the mom diggity | can you dig it?

she’s on the move

May 17, 2012 in joys of motherhood, zoey b with 0 Comments

Zoey is officially on the move. Using her little half crawl/half scoot she is managing to find her way to where she wants to go. She starts out big – up on her hands and kness and goes, then realizes she can do it much faster by army crawling. There’s some sort of awkward weird hop in the middle of all that moveable mess.

I really wish I could blame her big sister for all of this,
but she played a BIG ROLE in terrorizing my living room.

You know how my hubby is out of town for three weeks? She started crawling THE DAY HE LEFT. How’s that for irony, Alanis Morrisette?

I’m quickly finding the hardest thing about a moblie baby and a busy two year old is having a mobile baby and a busy two year old. THEY JUST DON’T WORK TOGETHER. Jessi leaves her toys around, gets mad when Zoey starts playing with them. Things go in the mouth that don’t belong in the mouth and the OH-MY-GOODNESS-SHE-GOT-MY-MONKEY-AND-I-WILL-FREAK-OUT-UNTIL-I-GET-HIM-BACK moments happen quite often.

So now I’m in a whole new world (magic carpet ride not included) with chasing a toddler and a baby. It’s interesting. Hurry home hubby.

wordless{ish} wednesday: on the farm

May 16, 2012 in wordless wednesday with 4 Comments

We spent the last week on my parents farm. Good ol’ farm living.

This little cutie had a blast! Look at her planting corn. In her overalls. I die.

We are going on a nature walk!!

But look who is scared of nature??

Ok, she’s scared of butterflies.

We sat on tractors. We played with baby chicks. We had fun.

Shhhhhhh….Don’t tell her there is a butterfly on her cute little be-hind.

All that work…we deserve a little play!

Linking up with some Wordless Wednesday friends
The Paper Mama, And Then She {Snapped},
Jenni from the Blog & The Naptime Momtog

introducing summit church!

May 15, 2012 in stuff i love with 0 Comments

I’m so excited to tell you about Summit Church, a new church in Edmond, OK! When they emailed me to see if I would be interested in helping promote this new local church launch I was totally on board. Having been a part of a couple of smaller start up churches, and doing portable church twice…I’m very familiar with the routine! Even though this isn’t my church home, I’m all for supporting other ministries! The great thing about having a lot of local churches, means there is something for everyone!

Summit just launched a few months ago and meets in a elementary school in Edmond. The pastor, Allen attended a workshop about church plant and knew that’s what God was calling him to. God directed them to Edmond, and the rest is history! Their staff and people are so nice, and I was welcomed with open arms!

What stood out to me?

They preach grace. They show love.

That’s what church should be all about. Showing the love of Jesus. Their vision is to build a community that shares the love of Christ in big ways! They want to teach that church is not about a building but being the body of Christ.

Summit is very involved in the community. They do a tutoring program at the elementary school and a backpack program at a local school to send food home on the weekends for kids in need. The summer will be packed full of fun activities such as a Sports and Art Camp. Their goal is to be heavily involved in the community and that people can turn to them in times of need. Go check out their website for summer activities!!

I got to chat with the pastor’s wife a bit and hear her heart for the church and her family. As a mama to FOUR little ones, she is definitely busy! Her kiddos are Oliva (9), Sophi (6) and Gus & Xander (twins – 5 1/2). And you guys think I’M nuts! I asked her a couple of questions and here’s what she said:

Best advice for managing 4 small kids?
Relax. When you have that many kids that close together (I had 3 in 16 months), you can’t take anything too seriously. I always have to remember to just enjoy and have fun. AND, we have to leave extra early to be anywhere on time.

What are your favorite things to do with your kiddos and places to go in Edmond?
We love to go to the movies and every summer we go to the Harkins theater for the kids’ summer movies. Best deal in town. We love the zoo, Hafer Park, sports at the Y, and Bouncin’ Craze. We really love playing outside in the water hose, riding bikes, and sidewalk chalk.

