Simple

Dearest Caleb,

I don't think I'll ever forget this day. Every bit of it was sweet, in every detail.

When we first prayed together during your breakfast treat, I prayed, like always, that God would give us good works to do today. Good things to be busy with - and He did.

I was rocking you to sleep this morning, thinking about what a gift you are. Your head rested gently in the crook of my arm, and I was savoring our special time together. Suddenly, I felt something wet on my arm. When I realized it was your drool, I cant tell you how overcome I was with EVER GROWING love for you. You are so helpless now, and need me. You are wonderfully precious to me - and completely adorable! The simply thought of you being so sleepy that drool just slipped out was so ... sweet ... :)

We went to Mamaw's house today and had the best time! You cried the whole way there but were all smilie as soon as we arrived. You took a good nap on her couch, and chatted happily while we were in my old home. And then, God did give us an extra special work to do! We went to visit your friend, Grandma Crandell. She was so glad to meet you! She reminded us how she prayed for you and how much of a miracle you are.

The rest of the day was shopping with Mamaw, smiles at your Grandpa, and silly dances with Daddy when we got home. 

Simple and splendid; that is my life as your mommy. I love you, son. Praying for many more special days with you.

Kisses, Mommy

   

My Ode - 1/Many

Today, I am beginning a new series entitled,  "My Ode". Many things in life are taken for granted or simply under-appreciated for their true value. 

Take belly buttons for example. I didn't think about mine, or realize the happiness it could bring me till I was pregnant. I think my belly button popped on purpose just to show me how long it had been overlooked. Now, I love my belly button; I understand its value and truly rejoice over it. If something happened and I lost my belly button I would truly cry. But... This ode is not for my belly button. This ode is for ....

The birthing ball! 

Seriously, I never knew how much I would love and need that thing. I used it a lot during pregnancy to relieve discomfort and prepare for labor. I used it during labor...a little bit. :) but I use it a lot now! Why? It bounces... And Caleb loves it. I sit and bounce with him if he wants a good bounce just for fun. I use it when I'm trying to calm his crying and I can't stand up anymore. I use it all the time and I am compelled to sing its praise! It's weighted so I don't fall over. It's the perfect size and it lets me rest a wee bit while still taking care of my bitty son. Whoever invented the birthing ball was a genius... And I am very grateful!

Sometimes it's the small, under-appreciated, overlooked LITTLE things that can bring so much joy!  :)

My "Ode to the Birthing Ball" now is done.

:D

Silly Post Pregnancy Thoughts

Pregnancy was a wonderful, hysterical, and unbelievable experience. I loved it and I miss it! :%

It was amazing to grow a human being inside my body. 

It was beyond my understanding to see and feel how God knit my baby together. 

It was laughable to not be able to see my toes.

Hilarious to watch my tummy grow bigger than a hat box fit for Eliza Doolitttle. (She wore big hats...)

Remarkable how different I felt. 

It was SWELL. :) and I loved it. :)

I have been thinking about my "pregnancy symptoms" and how I feel after Caleb entered the world. People always told me that all the side effects would go away as soon as Caleb came out. But for me ... That hasn't been completely true and it is so weird! :)

During my pregnancy, some of the things I experienced were:

Metalic taste - cheap silverware was especially taste-able

Nausea 

Many a lost cookie (was that tactfully put?)

Dizziness

Insomnia

I am beyond thankful to The Lord that the insomnia went away immediately. Of course I didn't sleep at the hospital (Caleb was in my arms and I stared at him all night long! :) but our first night home I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Sleep since then has been such a blessing! 

The funny thing is that it took the nausea over 2 months to fully go away. I have spent a surprising number of days curled up with my hand over my mouth. I lost my cookies a few times since giving birth, and I just stopped gagging on my toothpaste each time I brush. And the metal taste still lingers. Hormones are a weeeeird thing I tell ya. 

But!!! Some amazing things started during pregnancy and haven't gone away that I am soooo happy about! Like new food appreciations! Sausage, milk, and cereal were not my best friends and now if they aren't daily frequenters at my house I'm sad! I'm a milk fiend and sausage is one of the most delightful meats ever! So weird, right? You know what else? Asiago bagels at Panera Bread. Before they smelled like stinky feet and now they are my ultimate favorite. :) I kept teasing my father in law that they MUST have changed the bagel recipe. ;)

But even though the food cravings are there still, the aversions are gone. YAY! I can eat ham again - and pasta! Do you know HOW WEIRD it is for an Italian not to like pasta??!?!?

Long story short ... Just in case you wanted to, "skip to the end" like Prince Humperdink ... The point if this post is that pregnancy/hormones are weird! It makes me laugh.

Did you know hormones were weird?

The Perfect Wisdom of Our God

Memories are such a gift from God. They can bring back floods of painful tears or amazement stricken feelings of joy... Or any emotion in between. I so grateful to God for my memories. The hard ones and the happy ones. 

Today will be a day that I will always remember the mercy of The Lord. A day that I will remember my tearful trust in God. A day - a memorial - that He does hear my prayers, and He answers them according to His flawless will.

