Why I Love Being a Mom...

If I wasn't a mom, I wouldn't have stories like this to tell...

So the other day, my husband and I were sitting in the living room together and our son had been back in the back section of the house playing. Periodically, we would hear his little feet pitter-pattering down the hallway. His room is just down the hall from ours.

He was huffing and puffing and obviously working hard at something.

We kept hearing things moving, feet traveling the house, and heavy toddler breathing.

We were both reluctant to go see what was going on both out of fear of what we would find and out of laziness in being so comfortable where we were.

About five minutes passed and we finally decided to get up together and see if the back of the house was still in one piece.

I fully expected to find all of my son's drawers emptied or the covers ripped off our bed...ya know, one of the things we've taught our son not to do. I always fear they'll come back when I let my guard down, thinking we've conquered that demon.

I walked into my son's room, braced for the worst. Other than a few books in the floor, everything was perfectly in place. My husband reported from our bedroom that he couldn't see anything wrong either.

What in the world!? Was he using his imagination so  well that he actually became out of breath pretending to do whatever he was imagining?!

With no evidence to scold our son over, we decided to go on about our night and head to the park thinking how strange the last 10 minutes were.

After we had put our son to bed for the night, the nightly shower routine commenced. My husband said that as he was walking out of the bathroom, something weird caught his eye. He came to grab me to show me that he had figured out what our 18 month old had been working so hard on earlier that day.

There was one towel draped over the side of the hamper. The rest  of the capacity of the hamper was taken by every shoe we own, carefully placed there by our hard-working little guy! He must have decided that since we put our clothes there when we are done wearing them, we probably meant to put our shoes there too. And since some shoes went there, well, the rest  should go too! =)

It was precious and makes us giggle every time we think about it. Can you imagine how disappointed he must have felt to wake up the next day and see all of the shoes back where they were. All that hard work for nothing!

Children are such  gifts. What immense joy they bring us... I'm so grateful for my son.... He truly is a "bundle of joy."

Do you have any fun kid stories? I'd love to hear them!

So sorry!

I know I have been totally MIA this week!

I'm am so sorry if you came back looking for the subsequent posts to the things we started talking about last week.

Life got crazy this week!

Some things, I can't really talk about yet...top secret! But the other...

My awesome little brother is getting married this weekend!

To give you some background, I totally love my brother. I consider us close and feel like I can talk to him about anything. He is wise far beyond his years and I often forget that he's not my age (he's 6 years younger). He cracks me up and listens when I need to talk. He's ambitious, driven, loving, and kind-hearted. He's a good man. Period.

So naturally, I would be pretty picky about the woman he'd choose to spend his life with.

Well... I can sincerely say that I couldn't have picked a better woman for him myself. She's absolutely perfect for him. They are similar enough to love one another deeply on a very true level...and different enough to balance one other out in the way that guarantees this thing is going to work.

I love this couple, y'all...

And it helps how sweet they are to my little sweetie...

I'm so excited to celebrate their covenant with one another tomorrow! The Lord will be in our midst and it's going to be special! Good thing my bridesmaid dress has pockets because I am going to need to stash some tissues in there!

My 18 Month Old Teacher

I mentioned before that my son is sometimes too brave for his own good. He'll run off a step that he should crawl down, or hoist himself up into a chair and not know how to get back down. He loves adventure and the tickle in his tummy when he's thrown in the air or pushed high on the neighborhood swings. He's going to ride roller coasters with me while daddy watches someday. I just know it.

But... he's also very cautious at times.

We took him to experience the great wonder that is the ocean for the first time a couple weeks ago. We couldn't wait to see what his expression would be when he saw all the water, heard the waves, and felt the sand for the first time. It's magical for anyone and we were so excited to see it through our son's fresh eyes.

As we suspected, the first time his precious little toes met the sand, he immediately smiled and would giggle as the weight of his toddler-sized body forced the sand away from his feet with every step. He loved it...

As long as he was holding the hand of his momma or daddy. With the way the sand moved from under his feet, he knew he would likely fall if we let go. He just didn't have the balance quite figured out yet, and he knew that.

The second we let go of his hand, he would immediately freeze in place and reach his hand up for ours, paralyzed until we came to help him navigate this tricky new terrain. He would stand there, hand in the air saying, "Eese. Eese." (You may recognize this more commonly in your non-toddler-world as "please.")