A huge thank you to Allen & Erin Buck for welcoming me into your family and allowing me to help promote Summit Church! I’m so excited to see where God is leading them and the big ways He will use the church to reach the community!

If you are local and looking for a church, go visit Summit!

influence conference

May 14, 2012 in Influence Conference with 2 Comments

I’m thrilled to tell you about the Influence Conference!!

The details:
October 11-13, 2012
Sheraton Keyston e in Indianapolis, IN
The focus will be on two areas: life & strategy. And Jesus. Yay.

So, here’s the deal. My story. Over the last 3-4 months I’ve been really praying about the direction of my blog and my time online. I’ve taken a bit of a step back the last month or so to figure out what direction God was leading me, and how to best be an influence through my life and my writing. As a mama to two little ones and continuing to grow our family, I have made it my goal to be absolutely real here, and show you my heart. I will never pretend to have it all together, but I will show you our lives and that we live in joy and freedom because of Jesus! That’s my goal here in my little internet home.

When I was asked to come on board and be a community leader for the Influence Conference, I felt a giant shove from God saying “HERE YOU GO!”. An open door to make a difference and be a part of something HUGE. I got the approval from hubs (thanks babe!) and jumped in head first!

I’m excited to team up with our amazing hosts and my fellow community leaders. Wow, I’m just humbled to be a part of these incredible women who are making a difference in the interwebs by showing the love of Jesus in all we do. The hearts behind this conference are BIG. They care. And it really is all about Jesus.

This ain’t your typical blogging conference, yo!

Now it’s time for you to prayerfully consider attending the conference. Yes, you. Early bird tickets are on sale TODAY, but they will go quick. The list of speakers? Holy cow, my world is going to be rocked by them. And yours will too.

I hope you can join us. It’s going to be amazing.

TICKETS ON SALE HERE

i’m still just mom.

May 13, 2012 in joys of motherhood with 6 Comments

It’s Mother’s Day. The day where I get pampered and get breakfast in bed and my children behave like angels and I just get to kick back and relax…right? Actually, it’s just the same as any other day. And I love it. Second to being a wife, being a mom is the greatest role I’ve ever had. Every day is a new adventure. It’s difficult in so many ways, and challenges me. I’m beat to complete exhaustion almost daily.

So, on MY day…I’m still just mom to them.

I wouldn’t change it for the WORLD.

I was born for this role. I love learning each and every day how to better myself at being a mom, and how to pour into my kids. I’m thankful for the dirt on my floors and the spit up on the couch. For the piles of dirty laundry and smeared finger prints on my windows. The fact that my car smells like sour milk and dirty diapers.

Most of all - I’m thankful for the smiles on their faces. For the way they look to me for comfort and for joy. That Zoey lights up and can’t contain her excitement when I walk into a room. That Jessi knows she has a best friend in me, and I will always be there to kiss her owies.

I’m so thankful and blessed to be their mommy. They are my everything, and the fact that God chose me to care for them just blows me away. I am overjoyed. Being “just mom” is the best thing for me to be!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all my amazing Mommy friends.
I hope your day as mom is as amazing as can be!

back on the farm

May 11, 2012 in our life with 2 Comments

Me and the tiny humans are spending a week at my parents house to help pass the time while Daddy is in Atlanta for work. I grew up on a farm in small town Oklahoma, and my parents still live there. It’s only about an hour from where we live now but when I’m here feels a million miles away.

There’s something so peaceful about the country.

Everything is slower. There’s no need to rush.

My parents just got some new baby chicks this week and the girls loved them! Zoey was squealing watching them and Jessi had to go see them a million times since we’ve been here. I’m excited to spend a relaxing week and letting my kiddos get a taste of my roots!

We all need a break to the farm sometimes!

women of faith – coming to OKC!

