Balancing Life

Any tired mamas out there? Or should I say; any tired people out there? Holy moly; can you say WORN OUT!?!

I started the new year with intentions of writing more and last night while getting a few minutes with my hubby before we crashed in bed, he asked me when I was going to throw up another post. I almost immediately felt the heaviness that my anxiety brings, but I took a breath and reminded myself that writing is a part of therapy for me. A release, if you will, of emotions that I’m still working on not keeping tucked inside. So, here I am today, worn out, struggling with the current busyness of our lives, but so thankful for a space here to just share and hopefully encourage.

This new year has continued with crazy schedules for our family and though we are exhausted, we are happy, and so blessed to be in this season. You won’t find us complaining, but you will find us super tired, our heads hitting the pillows as early as possible to get in some rest, and when we’re not committed to things outside of the house, you’ll more than likely find us at home soaking up any time we can get as a family. You may find us learning to say no to certain things we wish we could be a part of like book studies and coffee dates or dinner dates, but as we’re navigating each responsibility in our lives right now by giving them our best; we know this is a season. Seasons change and we know that the busyness will slow down at some point and if it doesn’t, we’ll continue to learn how to better pace ourselves in this race of life. I hope. ;)

For those of you going through a similar busy time in your lives, I want to encourage you with a few things that have helped me lately.

One, know that it’s ok to say no to things. You don’t have to fill your schedules completely just to accommodate every offer that comes your way. Your friends and family love you and will always be there, they’ll understand that you’re a in a busy season, and may even step up to help you out! I have a friend who’s making our family dinner on the night that my hubby is working late. Community at its finest. J

Two, make your spouse a priority. Work, church, friends, kids, etc. Those things fill so much of my schedule right now, but my hubby, he’s a priority and when I’m not giving him the attention he needs, we’re both hurting. There’s something incredible about being intentional with your spouse especially during busy seasons. (Be ready for some intentional time tonight baby! After all, it is Valentine’s Day! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

Three, make yourself a priority. How? That’s usually my response when people remind me I need to stop and make sure I’m taking care of myself. It’s not an easy task for me to make sure I’m taking care of myself when I literally feel like there’s no extra minutes in my day, but truth be told, I can make time and so can you. For me, I just need a few minutes to decompress, breath in the beauty that’s in my life, and remember what I was created for. So, put down your phone, stop scrolling on social media apps, go sit on the couch and watch your favorite show, go take a hot bath, read a few chapters of a new book, go eat your favorite dessert after the kids are in bed; whatever it takes, do it. If you can swing it and it doesn’t overwhelm you, then go grab a quick coffee with a friend. Just make sure that you find time for you during finding time for everyone and everything else.

Finally; the most important piece of advice I can give you; spend time with Jesus EVERYDAY as much as you can!! If that’s all you can do during this busy time, then it’ll be everything you need. Don’t put pressure yourself to wake up and read an entire book of the bible or spend a certain amount of time journaling; just spend time with Him. Talk to Him, rest in His presence, worship Him, sing to Him, love on Him, smile at Him, thank Him; give Him as much of you as you can and friends, He’ll provide joy and peace. He’ll be the thing that keeps you moving during the busyness and He won’t let you whither and fail. He’s amazing and if I didn’t have time with Him filling my cup each day then I’d be empty and dry with nothing left to give to anyone.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

This verse I have been clinging lately. Seasons change, but I know that He doesn’t. His promises and His word remains the same and for that I’m so thankful. I can have confidence that when I place my trust and hope in Him I’ll be ok.

Now, find some time to do all 4 of those things before you go to bed! Ha! Just kidding!! If I were reading this, that’s where my mind would go. “Ok, Krista, the day is not over, say no to something, spend time with the hubby, do something for myself, and go talk to Jesus. I’ve got this. Let’s do it!”

Tonight, pick one thing and do it joyfully. J

Love you all!

xoxo,

Krista

Happy Valentine's Day!

Welcome, 2018!