His perfect wisdom is revealed thru the entire universe. Everything and everyone is knit together by His hand and is sustained by His command. He knows every mystery on earth and understands the secrets of the stars. He is the Shepherd King of the vast expanse and everything exists because of Him. His ways are matchless wisdom and He puts us on the righteous path. His word is a lamp to our feet and His Spirit teaches and guides. How amazing that The Son of God would come and die for me?! That He would give me life and mercy?! He did it so that the fool would shame the wise, and that Christ would receive all the glory.

Lord, grant me Your wisdom to pray for peace and cling to love. And teach me humbly to receive the sun and rain of Your sovereignty. Each strand of sorrow has its place in Your tapestry of Grace. Teach me thru each trial to say, "in Your perfect will and in Your perfect way."

I just basically quoted "The Perfect Wisdom of Our God" by the Gettys and Townend.  It us an excellent song and I highly recommend it.

In about a month will be the anniversary of the day we found out God had blessed us with Caleb. Just a grouping of cells then - a real human life with a God given soul! What a gift!

May we always remember the merciful hand of The Lord!

It was real ... it was FUN!

So many firsts for Caleb this week!

First road trip
First family vacation
First double digit birthday - 10 Weeks!
First fishing trip
First feeding in the car
and ...
First diaper change in the car!
...
(and it was a stinky one!)

Filled with adventure, and loaded with fun - most of my family took a vacation to Beavers Bend in OK for a few days. We had a lovely time!

The days were filled with:
girly chats
Food
fishing trips
loads of hot chocolate
Valentines crafts
tons of food
Olympics
outdoor excursions
Dominion and other -
card games
and FOOD!


Caleb was an excellent boy while we were gone but Vacationitus is real folks! As soon as he woke up today, he was already ready for it to be over! Poor baby! So after we got back I spent the rest of the afternoon taking care of my sweet little guy.


"Oh praise Him all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!"
~ Hallelujah, by Chris Rice

Birthday Gaiety

Words describing how wonderful my birthday was ... sound so silly. How cliche is it to say it was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!! ... ? But it really was ...

I spent the day enjoying my baby and my husband. I ate all three meals with my wonderful Stephen. Many friends and all my family remembered my birthday. I drank a Cinnamon Dulce Frap that I got for FREE. I visited with my sister AND sister-in-law (She happens to be the same person :) and one of my sweet nephews and 2 of my sweet nieces.  I went shopping and did my new favorite thing - buying BABY CLOTHES!  Caleb woke up early from his nap while we were out gallivanting around town, and I was so happy to forgo purchasing my traditional cupcake treat and head home to take care of my little man.  But then, among a bunch of other surprises, Stephen bought me my cupcake on the way home from work! We ate a special steak dinner at home ... and then chilled indoors visiting over Skype with family in Mexico.

The. Perfect. Day.

But the party didn't end!!! It was a jam packed next few days!

On Saturday, we had a group birthday party on my side of the family for myself, 2 sisters and one of my brothers-in-law. We had a slightly morphed AGGIE Special lunch... That's when you put all the food (Texas meat and sides) on the table and eat with just a knife. No forks or plates allowed! Another birthday party tradition is to all write limericks for the birthday folks. 

These are some limericks that were written for me:

There's no one who's quite like our Ellie

She makes Stephen's knees turn to jelly

She's classy and sweet 

She makes him complete

In her doth the spirit indwelly

~ my Daddy

Dear Ellie is growing these days

That's spiritually and not sideways 

She's long and she's lean

Though not a string bean

Her curves set dear Stephen ablaze

~ my Mom

Who am I?

I am extremely fun 

I must take care and the sun

My man thinks I'm cool 

When I'm covered in drool

And I've come face-to-face with the gun

~ Ivy

Sunday evening was the Faso Annual Super Bowl party at Grandpa's house. There was so much food! Caleb blew out of his diaper, and we had a great time together. :)

The following Monday, Caleb turned 2 months old! 

Dearest Caleb, 

Son, you are learning so many things. How to sit and stand. To laugh and chat. That Mommy will always wipe your tears. That evenings with Daddy are the best.  

You grow more treasured to us every day.  And we spend much time praying for you. That God will keep you safe as you sleep and that He will continue to show His incredible hand of mercy in your life.

We adore everything about you, little Caleb. From the deepening creases on your wrists and legs, to your adorable calic and contagious smile. 

You are our most loved and cherished little son. 

Love, your Mommy

My birthday week came to a big finale on Thursday when Kim and I had our joint party on the Faso side. What a great hoot! The steak was delicious, and the ice cream cake was supreme. Kim and I both sat in the front of the room and synchronicely (totally not a word, btw.) opened presents. :) One Faso birthday tradition is to sing the Happy Birthday song every few minutes and loudly "ooh and ahh" over each gift. Then we have a huge wrapping paper fight, pelting each other like crazy with all the balled up paper!

Lord, 

Your grace and mercy astounds me every day. Thank you for my 25 years, for my loving family, for all my friends. Thank you for my husband that loves You, and for my son You miraculously created. Please, help me to never forget Your blessing, and to always see Your hand of mercy in my life.

Amen