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!!

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

My heart is filled with more then just turkey!

Happy Post Thanksgiving! 
I trust that your day of food, family, friends and thanks was a great one.
Ours was one for the books because we had our sweet little turkey this year! Despite Makenna not feeling well, she was happy the entire day. Our family loved being around her and she was passed around quite a bit to get a little bit of love from everyone. By the end of the evening, we still followed her nightly routine of bath and bottle at 7:30 pm and she fell asleep just like this in her daddy's old childhood room:

So now that we (well at least The Janson family) have officially entered the holiday season, I am SO excited! Christmas shopping for a baby is the best and most fun. I never want to rush Makenna growing up but I look forward to when she is old enough to understand the real meaning behind Christmas.

Christmas last year meant the most to me then it had any other year. It was my first Christmas celebrating as a saved Christian. I focused more on the fact that it was to celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior then the Hallmark aspect of it. (And of course finding out we were pregnant!!!)

To think of what God gave to us that night when Jesus was born is overwhelming and the more my relationship grows with him, the more I am absolutely in love with this holiday. I will do all I can as a mother and a servant to God to teach our children how important and special Christmas really is without all the presents and "getting." How important it is to, not only give all year around but especially through the holiday season. I hope they grow to learn and love Jesus as much as Eric and I do :) My heart feels so warm and full of love going into this holiday season. I cannot wait to see what this Christmas brings for our family and also for our church!

These past four days have been so nice having Eric around. With him working and being away so much, it's always nice and important to make time as a family to build our own memories around this time. And these past few days, we sure have! We finished decorating our little fifth wheel with what we could fit. It'll be nice to have a home next year where we can put up a Christmas tree and lights. All in do time ;)

Last night we had a fire over at my parents house. We had peppermint, hot cocoa and s'mores in front of the fire pit and it was a nice time. Family really is so important to me and I am blessed to have a husband that feels the same way! I look forward to so many wonderful years as a family and I can't wait to watch it grow. 

Here are a few pictures from our time together these past few days:

Our wonderful turkey that my in-laws made for Thanksgiving. They are SUPER good chefs!!!

We got together with our bible study friends for some desert and fellowship the following night. Caught Eric in the act of eating his 20th cookie, haha, and there's our friend Sam in the background! 

Our sweet baby slept in her crib for the first time last night and I totally cried. She is getting so big, so fast!! I love her to pieces!

The awesome fire my dad and Eric made. There's our yummy s'mores plate!

(For gluten free smores, I just used two pieces of Hershey's mini chocolate bars to sandwich a marshmallow! YUM!)

I hope all of you had some nice time off this week so spend with those who matter most to you!And as we enter the holiday season with full force, remember to not get so caught up in all the presents and decorations, etc. Think about giving more then you'll receive this year. Head over to your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter and really spend time with those that need the love and grace, that Jesus equips us with, the most! I hope you all have a great Sunday and as always I'm here for you to reach out to about anything: gfmamaj@gmail.com

MUCH LOVE xoxo

Just a little something to make you LOL!

Happy One Year Anniversary Jesus!

One whole year already!

November 5th, 2013 was the day that my husband and I attended the ownership class at Newspring. We almost didn't make it, wanting to do something else and thinking the class wouldn't be more then a 15 minute, get to know the church, type thing.

Little did we know how miraculous and life changing it was going to be for us! We were saved right there at the class, together!

Eric and I were not meant to find Jesus alone and I am so blessed He brought me to Eric so we can do it together. Having our relationship constantly grow together is such a beautiful thing to watch for me.

Life did not automatically become picture percect. This past year has been a whirlwind of laughter, tears, anger, frustration, joy and the most love I've ever felt in my life. The Lord just continues to pour His blessings all over us, even when the times are hard! The trials He has and is putting us through has made us closer as a couple and I have been able to get out there and help others with what we've been through. As I've said before, He uses our past for purpose. I wouldn't change the sequence of events for anything. It's all leading us to a greater purpose.

