celebrate the victories

I am going to back pedal into 2013 for a bit in order to highlight two very special events that NEED to be shared. It will be a two-part post, so just hang tight for part 2, okay?

Let me first start this off by saying that I am constantly talking about how these amazing, beautiful, LIFE CHANGING events that are all for the Kingdom of God, need to be shared… and I big time apologize for it taking so long to get these inspiring words and photos out to you.

Back in the Spring of 2013, my lovely friend Shannon called me. Now, Shannon isn't just one of those people you meet and forget. Shannon is a vibrant, feisty, hilarious, beautiful lady who has a personality the size of Texas… ooooorrrr, maybe even the entirety of Northern America. Anywho, Shannon called me to see if I knew of anyone who would be available to tackle some yard work at her parents house. Side-step with me for a sec. Shannon's parents are spot on some of the best people I've ever met. Dan is a teddy bear. An observant. incredibly hard-working, sarcastic {had to throw that one in there!}, gentlemen who is fighting his behind off, kicking cancer in the rear… not just cancer, round TWO of Non Hodgkins (now Hodgkins) Lymphoma.
Carolyn is sheer love. This woman is always crying for someone. Tears of joy, heartache, empathy, sympathy, understanding, love…  she is a wealth of prayer and thankfulness beyond my scope of compassion. I LOVE this family. L.O.V.E.
Sooo, of COURSE when Shannon called, our Life Group just-so-happened to be looking for a service project. {{God's perfect timing always blows me away!}} Within a week we had a date lined up and several people on board to help.
(Huge thanks to Mike Davisson for being a coordinator for all of these projects!)

When the people of Impact Fellowship Church make a move to step into the lives of a family needing a service, it's an absolute, heart-filled, blessed event. The "yard work" turned into a Saturday in which dozens of volunteers came and put in over 100 man {and woman} hours so Dan didn't have to worry about any of the physical labor that yard work requires.

BEFORE

Not only was the yard mowed, the leaves raked, the typical yard debris picked up… an old fence was torn down and a new one built, a drain down the set of stairs was installed, and the front flower bed was landscaped. The most exciting part was that Dan didn't know. {He was fishing and saw my blasted Facebook post about everyone's hard work. Darn it Dan, you aren't supposed to check Facebook while you're on a fishing getaway! Wink.} Carolyn was overwhelmed at the response and jumped in to help despite our repeated attempts to have her relax and let us take care of it.

The entire day everyone worked so hard, with such heart and joy. THIS is what serving is all about. THIS is what community and family and truly being the hands and feet of Jesus means. We are ONE body with ONE purpose and lives were changed that day. Maybe not in visible, high magnitude ways… but in the profound, deep ways. Such as the Myers boys, who came out and helped for hours upon hours and were thrilled to be there, carrying boards with nails, sweeping, picking up branches and  following an example their wonderful parents are setting for them by SHOWING them how to serve. In addition to the labor, connections and friendships were made that might not have been otherwise.

The Myers Family

Powerhouse volunteers!

As a group we strive to live out Matthew 5:16

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

We want our lights for Jesus to be so bright, so blinding, so pure, so filled with the Spirit and His truth that it pours out, spills over and creates a tidal wave of love that our community cannot help but see. 

It is simply God reflected in and through us. 

These groups of people who gather in His honor to fulfill the needs of another make my heart soar in radiant happiness and gratitude. 

Thank you to all of you who donated your time, your finances, your prayers, your friendship, your products and services. Dan & Carolyn were filled to the brim with appreciation!

When we were "finished" that same day, we had made quite the progress…

Back Yard BEFORE and AFTER

While we were working, a Mommy robin kept flying down, grabbing worms and taking them up to her three babies in their nest on the curve of the downspout. It was a precious event that did not go unnoticed, so naturally, a bird bath was the perfect missing piece to flower garden. Hopefully the local birdies will give Dan and Carolyn some great bird-watching moments. 

A few short weeks later, the flowers had all filled out nicely!

Front Garden BEFORE and AFTER

Thank you again to everyone who played a part in this service day. We treasure you all and look forward to all of the opportunities God places before us, where we can come together and glorify Him. 

In Him,

Teegan

PS- If you are desiring a relationship with our Lord and Savior, if you simply have a question or two {or twenty}, if you want to know more about Impact, or you would love to get involved in these service projects, please check out and contact Impact Fellowship Church.

Loving the Little Years = Gag Me.

I like to think of my "day" starting when I officially get out of bed. All too often I reference my day starting at midnight... and for all of you out there who have munchkins, a baby, or even those who have trouble sleeping, this "middle-of-the-night-being-called-the-beginning-of-the-day" thing sets us up to fail. Because then the truth of my day becomes the point that I woke up three times with Cameron screaming at the top of his lungs, twice to feed the babe and once to remove a sweaty three and a half year old from her little wedge of space on my pillow and across her Daddy's back.

Ideally, when I first wake up, I like to stretch, grab my phone and open my YouVersion Bible App, read my devotional, pray and thank God in advance for my patience, my sweet kiddos listening ears and helping hands. Sigh. Perfect world right there.  How it really goes... Cameron is up at about 5:45am for the day. Chad gets up at this time for work so he gets him set up with milk and breakfast or whatever {I'm nursing or in a groggy fog, so I have no idea!}. Shortly after nursing the bambino, Cameron ALWAYS throws open my bedroom door and instead of me being in my cutesy "one-on-one time with the big man" I am pleading with a toddler not wake up the baby so Mommy can manage to do SOMETHING productive before my hands are tied.