It’s been over a year since I’ve written a blog post and it’s been long overdue. 2018 will bring more posts; its a resolution. Or wait. Maybe not a resolution; maybe just a promise to myself. I’m horrible with resolutions. 

I started this blog for many reasons. Writing is therapy for me, right next to cooking and cleaning. No joking there. Writing is also a way for me to share and encourage my readers who have in turn shared and encouraged me so much over the last 5 years.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you have followed along the last 5 years. This next year will be a journey and I look forward to having you each along for the ride. To my new readers, be ready. Grateful Imperfections was created with each of you in mind. I pray you find strength in your imperfections, become grateful for them, and change the world around you because of them. This year, I want to hear your stories, your victories, I want YOU to encourage readers by having a spotlight on this blog. So, for those of you who are already itching to become grateful for your imperfections, jump in, we’re going to ride through this next year together.

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As I dive head first into each new year, I typically just say a quick thanks to the Lord for the year before while counting all my blessings, ignoring all the struggles, tucking away all the hurts, and clinging to the goodness that will keep me moving forward. However, this new year I’m relishing in all of 2017, the good and the bad. Why do you ask? Well, at the beginning of 2017 I vowed to learn to be vulnerable again. I learned so much of what I was missing was simply because I had become hard, callused, and had so many walls built up to keep all the pain out, but as a result of that, I was keeping out all of the joy as well. I was numb. I was tired of it. I missed laughing and feeling the joy, I missed crying at the beautiful things, I missed crying at the things that broke me, I missed feeling His sweet presence upon my heart. So, I committed to walking forward in the journey to become vulnerable once again. Little did I know what the journey was going to look like. Over the next few weeks I’ll share more with you about the set backs, the ugly, the uglier, and the ugliest details of that journey, but I promise to also share with you how incredible it was and how much its changed my life on so many levels.

2017 brought a lot for me, for my family, and for the community around me, but in the midst of my personal journey, I found strength in vulnerability and through that I found myself learning how to fully trust in God. I truly believe my willingness to fully surrender to Him allowed me to fully trust in Him, which I know was crucial in my surviving this past year on so many levels.

There were a lot of “I’m sorry”, “bear with me”, “don’t give up on me”, and “please pray for me” this past year as I continually broke down walls. I’m sure many of those around me can attest to the truth that I was down right ugly at times and for majority of them, they had no idea why. I was daily fighting this battle of surrendering myself to Christ fully, which meant I was no longer in control; that I was allowing Him to be in control. That was new for me. I like being in control, I like knowing that the plan is. I’m terrified and downright fearful of the unknown. Well, I was. ;) 

I was learning that as I became more confident in Christ, I became more confident in who I truly was, and with that I learned not to be sorry for who I am or try to hide behind all those walls I had built. I no longer wanted to wear the title of always being full of strength and confidence, I no longer wanted to constantly carry others burdens and never hand over any of my own, I no longer wanted to always be ok because I was worried that people would pity me, I no longer wanted to be totally ok with having so my physical limitations because of each disease and disability I carry. I wanted to be real and sometimes being real means not always having the answers and being ok, but you know what the biggest thing I learned through all of that is? It doesn’t mean I’m weak because I’m not always on top of my game. Weakness comes when we let all those things drive us down and away from Christ. When we surrender all those very real things to Him and trust Him with all of it, we are victorious, we are strong, we are courageous, and we are warriors. I became a warrior in 2017 and 2018 better look out because I’m stronger, braver, and happier than I’ve ever been. For the first time in my life, I’m letting Christ lead the way and even better, I’m letting Him carry me on the days I’m struggling instead of trying to carry myself. 

