My Daddy

Matthew 14:27 Says:

 

 But Jesus immediately said to them:

"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
 

This is the peanut meeting grandpa.  What I describe below is just about the same- Just 5 years older, different kid, and unable to pull up easily on the computer. ;)

That's how I feel when a storm is raging inside of me and I see my earthly father, my daddy. Whatever fear I'm having is gone, because I know I'm safe with my dad. I'm 26 years old and I still feel the same sense of safe with my dad that I felt when I was a little girl (with the exception of the time I got caught smoking- I didn't feel too safe then, pretty scared actually.  I was wayyy too young, and did whatever my friend was doing, so I would fit in.  Pretty lame.  Thank you to my biggest brother for ratting me out.  I'm sure you saved me loads of money and the chance of lung cancer).

Focus....Get back on track... Okay...GO!

The time I felt the most scared was after I delivered my son. I had spent 28.5 hours in labor, and 2 hours pushing that big-headed child out of me. I was hooked up to all kinds of machines, had so many drugs pumping into my body and I was sure that I was going to die. I delivered my son, and didn't feel anything other than terror. No baby high, no relief.  My mom and husband were with me. Looking back, I really appreciate that. I wish that I had appreciated it at the time, but I was still too scared.

Very quickly after my son was born, my dad showed up to meet his first (and as of this typing, his only) grandson. We were still in the delivery room. I had a lot of weird emotions going on that kept me from feeling an instant bond with my son (it actually took a good week or better, but that's long story.. we'll get into that another time). 

 Something changed as soon as I saw my dad holding that still brand new, all bundled up, precious baby boy. Something inside me shifted from scared senseless, to safe. I knew that everything was okay.  I didn't know how it would be okay, but I trusted that he was there, so it would be okay. 

It's so easy to have that feeling because I trust my dad. I trust him more than I trust anyone else on this Earth. He has earned this trust. He is a reliable, strong, and courageous man. It doesn't mean I don't trust others a whole bunch, and I don't have any sort of trust issues, it's just that I am safe with him. Safe, safe, safe.

My dad has always believed in me and been my advocate no matter what. 
Over the last few years and various situations I've learned to have that same sort of deep trust with Jesus. I've learned that my dad can't always physically be with me. I know he would if I asked him, but there have been times I'm just too far away.  And as much as I hate to think about it (so I'm just not going to), there will be a day that he really can't be with me any more.  :(   

He couldn't be there when my mother-in-law passed away. He was watching the kids for us as we made our last trip to visit her in the hospital.  I was in that hospital room as the woman who birthed, nurtured and raised my husband, went from Earth to Heaven.  I felt her go.  Yes, I felt her go, and I knew that she was safe with Jesus.  I can't fully describe it, but I know what I felt. 

It was emotionally the hardest day of my life, seeing my husband lose his mother.  Knowing in that moment that we would have to return home and tell our daughter that her grandma, who was mom to her for the first 2 years of her life was gone. I didn't know where I'd get the strength.  It was a day I would love to forget, but just can't. Spiritually, it was a time of major growth for me, because I had to rely fully on God and trust that whatever happened was in His hands. I had never experienced needing Jesus more than I did on that day, and the months following than I had in my whole life.  Jesus was there for me, just like my daddy.  He is always there, even if you don't call for Him, He's there.  And when you do call for Him, know that you are safe.   

I want to encourage you to think of the person that you trust the very most. Think about why you trust them. Think about putting that much trust, and just a bit more into a loving relationship with Jesus. 
 
If you have trouble with remembering Matthew 14:27, just think of this simple phrase we teach the kids: Never Fear! Jesus is Here!

For my momma friends

So much truth in this statement.  This is for all my momma friends who are dealing with sick kiddos tonight. Lord, I ask that they would all be healed. 
Sometimes as a mom we feel defeated, like everyone/everything is out to get us.  When you're in that moment of defeat I'd ask that you instead find joy.
Yes, please find the joy in each moment.  Rest well & enjoy even these times, because our "babies" will be grown before we know it. 

School Days: Learning Words

Words are so very important.  They can heal, they can hurt, they can make, they can break.  I love getting sweet notes from my 10 year old princess.  And on occasion we have exchanged notes letting each other know where we are lacking, or how our feelings have been hurt.  This has been effective for us when verbal reminders/corrections aren't working.
I want my little boy to be able to express himself through notes too, not just pictures.  Although those are sweet too. :)  But how on earth can he write me a secret note if I'm spelling all the words for him? haha.
Well, little boys tend to have a tough time sitting still and working with pencil and paper.  This doesn't mean they are lacking the smarts to do it, it just means we have to find a way to teach them that they will enjoy.  By the way, even if your littles don't seem to enjoy it and you think you aren't getting anywhere... you probably actually are making progress!  They are smart little cookies soak up way more than you think!  Take a deep breath, you can do this momma! 
So, do you want to know my secret?  Little boys love MAGNETS!
He was showing an interest in reading about a year ago.  So I worked with him then.  Then it tapered off for awhile, and now it's back again.  We will keep working at his pace, with an occasional nudge to try more. 
What we're using is a $1 cookie sheet from the Dollar Tree & a couple packs of their magnetic letters, also $1.  So we've got less than $5 into it.  We used picture cards from our Hooked on Phonics set, but that was *insert whiny voice *..."too hard!".

Product review: Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator.

If there is one product that I'd recommend to new parents above all the others, it'd be the Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator.
I can't remember where I first saw it, maybe the big box store. 

The Pros:
*Quickly and effectively gets the snot out
*No holding the baby down fighting with the bulb syringe.
*No bulb to wash out and hope you got it all the water out so you're not flushing mold into your babies nose the next time you use it.
*It comes with a handy bag to keep all the parts in (there are two different tips).
*It easily fits in the diaper bag and can go anywhere you go.

The Cons:
Um, maybe the cost, I mean $20, for another baby item.  But trust me, this one is worth it!

You really should clean it after each use, which takes a little time, but much less than the bulb syringe... I leave it at the changing station and clean it after each day we use it.  To clean it I just turn on the water and press the button to get a tiny bit of water in it, then I take it apart and wash it.  Less than 2 minutes.  Easy peasy!

Our son had a milk allergy that caused a constant runny nose (yuck!).  This thing was a life saver!

Happy 3 months Baby Blackie!

Happy 3 months baby Blackie! And I mean it, it has been a happy, joyful, journey! There have been tough times, but many more happy moments than sad.  & knowing that babyhood passes all too quickly, I choose to celebrate the happy.

At one of the first MOPS meetings I attended 5 yrs ago I first heard the saying,

"It takes a village to raise a child".

Today, I want to thank our village.  Our village is made up of family, friends, neighbors, a lactation consultant, our pastors, church family, & even strangers offering help with doors (as I carry a hundred pound carseat/baby/diaper bag & hopefully have two other kids trailing close behind), & offering random encouraging words.

Thank you all!

This past 3 months have drawn us closer to God, & closer to each other.  With an immense amount of help from these village people (smile), I've proven to myself that God did equip my body to not only care for, but also feed my child.  I didn't feel I was able to care for or nurse my last baby & gave up on all things motherhood too easily & for too long.  It's good to be back into the season of nurturing a baby.

Thank you Jesus! & Thank you Jacques Morali!