And it made me think...

How many times do I find myself in a tricky section of life and just step out on my own, only to have the ground around me crumble, leaving me in a heap on the floor? I'll tell you - way too many. I'm so often too brave for my own good and seem to tell God, "I got this. You can go handle all of the other peoples' problems." And what I really should do is exactly what Corben taught me...

Wait on the Lord with my hand up saying, "Please. Please. Come walk with me through this. I don't want to try this alone."

By the end of the week, Corben had mastered the feeling of the shifting sands and was able to walk down to the sweet, salty ocean alone. And it could be that way with the Lord. If I would let Him, He could teach me how to navigate the slippery times until they no longer felt slippery. He could impart the wisdom I'd need to travel the tough road...if I only would allow Him.

Oh, the lessons I learn through this little life the Lord blessed me with. We're only 18 months in! I can only imagine the wisdom I will have been afforded by the time he hits 18 years. I just pray that I'm an attentive student, not off trying to master the world on my own.

Lord, help me do this right. Please. Please.

The Most Important Thing We Can Do For Our Kids...

is to pray for them. It's to humble ourselves before the Lord and beg him for mercy and for salvation and for all the things our kids really need.

As a mom, I spend so much time questioning everything I do. "Does that one deserve a spank or a time out?" "Should I worry about the thumb sucking if it's only at night?" "Is now the time to whip out the training potty?!" "Why does he just go sit in his time out spot on his own sometimes!? He's supposed to hate it there!"

I constantly wonder how the decisions my husband and I make regarding our son will affect him down the road. Well... I can't be sure of any of that right now. But, the one thing that I know will affect him both today and for the years to come are the prayers that are offered up on his behalf.

As a believer, I feel like there are some definite weaknesses in my walk. I'm far too self-confident and sometimes almost always forget to wait on the Lord to lead. I step out and then remember to pray and seek direction. Ugh! It's so frustrating to know it's wrong and continually do it! And I don't want to do that with the best blessing I've ever received - motherhood. I want to approach it cautiously and humbly, admitting to the Lord many times a day that I can't do it without him. In an effort to bolster this often-weak area of my life, I did a little craft project for my son's first birthday party.

I took an adorable picture of him and pasted it on construction paper. Below it, I used construction paper to create a "pocket." Within the pocket, I dropped slips of paper that had prayers on them. I gave them out as "favors" (sorry to those of you who were hoping for candy!) at his party and begged my family and friends to pray with us for our son throughout his next year of life. I even laminated the prayers...by hand...which took forever and made me temporarily regret my bright decision to make them more durable.

These are the things I pray over my son, Corben, every night when I'm tucking him in, and sporadically throughout the day...and they are what my family was asked to pray for as well. I'm begging the Lord for these things...and I thought that by sharing them, it may provide a little jump-start to get you praying diligently for your kids as well. Sub in the names of your little ones and hit your knees, people. Our time with our kids is so short... (actual prayers are italicized)

Continued Health…he has been so blessed with no illness to speak of. Let’s thank God for that! And please pray with us that God would continue that trend and that should an illness come, God would have mercy with Corben and heal him quickly.

"Bring health and healing to [Corben]; heal [him] and let [him] enjoy abundant peace and security." Jeremiah 33:6

Learning… Corben has hit all of his developmental milestones to this point right on time. Let’s give God praise for that! Pray with us that he would continue learning as he should and that his little brain would continue to soak in this great world around him…all the way through his college years, that the Lord would bless his mind and direct his path.

"[Lord, allow Corben to] Get wisdom, get understanding; [to] not forget [Your] words or turn away from them. [Help him to] not forsake wisdom, and she will protect [him]; love her, and she will watch over [him]. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. [Help him] Cherish her, and she will exalt [him]; [if he] embraces her, she will honor [him]. She will give [him] a garland to grace [his] head and present [him] with a glorious crown.” Proverbs 4:5-9

Salvation…Pray with us that God would reveal himself to Corben at an early age and that Corben will be able to grasp His wonder and live a life to bring glory to His name; that he would be a Man among men, living in relationship with the Lord.

