• About
    • Let’s Work Together
    • collaboration post. sponsored post
  • Family
    • homeschool
    • marriage
    • motherhood
  • Home & Life
    • recipes
    • travel
  • Start A Blog
    • Grace Woven Blogging 101

Graciously Woven

Creatively Living and Sharing Grace

Uncategorized

The Number 3

March 19, 2014 Leave a Comment

Today marks our three year anniversary… I honestly can’t believe it’s been three years since we said the big “I DO.” So much has happened and so much growth has occurred. From moving 4 times, to having a baby, being laid off, learning to budget, getting new jobs – you name it we’ve gone through it so far! It’s been the most exciting and maturing season of my life.


I have learned I’m stronger than I thought, yet it’s okay to be vulnerable. I am meant to do this life’s journey with Mike. We balance each other so well, because we are complete opposites. He loves to travel and be with people while I can be home reading a book and going to a park. It hasn’t been until recently I’ve found the beauty in our purpose and our foundation of friendship. 

Our first year of marriage I questioned honestly how did we end up together and who did I marry? In the midst of me being laid off 3 months after getting married and living on one income – I felt robbed of our “honeymoon” phase. We should be traveling and staying out late, not counting pennies and me out of work. I started work again 3 months later in August and by December we found out we were pregnant. I cried looking at that positive pregnancy test. I had started my Masters degree and finally felt like we were “back on track.” I realize how selfish that was; thank God we didn’t stick to “my plan.”

So we moved. From our apartment on the fourth floor (I couldn’t imagine walking that after 5 months pregnant). Two dogs and a baby on the way we needed to save money…fast. And what better way then to live in a basement (insert sarcasm). All 4.5 of us in one room – and yet some of the best moments in our marriage so far. Between spiders and bugs and crating our pups all the time, we talked more. We found ways to solve problems and more importantly we really started to trust each other in a way we had not before. We felt Kai’s first kicks, played Red box movies on our laptop, and made too many late night runs to 7-Eleven. Sure we fought and some days felt so unbearable with a full family of 5 living above us, but we needed it. We saved money and learned about our relationship. I learned to pray more and not know if God would answer any of my prayers.

Two weeks before Kai was born we moved into our current home. 9 months pregnant in the heat of summer we packed our things and found the perfect spot we prayed for. Ironically we found it off of Craigslist! We welcomed a new baby, cried because we have more than one toilet to use, and embraced where we are now. Mike becoming a full-time pastor and us entering into the world of ministry was a turn I honestly never thought we would take I our lives. Parenting our amazing and intelligent son – while he insist he is a dog (including being caught drinking from the dog water multiple times…) has solidified our need for one another. Even this adventure of opening a business has opened so many doors for us. 

When Mike and I had first gotten married I was still healing from a previously bad experience in ministry, a time that had left me very confused, not knowing my own identity, and carrying someone else’s shame. It rocked my world to be with someone who loved me and didn’t need something from me or based his love off of my “performance.” This last three years have helped me to regain my confidence, be a better friend, and restore what I felt had been completely lost. So I celebrate this year a little more than the last two. It’s going to be a fantastic one.


Previous:
Anniversary Gift Guide: For Him
Next:
Coping with Mom Guilt and Enjoying Motherhood

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

blog introduction and information

Social

Subscribe Here!

Facebook

Facebook

Affiliates

Blog Meets Brand

graciouslywoven

Carmen | Truth & Grace Living
Let’s talk about shame... When the Lord started Let’s talk about shame...

When the Lord started walking me through how my approach to correcting behavior started to look more like shaming... it was humbling and convicting. 

Many times my desire to correct overrides any opportunity to understand and walk through the challenge together. 

When I yell, dismiss, or even explode at what they shouldn’t be doing - I communicate shame rather than offering wise counsel. Especially with abstract concepts that deal with the heart like lying, pride, anger...

It hit me most when I yelled at my angry child for lashing out 👀 - as I watched myself I felt the Lord nudge me with how can you correct sin while sinning? 

... oh the embarrassment, but the chance to do better.

Quieting my own self and taking it in, because conviction makes room for growth not shame. 

I’ve asked the Lord more and more to calm my voice with the intent of allowing true change as I parent. Praying my heart is bent more to seeing how God restores and transforms our behaviors to reflect true goodness. Rather than a God who shames as they see me shame them. #christinmotherhood
Mila is the mood as I sit and am so grateful for e Mila is the mood as I sit and am so grateful for each of you engaging me in this process. Thank you for being present in the messy parts too as I navigate this season. 

I continue to be so thankful for this community - and I pray I can lend a listening ear and support as much as you are to me ♥️ #beautyincommunity
“Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!! “Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!!” 😍

We have another budding reader in the house!!! I love reading and finding books that encourage our kids to enjoy the same I’m all for it!! 

Being able to find books that are not only personalized but allow my kids to see themselves in the story is even better!!! 

@lionstory.books gifted us this beautiful book all about Izaiah making a change for animals - which is his THING! 

They have a variety of stories and options to make your book special. Thanks to their team you can use code: CARMEN50 for 50% off your own book! 

Check them out parents of growing readers! We love what they’re doing ♥️ #homeschoolmama #growingreadersforlife
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and do Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

There’s power in praying our family grows in God’s word and even more as we see ways to apply it daily. I’ve come to realize there’s a spiritual home we’ve been called to build it looks like this family.

In our character, how we reflect Christ, and how we model that for our kids - even invite them to do the same.

I started working on this portrait of us and wanted to symbolize how we’re planted. When times have been their hardest - it’s been God’s word that’s sustained us. #foundationinchrist
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.
2021 Graciously Woven 2018. All Rights Reserved. Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2021 · YOON Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in