I am SO very excited for what is to come from here. I am always looking for my next step in this walk with Jesus. The best really is yet to come and I know that our hand will be held the entire way by a God who cannot wait to give us all He has in store for us. He really does want great gifts for His children!!!

I promise you, it's a beautiful freedom. It's a peace in knowing that, even though I may not be where I want to be, He is taking care of me and I am far better off then I was before. His love has pulled Eric and I through so many dark times. I pray for EVERYBODY to have a relationship with Jesus.

God is calling me to be bold and I am ready! I am so blessed to be in the process of becoming part of Newspring's worship band. I have been praying to be lead to serve in that way for a while; waiting for the right season in life to go ahead and audition. Music is such a huge part of my soul and I know it was given to me to use for the greater good of Him. Eric is also busy serving at church and really likes the area he's settled in! So if you see him directing traffic in the parking lot, give him a wave!! He's probably the tallest volunteer they have, haha!

These are our best days and most humble beginnings. It took me a while to appreciate what I have, what I don't have and what we are working toward. I am God's project and my heart and love for Him grows stronger everyday. I am so thankful for Newspring and all it has done to help Eric and I reach this point in our life. I cannot wait to see Makenna start attending Kidspring. The volunteers and staff members are just wonderful with teaching the kids Jesus on their level and I know she will love it :)

The best is yet to come.

On a different note, I am almost done with my holiday shopping! Woo hoo!! I have a few more little things to get to put together for family and for little M but I am so close to being done. That means I can go out on Black Friday and be selfish ;) Haha! No, but really, I just wanted to enjoy Makenna's first Christmas season not having to worry about running around and shopping like a mad woman.

Have any on you all put a dent in your Holiday shopping list?

Well, I am off to the flea market today to find some goodies! Hope you all have a great Hump Day!

If ANY of you want to talk to me about Jesus, forming a relationship with Him, any questions or comments, or you just want to get something off your chest PLEASE shoot me an email: gfmamaj@gmail.com. I love hearing from y'all!

Spread some joy out here today.

Much love!

I just LOVE them! :)

Oh the weather outside is..delightful!

Hey y'all! 
Happy Saturday and Happy November!
The first of the month is always my favorite time to set new goals and this months goal will be so really start shedding away those baby lbs! I'm eating good, I just need to start moving more. I'm determined to make this month, the month! Any workout tips my fellow moms may have are more then welcome to throw some my way :)
So today, we woke up to this:

This was the last thing I expected to see when I woke up to feed Makenna this morning and even now at 3:30 in the afternoon, it's not even 45 degrees and very windy! The snow was so pretty and hey, fun fact: 

It hasn't snowed in SC, in November, since 1913! So we are a part of some very cool history. It was Makenna's first snow and she didn't like the cold too much!

I trust that everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween! Eric had to work late and out of town yesterday so Makenna and I spent the evening at my parents. Their neighbors create this haunted yard every year and it was hilarious to see them scaring the "big kids" trick or treating last night. Here was one character. I'm sure you'll know who he was:

Michael Myers! Very freaky. It was a fun night and my little Halloween treat was the cutest skeleton ever!

November is such a special time of year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and prepare for Christmas! (Is it too early to put up the decorations?? My mom voted YES!) I've already gotten a jump start on holiday shopping so I can enjoy our time the closer it gets to Christmas. I am so excited to celebrate it this year with our sweet baby!

So in honor of this being the most thankful year of the month, at the end of each post I will put 5 things I am thankful until Thanksgiving. And I encourage all of you to do the same :)

I am thankful for:

1) My health

2) My family

3) Cloth diapers

4) Eric's amazing job

5) Our animals 

We have been easing our way into cloth diapers and it is going so well! Not hard at all to catch on to and Makenna just looks adorable in them.

I hope all of y'all are having a great weekend and a good start to the month! Feel free to let me know some of YOUR goals for the new month or anything else that may be on your mind. (gfmamaj@gmail.com) Ya'll are awesome!

Much love!