New Years Nostalgia

As it is New Years, I've been reminiscing on what this past year brought us. A year ago today, I was 8 1/2 months pregnant (and growing rounder and crabbier by the day). It was a mere 16 days into the new year that our little peanut came into our lives and forever changed our world. I think I can easily say that 2014 was the most monumental year of my life - it made me a mother. Such a great responsibility, but an amazing honor as well. I can't even put to words the emotions of this past year - the awe of meeting my newborn; the bafflement as I fumbled through those first months, and the sheer JOY I feel when she smiles and giggles at me. It was not an easy year, to be sure, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. We are so blessed.

One Day

It's been one of those days, dear. One of those days when you throw it down at nap time. One of those days when you're only happy in mama's arms, with her all-natural organic paci in your mouth. One of those days when daddy gets home and I quickly pass you off and run for the shower, just for a moment of peace (it's amazing how long my showers are these days - my moments of respite.)

They say I'll look back and miss these days. Will I?? It's so hard to imagine right now, as I sit here and long for the day when you can use your words, and sleep through the night, and entertain yourself for more than 10 minutes without a reassuring mama-snuggle.

But here I find myself in the first quiet moment of our day, the magical moment when you nurse to sleep on my lap.. and I know that I will miss this. I look down at your peaceful cherub face and admire your wispy blonde hair. I watch your chest rise and fall as I listen to your rhythmic breathing. These are the moments I'll remember and cherish one day; the quiet moments I spent snuggling my sweet, sleeping babe.

What It Means To Be Poor

Poor. I hear that term thrown around a lot in everyday lingo. I have even found myself using it at times (you know, the whole "woe is me, we're down to one income" thing). But what does "poor" really mean?

I've been thinking about this a lot during the month of thankfulness (which is ironically followed by the month of gluttony and frivolity...but I digress). What is our definition of poor, in a country where we have closets and basements full of stuff? Where we have garage sales to get rid of all the stuff we don't want anymore? Where the average family spends over $700 every Christmas for new stuff?*

Now, I realize there are many people in this country that are truly struggling. But a vast majority of us are not. (If you are reading this on your smartphone/ipad/PC, you are probably not). A vast majority of us has never known what it is like to feel hunger, or to brave the cold without shelter. We have cleaner water in our toilet than many people have to drink. By third world standards, most of us are so very rich.

I struggle with this. I struggle with wanting to give back, and do more, but not knowing where to start. I struggle with holding my possessions too closely, but at the same time yearning to simplify and leave the burden of it all behind. I struggle with how we are going to raise a daughter surrounded by worldly goods, while simultaneously trying to teach her to place her values in the treasures of heaven.** How am I going to teach her that Christ is enough, when I myself put way too much stock in our assets and our security? How am I going to teach her to be generous with what we have, when I myself am so inherently selfish?

I don't know the answer. Feel free to share, if you have any wisdom on the subject. How do you give back and serve others? How do you simplify, in a culture that is all about extravagance?

*How Much Do Americans Spend Over Christmas
**Matthew 6:19-21

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Lately, we've been trying to revamp our diet a bit. Nothing too trendy or extreme (what exactly is a GMO, anyway?!) - basically just trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies, and less junk. Because soon, Lydia will be eating what we eat. And we are responsible for what we put in her little body.

I was thinking about this the other day while grocery shopping (no doubt while scouring labels for hidden GMO-carcinogen-things). I was thinking about how, while it is important what food we give her, it is infinitely more important what we feed her soul. The values we impart in her, and the kind of example we are for her... it matters. 

 I think about this as she's crawling around on the floor as we watch T.V. - what is she hearing and seeing? It matters. I think about this as I get impatient with her when she won't stop crying - what is my attitude teaching her? It matters.

At the end of the day, I think I could live with having a daughter who ends up hopelessly addicted to Big Macs. I just hope she is a Jesus-loving fast-food fanatic. That's what matters.

Just Another Mom Blog

Blogging seems to be the thing to do when you're a mom. Especially a mom of only a few littles. (Some of my favorite mom bloggers seem to have fallen off the map once they've reached 3, or 4, or 5 kiddos... Like they don't have time to write or something. Whatever.)

So I'm going to join the masses and try this thing. I plan on writing about mommy stuff, because that's the season I'm in. I plan on writing about God, because He's important to me. I plan on writing about things that matter, and maybe some things that don't. Who knows?! It will be a journey. Join me! (Or don't, and find something more interesting to read. Whatever.) ;-)