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I get asked frequently, "How do you find time to blog?!"  Mostly from other moms who have children around the same age. I know they don't mean it condescendingly, so I don't take it that way at all. I realize we live in a society that puts high demands on women to have their homes in order, to volunteer at church/school, to be involved in community groups and on top of that - work a full-time job. If you are one of those women who are blessed to be able to stay home, than the expectations are even higher for you, because of course "you have the time." So, I'm not offended that women ask where I find time. I get it. Time is short and valuable and how (or better yet, why?) do I spend precious moments writing to a space on the internet where I happen to own my own url?

Today, I thought I would address this. And maybe offer some tips to encourage other busy woman out there.

Let me preface this by saying -  this could be applied to any hobby you enjoy. Writing has always been something I've loved to do. I once tried to write a book in a text document when I was a little girl, but once my parents upgraded our computer to Word - we lost it all (it was truly devestating).

It all comes down to one simple rule in life: whatever you enjoy doing, you make time for.

1. I don't blog every day.

The easiest way to stop doing something you enjoy doing, is to overdo it. Overdoing it may look differently for each person. But for me, blogging everyday (like I did in this challenge) was definitely too much. Did I have my all-time, highest viewed month when I blogged everyday? Why, yes I did. But in order for me to keep my love for blogging and more importantly, my home and family in order, I have to allow some days to breathe. This brings me to my next point…

2. I blog when I'm inspired.

The best advice I can give to someone who is trying to maintain a blog, but not necessarily grow one, is to blog only when inspired. Like I mentioned, if high stats and viewership are your goal, than this may not be the best advice for you. But if you are like me, and you just want an outlet to write and share the things that are weighing on your heart and mind - than blog when you feel compelled. I call it the "leading of the Holy Spirit," and if I'm not at a place where I can sit down at my computer and start writing, I jot down a few thoughts in the "notes" section of my phone. I'm not trying to over-spiritualize my blog here, but there have been several times when what I've written has come from an overflow of what He had been teaching me in that moment.

3. I blog during naptime/bedtime.

Now, for you moms who are wondering how you will ever find time to sit down at a computer and write when you have a child (or ten) that you are chasing around most of the day, this is the secret -  blog when they sleep. And if you're like me, and nap time is also lunch (and dinner) time and laundry time and dishes time and clean-up-everything-in-your-house-that's-been-destroyed-by-sleeping-child time... than good luck! No, seriously, this is where the priorities have to come in. Truth is, I don't always have mine in order when I blog. There have been times when I've decided to give into "blogging inspiration" over the very strong need to vacuum my bedroom and put away my clothes. Why? Because I know that inspiration only hits me every so often, and let's face it… I'll never be inspired to put away my clothes, so that will have to be done regardless.

4. I schedule posts.

You want to know something funny? I am adding this point after this post has already been published! I almost just skipped over the number one thing that helps me "appear" like a regular blogger. SCHEDULE POSTS! I wrote this post yesterday during "nap time" when I felt inspired to sit down and write. I had already written a post for that day, so I went ahead and scheduled this one for "tomorrow" (i.e. why you're reading it today). You can do this as often and as far out as you like. I'm usually spontaneous in my writing, so I like to have my posts scheduled no more than two days ahead. But my husband is so good at this, that sometimes he schedules posts WEEKS ahead! It's super convenient to do in Wordpress and Blogger. So if you are looking for places to sign up to blog, those would be my two recommendations (I am sure there are others!)

In conclusion: Moms, you need time to yourself to do something you enjoy. Whether that's writing, reading a book, running, shopping or going to eat with friends. And sometimes you will leave your house in an unearthly stateto do them. I'm not saying to neglect your home, but I know when I take time to do something I love to do - it gives me the energy to come back and do the things that need to be done.

And I have to admit, it helps having a bloggy-hubby who not only understands and appreciates my love for writing, but encourages it.

He also encourages me to put my clothes away… and yes, my love, I am about to get right on that. Right after I publish this post. ;)

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Fifteen.

The number of months my little boy turns today, and the number of weeks I have left in this pregnancy. Never has a number seemed so small before. But today, fifteen seems like nothing.

Fifteen months ago, I was holding Micah in my arms for the first time. Fifteen weeks ago, I heard Hannah's heartbeat for the first time.

These moments seem like yesterday. I have lost all sense of time.

Before time gets away from me anymore, here are a few things I wanted to make sure to jot down about Micah and how he has been developing since he turned one!

1) At 13 months, he started walking.

Just when I was beginning to think maybe he was going to crawl/crab walk his way around life forever, he stood up on his own and took a couple steps! I was so blessed to be at home to see those little, wobbly feet move for the first time on their own. It took him about a week of wobbly steps, before he actually started getting the hang of it. Now there is no stopping him! He is everywhere.

2)He has 12 teeth, including all four molars. 

This may seem like a total mom stat, but seriously, the kid has a mouth full of teeth! He's only missing his canines (aka "fang teeth"). He has been an easy teether so far, not much complaining at all. I've noticed he usually gets a cold and runny nose around the time he's teething though.

3)He is a TALKER.

I've stopped counting how many words he can say. I think last time I wrote them down, it was somewhere around 18-20 words. Now, we just enjoy talking to him. He learns new words every day. My favorite thing he has been saying lately is, "Love you." Ahhh... my heart melts every time. And I can hear his little voice saying it right now in my head... TOO MUCH, just too much. Other words include: ball (and just recently he's advanced to saying, "football") mommy, daddy, Heidi, apple, banana (or "nina"), bye-bye, yummies, book, dog, Bible, night-night, poo-poo, pee-pee, uh-oh, juice, hi (to anyone and everyone!), shoes, eyes, nose, cheese, yay, up (which also means "down"), and much to our delight... no-no. I am not exaggerating on these words either. This is his every day vocabulary. He can repeat a few other words to us, like "Batman" when he's wearing his Batman pj's. But for the most part, these are the words he uses on a regular basis.