I learned so much and I’m growing in so many ways, but I still have A LOT of work, but this year I’m ok with sharing my journey along the way with all of you. I’ve come out of hiding and I’m incredibly grateful for those of you who have been on this journey with me. Some of you have seen the ugliest parts of this year and have stuck by me, have given me more chances, have held my hand, have cried with me, have rejoiced with me, have pushed me when I needed it, have stopped me and made me listen when I didn’t want, but most of all, have loved me unconditionally. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

To my incredible husband, you by far have been my biggest supporter this past year and without your constant love and encouragement to me, I would’ve given up before February. ;) I love you so much. Thank you for being my best friend and loving me so well. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to be by my side. (Side note; single ladies, don’t settle, find a man who loves Jesus more than he loves you. We’ll talk about this later. *wink*)

There’s so many beautiful details, new adventures, life changes, and hardships that 2017 brought that I’ll share along the way, but for now, I encourage you to relish in all that 2017 gave you and be ready for all that 2018 has. As Joel Taylor posted this morning on his IG, “I feel led to release the anointing for breakthroughs, healings, and extravagant miracles to all of you”. 

I’m ok with all the ugly that 2017 had, indebted for all the good it had, and expectant for all He has for me in 2018. Are you ready? Lets do this! 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10New Living Translation (NLT)

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

xoxo,

Krista

Thank You Gifts on a Budget

This summer my oldest son got to be part of a really incredible local summer program and I’m incredibly grateful for each staff member that invested in him and helped him be as prepared as he could be for Kindergarten. I wanted to be able to give each of them a small token of appreciation, but I wanted it to be meaningful yet not break the bank. With him entering Kindergarten I also wanted to give his teacher and his bus driver a little something too, as we look forward to spending our year with them.

Most of the items, as well as the supplies for them, I got at the Dollar Store. Some of the printables I found online, but several them I made through an app on my phone called Word Swag.

Take a look below for some fun ideas to show appreciation to some of the amazing people in your kiddos lives!

Battery operated lamps were from the Dollar Store. The printable tag I found online at fullofgrace.

The bag was from the Dollar Store, the 8x10 White Frame was $4 at Walmart, the printable I found online at How to Nest for Less, and the flowers were leftover birthday flowers to make this picture even prettier.

The ribbon and favor bags I had on had leftover from birthday party supplies, the Smarties, and the glow sticks are from the Dollar Tree.

The printable I made using Word Swag.

The Burt's Bees I got at Walmart for $3 and the printable I made using Word Swag.

The bottle, candy, and the drink packets are from the Dollar Tree, the front printable I made using Word Swag, and the one hidden I found online at The Party Teacher.

Happy gifting!

xoxo,
Krista

#heresto35

Yesterday was a humbling day; so many of you poured into my life by celebrating with me. As I struggle with taking each kind word said to me and accepting them as truth for my life, in my prayer time last night He overwhelmed me as He reminded me that He created me, is using me, and is shining through me in many ways and it's a beautiful thing to soak in and accept the love and encouragement given to me. It's such an incredible feeling to be loved and accepted by each of you, but even more incredible to feel that same love and acceptance from our Creator.

Psalm 139:14

I'm grateful for yesterday, for each of you, for all the amazingly kind words and wishes, and for having another year to celebrate with some pretty amazing family and friends. Each of you have helped shaped me in some way and have in many ways pushed me to be a better woman of Christ. That's the best gift ever.

Thank you for celebrating with me! I pray I can love on each of you on your birthday and help you feel as loved and valued as you made me feel.

xoxo,

Krista

*GIVEAWAY* Berry the Bird Book Set

Joy Hill is a children’s book author who wrote her first book, “Berry the Bird Learns How To Fly.” The inspiration for this book was her son Jackson and his love of reading. She will be having more upcoming “Berry” Books. She lives in Northern Indiana with her husband Jamie and kids Jackson and Janie. She works part-time as a veterinary technician at a veterinary clinic and being a stay-at-home mom. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, being active, reading, and being involved with her church. She desires to write children’s books that are fun, uplifting, and filled with positive messages. 

My boys and I got to meet this beautiful author one Friday night after her first book, Berry the Bird Learns How to Fly, was released. She was at our local bookstore doing signings. We bought the book and my oldest thought it was so neat that he got to meet the person who wrote about Berry the Bird. He had the book in hand and was “reading” it before we even got out the door. He’s always been a bit of a bookworm. I knew it’d be a family hit. :) 

We were beyond thrilled when we found out Berry the Bird had another adventure that was recently released called Berry the Bird Helps a New Friend and it became a family hit as well! Even more exciting news is that Berry the Bird had a 3^rd adventure coming soon and you guys get a chance to win a copy of it before it’s even available! 

