Delight

Every good and perfect gift is from above.

James 1:17a

I wish you could see the way my daughter delights in creation.

She loves to be out in nature, crawling around in the grass, picking up leaves and twirling them between her fingers, pointing to birds and clapping as they fly overhead.  Touching every flower she sees and laughing as it dances in her chubby grip.

Every time I take her out to play, I am reminded that my attitude should be more like hers.  Her reaction to nature is the one that puts a smile on God's face.  Don't you think He loves to see us take joy in His creation--His masterpiece?

It's funny to picture a world full of adults stopping to touch every flower they see, or laughing whenever a strong wind makes all of the leaves quiver on their branches.  So we all grow out of this pure joy of nature at some point in our lives.

But I'm promising right now to delight in God's creation with my daughter.  We will laugh at every flower, watch every snail, wave to the clouds and sink to our knees in the warm grass.  I will encourage her to be curious, I will show her that Mommy is in awe of God's creation, too.  I will remind her that she is cherished by a God who loves her enough to create all of this for her.

My love for her reminds me of God's love for all of us.  I can only give to my daughter the beauty that is around us.  But God knew just what would make her giggle over and over again, so He created it.

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was kind of eclipsed by the fact that we moved the day before.  We were exhausted, spent the morning doing a mad-dash as we raced around the house looking for two matching shoes or a dress shirt that hadn't been wrinkled in the move.

Then, we jumped in the car and raced to church, and got there 10 minutes late.

But who needs a day on a calendar to be thankful?

I didn't get to see my mom on Mother's Day.  We both spent the day worshiping at the churches where our husbands work.  But that doesn't mean that I'm any less appreciative.  What an amazing woman she is!  I'm so thankful for the way that she raised me, the way that she got down on the floor and had tea parties with me, the way that she lovingly showed me how to love those in need, to sew a straight seam, to give a public speech without my trembling knees drowning out my words, to serve alongside my husband, and for the way she encourages me often about the way I am raising Kayleigh.

I'm also thankful for my mother-in-love.  I'm thankful for the incredible man she raised single-handedly, for the way she enjoys having me as a daughter, for our similar interests in our Irish heritage, our love for crafting, sushi, oldies, and cooking.  For the way she delights in my little girl, for the way I know that she will drop anything to come when we need her.

This year, I'm most thankful for this sweet girl.

My precious little curly-girl who giggles at the sight of roses and always puts her hand on me whenever we're within touching distance.  This baby who has given me insight into God's love...because how can anyone love someone more than I love my sweet little sunshine?

Just thinking about her makes my heart swell with love.

Thank You, God, for this precious gift who has transformed me from just being a daughter to being a daughter and a mom!

This little girl makes everything in life more beautiful.

Mother Letter

Dear Mommy-to-Be,

You may be staring down at your growing tummy right now wondering, do I have what it takes to be a mom?

I can promise you that you do.

I remember when I was filling out our baby registry.  There were so many choices, so many brands and options and colors...I was overwhelmed.  One of my friends encouraged me with this, and I've held on to it ever since.

You are all your child needs.

You can provide the warmth to comfort your little one, you can provide the sustenance to help him grow.  Your voice can soothe her to sleep, and at the end of the day, that's all that's important.

Maybe you're also looking down at those swollen feet and darkening stretch marks and wondering if your body will ever be the same.  

I can promise that it won't.  

Many parts of you will bounce back to their former selves after pregnancy, but even if they don't, you can be proud.  It takes one amazing person to be able to grow a baby from a microscopic cell to the wrinkly, kissable munchkin you greet in the delivery room.  Your body is a thing of power.  How can it top giving birth?  Your skin may be a little stretchier than it used to be, and your favorite clothes may not fit like they used to, but when you look in the mirror, be proud of who you have become.

There is nothing more incredible than the journey you are on, and when they place your baby in your arms for the first time, you will know that it was worth it all.  

Get ready for your life to change forever--in the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing way you could ever imagine.

Linking up with Mother Letters to share my letter to future moms

Happy Thoughts

The Heart of the Homemaker Series is over.

But right now, I'm thinking of the most amazing homemaker I know.

I'm so thankful for my mom:

For the wonderful example she set for me

For all of the smiley-face sandwiches and owie-kisses

For always having her phone nearby so that I can call her to ask how to make pot roast, what to do for Kayleigh's fever, or just to say hi.

For giving me the confidence to raise Kayleigh, for telling me that she believes in me.

For giving me life, so that I could raise this precious girl:

Her children arise and call her blessed.

Her husband also, and he praises her.

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Proverbs 31:28-29

I love you, Mom!