Things That Made My Day Great...

I woke up this morning and decided that I needed to have a great day after a rather rough day yesterday. It's amazing the affect a little perspective can have on your day (I knew that yesterday too, but sometimes it's a little hard to turn around once you've already started).

Here are a few things that helped make my day great.

Natalie hardly ever sits in her high chair anymore. I thing she looks so big when she sits in it and it makes me just a little bit sad. This morning she wanted to sit in it with her crayons - she doesn't color with them she just likes to put them in and out of the bag.

Amirah gives a great grin. I call her my little cheerleader.

A made an apple pie. I haven't tasted it yet. That will be a great ending to a great day.

I listened to some great worship music while I made the apple pie - Jonathan David Helser. If you haven't listened to his music it's well worth your time.

http://www.jonathanhelser.com/jonathanhelser/Home.html

A great day wouldn't be complete without the great man in my life. He came home a little early today which always makes me smile. I'm not so sure he was impressed with my picture taking.

Here's to great days and even better days ahead!

Natalie and Amirah

These girls are something else. There is very seldom a dull moment in our house during the day. Now that Amirah is on the move, the dynamics of she and Natalie's relationship is also on the move (i.e. she can get into Natalie's space rather quickly rather than Natalie only being able to get into her space). Needless to say, Natalie is not sure how she feels about this. So drama ensues. They really are great friends though, most often. You can tell by the way Natalie calls out "baby" (which sounds a bit more like "bubby") as soon as Amirah comes and the way Amirah's face lights up. Cute kids, I must say :)

It's next to impossible to get a picture of the two of them together, but I have mentioned to get a few in the past few days. Here's a little peek.

Natalie loves climbing into anything - baskets, boxes (whether she really fits or not). Amirah is mostly game for whatever Natalie has attempted - so fun to watch!

Watching Sesame Street (it was only a few minutes, Melanie, I promise!)

Speaking Truth

I feel like Hans and I have entered into a battleground in relationships recently. Not so much our marriage - we have a few issues, but we are committed to work through those, and I believe we are. But, everywhere else we turn there is someone making a poor decision, or struggling with some hurt, or dealing with doubts, worry, bitterness... and these are the people that supposedly have a foundation.

How have we fallen so far? That is the question that keeps running through my head. As Christians, as parents, as leaders - how have we fallen so far? It's sobering to me. We are raising children in the church that don't know right from wrong? Is that scary to anyone else? We need to wake up! Our sins are not okay. Our mediocrity is not okay. And I'm speaking to myself above anyone. I believe it comes down to one thing, we are operating outside of the Spirit, and there is no life outside of the Spirit. We are dead. WAKE UP! RISE UP! We are the Church and if we do not fight we will lose generations... some have already been lost. Are we willing to lose more? I have a little girl sleeping upstairs that is worth this fight and beyond that there is a whole world of children that are worth this fight. I believe we can raise children to be God-fearing in a God-mocking world.

That's my soapbox for today, but seriously let's not give up this fight so soon. Let's join together in raising children that love God and speaking Truth that can combat all the lies of this world. And Hans and I (and many of you, I'm sure) will continue journeying through these relationships and crying out for the Spirit that we have ignored for far too long.

Fulfilled but Longing...

I used to journal. Sometimes I miss that journaling side of me. The side that was reflective and maybe insightful and longed for greatness or anything outside of what I had. In other ways I believe my lack of journaling shows a maturing and deeper contentment with myself and my life. I often journaled when nothing else worked and despair was setting in. So, while maybe I do miss the journaling, I guess I don't long to return to those days. That was before I recognized the man of my dreams, before I became a mom, before I found fulfillment in being a wife, a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend. And yet, some days, I wonder is my lack of necessity to journal a sign that I've settled? I used to crave vision; I longed to see a life outside of the box I constantly created. Now, most often, I just ask for the strength to get through today. I used to cry out for a deeper understanding of God. While I still think I desire that, I most often don't take the time to ask. I used to be so sure there was a deeper calling on my life then what I could see or understand at the moment. So now, even though I am not completely content, why do I believe that I have arrived?

I think as a wife and a mom, I so often tell myself that it is wrong to long for more. I think that if I crave more vision I'm selling my family short, that I'm not recognizing the amazing gift before me. I feel like it used to be okay for me to be desperate for change, for greatness because I was single and very much at the dawn of discovering what life had for me. And now I've arrived? I don't think so. I'm realizing that this is just another chapter, and while I love this chapter and feel so much more secure and fulfilled than I ever have, I don't have to give up dreaming. There is something in my spirit that will always long for more until the day I meet the one that has put that longing there. I need to reach for the calling that is beyond the mundane, the day to day. But unlike my desperate journalings from the past, I need to recognize that there is fulfillment in today. That there is great calling where I am at. So here I am, fulfilled but longing. I don't think this is such a bad place to be.

My Days

It is unbelievable to me that summer is over and we are headed towards fall. I always find this time of the year bittersweet. I look forwards to crisper, cooler days after a hot, dry summer. I look forwards to the schedule and activities that fall brings after the more laid back days of summer. However, at the same time I mourn the loss of hot weather and relaxing days.

Amirah is an added bonus to this fall weather. I am keeping her five days a week this year, which is proving to be challenging and rewarding. The challenging moments come when I cannot possibly meet the immediate demands of two girls six months apart in age. The rewards come when Natalie bends over to give Amirah a kiss and Amirah reciprocates with a big smile! I'm looking forwards to this year, to watch both girls grow and bond, to invest myself in these small lives with enormous potential.

First Ice Cream Cone!

Well, Natalie's first ice cream cone was a huge success.... and a huge mess, but that's part of the fun, right?

Growing up

I cannot believe that Natalie will be a year old on Sunday. It is amazing the changes a baby makes in the first year. I barely recognize those newborn pictures anymore. Instead I see this vibrant face of my toddler with her curly hair and ready smile. I love this child beyond description.

She loves to be chased, especially by her daddy and especially when he scoops her up and throws her in the air when she is caught. She loves moving her books and toys from one location to another; this tasks keeps her busy half the day. I love watching her do this because she seems to have a definite plan about what she is doing. She loves putting pennies in her piggy bank - smart girl! We can't find enough pennies for her. Secretly I think she is saving for something and just pretending she finds it fun to put the pennies in. She loves talking to people. She practically demands to be noticed at stores. She will smile and "talk" and wave at anyone that is willing to notice.

Hans and I feel so blessed to be her parents. She has totally changed our lives in almost every area, in a way you can never understand until you are a parent. Sometimes it seems we are reeling from the sheer exhaustion of it and sometimes we just stand in pure wonder of the beauty. Either way, we wouldn't trade it for anything.

Happy birthday, beautiful girl!