Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day, the day meant to honor moms, new moms, moms-to-be, seasoned moms, your own mom, and grieve with the ones unable to be.  In years past, it has felt like a greet card holiday.  And it part it will always be, however, it is nice to have a day meant to honor and show support.        We went to lunch to honor Gwenna, she is my newest Mom.  And over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to build a new relationship with her.  Getting to watch her love for Allen, how she raised him  and the qualities she instilled in him, and seeing her adore Addison.                                         

This is my own Mother, she has been with me (since birth).  Yesterday at church the pastor asked us what is one phrase your mom used to say.  Some of the sayings she frequently used, "Go well and Safely."  This started with my kindergarten teacher, Miss Peterson.  At the end of class we'd sing, "Go well and safely the Lord be ever with you." In high school, I started fussing at mom, telling her mom, what you think I'm going out and being reckless!  It never mattered, to this day when we leave, she'll throw out a "go well and safely." She also used to sing this song, "I'm just a child my life is still before me, I just can't wait to see what God has for me but I know that I will trust Him and I'll wait to see what life will be for me." This is part of the legacy that I want to pass on to Addison.  I want her to know my love for Christ, Allen and my family. And I am thankful that I saw that in my Mom. 

In honor of the reason I'm a mom, here is Addison and I.   

  

This is my Monkey Addison.  It has almost been two years since she graced us  with her presence, and I realize how much joy she has brought me.  To say it is always giggles and laughter would be a lie, but she has blessed me.  She shows me how to laugh at myself, when she scares me or sprays me with water bottles.  Addison has taught me to slow down, I always am rushing and doing, but she'll look at me and pat the place next to her and says "Mommy" as if there is nothing else I should be doing.  Her ability to learn, makes me want to have the answers to her upcoming questions. When she anger and frustrated it makes me realize how I should communicate better, or show justice in the moment. Her manipulation at bed time, when she says "eat" just to prolong sleep, she knows I'll give in (everytime).  Everyday with her just reminds me of my need of a Savior. It is the cry of my heard is for her to know the Lord, and trust Him.  I can't raise her in my own strength, and I can't save her either.  I have to allow Christ's love to show through me, and give her the chance to meet him daily.  Share His word and deeds!

                    Lord, be with this Monkey of mine. 

take me out to the ball game...

One day last week my barista Steven asks me what does he need to do when I go into labor? He was a little panicky, asking if he should call an ambulance. I reassured him it would not be necessary that I would purely call Allen and we would go deliver her.

That night I told Allen and he said, "You should have told him to get his catchers mitt and be ready. "

At 5 this morning Steven strolls out of his car "ready." If only Addison were...

3 days in one...

Friday April 29th

Allen and I went to Lexington for my second baby shower. Melanie put this one on. Friday afternoon we spent a relaxed afternoon in the yard playing with Avery and Evan. Avery and the neighbor Alan started a wash business (they were washing things...) The two of them was so precious!

Saturday April 30th

Today was the Baby Shower in Lexington. It was an amazing

day, I got to see some old friends and spiritual warriors in my life. These are some of the decorations from the day.

Monday May 2nd

Yesterday was a very busy day. I failed to take a picture. So today we are back at it. Allen and I had our Natural Labor class and we are eagerly anticipating Addison's arrival. So in honor of that waiting game, I took a picture of all of Addison's waiting rubber ducky. Ready to not only test the temperature of the water, but also to entertain! Can't wait to meet her!

More pictures from the shower!

For days now Louisville has been filled and overflowing with water, today we had our first moments of relief. As I was reading this morning from The Calvary Road I came upon this Andrew Murray quote,

"Just as water ever seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds you abased and empty, His glory and power flow in." It is letting God fill you moment by moment with more of His likeness and less of your own thoughts and desires. I definately struggle with this. The author of The Calvary Road goes onto say, "Revival itself is being absolutely filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, and that is victorious living. If we were asked this moment if we were filled with the Holy Spirit how many of us would dare to answer "yes"? Revival is when we can say "yes" at any moment of the day. It is not egotistic to say so, for filling to overflowing is utterly and competely God's work, it is all grace. All we have to do is present our empty , broken self and let Him fill and keep filled."

Right now in my life, I have been crying for God to continue to fill my life daily. For me to recognize where my own pride, and baggage are filling my life instead of His Spirit.

Todays picture is a picture of hope. In Genesis 11, God floods the earth. At the end of this flood He give Noah a sign that he would never flood the earth again, a rainbow. Yesterday Allen commented if we should start our ark yet. The beauty of it is that today after a brief break in the rain it began again. Allen yelled, "God I want to see the sign of your promise that this will end!' Needless to say, minutes later, a brilliant rainbow appears.

Today I stand in the promises of God. I am reminded that He wants to have a relationship with us, fill us with His Spirit, make me into His likeness, and redeem this earth.

For that I am thankful.

This is how my afternoon was spent, painting a sign for the children's ministry. Allen came and helped for a bit. He has been spending a bit of time working on his upcoming sermon. I love my husband and the leadership he takes. Can't wait for him to teach about God's word on Sunday.

I think every conversation today involved something about being wet, or needing an arch and some plead for this all to stop. I myself have asked all of those questions in the last week and Allen loving reminds me, "Don't you love rain?" It is also true, but I think that I have hit my breaking point. Louisville is underwater. This picture is playing with that irony.

Here are some of the other pictures I took this soggy wet day...

This morning I had to readjust my shoelaces. I know the exciting things that are happening in my life. The reality is that my feet are so swollen that my normal shoes aren't fitting. I wore my flip flops for a few hours early today and this is the result (and no its not a sun-tan line!)