Truth.

You are my Constant.
Like a steadfast tree, deeply rooted in rich soil.
Never changing. Never moving.
Not tossed back and forth. Never shaking. Never quaking.
Not even when the harshest of winds blow or the loudest thunder rumbles in the darkness.
You are my Constant.
When all the uncertainties of life swarm...
Like bees around sweet honeysuckle, trying to suck the peace out of my mind.
You remain. Unchanged.
Steadfast.
With your roots digging deeper into my heart.
Connecting me with your heart. Connecting my soul with yours.
I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're the same as you were yesterday.
Forever enduring. Forever faithful.
Your covenant with me won't be broken.
You are my Constant.

10 Months

Gosh, the time sure does fly. I'm sitting here in our new and improved home office, which has now become my favorite room in the house, and I'm just amazed to think that I actually have a ten-month old son. 10 Months Old! He's actually less than 2 months away from turning 1. I really can't believe it. And that means that I'm less than 2 months away from turning 29. I can't believe that either. When I was a kid, a year used to seem like an eternity.......I had to wait so long to celebrate my next birthday and summer vacations always seemed so far off. But somewhere along the journey of life, that all changed. At some point, my concept of time became more real... or... maybe I simply adjusted to living in a "fast-food" world that is always rushed and always in a hurry. This has been the fastest year of my life. Sometimes I wish that a year still seemed like an eternity... simply because I don't want to miss anything. I don't want to miss a single moment of this life God has given me. I don't want to miss a moment with my amazing husband. I don't want to miss a moment of my son's life.... family... friends... beautiful days... I don't want to miss any of it! So I'm trying to be STILL more. To breath deeply and take everything in. Like right now, just soaking in the fact that I'm a mom of a 10-month old boy. I love it. So I will cherish today... right now... and I will look forward to the future, knowing that there will be so many more incredible moments and so many more ways to grow and to experience life.

Away from the Ordinary

Have you ever found a place where you just love to run to because you know you'll be able to relax? A place where you don't feel the pressures from every day life? A place where you can feel peace and get refreshed? Some kids grow up in families going to the lake every weekend, water skiing, going to the mountains, snow skiing, etc. But not our family. The place we go to get away from 'ordinary' life is the Stream. We're a fly fishing family. So our son is going to grow up, remembering our annual trips to the cabin in the woods, standing in the stream and catching trout! Here's a few pics from our last visit to Broken Bow. We had a blast. But as usual, the trip was way too short.

My New Favorites

I mean seriously, can he really be this cute?? And no, he didn't get into a fight. It's amazing how sharp babies' fingernails can get!







Gosh, I sure love this kid.









Check out his cute teeth!!

Facing My Fears

When I became a mother, I never imagined the massive amount of new fears that would well up in my mind. Before, I never considered myself a fearful person. However, now that I have a tiny and precious boy that I am taking care of, fears have come up that I didn't even know existed. It doesn't help that the media strategically throws facts (and falsehoods, and unknowns) in our faces as if to intensify what could be the most minor of all fears. It's as if they want us to walk around worrying all the time. Are you feeding your baby the right foods, giving him the right shots, not giving him certain shots, medications, toys with lead paint....and on and on and on. Not to mention, there are a million options for everything now...natural, organic, DHA, sensitive, lavender, aloe, fragrance free, oil free, tear free, EVERYTHING free!! Aaahhhhhh! What happened to the simple life? One day they tell us one thing, and the next day it's something different. If I really let it get to me, I could muster up a full-on anxiety attack!

A few days ago, my son came down with a pretty bad cough. You know, the kind that is full of muck and junk, that rumbles deep in your chest. I thought it would go away. But it didn't. Late Sunday night, I stood in his room and watched him sleep as he took deep, heavy, congested breaths, with intense coughs in between. I hated it. And I felt that fear begin to creep in again, as I watched him. I started worrying, like the first day we came home from the hospital after he was born....."Dear God, if he goes to sleep is he going to wake up?" Every little sound and movement he made, grabbed my attention. So I took him to the doctor the next morning, only to find out that not only did he have a pretty serious cough, but also an ear infection. This is his 2nd ear infection. Let me just say that it is the absolute worst feeling in the world to have a sick baby who is hurting, and you can't do anything to take the pain away. Ugh. They gave me a prescription for the little guy, and I'm praying that it works.

So what I'm learning, or should I say, what I'm being reminded of, as a new mom, is that I can't let those fears control me. And I won't let them control me. Because the truth is, God is in control. He's the only one who's in control of everything. And that gives me peace. Perfect peace. Because I can trust that He's in control of my son's life. And He's in control of my life. So I can go on being a mom, using the wisdom God gives me, and loving my son as God loves me...and trusting that he's got us in His hands. There will always be something else to worry about, a new "what if"....the key is recognizing and stopping that thought before it becomes a fear.

Springtime

Pure Joy

"You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence." Acts 2:28