When I Look Back

Moms of littles, I'm sure you can relate to this scenario: you're pushing your cart through the grocery store, mall or any public place... Maybe taking a brisk walk through the neighborhood, or racing from the monkey bars to the baby swings to help your kids along in their park adventures, when you are approached by an older woman.  She tenderly looks at you, sighs and says, "Enjoy this! You will miss it someday!" You quickly smile, and try to maintain eye contact as you frantically count your children to ensure no one is missing, while graciously trying to conjure up the right words to reply. Do you say, "Thank You", or "Yes! Everyone tells me that", or "Are you sure? Because I'm losing my mind!"?  The events of the day and wether or not I'm feeling like "supermom" or "loser mom" in that moment usually determine my answer! I walk away feeling encouraged that someone else noticed my complicated yet precious season of life. But I also often walk away wondering why, in particular, these women admonish me in my pursuit of joy and express longing for days gone by.

Are their remarks birthed from deep regret? Do the faces of my children bring back painful memories of their own? Are they suddenly hit with the realities of many mistakes made, unrepentant sin, fractured relationships with adult children or maybe the loss of an identity now that children have flown the coop?

Or, on the contrary, are they nostalgically gazing at this snippet of my journey, carrying within them a sense of a job well done or a mission accomplished? Are they transported back to sacrificial times of loving, living, learning and laboring alongside of children with constant needs who needed a patient and gentle mommy? Maybe they're reflecting on a season of great growth, wherein the Lord sanctified them in the most painful yet beautiful of ways. Or perhaps they are suddenly struck with awe and amazement at the faithfulness of God, who was and has been true to his promises in blessing a woman who, though flawed,  fears the Lord and raises and nurtures her children in the ways of God!

When I look back, I hope by God's grace to be the latter.  Years from now, when my home is no longer the main attraction, but rather a place for special occasions, I want to be the older woman who can say, "Enjoy this!" because I truly ENJOYED IT. I'm talking true and authentic JOY.  Not mere happiness, which is only dependent upon favorable situations and outcomes, but radiating, world-changing, life-giving JOY! Even through the late night fevers and new pearly whites causing misery for all! Even through the difficult tantrums that leave me frustrated and unsure of my own sanity! Even through the constant and painful realizations that our children, at the core of who they are, are broken individuals who need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and sanctified by His Spirit! Even through the times when providing for and caring for little children puts a strain on my marriage! And especially during the times when I come face to face with my own limitations brought on by the realities of living in a world riddled with sin! I want to choose JOY through it all! And when I say to that cute and precious mom on the playground, "You'll miss this!", may it be due to the fact that the years spent with my young children were the BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE! Not because everything was perfect and because I was a perfect mommy, but because we lived and breathed in the fresh and fragrant aroma of our perfect Savior who was empowering us to live and love well at home in preparation for our ETERNAL home.

Let it be through the eyes of faith and with deep gratitude and appreciation for all the Lord has done, when I look back.

What We're Learning for PreK-4

So we've begun the great adventure of homeschooling! Well, not completely, but kind of. We don't start "formal" homeschooling (the plan is Classical Conversations) until Fall of next year, but wanted to find a homeschooling rhythm/routine before then! PLUS my very eager 4 year-old little student was in need of a good challenge. Noelle is a bit performance-driven (I have no idea who she got that from 😉) and accomplishing/acquiring new goals and skills is right up her alley. So instead of pushing off structured learning until next year, we have taken the plunge into some fun and engaging preschool learning! I'm not using a curriculum but have formulated my own list of things we would like to learn this year based on Noelle's interest. Pinterest has become my new sidekick and has made the process of creating "lesson" plans that are tailored to Noelle fun and fairly easy! SO here is a list of things we hope to cover this year (it's not important to me that all of these are mastered... The exposure and familiarity is what I'm going for):

1. Character Development- We have been selecting one of the 49 Character Qualities to focus on each week. Generally, I've tried to provide opportunities for both girls to practice the quality and talk through it when the topic arises in everyday circumstances/situations. For example, we are covering "Joyfulness" this week.

2. Reading- Noelle has been BEGGING me to teach her how to read. I put it off for a while, worried that she wouldn't like the process and would shy away from it. But so far, she's doing great! I'm using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. You can find it here.

3. Hymns- both of my girls are musically inclined and highly enjoy singing. Teaching them hymns is my way of providing doctrinal and theological enrichment in a way that's fun, practical and inviting! They love to sing the ones we've learned before they go to sleep at night. Hymns have a way of settling the soul and quieting the heart. I hope they will bless my girls for years to come.

4. Bible Memory Verses- I pick one (short) verse a week that corresponds to the weekly character quality. This week we paired Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!" with "Joyfulness". I've been amazed at how quickly a child can memorize a scripture with a bit of consistency while making it fun!

5. Books of the Bible- I've been singing the same Books of the Bible song that I learned as a child in Sunday School to the girls and they LOVE it! After just a few short weeks, they are very familiar with the melody line and can fill in a good amount of the books!

6. Read Alouds- I want my Children to have a literature-rich childhood. We read aloud everyday from a chapter book (mainly illustrated versions of classic novels) during lunch and/or afternoon reading.

7. Art/Music Appreciation- we aren't delving to deep into this. I'm just exposing them to a variety of genres, styles etc. For example, I've been playing a lot of the lovely Ella Fitzgerald's tunes while I prep dinner lately. I also plan to add more picture/art books to our weekly libray lists.

8. Chores/Ownership in the home- Noelle already does a few little chores during the week, but I plan to make her an actual chore chart so she can have a visual!

