What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday!

This morning I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about life and the parts of it we can control, as well as those aspects we have no control over. We don’t choose where we are born, our genetic makeup, how we are raised, how others treat us, and, often, what hurt or pain we may experience in this life. It’s easy to get upset over the cards we’ve been dealt but I keep thinking of Jon and Katie Plus 8 (random I know!) and how Kate would tell her kids “you get what you get and you don’t get upset.” We get what we get. All we can do is make the best with what we have. The best thing we can do is think through the choices we do have control over and make wise decisions. This week I’m loving so many of the choices I’ve made in my life (from the small, often insignificant, to the big life changing ones). No, I’m not perfect but I’ve made some great decisions along the way and I’m blessed because of those choices. Thanks again to Jaime for giving me another Wednesday to focus on the good!!!

I’m loving that I decided a couple of Wednesdays ago to mention my love of Jeff and Jordan…me mentioning that I wish Jeff would become a legit celeb TOTALLY made Big Brother decide to have them back on the show this season!!!! I jumped up and down and was more excited than should be possible over tv shows! I called Dish and was able to get three months of free Showtime so I’m able to watch all the After Dark episodes too. I am LOVING it!!!!!!!!!!

I’m loving that Blitzen and I decided to make a nice batch of cocoa-no-bakes last night. I fought and fought the craving, but in the end it was a good decision. It made Blitzen happy which makes Mama happy 😉

I’m loving that I decided to marry Zach. So many of the people in our lives enter them not by choice – our parents, siblings, family, in-laws, even children! The ONE person in your family who YOU get to pick is your spouse. That’s a HUGE responsibility. Picking a spouse is one of the biggest life-changing decisions you’ll ever make. I don’t personally believe in getting married only for love. It should be about MUCH more than just a feeling. I’m so, so thankful that I thought about other aspects of my husband than just how much I loved him. I’m so thankful that he came into my life, by chance, but that we decided to get married by choice. The longer I have him in my life, the more and more proud I am that I made that decision. He’s my absolute favorite person in the whole wide world 🙂

(getting our marriage license in May 2007!)

I’m loving that Zach and I decided he should work for Aflac. I was nervous about it at first since it’s commission only, but he lead me in the right direction and has done nothing but continually surpass all expectations I ever had of him. He’s incredible. Now that he’s in a management position I’m even MORE proud of him. He’s a great leader and really does all he can for his people. He loves his job and we are so blessed that he found the perfect career path for him! This month he’s been busting his butt and it’s paying off. I love Aflac and am so thankful for all the blessings this company provides for us!

I’m loving my mother-in-law this week! Sure, I didn’t technically choose her in my life but I did choose to have a good relationship with her. SO many wives hate their mother-in-laws and Mrs. Charlotte and I haven’t always had a smooth relationship. However, it’s only gotten better with time and she has dropped everything and been there for me these past few weeks. When I’ve needed someone lately, she’s stepped up more than anyone else in my life has. I’m SO appreciative of everything she has done for me, even when it just means providing a listening ear. With all my family visiting this past weekend (we had 21 people for dinner Sat!) I was so proud when ALL of them commented on how much they loved my in-laws. I think they are great people, but hearing it from others meant a lot and what they all said is true – Mrs. Charlotte really IS a saint!!!

I’m loving that we live in a country that provides us the freedom to make our own choices. So many people in the world do not have the freedoms that we take for granted. I’m so thankful that we are able to choose our professions, our spouses, our religion, etc. I often overlook the wonderful freedoms we have and I want to do better at appreciating those who have fought for us!

I’m loving that Zach and I have chosen to have a BIG family. So often people get married and don’t talk to each other about their life goals before saying “I do.” Katie and I were watching Grey’s last night and it was an episode where everyone was fighting about children…some wanted them, some didn’t, and many of their significant others didn’t agree with their desires. Zach and I both LOVE kids and want a full house of them. We have the same life goals and want to avoid the empty-nest stage in life as long as possible. We are living in the BEST years of our life, we want them to last as long as they can and having lots of children (and spreading out their ages) will allow us to do just that 🙂

I’m loving that I found the love of Jesus. That I chose to obey God’s Word. That I am baptized into Christ who died for my sins. That I am continually washed clean in His unending grace. The more I grow in my faith, the more saddened I am when I see people living a life where they don’t know Jesus. Or they know but choose to ignore. Life as a Christian is NOT easy, but the fullness I have in my heart and the content spirit I am able to feel, is only because I am a daughter of the Lord. My life is SO different now than it was 8 years ago, before I became a Christian. I realize now how selfish I was and how I never knew true happiness. I’m thankful that I chose the road less traveled…the path that will always allow me to continue to grow in my faith, become a better person on this earth, and allow me to complete my journey in Heaven.

What are some of the choices you’ve made in your life that you are loving???

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Emily Parker

Hey Y'all, I'm Emily! I'm a stay at home mom and consider parenting to be my passion. Disney is my happiest place and I love making memories as a family together. I'm a big believer in transparency and share all of my real-life moments as a mother of four.

My work has been featured on Love What Matters, Today Parenting and Babywise.Life. I'm also honored to be a member of the Babywise Friendly Blog Network.

You can read more about our family on my About Me page. Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

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