One Month Down

Well, folks, it’s the first week of February! One month down. Only eleven more to go. It’s time for a check-in!

How is your new year so far? Are you still working toward your resolutions? Are you still inspired by your vision board? Are you still meditating on the word you chose for the year?

It’s so common to see people abandon all new year goals by February. More often than not, I find it’s because the goals that were created weren’t specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and/or bound to a timeline. I also see lack of accountability as another huge reason these well-intentioned goals are pushed aside.

If you fall into the camp of people who have gotten off track, it’s okay! All hope is not lost! There is still time to re-evaluate and readjust and realign. And I would love to help!

I would love to work together with you to help you create goals you can actually achieve. Let’s look together at your purpose, personality, passions, and priorities. Let’s identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and the things that threaten to throw you off track. Let me help you craft goals that are in line with what you are called to and what you value. And then let me cheer you on and hold you accountable, so that in December, when you’re reflecting on another year, you can be proud that you actually accomplished what you set out to do!

I’m just saying... you might need a life coach! 

Tired as a Mother

Life these days looks a lot different in our house.

It’s a lot louder, a lot messier, and a lot sleepier. The cries of an infant, the spit up, the leaking breasts, the the diaper changes... there are a LOT of new challenges, changes, and adjustments to face.

It has been more difficult than I expected.

But then there are moments like this.

There are these sweet and cuddly and quiet moments. These moments where I can smell my daughter’s sweet head and hear her little snores in my ear. These moments where I can feel her cheek pressed against me and her hand grasping my chest.

These moments are the ones that fill my heart with all the good things I need to keep pushing on. Through the pain in my abdomen. Through the extreme exhaustion. Through the blood I’m still losing. Through my own desperate cries for her to just fall asleep.

This is a new kind of sweetness and a new kind of love.

I’m amazed at God’s design of motherhood. I’m amazed at His strength despite my overwhelming weakness. I am thankful for this gift He has given me. I am thankful to be a mama to this precious girl. (And I’m extra thankful to have such an incredible partner to do this parenting thing with!) 

Coming in December...

If you wondered at all why I’ve been MIA for a couple of weeks... I’ve been trying to get through this first trimester!

After being told there was a 99% chance I wouldn’t be able to have biological children of my own, God surprised us with the craziest blessing and sweetest miracle.

Baby Edwards coming December 2019!!!!

“For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.” - 1 Samuel 1:27

Don't Fight Alone

According to this article published by CNN on Monday, April 8, “The number of children and teens in the United States who visited emergency rooms for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts doubled between 2007 and 2015... the researchers tracked the number of children between 5 and 18 who received a diagnosis of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts each year. Diagnoses of either condition increased from 580,000 in 2007 to 1.12 million in 2015... Depression and a prior suicide attempt are the two biggest risk factors for suicide, and with rates of suicide on the rise, it makes sense for risk factors to increase as well...”

UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS IS KILLING OUR CHILDREN.

This is SO important and SO heartbreaking, y’all. Of course, we need more of Jesus and more of the gospel. Sickness and illness and broken bodies are all a result of the fall. But just like we treat colds and diabetes and cancer with modern medicine and various therapies, illness in the brain can ALSO be treated and managed!!

If you are trying to #findyourjoy and #fightforjoy in the midst of depression or anxiety or suicidal thoughts, and if you are looking for more support in your fight — consider adding a coach to your circle. Honestly, #youmightneedalifecoach. Or if you know a teen girl or college girl could use some extra support from someone who specializes is mental health and wellness coaching, #getheralifecoach!

No one has to fight alone. There is a God who cares about what’s going on in your brain. There are resources available for those who are fighting for their mental health. And there are people with a passion, skill set, and expertise in this field who are dedicating this lives and careers to this cause.

I am one of those people. Please, if there’s a place for me, let me help. Let’s get this number decreased.