Posts tagged personal
Elias's Birth Story, 2016: Our Plan B was still beautiful
Elias's Birth Story, 2016: Our Plan B was still beautiful

We've got around 50 days to go before we get to meet our Baby #2, and it has me feeling all kinds of nostalgia. I realized today that I never actually featured Elias's birth story publicly, even though we had an amazing birth photographer. At the last minute, we had to use our 'Plan B' birth plan, and it disappointed me to the degree that even the images brought back sour feelings. But, Elias's birth was still incredibly beautiful, so today, I’d like to be vulnerable and honest enough to share his birth story, along with some tasteful image highlights.

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Birth, Chad & AmberAmberbirth, personalComment
My Most Challenging Aspect of Becoming a Parent
My Most Challenging Aspect of Becoming a Parent

Becoming a parent is certainly—by far—the most challenging transition I’ve ever experienced, and simultaneously the most beautiful and rewarding. Everything about becoming a first-time parent is hard. But, if I’m honest, the most challenging aspect I experienced personally was the unsolicited advice I received from others. In today's blog post I'm sharing a perspective that will hopefully encourage any other new parents who are experiencing the same challenge.

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Chad & AmberChadparents, advice, personalComment
Do you ever need a break? Me too.
Do you ever need a break? Me too.

Do you ever need a break? You know, like some time away, a change of pace, downtime, intentional quiet moments to sort your thoughts, an opportunity to catch up on other things, an escape from the expectations of others, a chance to soak in the current season of your life? Me too. Allow me to explain...

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Chad & AmberAmberpersonalComment
We've Been "Busy"
We've Been "Busy"

Busy traveling to see family, busy working hard, busy stomping ocean waves, busy considering our dreams for the present and the future, busy analyzing our businesses, busy searching for the best sticks in the yard, busy supporting one another, busy praying over the growing ministry we're a part of, busy pointing at the moon, busy developing our trust in the Lord...

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Chad & AmberAmberpersonalComment
Smelling the Roses As I Go
Smelling the Roses As I Go

I've always been a go-go-go person; a plan for what's ahead, onward & upward, must keep moving type of go-getter. But the slow, intentional pace of breathing in each moment is important, too. Right now I desire balance between the two. Why not live in that sweet spot of appreciation & reflection + movement & progress? Why not smell the roses—or whatever's under my nose—as I walk along?

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Chad & AmberAmberadvice, personalComment
Why We Had Our "Boring" Documented
Why We Had Our "Boring" Documented

In 2015, if you had asked me about my life, I would have told you it was boring. We were in the midst of a tough transition that I hope never to repeat. In this post, I highlight some of the reasons we had a professional photographer come document us anyway. The day-to-day scenes of our 2015 did not seem note-worthy at the time and certainly would not have been memorable, had they not been captured for us. These beautiful photographs turned our ordinary moments into cherished memories. 

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Chad & Amber, Real Life: FamiliesAmberdocumentary family photography, personalComment
Reflecting On My Smooth Pregnancy
Reflecting On My Smooth Pregnancy

Today my firstborn baby is NINE MONTHS old....already. Nine months in, nine months out! Reminiscing has me thinking all about my incredibly smooth, active, healthy pregnancy. I am ever so grateful and feel so blessed to have had such a positive experience. I'm finally ready to share some of the aspects of my pregnancy that I was very intentional about controlling to aid any "smoothness" I may have been blessed with along the way.

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Chad & AmberAmberadvice, personal, pregnancy, motherhoodComment
But My Pre-baby Dreams Are Collecting Dust
But My Pre-baby Dreams Are Collecting Dust

I've always been a very optimistic person—my glass has never been half empty. But as I began setting my 2017 goals and reflecting on my 2016 accomplishments (or seeming lack thereof), it was as if I had watched the water of my life's glass just evaporate right in front of me and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I began to feel overwhelmed with regret and disappointment at what I was unable to accomplish, even though 2016 was probably the best year of my life. Why? Well, I'm about to get REAL with you and I'm hoping there are other moms—especially new moms—out there, particularly, who will listen, relate with me, and maybe even press on with me.

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Chad & AmberAmberpersonal, advice, parents, mom, motherhood Comments
A declaration of our dedication
A declaration of our dedication

Today was extra special for our family. Together with several other families from church and their children, we dedicated our son, Elias, to the Lord. I will deeply cherish these images from the event that commemorate the day we made a promise to Elias as his parents and declared words of affirmation over him. We decided to share the letter we wrote to him as a public declaration.

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Chad & AmberAmberElias, personal, church, ElevationComment
Things new moms may not admit they need
Things new moms may not admit they need

"Here's my wallet," he said to me on our way into Target while pushing the stroller. "Go order something over there at Starbucks and sit while I pick up what we need in the store with Elias." Really??? How did I get so lucky to have such a sensitive husband and dedicated father to our son?? I absolutely LOVE being a mom, but with a 24/7 laser-focus on the needs of someone else, I rarely stop to consider how far away I have pushed my own needs and desires. In this post, I talk about 8 things I haven't admitted or realized I have needed.

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Chad & AmberAmbermotherhood, advice, personal, parentsComment