"[Help Corben to see and understand that] God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"[Please lead Corben to] declare with [his] mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in [his] heart that God raised him from the dead, [so he] will be saved." Romans 10:9

Protection…Pray with us that God would continue to watch over Corben when he is in our care and at daycare or with family members, out of our site. Pray that God’s hand would cover Corben and keep him safe this year and going forward, and that Corben could feel the comfort there is in God’s care.

"Do not withhold your mercy from [Corben], LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect [him]." Psalm 40:11

Personality…we are so thankful for the personality God has chosen to give Corben. Pray with us that He would continue to develop Corben’s personality and that the traits He’s given Corben would be used to bring God glory.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, [Lord, please] clothe [Corben] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [Help him] bear with others and forgive one another of any grievance [he has] against someone. [Help him] to forgive as the Lord forgave [him]. And over all these virtues, [we pray that Corben would] put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

Priority…while we love Corben so very deeply and are thankful for him beyond words, pray with us that he would not be our focus, but that his Heavenly Father would be. Pray that we would continue to mind our priorities and keep Corben where he should be…standing in line behind Christ.

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:16-17

Future friends and spouse…We believe it’s never too early to start praying for the future. Pray with us that Corben would make godly friends to surround himself with…friends that will encourage his faith and challenge his walk and grow with him. Also pray with us that the Lord would send him a godly helper to call his wife. A woman who loves God more than she’ll love Corben and who will partner with him as iron to sharpen iron.

"[Help Corben to] fear the LORD and the king, and to not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster from them will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?" Proverbs 24:21-22
"A wife of noble character, [Lord, help Corben] find. She is worth far more than rubies. [Let her] bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life. [Let her] set about her work vigorously; her arms be strong for her tasks. [Let her] open her arms to the poor and extend her hands to the needy. [Let her be] clothed with strength and dignity. [Let her] speak with wisdom, and faithful instruction be on her tongue. [Let her] watch over the affairs of her household and not eat the bread of idleness. [Let] her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: [Lord, may Corben find a mate of whom we can say,]'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but [Lord, provide Corben with] a woman who fears the LORD [and she will] be praised." Proverbs 31

Us…pray for us as we attempt to teach Corben about Christ and raise him over this next year. Pray that everything we do and say would point back to Christ and that he would understand our real reason for life…bringing God glory! Pray that our decisions would be God-directed and that our home would constantly be filled the joy of the Lord and a love of Him and each other that can only come from Christ.

"[Lord, help us] discipline[Corben], for in that there is hope; do not [let us] be a willing party to [his] death." Proverbs 19:18
"[Lord, help us] Fix these words of [yours] in [our] hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on [our] hands and bind them on [our] foreheads. Teach them to [Corben], talking about them when [we] sit at home and when [we] walk along the road, when [we] lie down and when [we] get up." Deuteronomy 11: 18-19
"[Lord, help us] train up [Corben] in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Those are my prayers. Feel free to make them yours. Sub in the name of your little one(s) and begin diligently lifting them up. Prayer is not a strong suit for me, I am ashamed to say. But it is a privilege to pray for my precious son. Getting my prayers on paper in a tangible way has been such a huge help to me, and I hope it is to you.

What are your prayers for your kids? Any verses you continuously offer up on their behalf? I'd love to throw some variety into mine. Please do share!

And God bless! Parenting isn't easy. Thank goodness we have an ever-present Helper just waiting for us to humbly ask for his assistance.

Reflections

When I had finished my first year of college, I decided to take a road trip. I loaded my then 83 year old grandmother and then 13 year old brother in the car and we took off to West Virginia to satisfy two strong cravings of mine- one for a road trip and one for some whitewater rafting action.

I rafted the New River alone while my grandmother and brother patiently waited at the hotel (ok, my brother wasn't patient at all...he basically hated me by the time I got back since I had to use our only car to get to the river). About ten hours after leaving them, I returned with a video of the river trip. I wanted them to see the awesome time I'd had since they couldn't be there with me. I also wanted to show the cute guy I was dating how cool I was. I mean, who takes on Class IV and V rapids without a buddy?! THIS girl!  (PS - that cute guy is now my husband...I totally knew he couldn't resist me after that!)

After watching the video, I asked my then-boyfriend/now-husband what his favorite part was. Was it when we took on "Dudley's Dip" with ease while the other boat flipped? No?

