La-la-la-life update

We moved again!

The Sierra’s are at it again, and this time we moved literally across the country from Texas to Minnesota. This is our third move in 3 years, so I’d love to say that moving has gotten easier, but really it hasn’t all that much. However, seeing how God has shown up in our previous moves gives me hope and confidence that He’s right here in the midst of our current move.

When I think back on our last 2 moves, I see how God has moved and done incredible things for us. For example, when we moved to Kansas, I got the opportunity to draw closer to God than ever before, because we were away from family for the first time. We also got connected to a church that offered the most amazing women’s bible study over the book Habits of Grace, and that whole experience changed my life. In Texas, I found FIT4MOM, which answered all of my prayers and then some! It was at FIT4MOM that I made the most amazing friendships, got into working out again, and watched Nolan make so many fantastic little friends. We also went to the most incredible church of all time, Church of Whitestone, and I can’t say enough good things about it.

So, as I sit here in Minnesota, not knowing a single person or having a single plan, I trust in God’s provision and perfect plan even when it’s unknown to me. I am already praising God for the people we’ll meet here, the relationships we’ll build, the church we’ll go to, and the memories we’ll make, even though I haven’t seen evidence of any of this yet. This season isn’t without moments of loneliness and struggle, but I know God is working!

We have a two year old?!

I mean….. How did this happen?! We just celebrated his first birthday. But here we are. Nolan is so full of joy. He is wild. He is funnnyyyy. His favorite thing is making people laugh (I wonder where on earth he gets that from).

I also can’t believe I’ve been a mom for 2 years. Nolan has grown a lot in these first 2 years of his life, and so have I! God is using motherhood to refine me and expose my weaknesses in a way that challenges me to rely on Him and ask for His wisdom because I know for a fact I can’t parent in my own strength (and when I try, it’s ugly!). I’m just so grateful God is full of grace and compassion when I mess up. I’m also grateful that God is right along side me when I parent, so that sometimes, in His goodness, He allows me to get it right!

I have loved every stage of parenting so far, for real for real. But I will say the stretch from 18 months to 2 years has been the hardest for me! The discipline, y’all!! Disciplining my son is not my strong suit but something I’m working on because I know it’s necessary. But also, if I’m being honest, what’s harder than disciplining my son is disciplining myself! The moments I feel at my weakest as a parent are the moments when I’m not living a disciplined life. The moments when I’m scrolling social media instead of being present. The moments when I’m not filled up with the Holy Spirit because I’ve been too lazy to read my Bible or pray. The moments when I let my selfishness and short temper get the best of me and I’m saying something I’ll regret later. The more disciplined I am with my own life, the easier it is for me to is parent and discipline my son in a Biblical way.

Things I’m loving

I really only had 2 updates so I’m ending with things I’m loving, because I feel like 3 bullet points are better than 2 lol.

• I am LOVING being just a short drive away from family! Alex and I have the BEST families and I’m slightly obsessed with them, so being close to them is everything!
• I am LOVING the trees and their changing leaves! It’s something I definitely missed when we were down in Texas.
• I am LOVING pumpkin patch and apple orchard season! Please keep posting your cute family photos at the patches!! I am here for it!
• I am LOVING watching The Voice blind auditions with Alex. I feel like the judges are doing great this year. Reba giving out Reba Funko Pops to her team is iconic and ridiculous and I love it.
• And lastly I am LOVING YOU, for choosing to read this little update! Thanks for being on this journey of life with me!

I love you and I’m praying you find some genuine joy today!!

– Jenn