I am typing this in the rare quiet moment when Liam is down for his morning nap and there aren't blood curdling screams coming from the other three. I am typing this because it needs to be said. Too many Mama's I have encountered just need a little breathing room, a reprieve, a place to come for solace and commonality, a break, a virtual high-five for not completely losing it, or maybe just a good laugh.
I have a collection references from books and scripture and friends and fellow Mama's and family who have all "been there, done that". The talks on how parenting is "the hardest thing in the world" and "don't worry about the to-do lists, you just focus on those kiddos" and the "this time goes by sooo quickly" and the book that my dear friend {hugs Kristy!} gave me titled, 'Loving the Little Years' that I want to throw against a wall due to the title alone.  Don't get me wrong. I adore my kids. I love their flawed, beautiful, perfect souls.  ...Today though, really, honestly... I just don't feel the calling to be a stay at home Mom... {and in all actuality a work at home Mom with two businesses}. Really.
Not feeling it. I don't throw that around lightly because I know so many wonderful women who would chop off a few fingers to be home all day with their sweeties. I also know Mommy's who wouldn't trade working full time to be home for anything in the world. I'm just sharing my truth in today.

It is now 4pm and "today" can take a hike. All before 1pm this list of shenanigans occurred: Cameron and Noah decided they were SOOO excited about the Trader Joe's Strawberry Yogurt Cereal that was new, that they just HAD to bring it in my bed and spill it everywhere. I mean, who doesn't like crumbs IN sheets?! It's cool... it was just on Daddy's side. {ha. He'll "thank" me later by pushing them on my side and not say a word about it. Nice. Good thing I know his moves.} At the same time, I was pumping so I would have a bottle for Liam so I could work for a few hours tonight. Mid sentence asking Cameron to calm down, he lunged at me and grabbed the pump, yes, OFF OF ME and milk went everywhere. Yep. The random events didn't stop there... others included a container of guac that happened to fall out of the fridge and project its contents down my son and the floor {that I just mopped from yet another cheerio and wheely bug crushing incident}. Liam had a blow out of epic proportion that resulted in both of us having to bathe/shower. Then, to seal the deal, I bit it down a flight of stairs. Awe-some.

Standing at my sink, washing the dozenth dish of the day, the verse "All my hope is in You" kept repeating in my head. I chuckled when I thought about how many days go this way.  How many times I really just flat out do not think that I am cut out for this job.  And in these moments, I realize a few things:

1) It's okay. It's okay to have a crappy day. It's okay. 'Nuf said. Grace. It covers all of us.

2) God has new mercies every day. I like to think that the moments where I am on my knees at the feet of Jesus begging him to take this burden or that burden {or have a spa day magically occur} AND the moments where I am on my knees in front of my kiddos explaining that "Mommy's temper tantrum was not okay", are the real meat and potatoes of raw parenting. Faith, forgiveness and an infinite love.

3) Initially the book title 'Loving the Little Years' made me gag. What if I DON'T like the little years?! And instantly I felt like half of a Mom for having such horrid thoughts. Then I read the subtitle, 'Motherhood in the Trenches'... and it hit me. We certainly ARE in the thick of it during these years with kiddos in-home and we need each other. Judgement aside, we cling to each other like the last floatation device at sea. And we breathe. {and if you haven't read this book... you MUST}

4) Wine.

Thanks for being you and being authentic. We like that 'round here.

If you're looking for a few places for laughs and good ole fashioned Mama high-fivin', check out a few of the places that work out my abs... Momastery, The Big Mama Blog, Schrage Soapbox, Good Morning Girls.

At His Feet,

Teegan

This is us.

Today marks the day. I wanted to start this blogging journey a looooooooong time ago.  As in, years ago. I simply didn't think I had anything to share. {ha!} So, first and foremost, THANK YOU to all of you who have pushed, pulled, prodded, privately messaged me, BOLDLY messaged me and loved on me to start blogging.  I adore you all and am FINALLY doing it. {{{cheers from the bleachers and TONS of popcorn throwing. No tomatoes though, okay?! I'm a little too sensitive for that.}}} 

This blog has wanted to be a multitude of "things".  It started off as an idea to be a mode of sharing recipes and cutesy photos of my cutesy kids and cutesy crafting projects. Well, two boys and a whole lot of life living later, there is a new sense of urgency to this blog.  As "The Braun Crew", we have been called to serve. Not just to serve those we know and love, but to truly live out being the hands and feet of Jesus to those we encounter and those God places in our path.  As a Mom, I have a heart that is CRAZY passionate about seeking and creating raw, authentic community with other parental units. Parenting is insane. I mean, literally insane. I might as well have four monkeys hanging from my body parts all. day. long. Literally and figuratively. There is no greater joy, no greater mess, no greater love, no greater insanity and I wouldn't trade any of it. Instead, I want to lay it all down at the feet of Jesus and let Him carry it for me. Because frankly, I cannot do it alone... nor would I want to. 
So, with all that bunch of heartfelt gush, here is my crew. Wild and free and hilarious. 

From left: Noah (3 1/2), Liam (5 1/2mos), Cameron (2), Jayden (5 1/2) 

and the hubs, Chad

I am excited and hopeful about this experience... may we all learn and grow together and love without judgement. 

~Teegan~

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.  

Matthew 5:16