Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
A Working Mom Update
Baby girl's 4-month benchmark came and went and this working mom didn't even have time to post a picture for comparison....and now she's nearly 5 months!!!
This new stage has been (mostly) fun. Nora is rolling over. She is babbling a lot more, including consonants. It sounds an awful lot like she's saying "Mama." :-) She continues to get into giggle fits, which melt my heart. She loves to blow spit bubbles (we may or may not have taught her that!). She's tried rice cereal and baby oatmeal for the first time. She grabs everything and everything goes into the mouth — especially while she continues to teeth. She continues to grow stronger and become more coordinated and she weighs more than 13 pounds — she's officially looking like our chunky monkey.
Being a working mom is rewarding and exhausting. Parenthood is painfully teaching me so many valuable life lessons. I'm grieving the end of my selfishness. It's not about me anymore. I figured that out the first time I got sick. Try taking care of a sick child while you yourself have bronchitis. Not. Fun.
Also, my house may never be clean again. I count it a success when I can put a warm meal on the table. I'm having to learn to live in the moment and just enjoy spending time with baby girl. The house...well, I've had to come to terms with the fact that it will never again be clean all at once.
In parenthood, you learn to appreciate the little things in life. After several sleepless days in a row, getting to sleep until 5 a.m. made me throw my hands up in praise to Jesus. And, speaking of Jesus, I've had to give a lot to Him these days. I realized I was perpetually disappointed because I don't feel like I'm the perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect worker or perfect house manager. And, news flash, I'm NOT!!!! When I finally realized why I was perpetually despairing, I was able to identify this problem as a sin issue. We are not called to be perfect. Jesus is perfect and I must learn to rest in that. I don't have to be the perfect wife because Jesus alone meets my husband's needs perfectly. I don't have to be the perfect mother, because Nora must see that she needs Jesus. What good is having a perfectly clean home if I haven't fostered the relationships in my life and have no one to share my home with?
And then there's the issue of REST. Just listened to a timely sermon that reminded me that my soul longs for a kind of rest that is promised to Christians. Thank goodness. One day I will experience satiating rest. Until then, I will continue to strive to do things that are pleasing to Christ. And I will continue to be pulled in a lot of different directions.
Just read a Facebook status the other day that said if you don't have time to read scripture and pray, then you're busier than God ever intended you to be. I know this is a busy season for me, but I'm also trying to figure out if I just have too much on my plate and, if so, what could possibly go....
Pray for me, I'm a work-in-progress!
This new stage has been (mostly) fun. Nora is rolling over. She is babbling a lot more, including consonants. It sounds an awful lot like she's saying "Mama." :-) She continues to get into giggle fits, which melt my heart. She loves to blow spit bubbles (we may or may not have taught her that!). She's tried rice cereal and baby oatmeal for the first time. She grabs everything and everything goes into the mouth — especially while she continues to teeth. She continues to grow stronger and become more coordinated and she weighs more than 13 pounds — she's officially looking like our chunky monkey.
Being a working mom is rewarding and exhausting. Parenthood is painfully teaching me so many valuable life lessons. I'm grieving the end of my selfishness. It's not about me anymore. I figured that out the first time I got sick. Try taking care of a sick child while you yourself have bronchitis. Not. Fun.
Also, my house may never be clean again. I count it a success when I can put a warm meal on the table. I'm having to learn to live in the moment and just enjoy spending time with baby girl. The house...well, I've had to come to terms with the fact that it will never again be clean all at once.
In parenthood, you learn to appreciate the little things in life. After several sleepless days in a row, getting to sleep until 5 a.m. made me throw my hands up in praise to Jesus. And, speaking of Jesus, I've had to give a lot to Him these days. I realized I was perpetually disappointed because I don't feel like I'm the perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect worker or perfect house manager. And, news flash, I'm NOT!!!! When I finally realized why I was perpetually despairing, I was able to identify this problem as a sin issue. We are not called to be perfect. Jesus is perfect and I must learn to rest in that. I don't have to be the perfect wife because Jesus alone meets my husband's needs perfectly. I don't have to be the perfect mother, because Nora must see that she needs Jesus. What good is having a perfectly clean home if I haven't fostered the relationships in my life and have no one to share my home with?
And then there's the issue of REST. Just listened to a timely sermon that reminded me that my soul longs for a kind of rest that is promised to Christians. Thank goodness. One day I will experience satiating rest. Until then, I will continue to strive to do things that are pleasing to Christ. And I will continue to be pulled in a lot of different directions.
Just read a Facebook status the other day that said if you don't have time to read scripture and pray, then you're busier than God ever intended you to be. I know this is a busy season for me, but I'm also trying to figure out if I just have too much on my plate and, if so, what could possibly go....
Pray for me, I'm a work-in-progress!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Where Have I Been?
Hypothetical Person: Liz, I LOVE your blog and I miss you terribly! Why have you been on a blog hiatus?
Me: Parenthood.
I submit to you, Exhibit A:
Me: Parenthood.
I submit to you, Exhibit A:
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
A difficult past few weeks
It's time to blog, or I might explode. Maybe the words I'm about to purge will help alleviate the constant crying I've been doing lately!!
In a month's time, Jonathan and I have had to tell two sets of our best friends goodbye. We've had to tell our awesome church community group goodbye. And I feel heartbroken (but hopeful).
The Richards — Liz and Dave — moved a couple of days after Valentine's Day to Birmingham. I hadn't known them but a year, but we were fast friends. It's nice being friends with people our age who are in the same place in life. Plus, they are just AWESOME ;-) But, I tell myself this is a temporary move, that they may end up nearby when this is all said and done.
