Just Pray

Sometimes, all there is left to do is pray.

A Wrinkle in Time

I recently had a milestone birthday, in my mind anyway. I turned twenty-eight. I know many of you (by many, I mean the five people who seem to read my blog) probably don't see twenty-eight as a milestone. But, for me, it is. I'm nowhere near as worried about thirty as I am about twenty-eight. You see, when you're twenty-eight, there's no arguing that you're in your late twenties. And when you're that late into your twenties, you might as well be thirty. And when you're actually thirty at least you can use the word "early" again. "I am in my early thirties," just sounds so much better to me.

Anyway, in my nearly four weeks of being twenty-eight I have made a new discovery - wrinkles! I have them. They're on my face. They're around my eyes, around my mouth, up my cheeks and on my forehead. I don't like it. If I have this many wrinkles at twenty-eight what will I look like when I'm fifty-eight?! I'm kind of nervous. I'm prepared to run frantically into the most expensive cosmetic boutique and buy every anti-aging product on their shelves.

I have been told, on many occasions, that if I'm consistent in moisturizing my face, it will slow down the aging process dramatically. I have been moisturizing for years. I can only imagine that if it weren't for my dedicated moisturizing, I could use the bags under my eyes to pack for vacation! I wouldn't need a diaper bag. I could keep an extra snack for Toby in the deep crevices around my mouth. But, fortunately, I have moisturized and I have the luxury of carrying my beloved Tommy Hilfiger bag with me wherever I go.

You know, I remember being little and seeing my grandpa's numerous forehead wrinkles when he raised his eyebrows. I LOVED them! I remember sitting in front of the bathroom mirror raising my eyebrows hoping for just one wrinkle! Once, I saw him do it and I asked him to help me. But to no avail, even a professional forehead wrinkler, like Grandpa, was unable to solve my problem.

Now, I have an entirely new problem. All that wishing for forehead wrinkles, as a little girl, has paid off. Little did I know that someday I would be twenty-eight wishing those very wrinkles away. See you at Estee Lauder!!

Goodbye....Hello

Goodbye pre-baby weight that only lasted three weeks.

Goodbye almost flat tummy.

Goodbye firm, tan swimsuit body that didn't exist in the first place, but could have!

Goodbye sleeping through the night without waking up 17 times to pee.

Goodbye energy.

Goodbye.

Hello water weight and baby weight and every other kind of weight.

Hello big, round belly.

Hello itchy red stretch marks and moles and moles and moles!

Hello toilet. Hello again. And again. One more time. Hello.

Hello endless fatigue and nausea.

Hello beautiful little person that makes it all worthwhile! I can't wait to meet you!

Hello!!

Like Father, Like Son

My heart started racing at the creaking of the door as it opened. He's home! After a long day of hard work for both of us, Jeremiah was home. Before I could pull my lazy bones from the couch, he announced his presence and Toby, who had been sitting quietly playing with his favorite Handy Manny musical ride on toy, dropped what he was doing and bolted for his dad. He couldn't see him yet, but Toby heard his daddy's voice and that's all it took. He met his dad at the doorway with a wide smile and open arms. Jeremiah was obviously delighted at such a greeting.
A little later, the two were sitting on the floor playing with blocks. Jeremiah got up and left the room, and again Toby dropped what he was doing and went chasing after his daddy. But this time was different. On his treck through the living room, Toby passed his beloved puzzles, the pieces scattered all over the floor. He slowed as he noticed they were there, but then continued on, for a moment, after his daddy. Then he stopped completely and turned back to look at his puzzles. He looked back in Jeremiah's direction and then back at the puzzles. He was contemplating.... puzzles or Daddy? Such a hard decision! After a long moment of deliberation, Toby made his choice. He returned to the puzzles.
Humorously, Jeremiah returned to the room and mentioned Toby's first response. "God spoke to me about that," he said. "It was so amazing to have my son come chasing after me at just the sound of my voice and God reminded me of how he loves when we pursue Him after hearing His voice." What a great reminder! It encouraged me to pursue my Father, my Daddy, when He calls. So often I hear His voice and start moving toward Him but end up distracted by the puzzle pieces around me. And, eventually, I forget that He was even there with me, in the same room, whispering my name.

My Box of Jewels

^"But Mary kept all these things in her mind, pondering them in her heart."

This is the phrase that echoed in my mind as I awoke this morning. I had pushed snooze for perhaps the fifth time when that long awaited phone call came - snow day! I don't have to go to work today! I looked down at my little man sleeping, his little blond head nestled in the crook of my arm, and I was overcome with joy, such joy that I couldn't even go back to sleep... on a snow day! But, I didn't want to! I wanted to live in that moment and remember it forever. I can only imagine that it was these same kind of moments that Mary held on to. It's these little moments that I treasure, that I never want to forget. I want to pack them away in my box of jewels so I can pull them out later and mull over them, pondering every little detail in my heart. It's the Saturday mornings with all three of us - Mommy, Daddy and baby - snuggled up in bed. It's the laughter, the big slobbery baby kisses, the new little quirks that Toby seems to pick up every day that disappear just as quickly. These are the gems that make every day beautiful, the treasures that make the hard days worthwhile, the little jewels that I want to hold on to...... forever.

I DID IT

So, since I don't have much time to write at the moment, I figured I'd at least add something... a poem I wrote my husband. I don't remember when I wrote it, maybe for our wedding or our first Valentines Day? Anyway, I figured I should give my readers something to read.....oh wait, I don't think I have any readers, yet. Well, here's the poem...

I DID IT

I don't remember when it was
That I first knew I loved you.
I don't know when.
I don't know how.
But, I know it happened.
I know I did it.
I know I fell in love.
And it was with you.

here I am

Here I am...., finally. I have officially joined the blogging community. I now have a soapbox to stand upon. Whether people will listen, I don't know. But, I have my platform now, so hear my voice!! Or.....read my lips.....if you're out there.