Have you ever looked at someone else and thought, "Man, I just wish I could be where they are?"

In life, in career, in marriage, in family, in social status... whatever it is, many times we want what someone else has. The whole deception that we are never quite doing enough or being enough leads us to jealousy and greed.

I remember just a couple years ago, the huge desire I had to be a mom. It drove me to tears to see a pregnancy announcement because I was praying so hard for that to be me.

Fast-forward to now and I am savoring every bit of my very precious alone time while the kids are napping. Today I'm blogging. But typically it wouldn't be far-fetched to find me snuggling up on the couch trying to play catch-up with my DVR. Which some days may, in fact, be the most fun thing I do that day. Depending on if the show hasn't already been spoiled for me. That's a buzzkill.

The truth is, I got everything I coveted for (a family) and yet I still find myself wanting to resort back to the days of wasting my time watching TV. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but it's true.

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

All these things. All the things that we need in life will be provided for when we seek God first. It's not prosperity gospel - it's thegospel. Because when we seek after God, when we truly chase after building Hiskingdom... we can do without and we feel blessed with little.

The reason we become greedy is because our kingdoms look small. Our jobs don't look important enough or our homes pretty enough. We can't seem to find the right friends or right clothes to make us feel good. And we are too busy staring at people who are too busy staring at people who are too busy building their own kingdoms.

Seek first His kingdom...

God's kingdom looks a lot like giving with no strings-attached, loving with no conditions, serving with no reward. There is no status involved in God's Kingdom, no Pinterest board dedicated to it's cause. Because the things that actually give us value are not measurable here on earth.

I love being a mom. It has been the most fulfilling and God-honoring thing I could have ever asked for. But if I'm not careful, I could build my own kingdom around it. I could try and become "super-mom" with super kids who wear super-hip clothing and are the super-athlete/musician/student. Trust me, there are Pinterest boards for all that.

But more than anything, my desire is to raise children who are united in building God's kingdom instead of their own. It's going to take a lot of work and prayer - I can already see the sinful nature has been passed down from me and planted deep into my children's DNA. But if I can become good at anything, I want to become good at seeking first the kingdom of God. Not for my own boasting, but for the ones who will model their kingdoms after mine - most importantly, my children.

And so next time you are tempted, like me, to become envious of where someone else is in life - remember whose kingdom you are seeking. And that in order to build the Kingdom of God, our kingdoms must look small.

Last week, a dear friend and her 9 month old little girl came to visit us. They stayed for five days and it was so good to spend time with them! It's always nice when you get to hang out with your "BC" friends (before children). They get you and know the real you - before you smelled like spit-up and used to shower and stuff.

While she was here we talked about raising our children and how life has changed for us since becoming parents. She told me she was going to be observing how I handled two under two. As soon as she said that, I freaked out a little bit in my mind and then warned her that I wasn't sure I was the best example.

I mean, my kids cry. A lot. The oldest probably watches too much TV. I sometimes forget to feed my five month old (ok, I only forgot once... but STILL). And I give my toddler gummy bears, popcorn and sometimes (gasp!) chocolate if it means he'll sit still for five minutes.

Yes, I bribe. Judge me.

I am definitely not the poster-parent that has it all together. So now that I've shared just a few reasons why I feel unqualified to write this post, let me tell you just why I decided to write this post.

Because if you are a parent, whether to 1, 2... or 10, I have a feeling you feel unqualified too.

And sometimes you just want to know that you are not alone, that you're doing okay and that it will get better. And so here I am to tell you, not only what you want to hear, but, my best advice on raising two children under two.

1) You are not alone.

Remember this, everyday. It will help you get up in the morning. You have people all around the world who are doing this same parenting thing. In fact, people have been doing it for decades and centuries! That's how you are alive today. Also, remember that you are not alone in your role as a parent. There are people all around you who want to help - whether friends, neighbors, or family (if you're blessed to live near them). If someone offers to come over and help you, please do not turn them down. You will need the help. We all need help every now and then. But especially when you have two under two. I cannot tell you how nice it is to have someone to just play with my toddler so I can do the dishes. Or even better, do the dishes so I can play with my toddler! (I seriously have friends who do this. And they are heaven-sent, I tell you). Don't try to be too good or above asking for help. Pride comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).

2. You're doing okay.

Do your kids eat breakfast, lunch and dinner? Are they wearing clothes when you go out in public? Do they take a bath at night? If you answered yes to (at least) one of the above, then you're doing okay. In fact, you are doing better than many parents across the world. Your children are blessed. And whether you feel like it or not, your little ones are growing up like princes and princesses compared to the majority of children. Which makes you the king or queen! Wear that crown proudly. Now that I've given you a little reality check, I want you to forget everything I just said and remember this one thing - DO NOT COMPARE. The minute you start comparing what your child is doing compared to your friend's child who is a month younger and already doing/eating/saying... blah blah blah. That's when you're not doing okay. That's when you are not doing tummy-time enough or teaching them enough or reading to them enough. I can tell you from personal experience, when my toddler out of the blue counted to ten (and I had only been counting to three with him up until that point), that they are learning faster than what we can teach them. So take the pressure off of yourself. It's not a race. And even if it was, I think I'd want my children to lose the "who-can-grow-up-the-fastest-and-not-need-me-and-move-out-of-the-house-and-get-a-job" race anyway.

