Parker is amazing. He is rolling over, blowing raspberries, and holding onto everything. He is a good kid. He sleeps about 10-11 hours a night. He loves sleep, which is a HUGE blessing for this working mommy. He is such a happy baby. He is my greatest gift. He loves mommy so much. He has my heart. Nate and I feel so blessed to be his parents. We really want to be the parents God wants us to be for Parker. One of my favorite things to do with Parker is to breastfeed him. There is something about it that melts my heart. I am so thankful that I am able to do this with Parker. Parker's favorite thing is taking baths. He loves water, so far, and loves to play that games we do during bath time. He also likes it when you talk with him and sing. He likes people and loves attention. The problem is that he does not know how to be alone. I blame his cousin Reese. =) She loves him and can't get enough of him. She is always talking to him. She is wonderful with him. She will make an excellent mommy one day. I am so thankful for my family, who helps in raising my child. I have an amazing mom who cares for my child while I am a work. I have no idea where I would be without her help and support. My parents have been there for Nate and I. My parents are my big blessing. I do not know what I would do without them. Nate, Parker, and I are so lucky to have the support they give us on a daily bases. HAPPY EARTH DAY & EASTER!
Below is a glimpse of my world!

Perspective

I recently have been handed a whole bunch of lemons in my life. I know they say to make lemonade out of lemons, but what if I do not want to? What if I do not have the resources to make lemonade? Of course this is all figuratively speaking. In light of things, I am adult to know that other people have bigger problems that what seems to be my gigantic problems.
Recently, Nate sent me an email that talked about "perspectives". Life is about perspectives. This got me thinking; how do I want to view life, situations, and all that entails? Not only perspectives, but attitude. My attitude affects my life. How I act towards something changes my perspective.
I want to be a positive person. I want to be able to step outside my situation and see beyond the situation and it's self and myself. I want to do this for myself, my marriage, and for Parker's sake. I want to be able to do this so I can teach my son the "right" perspective. I want my son to be a positive person. Do not get me wrong, there is no one in this world who has this down and/or who doesn't struggle with having the right perspective from time to time.
How do I remind myself of this? Should I get a tattoo that says "Perspective" ? All I know is I need something to remind me of this. I need help in remembering to be positive. Wish I didn't need help in this area, but hey I am human.
Well, here is to a new perspective.

Thank you LORD

I just read a friend's blog and it really got me thinking. The blog has changed many peoples lives, perspectives, and hearts. I have read this blog many times and prayed many times for the content in the blog. Today, upon reading the blog, my heart broke. My heart did not break because of the blog but because of me. I was reminded, through the blog, about GOD. This might sounds crazy but it's true. After my reading ,I stopped and realized how "thankful" I am for the Lord. I am thankful for my husband, beautiful baby boy, friends, family, house, food, job, health, and much, much more. God has taken my life and blessed me beyond my wonders. I did not imagine all that I have to be possible. Don't get me wrong, I have some struggles too, but in perspective nothing like many people around the world have. I just feel ashamed to be complaining about some of the things I do. Why do I complain so much? Why am I negative at times? Being reminded how much God has blessed me  and how much God is in control feels like a slap in the face. I am seriously sitting on my couch thinking of how to change my perspective from being negative & complaining to positive, and a heart of gratitude. I need to be reminded, like many of us often do, that God is in control and always has been. Life is too short and life provides too many beautiful moments to not be positive and thankful. I believe it's all about perspective, I pray mine will change.

Kelly

In LOVE

I love this kid more than anyone will ever know. I am so happy God has blessed me with a wonderful little boy who is adorable, sweet, chill, and happy. I pray God uses me to teach him the ways of the Lord. Mommy prayer group, you interested? The end of February....let me know!

Okay, I Can Handle This!!!

Being a new mommy is exciting, wonderful, and scary. I have never done this before and I so badly don't want to mess this up, yup I am a perfectionist at times. I love reading all about how to breastfeed, growths, sleep, schedules, and such. There is so much information that I am taking it all in but putting my little twist on it. I decide how I want to be a mommy; along with God's guidance I am sure I will be fine.
I recently went back to work. My mom watches Parker, which is a blessing because I cannot imagine anyone else watching my son. I try not to worry about how much he eats and/or sleeps, but of course I will and I do. My mom raised me and now look at me, lol.
As a mommy, my mind is always on what I need to get done. I know I need to relax, but how can I when there is so much to do? I realized, recently, that I need to ask for help because there are people, like my husband, that wants to help. All I need to do is ask. Why is it so hard for me to ask for help? Is that normal?
Parker is starting to sleep through the nights, anywhere from 5-7 1/2 hours. He is healthy and amazing. He can roll over, smile, laugh, and is cooing. He is trying to grip the bottle and hold it but he has a ways to go. He is about 12 pounds now and 24 inches....he is not small but not big, so the doctor says.
My favorite things to do with Parker is to hold him, kiss on him, and let him fall asleep on my chest. When he smiles or laughs at me I melt. I love when he coos because it's our way of communicating with each other.
I am a happy momma. I love my son. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful child. God trust me with him so it is my responsibilty to raise him like Christ wants me to. So I will try my best. I want to start a Mommy Prayer Group. I pray other moms will want to get together once a month and pray for our babies/children. Lets see who wants to join?
All in all life is about learning and adjusting, and that is what we are doing. =)

Kelly Brandt

Tired but happy

Being a new mom is hard. I never knew all that being a mommy entails. I have decided to breastfeed, for the benefits of Parker and loosing weight. Feeding ever 3-31/2 is tiring. Lucky I have an amazing husband that helps out and is amazing. I know Parker is only 13 days old and he is doing wonderfully. Parker sleeps, barely cries, and feeds well. I hate to say it but I am exhausted. They say "sleep when he sleeps" but thats not really possible for me because I have laundry, cleaning, dogs, and other work to do. I do sneak in a nap here and there for an hour or two. I think I am going to become addicted to caffeine, though I can only have so much of it a day. Anyhow, I love being a mom.....I am just tired. Sleep please!!!!!

Patience & Being Thankful

I went to the hospital on Friday because I was having contractions 3 minutes apart for 30-45 seconds, just to find out it's just a "process". 3 hours later I left the hospital. My very concerned husband now understands that unless I am dying of pain that we will not go to the hospital. I am 38 weeks this coming week. I am so tired of trying to predict when my son will make his arrival, so I vow to stop trying to predict when he will make his arrival. No more being concerned with his arrival. So, I will wait & I will pray. I will just take my life day-by-day. I will ask God what he wants me to take from all of this. I am sure there is a lesson to be learned. The only thing I am looking forward to now is Thanksgiving meal. There is a lot to be thankful for in my life, so this week I concentrate on what I am thankful for. 


Kelly