May 8, 2012 in stuff i love with 1 Comment

I adore Women of Faith.

It was an honor when they approached me to help spread the word about the upcoming conference in OKC. If you are in OKC, I really encourage you to grab a girlfriend (or 12) and go! It will be an incredible experience for you. The lineup of speakers and performers is incredible! One of my favorite bloggers, Angie Smith will share her incredible story. Special appearances by Sheila Walsh, Ken Davis, Liz Curtis Higgs, Pat Smith, Christiane Caine, CeCe Winans and Selah. A live worship band and Ballet Magnificat will preform.

Women of Faith has been changing lives for 16 years. It’s the largest interdenominational live event for women in the world. They use grace, laughter and real stories to touch women’s hearts. Perfect for women of all ages! I was a young 20 year old working at women of faith and was just as impacted as 80 year old women who were attending! I love that!!

WOF was a big part of my life for several years. After doing an internship there while I was in college and continuing to work for them for several years after graduating, it really launched me into life. I loved my years on staff there, and I know you will love your weekend with teh WOF family.

We all experience good times and bad days, triumphs and tragedies. But no matter what life throws at you, this is what matters: God loves YOU. (Always has. Always will.) You’re invited to be part of a very special celebration. Compelling stories, Bible-based teaching, world-class music, unstoppable inspiration, and a few surprises combine for an experience like no other. God loves you! And that means there is always a reason to celebrate.

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Psalm 33:20-21 NKJV

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TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR OKC EVENT AT A $30 DISCOUNT RATE
Call Shannon Brown 405-219-8827 and tell her The Mom Diggity sent you!!

bye bye daddy!

May 7, 2012 in our life with 6 Comments

My amazing hubby boarded a plane yesterday and is off to Atlanta for the next three weeks for work.

That stinks BIG TIME.

In our 5 years together we haven’t gone more than two days without seeing each other. TWO DAYS. This is so out of our element. Not having him here to help with the girls is tough enough, but that man is my sanity! He’s my best friend. I get bored without him!

The only plus? I get the whole bed to myself. Well…let’s be honest, I always get MOST of the bed to myself because I’m a bit of a bed hog He loves me anyway.

I really don’t know how military wives do it! Breaks my heart for you guys that have to spend extended periods of time away from your men. This is no fun!!

Saying bye bye to Daddy at the airport

Please say a prayer for us as we manage without daddy. I’m really not sure how I’m going to explain to Jess in a couple days when she starts freaking out because she misses her favorite person so much. She’s not going to be the only one freaking out. He’s my favorite person too.

wordless{ish} wednesday: park date

May 2, 2012 in wordless wednesday with 5 Comments

These girls will be lifelong friends…one day these pictures will be in their wedding slideshows.

They are beyond adorable!

Sweet baby sis.

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Linking up with some Wordless Wednesday friends
The Paper Mama, And Then She {Snapped},
Jenni from the Blog & The Naptime Momtog

time for a mega huge celebration

April 30, 2012 in zoey b with 13 Comments

Is it possible??

Possible that we have made it over the sleeping hump, and are now…dare I say it…

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!

7 nights straight.

One whole week.

Doesn’t she just look like an angel when she sleeps?

The baby that hates sleep, has decided to give in. The strange thing is, I finally got her weaned from napping in that dang swing. The first day she took both naps in her crib was when the all night sleep happened. I would have burned that swing months ago if I had known this!!! So not only is she sleeping through the night, but she’s napping great too! EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!

Needless to say, there have been hallelujah choruses sung, and dancing in the street. My body is slowly adjusting back to sleep, and honestly right now I’m still incredibly exhausted but I’ll get there.

I know I’m crazy for posting this to the interwebs, because every time I brag on my children they stop doing whatever I’m bragging on them for.

How dare they read my blog.

This is a joyous day! Sleep is my love language and boy do I feel loved!!!

I think we should throw a sleep party. Because wow. This rocks.