Mama Monday...{Cristy}!!!

 

Tell us about yourself...
Hello! My name is Cristy. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. I’m married to the love of my life, Caleb. We will have been married for 4 years this summer. We have two adorable little kiddos, Noah who is 3 ½ and Emma who will be 2 at the end of April. Our third child is a black Labrador puppy, Luke. He just turned a year old. I’m so blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids pretty much full-time. I have a very flexible part-time job, I work two days a week. I’m a Christ-follower. I pretty radically re-dedicated my life to Christ about 3 years ago and I am constantly working and learning who I am in Christ and what I’m called to do for him.

Husband love...
My husband Caleb and I started dating our senior year of high school, we both played basketball. We fell in love really fast and really hard. We were pretty much inseparable. I don’t want to say we are complete opposites, but we are very different. I think the differences are what make us work so great together. We got married young. I was 19 when we got married. Right after I turned 20 we had our son Noah. Yes, we are babies having babies! I have been told that by sooo many people! Our first year of marriage was extremely difficult. We went through so many trials we reflect on it sometimes and wonder how we are still married. 3 years later and dedicating our marriage and family to God we are even more in love than when I met him and have grown so much. Marriage is hard but so rewarding. Caleb is an amazing leader and he works so hard to provide a great life for our family. I constantly wonder how I got so lucky!  I’m so blessed to have found such an awesome best friend to do life with!

Mama love...
My little lovies! I seriously love my babies; I would probably have 4 kids by now if my husband didn’t keep me thinking rationally! Our first little blessing is Noah (3). I never would have thought a little 7lb 15oz baby boy could have such an impact on my life like he did. He completely captured my heart the moment I first laid eyes on him. He is all BOY! Anything that he can shoot, throw, kick he wants it and he’s doing it. He is rough and tough but so sweet. Almost every single day no matter where we are he will find a flower or a weed and pick it for me! He is always so proud to bring it to me. He is so smart and coordinated he amazes me with what all he can do on a daily basis.
Just 18 short months after Noah was born we had our second blessing. Emma Faith. She is my beautiful, princess Emmie! She has bright red hair and people constantly call her “Pebbles”. Emma brings the humor to our family. She is little Miss Independent. She can and will do everything herself! She has the sweetest, purest heart and I just pray for her constantly. I can’t get enough of her snuggles and kisses. She is definitely a Momma’s Girl!

 

Challenges you have faced on this mama journey...
I’ve had different challenges through the different seasons with my kids. First it was having two “babies”. Two in diapers at one point was really hard. They both needed your full undivided attention. Sleepless nights and days, I would be up all night with the baby who just screamed for hours some nights and up all day with my son. Currently the kids fight with each other over what seems like everything. They love hard and fight hard! They are both at the ages where they are testing boundaries. Trying to discipline and teaching them right from wrong, can be really exhausting!!! They are both at different levels mentally so I have had to learn to balance that.

 

Mama advice for surviving the tough days...
My advice would be to remember this is only a season of your life. I’m constantly reminding myself of that. My husband and I were doing a devotional book together one night and it was talking about how this couple was used to hearing little feet run down the hall to wake them every morning. Then they blinked and the kids are grown and on their own. Of course I started crying thinking about my kids not being babies anymore, and my husband thought I was crazy as usual.  That really stuck out to me and reminded me of how fast time goes and to enjoy these moments even though it’s hard. They don’t last forever.

 

Simple pleasures...
Date nights with my Hubby; Snuggling in my bed with my babies; Hearing “I love you mommy”; My morning coffee; My second morning coffee; Noah laughs; Driving with the windows down; Country music; Late night talks with my Hubby; Good Girlfriends; Being out on the water; Laying out; Quiet Times; Long phone conversations with friends; Emmie snuggles, hugs, kisses; Evening walks with my family; Hikes; Trying new recipes; a clean house; Sushi; Grilling on our patio; college football; Florida Gators; Long runs with my Man; Hearing my kids learning to pray; Frozen yogurt.

 

Money Saving Tip...
My husband and I are super budgeted. I usually plan out our meals for two weeks at a time. I make a grocery list according to what we will need. I’m a little overboard with my lists as in I try to price out exactly how much everything will cost so I know how much I’m going to spend at what store. I try not to buy anything not on the list!

 

Health and fitness...
My husband works out every morning so he is my motivation to stay in shape and work out. I try to work out 4 times a week and I will work out during the kids' naps. Lately I have been doing Insanity. Even if I have no desire or motivation to work out if I can just push through a good work out it’s the most rewarding feeling. I have more energy to take on the second part of my day with the kids.

 

Good read...
The Good and Beautiful God- I forgot who it’s by; I read this in one of my life groups a few months ago. I have been wanting to re-read it.

 

Beauty secret...
Biosilk- I just put a tiny bit in my hair before I blow dry it and a little more if I straighten my hair. I’m guilty of straightening my hair WAYY too much. This helps keep it feeling soft and silky!

 

Recipe...
Brown Sugar Chicken 
It’s my quick go to recipe! Super easy and yummy.

Dessert...
Banana Pudding 
This is SOOO Good Y’all!

 

Closing words...
Every parent is going to have their own unique challenges and rewards. I have had to learn not to compare my kids. My son developed very quickly in many aspects, where as my daughter develops at her own unique pace. Their personalities are each so different. They handle situations differently, react differently. I love that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. God has given ME and my husband the responsibility to guide these kids and teach them. It’s a scary thought sometimes that we’re responsible for them, but what a blessing!