4) He is a lean-mean-eating-machine. 

Maybe not so much the "mean" part, but he definitely is a lean little boy. His 12 months pants are falling off him! He could technically still wear a 9 months waist, but they are just too short on him (if anyone has some suggestions here on pants for skinny boys, that would help!) But the crazy thing is he can eat anytime of the day. And he would eat all day if I let him. He's not super picky about anything - he eats his fruits and veggies, loves meat, bread and can down a whole can of Puffs if I'm not watching him - except whole milk. I can't get him to drink anything but almond milk. This and perhaps a high metabolism, could be the reason he still only weighs 20lbs. But, this preggo mama is definitely not complaining!

5) He's a genius.

Let's forget that every parent wants to say this about their child. And that I am a completely biased mama. And let me just tell you this story... Yesterday, I lost him for a few minutes. I was doing things around the house and I noticed it got really quiet. So I called for him. No answer. "Micah! Where are you?" Then all of a sudden I heard sounds coming from the baby monitor that sounded like the TV in his room. So I hurried in there to see what was going on... and I found him, sitting comfortably in his baby swing (that he has basically outgrown) watching "Elf." No, really... he went in his room, turned the TV AND the DVR on, pressed play on the DVR and sat down in his chair and started watching "Elf." I laughed quietly and ran back out of his room to grab my camera to capture this epic moment on video.

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Thanks for letting me share a little bit about my boy with you today. I know writing down these memories will never be a waste of time. And while I look forward to the future and where our little family will be in just another fifteen months time, I am not rushing any of it. These fifteen months have been amazing, and in fifteen weeks I get to start it all over again with another little gift from God.

Just, fifteen.

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They say that, "no news, is good news." Sometimes that's true. And then sometimes - like when I am cooking or cleaning and leave Micah alone to wander aimlessly around the house searching for something to destroy - hearing nothing is more disturbing than the shrieks and shrills that usually abound. That said, I figured it was time to update you all on our baby girl, Hannah (if you don't know what's been going on, read this post to catch up).

First of all, praise the Lord, because in our case the "no news, is good news" theory is definitely true! Last week was a flood of great news. In all the peace and excitement, I totally forgot to even mention anything here on the blog. I guess this proves that I write more out of the desert than on the mountaintop. Or that I decided to refinish eight dining room chairs, rearrange three rooms in my house, and work on packing for our upcoming Thanksgiving vacation (can you say "nesting" at 22 weeks pregnant, anyone?)

The combination of all of that, has left little time to update this blog. And I'm so sorry! You all have been some of the most encouraging, prayerful people in our lives. And I just want you to know how grateful my husband and I are for that.

So on to the news...

A couple weeks ago we decided to go ahead and get a blood test done to find out the risk of Hannah having possible chromosomal problems. The results came back... I am low risk for any possible birth defects! Praise The Lord for this comforting news. Although, I admit I was ready and willing for anything, it still is reassuring to know with 99.8% accuracy that our baby girl will be just fine.

Also, we had another ultrasound done last week to look at her heart for any defects - specifically the VSD that Micah was born with - and everything looked completely normal! She doesn't appear to have any heart issues at all. So that was more comforting news.

They also took a peek at her kidneys to see if there was still extra fluid in the left one, and there was more great news there - nothing above the normal level was found!

So basically, to sum it all up - Hannah looks like a perfectly, normal 23 week old baby, growing healthy in the womb at this moment. The "soft markers" for Downs are completely that... "very soft" and there is a 99.8% chance she will not be born with it. The doctor said verbatim, "Nothing is ever 100%, but this should be very reassuring news to you."

And it is. It really is. But deep down there is still something that is unsettling to me. And it's the fact that we even had to go through all of these "screenings" and "tests" to come to this conclusion.

It makes me question why I even get ultrasounds or go to the doctor in the first place. In fact, I went in for a pregnancy checkup today, and it was literally 15 min from the moment I walked in the door until the moment I left. Fifteen minutes. They weighed me and measured my belly and sent me on my merry way.

The whole thing just makes me feel weird sometimes. How something so natural, has turned into something so... controlled.

I could say much more about this, but I will refrain. Because I'm definitely not opposed to medical intervention by any means. It just causes me to think about and understand how a woman who has no way to pay for multiple doctor visits and multiple tests to rule out "possible" issues with her baby who hasn't even taken his first breath yet, could become discouraged about her ability to carry and give birth to a healthy child. And then my heart aches for all the abortions taking place, some literally right this second.

How many occur because they just don't have time to "worry" about it all? How they will provide. How they will deal with the emotional, physical and mental aspects of pregnancy.

It can be overwhelming. And that's coming from a very stable, very emotionally, physically and mentally capable person. At least by God's grace I am.

I had an aunt who didn't go to the hospital until she was six months pregnant with her first child. She would probably be ridiculed or at risk of having her maternal instincts questioned, in today's society.

Because we put too much emphasis on having control of our lives. When God, the giver of life, is ultimately the one in control.

Sorry to go off there, but these are the honest and raw feelings I have towards this past month of literal chaos and worry over multiple doctor visits. I could never be more grateful for my hope in Jesus than when I am pregnant. It is completely out of my hands.

Josh and I have talked, and we truly believe that we are fighting a spiritual battle here. And this is one way the enemy likes to discourage us.

So I am just rejoicing and praising God today, for giving us this healthy (very active!) baby girl! May she continue to be molded and formed in the womb by our Creator. And prayed and longed for by us.

Four months til her due date!