Happy First Father's Day!!!

Technically Chris was a father this time last year but it seems so much more real now that Ebenezer is here and we have a face to go with the role.

I have been so proud to watch Chris jump into this new season of life. I knew he was going to be a wonderful father long ago as I watched him with my brothers and sisters and because he has been such a considerate and loving husband to me, but that hasn't made watching him transition into this role any less fun!

Chris unashamedly squeals, sings, coos, cuddles, pulls funny faces and laughs in delight to entertain his son. He tackles dirty diapers without fear (or gas mask), has mastered all the baby toys and knows just what to do to comfort his Eb. He earnestly and carefully discusses and plans the future with me, thoughtfully considering decisions as simple as what to do about diapers to bigger issues such as vaccines and college. He has patiently waited for me to adjust to this new role called motherhood and picked up the slack around the house as I do so.

I cannot express how proud, delighted and thankful I am to call him my husband and know that he is the father of my son, and hopefully more children to come! Thank you Lord for letting me watch my husband grow more like You as he imitates You in this new role of life!

Dreams...

Quail have been a fun part of my life since I was little.  One of my first memories that I know is truly mine (not one someone told me about that I think is mine) is actually in the new house we are at now!  I remember playing in the kitchen and hearing quail calling outside, that was actually how I first learned to whistle because I wanted to ‘talk’ back to the ‘Bob White’!  It has been a pleasant surprise to find that the quail are still here!  I honestly haven’t thought much about them until I started dreaming about them.

I don’t usually put much stock in my dreams.  Don’t get me wrong, I believe the Lord still chooses to speak through dreams and know many people who have experienced this – I’m just not one of them.  I’ve only had one dream that I felt like was from the Lord, it wasn’t prophetic, just comforting.  Most of my dreams are just that, dreams - my unconscious mind working through the day’s events, often in weird confusing ways that I don’t remember five minutes after I wake up. (Or in the case of nightmares, I can usually directly relate them to something I’ve been reading.)

This dream I had a few nights ago is different, I’m still not sure it means anything, but it filled me with hope (that I didn’t realize I was lacking) and keeps popping back up in my mind, clear as a bell.  Let me know what you think…

In my dream I am out in an open area like a field, talking with someone (still don’t know who) about how pleased we are that the quail population is recovering.  We have both heard that there are a lot more quail in the area, and we’ve heard them calling every now and then, but we are disappointed that we haven’t actually seen any.  Just as we make that comment the scene shifts and I can see a stream that runs through a wheat field.  As I watch a mail quail comes out of the wheat and starts drinking from the stream, then he’s joined by two females, then I can see a pheasant on its way to the stream also!  I remember feeling elated and full of hope right before I wake up.

As I said I’m not sure there is any particular significance, or that there needs to be, but it did make for a wonderful start to my day!

How about you?  Any interesting dreams lately?  Do you think they have significance or are they just dreams?

Wordless Wednesday

So I'm breaking the rule by saying anything, but I wanted to introduce this new set of posts you will see every now and then. These are snapshots of life right now, some poignant, some funny, but all wordless. Feel free to create captions or just enjoy, but you won't hear anything from me... Starting now!

Six Years...

Six years ago today I married my amazing husband.  A lot has happened since then, not all of it easy, but I wouldn't take back one single day of any of it. 

Over the last six years we have prayed, laughed and grown together.  The passion we felt for each other six years ago hasn't diminshed, but it has changed, matured - like a fine wine it has grown stronger and deepened with time.  The trials we have experienced, trivial though some may have seemed, taught us how to work through issues together, reassured us that we really can depend on one another to be there for better or for worse.

We have shared amazing joys and triumphs over this time, all of which were truely doubled by having a partner who could appriciate what it took to get to that place.

Above all we have experienced God's amazing grace.  I love my husband, but neither of us are perfect.  It is only through accepting God's grace in our own lives, studying Christ's example of forgiveness, sacrifical love and extension of grace that we have made it this far.  As we abide in that grace we are confident that our marriage will thrive 'til death do us part'.

Thank you Lord, for giving me a humble, loving leader!  Give us grace and strength so that we continue to draw closer to you and each other over the next six years!

The Exersaucer!

One of our friends gave us their old Exer-Saucer for Ebenezer.   I was worried he wasn't big enough for it, but he LOVES it!  At first he spun and spun from station to station, but now he has some favorites!  He usually singles out the star first, then works his way to the dragon, pushes the noise makers and plays with the book!  He is getting to where he can spend more and more time in it without getting overwhelmed.   I think part of why he likes it is getting to stand up!

First day figuring it out!

What are you?

Hmmm... What are you?

Nom, Nom, Nom...

Hmm...

Whew that was fun!

 

You Might be a Momma If...

As soon as your dinner is ready you son immediately thinks it is time for his dinner to be ready too!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:14

I love this little shirt and have been waiting for him to be big enough to fit in it! He was a rather distracted customer! I continue to be amazed at God's handiwork and grace visible in the life of our son!