Asking...

One thing I regret at the beginning when Caleb was first born was not asking for help as much as I should have. Before he was born my thoughts were "I can do this.....I have babysat SO MANY TIMES....I am good with kids.....I have nieces and nephews and I can take care of them". Boy, is it different when you are the MOM! When the child is with you 24/7 things are much different.

Now, when Caleb is just over 5 months old, I am learning how to ask for help from friends and family. I am reaching out to other mothers and asking for suggestions and a helpful hand. It is amazing what sympathy and helpful hints you get from mothers that have been there! It was a huge revelation for me when I realized that I am not the only one in this boat of motherhood (it seems like a simple thing to grasp but for me it wasn't). Not only do I have a wonderful husband by my side who is, and will always, be there for me, but there are MANY mothers who have been in the same boat as me.....they have had the same heartache when their baby hurts and when their baby cries. They have stood just beyond the bedroom door as their baby cries and their own tears are running down their face! THEY HAVE BEEN THERE TOO!

If I could give advice to any new mother, I would say: Don't hesitate to ask for help from those you love and trust! They will pull through for you! No question is a stupid question when you are just figuring out this FULL time job of motherhood! You are not alone!

Just something I have learned (and am still learning) over the past 5 months! :) Motherhood is hard work but the benefits and joys FAR FAR outweigh the struggles!

Dedication

Just yesterday we had the honor of dedicating Caleb to the Lord. As I stopped and thought about this (after the dedication), it truly is a very high calling. It is something to not take lightly! (Granted, I did understand this before the fact but it just hadn't really sunk in too far yet) To stand before a congregation of people and PROMISE that you will do your best to raise your child in the ways of the Lord and to be held accountable to that is something so humbling that it gives me goose bumps!! I was brought to tears during the service when the Pastor called on our family and our church family to come along side us and guide Caleb to Christ through being examples to him of Godly men and women. What a great relief it is that Kirk and I will not be alone in this. That there will be people at church (when family cannot always be here with us) that will join us in raising Caleb to be a Godly man. Sure, he will have his choices in life and the choice to accept Christ as his personal Savior will ultimately be his, but I know that as I grew up, it meant a LOT to have people around me at church and school that could hold me accountable to what I believed and could be an example of how I should live for Christ. We are so blessed that Caleb will have that in our church.

As I went to bed last night I prayed that I would be a Godly mother and teach Caleb how to love God WHOLLY and COMPLETELY with everything he has. That I can point him to Christ in everything he does. That I will be able to show him that God loves him more than I ever could.

God help me to point Caleb to You. I pray that your light and love will shine through me as I care for my son. He is ultimately YOURS and I thank you for the privilege to raise him while I am here on this earth!

Smiles

Just a thought....what a great feeling it is when your child smiles at you....no matter what the age! They are so precious. Yeah for children!!! :)

Needs...

Today, as Caleb was in his swing and fussing and just being cranky, I was thinking "can't you just be content for a few minutes so I can get some quite time?" As soon as Kirk got home, I told him to take Caleb so I could just have some quite....well, our house is not that big and Caleb (although he did quite down for a short time) continue to fuss and cry and I could hear it all. Finally, I just took Caleb in my arms and just started talking to him in a gentle voice. He started to calm down and look at me right in the eye and hold my face in his hands....just looking at me and touching my face. As I talked, I thought, how many times do I just try and drown out the noise of my crying baby when in fact all he needs is ME!

As mothers we have a very special bond with our babies...not that fathers don't, but I think the bond is totally different with the separate parents. There are many times that I just try and drown out the noise he makes and see if he will settle down. I pray I can be more understanding and see when he really just needs MOM! What a privilege (and struggle at times) it is to be that comfort for your baby. God truly knows a thing or two about relationships huh?

Just a thought...

Family

As I enjoyed the Sunday afternoon doing NOTHING but spending time with my husband and my son, I was reminded how important it is to be with family. It is my FAVORITE thing to do. As we went to bed, my husband said to me "Is it strange that this was the perfect weekend....we didn't have to go anywhere or do anything but be together!"......my thought was "NO! It was the perfect weekend for me too!"

What a blessing it is to just be home and happy with your family (especially when it is cold and snowy outside!!!)

Just a quick thought...