3. It will get better.

There are seasons for everything. There will be hard times. It will get better. It will get worse. And then it will get better again. Try to remember that when your child is going through a growth spurt, teething, tantrums, potty training, illness, rebellion, and every single horrendous thing under the sun. It looks bad, because it is bad, and sometimes horrible, even, but it will get better. And they will make you smile again. Sometimes, just seconds after the said-horrible thing happened and sometimes it takes a little longer. But if you can remember that the sun will shine again (and they will nap again) then you can make it through whatever it is you are having to deal with right now. And sometimes you can even laugh through it. I like laughing through it, personally.

Next week, my oldest turns two. I know I am a young parent. I haven't been doing this very long, my resume in parenting is short and I am fairly inexperienced. But having two children so quickly has kept me on my toes. I have to be aware and my mom-radar is on from sun-up to sun-down and many nights in-between.

This may seem like unpractical advice. Like, gee thanks, but where is the step-by-step manual on how to handle two under two (or three under three or so on and so on). Well, I never got a manual and I have managed to survive. There is wisdom in reading books and learning from other parents about how to raise your children. But at the end of the day, when everything fails and nothing is going right, the most practical advice I've needed in those moments - is that I'm not alone, I'm doing okay and it will get better.

Parent on, my friend. We're all in this together.

You may have noticed that I started a photography business a few months ago. Actually my very first paid session was in May, and I have had a steady flux of clients since then. Clients. Sounds so official.

I have to admit, I feel so overwhelmingly thankful and so overwhelmingly unqualified at the same time in this business.

It's not necessarily that I feel unqualified in my talent or skill to take photos. I don't. I truly believe I have an eye for it. I've always been able to see things in my head, before actually snapping the photo. If I didn't feel confident that I could take at least one good shot for every dozen bad ones, I wouldn't have started a business. Period.

But, I feel unqualified when I compare my early work with the work of those who have been doing it for years. It's not just a shot in the park (literally), it takes major attention to detail, not to mention fast execution to be able to capture those beautiful moments. I am learning as I go, and I praise God for all of the people so far that have been willing to trust me on the beginning of my journey with photography!

Although, this isn't actually the very beginning. And I feel compelled to tell you all a little bit of the story of how this all began.

I started dabbling in photography as soon as I got my Nikon D60 for Christmas in 2008. Josh and I had been married earlier that year and as a gift to document all the moments in our family, my dad bought me my first SLR camera. I was giddy and took that thing everywhere for the first few months. I even took it to my friends weddings, documenting right along with their actual wedding photographer (and occasionally over-stepping my bounds, I admit). But I would always smile when a friend would choose the photo I took for their profile on Facebook. It was like affirmation that hey, I actually took a good shot. 

Then slowly I started getting requests to take photos for people on different occasions. Portraits, Birthdays, Christmas cards, Engagements, even a small church (no guests) wedding. And I loved every minute of it. Even though at this point, it was still just a hobby.

And for awhile, I thought that's all it would ever be. A hobby that I did for people on rare occasions. Sure it took some time and late nights editing. But it was all for friends and I didn't think it was anything substantial enough to charge for. But eventually I learned I wasn't just robbing myself, I was robbing other, professional, photographers by offering free services.

Every time someone asked me to take their photos for free, I was taking business away from another potential photographer.

I struggled with this for months, but I still felt like I didn't have the investment and proper tools required to begin charging for my work. That is, until recently. Last year I was blessed with a new portrait lens for my Nikon and Adobe Photoshop on my computer. After a few months of practice, developing my editing style and creating a signature "look." I finally felt like I had the confidence and tools I needed to start a business.

My friend, Jared Sylvia, created my awesome logo. The "cr" is actually designed from my handwriting. The colors and font are taken from the look and feel of my blog. And I wanted all of it to have a "Central Florida" vibe to it. Hence, why my signature looks a lot like waves. :)

I am so very thankful and proud to have started this journey. It really has been obvious that the Lord has had his hand on every aspect, providing me with the tools and opportunities I have needed. And while my number one priority is to be a supportive wife and mom to my little ones, this is truly something flexible enough for me to be able to do that. It also gives me an outlet to fulfill that creative itch that lives inside me. The one that I can never shut off no matter how hard I try.

Thank you all for following along with me on this journey. I pray I have many more projects to share with you soon!