Creativity...

We have a deal at our home. I cook and Trae and the boys help clean up the kitchen. Last night I was busy doing something and didn't have my hands free to hold Sam and he wanted to be held. Sam and Dad used our favorite sling (Baby K'tan) and got things cleaned up in a jiffy. Sam was asleep by the time they finished. I use it with Sam in the front either cradled or upright facing mom or out front. We didn't want dinner to end up on Sam so we put him on dads back and he loved seeing everything going on. There are 8 positions you can use with this sling. It is on our my favorite finds!

Sweet endings....

We had Andrews awards ceremony this weekend. He is now officially a Junior! Yippppeee! Although it is supposed to be the toughest year in school. I know he will do a great job. Our weekend also had lots of downtime since it was a holiday weekend. Sam was thankful for some extra cuddle time with big brother. Ahhh, priceless and warms this moms heart.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day! I bet each of you are Mothers. When I think of motherhood so many emotions well up inside of me. Honestly one of the first things that always comes up is....blessed. Being a mother is a blessing.....the fruit of my womb. I see motherhood as the hardest job on this planet and the most rewarding. It isn't for wimps that is for sure! Some days I feel like a failure...other days I feel like we will make it and on other days (rare)I actually give myself a small pat on the back and tell myself I am doing OK. I have a friend at church who has never given birth to a child. She is married and her husband had children prior to their marriage. She is such a lover of little ones that when I was pregnant I thought to myself many times I can't wait until Cathy holds my baby! Why....because her heart longs for little ones and she loves on them in such a special way that you can't help but want her to love on your baby! I wish she was blessed with her hearts desire. For now I will sometimes pass my sweet little one to her during a church service or in the hallway and we are both blessed. I don't think she will ever realize the blessing she is to others. I am blessed when my children are embraced, accepted and loved on. I have my 3 blessings on earth, 2 in heaven (miscarriages) and a lifetime of mothering. I know I recently said to my husband that by the time our sweet Sam left home I would have had children at home for at least 35 years! WOW! I need the Lord daily for grace, strength and wisdom in training up the hearts I have been entrusted with. This post reminds me of motherhood....it is going on and on and on.

You might see some sweat.....

But I see the beauty of the body of Christ! We were at Pine Cove last weekend with our ministry team and we were all sweating as the humidity was high and most of us (not me!) had just done the zip-line. It was a great weekend full of laughter, tears and dear friends. Sam did wonderful. So wonderful that we had several offers for babysitters by the time we left. The weekend totally confirmed how much Sam is a people person. He took it all in, loved visiting with everyone and even enjoyed falling asleep in peoples arms and being fed by them. Their warm embrace of our growing family was the best medicine this mama could have had. God is so good.

Sam's special day...

Samuel was dedicated this weekend. It was the sweetest time with a small gathering of family and close friends. Traes mentor and friend opened his home and heart for our special day. We attend a church however we felt in our hearts that we wanted something different for our son, more intimate and a time for others to speak into our lives and Samuel's life. It was a sweet time that will forever leave an impression. Alan spoke about covenant and read from 1 Samuel 12:24- Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. He also challenged us to do 3 things. 1. Dedicate Sam to the Lord. 2. Train him in the ways of the Lord. 3. Let him go and give him to the Lord. How beautiful is the body of Christ.....so grateful!

It finally hit!

When I was pregnant with Sam I really didn't nest very much. I remember one weekend I really nested to get his room ready but outside of that it really never hit. Well he is 3 months old and with getting full nights sleep now I think it is hitting. We joked when I was pregnant that Trae nested more than me! Hey, at least one of us was doing it. Now if I can just figure out how to re-do ds2 room!!! It doesn't just need cleaned or organized it needs a makeover.

Spring

Spring has sprung! And as you can see so has our family. Everyone is growing and doing well. Sam is sleeping so well. What a blessing! He is usually sleeping about 10-11 hours a night without waking. The boys are both so good with him. We couldn't be more blessed. Both of the boys have a unique relationship with Sam that is so fun to watch. Sam delights so much in both of them too! He gives them the sweetest smiles daily. Ahhh, the things that warm a mothers heart.