A busy week...learning new things

I am stealing a couple of minutes to blog because Sophie is playing with Josh...even though I'm in the other room, I love hearing all the squeals and giggles that Sophie is letting out. We love daddy!

This has been a busy week...no one except another stay-at-home mom would really think so, but for Sophie and me, it's busy. Monday was my mom's group and Sophie is learning to get past her separation fears and enjoy the nursery. There is a sweet worker, Teacher Pam, that is there every time and we are so blessed by her service. Sophie loves her and I am so glad someone is loving and taking care of my girl. Tuesday was the indoor gym at our church where we just pull out the nursery toys into the gym and kids come and play...it's free, by the way, if you're in the area. Such a great thing for when the days are cold and rainy. Sophie is learning how to share. She is very polite and says thank-you when she steals the toy, but it's stealing just the same :-) Other kids could care less if she thanks them before grabbing what they were playing with! Then, following a nap, we got to go play with Auntie Melinda and Mason. One day Mason, who is 8 months, is really going to get back at Sophie for all she does to him. She was feeding him cereal pieces and of course it was 2 for her and 1 for him. Sometimes she would get it almost to his mouth, he'd be smiling and reaching, then she'd put it quickly into her mouth! Such a little stinker...just getting ready to be a big sis. Wednesday, she got to play with Jayden and Crystal, who came down from Salem. Jayden had her laughing so hard...the whole time. Then, when we were all in the car, he asked to hold her hand. Love kids. Today we're going to get outside... I just decided that because it's such a beautiful day. We'll play with Sophie's friend Mira...who is so well behaved; I'm hoping Sophie takes notes! We'll round off the week with a trip to Portland to see Poppy and Grandma.

So, such a wordy way to say...We're blessed with so many people surrounding us that we love and we can have such fun with. Such a week to count our many blessings and be thankful that God has us right where He planned for right now. He is a good, faithful God who will never leave nor forsake--My current mommy lesson :-)

So, enjoy your day and know we love you. If we didn't hang out with you this past week...chances are high we did :-), hopefully our meeting with be soon!

Just a thought...

As a woman and a mother who nurses my babies, I am so annoyed! Not with the people who have said they do not want to see breastfeeding in public, but with the women who do not realize or seem to care how inappropriate they are being.
This is not something to battle about. Cover up and get over yourself. It is so easy to nurse and stay covered...it can even be stylish with what has been created these days. Even I, a fellow woman and mother, do not want to see your breast hanging out. Yes, it's natural, but that doesn't make it sightly or appropriate. It's gross and not fair to everyone's sons and husbands that are subjected to it. No one tips their waiter enough in a restaurant for them to have to look at it. No one is so much more important than another person to make them uncomfortable by having to be next to someone who is nursing in a crowded facility.
So unless you are home alone, or with close girlfriends who have kids of their own...please just cover your body. It is respectful to yourself because God created those areas to be private and it is putting the comfort and good nature of your neighbor ahead of your desire to "win."
In a world where there is war and hunger, do we really need to make an issue over something that is so easy to fix...nurse your babies and enjoy that special bond, but do it with your body under wraps!

The Great Debate

There is a battle within, that happens every time Sophie takes a long nap...part of me wants to check on her to make sure she's okay and the other part doesn't dare, I don't want to wake her. I think I will believe she's fine and enjoy the small break.

Lessons in Life

This morning I have been thinking a lot about being a mother and how much it changes a woman. I pray that Sophie is learning, especially when I'm attempting to teach her a specific lesson, but most of the time I feel like I'm the one being taught something. This little girl, all of her 2 1/2 feet 23 pounds, is such a gift. She is a one-of-a-kind miracle that keeps me fully dependent upon the Lord if I have any hope of being successful.

1. Her laugh can make any situation less stressful and usually serves to remind me that I overreact too much.

2. Her unconditional love and acceptance of people shows me how to love those around me as Jesus would rather than be so critical of others.

3. The way she dances, makes me laugh, but also reminds me not to be so worried about what others are thinking of me.

4. When she is trying to get my attention and she does not give up, even when I try to keep doing what I was in the middle of, catches my attention because I know the Lord is even more persistent when I fail to focus on my relationship with Him.

5. When she shoves too much in her mouth and then has a hard time swallowing, it shows me how pathetic it is when I try to do too much and cannot do anything my best.

6. When she wants to play with the toys that I just put away or wants to snuggle when I am busy, it reminds me what is truly important. I will always have projects or time to clean. I will not always have a little girl who wants to play and snuggle all day long.

7. When I think about working and having more money to do stuff, she does something right then to tell me that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be. I am her mommy and the Lord has me taking care of His precious creation.

I know that this time will pass too quickly, especially since baby Aaron will join us soon, but I am thankful for today and the chance I have right now to love my little girl.