The Miracle of Being a Mom

Sunday was my first Mother's Day. It was a day that seemed so normal compared to the last few months of my life. We woke up early for a day of worship and fellowship with our church family. We rushed around the house to get ready, drank a cup of coffee to get the extra pump of energy, and prepared our hearts (and hair) for a morning of remebrance. All that was the same. Then, Ross came sneaking in with a beautifully wrapped gift and card for me... a mommy! He gave me a beautiful watch and journal. His card made me cry with joy. And as I nursed our sweet baby girl, I was overcome with joy! The joy of being a mother! The miracle that I and so many had prayed for these last five years had come to us! PRAISE!

I will always remember the first time Myra and I saw one another. The doctors had to check her out right after her birth for some precautionary reasons so I only got to see her little feet for a brief moment. About five minutes later, the nurse brought her to me. It was love at first sight! Something deep in my being changed instantly! My heart suddenly felt way too small to hold the love and emotion that was filling it. My sweet baby girl, my miracle, was looking right at me so intently! I was flooded with joy like I've never known before as well as the wonder of it all. Could I take care of this precious little child? I was amazed that God would choose me to be a mom and trust me with the responsibility of growing her up in the Lord! I saw God's love in my child so clearly. Something that five years ago would have seemed like "just the next step in life" had become a miracle for me. The miracle of being a mom.

I watch new expectant mothers and can't help but think of the miracle they will experience. I hope they all feel the love and joy that comes with motherhood. The gift of life is beautiful and amazing! Thank You God for sharing your mighty works with me!

Brand New Baby

Here is our sweet baby girl the day we left the hospital.

Senior Sunday

I'm home for a few minutes before we have a special night for our seniors at church. We have one, my cousin Chance, which is fun for me. We have decorated the activity building with the help of several volunteers. Kristi has done a GREAT job delegating and pulling it all together.

All the excitiement reminded me of when I was a senior in highschool and could hardly wait to run out the door to college. So many things change at this monumental time in a person's life. The last thing I was too concerned with was the loss that I know my parents must have felt. I was so sure of my future, so confident, enthusiastic about God and eager for tomorrow. I was surrounded by friends and family and enjoyed so much laughter! I think I miss the laughter the most. The laughing for no reason at all. The silliness that brought you tears and gut wrenching pain because the laughter was more than you could bear... that's the kind of laughter I miss. Laughing with delight and completeIy clueless about the real world. The world I lived in seemed so perfect! Wouldn't it be the same, or even better, once I was on my own, in college, and free to... have a dorm curfew every night?!?!

Well, I must say that I may not have that kind of laughter in my day to day life anymore, but I think one thing I do have is peace. A deep peace in my future with my heavenly Father. A peace that understands this world is not my home and that I truly am just passing through. The expectations I have in this world are so pointless compared to what God has planned for me. The spiritual joy that life in Christ brings is so much more meaningful than worldly things. Peace is what I have.

When you don't know if you will ever walk again with out pain. Peace. When your heart has been broken by death and despair. Peace. When noone else seems to understand the burden that life has given you. Peace. When the emptiness of your home without children screams so loudly it is all you hear. Peace. When you are blessed with huge miracles in your life (Myra) that are so overwhelming it makes you feel incapable. Peace. When loneliness creeps in and you wish you had a few friends to share some painful, tear jerking laughs with... peace fills the heart.

God has given me a sense of peace that only a little dose of "life" could help create.

As I see these seniors on the brink of a new journey, I can't help but woder what dose "life" will bring their way. What will replace the carefree laughter in ten years? What will God show them and teach them as they walk in faith to their future? I don't want to sound depressing with the thoughts of losing the laughter. I don't mean there won't be laughter, but if you truly think about it, laughter has so much more meaning now than it did then. It doesn't come as easily as it did when the only thing on the calender was when to see friends, when to eat, when to sleep, and when to wash my hair.

The Time Has Come

Well, I realize that there is a whole world out there full of my friends and family members who are blogging their life... this is now the new way to "keep in touch". Boy, I miss telephones! I don't know how to type fast or accurately so I have resisted this new line of communication as long as possible. The time is here. Loved ones... I'm doing this for you. I miss you!!! So, add me to your favorites list, I'll add you to mine. (If someone will teach me how!)

This is exciting! I feel like a whole new world is about to open up for me.

I want to post pics of our precious little miracle, Myra Kate, BUT my sweet husband is nervous about putting the 'most adorable baby in the world' on the web for all the "crazies" to see. Anyone have a word of encouragement for him or advice for me to convince him that it will be okay?

Quick Update on us:
Ross is youth minister at Eastside Church of Christ
We are getting use to small town life
We were blessed with a baby girl in February
My Lupus is in remission
(Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus!!)
We are blessed beyond measure with friends and loved ones (New and old)
I'm a full time mom ( I love saying this!!)
We miss our friends around the world and want to keep in touch.. thus the reason for my adventures in blogging.

I can't think of much else. My simple life isn't real exciting, but it is full enough for me!
Love you all! hope to hear from you soon!