The Binky, Pt 2

I can't believe our little one is 4 months old today!!  She is a blessing everyday she is with us.  She is an amazing teacher of all things and yet so tiny.  I love this little video, although it does not ring true for some of the days, it certainly does help to have reinforcements! 

The Binky, pt 1

You have to check out Binky, Pt 1 and then Binky, Pt 2!  She is so cute and she loves her Binky, it is mom's friend!

My special poem!!

My husband and I are very different.  Sometimes I think wow, I have a lot of training to give this man!  And somedays I am reminded wow...he has a lot of training to give this woman!  Today is Mother's Day and true to the wonderful, thoughtful man he is he gave me this:

I know I say you're beautiful

For me it's plain to see

That my life was completely changed

the day you came to me

Your beauty comes from deep within

a fire burns inside

a kind and gentle loving heart

you're outside just can't hide

You're sweeter than a tulip's scent

you're smarter than can be

You care so much for those around, 

no one can disagree

I want to be a better man, 

I want to learn to love-

the way you love Eva and I

and our Father up above.

I'm proud to say I married you,

I' proud to say I'm yours, 

I'm proud that you do love me so, 

my heart so overflows.

We have so much ahead of us, 

much to look forward to, 

though challenges await us, dear, 

I'm glad they'll be with you.

So please accept these few kind words

I mean them every one.

Today I am reminded of the love that exists between a husband and a wife.  Motherhood has brought me great joy but I could not have done it, I could not do it without the constant support of my husband.  I am grateful that he is the kind of man who is a leader, a hard worker and who is generous and tender.  I am looking forward to many more Mother's Days as the mother of his children.

Thank you for allowing me to share this....

Happy Birthday Susan Turley and The Joys of Parenting!!

Today is our friends Susan's birthday.  Susan would have been 26 years old today.  I have written about Susan in past posts, she was amazing and is inspiring!  She was the true definition of a Christian, she was loving and inclusive of everyone, she was happy and friendly, energetic and fun, she was faithful and true.  I guess I look at her life and I think of her parents and what a great job they did.  They were true to their faith and they were constant good examples to their children.  This is the parent I want to be.  I think of Eva and regardless of how short her life will be, she still needs good examples.  She needs examples of hard work, of honesty, of charity and service.  We can't just tell our children what we want them to be, WE must be the examples they turn to.  We can not ask them to work hard and not show them what hard work is, we can not tell them to be forgiving and loving and not forgive or love.  We can not ask them to choose the right when we don't.  

Parenting has been my greatest challenge and (up to now...that's my disclaimer) the greatest experience of my life.  I'm not sure what it is about children but it makes you love your spouse more, it makes you have more conviction (or at least work harder at it), it makes you want to be better!  If I had only known what being a parent was all about I would have done this sooner...LOL!  Well, the Lord knows each and every one of us and he knows when our time is and when our time is not to parent!  I think its a matter of us believing that and that he truly knows best.  I know parenting can be hard, challenging and for some lonely.  But I also know that we are never alone, that a loving, caring, merciful Heavenly Father watches over us as we parent.  I know that, when we ask and listen, he guides us with His loving hand to make the right decisions.  But, we have to ask and we have to listen!  This in itself can be the most challenging part of parenting.  I know that I have not met all the challenges that some of you parents have and that we all experience different parts of being a parent to a particular child, but I know that when the decisions we make are in the best interest of our children they are good decisions and that makes you a good parent!  And better yet when we include our Heavenly Father in these decision we are much more clear on the answer.

Happy Mother's Day to the Mom's that are mom's and the Dad's that are mom's and to the mom' s that are not yet mom's!