My baby is 3

Happy 3rd birthday to our sweet Caleb. As I think about the eve of Caleb's birth 3 years ago, I am reminded just how much our lives have changed in three short years. I remember Jeff and I eating our 'last supper' at Applebee's, anxiously awaiting my 10:00 p.m. induction that night. Our firstborn was a week overdue, and we were so excited and nervous. It's still so clear to me-- the pain of contractions and pushing, the end result of a c-section, and seeing that little boy who lived inside me for 9 months. A miracle. We've learned so much about him, oursevles, our parents, our friends, and life since that May 22nd, 2009. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Caleb has brought SO much joy, excitement, happiness, and LOVE to Jeff and I. I'm thankful everyday that God sent little Caleb to us. We love you, always and forever, Caleb!

A Mother's Manifesto

I found a fantastic blog that encourages and understands what most mothers feel. Today's message is heartfelt. Although it sometimes seems that a mother's job is thankless and unimportant, we need to remember that it's like no other job. We are raising the next generation, and pouring our hearts into the soul of another. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and women out there!

Thank you for motherhood. Thank you for the good days, the medium days and the hard days. Thank you for the little ones under my care. Thank you for the gift of being a mom.

Let me remember. Let me remember to not keep a record of wrongs. Let me remember to not define self based on past. Let me remember to learn from mistakes, but not dwell on mistakes. Let me remember that their hearts matter more than the perfect house. Let me remember that being a mother means growing.

Let me see. Let me see the little things. Let me see the good first. Let me see the wonder. Let me see each child for who they are. Let me see what has been done not what needs to be done. Let me see all that I do. Let me listen. Let me listen attentively. Let me listen and seek their hearts. Let me listen for the I love you moments in life. Let me listen to truth and not to the lies of culture.

Let me speak truth. Let me speak softly. Let me speak after I seek to understand. Let me speak boldly. Let me speak with conviction. Let me be awake. Let me not be lulled to sleep by media. Let me put down my phone, the computer, the television. Let me keep first priorities first. Let me seek the joy in the every day beauty of motherhood. Let me live fully alive.

Let me live knowing that being a mom matters. Let me value the gift of time. Let me value the gift of today. Let me value the gift of now. Let me value the gift of them. Let me be proud in being a mom. Let me not take it for granted. Let me not get stuck in comparing. Let me be humble and full of grace.

Never let me short change the value of being a mom. Let my heart be a courageous joy-filled laughter seeking real loving intentional gentle fighting tender determined beautiful authentic mother's heart. Thank you for the precious gift of motherhood. Thank you for each new day. Thank you for letting me be known as their mom. Words, courtesy of 'Finding Joy' blog.