Archives for September 2015

I Cannot Do it All

September 30, 2015 by Roxanne

Here’s the thing.

I actually want to change the world.

I know how naive that sounds. I know I should have grown out of this desire once the realities of the world settled into my adult heart. But I just haven’t. It burns deep inside of me and I want to make a difference.

Every day that passes and I realize that I have not in fact, changed the world, can become a disappointment.

I cannot do it all. I can only do what I have been given. What has been placed in front of me. And right now, that’s sweet Girl and Boy Foster.

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How to ACTUALLY Help a New Mom

September 20, 2015 by Roxanne

Adding a new child to a family is no small endeavor, and help is almost always appreciated. I say almost always, because not everyone accepts helps easily, or wants it at all.

But it’s normal for people to want to help a family adjust. We want to oooh and ahhhh over the new baby and praise the parents for a job well done. But how to actually help a new mom (or mom with a new baby) can be hard to figure out. There are so many different personality types out there, it’s near impossible to decipher what a mom needs.

Here’s how to actually help a new mom: ASK HER. Don’t assume you know what’s best for her. Ask, and then not only ask, but LISTEN to what she says.

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Embracing My Marriage NOW

September 10, 2015 by Roxanne

I shared this post on our Facebook page the other day. The post is entitled, “To Wives: Before You Were ‘Mommy'”. It’s a really sweet read encouraging moms to remember their first true love and I really did enjoy it, I have nothing negative to say about it. It’s full of wisdom and care and she speaks the gospel truth, it’s a great post.

But over the past few days I haven’t been able to shake something about it that doesn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t quite pin point what until now.

I’m never NOT going to be mommy. For the rest of my life, I will be mommy. That means my husband and I are going to have to learn to adjust to our new normal. We can’t go back to pre-baby life. We can’t go back to the years of dating. But we can make this season as wonderful as those prior. How do we do that?

(photo credit to the amazingly talented Laura Vanderzee)

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You Don’t Really Care

September 8, 2015 by Caleb Foster

Many of you are aware of the recent imprisonment of Kentucky County Court Clerk, Kim Davis. Her decisions have created nationwide attention. Regardless of your particular views on same-sex-marriage (or heterosexual marriage, for that matter) I want to ask a few questions to get at the root source of your functional hope.

Here’s what I really believe about you and me and most every other person who wants to “weigh in” on this subject: you don’t really care. Bottom line. Be honest – six months from now you won’t be waiving the picket signs of anti-same-sex this or that. You won’t be readily thinking about Kim Davis and her decisions. Why? Because you really don’t care.

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The Three P’s of Fatherhood: Patience, Persistence and Parenting

September 8, 2015 by Caleb Foster

If you’re like me you discover boundaries by stumbling across them. If this were the method for locating trip wires and land mines in the military you can rest assured there’d be casualties.

I entered parenthood with images of my cape flapping in the winds of success. Has it happened? Actually yes! I’ve accomplished all the things I set out to do. Oh and by the way – pigs fly!

Not a chance in… HELP! I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

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September: Book Lover List

September 4, 2015 by Roxanne

I’m currently reading about 6 books different books. I am the most ridiculous book lover you will ever meet. But this season of life with littles makes finding the time to read so much more difficult. Maybe writing about the books I’ve actually completed will help me finish books so I can share them with you all…instant accountability.

It’s no secret I LOVE reading. Our house is filled with books. I firmly believe they are the best way to gain knowledge and understanding. We read to our kids every day, we read out loud together at times, we highly value it in this house!

I’m always looking for my next must-read book, so I hoped sharing here would create a space for you to recommend books to me as well! Leave me your favorite books in the comments!

Affiliate links are included for your convenience. Thanks for supporting our family through your purchases. (Click the photos to be taken to Amazon.)

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How My Husband Changed Motherhood for Me

September 2, 2015 by Roxanne

I’ve only been a true Stay at Home Mom for the last few weeks. And even then, I would still call myself a Work at Home Mom. But nevertheless, I found myself slipping into an awful habit really quickly, and I didn’t even recognize what I was doing.

I know for certain lots of moms battle the same habit, and I hope to encourage you to give yourself some grace by sharing how my husband changed motherhood for me.

Your days are meaningful. The work you do is important. Don’t forget it.

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A Letter to My Future Son-in-law

September 1, 2015 by Roxanne

Do you all think about your children to-be? I can’t help but think about mine often. Lately, my future son-in-law has been on my mind specifically and I can’t shake the questions I have.

What will they be like? Will my children choose well? Will we naturally love each other? Or will it be a bit more work? Will they take well to me? Or will their tendency be to dislike me?
This boy…what kind of man will he be? Will he love my daughter like Christ loves His church? Will he care for her? Will he treat her with honor?

The thoughts can be incredibly overwhelming. But in all of that, I have made a vow to myself to always pray over these people. Their character, their parents, their childhood and the kind of man/woman they will become.

All the while, doing my very best to raise children who love and value marriage for the sanctity that it is. What a tough gig this parenting role is!

Archives for September 2015

Read my letter to my future son-in-law over at my friend’s blog The Realistic Mama.