8 months old

I probably say this in every post I write about Ryleigh, but I cannot believe how fast time flies. She’s 8 months old and on the go…well that’s an understatement…she’s speedy, very speedy, and as exciting as that is, it’s also a little terrifying! She started crawling on Mother’s day (what a wonderful surprise that was) and within a week she’s already started trying to pull herself up on pretty much anything. She has tried the coffee table, her jumper, our stools, her new train, the stairs, and last night she tried using the dust buster…but that’s obviously a weird and very unsafe choice so I had to distract her and force her attention elsewhere.

She’s also very sassy. When she doesn’t want to eat, she locks those lips tight, flails her arms, and does this really loud, whinny, and very unattractive cry that neither Jason or I are very fond of. She likes to kick me hard in the tummy and push back when I’m trying to change her diaper, and she refuses to let us take her hand to show her how to do things. Stubborn, strong-willed, and independent are all words that come to mind. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?!

She likes to scream really loud in order to get our attention, and she’d rather play with a wooden spoon than any of the 100 toys she has laying on the ground. She’s developed a love for shoelaces, and she loves peach yogurt. She sleeps in a ball in the top left corner of her crib, and she really enjoys playing with tissue paper. She likes mint ice cream (I probably shouldn’t have given her that, oops) and she loves being outside. She says “ba ba” and “da da” and we’re working on “ma ma.” She loves when daddy reads to her from her little bible, and peek-a-boo is still her favorite game.

Ryleigh is a happy, healthy, and active baby! We are having so much fun watching her grow! Until next month…

a question why

I heard a very sad story today. A story of a girl, who was just 18, had recently gone to her senior prom, and seemingly had her whole life ahead of her. A girl who was popular, involved, and liked by many. A girl who sadly took her own life just this past Sunday. I don’t know this girl. I don’t know her family. I don’ t know anything about her, but after hearing this story I could not stop thinking about her all day long.

This tragedy begs the question…why? Why would she cut her life short? What was going on inside her that made her feel that there was no way out? Or course there will never be an answer.

I think back to my senior year of high school, being 18, and having a whole new chapter of life starring me in the face. I felt ready, anxious, and definitely scared (although I would never have admitted this to my parents.)  There were so many things that seemed SO important and therefore drama ensued.  I know (now) I over reacted majority of the time. From this perspective I can understand how a teenager might get so caught up in teen life that they forget to look at the bigger picture. The bigger picture being that…there is life beyond high school and it can be anything that you want it to be. You can meet anyone you want to meet. You really can do anything you want to do!

It’s my hope that Ryleigh will understand this fact, continue to be curious, and explore every opportunity God offers her.

My heart hurts for this girl. My heart is so heavy for her family. As sad as this story is, I hope something good can be born from it…with God’s love, and help I know this to be possible.

happy mommy day

My first Mother’s day was lovely! I slept in, Jason got bagels, Ryleigh gave me lots of cuddles, and this mama is going to see Carrie Underwood in concert this November! (My hubby is the best!)  
After all of our celebrating, I got to thinking…how crazy it is that I’m actually a mom! God has given me this beautiful miracle that I’m responsible for…day in and day out. To nurture, teach, love, and learn from. Ryleigh is the best thing I have ever done, and my heart has never been more full. I’m so thankful , humbled, and just in awe of how much this little girl has changed my life. I love being her mommy!!

On that note, I have to give a shout out to my mom…the woman who has always been there, nurturing me, teaching me, and unconditionally loving me. You are amazing, and I am so proud to be your daughter! I love you!!

I hope all you other mama’s out there had a terrific day! Until next yearJ

just thinkin'

His life within us changes everything. And if it doesn’t, then we need to re-think some things.

It’s amazing how reading once sentence can have my mind in a tailspin all morning. Do I need to re-think things, if so, what? Am I thinking about the right things, the wrong things, the big things, the small things…ok ok, I know I kind of sound like Dr. Suess, but in all seriousness…

I know that each day my growing relationship with God, impacts every part of my life whether it’s big or small. It’s shown through my actions, my reactions, my words, my ability to laugh, to listen, to love... to be a good wife, a good mom, a good everything that I want to be to everyone no matter what the role.

It’s been said that in order to take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves first, and I know I’m taken care of because God takes care of me. God blesses me every morning when I open my eyes and see the most perfect person for me laying by my side.  When I plant my feet on the floor, and walk into the next room to see the other love in my life sleeping soundly cuddled up in her favorite purple blankey. These are the moments that change everything for me every single morning. I don’t take them for granted. These are the things I never re-think and that is because it all circles back to Him.
 
This is the day HE has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let Him in. Let Him change your life like he’s changed mine.