Mothers

Mothers - each one of us has one, and for many, they play a crucial role in developing who we are, what we believe and what we value. I am thankful to have spent different parts of the weekend celebrating both my mother and step-mother - 2 wonderful ladies! We spent Friday evening at my Dad and Beth's relaxing and eating BBQ, and before the sun rose on Saturday morning, I was at my mom's to leave for our day of yard-sales, pedicures, breakfast and my annual car wash (yes, annual - my car is a sad sight, especially since we live in the country where bugs procreate every millisecond). Saturday evening we had a date night thanks to our awesome church that values strong marriages - they provide free childcare, and we get to go out. Anyone can use the service, too!

Sunday was pretty relaxed, and one of the few things I really wanted to do - get pictures with the kids since I'm always the one taking them - was only half successful, as you can see by the last picture. Mary-Michael was camera shy. My husband declared I would get a do-over on Mother's Day (date TBD) since he didn't really plan much, and I think he could tell I was disappointed. All I wanted was to not have to plan anything - particularly the meals for the day! So, it was sweet that he recognized it, and I'm looking forward to Mother's Day Do-over. 

In thinking about the awesome privilege of being a mother, I feel so blessed to live in a place where I can provide my children with a good home, clean water, good healthcare and some of the basic necessities we are so used to in America. These things we so often take for granted. On Sunday, I heard that Niger, where Geoff traveled to in February, is now considered the worst place to be a mother. Can you imagine? I can't. Only 2 out of 5 Nigerians reach adulthood. One of my worst fears is losing one of my precious children, and living in a country with a statistic like? Whew, I can't fathom it.

Want to do something to help a fellow mother? Join us as partners of LiveTen24 - 100% of the funds go to projects focused on nutrition, clean water, orphans, education and micro-businesses in Niger, Africa. These 5 things affect Nigerians throughout the course of their life - from birth to death. And you'd be amazed at what $10.24/month can do. Geoff has told many of you about this awesome way to support many of the people he met in Niger a few months ago, so thank you to those who are already making a difference. We love and appreciate you!

Mary-Michael Lately

Can I just say that being a Momma to a 2 year old is so much fun?! OK, she certainly has her moments, but the majority of them are entertaining, sweet and just plain fun. Here are some highlights from recent weeks:

1. When someone else gets hurt or something gets broken, you apologize. So, today you told the broken shovel, "I'm sorry shovel" and when I recently ran into something, you kissed my injury and said "I'm sorry Momma." So sweet.

2. The same day you were caught painting Frazier's toenails, Daddy overheard you talking while he was on a phone call. He found you in our bedroom, on our kneeling bench, with your head bowed. You were repeating the names of all those you could remember - Carla, Sonar, Nonnie, Momma, the pigs, etc. You ARE paying attention! I hope that you become a prayer warrior, sweet girl.

3. Speaking of prayer, we cannot end your night prayers or meal prayers without praying for the pigs. It's going to be a sad day when you go outside and the pigs aren't there (because they're on your plate!).

4. You love to run and exclaim "I'm so fast!" You also often declare that you are so pretty and cute, which is certainly true, but we want to make sure you value the other great things about you, so your Daddy and I try and also remind you how smart and kind you are. (you still prefer to say that your so cute - oh well!)

5. You still love to be outside. Jumping on the trampoline and pushing your babies in the stroller are at the top of your list of favorite activities...along with going to see the pigs. Oh, those pigs.

6. You are getting really good at counting to 20 and reciting your ABCs. There's a few numbers and letters that you omit, but you are getting the hang of it.

7. When we sing Old McDonald Had a Farm, the only animal you want to sing about is a sheep. Maybe the pigs aren't that big of deal after all!

8. You insist on listening to Baby Jesus songs in the car, which are nice and sweet, but get a little boring. And in your mind their is no plain Jesus. It is always Baby Jesus. I think this must come from Christmas.

9. You really enjoy your dolls most days - you often set them up in the same way that Frazier is. So, if he's lying on a blanket, your dolly lies on a blanket; if he's being burped, you proceed to burp your baby; so on and so forth. It's quite cute. And most of your dolls are still called Baby Frazier even though I've tried to give them other names.

