I'd always wanted to be a mommy. Like always. On September 28th, 2013 we found out that that dream (that we thought would be just a bit further in our future) :) would soon be a reality. There were some huge insecurities... many powered by the enemy or raging hormones... I remember bawling my eyes out (weeping, with huge sobs that shook me and everything) on the floor because I didn't have some specific symptom in the What To Expect When You're Expecting book and I must not be normal and what if our baby's not ok?!! Because I don't really feel like I have to pee ALL the time just some of the time (well, that would come...) Or the next night ... same spot on the floor, weeping because we were out of cereal for dinner. (Yeah, life was hard...) :) I have the sweetest husband who blew the budget out the window in my first trimester trying to get me any food that tasted good. He thought pizza was a good idea one night, but little did he know that I'd had a dream about throwing up after eating pizza and just seeing the box made me sick. Poor guy.

ANYWHO.... This season right now. Baby boy 5 months old. Is. The. Sweetest. I'm just in love with my husband -seeing him in this role as a dad and seeing how Levi looks at him. Wow. Just adores his daddy. Can't keep concentrated in nursing when Daddy walks in the room... flipping over backwards down to try to see him upside down. Every time. (Heart melts)

Seeing my siblings with him....

Their smiles... ahh... 

hanging out in pumpkins.... um... cuz that's just what we do.

His smile... and that high pitched squeal. You can hear it, can't you? :)

Those monkey toes  :)

As Elf would say in ... um... Elf.. you know- the Christmas movie. I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it. :D I love being a mommy! And just a quick word to those hum-buggers and grinches out there who tell me that "You just wait- they're terrible at 13" or "Twos- they'll be a nightmare at two" and "Ahhh! I bet you NEVER sleep" 

You know what? Just stop. Go back to your Mt. Crumpet. Seriously. Who says those kind of things to a young mommy- who obviously adores her little man?! AND- it doesn't have to be that way. My husband and I were delightful at 13 and pray that we raise our children to be as well. AND- Levi sleeps great! I'm well rested and LOVING being a mom. There... that felt better. I've been wanting to say that for awhile.  

A Birth Announcement...

We joyfully announce the birth of our son,

Levi Aiden Abel

June 6th, 2014 6:53 a.m. 8 pounds, 13 ounces

Levi at 1 month

Today Is The Day

Photo by Leif Abel

Several weekends ago, a man from our church approached Leif and I after the service telling us "Today is the Day" - he wasn't sure exactly what it pertained to, but urged us to just bring it before The Lord and ask what exactly He wanted to show us in that word. 

Off and on, that day, Leif and I brought it up together in prayer and weren't really hearing anything. Both of our first thoughts were about the baby.... but it was a little early for him to come that day- so that couldn't be it. Our second thoughts were both about his job... but weren't sure what about it exactly. That night I lay in bed and felt like a kid who didn't get what they wanted for Christmas. Kind of let down. I lay there really bummed and asked the Lord what the deal was? I thought something was going to happen today- but nothing did. I don't get it.  

He responded, I could feel His smile...

I did do something today. I planted the seed of expectancy in your hearts. You lived today like no other day. You both lived it with the expectancy that something big was about to go down. That's how I want you to live every day. I want you to wake up and expect me to move, expect me to use you, expect STUFF to HAPPEN! Because I do move everyday, but your eyes just aren't open to see it all the time. 

I LOVE that! I want to do that every morning.... because I've found it drastically changes my day. When I live with eyes wide open.... with baited breath.... I see the ripples in the water, I see the hand of God in little and big ways. And I am amazed. 

Today is the day

I will be used by you

That I will be poured out and you will pour in

Today is the day 

that you will move mountains

that my petitions will be heard

and boulders will be moved

Today is the day

Your children will be healed and made whole

Use me today and everyday 

to leave your handprint on their hearts

Today is the day

Relationships will be made whole

families restored

hurts healed- no offenses taken

Today is the day 

that you walk upon this land

as I reach out, we partner in creation

we join hands

Today is the day 

Let me walk in thoughtful expectancy

Looking out- help my eyes to see

Remind me that everyday- miracles are in your plan

I hope this changes how you see today, and tomorrow and every day.  Be excited! HE is moving! 

