My non-New Year Resolutions

Hey there! It feels like it's been quite a while.
I hope that you all had an amazing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever it may be that you celebrated.
We had such a blessed and beautiful Christmas. Having a child around, even one that's four months old and wanted only to eat the wrapping paper, is SO much fun!! I loved the fact that Christmas 2013, Eric and I were announcing to our family that we were pregnant and this year she was actually here. It just goes to show how much The Lord has blessed us within just one year!
Makenna made out pretty good between toys, clothes and other special gifts. Makenna was still so little for her first Christmas so didn't get to do any of the traditions that I was looking forward to but next year will be so much fun and I already have the list tucked away. I am so happy that we were able to spend yet another Christmas with all of our family. My mom made a beautiful Christmas ham dinner with yummy deserts to follow. Everything gluten free besides the gravy! (YUCK! I was ok with that.)
Eric had the flu Christmas Eve but, thankfully, was feeling better Christmas day so he could enjoy our daughters first Christmas. Makenna got some cooties though and has been struggling with congestion and a cough but we took her to the pediatrician and she is doing a lot better.
This was my second Christmas as a saved Christian and golly, I just seem to enjoy the day so much more and really took the time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday beyond the Hallmark aspect of it. I love Jesus so much and can't wait to celebrate that part of it when Makenna can understand! The Christmas services at Newspring were one for the books and they are now available to watch online for anyone to see. Here are some pictures from our day:

Makenna enjoying some toys she got from her Oma and Opa!

Opening up gifts on Christmas morning :)

She was thrilled, I promise haha

SO now that Christmas is over as quickly as it came, who is ready for New Years? Last year I was pregnant, tired and cranky so Eric and I climbed into bed around 10:30 PM and didn't even make it till midnight to share a goodnight kiss. Maybe this year will be different.
I started getting busy, last month, thinking of all the New Year resolutions I wanted to make but then got to thinking about how I never follow them! I always write a big journal entry and go into such detail about all that I want to do differently or see happen in the year coming up. I starting wondering why we always wait till the New Year to start to make changes. Does making goals following a big event help the mind achieve them easily? In my case NO. Why not just start now?
I decided to make a list right then and planned to already be into making my goals a reality by the time the big ball drops in Times Square and it's 2015 and I would love to share that list with you! I believe that when family or friends hold me accountable for things that I'm working towards, that gives me an extra boost of motivation. As long as they do it nicely of course!
So here is my list of goals, dreams and wishes for the year of 2015:
1) Buy our first home (We are SO close!)
2) Get into the best shape of my life
3) Work on my credit score
4) Volunteer and dedicate as much of myself as I can to Newspring church on a Sunday or throughout the week
5) Be the best mother and wife I can be
6) Become a better cook
7) Learn how to ride a dirt bike
8) Paint a picture
9) Play the piano more often
10) Travel to New York
11) Complete a plank challenge
12 ) Run a marathon
13) Read the bible even more and be even closer to Jesus

I have a few more personal ones that will be just for me to work towards but I know with God that ANY of these are possible if I just ask and pray with a knowing heart. I would love to hear some of your non-New Year resolutions ;) gfmamaj@gmail.com. I actually received an email (From a fellow, Jack, from France! How cool!! Shoutout!) asking me about my resolutions which resulted in this post. I love, love, love hearing from you and would love to chat!
I hope if you are still on break that you enjoy the rest of it. My sister and brother-in-law are in Disneyworld right now and I'm so jealous :) I know they are having a fabulous time! If you still have to travel back home, be safe and I hope everyone enjoys the rest of 2014! Remember that it's not too late to make it a great year and that 2015 can be even better. The best is always to come and I pray for all of you reading this, that this upcoming year will being nothing but blessings and happiness.
Much love!!

I am shameless, I am free, I am Yours!