Was it when I jumped off "Jump Rock" and screamed, "God Bless Texas!" as I flew to the water? No?

He said that by far, his favorite part was when the camera man would show close ups of me before a rapid. He loved how my face would be stoic through the calmer waters and as soon as I could see the splashes of the rapid, I got a huge smile on my face and immediately started laughing. It's true. For whatever reason, I crack up when the scary parts of adventures come. I think roller coasters get me laughing the most. On the up-hill ride before a drop, you'd think Jerry Seinfeld was in mid-set in the seat behind me.

Fast forward eight years and I now have a toddler...a toddler who outwardly looks nothing like me. Almost to the man, when meeting my son, everyone says, "He looks just like Tim!" Great. I do all the baby-carrying, laboring, pushing, and using my body parts as feeding mechanisms and the kid looks nothing like me? Fair.


Over Memorial Day weekend, we went swimming at my parents' house. My son loves water and is a little too brave for his own good. Toward the end of our swim-time, I sat my son on the step so my arms could get a little break. I was standing right in front of him, so he decided to reach for me. He slid off the step, went under, and I quickly picked him back up and put him on the step. Well, he loved that and decided to do it over and over again. I would place him on the step and he would scoot forward, rocking from one tiny cheek to the other until he got to the edge. At the edge of the step, a huge smile would cover his face and he would erupt with laughter from the time his little booty left the step until he was under water.

Reflections.

He wasn't born looking like me, no. But I see sweet reflections of me in him. And I love them. I will forever remember his little face as he worked so hard to get to the edge, knowing something exciting was waiting for him. I'll always be able to picture his face light up as the adventure closed in, and the giggle that filled the air as he took it on, full-steam ahead. It's a reflection of me. And I cherish it.

And it made me think.

I wasn't born looking like Christ either. But I'm sure it gives him great joy when He sees small reflections of himself in Me. And just like the reflections of myself will become more and more common in my son as he ages and spends time with me, I hope the Lord sees more and more of Himself in me as I grow and spend more and more time with Him.

And I hope those are reflections my son sees as well. Those will be the ones that really matter.

Passion #1 - Family

First - I want to explain the point of this blog. I am not a pastor. I've never been to seminary. I have a weak knowledge of the Bible. I'm just a girl that loves the Lord, but wants to love Him more. I have a fun, fantastic life and I want to be sure those fun and fantastic things He's given me cause me to praise His name and not to think it's my doing that has caused such a nice life. It only rocks because He allows it to. With one phone call, it could all shatter around me. I am under His mercy and want to be mindful of that always!

So, let's get started!

I want to lay the groundwork for this blog by introducing you to the passions I have. They are numerous, and in my sometimes-not-so-humble opinion (thanks for grace, Lord!), they are awesome. These are the things that I want to constantly see God in and give him the glory for.

First is Family.

I have a husband! We've been married since 2005 and he's unquestionably perfect for me. He's mine for life and I love that...

I have a baby boy. Well, he's actually a toddler now! His "coming to be" was an unbelievable trial in my life which turned into an unimaginable blessing. I'll save that heartbreaking and yet somehow joyful story for a later post. He's been an amazing baby that makes my husband and I hesitate to take our chances with the "baby lottery" for a second child. Who wants to try their luck when you're talking about a human you'll live with for 18 years (at least!)?! (I'm sure we will...but oooh, it's scary!) Anyways, enough about the future - let's focus on the present! Here's our happy boy!

I also have parents, two sets of in-laws, two siblings of my own, sib-in-laws, grandparents and grandparent-in-laws, etc etc. And about 85% of them live within a 5 mile radius of my home. Yes, it creates some scheduling woes around the holidays, but it also creates many willing (and FREE!) babysitters in the area! Can I get an AMEN! Here are some of the lovely people I get to call family...

Now that you "know" me better, know that this is an important area of my life where I can see the hand of God. Yes, most families are full of dysfunction and sometimes cause us unimaginable headaches and pain, but they can also be sources of strength, joy and true, abiding love.

Many of the posts you'll read here in the future will involve this all-important passion in one way or another. And in each, I'll challenge myself (and also hopefully YOU) to see God in it and to allow what He's doing there to ignite a fiery love for Him that flows freely into the other passions that engulf our lives.

Click here to read up on the next of the five passions...