9. Days of the week- printable from Pinterest!

10. Months of the year- Pinterest!

11. Seasons- You guessed it! Pinterest.

12. Writing uppercase/lowercase letters- Did I mention Pinterest? I found the cutest Uppercase/lowercase printable sheets and put them in sheet protectors to use repeatedly with dry erase markers! MONEY SAVER!

13. #'s 1-100 (identifying/tracing/writing)- We've started with Kumon's My Book of Numbers 1-30 and Noelle is loving it! You can find it here.  I also found #'s printables and use sheet protectors with dry erase markers!

14. Coin/Bill recognition- So far we have learned about the penny, nickel and dime! We focus on one a week and regularly discuss how much each one is worth, the persons on each one, and try to give opportunities for Noelle to pay for small or cheap items with coins when I can.

15. Familiarity with clocks

16. Identify and draw basic shapes- Kumon has en excellent write and wipe shape kit that we have been enjoying! You can find it here.

17. Sorting/Patterning/Sequencing with manipulatives of all kinds 

18. Mommy and Daddy's Phone Numbers

19. Write full name

20. Learn our address

This seems like a lot, but like I mentioned before, mastery of any of these things is not the main goal! Familiarity and exposure are the central focuses! Also, we will take a few of these items at a time and learn them all the way through next summer! My prayer is that Noelle and I will be able to connect  and develop a good teacher/student relationship with a bit more structure NOW before we get fancy next year for kindergarten.

What are you teaching your littles for preschool? :)

Happy learning together!

Bryt
xoxo

10 Ways to Make a Dinner Party Simple, Special and Scrumptious

Most people that know me well understand that I'm not really a spur of the moment "drop by" and order takeout kind of girl when it comes to entertainment and hospitality (although my husband with his over the top extroverted, spontaneity-driven personality has helped me to be a bit more ok with it haha).  The hardcore introvert in me just can't seem to handle all the excitement and adventure lol. But this overly-anal, need-to-know everything ahead. Of. Time girl L O V E S to put on planned and carefully executed dinner parties for people I love.  Around the holidays I will usually go all out and spend weeks meticulously organizing every small detail of the coming evening. But if it's not a holiday or birthday, I go for simple, special and scrumptious (emphasis on SIMPLE since I have two small ladies who, on occasion, can hinder the hospitality process haha).  I've learned that the night can still be elegant, yet relatively effortless.  It can be fun but not over the top fancy.  Your guests' experience can engage all of their senses in all the right ways without you losing your ever-living mind in the process. So without further a due, let me share 10 of my tricks to a simple, special and scrumptious dinner party. I'll be using pictures from a special dinner we had with my husband's wonderful grandparents the other night for visuals.

1. Floral Arrangments- Flowers help give a dinner table that x-factor! It can take a simple dinner into the realm of elegance.  I like to get my flowers from Trader Joes because they always have a great selection for even better prices.  You don't have to be a florist to get it right! Just grab a pretty vase, mason jar, or water pitcher (pictured below) and fill it with gorgeous flowers.

Hydrangeas are my absolute favorite flower right now!

Lately I've been using an old water pitcher (that has a slight crack in it) as a "vase" for flowers.

2.  Use Pretty Plates- Visually appealing, people.  Paper plates just won't cut it.  I got this set (which also came with bowls) for my wedding nearly 6 years ago. If these plates could speak, they would laughingly tell you of the many tragic dinners I made as a new bride and how thankful they are for my family...annnnd Pinterest...annnnd Barefoot Contessa...annnnnd The Pioneer Woman for enabling me to adorn them with half-way descent food nowadays.  These plates have been through thick and thin with me. I guess you could say they are my ride or die.

3.  Serve a Nice Wine-  I'm not a huge wine lover, but overtime my hunny and I have discovered 2-3 that we really love to serve when we have people over.

4. Spruce up Your Water Pitchers-  It's obviously important to offer water (the poor souls shall not die of thirst) when guest are in the house but when I'm serving a nice dinner I like to add sliced fruit and even occasional herbs to the water to add a layer of flavor and sophistication. You will look so. much. more. like Martha Stewart if you do this.

5. Serve a Simple Salad- I love to just buy pre-packaged greens (saves time on prep) and add my go to veggies (red onion, Roma tomato, and sliced cucumber).  It literally takes just minutes to throw together but when served in a nice salad bowl it looks like a labored over it for hours which is, of course, THE. GOAL.  It also serves as a "filler" when I'm seemingly unable to come up with another side dish lol.

6.  Make a Homemade Salad Dressing-  They are more cost effective and ridiculously easy. I tend to make a lot of vinaigrettes and follow the basic pattern of acidity(some type of vinegar), oil (olive, coconut, grapeseed etc.), possible herb (oregano, parsley, etc.), sweetness (honey is my go to), and salt and pepper.   Lately I've also been adding fresh squeezed citrus of some sort as well. Play with the ratios until you find a blend that makes your heart sing.

7. Include One of Your Own Personal Recipes- this kind of goes along with number 6 in the "special" department.  I LOVE pinterest and my cookbooks and use recipes from both places all the time.  But whenever I have people over for dinner I try to make at least one dish that's unique to me and my family like my homemade Dutch Oven Bourbon Mashed Potatoes (pictured below). Click here for the recipe!

8.  Don't Be Afraid to Cook Something New- This is my introverted way of "living a little" hahaha.  Normally, trying something new when people are coming over would be a HUGE no-no for me.  But I'm learning to take a few more risks while entertaining. Even if it's a major fail, make a joke out if it and throw some humor into the mix of the evening. I made these bacon wrapped veggie bundles (found recipe on Pinterest) and they actually turned out pretty good! Im going to tweak a few things when I make them next time but nonetheless it was fun for me to branch out instead of sticking to what I know.

