We Are Outside.

If you're wondering why I haven't been posting much beyond the occasional baby update, it's because we are outside exploring important things like rocks and sticks and bugs and flowers. Maybe we'll see you on rainy days!

One Year

One year ago

Two weeks ago

One year ago:

slept, ate, pooped, cried, ate, slept, opened his eyes, ate, slept, ate, slept, etc.

Today:

All of the above

and walking,

and running,

and shouting,

and squealing,

and making people laugh,

and exploring,

and swinging,

and reading books,

and playing with blocks,

and playing with tupperware,

and playing with shapes,

and playing with rocks,

and playing with leaves,

and playing with rocks, leaves, and tupperware all together,

and showing off his muscles,

and climbing up and down stairs,

and setting his shoes on his toes because he wants to go outside,

and smiling when Daddy comes home,

and using sign language to say "more," "milk," or "all done,"

and touching his nose,

and bouncing,

and ....

They say the years fly by. True.

Some days this past year did NOT fly by.

I'm glad.

Each day Caleb learned something new it seems.

I wouldn't want to miss that.

A Birthday Blessing

To Caleb, on your first birthday,

You've been a blessing to me over the past year, a definite proof of God's gracious goodness. I love your giggles and smiles. I love the ways you explore the world, reminding me of the beauty and intricacies all around me. Through your neediness, I'm reminded of my own dependence on God's never-ending strength. When you learn something new, I feel almost as much joy as you do.

Over the next year, I pray you will continue to love learning. I hope you will have many, many opportunities to giggle and smile. In your explorations, I pray you will be physically safe, emotionally strong to take risks and try again when you don't succeed at first, and joyfully enthralled by God's wonderful creation. May your days be full of swinging, learning, and laughing.

Love,

Mom

On Mother's Day

To all the women I know who long to be moms and aren't, I'm praying for you this weekend.
I pray that ...

1. ...they don't show a sappy mommy video at church.
2. ...if they do show a sappy mommy video at church, you won't be embarrassed by your tears.
3. ...next year you won't have to worry about whether they will show a sappy mommy video at church because you'll be too busy being a mom.
4. ...in the meantime, God will fulfill your desires with something greater than you can imagine right now.

Evolution of Movement