Kicking Off...Mama Monday! {Just Me...Katy Nicole}

 

This blog…

This blog is my place to share my heart and muse over this journey of ours. Give y’all a little glimpse of the life of Katy Nicole…a wife and mama who is surrendered to Jesus and in big time need of His grace, mercy and love. Welcome!!!

 

Tell us about yourself…

I am Katy Nicole. I am a Christ-Follower. I have been married to my best friend and the love of my life Jay for a little over three years. We met at a bar of all places...when I was 19 years old (yes, I know.).
We locked eyes the minute we saw each other and here we are now. Our son Greyson blessed us with his sweet presence last spring. And our lives have been forever changed. There are not words strong enough to express the love and joy that he has given us. We have two beagles Jax and Finn who we adore. They keep us entertained with their mischievous hound dog ways. I am a huge foodie. And I love to feed people.  I was once told that I am 1,000 pounds at heart and I totally believe it.  I cherish the time spent with our family. I am the oldest of three girls, I am blessed with loving and supportive parents who love Jesus and I can honestly say I have to see my in-laws on a regular basis or else I miss them. I can't get enough of the outdoors. Sometimes a girl just needs her some sunshine and dirt.  My favorite days are the ones spent by my husband's side with our Grey Grey in my arms.


Husband love...
Jay and I work to be marriage-centric.I believe the greatest gift I can give Greyson is to love and respect his dad. Making each other our first priority (second to our relationship with Jesus) and the way that we choose to treat one another will speak volumes to Greyson and our future children...

"Having children requires some major structural changes in your life and your marriage. Where most couples get sidetracked, however, is making their marriage kid-centric instead of marriage-centric....The lie of our culture is that kids are the nucleus of the family cell. That is ludicrous and it is not Biblical. The marriage is the nucleus of the family cell..."
(excerpt from a book I recommend below)

 

 

Mama love...

I have always wanted to be a mom. My mom claims it began the day she brought my middle sister home from the hospital...I thought she was brought home for me and I attempted to take over at three years old. The first time I held Greyson in my arms was the most intense experience of my life. The love that I have for him amazes me. He could never do anything to change that love...I have finally begun to understand the concept of unconditional love. He is such a sweet baby. He is all boy for sure but he has such a gentle spirit. As of late his favorite word is go...which I think he picked up on since I am always telling the dogs to go (woops) and his favorite book happens to be Go, Dog. Go! This child puts down some serious food. It's hysterical. He makes my heart smile. My deepest prayer for Greyson is that he finds Jesus and has a relationship with Him all the days of his life.



Challenges you have faced on this mama journey…

One of the biggest challenges I have faced is feeling like I am now just a mom. Since I was old enough to work...I have worked liked crazy. Sadly, I’ve recently discovered that it was something that I often found my value in. The initial shift to full-time mama really threw me for a loop. I began feeling like I was not enough because I wasn’t bringing home a physical paycheck. Thankfully, I am married to a wise and supportive man who was sure to set me straight in these moments of insecurity. Jay would remind me about what GOD says about my job as Greyson’s mother and he would constantly stress to me that being a mom is the most important job in the entire world. I have found that the more time I spend in God’s word and in relationship with Him the more I feel comfortable and equipped for this amazing role He has blessed me with.

 

Mama advice for surviving the tough days…

The greatest piece of mama advice I could give you is not my own. It came from a woman who I really love, admire and look up to… Ms. Debbie! She is the amazing wife of our pastor in Florida and the mother of a family that has forever changed our lives. I listened to her speak to the women of our church a few years ago about how crucial it is to have a “long term perspective” while you are raising your children. I remember these words on the days that are great and the days that are a challenge. Fixing my eyes upon our future goal in raising our children has really helped me get through the challenging days thus far. I know it is going to take great love, sacrifice and work on my part but I am ready and excited for all that is in store. Ms. Debbie also shared this quote from A.W. Tozer and I have forever stored it away in my mama heart…

“God is preparing His heroes. And the time will come when they will be revealed, and the world will wonder where they came from.”   ~A.W. Tozer

 

Simple pleasures…

quiet mornings+Bible+journal+ sippin’ on coffee. thrifted finds. sunday dinners. john deere green. date nights. night time prayers. yoga pants. nursing my chubby one. anthro sale rack. hiking. chia seeds. summer nights. coral nail polish. lunch with friends. garage sales. tahoe. sweet tea. food trucks. snuggling my boys. crockpot. snow storms. russians. bedtime stories. paddle boarding. jimmy johns. big funky earrings. road trips. pestering my husband late at night. reading. avocado. elephants. worship jams. laughing until i can’t breathe. camping. green tea lattes. country music. sushi. time spent doing anything with the people i love.

 

Money saving tip …

I make my grocery list before I head to the store…I stick to the list and allow myself only ONE item to add once I am at the store.

Health and fitness...
I really believe in balance when it comes to the realm of health and fitness. I cook real food with real wholesome ingredients and I eat dessert when I want it. Diets do not work for me...believe me I think I have tried every diet under the sun at some point in my life. However, healthy eating does.Healthy eating for my family involves avoiding processed foods and choosing organic/grass fed as often as we can. I am married to a caveman, so the meals I prepare are typically protein and veggie/fruit filled and it makes us feel great. As far as exercise goes I do not do the gym scene. I love getting my fitness on at home or outdoors. At home I will do P90X or workout with my husband in the garage. I love to stick my chubby one in the pack or stroller and head out for a hike. Hiking and the fresh air was sooo good for me when Greyson was born. I use to feel guilty and think that an entire day was wasted if I did not workout and eat perfectly... that's where the balance comes in for me. I make a point to eat healthy and do a little something active each day and if it does not happen I do better the next day...one day at a time.

Good read…

Sexperiment by Ed and Lisa Young!!!!!!!! Wives, check it out! Love it.

Beauty secret…

Costco’s Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (Kirkland brand). Obsessed. I have used so many shampoos and this is by far my favorite. It has done wonders for my hair. Jay loves the smell of it. It’s a killer deal and it is vegan, sulfate/ paraben/ gluten free.

Recipe…

I have 3 to share. These are all sweet potato recipes...a major staple in our house.

Maple Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Hash

Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
 

Dessert...

These are scary good.

 

Orange Brownies

 

Closing words...

Whether you stay at home with your children, work full time, go to school, single parent, breastfeed, formula feed, struggle financially, have a child with health problems, have one child or ten...being a mother is God's will for you and you are enough for that child. My prayer for you is that those words and God's love and grace will encourage you and meet you where ever you are at on this mama journey...

                                                       

                                                      ~Katy Nicole