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 
I have been spending a lot more time in the bible lately. My "quiet" time with God was something I would try and fit in with my busy schedule but now I've made it mandatory. Whenever my daughter is done with her morning bottle, I usually put her in her puppy rocker to watch Doc McStuffins or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I do my morning pump session and she takes her first nap of the day. The past couple of weeks I have been using this time to get off Facebook and read a few of my devotions and spend some time digging into His word. No better way to start the day right?? The book of Romans has been a place I've been lead to lately by God. It's I have a few of my life verses and I feel like my quiet time has been ending up there. 
One of my favorite sources for devotionals, and anything else positive, is with Proverbs 31 Ministries. They are such a great group of honest and God loving women that I really feel like I'm spending quality time with when I read through a daily devotion. Today's was titled: Shame On Me, Again by Vicki Courtney. It starts with the verse from Romans 8:1, which is a very powerful verse. The devotion is all about shame. How shame compares to guilt, regret or embarrassment. 
One thing Vicki said that struck me was "Guilt is always connected to behavior, while shame is always connected to identity. While guilt draws us toward God, shame sends us away from God."
Shame is such a strong emotion to feel. I have done more then my fair share of things in the past that bring that emotion on. Not quite as much anymore as I continue grow with Jesus but there are times I will be driving on my own, flipping through radio stations and a song will be playing that causes such a sting in my heart. A sting from a song that reminds me of a time in my life when I was so far from Jesus. I get a clammy feeling and a lump in my throat when think about that time; even being by myself.
BUT! Here's the beautiful thing that Romans 8:1 speaks perfectly: There is NO condemnation as long as Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I don't have to feel shame! I don't have to hear or see a reminder when shame comes around and coward down from God. With Jesus, I am FREE! Isn't that great to just say out loud??!
I AM FREE!!
This devotion was such a great reminder for me when I get to feel that way and like Vicki, I plan to keep slamming the door in shames face; making it go far away. You can too! 


Has anybody else completely engulfed themselves into the holiday season?! I totally have! I mean, I'm talking hot cocoa, warm PJ's and Elf every night! (I'll watch Elf in July though too, haha.)
It is such a wonderful time of year. Ever since I was little, my parents and I have decorated the tree and house together and since this year Eric and I weren't really able to do that in our own home, we were even happier to carry on with that tradition, with them, in their home! My mom and I felt very nostalgic looking at all the special ornaments that have been collected over the years; some since before I was even born. It is SO very wonderful having Makenna here this year and I'd love to share a few of our special moments from last night :)

The finished product :)

My two favorites :)

Santa baby! Seriously though, isn't she the cutest?!

I get all the goofiness from my Daddy, haha.

I hope you all are just loving this time of year as much as I am! 

I am so blessed to hear from others all around the world. This blog has been such a way to connect with different people and I really appreciate those that keep up with me and have become my email buddies! As always, I'm here to chat about everything and anything: gfmamaj@gmail.com

MUCH, MUCH LOVE!!

Humble beginnings make the best blessings

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" -Hebrews 13:5
This verse has been on my heart the past few weeks. I've been reading it every morning and have been trying my best to meditate and pray over it throughout my day. It's gets difficult for me though. I look at the pictures of my friends picking out their Christmas trees and decorating their beautiful homes with decorations; stockings hang over their fireplaces. I look at our little fifth wheel with sadness. Knowing that, even though Makenna is too little this year to even understand Christmas, I still wish I had more to offer her this year.
MORE
There is a word I need to stop using. A word that keeps my heart constantly running in search of what else I can add to my list of things and a word that makes God sad.
Hebrews 13:5 is the perfect verse for the season in my life right now. As a Christian, I need to take a look at what I DO have and not only make the best out of it but appreciate it. Be thankful for the warm bed where I can safely lay my head down at night. A home filled with baby laughter, dog barks, kitty meows and the gentle words of my husband.
I AM BLESSED!
The more it sinks in of rich my life truly is, the more contentment I feel. I still have moments where the flesh part of me wishes we had more, but Jesus is teaching me patience, love and contentment. I pray that He continues to fill my heart, mostly, with those three things. He wants to fulfill our wishes, just when He feels it's right. And I'm learning to be ok with that.
So in honor of Hebrews 13:5, Christmas and Hanukkah (yes, Jesus was Jewish! And I used to be as well, so why not?!) here is a little part of the holidays at the Jansons:

Here is our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree and menorah :)

Spam my email with your holiday decorations! 

Today is my parents 28th anniversary, as I'm sure many of you saw on Facebook or Instagram. I look at them and see nothing but so much love. After 28 years they still are the best of friends and companions. They have helped Eric and I so much throughout our marriage and have a huge influence on our marriage and us as people. I hope the next 28 years are just as magical as the first. I love you guys! 