9. Tag Team with Your Hunny-Love- My amazing husband grilled THE. BEST. STEAKS in the West the other night and looked so scrumptious doing it. There's just something about my man grilling! Maybe it's the flames? The outdoors? I could't tell you but it just works.  Not having to worry about preparing the meat took some weight off my shoulders and allowed me to really focus on the rest of the evening.  Plus, it was extra special for his grandparents to eat something that the two of us cooked together.

10. Cook With All the Love You Have to Give- Sometimes my kids are swinging from chandeliers while I'm trying to make a nice dinner.  Other times my toddler is hysterically crying at my feet.  I've even occasionally dreaded the fact that I have a dinner party on the calendar because of exhaustion and have had to dig deep to find my inner hostess.  But as long as I think about the people I will be serving and the love I want them to feel in our home, I can throw my favorite "This Mama Cooks" apron on and mentally prepare myself to "throw down" in the kitchen!

Well there you have it.  Any other dinner party tips? Please comment and share:)!

Happy cooking, y'all!

Bryt xoxo

Dutch Oven Bourbon Mashed Potatoes

-DUTCH OVEN BOURBON MASHED POTATOES-

I N G R E D I E N T S 

• 2 1/2-3 pounds red potatoes
•whole stick of butter
•2/3 cup chicken stock
•2/3 cup Bourbon
•2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
•half a block (give or take) of cream cheese
•3 Tbsp chopped green onion
•12 whole cloves garlic
•salt & Pepper
•1/2 Tbsp chicken bouillon 

I N S T R U C T I O N S: 

Put half stick of butter into Dutch oven and heat on medium/low. Sauté whole garlic cloves in butter until they become SLIGHTLY brown, then add chicken stock and bourbon to Dutch oven, season with a fair amount of salt and pepper, and allow to cook for about 30 minutes over moderately low heat (it's crucial that you don't allow anything to burn because it will RUIN the dish). You want to simultaneously be boiling the red potatoes in a separate pot until they are tender. If you get lucky, the potatoes will be just the right texture, and your Dutch oven mixture would have cooked out all of the alcohol and become slightly syrupy at the same time!  Once this happens, you can spoon out the whole cloves of garlic and discard (the garlic cloves flavor the mixture nicely, but I don't always leave them in the dish) or just leave them in to be mashed with other ingredients. Next, strain your potatoes and dump them (skin and all!) straight into the Dutch oven full of the yummy bourbon "sauce".  Add in the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, remaining butter and mash together. SLOWLY add chicken bouillon, regularly testing, to ensure that they are not too salty. You want the potatoes to be mashed, but still have some texture.  Finish by sprinkling chopped green onion over the top. Serve right away or cover Dutch oven and leave over LOW heat until ready to serve! Enjoy!

What Easter Meant for my Miscarriage

It had been one of the longest weeks of my life.  I was in a car accident, my entire family came down with horrible sickness which led to extremely long days and nights devoid of sleep, my house was a disaster due to packing to move to our new house and I was already beginning to feel nauseous due to my new pregnancy. My children's consistent high fevers left me feeling frightened and anxious for days.  I feared getting into a car again because of my accident.  My home didn't feel like a safe haven anymore but rather a cold and unfamiliar place.  PLUS the entire week had been such a fog that I had completely forgotten to plan for any Easter baskets or festivities.  In fact, we couldn't even attend Easter service because although most of us where on the road to recovery, my baby, Vivienne, was still running a fever the night before.

SO there we were.  Sitting at home Easter morning while my husband went to church.  I did a devotional with the girls and we had a time of worship together.  I started to feel hopeful thinking that Vivienne probably had 1 or 2 days at the most left of the worst part of her sickness.  I also began to feel encouraged as I thought about moving into a new house that we completely love in an area that we have wanted to live in for a while.  I chose to count my blessings and began thanking Jesus for everything that he accomplished on the cross for me and the victory of His resurrection.

Then the worst thing happened.

A quick trip to the bathroom (which was becoming a regular and frequent thing now that I was in early pregnancy) turned into one of the saddest moments of my life.  I had started bleeding and clotting.  All I could think was, "GOD, NOT AGAIN!!".  I had already suffered through a miscarriage before I had my daughter Vivienne and was immediately reacquainted with all of the grief, fear, sadness, depression and hopelessness that I had felt then.  I burst into tears on the bathroom floor, completely overwhelmed and devastated.  This was supposed to be a day of HOPE... a day of LIFE... a day of CELEBRATION! Yet here I was experiencing death: the death of my baby that I had been praying and believing God for for months, the death of a dream, the death of joy.  I frantically called my husband to tell him the bad news and to hurry home.  I walked out of the bathroom, trying to put on a happy face for my girls.  I didn't want to add to the already stressful and trying week we had all had.  I put on a movie for them and aimlessly paced around my house crying, praying, angry, and in despair.

But something dawned on me.

It was Easter.  Yes, I already knew that it was Easter, but it hit me like a tidal wave. It was EASTER!  It was the day that we officially celebrate the good news of the gospel. It's the day that we boldly declare that IT IS FINISHED.  It is the day that we grasp hold with greater grip to the hope that our redemption and reconciliation has been secured for all eternity.  It is the day that we remind ourselves that Jesus is in the process of making ALL THINGS NEW and righting every wrong.  I immediately started to feel a sense of hope began to rise in my heart.  I realized in that moment, that Jesus had already provided redemption and healing for me right then and there.  I understood that when scripture says, "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4) that my sadness was accounted for.  Jesus had already carried it.  He had already wept over this terrible situation and was weeping with me then.  I began to bask in the good news that the GOSPEL meant that DEATH had been defeated! It has lost its's sting! The promise of life and the hope that ensues from a revelation of that promise began to flood into my heart and drown out the ear-piercing volume of my pain and despair in that moment! The death I was experiencing was and is swallowed up in LIFE!

