hush that fuss

Since my family and I started going to church on a regular basis, I feel that God is working in our (mine and my husband’s) lives tremendously. I feel so close to my husband at church. God’s amazing love is so powerful and strong, it’s truly indescribable. I know one of the things I pray most about is for God’s strength to work through me to raise God-fearing children. I want my family to thirst for the love of God and beg for his mercies.

With all of that said, I fall short on a daily basis. I'm guilty of "losing my cool" with my kids at times. What mother hasn't? That guilty and nauseating feeling when you know you just yelled at your own flesh and blood because you are tired, because they spilt milk on the floor, or even dripped pee on the toilet is sometimes too much to bear. This subject has weighed heavy on my heart as I have found myself more and more stressed out trying to work full-time, have a side business, and go to school. Who wouldn’t be in the nut house already? The point is my number one job is to be a Godly wife and mother to my family. I want my house to beam with the glory of God and I want my children to feel safe and secure at all times. I want to not only teach my children how to love in a Godly way, but I want them to see it daily through the love my husband and I give to them.

Today, I want to take the pledge to not yell. I want to take the leap of faith that God will provide me the wisdom, strength, and patience to always see my kids as just that, kids. No more crying over spilled milk, literally. This is not to say that I’m throwing discipline out the front door, because children need boundaries and they must learn to follow rules, but I want to discipline my children in a way that will teach them in a productive way and I want my children to know forgiveness, because God knows I’ve had to ask for it daily. Between proper discipline (instead of yelling) and the understanding of forgiveness, my prayer is for my children to want to work harder to be Christ-like.

I once saw a quote that said, “Families that pray together, stays together.”

Lord I pray, oh how I pray, that my sweet family always turns to you, our Lord and Savior, for guidance and also to learn to lean on each other for love, guidance, and wisdom. I pray that your merciful hands cover my family always and that we open our eyes to you always and forever. In your name, amen!


If you struggle with the stress of being a mom, on top of all the stress of "life" in general, take a moment to read these post:

http://theorangerhino.com/10-things-i-learned-when-i-stopped-yelling-at-my-kids/

http://theorangerhino.com/12-steps-to-stop-yelling-at-your-kid/

http://www.handsfreemama.com/2013/05/22/the-important-thing-about-yelling/

Comment Challenge {Day 5}

I'm taking part of Jenna's Comment Challenge this week. It's a great opportunity to get other readers over to your blog and to make new bloggy friends!

Today's topic is: What is your dream vacation.

Out of all the topics this week, this one is the toughest. I can't pick just one place for my dream vacation. There really are so many places I would dream about going to. However, if I absolutely positively have to only pick one, my mind keeps thinking Australia. I would love to lay on the beach and sip fruity drink and listen to all the people around me talk in my favorite accent. 

Hmmm. Yep. I think that would be a dream!

Thanks for following along this week in the comment challenge. If you are a newcomer to my blog, welcome. If you are a regular to my blog, thanks for following my journey!

Happy Friday!

Comment Challenge {Day 4}

I'm taking part of Jenna's Comment Challenge this week. It's a great opportunity to get other readers over to your blog and to make new bloggy friends!

Today's topic is: What are your hobbies?

I love.love.love crafts. Do I have time to do all the crafty things I pin on Pinterest? No-Way-Jose! I wish I could stay at home and make all sorts of fun things, but it's just not a reality in my world.

Besides crafts, I enjoy photography. I'm in the process of getting my bachelors in photography and if everything works out like I have it planned in my little ole' head, I'll be a professional photographer one day.

I am starting to do some work on the side. I've already got 3 sessions booked. I'm ecstatic to say the least!

Recently I took up cake decorating, because I just wasn't busy enough. Ahem. I've completed 2 out of the 4 Wilton courses. I can say I can successfully ice a cake without crumbs showing through! Can I get a whoot-whoot?

Hope you all are having a fantastic week!!!

