"I Do" forever

Most of you who follow this blog know the story of how Eric and I met and when we were married. If not, check out It All Started With A Toaster, and you can catch up!
I love my husband every single day (duh, haha) but there are days when I think back on all him and I have been through as a couple and as individuals and I cannot help but feel a sweet kind of nostalgic and love him even more. Lately, I've been seeing friends and family being separated from their spouses or significant others, whether because of divorce, a breakup, an affair, death or just falling out of love. I look at these situations and trials they are going through and it just makes me hug my husband a little tighter. It wrecks my heart to see what is happening to love and I know the best thing I can do for those going through situations like those I mentioned (and more) is to just be there and pray for them.
Seeing what others have been going through, allows my heart so see that I am seriously SO blessed to have been paired with the most perfectly, imperfect man. Eric has had me swooned from day one and while it takes quite some work to keep that fire going, I love him more every day. We were made to be together!
That doesn't mean things are or have been easy. The pervious post, that I mentioned above, shares the good memories on how our story began. But happily ever after doesn't come without seasons, arguments and doubts. We both made mistakes, hurt each other, been through job losses, infertility, money troubles and there were times when we weren't sure if we would make it. We didn't go to God at all, for anything. We worked against each other and not with each other and we weren't doing all we could to fulfill the vows we made to one another and to God.
But prayer changes things; allowing Jesus to come in and be the center of our marriage is still changing things between us. We still don't have it all together and we never will because we are two imperfect people who made a commitment to each other to create a beautiful, imperfect marriage and love. I think striving for perfection, at least for me, is what interfered the most.
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no man seperate."
-Matthew 19:6
I'm forever thankful to God for bringing Eric into my life. He is, hands down, my best friend and I know that no matter what situation comes our way that we will work it out.
Love is real, it's out there and it's His desire for everybody to find it. I'm a sucker for love and I'm a firm believer that everyone is meant to be with somebody. I am so proud and blessed to have a marriage like we do, that took hard work to get to where we are and I pray that everyone can find a love like that.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
-1 Corinthians 13:4
If you ever need anything, you know where to find me: gfmama@gmail.com
Much love!



Since I've been feeling nostalgic, I thought I'd post some pictures from our wedding and the week of to show!

When Eric "officially" asked me to marry him

I was on cloud 9. I don't think I could've been any more giddy if I tried! 

The week of wedding was some of the most fun I've had in my life and memories I'll never forget! 

My sweet Dad seeing me for the first time in my wedding dress!

I love those two so, so much.

Eric and his mama :) Can you tell how nervous he was?

I was so nervous walking towards him, wondering if we were doing the right thing. But he smiled at me, we grabbed hands and I was never so sure about anything more in my life. 

<3

One of the sweetest days of my life! 

One of my favorites! 

We rode away on our new motorcycle to our hotel "honeymoon" spot. So much fun! 

My parents booked us a two night stay at this little hotel resort by the beach. It was sweet considering Eric had to be back to base on Monday! 

Down with Facebook

"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 Corinthians 6:12 

So silly me forgot to mention that my Facebook is no longer, which means the GFMama page is no longer as well. I am on an official Facebook hiatus and so very happy.

I mean honestly, it's like a sweet freedom. There are many reasons why I (and Eric!) decided to forever delete the number one social media cite out there and here they are a few:

1) Facebook is a HUGE distraction

This (^) means more to me than anything in this world. I am so honored and willing to follow Jesus where ever He wants or needs me to go. I was really having a problem with waking up in the morning and immediately turning to His word; to go to sleep skimming through my newsfeed instead of digging into His word. I was getting quite frustrated at myself due to the lack of time I had for anything else in my life because I was so busy on Facebook! I vowed that 2015 would be the year that I really throw myself into my faith. Jesus' love is worth more to me then just a one minute devotional..which was on my cell phone. Since deleting our Facebooks, Eric and I have happily started reading in the New Testament together and that alone makes my heart happy.