Shortly after this moment, my husband came home.  I know that he was expecting to find me on a roller-coaster of rage, irritation, sadness and sorrow based on the way I had talked to him on the phone earlier.  But when he got home, we simply embraced and cried together.  We knew that we had a season of grief ahead of us, but the peace and promise of God poured down on us as we stood in our kitchen.  Almost without saying a word, we both knew without a shadow of a doubt, that our God was a good good Father, that he is faithful in all his ways and that his plans are never to harm us but to give us hope and a future.  The same God that purchased us with his precious and costly blood does not seek to hurt us.  Yes he allowed my miscarriage to happen for reasons I will never know this side of heaven, but we had an unwavering trust in His reasoning.

It's been about two weeks since the start of my miscarriage.  I have battled moments of despair, depression and just about every emotion one could experience.  But the Holy Spirit has been EVERYTHING the scriptures promise that He will be to me and my family.  With each passing day, I'm feeling stronger and more hopeful, knowing that God was not surprised by my misfortune, but rather prepared me for it and has interwoven my testimony into the fabric of my future.

I hope that anyone reading this who has or is experiencing loss of any kind will be encouraged and reminded that there is always purpose in our pain and that the gospel is good news even in our darkest hours.   Remember that even as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you can FEAR NO EVIL because HE IS WITH YOU!  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Every wrong will be made right.  There is NOTHING in heaven or on earth that will go untouched by the finished work of the cross.  Rest in the good news.  Rest in Jesus.

Love always,
Bryt xoxo

5 Secrets to Surviving Grocery Shopping with Your Babies

I think it's safe to say that grocery shopping with little people has the potential to BREAK. US. DOWN. It can be a daunting task. I've noticed  that our shopping experiences have usually been rough when I have failed to prepare not only my children ahead of time, but myself.  But lately, grocery shopping has been a fun experience for me and my girlies since I started consistently following these 5 guidelines! Here's to hoping they make your grocery shopping easier!


1. Go AFTER a meal and a nap!

If you can manage this, then no one will be starving or hungry during your grocery shopping endeavor! For us, that means we go right after my youngest daughter's first nap and lunchtime. The hungrier they are (and me for that matter), the more likely they will try to reach for anything and everything to put in the cart.  Tired children means cranky/irritable children which is NOT FUN in the middle of the grocery store.  So pick times of the day when everyone has a happy tummy and a happy face :).

2. Streamline/Organize your grocery list!

I used to jot down whatever came to my mind on my grocery list with no trace of order or organization.  That works when you can go to the store alone and have the time (and patience) to wonder aimlessly through the isles looking for scattered items on your list.  I realize now with my two little girls that that doesn't make our shopping experience pleasant or efficient. I suggest organizing your lists based on the layout of your store.  I go to the same store every week and know it like the back of my hand! We start on one end and finish at the other so I organize my list by sections.  This prevents me from dashing back and forth a hundred times!

3. Meal Plan!

This coincides with number 2 but I think it's still worth mentioning! If you are a mama on a clear mission, your time will be spent more wisely! Knowing exactly what I plan to make for my family each week keeps me motivated to finish the task at hand and even be excited about the ingredients I am purchasing.

4. Get a HUGE cup of your FAVORITE coffee and drink it on the way to the store!

You know what they say... Jesus and coffee all day everyday! Stopping by Starbucks to get a White Chocolate Mocha on Wednesdays (my grocery shopping day since it's Double Add day at Sprouts) is one of those "little things" in motherhood that keeps me calm and collected! I only get it once a week so it's a treat for me that automatically brightens my mood and makes me breath in deeply and just... sigh! I promise you will not be disappointed. Coffee is just THAT good, people.

5. PRAY PRAY PRAY!

Pray before during and after! I always have my kids "pray" in the car on the way to the grocery store (or anywhere for that matter) and have them ask Jesus to make our time productive and enjoyable! Also, offer up prayers of THANKSGIVING before, during and after.  It's much more difficult to be grouchy and on edge while shopping if you have the heart of gratitude for even being able to grocery shop.  I tell me girls all the time that there are people in the world who don't have the luxury of going to the store every week and buying all of the yummy and healthy foods they like! I also remind myself and my girls to be thankful that God has provided in such a way for us to be able to AFFORD eating the way we like to eat (organic, real food). So be THANKFUL! Even after you get home and you are unloading all of your groceries, just start thanking Jesus in the middle of your kitchen for his PROVISION and GRACE. And lastly, since my husband is the bread-winner in our family, I always try to make it a point to have myself and the kids personally thank HIM for working so hard each day and enabling me to do what I love (cooking healthy meals for my family).


So there you have it.  These are my 5 current secrets to walking out of those automatic doors at Sprouts alive and well each and every Wednesday.

Happy Shoppin'

Bryt xoxo

Flexible Daily Routine for Pre-schoolers and Toddlers

It's taken some time for our family to find a good rhythm.  Just when we think we have something figured out or are in a good flow, life happens and we find ourselves at square one again.  This is part of the reason why I like routines as opposed to schedules.  For me, schedules leave little room for error and don't bode well with my perfectionist tendencies.  I've noticed that when I have tried to stick to a rigorous schedule, I'm oftentimes left feeling discouraged and unmotivated after about 2 days.  But ROUTINES, on the other hand, give me the "wiggle room" that I personally need while my kids are the ages that they are.  It's easier for me to have goals instead of "deadlines", if you know what I mean, when it comes to the daily grind of mommyhood. SO, with that being said, here is our current routine that seems to be working great for our family! You will notice that other than bedtime (the one time we actually strive to not deviate from), there is lots of room for adjustments and spur of the moment outings and changes of plan.