10. You can spot a playground from a mile away. And you know when we're getting close to the one we often go to before it's even in sight. Sadly, it's on a route we drive often, so you hear "not today, maybe tomorrow" quite often.

11. You have days when you're interested in the potty and days when you're not. I'm not pushing it, but I am always willing to let you try. Once it's warm and you can run with just a diaper or with nothing, we will give it a shot.

12. You are a very tender-hearted and affectionate little girl. You love to give kisses, say I love you's and give hugs. I love this about you.

M&M - it is so cool to watch you develop into your own sweet individual. We love you!

Beauty Shop

A quick moment away, and I find this. Mary-Michael with an open bottle of nail polish painting her brother's toes (i.e. feet). I'm sure this won't be the last girly moment he has because of her. Gotta love it!

Fears

Most of the time I try to keep our blog light, but today I felt the need to write what was really on my heart and in my head. When my kids look back on this, I hope this will speak to them and encourage them to really live because life is not a dress rehearsal. This is the only chance we have. Maybe it will speak to you, too.

If I’m being honest with myself I don’t want to be a disciple of Christ. Not if it means giving up everything. Giving up my dreams, my plans, and the things that I want. Not if it means living life like God wants me to live life. Sacrificially. With unconditional love toward my enemies. I don’t want that. It’s too hard. I don’t have what it takes. That’s what I tell myself anyway. If God tells me to tell a friend something she doesn’t want to hear out of love, will I do it? If God tells me to pray in the middle of the night, do I have what it takes? Do I have what it takes to live a life completely devoted to Him? Do I trust that His plans are the best plans even when they are hard and completely not what I want or what I had planned?

Can I live with myself if I choose my plans over His because my plans are easy and comfortable? Will I look back at the end of life and wonder “what if?” What if I had completely trusted God? What if I did live like He was everything? And I mean EVERYTHING. Would I regret it? Would I regret saying YES to crazy ideas and dreams? Would I regret trying? No, I don’t think so. I don’t think I’d be happy living a normal, nice life. It’s not a bad thing, but I don’t think God wants us to live normal, nice lives. I mean, God isn’t normal. And sometimes He isn’t nice. But he’s fair. He’s just. And He’s faithful.

I don’t want to look back and say “what if?” I want to look back and say “Wow, THAT was an awesome ride.” But I’m scared. No, I’m frightened to my core. God’s plans mean giving up everything for Him. Going where it’s not easy. Talking when it’s uncomfortable. Trusting when I’ve been disappointed. Loving when the world says to hate. Serving in impossible ways. Believing in miracles.

Today I asked for prayer at church. Not prayer for sickness or financial woes. Thank you Jesus that we don’t have needs there now. But I have another need. I have fear. Fear of what others think and how they perceive me, especially if I really live like I’m a disciple of Christ. God tells us not to have fear. He tells us not to worry. Fear and worry – how easily these two things become a part of our daily mindset. To a point where we think something is wrong if we’re not fretting about something. This is not of God. He wants us to live a life of freedom. I want freedom. I like freedom. I want to be free of fear. Free of worry. I guess if I’m a disciple of Christ, and trust in His plans, His dreams and who He is, I really have nothing to fear. Nothing to worry about. Because the Creator of the Universe is in control.

I guess when you put it that way, being a disciple of Christ doesn’t seem too bad…but no one said it would be easy. Lord, give me the courage.

Frazier's 4 Month Check-up

Little man went to the doctor last week for a routine 4 month check-up, and he's growing and developing well. He put on a big show of smiles until the shots, which he was none too excited about. She did find an ear infection again, so he was put on a course of antibiotics. I think he must have a high tolerance for pain because he showed no signs of discomfort for us to know he even had one! Here are our big boy's stats: Height: 2' 2.5" (92nd percentile) Weight: 15lbs 15.5 oz (70th percentile) Head Circumference: 44.5 cm (94th percentile) Do we have a linebacker in our future?