Savoring

My child, he is all kinds of wonderful. I'm blessed!  I'm blessed to call this little boy mine.  I'm blessed that our days are spent together.  I'm blessed to be a stay-at-home mama.

Even when the day is so soaked with hard and crazy that you could wring it out hundred times and still be knee deep in it all, his sweet grin and beyond-his-years words light our little world right up. He's a gift.  I live for moments and days like this.

When the October sun and sky are perfect for making and discovering our shadows.  We play outside and enjoy the world God made. This simple time together is my favorite part of life.  Memories I'll keep in my pocket the whole year through.

Thank you, God for these gifts!

Make Way For Goslings

One of our favorite nearby parks has a great lake, a walking path and this year baby goslings.  Mommy and Daddy Goose are very protective of their babies so we couldn't get too close without getting hissed at, but thankfully I had my telephoto lens.  We safely watched from afar as the goslings waddle about and explored.  Titus loved the baby goslings and for weeks talked about them almost every day and asked to go see them. 

Living in the moment

A couple of nights ago at church I found out that a friend is joining the ranks of those who bravely and proudly bear the title SAHM (stay at home mom).  I'm thrilled for her.  I know she and her husband have made many sacrifices for her to make this transition home to raise their precious daughter and baby on the way.   I loved watching her face beam with delight and hearing the anticipation and excitement in her voice, no doubt dreaming of all the exciting adventures of mommy and me time ahead.

This morning as I began my morning trek, I kept thinking back to the conversation I had with my friend; what a sweet reminder of dreams coming true and blessings abounding.  As I walked I began praying and evaluating my role as a SAHM.  By nature, I am a task oriented person.  I love to-do lists. I thrive being able to check something off.   I began to wonder...do my lists override me sometimes living and being in the moment with my toddler?  As Titus and I  neared the park, I couldn't help but take in the beauty of autumn:  the colors, the crisp cool air, and the peaceful anticipation of a day just beginning.  As the wind blew and leaves tumbled to the ground, I found myself looking up and admiring the beautiful canopy of trees over the path.  I even stopped a few times to take in the sweet beauty of the sun shinning through the leaves. Gorgeous!  Had it not been for the colors of the season, the light shinning through the leaves, and the sweet reminder of a friend's dream come true, I probably would have just kept walking to cross another task off my to-do list.  But, not today!

 Far too often my days become ordinary.  I lose the excitement, anticipation, blessing and vision Kevin and I share of me staying at home with our child(ren).  However, in that moment,  I quickly pulled the stroller off the path and decided to take in the moment and put aside my to do list.  The list of daily tasks waiting to be checked off could wait.  This moment with my toddler could not.

Ahhhh....leaf love!  We ran. We threw.  We piled high.  We jumped.  We watched leaves dance and twirl to the ground. We experienced pure joy.

  Thank you, Father for the precious reminder of true blessings, 

of living in the moments,

and looking beyond the ordinary!

All Creatures Great and Small

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

~Cecil Frances Alexander~ 

"St. Louis Zoo"

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While at the zoo Daddy was able to fulfill a childhood dream of his: to touch a stingray as well as a hammerhead shark.  Mama had no interest whatsoever and was happy to watch from a distance, man the camera, and let Titus and Daddy share an experience.  

Mother's Day

Dearest Titus,

Thank you for your precious little life.

Thank you for waking up every morning with the happiest, infectious little grin on your face. Seeing you every morning is the perfect way to start the day and any time I walk into the room you let me know that you’re happy I’m there. What a great feeling!

Thank you for your sweet, sensitive spirit. Your little heart breaks when we tell you “no,” but you are so easily soothed when you get a hug from your daddy and me.

 Thank you for introducing me to the true feelings of sacrificial love. I’d do anything for you and your health and happiness.

Thank you for that precious giggle that makes us giggle, too. It’s such a sweet sound to hear your happiness and it warms my heart to watch you observe and appreciate the things around you.

Thank you for your curiosity- it has helped me to learn more about the world and God’s beautiful creation. Seeing things through your eyes has been an eye-opening experience and I love every day because you’re in the world.

 Thank you for being such a unique little boy and for being your innocent, beautiful self.

Thank you for saying, “mama.” It’s such a sweet sound to me.

Thank you for making me a mother, I'm so blessed!

Love,

Mama

Thank you, Kevin for creating a wonderful first Mother's Day.
We  enjoyed some wonderful family time marveling God's beautiful creation
at the arboretum and botanical gardens. 

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy  Psalms 126:3