Happy Birthday, Keira.

Keira,

You're 2 today...and your Daddy and I couldn't be more proud of you!  Over these past two years, you've been a tremendous joy to us - lighting up every room you enter and the hearts of everyone who sees you.

You're so darling, that strangers often feel like they know you and speak to you - regardless of who or where they are.  Honestly, you are so patient with them and us, as we direct you to say, "Hello," and, "Thank you," as you're complimented.  We are often humbled by your patient and sweet spirit.

Your Daddy and I love you so much, but we also like you.  It's been so fun these past months as you've become more verbal - just to sit and talk to you.  We want so badly to know you...to know your thoughts, ideas, and observations...and love that you're better able to share those things with us now.  You see everything, and are generally conscientious enough to share with tact and grace...yes, even at 2 years old.

You're silly and fun - love to eat treats, dance, play, and interact with your friends and family.  If only we could figure out how to get you to sleep!  You're so darned balanced in your ability and desire to be around others AND your ability to play by yourself - that when you get in bed, it takes you FOREVER to fall asleep.  If only you didn't like your Big Girl Bed so darned much.

We don't know what we did before God gave you to our family.  You're such a blessing and breath of fresh air to us.  In the next couple of weeks, you're going to be a big sister - and we know already how great you're going to be!  Your baby sister is a lucky girl to have you...undoubtedly to love her, kiss her, and take care of her like you do to me and Daddy, and all of your Baby Dolls and guys.

Smart, beautiful, fun, and so kind.  We're truly proud of you - you're a delight to us.

Happy Birthday, Keira.
Love you -
Mama

Generosity

We've been learning a lot about generosity these days.
Through our time, finances, and talents...the subject of generosity has been coming up all around us, and has been a blessing to learn about.


Something happened today that showed me an example of the legacy generosity can have.  My little girl was hugged and played with a stuffed animal dog...Pal.  A new favorite of hers.
But this dog is not just any dog.

From birth, my sister, Hope, was extremely generous.  We were taught to share and to give to others - but Hope ALWAYS went above and beyond.  When I was about 13, in middle school, Hope was 5.  She had a stuffed animal that I thought was really cute and liked a lot because it was Pal, from the HIT series Arthur (a-a-r-d-v-a-r-k) that we often watched together.
For my birthday, Hope bought me a gift (well, she picked out a gift that my mom paid for that she gave me).  But ON TOP of the gift she bought, Hope went to her room, picked up Pal, and wrapped him to give me for my birthday.  I didn't need Pal, nor was I jealous of him.  In fact, I almost couldn't even except her gift because I knew how much SHE loved it.
But, out of her love for me, as a 5 year old, Hope gave me something costly to her.  Something she LOVED that was her very own, because she loved me more.  And out of love and respect for her sacrifice, I hesitantly accepted her gift.

I have held onto Pal all of these years.  Treasured him, really.  Because he is not just a stuffed animal - Pal is an expression of great sacrifice.  He is the costly gift a 5 year old girl gave to her big sister.

And now, Pal is my daughter's to play with.  Not only did Hope's exercise of generosity move me as a middle schooler, but the fruit of that gift is still being reaped - 14 years later - by my little girl.

I was convicted as I watched Keira kiss and hug her doggie.  I was, again, moved by the act of generous giving...and graciously convicted to grow in this area myself.  It is a joy to think that a loving sacrifice in the present could reap blessings in the future.
Truly, as Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

I can't help myself.

This kid is to die for!  I finally coerced her to leave a bow/barret thing in her hair for a few minutes, and totally capitalized on the opportunity to do a little 15-month photo shoot.  Here are a few samples:

September Impressions

It's been a full month.  Great, but busy.

I looked at my calendar this morning and literally, there has only been 1 night in the past 10 days when Rob and I were both at home together - at the same time.  And, yes.  We have plans almost every night for the next 2 weeks.
Literally, we tried to make dinner plans with some friends, and the tentative date I threw out was three
weeks away.

But, in the middle of this busy season - God has impressed a few things on my heart.


First of all, I have an unbelievably supportive husband.  Rob has had Keira over and over again - during the day while I've worked, night after night while I've been out or working...  He has even at times come straight from a 13 hour shift to pick her up from my office to take her for the evening.  He's been awesome.  Hasn't complained, but rather has been happy for the time together with his baby girl and opportunity to serve me by caring for her.

