My recap of 2012

Well, I’d say 2012 was one for the record books, that’s for sure. There are some moments I’d like to recap, my best moments if you will.

Side note: I stole this idea from a friend. Whose blog you can read here Jessica’s Blog

Best movie:
Without a shadow of a doubt it’s Les Misérables. I dare say its my new favorite overall.

best laugh:
There have been so many good ones this year, but I’m sure my best laughs probably have taken place at work. When you work with the characters I do (and you know who you are) you’re bound to have a good time.

favorite tv show:
Impractical jokers. Have you seen it? It’s great.

best hard thing:
Being a mom. Without a doubt is the best, hardest thing I’ve done, not just this year but in my entire life.

best new experience:
Joining a new bible study with the beloved beauties. It has challenged me to fall more in love with my savior.

favorite song:
Man this one will really be hard. Because I love music SO MUCH! But I probably have to say that my favorite song released in 2012 is “give your heart a break” by Demi Lovato. It’s just so darn catchy. And let me just say that it would be “I dreamed a dream” but since it wasn’t technically a new song so I didn’t use it.

best overall moment:
Without a shadow of a doubt, my best moment of 2012 was was when I held my sweet boy for the first time. When I held him, that tiny (or not so tiny, for a baby) body all was right in the world. I’ve treasured every moment with my sweet Noah since then. Being Noah’s mama has been the sweetest gift I’ve ever been given.

So 2012 will be a year I know I will never forget. It has has its ups and downs but I’ve come out of this year with a new outlook on life. I’ve fallen more in love with my savior than ever before. And while all of these things I’ve written are things that I will remember about this year, it’s the moments in between that ill remember the most. The laughs, the tears. The memories made, ones I will treasure for the rest of my life. All in all, I’ve had a pretty sweet 2012, until next year my friends.

Well

So today, on a day like any other, on a trip to Walmart like any other, I’ll tell you how my day completely turned around.

As I was getting Noah out of the car I had him in his carrier and I walked across the way and rolled this buggy to see if it was a good buggy (we all know how those shopping carts with testy wheels can be) and I heard someone say “here’s a good one”. So I walked over to this elderly lady and she asked me how old Noah was and so I answered and she then proceeded to tell me, a complete stranger about her day. About how her daughter lost her baby this morning, about how she was nine months along, the umbilical cord got wrapped around the baby’s neck and the baby was strangled. She talked about how they had a big Christmas planned for her and now they were just going to have to give all of her stuff away. By the end of our conversation she had tears pouring down her face, and I was fighting back mine. As I’m standing there looking at Noah, looking at the most precious gift I’ve been given, I can’t even begin to fathom the pain that that family is feeling. So I did the only thing I knew to do. I prayed. I prayed so hard for this woman, and her family. I praised Jesus for the life he gave me, for the life put inside of me, and for the little baby boy that six months ago changed my life in a way that no words can describe.

As I was walking through Walmart I found myself fighting back tears, tears of sadness, and tears of joy.

I thought for a moment of what Mary and Joseph must’ve felt like. Mary watching the same child she felt in her womb, being nailed to the cross. And Joseph, when he held baby Jesus for the first time, probably thinking just for this moment let Him be, simply, just my child. And then having to watch him some years later, take on the sins of the world. See because Mary and Joseph were 100% human, just like you and I. Feeling the same emotions we do. And any parent knows there is no stronger bond on this planet than the love of a parent.

But see here’s the great thing about this story. That’s not where it ends. See, Jesus rose again. From death to life! So that we could walk from death to life.

And so I know for this family, that is feeling so much pain, that’s not where your story ends either. I know above all else that there is a plan and a purpose for your pain. We may not know this side of eternity but I know that you too will rise again. That beauty will come from the ashes.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV)

6 months!!

I can’t believe it. You know, people tell you time flies, and you believe them but it still doesn’t describe exactly HOW FAST IT GOES!! My sweet Noah is six months old today!

I can’t believe he is half way to a year!