Eric and I were so happy to be able to attend the Newspring Volunteer Christmas Party last night. We met up with some sweet friends and enjoyed a really nice night. I must say I LOVE my church. It has played a big role in how far my relationship with Jesus has come and is still going. To be part of a movement with Newspring that have one goal: to bring as many people closer to Jesus as possible in a world that needs Him more then ever; it's amazing. I have never loved Jesus as much as I do one and I know the best is only yet to come. 

Today I went with my parents and Makenna (Eric had to unfortunately work) to the Soda City in downtown Columbia. It's one of my favorite, local places to go and walk around and I actually spent more then I wanted to, haha. Here are some pictures from our fun day:

I scored Makenna some really cute, homemade bows! 

Indulged in a gluten free cupcake for me and a regular cupcake for Eric! 

Love my mama! 

Babywearing is one of my favorite things to do with Makenna! She falls asleep every time.

Tomorrow is Makennas dedication. We are having the care pastor from our church come to my parents home and just pray over our family. This is such a big deal to Eric and I as we make a promise before our family and friends to raise Makenna in a Christ-like and Christ-loving environment. I am excited to make our sweet baby that promise and I am looking forward to teaching her all about Jesus. It's going to be a nice day and I cannot wait! 

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season so far and are having a great weekend. If I can pray for you or with you in any way possible please don't ever hesitate to email me: gfmamaj@gmail.com.

Don't stop spreading the love and taking time to remember what this season represents, no matter what holiday you celebrate. 

Much love to you all! Xoxoxo

Friendship Breakups

I had a pretty large and great group of friends growing up throughout my school years. I had girls I could count on to tell secrets to, be honest with me and goof around with. They were into the same things I was into: drama, chorus, ooing and awing over the boys. I found myself lucky, despite the typical high school drama outside my group, to have people I could truly count on.
For me, most of the friendships didn't keep after we graduated. I, unfortunately, ditched a lot of those friendships for a boy that took the number one place in my life for a while. And others ended due to lack of communication.
I read this article on Huffinton Post online titled: When Friendship Is Lost. It made me sad and really got me thinking about friendship. It makes me think about the friendships I've had and the friendships I have now. It's awful when a friendship ends. Especially with the access that we can still have to their lives through social media; you watch them go through all these milestones and wish you could be there to be a part of it all. 
But I have to face the fact that some friendships aren't meant to last. The Lord puts exactly who He wants in our life at the perfect time and for a specific reason. Some of those people remain for a lifetime and some for just a season. I've had a lot of these "season friendships" and looking back on them I see exactly why God put them there. To teach me a lesson or help me grow and then, when that is completed, we just "breakup." 
It's not easy to watch a friendship end though. Whether it be in a gradual way or abruptly; your fault or theirs. I find it harder for me to open up to new people, rather then be the social butterfly I once was, because of  how things have ended for me in the past. Things happened the way they were supposed to though. It doesn't stop me from missing the times we shared and the memories we made. Now they are just pictures in albums that lay packed away, never being looked at.
While I may not have as many friends as I once did, I do have a group of people in my life that I wouldn't trade for the world. Friends that make an effort and really show that they want me in their life. As my mother always said when it came to friends: quality>quantity! Surrounding myself with positive people helps me be the positive person I want to be. 

To have good friends, you must be a good friend first! 

I pray that I can continue in becoming a better friend than I have been in the past. And I pray that The Lord brings exactly who I need into my life when He deems best. I thank Him for the friendships I have that play such a big role in my life. I hope that those who used to play a big role have a lifetime of blessings and happiness and I thank them for how they helped equipped me to be the woman I am now, whether we are still in touch or not. 

So can a friendship breakup be as bad as a relationship breakup? Maybe not in the same way, but absolutely. 

Thoughts? Questions? Want to chat about this or anything else? gfmamaj@gmail.com :) 

By the way! 

Swiss Miss Candy Cane hot chocolate is the best treat for this time of year (even though it was sunny and 70 degrees here in SC) AND it's gluten free. 

Hope you are all getting your holiday shopping done and have put up your tree or menorah!!

Much love! Xoxo