Second.  I am totally in awe of full-time working moms.  Though this season hasn't been overwhelming, it has been full.  I've at times felt swamped...just with the normal stuff.  Keira, work, laundry, dinner.  And I don't even work full time!!!  I put in ALMOST 40 hours a few weeks ago and felt like I was barely staying afloat.  NOT EVEN A WHOLE 40 hours!  Honestly, when I put in my timesheet that week, I was humbled by respect for full-time working parents.
My mom worked full time my whole childhood (and adulthood), as did my mother-in-law.  Bless them.  I don't know how they did it, but can't hardly express my respect as they balanced a family, job, maintaining their homes, and doing an awesome job raising their children.

Finally, I don't know how single parents do it.  Again, I am overwhelmed with respect for single parents, who maintain their families and jobs by themselves.
God talks about the widows and orphans, and I sincerely believe He has a special place in His heart for those single parents - and He MUST have special grace for them.


It's been a great month - and I have been so thankful to have been able to participate in the things going on around me.  But, it's also been a joy to gain new respect for others and thankfulness for what (and who) God has provided for me.

Mini-Me

People have asked throughout her whole life which one of us Keira looks like.  We've gone back and forth - and it changes with every facial expression...but as she's getting older, I think she's looking more and more like me.  I feel pretty vain thinking she's stupid cute AND that she looks like me.

But, if she's anything like her Mama, there are many awkward years ahead.


We just came across some old baby pictures of me as my mom has been going through her basement.  It's been nostalgic, but mostly funny.

For your visual enjoyment, here are some gems from the collection compared to Keira:

This is me.  Mostly censored.

Keira - 12 months.

There's my mom, responsibly watching me and whatnot.

There's my baby, cheeks and all.

Me, concentrating.

Keira, concentrating.

So, there you have it.  She's my baby.

New Restaurant

I am under the impression that the bathroom speaks volumes about any establishment.



Rob and I went to Firebirds (a nice new-ish restaurant) on our date night last week.  We looked at a menu outside, said, "Sure, this looks good," and tried it.

Sweetwater prices.  Good food.  Great, cohesive, poshy environment.  Not too loud, not eerily quiet.  Nice touches along the way (i.e. the waitress said goodbye to us by name, per the credit card, imprint in the outside ash tray, they held the door for us as we left).

AND, the bathroom was fantastic!  Complete with built in nooks for candles in the walls...and in each stall.

I would've taken a picture of the candles in the bathroom - but thought that "might" be "creepy."

All in all, Firebirds was a win.

When It Rains, It Pours

Last week was "one of those weeks."

Our grill broke.  No big deal, our grill is old and was fixed quickly for $17.  But, our grill broke on a day when I had a lovely dinner prepared - ready to go...on the grill.  Entirely.  The entirety of our meal was going to be grilled.

No big deal.  We still have an oven.  And food to eat.

But, the grill broke on the same week when my car has an oil leak, tire leak, and an unidentified engine problem (when, yes, we just put several hundred dollars into the engine).  And Rob's truck has a cracked windshield.  And the disposal broke.  And we had an ant infestation.  And, my alarm clock died.  It's dumb (and hyper sentimental), but it was a present for my 7th birthday...and it's been part of my life for 20 years.  Clearly, it's lived a good life, but now I have to figure out a new clock, which I hate having to do.


All of this stuff is totally normal - but it begs the question, "Jesus, what are You trying to teach me right now?  What are You trying to show me?"

Sincerely, as frustrated (and to be honest, anxious) as I've been about all of these mild annoyances to my otherwise comfortable existence, I trust that God is trying to show me something.


God has used this week to reveal areas of pride in my life that I hadn't previously even seen... and showing me, again, my need for dependence on Him.  He is the provider, and He LOVES to care for His children.  While in my pride I feel so independent figure out how to solve the problems of our lives...and try to fix things, I forget who He is.  I often struggle with feeling "able" to do certain things, and with twisted reason, I think I can (and should) fix things on my own - so that I wouldn't be a burden to a God who has other things to care for.  But, that's not who my God is.  My God LOVES to spoil and provide for me.  Not necessarily to give me a bunch of stuff - but to meet my needs in such a way as to give glory ONLY to Himself.  It is pampering to me when the Creator of the Universe lovingly provides for me.  When He communicates that I am so important and precious that I am not forgotten, and that His plan for me is so intricate and delicate that He would align circumstances in ways so meticulous that only He could have done it.


This week, in particular, He has reminded me of these truths.  He has provided for us in such specific and tangible ways, that I have been overwhelmed - and blessed to remember the meticulous care of our loving Father.