A Love Letter to my Gracie

Grace,

Today was one of those special days you have to write down or you are sure to forget it. This morning after breakfast I put on some worship music while I began cleaning the kitchen. You came out with me and we "danced for Jesus." You had a blast waving your hands and giving it all your little two year old energy. And in that moment I thought, it doesn't get any better than this I am living my dream. I hope you know that this is my dream- trying to be the best wife to your dad and best mom I can be to you and your sister. I didn't put my dreams on hold to be a stay at home mom this was the original dream for me.

Then you disappeared and I realized it was quiet.. Uh oh, not a good sign you sometimes get into trouble when it is quiet. So I went to check on you. There you were sitting in your room "reading" your Bible. You love your Bible. It is one of your favorite books-its actually falling apart you drag it around our house so much. And I thought that is my dream for you. That you will always be dancing for Jesus without refrain and have a Bible that is falling apart. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I wanted to capture this moment and tuck it away for the days when we visit the dark streets of Tantrum town or for the days when you loose your "listening ears" and just can't seem to find them. You are an independent little woman...just like your mother (according to most). But most days I celebrate that independence because it is that quality that helped me to love Jesus even when it was difficult and someday I pray will help you too. I love you my baby girl, and I always will.

Your Mama

Things That Go "Thump" in the Night

So Jeremy has nicknamed Faith "thumper." She is doing something funny I've never seen another baby do. In her bed she will pull her feet up (like she does when she plays with them) and then slam them down like a wrestler slams his oponent to the mat. She does it so hard it makes a loud thumping noise. When we are in our family room in the basement at night you can hear her thumping about if she happens to wake up. So we will see if the nickname sticks.

Mostly she does it when she is fighting going back to sleep. Why is it the more tired a child gets the harder they fight sleep? My child can be an expert in the fight against sleep. (especially now that we are pre-teething) But isn't that how I am with God. Sometimes the thing I need the most is what I fight the hardest... like humility, confession, waiting and the fruits of the spirit to name a few. We are really trying to focus on the fruits of the spirit in our home right now. I feel like God is saying- If your kids don't teach you to be patient, gentle, & joyful you will never learn! (And sometimes I'm not convinced I really want to learn patience) These are the three I'm really working on right now. So what lesson from God are you fighting against?

It's Raining..in my Bathroom!

So, little did I know that right after starting this we would have another great Mommy moment at our house. We are currently in the midst of potty training Grace. And in general you can gauge my sanity at the end of the day based on how many pairs of pants she has gone through. For example the other day was like a 5 pair of pants day- a little crazy!! So she had an accident and I put it in the toilet to try and help her know what she is supposed to do...then i flushed. (Bad idea!) The toilet starts overflowing-like Niagra Falls. Grace is jumping around screaming. I head to the basement to our other bathroom to try and find the plunger. I run...by the time I get there I hear water-uh oh the waterfall is coming through the ceiling. (The upstairs bathroom is above the one in the basement) Well, needless to say I had a big mess on my hands.

But this got me to thinking. Its kind of like what I do with my time with God. Sometimes I loose track of where he is at instead of keeping him close by, then when I really need him I scramble to find him. (Just like the plunger) I want to have my relationship close with him always not just when I am in a crisis, or having a 5 pair of pants day. I have clearly learned an important mommy lesson- 1. Keep a plunger in all bathrooms. 2. Spend time memorizing God's word so I can find it in my heart instead of trying to figure out where I left my Bible the last time I took time to read it.