6:30am-7:30am- Wake up.  I leave an hour for this because depending on how our nights go (if both kids sleep all the way through, sickness in the house, teething etc.) the kids (or me) may need a bit extra sleep. When the kids wake up, they join us in our bed. Even if we are all up at 6:30, we tend to lay their and snuggle, read books or just flat out stare at the ceiling until 7:30ish.

8:00am-9:00am- Breakfast time. Again, I leave an hour because sometimes I get delayed switching over laundry, making up beds or doing something way less productive (ahem...pinterest). The kids also will play for a bit too while I get breakfast ready.

9:00am-10:00am- Devotions/Morning reading time at the kitchen table.  I (or daddy depending on which day of the week it is) will usually read a short scripture passage with the kids and then pray with them while we are at the table. They also pray if they choose to.  Then I put a series of worship songs on my phone and read my Bible by myself while Noelle and Vivienne both "read" (meaning flip through the pages or occasionally rip them if you'er Vivienne lol) their little storybook Bibles and sing along to the worship music.  If the wheels aren't coming off, we then will read a few books of their choice.

10:00am-11:00am- I do a quick clean up from breakfast, get the girls dressed, then get them situated in their bedroom (so I can close their door to keep my Vivi from getting into things lol) and let them play together while I get dressed.

11:00am-12:30pm- Vivi takes her first nap and Noelle and I do her homeschooling "lessons" (blogpost about what we are doing for pre-school homeschooling coming soon :))

12:45pm-1:30pm- Lunch and story time at the table.

1:45pm-3:45pm- After cleaning up from lunch, this time slot is usually used for running errands, playdates, outdoor play for girls while I do housework/chores, the park etc.

4:00pm-5:00pm- Vivi takes her final nap of the day, I start making dinner and Noelle either watches a show/movie of her choice or engages in a quiet time hobby (coloring, crafting, board games etc.) She also will usually join me in the kitchen to help prepare dinner (home economics, people lol)

5:00pm-5:45pm- I put finishing touches on dinner, lay out everything needed for bath time/bedtime (pajamas, diaper, towels etc.) and the girls help me do a quick clean up of the living room and their bedroom.  At some point during this time, daddy gets home and plays with the girls as well!

5:45pm-6:30pm- Dinner at the table as a family.  Everything gets turned off and we all tune into each other to close out our night.  My husband will usually read a bit more scripture for all of us and bless the food before we eat together as well.

6:30pm-6:45pm- Daddy monitors bath time and tells stories while I clean the kitchen.  

6:45-7:00pm- Lights get turned down while my husband and I get the girls all dressed and ready for bed.  We then all snuggle up together and sing a few hymns (there's just something about singing them at bedtime, knowing that Christian mommas of old have more than likely sung them over their littles for centuries) as a family. Come Thou Fount is our current favorite.  Daddy then prays over them, we exchange an endless amount of hugs and kisses and...

7:00pm- Bedtime for the girls! We try really really hard to stick to 7pm.  There are nights when we have community group at church or decide to go out somewhere and we push it back, but most nights it's 7 sharp. We also will let Noelle stay up a bit later on Friday or Saturday night sense she's the BIG sister lol.

So there it is! Most of our days in a nutshell.  Like I said before, we are not rigid with this routine but rather use it as a general frame work.  There's always room for spontaneity and deviation, which is what our family needs with two young girlies! 

If your looking for a routine, try this out! Let me know how it goes!

Bryt xoxo

Philippians at a Glance

We are jumping into Philippians this week and I couldn't be more excited. This is yet another dynamite epistle from the Apostle Paul loaded with plenty of deep truths and practical application.  It's known as the "Book of Joy" which I believe is suitable because you can't  read the book of Philippians without getting joyful. You get that pep in your step after spending some time studying it. It's not because it's full of fluffy, light-hearted sentiments but rather demonstrates the very real and raw joy that is available to us even in the midst of trial. Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the Philippians and without a doubt had his moments of weakness, fear and despair. BUT the sustaining force that allowed him to bear up under the pressure was the reality that he could do all things through Christ and therefore had a reason to always rejoice. 

My prayer for this week is that our hearts will echo some of the cries of Paul's heart and come to a place wherein we know in the depths of our souls that everything is loss and rubbish in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. The more we know Jesus, the more joy we will possess.

Here is my personal study plan for the week:

Monday- Read book in its entirety from start to finish several times without making any markings/notes. Again, this is to get that aerial view and greater context.

Tuesday- Same as above

Wednesday- chapter 1 in depth (commentaries, journaling, marking etc.)

Thursday- chapter 2

Friday- chapter 3

Saturday- chapter 4

Sunday- read through from start to finish several times again, making final notes etc.

Join me on social media for periodic encouragement from the book this week.

 

Facebook: @thepreciousandthepleasant

Instagram: @brytnimcneil

Would love to hear about what God reveals to you this week!

Happy reading!

Bryt xoxo

Ephesians at a Glance

This week we are jumping back into the New Testament studying the book of Ephesians!  It's a short book of only 6 chapters but each one is JAMMED PACKED with theological and doctrinal richness and practical daily application.  The book starts off exhorting the believer, informing us of our newfound position in Christ.  It's FULL of the inheritance that has been given to us as sons and daughters of God. We are told the sad truth of where we were prior to the cross but will find ourselves jumping through the roof as we read line after line of not just good news, but the GREATEST NEWS EVER TOLD! Then in chapter 4-6, the book then progresses into explaining what it looks like to now LIVE as a child of God.  We are told that "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)

Basically, a key theme is that our purpose flows from our position.  What we do is a result of who we are. We don't "work" to earn God's love, but rather, in Christ, we already have God's love and therefore we work. We move forward on the battlefield of life from a place of victory, not defeat.

