Hey Mama

Hey Mama,

I want you to know you're brave.

You carried this sweet girl nine months.  Did anyone try to convince you otherwise?  You knew you couldn't care for her, but you labored anyway.  What love!

She's well, your little peanut.  Do you know that she is safe and full?  She is not too hot and not too cold, but juuuuust right.  She's been snuggled and we have to take turns holding her for all the love to go around.  Bet you didn't know three bigger kids would be arguing and racing to care for her first!

She's wearing a yellow shirt today, Mama.  I've called her Sunshine.  She's more brightness in my day, but I imagine your skies feel gray.

I'm saying prayers for you.  Have you heard of Jesus who came for us who are messes?  Do you know His unfathomable love for you and your little one?  He is the Light in the darkness and the calm in the storm.   For you and for me and anyone who believes on Him.  Have you heard?  Is there anyone who's told you this news?

No one has given us news of how long your Sunshine will be here.  But I want you to know one thing for sure; we will love her as long as she's here.

In fact, we always will.

Laughing With Her

Super pumped about practicing the recorder after her first music class.  Nothing like a little recorder music from the backseat! One thing I love about Lily is she is realistic and has learned to laugh at herself.  When she squeaked she would declare, "Whoa! That was terrible!" then we could all laugh with and not at her. :)

                                                         

Filled Up or Poured Out

I have a confession to make.  

I'm a bucket list hater.

{Did you read Ann Voskamp's post today? The one that made me realize  I'm not the only bucket list Scrooge. ;-) }

I feel anti-American just typing that!  It's not the dreaming, but the sentiment that we all somehow deserve a super awesome life full of what we want that makes me cringe.  Of course, a life of ease and interesting experiences is appealing to me.  Safe sounds nice too - I am a first born girl, you know!

However, God is growing my desire to be poured out and risk for the sake of Christ.  To come to the end of life emptied of myself, not filled up with checklists detailing things I've done, places I've gone, and a grudge for the things left unchecked.

Trust me, it doesn't come naturally.  Often times I kick and scream against it; working hard to stay upright and full.  I'm praying for grace in the tipping and pouring out of my life.

This kind of stuff makes me smile :)

                                                 

Heard Around Our House

"We finished a week of school, we opened a new store, and we we're approved to do foster care.  We sure have a lot to celebrate this week!"
~ Lily

Our Second Home

Making the most of a morning waiting on an oil change and flat tire replacement by enjoying the downtown library {aka our second home}.  Can you see that Eli lost his first tooth?!

                                                    

What's In A Name?

Psalm 16:5 - 11

⁵ The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
⁶ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷ I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸ I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
     or let your holy one see corruption.

¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.