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 

This one is for you, Kim K.

Hey there!
As much as I do not like to admit it, I used to watch Keeping up with the Kardashians. On a weekly, morning and nightly basis. I'd tune into their new episodes every Sunday night and read magazine articles about them.
It's not so much that I really "admired" them but was more fascinated by them. Fascinated with fame that really came from no where or the way they spoke to one another and just lived their lives. In a way, I was almost envious of their lifestyle. They had so much money and could literally buy whatever they wanted to and they seemed so happy doing so.
It wasn't until, maybe, two or three seasons ago that I started to get over the whole Kardashian craze and they honestly started to bug me. I decided to stop watching it and really felt good about that decision. I honestly didn't even hear much about the Kardashians anymore. Until last week.
I'm sure most, if not all, have heard about how Kim Kardashian has "broke the internet" with the spread she did for Paper magazine. The pictures of Kim are quite bare and by bare I mean wearing nothing at all.
The feedback has been negative. Some positive but mostly negative. Those that do support the Kardashians are lashing out to those who are negatively commenting on that spread, saying that "she's a woman and is embracing her sexuality." Or "she's free to do whatever she wants" and "you are all just jealous your body doesn't look like that."
OK STOP
When I first saw the pictures (right there on my news-feed, I couldn't scroll away fast enough!!!), I will admit that I, most definitely, judged. I looked down upon Kim and was almost angry at the thought of this being on my husbands news-feed and HIM having access to see this. But these past few days as I was thinking about the magazine spread and looking at comments from people all over the world with their thoughts on it, my shock and disgust disappeared. It really just makes me feel bad for her.
I can honestly say that it saddens me that a woman as beautiful as Kim Kardashian feels she needs to strip down to literally nothing in order to gain even more attention. It saddens me to imagine that all she thinks she is good for is her body. It saddens me to think that her daughter has to grow up in an environment where taking your clothes off for money and attention is ok. It saddens me to think that with all that fame and fortune and attention; are they really happy? Is this life really what they want?

And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.
-1 Timothy 2:9

I'm not talking about wearing turtlenecks and long skirts here. I love to look good and attractive BUT for one person and one person ONLY: my husband. I do not dress in a way to attract the eyes of others, especially men. I have no problem dressing in a way that speaks class and still lets me feel great about myself because, YES, as women, we should have confidence. Confidence leads to happiness and I want that for every lady. But does that mean to strip down to your birthday suit to do that?
Look, Kim Kardashian did what she felt was a good move for her and her career. If her husband is ok with it then what else is there to say? I will pray for the Kardashian- West family. That they are and will raise that little girl to be humble, to love and to do the right thing-whatever that may be to them.
I may get some backlash for this and that is ok. But, I am the child of a God who wants me to respect my body and to me, that is not showing it much respect. I do not think a picture like that should be for the eyes of the world. 
However, to each their own. I will continue about my daily life and soon enough, that magazine spread will fade into a thing of that past. Even though I can't personally, I will show Kim K. compassion through good thoughts and prayer. I really tried hard to pick and choose my words in this post. I don't want to come across as being one of those "jealous" fans because trust me, my body may never look like that and that is perfectly fine with me.
As for my family, I would love to teach my daughter to seek the attention and approval of Jesus and not society. To represent herself (and still love) in a way that is appealing to Him. 
To anyone who disagrees and would like to discuss this further, I would love to! (gfmamaj@gamil.com)

MOVING ON:
It is almost Thanksgiving! I'm pretty sure I am finished with my Christmas shopping and now it is just a matter of putting it all together.
The Janson Family has so many exciting things on the calender. Besides the fact that we are celebrating Makenna's major first holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years!), we also have some church Christmas parties to attend. 
 While still sick, I attended my first Worship Band practice yesterday! (EEEEP!) It was SO much fun. It was more then rewarding to be around other musicians again, especially those that just love Jesus! I am so excited to see where this leads because at Newspring and in God, the best is ALWAYS yet to come!
Well, that is all that's on mind (for now)! I hope you are all having a fabulous start to your week and are busy finalizing Thanksgiving plans. As always, I'm here to chat about anything that may be on your mind :)
Much love!

5 more things I am thankful for:
-My sweet husband playing nurse while I've been sick
-Decaff green tea
-Music
-My parents generosity
-Pintrest recipes

The Happy Challenge

Hey y'all!
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Ours was great. We were able to hang out with family quite a bit this weekend, which always makes me happy. Church was fantastic yesterday and the message, as always, left such an impression on my heart that I hope to carry throughout my week. For anyone that is ever looking for a great church, please check out Newspring Church online and I promise you won't regret it.
So I was challenged by a follower, on instagram, to write the 10 things that make me the happiest! This is in no specific order and I challenge all of you to do the same!
1) My faith:
I love my growing relationship with God. I am honored to be the child of a King! I'm constantly looking for my next step with Him and love how far we've come.
2) My family:
I LOVE family. I'd spend and see them all every day if I could. There is nothing like getting together with those that we love most and seeing them with Makenna.
3) DIY:
I am no an artistic person whatsoever but I love finding things to make on Pintrest. My daughters whole nursery is one giant Pintrest project.
4) Food:
I love to eat. I love to cook; especially the better I get at it. I try out new and healthy recipes all the time and love it.
5) My animals:
I am not a cat person and living with an 85 lb weimaner in a fifth wheel is not easy but I love animals; especially my own! They were our first "babies" after all.
6) Music:
Even if it's just in the car, acting goofy, I LOVE to sing and play piano. Music has and always will be such a huge part of my life. In fact, my new serving position at Newspring Church will be to sing and act with the kids in Kidspring. I am SO excited to teach them Jesus on their level especially through the best way I know how.
7) Driving:
I know that sounds silly but to me there is nothing like rolling the windows down on a beautiful day, putting on some country music and go cruising down some back roads. I did this way more before Makenna was born and even before I was pregnant. Eric and I would drive anywhere to see where we'd end up and just talk. Those days are so sweet to me.
8) Friendship:
I've learned a lot about myself through friendships I've either had in the past or have now. There are some friends that are so close to my heart, no matter how often we talk. I believe God brings people into your life for a reason; (We all know I'm about His reasons!) whether it's for a lifetime or just for a season. I am so thankful for all friends that I have, both past and present.
9) My marriage:
I love doing life with my sweet husband. I love how he makes me feel and I love the amazing guy he is and always continues to become. As you can tell, he's one of my favorite subjects to write about. He's definitely a huge reason for my happiness.
10) Motherhood:

This little girl right here is the light of my life. Makenna has taught me so much about myself more then anything or anyone.To think Eric and I created something so beautiful just overwhelms me. I am so blessed and thankful that God chose me to be her mommy. Motherhood is beautiful, stressful, amazing, fun, tiring and demanding of my patience but to watch her grow up and know that we are shaping her life just completes me!!

God gives us so much to be happy and grateful for everyday. Church yesterday reminded me of how beautiful my life is because of Jesus and how much joy He wants for me in my life. I could have listed 50 more things as to what makes me happy but these are the 10 that matter the most.

I would LOVE to hear from you all the 10 things that make you the happiest! Send an email (aljanson819@gmail.com) or write a comment.

I hope you all have an amazing day and hey! If you have a Facebook, make sure you find my new blog page and like it by clicking this link:

GFMama

Your support is much appreciated and gives me a reason to keep writing. Have a great start to the week!

Much love!!