2) It's an unnecessary stressor

I have been wanting to delete my Facebook for quite some time, even before I had Makenna. In fact, when I was pregnant I tried to delete it only to log in a day or so later. It was really starting to bother me how Facebook users were using the cite to just be, well, mean! Commenting on a controversial topic that somebody posts is just a HUGE no-no! Politics, religion, motherhood, vaccinations..those are just a few topics that I saw circulating throughout my friends list right before I deleted my account. Most of those who wish to engage in a "friendly" conversation about a particular topic, really only want you to agree with them and not respond with your opinion. The whole concept is just so silly right?! To get into an argument on Facebook seemed as ridiculous as one child sticking their tongue out at another child on the playground. I didn't want to partake in it anymore. I spent too much of my time worrying and biting my nails over the opinion others had about me. (SO SILLY!) There are real things to be concerned about that are going on in my life, in this country and in the world and Facebook is just not one of them anymore.

3) It took away my time as a mommy

I don't want to be the type of mom who has a Facebook just to show off their childs every move and that's exactly what I was becoming. While I do have friends and family that are more then 10 hours away that loved keeping up with Makenna's little life, keeping Facebook up to date took away time I could've been spending with my little family. I love making memories with my daughter and not worrying about scrolling through my newsfeed or letting everyone know what we were doing all the time.

4) I'm done with being nosy

Let's all be honest eh? Facebook is about 99.9% better then any celeb, gossip magazine you could find. It's because the gossip takes place in the lives of people we actually know. I wasn't looking at peoples pages for any other reason then I was just nosy and wanted to see what was going on in their life. Awful huh? I'm being honest! I cannot genuinely love people the way God loves us all, if I am too busy scrolling through and nit-picking through peoples lives. 

I realize this post makes me look like I was super addicted to Facebook but that's because I was. It's been almost a week since deleting it and I feel a lot of pressure lifted from my spirit. I feel like I can now allow myself to really keep in touch with people besides through a comment. I'm actually able to go and hang out/make friends without hiding behind a phone. My life is worth more then spending that much time on a social network cite. I no longer will allow social media to have its hold on me :)

With that being said I DO still have my instagram account: amandaljanson

I like seeing what my church is doing and I like being able to still promote my blog! While it's still social media, it doesn't make me lose focus on my day to day life. 

A huge thank you to those who are still keeping up with this little, ol' blog :) 

Much love to you all <3 

Happy day of love!

Four years ago today I was celebrating my last Valentines Day alone and I didn't even know it. I was alone and sulking. I wish I knew then that 6 days later I would meet the love of my life!
I've never been a huge fan of Valentines Day, mainly because I never had anyone special to share it with. The day left me so bitter and hoping it would end, as soon as, it started. I mean, come on, being single can have a downside, especially on a day like today. I know, I'm not bring overly sensitive or positive here but stay with me!
I've been a wife for almost 4 years and while I'm still not a huge fan of this overly mushy day, I am not that bitter, young girl anymore because let me tell you:
IT'S WORTH THE WAIT!
It is worth waiting for the man that Jesus has instore for you. It's worth not settling for just anybody so that you're not alone for a Hallmark holiday!
For example: Eric and I vowed to not do anything for today..nada! We are looking to buy a home In the immediate future and our budget didn't include gifts for Valentines Day. Well this morning when he woke up, he handed me the sweetest card anyway! I was surprised, giddy and honestly, a little bit guilty because I had actually followed by the rule, haha. But to know he thought of me anyways just tickled my heart and makes me realize, again, how absolutely beautiful my life is with him.
I have a husband who declares his love for me every single day, not missing a beat, even when I've make it hard to love. I have a husband who has always treated me the upmost respect even when there were times I didn't deserve it. I am SO blessed that I followed the exact steps God needed me to take to get to Eric. I am SO blessed that God put it in me to know better then settling for less then the man I deserved. I am SUPER blessed to have a husband that chases after my heart through Jesus and leads me closer to Him as often as he can.
So while this may be "single awareness day" do not be bitter like I was, every V-Day; be thankful that you haven't settled. Be thankful that he or she is out there looking for you as well! Be thankful that you could take this time to better yourself so that you can bring great things into a relationship. Use this time and holiday to spread love to those you know (or don't know!) who need it most. I wish I had taken being single as a good thing; a ways to prepare for my future, but God had a different plan and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!
Here's a peak into what your sweet day looked like:

Makenna received a Valentines Day frog from mama and daddy :)

Loving on her daddy!