~Arielle

measuring cups

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

This past Sunday, our pastor talked about this verse and unfortunately, most of the time I walk out of there saying, "Oooh, that was so good" and then by Wednesday, I really couldn't tell you what the topic of last week's sermon was. I love it though, when the Lord takes it and follows me around with it throughout the week, as if to say, "I don't think you really got this... let's review..." :)  

As I look out the big picture window in our living room from the couch in the mornings, coffee in hand, mist lifting from the water... I see this planter that my parents gave me a couple of years ago (that I have yet to plant anything in....). That verse (Luke 6:38) keeps running through my mind. It speaks of generosity, but it also offers a challenge. Do you ever read a verse that maybe you've read too much? A lot of us have been raised in the church and just fade out when we get to a verse that we know and just breeze over it... Oh, I've already read this one... "Give and it shall be...... hmmmm hmmm hmmm.... something.... measured to you."  Sounds like Charlie Brown's parents in the Peanuts. :) 

But really read it with me. Give and It shall be given to you. As we mimic  Him in His generosity- He aches to bless us in return. (only a fraction of what HE does...) But then he goes on to specify what kind of giving he's talking about." A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over" I asked the Lord this week what that meant- I've definitely faded out in that part. I didn't get it. But He gave me a picture of this cup (picture above). You know in a recipe when it's calling for brown sugar and it says something about a packed cup of brown sugar? That's what this means. When you give- don't just give a cup. Make sure it's a good quality form of measurement, pack it down, then shake it down- so you can get more in and that it's running over! That blows my conception of generosity out of the water! 

Next, He talks about the size of your "generosity measuring cup" - if you will. "For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." If I told you I was going to give you a scoop of something... your favorite food, gold coins..... whatever. What kind of scoop would you be hoping I'm going to use to measure it out? I know I'd like to be using that big blue cup in the picture as the scoop as opposed to a teaspoon!! 

So, as I sit here looking at that cup- He reminds me how he wants me to give. That excites me. It doesn't even make me think of the whole "give 'till it hurts thing" I picked up somewhere, which just doesn't sound like a lot of fun. He wants me to use that big ol' mug to measure out my generosity. He wants me to pack it down, shake it down and fill it until it runs all over the table... and then give. THEN He says he's going to take the same size measuring cup (that big ol' mug) and use that as the "generosity measuring cup" that he's going to give back to you... packed down, shaken down and running all over the table.... Cool stuff, eh? 

Have a blessed Friday! Thanks for letting me share a bit of what's been on my heart this week... other than thinking about having our baby join us in around a month now! WOHOO! Cool things the Lord is doing in preparing my heart for that time with Him in labour... He's wooing me and calling me away with Him to prepare me (Hosea 2:14,15)! Would love your prayers this month as we're getting ready for this exciting season! 

Love,

Arielle

News, News, News!

Wow! It has been SO long since I've blogged. :) So much to share, now that I finally have a little more energy to get on here... since I'm 12 weeks Pregnant!!! :) We are so very excited and so happy and blessed to be the parents to this little one! Spending lots of time praying and researching names... there is so much in a name and Leif and I really take the meaning of names so seriously, and so enjoy that aspect of naming our baby! 

I am SO happy about being almost through my first trimester!! (Seriously, you have no idea...) It's been pretty rough with the sickness and nausea and trying everything to try to feel better. I seriously have the most amazing husband on the planet taking care of me. I haven't been able to do hardly anything in the kitchen without being sick, and grocery shopping is totally out- so he has really picked up my slack in those areas... actually, every area. I really haven't felt well enough most of the time to do anything. I guess it runs in the family- my mom had it even worse with me! Thanks, Mom for all you went through with me.... I seriously had no idea what you meant when you told me you were really nauseous having me.... 

12 weeks- size of baby!

Yesterday and today I have felt really good and have had a bit more energy. I can't wait to get started organizing stuff... I have so much in my closet that needs to GO! At 6 weeks- I gave away most of my clothes that already weren't working for my body... but I feel like I'm getting a little bigger everyday and I have even more to put in boxes, that I don't feel comfortable in now. I'm loving my maternity pants already- so so comfy on my tummy! :)  I really am enjoying seeing my belly really be a cute pregnant belly instead of just feeling fat- like I have for most of the first trimester. My baby's the size of a plum- about 2 inches! :)

Would really appreciate prayers- as I try to keep good food, and my prenatal vitamins down and for the nausea to totally go away soon! I would love to start craving things- right now pretty much everything just sounds really bad. Thanks so much!

1^st Prenatal Appointment is December 2^nd! Can't wait to hear the heartbeat!