Joy Hill, author of the Berry the Bird books, has graciously given an autographed set of her books to me so that I can give away the set to one lucky reader!

My kiddos love them and I know one little bookworm in your life will love them to. With the holidays approaching, the Berry the Bird books would be a great gift to give! To purchase these books you can visit Tate Publishing.

 

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Buy the Muffin.

When the Lord speaks I listen and when He commands I do ask He asks. Well, today he commanded me to “buy the muffin”. I can’t help but giggle as I write this post, but it’s true. It was a simple commandment to buy someone a muffin and I did as He asked and I did it joyfully and I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to bless someone. Especially someone you can relate with.

It moments like this I search for a deeper meaning than just to bless someone’s day and without fail the Lord has given me an incredible teaching moment. All over a muffin. Well, sort of. ;)

Today I made a stop at Dunkin Donuts to treat a sweet friend to a coffee and while in line thinking about what I wanted to order there was a beautiful mother with 2 littles ordering what I overheard to be some birthday treats for an adorable superhero and then she ordered a muffin for what I can only assume was for herself. After ordering she handed the cashier a gift card and then after hearing what her total still due was, asked if was ok to take the muffin off her order. She was still all smiles and full of joy as she politely and unselfishly gave up the muffin. It was in that moment that I started to imagine the thoughts running through her mind as a mother and started picturing myself in her very shoes and knowing I’d do the very same thing.

She may not have put that muffin back because she didn’t have the money, but maybe she thought that those extra couple dollars didn’t need to be spent on her and maybe didn’t need to be spent on a muffin. She would just use up her gift card and then whatever she still owed out of pocket she’d pay without reservation since they were sweet treats for a sweet moment.

As a mother, I do stuff like that all the time. I’ll want to treat myself to something, but then realize, nah, I rather my sweet boys have an extra donut for later instead of me enjoying a muffin now. I never feel sorry for myself, I never think twice about; it’s my heart as a mother to ensure my boys have a smile on their face. I’d spend my very last dollar on them even if it meant that I’d be hungry. It’s what some of us do as mothers and we do it with pure joy.

As I watched her walk away, never without a smile and full of joy as she beamed a light that I totally recognized, I heard the Lord say “buy the muffin”.  So, I placed my order, asked the cashier what muffin she had wanted, ordered it, ran it out to her car as her sweet family started to pull away, and in the pouring rain told her “I wanted you to have your muffin. From one mother to another. Enjoy!”

As I got back to the office I thanked the Lord for allowing me to bless her today. Even if it was just a simple muffin, I thanked Him for the opportunity to not only bless her, but to recognize that the world is a better place if we stick together, learn to understand one another, and to be there for one another even in the simplest of moments. What do I mean by that?

There could’ve been another person in line behind her without kids who didn’t understand one bit of her joy, understand her reasoning for putting back the muffin, or even cared at all about it. Instead, He placed me there to watch her beam a special light of love for her kids and to help me to realize there are times as mothers when we just really want the muffin, but He knows we won’t buy it for ourselves. I took the moment to relate to her because I could and the Lord let me buy her that muffin.

Friends, we’ve got to stop, slow down, pay attention to simple moments, and realize that we’re in the same boat sometimes and help each other out. Take the paddle and help each other paddle long enough so the other one can enjoy a low fat blueberry muffin from Dunkin Donuts. ;)

My encouragement to you, is not only pay it forward, but take the time to relate and pay it forward because you understand what it would mean to you to enjoy a muffin.

xoxo,

Krista

To the sweet mom at DD today,

I pray that you got to fully enjoy at least part of that muffin because if you’re anything like me you probably shared it with your hubby and your kids. ;) I pray that you know just how amazing of a mother you are and that you are loved and appreciated. Thank you for shining a beautiful light today. A light that I recognize comes straight from your heart. You’re doing an amazing job!