This special princess is 6 months old today :)

Outback for lunch! 

Makenna selfie! 

What would be a Valentines Day post without a smoochie picture :)

I hope you all had a great weekend and a special day! Remember that God loves you more then anyone ever can and much love from me as well! 

A couple more things:

*I had more than a few emails asking for the link to my church, Newspring. Just click Here and that'll take you directly there! 

*Makenna turned 6 months today. WOW! She can officially say "dada" (when she wants to of course), roll over from back to belly and belly to back, sit up on her own, is cutting her first tooth, and loves organic baby food! Time is flying at a rapid speed and there are moments it makes me sad but motherhood just keeps getting more fun! :)

God WILL give me more than I can handle

We've all heard the expression "God will never give you more than you can handle."
We've lived by this expression; posted it as a Facebook status, shared it as a piece of advice for others to follow, or wrote it over and over in our private journals.
I started a book, while I was pregnant, called "Unleash!" that's written by Perry Noble, the pastor of my church. I've recently picked it back up to try as finish it and I'm almost done. The entire book has awakened my heart and I highly recommend it. I've taken a pen to underline or highlight parts that I want/need to look back on and could have almost the whole book underlined! There is one chapter though that really caught my attention.
Perry explains of how false that above statement really is and how frustrating that reality can be. And he's right. We think of God as someone who has our back, who knows exactly how our life is supposed to play out. He loves us! Why would he put us through something we couldn't handle?!
There are a ton of things that I'm going through and that I've been through where I've more then questioned His plan, I questioned His existence. There was a point in my life where I was a overwhelmed by doubt, hurt, anxiety, embarrassment, and shame that it pained me to live that way so much. I would shout to sky "Where are You?! Why are You doing this to me?!" Sometimes I still ask why.
I know friends and family that have been through it: divorce, death, illness, job loss, an affair, etc
These are all thing way beyond our control and I know, for certain, more than we all can handle!
But that is the absolute beauty of having a relationship with Jesus!
I am not expected to handle any of this! God has put so much in my life that I failed at because I tried to control and handle it myself. I knew but never really realized until reaching that chapter in Perrys book that we are put through the ringer so that we can give up that control. So that we can let God handle what we are going through. He wants us to lean on HIM alone, to depend on HIM alone, to not tell Him how big our problems are but tell our problems how big our God is! To boast about, not our own strength but the Lords strength.
For a control freak like me, it's not easy. I still have a very tight grip on my life that I'm slowly surrendering to Him. When I can't handle a situation my first thought is that something is just totally wrong with me. I'm just not doing life right, I'm not doing Christianity right but this is not true. I'm just leaning on my own strength and not His.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
-Philippians 4:13

God IS going to give us more than we can handle but it's only because He loves us more then we can even begin to understand and wants nothing more then for us to grow closer with Him and trust in His power.
If you're still going through a tough time maybe that's Gods way of telling you that He's still in charge; that it's time to let go and let Him handle it. Trust in Him!
Don't ever be afraid to reach out to others and say that something is more than you can handle. There were situations in my life where I wish I leaned to others for help instead of trying to do it all myself. We are not meant to do life alone!
With that being said if there are any of you, anywhere, that is reading this and needs an ear to talk to my email is always available to you (gfmamaj@gmail.com) or if you're local we can always meet to chat!
You've got this. You're going to be ok. This is just a season.
Much, much love!