Noah, you are doing new things everyday! You are scooting around like a pro. You like to get on all fours and just rock back and forth. It’s quite entertaining! You wear a size two diaper but after this pack you’re gonna be wearing a size three. You are such a happy boy. You smile at (almost) everyone you see. I love how your face lights up when you see me, you don’t, nor probably will you ever know what that does for my heart. You’ve started eating big boy food and you love it! You will never know how much you’ve changed my life or how much I love you! I can’t promise I’ll ever win “mom of the year” but I promise to love you always and forever, no matter what.

Noah, I love you to the moon and back happy six months baby boy!!

Thankful

Day 21: I am thankful for clothes on my back

Day 22: I am thankful for FOOD!

Day 23: I am thankful for some time off of work

Day 24: I thankful for my two nephews who are awesome!

Day 25: I am thankful for the sabbath

And for today day 26: I am thankful I got off of work early!

(Sorry I missed so many days!!)

Thankful day 20

Today I am thankful for the gift of motherhood. In the almost six months I’ve been a mama, I’ve probably learned more about love than I had prior to that.

It’s a funny thing motherhood. From the outside looking in there isn’t much glamorous about it. Between the spit-up and poop, the sacrifice of time and being able to use the bathroom alone. The “spending more time trying to catch up on laundry” and the “I can’t even hear my own thoughts over my child screaming” moments.

Some of these things I’ve experienced, although Noah’s not as mobile as some so (TMI ALERT) I still have some alone time in the bathroom.

But you know what, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. There really and truly are no words to describe the kind of warmth that fills your heart when you see your baby’s smile. Or when they lay their head on your chest, or even when they give you a big sloppy, “I now have to take a shower” kind of kiss.

But there’s one thing that is so humbling, and it’s the fact that The Lord trusts me with this little soul. This soul I’m trying my hardest to give a glimpse of what Jesus looks like to. And boy, do I fail. Daily. Praise God his mercies are new every day.

So thank you Jesus for truly working all things together for the good of those whose hope is in you. Thank you for radically changing my life by giving me the best gift I’ve received on this side of eternity. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Thankful day 18&19

Day 18: I am thankful for a weekend to get away from reality and spend time with family.

Day 19: today I am thankful for just that. For this day that The Lord has made, another day to spend more time with the people I love.

Thankful day 16&17

So yesterday I was slack so I’m making up for it today.

For yesterday I am thankful for time spent with close friends. I am thankful to have at least one friend I know will be there for me. Our lives have been mirror images in a lot of areas. And she completely understands where I come from. So I was thankful to just spend time with her yesterday.

And for today I’m thankful for time spent with my family. I got to spend some time with all of my sisters today and time with my nephews. I love these people and love the way they love me. I love making memories with them too.

Thankful day 15

Man. Tonight I found out some sad, sad news. One of my old neighbors was killed in a car crash. He was a young man with a bright future, he was a son, and a brother.

So I ask you all tonight to pray with me for this family.

And I am going to ask one more favor of you. Tonight be thankful for the ones you love. Squeeze them a little tighter just because you can. Life is so fragile and can change in an instant. I really try to live my life thinking “if these were the last words I said to this person, would that be ok?” I fail. A LOT. But I truly try to live with that thought in mind.

I think most of us have felt the sting of death at some point in our lives. There are no words to make it better. Lord, comfort them.

So, I think it goes without saying that tonight I’m thankful for moments with the people I hold most dear to my heart. I’m thankful that tonight I get to lay my head down knowing my baby boy is sleeping right in the next room. And that my family is safe and sound. Thank you, thank you Jesus

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

Thankful day 14

I’m so thankful for music. For many reasons. It is the beat of my heart, it has the ability to lift my mood, and it allows me to feel, to the core of my being, the depth of what someone else is feeling. It is a way for people of all different backgrounds, races, sexes, and gender to relate.

But beyond all that it it connects my soul to my creator. It’s my love language, if you will. Music sets my soul free and allows me to worship in a way that makes me fall more and more in love with my savior.

Sing a new song unto The Lord, sing unto The Lord all the earth Psalm 96:1

Thankful day 13

Today I’m thankful for forgiveness. Cause boy did I need not today. From people. And most definitely Jesus. Thank you Lord.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7