My prayer this week for myself and for those participating is that we will gain a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ and everything that that implies.  I also pray that as we embrace the solidified and eternal identity that Christ has secured for us, we will walk in the good works he has already prepared from us out of love for Him and appreciation for all he has done.  May our lives become a living sacrifice of worship to the only worthy One!

With that being said, here is my personal reading/study timeline for the week:

Monday- Read through Ephesians from start to finish a few times refraining from highlighting/journaling etc. Like I've mentioned before, the reason I do this is so that I can grasp the greater context and get that aerial view before I start really diving into details.
Tuesday- Focus only on chapter 1, using commentaries, journaling/highlighting etc.
Wednesday- Chapter 2
Thursday- Chapter 3
Friday- Chapter 4
Saturday- Chapter 5
Sunday- Chapter 6

I'll be posting periodically throughout the week personal insights and encouragement on Facebook @thepreciousandthepleasant and on instagram @brytnimcneil ! Please feel free to join in on the conversation and share what the Lord is doing in your heart through the reading!

Happy reading!

Bryt xoxo

Ruth at a Glance

I am BEYOND excited to study through the book of RUTH. She is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Bible characters who's life story is laced with tragedy, uncertainty, romance and DESTINY! I'll spend the full week studying this book even though it's only 4 chapters.

Along with reading/studying the book, I will also be reading through a short novella about the life of Ruth by Francine Rivers called, Unshaken: One of five unlikely women who changed eternity.  

You can find it for purchase for your kindle or a hardcover on amazon. I read this book years ago in about one day because it really brought the story of Ruth to LIFE and I couldn't put it down. So I thought that this would be the perfect time to revisit a book that I thoroughly enjoyed so very much.

With that being said, here is my personal projected reading plan for the week:

• Monday & Tuesday- Read through the book in its entirety several times without stopping to reread, underline, journal, etc.  Again, my reason for doing this is to grasp the greater context and get that aerial view before really sinking my feet into it.
• Wednesday- Study, in depth, chapter 1 only using commentaries, highlighters, journaling, etc.
• Thursday- Repeat with Chapter 2
• Friday- Chapter 3
• Saturday- Chapter 4
• Sunday- Re-read the whole book in its entirety several times

I also highly advise doing a thorough study on the meaning and purpose of a Kinsmen Redeemer.  THIS is where you will start to see foreshadowing of Jesus and will walk away more intimately connected to HIM, rather than just deriving some good "life lessons" from Ruth and the other character's lives (although we want to learn from their lives as well). 

Lastly, I will periodically post verses from Ruth and things that God places on my heart as I read on social media. Please JOIN IN on the conversation and follow me on Facebook @Thepreciousandthepleasant or on instagram @Brytnimcneil .

I pray that as we observe the life of this beautiful, redeemed woman, we will grow closer to the REDEEMER who connects our story to hers.

Happy reading!

Bryt xoxo

A New Creation: All that Matters

Let's just say that my heart desperately needed to study through Galatians the first week of the year! I can already tell that I am reaping the rewards and benefits of choosing to go through it first.  The Spirit highlighted several things in my life and the whole book is halfway scribbled on to death, but I think Galatians 6:15-16 brought everything full circle for me.

"For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.  And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." 

It doesn't get any more straightforward than that! Nothing I do, absolutely NOTHING, can count me righteous or merit my salvation and justification.  The only thing that matters is a NEW CREATION who is given a NEW HEART with NEW DESIRES AND PASSIONS and therefore will DO NEW THINGS for God's glory, through the sacrifice of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit! Once I can truly learn to live in step with that gospel message, I will be ruled by peace and be a recipient of mercy from a loving Savior day in and day out.  THAT is what I want. To be ruled by peace. No more striving, no more performing.  Just peacefully and passionately living as a new creation, appropriating and walking in the righteous works and deeds that Christ purchased and prepared for for me.

Thank you, Jesus.

5 Minute Mushrooms

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 package of organic mushrooms

1-2 Tablespoons organic butter

3(ish) Tablespoons Marsala Wine

Salt & Pepper

1 Teaspoon dried parsley flakes

D I R E C T I O N S 

Melt butter in frying pan and sauté mushrooms with plenty of black pepper but minimal salt (the Marsala Wine is salty). Once the mushrooms begin to cook down (about a minute or two), splash in the Marsala and crank up the heat until most of the liquid is cooked down and the mushrooms are nice and caramelized, stirring frequently. Sprinkle dried parsley on the top and serve!

Enjoy!

Bryt xoxo 

Galatians at a Glance

It's almost time! I'm getting more and more excited about studying scripture with you. I'm praying an ancient prayer of David when he said, "Open the eyes of my heart that I may see wonderful things in your Word" over my own heart and for those of you participating. I believe God's Spirit will illumine the text in such a way that we will not be able to CONTAIN the transformation that ensues! With that being said let me briefly share why starting the year in Galatians could possibly be the BEST thing to set your spiritual thermostat to the right temperature and a few (hopefully) helpful study tips.

Why start with Galatians?

I desperately need to start my year in Galatians because of the unfortunate tendency of my heart to believe other "gospels". I'm a works person by nature and tend to measure God's love for and delight in me based upon what I DO; what I accomplish. Although, from an intellectual vantage point, I understand and am well-versed in the doctrine that I am saved BY GRACE through faith and not of my own doing, I undermine that theological truth when it's time for every day practical application. Paul rebuked the Galatians stating, "Who has BEWITCHED you"! He was grieved over the sad truth that these people who had accepted Jesus and had fully thrown themselves upon his mercy seat for salvation, realizing that their works couldn't save, we're so quickly deceived into thinking that their works now needed to KEEP them saved. How foolish! Works are not needed to save us but they are supposedly needed to "keep" us saved? Works never merited the love of God in the first place, but now that we have his love we have to work to keep it? It sounds bizarre and does not even have any rational bearing but YET I tend to be a Galatian! 