Comment Challenge {Day 3}

I'm taking part of Jenna's Comment Challenge this week. It's a great opportunity to get other readers over to your blog and to make new bloggy friends!

Today's topic is: What social networking {which ones do you use or don't use, why and why not}

For blogging purposes, I don't use any social networking sites at the moment. Previously, I used Blog Frog, Twitter, and Facebook. To be honest, they were all nice and well, but I didn't have extra time to network. I was getting so many random e-mails, comments, and couldn't keep up with everyone. True, I love to blog and "meet" new people, but I'm not in the professional blogging business and had no reason to be apart of every social networking area available.

For personal purposes, I use Facebook and Pinterest. I keep up with my family and friends through Facebook. I also upload tons and tons of pictures. I had my computer stolen one time and lost everything, so I'm grateful for Facebook that I didn't lose all my pictures. 

I love Pinterest. No, I don't have time to make every.single.thing I pin, but my heart jumps for joy when I see a new recipe or cool solution to a household problem!

Happy Wednesday!

Comment Challenge {Day 2}

I'm taking part of Jenna's Comment Challenge this week. It's a great opportunity to get other readers over to your blog and to make new bloggy friends!

Today's topic is: Why do you blog and what do you blog about?

I started blogging around October of 2008. I had just had my son, Avery, in August and was going through a rough time learning how to be a single mom. My cousin blogged and the more I read her blog, the more I wanted one of my own. 

I started out by telling a little about myself, but mainly wrote about Avery.

As I read back on some of my older blogs, I feel I've come a long way as a person, but also as a writer.

Lordy gordy at some of my previous post.

Since I started blogging, I have taught myself HTML and can completely redo my entire blog myself. I started designing blogs for others as well. (If you're looking for a new style, let me know!)

Today, I blog about my family, personal trials and tribulations, recipes, diy projects and other random topics. I consider my blog a hodge-podge of who I am. You get the good, the bad, and the ugly bits of my life.

Once again, welcome to my blog!

Commet Challenge {Day 1}

I'm taking part of Jenna's Comment Challenge this week. It's a great opportunity to get other readers over to your blog and to make new bloggy friends!
 

Today's topic is: Tell about yourself. 

 

So here we are:

My name is Cristin.

Mid year of 1986 I was born and the world hasn't been the same since, or at least that's what my parents tell me. Being the stubborn child, my mom had to be induced into labor with me. Not much has changed about me in that way either. I'm one that has always taken my time and has never been in a hurry for much. There are a lot of pros and cons to that approach, but I've managed well, so far.

In 2004, I graduated high school and went away to college. I made a lot of wonderful friends and made many great memories.

Sweet Avery was born in 2008 weighing in at a whopping 8 lb 9 oz.  He was the perfect baby. He slept well, ate well, and was generally happy all the time. He's currently 3 1/2 years old. In 2011 he was diagnosed with mild Autism and Apraxia of Speech. He is working very hard every week at school and has made so much progress. He enjoys anything to do with tractors, airplanes, trains, boats, and trucks. He also enjoys watching Bob the Builder and Thomas the Train. Avery has a sweet heart and is a very loving and caring child.

In 2010 I met the love of my life, Chris, and his son Trevor.

Chris enjoys college football, movies, music, and hanging out with buddies. His since of humor always keeps me smiling and laughing. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for bringing him into my life.

Trevor is a happy 8 year old who has a very vivid imagination. He loves arts and crafts, writing stories, Spongebob, playing Wii, and Star Wars Legos. As of right now, when he grows up he wants to be an engineer. He's a big ball of energy and Avery adores and looks up to him.

We might be a blended family, but we blend well and we all love each other. There is lots of love, laughter, and smiles in our home. We are blessed to both come from close family's that we spend time with often and cherish dearly.

Chris and I are getting married October 20th and are ecstatic!

I blog about my life, raising kids, crafts, photography, and food. I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy writing it.

Welcome to my blog.