Sincerely,

Arielle

He Ain't No Liar!

Leif and I took a week off last week to have an adventure and take time away with the Lord and HE met us in an amazing way! So excited about the freedom and the crazy love for God that He's renewed in my heart! Another awesome part about that is that I feel like before this week, when Leif told me that he loved me, I felt like it was filling the "love cup" in my heart up from the bottom. It was really good, but he had to fill me up a lot more, I felt so so needy. I realized about half-way through the week, that when Leif told me that he loved me, it felt like my "love cup" was already full and his, "I love you" was just a whip-cream and cherry on-top of the already full "love cup" ... it was so awesome! I feel less needy and more full. Not depressed and SO excited about life! God is so good! 

The Lord also brought to my attention how when I don't believe that He has made a good  thing when He made me, and have self-esteem issues and don't love who He made me to be- I'm calling Him liar. When He made man in the beginning and said, "It is good!" I'm essentially saying... "Actually, no. You messed up here and here and here, and I don't like this and this and this... I'm not the cool kid." 

YIKES! 

I don't want to be calling GOD a liar! So, I repented for doing that for my whole life and He has given me this gift of realizing the amazing creation that He's made me to be! I AM the cool kid! I'm His cool kid! :) I'm beautiful and made in His image! 

Yay! 

Loving my Father and enjoying life,

Arielle

Simplifying

This week has just been amazing... On Monday I felt that the Lord was telling me to give the best of myself to my husband this week. Not in a "try harder for him to love me" way, but just in making conscious choices to not take offense at things, to be excited for him to have the opportunity to work instead of feeling sorry for myself that he's not home, etc.... There are so many more opportunities to chose peace than I ever thought. It's not like this week has been easier, it has offered plenty of moments of growth. But this week I just decided not to go with my first reaction.

What started out as a gift to my husband this week, has really come back to bless me. I have had the best week! I'm so much happier and I feel closer to Leif because I decide not focus on telling him about all the hard things that happened in my day, and we get to talk about other things! (I know! What a concept!) I'm so in love with him and I really like myself a lot better when I focus on the positive things. I also feel closer and more excited about my walk with the Lord- as I feel like I've needed the Lord's strength more.

I've also been working on simplifying our home, my life, my purse, closet etc. :) Ah... I feel so much lighter! Asking myself as I go though the house, "does this help me make my life simpler and more peaceful?" Reduced clutter in our bedroom (I try to make that the focus in cleaning- as that is our little sanctuary) and all over the house brings stress levels down. It also is very restful for Leif to come home to. I know this is easy for me to say as we only have a living room, bedroom, hallway, bathroom and kitchen.... :) but just start where you can and keep at it! I'm struggling with keeping up with my kitchen, but I keep working at it!

Reducing the number of products that I buy for us in cleaning, cooking, cosmetics etc. (not just saying food- but other things)... and have found three wonderful all natural products that are just awesome for everything around the house! Apple Cider vinegar is amazing for... everything. Here is an article on the health benefits of it and here is one on the uses of it. The big thing that I feel that it does is having 1-2 tbs of it in the a.m. dramatically helps me with energy for the day. It also helps fight infection, is great as a toner on my face at night (zits begone!) and can be used as a shampoo too... I haven't tried that yet, but would like to!

Regular White Vinegar (cheapo at the grocery store!) is my go-to cleaner for everything. My mom taught me this and I used to really dislike the smell... it doesn't bother me as much now, but for a general house cleaner (it the bathrooms I use it straight up), I mix a couple drops of essential oils (I like sweet orange and lavender), water and 1/4 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Smells great!

The last one is my favorite at the moment... Coconut oil. Here's an article on 101 uses for it. I've been using it as a substitute for butter in recipes, frying, greasing cookie sheets, mascara remover, body moisturizer, massage oil (not greasy- like baby oil and all natural) ... it is so awesome! I got a large container of it at Walmart in the oil section for about $5.50 - make sure that it's 100% pure Coconut Oil.

Well... I'm off to drop a load of ... stuff... off at Goodwill (make sure you get a receipt and save it for the tax write off!) ... making my house more peaceful, one goodwill drop off at a time. :)

Hope you all have a great week and I will be praying that you all will, with me, ask the Lord for the strength each moment to chose His peace.

Love,
Arielle

P.S. Some of these tips really helped me in simplifying- I don't agree with everything, but some of it was really thought provoking.