The New Year with all its pressure to be resolute and set new goals only adds fuel to this destructive inferno that I have to daily throw the water of the Word and the good news of the gospel upon! I know myself, a works-oriented person with a hint of Pharisee, and need the truth that it's only by GRACE through FAITH, and that while I was STILL DEAD in my SIN Christ died and loved me, to shatter the lies! I need to start the year knowing that I don't "do" in order to "be" but rather I "am" and therefore I "do". What I do, accomplish, achieve, my obedience, my godly living, and my "works" stem FROM my identity and inheritance in Jesus (which cannot be shaken, but is fixed in the heavens, sealed with the Holy Spirit!), and are NOT a means to GAIN my identity or acceptance! Yes, yes and YES! I need Galatians because I need a loving slap in the face from Jesus at the start of this year. I need to be reminded that the good news of the gospel will be GOOD NEWS every SECOND of every MINUTE of every HOUR of every DAY this year.  It sustains me! It will carry me. I only have to walk in step with God's Spirit and the FRUIT of the Spirit will be produced in ever-increasing measure. I need the encouragement to not "fall back into a yoke of slavery" as Paul exhorts the Galatians not to do.   Recalibrating and refocusing my heart on the CROSS and all of its implications as I appropriate the perfect righteousness and perfect obedience that were purchased for and given to me, is the goal for the year!

I pray that every false gospel that tries to rise up and preach anything except Christ and him crucified to me or you this year will be dismantled in the name of JESUS, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, for the glory of the FATHER!


Helpful Study Tips

Now that I literally feel like I can jump off my bed and go through the ceiling after preaching the gospel to my own heart, let me calm down and share a few practical tips.

1. I HIGHLY suggest spending tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday reading Galatians from start to finish without highlighting  , underlining, circling, or taking any notes.  This aerial view of the book is crucial to being able to break it down into smaller bite-size pieces. Even if you don't understand certain parts, don't stop to re-read if you can help it. Just read through it a few times.  It will be much easier to properly exegete (explain or interpret) individual verses when we are grasping the greater context.  Then on Wednesday, I plan to dive into just chapter 1 in greater depth, marking in my Bible, reading commentaries and journaling.  I'll do the same with remaining chapters/days of the week.

2. Read through Galatians in more than one translation.  The ESV is my main study translation, but I occasionally read from less formal versions to bring a bit more clarity when needed.

3. Have a few extra study materials on hand to add to aid in your study time. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem is one of my favs. Books like this one will help you to categorize doctrinal truths learned in Galatians!



Well, tomorrow will be great! Even if you have read Galatians 100 times, pray for your eyes to be opened to the well of endless truth and revelation contained within its' pages!

Happy reading,

Bryt xoxo

The Security of "The Swing of Things"

It's bright and early as me and my little family are making our way back to California. Christmas has been so wonderful and time with both sides of our family was priceless! All of the presents and parties, late nights and candy, traditions and festivities have just about worn us all down and we are anxious to get back to the swing of things.

As much as we enjoy taking a break, getting away, and tossing the consistent routine we all have every once in a while, we are all yearning for the predictable once again. I actually miss meal prepping and dish washing, reading time and early bedtimes! Organizing, grocery shopping, baby bathing, house cleaning and child-rearing are calling my name and I can't WAIT to get back to it. 

Oh how there is security in a bit of predictability! There is a peace of mind and a steadfastness of spirit that comes over us when we, as a family, can plow ahead stewarding the things God has sovereignly allowed us to control while maintaining faith and trust in Him as we face the unknown. 

We don't know all of the ends and outs of 2016, but we know our God and we know his plans are always good. I'm thankful that he has given us the ability and the responsibility to do what we can each day with mundane faithfulness if that's what it takes. 

I'm just grateful for the swing of things. 

Hope for Homemaking

This past Christmas was BY FAR the best one yet with our little girls. Both of them seemed to really grasp and understand the Spirit of Christmas as well as the meaning. The month of December was filled with endless story time accounts of Jesus' birth, daily advent activities and scripture readings, cookies, cider, chai tea and just about anything and everything that makes the holiday season feel like... The holiday season.

But what really blessed my heart as a mother this year was watching my girls' imaginations embrace something very near and dear to my heart: homemaking. We decided that homemaking would be the "theme" of our Christmas presents this year for our daughters. We were extremely fortunate and found a gently used three piece kitchen set along with all the bells and whistles on Craigslist and also purchased their first "official" baby dolls and all of the fun accessories. I will never forget the looks on their faces when they came around the corner to discover the new imaginative world of play! Nothing warmed my heart more.

These gifts were intentional on my and my husband's part. We didn't just choose these items so that our kids could have more "stuff" or more things to keep them busy while we fulfill other obligations. In a lot of ways, these purchases were an act of faith and a display of hope. We hope our daughters will develop a love for homemaking. We hope they learn to value the art of making a home fun, safe and inviting. In a society where homemaking is not esteemed and is viewed as a secondary responsibility and a "lesser than" calling, we wish to inspire and empower them in that endeavor. No, homemakers will not be WHO they are nor be ALL that they do, but my prayer is that it will be something they love, value and cherish. Wives/mommies really are the heartbeat of the home life. I have faith that with each moment they spend making me pretend dinners and changing play diapers, their hearts will be shaped, molded and prepared to joyously assume the position of homemaker even in the face of its breakdown and demise. I have great hope for them. I have great hope for the art of homemaking. It may be lost in some respects, but all it takes are willing vessels and intentional esteeming of it to breath new life into the calling.  Revolutions and reformations of thought and practice where almost always birthed from the heart of one individual throughout history. Change doesn't always require an army of likeminded people. It can start with one mother, one daughter, one father, one son choosing to unashamedly recommit to the HOME. It takes one family choosing to view themselves as a potential powerful force in the world, just as God intended it to be.  It calls for one parental unit being resolute in its efforts to truly see their children as "arrows" and dedicating their lives to aiming them in the right direction before they let go and allow those children to reach their God-given targets.

