I just can't settle...

There is something about me that has truly always been a part of me, even before I was a Christian, but even more now that I am...and that is that I just can't settle. I just can't settle for mediocrity, especially and specifically in my marriage. A marriage is one hardest but amazing things that we experience in life. With that said, it can be SO EASY to just get content in your marriage(not in a good way). It's like when we get married we just think that we don't really have to try anymore because no matter what we are going to be together. When you were dating each other you tried so hard to impress each other, you always made sure to be caring, and went on dates all the time because you knew that there was no permanent attachment and you wanted to do everything you could to stay with that person. When you get married its like you realize that you are together for good and no matter whether you try hard in the relationship or just allow life to pass you by, you will still be together.
I really feel like God definitely never intended for marriage to get that way. I heard Jerry Falwell once say "if its Christian it ought to be the best". Now, I know that sounds extremely cheesy and probably a little "churchy", but it really does ring true. God commands us in his word to become more and more like Christ, who was completely perfect while on this earth. If that is the case, then in our marriage and in the rest of our life we should never settle for mediocrity but always try to strive for the best we can, continually trying to get better.
Robbie and I have really tried to live this out in our marriage, especially in the last few weeks. We had really just gotten stuck into this rut, our marriage wasn't bad or great, it was just kind of lingering somewhere in the middle. We were never meant to just "be along for the ride" in our marriage. In saying this, I am really enjoying being able to fall in love with my husband all over again. It's like we are dating again, we are actually trying to put each others needs and wants before our own and its awesome. I am so excited to be on this journey with Robbie, he is such an amazing man, and I am so glad he, along with myself, doesn't want to settle for mediocrity.

Life is just passing by...

Do you ever have those moments in your life as a Christian where you just suddenly stop one day and realize that life has just been passing you by...what I mean by that is there are times in my life unfortunately where I find myself just letting life pass me by without stopping to invest in the most important relationship there is...my relationship with God. I feel like sometimes life just gets so crazy, things are happening so fast, that I find myself letting day after day pass without quality time with the one that makes all things possible. I am so thankful to serve a God that allows me to come back to him time after time after I have so foolishly let our relationship slip away, and just welcomes me with open arms. How incredible is it to know that NO MATTER WHAT I do, I can always return to the one who loves me more than ANYONE! Incredible...

Celebrating 2 years and new life!

On December 28th we celebrated Caleb's 2nd birthday. I can't believe how incredibly fast my little man is growing up. It was a Monday night and we had some of Caleb's friends over for a party while I was VERY pregnant with Carson. He had a lot of fun with his friends and started crying when we sang "Happy Birthday", lol. He did a great job this year with opening presents and was actually interested and got excited about his presents. I am so proud of my 2 year old little man that is growing up so quickly and learning new things everyday. He is truly a blessing and brings great entertainment everyday! He is starting to talk in sentences and gets really frustrated when you can't understand what he is trying to tell you.

After everyone had left our house from Caleb's birthday party and we got Caleb in bed and were cleaning up, my water suddenly broke! I was only 37 weeks but ECSTATIC to not have to be pregnant anymore and to get to meet my new little man! My brother and his wife who were in town for the holidays came over and stayed at our house with Caleb so we could go to the hospital. We wound up having Carson Graham McLaughlin at 9:51 am the next morning.

I remember contemplating many times while I was pregnant how I would possibly able to love another son as much as I love Caleb, but as soon as they laid Carson on me and tears were streaming beyond my control, all those thoughts were completely gone. I loved him more than I could have possibly imagined! I am so blessed to be the mommy of two amazing little boys and can't wait to watch them grow up together!