Sometimes it's Family

Last week was wonderful. The day after Christmas we loaded up our Mini and drove for three and a half hours to my Uncle's ranch outside of Bracketville, TX. A much needed break from city life- beautiful, wide open spaces; and a refreshing time of family, friends, and food. The blessing this last week was to my heart words cannot even begin to express. To have people genuinely love and care for my children, to watch my kids' faces light up with utmost joy, and to sit back and drink it all in. Bliss.

Tucker in front yard at Ranch

Surrounded by not only my family, but my brother's in-laws (whom all of us consider family, really), and friends- and watching every single person love on my children. Truly love on my children... I mean, wow. Mothers will know what I am talking about. Especially when you have your baby with you, and your arms are beginning to go numb from cradling her and quieting her, and then you have this friend come up and whisk her away. They bounce her, talk to her, and rock her until she calms or sleeps. And that constant on edge feeling melts away and I am able to just breath deep and enjoy being with family. Because, ultimately, everyone really is...

Nicholas and Tucker on stairs in lodge 

This last week I realized how much good Christian company is truly needed for a healthy life. You need the time to voice your honest feelings, and to have honest Christian counsel in return. Women need that. Men need that. Couples need that. And it truly is a release of burden and a restoration of health to be able to have that. I think that's why counselors are so great- it's so healthy, to just talk, and to not be judged for it, but to have guidance in all of it. To talk to an impartial party, and yet someone who can give you sound advice, or even just listen. It's refreshing.

Tucker "riding" Samson

Fresh air is also refreshing. I know that's kind of a "duh" statement... But being out on thousands of acres, not seeing another soul other than those who are already with you... Seeing rolling hills, and just untainted space. A break from the crowds and the electronics (did I mention there was extremely spotty internet?) - I didn't check email or get on a computer the whole week! I felt like I was back in Lake City... sigh


The only downside to going on a vacation is that now we have come home... And Tucker is sick- has a fever for the second time in his life- and that in and of itself is pretty exhausting. But I am also discovering how draining homesickness can be. Maybe not so much for the city of Houston, more-so the people of Houston. So here's a "Hello" to all of our friends and family living there. Know we miss you all, and feel blessed to call you "friend," "family," "brother," and "sister."

Tucker sound asleep on ottoman in bedroom

Sometimes it's Nice

I recently reconnected with a long-time friend. Mother of one-year old twins and a four year old, and honestly I don't know how she does it. I look at my one, eleven month old child, and whenever it's a bad day (tears, teething, reflux, or just pure exhaustion sets in) I think how difficult it would be to have multiple children draining my energy and strength. And yet, my friend is resilient. I'm sure if you were to talk to her she would credit everyone else around her as the reason she is how she is in motherhood. And, while that is true, she is also an amazing mother because she has been obedient to the calling God has placed on her life for this season.

(And, yes, the people who surround a mother as she raises her children are truly dear friends and family members- they are people who love to give of themselves and help make a mother's hardships bearable. I can honestly say that those individuals who have truly helped me throughout my pregnancy, and the beginnings of motherhood have shown me what it is to be the body of Christ like no one else. Christ does not give us more than we can bear, and that is so true- so when you feel as though you are faced with a burden too big for you, look at who else Christ has placed in your life at that moment to make that burden bearable.)

But there is also something to say about the person who is, with help, obediently bearing his or her burden. And the beautiful thing is that that same person will in turn be able to speak words of encouragement to a fellow bearer. It's an amazing blessing to be able to be told that you are not alone. My aforementioned friend blessed me tremendously when she spoke her own words of encouragement to me. Sometimes tears will stream down cheeks as you realize you aren't the first one to feel overwhelmed, sometimes laughter will escape your lips as you come to see that your child is not the first obstinate little one to grace this world with his or her presence, and sometimes it's just nice to know that you are not the first one to make a mistake.

I really don't want this blog to be something that scares people away from motherhood- because it is a truly amazing experience. And yes, it is harder than anything you will ever do, but that's not a bad thing. If you are wanting to be a doctor or a lawyer or you just want to get your masters, trust me that will seem like a piece of cake compared to raising a child. Your sweat, tears, time, blood, love, and heart go into raising a child, and with every day it gets even better. I am sitting here with an eleven month old and I am thinking to myself "I couldn't possibly love him more," but I know I will, because that is what I thought yesterday.