So by faith and with great joy we are starting within our own home. By God's grace we will raise daughters (and Lord-willing, sons) who will allow God's Spirit to birth a passion and zeal for one of the very first communities ever established on earth: the family. 

Ah do I have hope. Great hope, indeed.

The Power of Believing God with Your Husband

To say that my and my husband's faith has been stretched over the last several months would be an understatement! We've had to really buckle down, stick together, pray together and trust God together. But several circumstances in our lives drove us to sheer desperation a few weeks ago. Without getting into too much personal detail, I will just say that we needed MIRACLES.  We needed God to come through in mighty and powerful ways.  After weeks of spending more time in prayer, receiving godly council and doing everything on our part to rectify the problems to no avail, we knew it was time to cry out even louder. We needed to bang on the door of heaven harder. We needed to press into new and unfamiliar realms and allow our faith to sail us out upon the waters, into the great unknown. So we started a fast.

To be honest, I hate fasting with a passion. It is by far my weakest spiritual discipline. So much so that I have trouble viewing fasting as a "pathway of grace" but rather see it as a "duty". When my husband approached me about doing it, I was less than thrilled but my inner being wanted so desperately to see God do the impossible, that I obliged. So we embarked upon a 10 day version of the Daniel fast. We were completely depleted from a physical, emotional and spiritual standpoint, but still had a small flame of faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we were able to help fan in one another. We committed each day to more intentional and focused prayer and Bible study. As each day passed, we were living in the tension of steadily increasing faith and expectation along with the mounting pressure of deadlines. We both felt an unusual ability to hear from God clearly which was invigorating, exhilarating and frightening all at the same time, while still wrestling with the frustration of seemingly unanswered prayers. We were more real and raw with God and each other than we had been in some time. It's amazing how when you deprive your body of food to one degree or another, you realize just how "loud" it always is in your life.  Fasting turned the noise down enabling us to hear the still small voice of God.  We were two people invading heaven together...Two hearts holding on for one another when one of us felt like giving up... Two souls fighting to keep each other warm by the fire of our faith. Then, what our hearts had been anxiously anticipating for months, was answered in the span of less than 24 hours. We got a miracle! Heaven opened up and rained down. Of course the miracle was remarkable but more than anything, my husband and I tapped into a power source that we have failed to tap into more regularly as a married couple! I truly believe that the enemy of our souls shudders when a husband and a wife dare to believe God for the impossible. I believe he cringes when he sees us as a united force, bound by a holy covenant, standing on Jesus as our Rock. Don't allow the wind and the waves to blow you over, even if everything in your flesh literally, in every sense of the phrase, would rather be "gone with the wind" instead of braving the storm.

I don't know what you and your spouse may be believing Jesus for.  It could be healing in your marriage, a new baby, breakthrough in your finances, healing in your bodies, etc.  Or maybe you are simply in need of greater faith. Perhaps you and your husband have been in a season of doubt, unsure of who Jesus really is, what he has done and what he is calling you to.  I challenge you to believe! I'm convinced that there are few things on earth more lethal to the schemes of the enemy than a husband and a wife who boldly approach the Father, through the finished work of the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember that Jesus is FOR marriage. He is FOR unwavering faith. After all, he is the author and finisher of it. Our God specializes in the impossible! I dare you to believe God with your husband. I dare you to grab his hand and (respectfully) say, "Honey, we are going to approach the Throne together, even if we have to drag each other the whole way." Our King awaits us. Ready to listen, and resolved to manifest his satisfying presence wherein there is fullness of joy and pleasures forever more. He is ready to respond. Only believe. 

Give Them Jesus

Aren’t we all in the hustle and bustle of this holiday season? The aroma of yummy baked treats is filling the air of our homes. Christmas decor has taken over the mantle, coffee table, baker’s rack etc. In the midst of it all, we mommas are just trying to create at least some sort of Christmas nostalgia for our kids to remember when the child-like excitement over presents, Santa and cookies begins to dissipate. Oh, the mental stress that this task can bring! Will we have enough money? Is this season full of enough fun? Do my kids feel cheated that their home doesn’t look like the North Pole? Did we do all of the advent daily crafts I found on Pinterest? Are my chosen crafts as cool as my friends’? …It’s just too easy to get caught up in the things that don’t really matter when it’s all said and done. Am I saying that we shouldn’t decorate and do crafts and bake and do all of the things that add warmth and fun to the Christmas season? No! But I am saying that we need not let it bury us or discourage us. More than anything, our kids need to see Jesus this Christmas. They need to behold the little baby that would one day grow up and die for their sins. They need to see that the greatest gift of all was our God incarnate, bridging the chasm that stood between God and us. Santa is fun. Presents are awesome. Christmas trees are beautiful. But they NEED Jesus. I pray my kids behold their loving Savior this Christmas. I hope that with each gift that they open with their precious little hands, their hearts will simultaneously be opening to the the ever-powerful, life-changing message of the Gospel. One day their little feet won’t be pitter-pattering across the hall to open their presents. The thrill of sending a wish-list to Santa will be gone. Decorating the house will become less appealing overtime. But the message of the virgin birth of a sinless Savior who has reconciled us to God will increasingly grip and carry their hearts with each passing year! So give them Jesus. That’s what Christmas is all about.