The Kotrlas — Keith and Jessica — are leaving Monday for....ETHIOPIA. Yes, you read that right. It's not a matter of being sad that I won't run into them around town — they're moving halfway across the world (and all of this after adopting their precious sons from Ethiopia only a couple of years ago!).
Bitter, party of one???
No, as sad as I've been, their move has disrupted my life in some good ways as well. It's shaken me out of my comfort zone — as these things tend to do — and forced me to take note of my own relationship with Christ. Would I, in my current walk, be willing to do the same....? I don't think so. :-/
Their departure makes me long for the return of Jesus — for a time when there's no longer a need for missionaries to spread the Gospel...for an ending to goodbyes. In the meantime, I'm grateful that my friends are taking news of Jesus to Ethiopia. I can't think of a better family to take the Word to them.
Few can say they understand how it feels to sell their possessions and give to the poor. But my friends can. Few take seriously the command to GO make disciples of all the nations. But my friends do. Keith and Jessica Kotrla are amazing stewards of the resources they've been given. Please join me in praying for my dear friends and supporting them in their missions.
www.steadfastmission.org
I'll leave you with my fave pic of Jessica, the one I will look at when my heart gets to missing her:
In a month's time, Jonathan and I have had to tell two sets of our best friends goodbye. We've had to tell our awesome church community group goodbye. And I feel heartbroken (but hopeful).
The Richards — Liz and Dave — moved a couple of days after Valentine's Day to Birmingham. I hadn't known them but a year, but we were fast friends. It's nice being friends with people our age who are in the same place in life. Plus, they are just AWESOME ;-) But, I tell myself this is a temporary move, that they may end up nearby when this is all said and done.
The Kotrlas — Keith and Jessica — are leaving Monday for....ETHIOPIA. Yes, you read that right. It's not a matter of being sad that I won't run into them around town — they're moving halfway across the world (and all of this after adopting their precious sons from Ethiopia only a couple of years ago!).
Bitter, party of one???
No, as sad as I've been, their move has disrupted my life in some good ways as well. It's shaken me out of my comfort zone — as these things tend to do — and forced me to take note of my own relationship with Christ. Would I, in my current walk, be willing to do the same....? I don't think so. :-/
Their departure makes me long for the return of Jesus — for a time when there's no longer a need for missionaries to spread the Gospel...for an ending to goodbyes. In the meantime, I'm grateful that my friends are taking news of Jesus to Ethiopia. I can't think of a better family to take the Word to them.
Few can say they understand how it feels to sell their possessions and give to the poor. But my friends can. Few take seriously the command to GO make disciples of all the nations. But my friends do. Keith and Jessica Kotrla are amazing stewards of the resources they've been given. Please join me in praying for my dear friends and supporting them in their missions.
www.steadfastmission.org
I'll leave you with my fave pic of Jessica, the one I will look at when my heart gets to missing her:
Just so there's no confusion, she was demonstrating for me how to use the pregnancy pillow!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Happy 3 months!
Nora,
I continue to fall more in love with you with each passing day. I can't help it, you give me so many reasons to love you:
Early on, when you were too little to interact much, it was your warm reassuring breath on my skin when I held you close.
Now, it's watching you explore the world around you. It's those sweet, trusting little hands that always seem to find their way to mine. It's that ear-to-ear grin you're always so eager to share, and the occasional baby giggle—which is like music to Mommy's and Daddy's ears. It's those piercing blue eyes that take us in and threaten never to return us. It's when I hold you upright and you put your arm around my neck—almost like a hug—and I can't help but linger there even when I know I should put you down. Two words: Baby kisses.
You are one of the most vocal, expressive and alert 3-month-olds I've encountered. You continue to grow stronger every day. You've been in preschool now for 2 weeks and you're already making friends--you even got your first Valentine's cards from classmates! I'm so grateful you love your caregiver and class, because it makes working much easier!!
We are so grateful that you're our daughter, that God entrusted us with you for this season. Keep thriving, baby girl!!
I continue to fall more in love with you with each passing day. I can't help it, you give me so many reasons to love you:
Early on, when you were too little to interact much, it was your warm reassuring breath on my skin when I held you close.
Now, it's watching you explore the world around you. It's those sweet, trusting little hands that always seem to find their way to mine. It's that ear-to-ear grin you're always so eager to share, and the occasional baby giggle—which is like music to Mommy's and Daddy's ears. It's those piercing blue eyes that take us in and threaten never to return us. It's when I hold you upright and you put your arm around my neck—almost like a hug—and I can't help but linger there even when I know I should put you down. Two words: Baby kisses.
You are one of the most vocal, expressive and alert 3-month-olds I've encountered. You continue to grow stronger every day. You've been in preschool now for 2 weeks and you're already making friends--you even got your first Valentine's cards from classmates! I'm so grateful you love your caregiver and class, because it makes working much easier!!
We are so grateful that you're our daughter, that God entrusted us with you for this season. Keep thriving, baby girl!!
Nora 3 months
And the outtakes...
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The End of Maternity Leave
Before I jump to the negatives, let me start with the positives:
I am so grateful that I could enjoy 10 whole weeks with Nora. What a sweet baby girl she is. It has been a blast watching her transition from newborn to baby. I have savored every smile, every cuddle, every coo. I am also thankful that I have a job that has allowed me to take this time. Thankfully, I will be bringing Nora to work with me since the parents at the school fund a childcare/preschool co-op.
Despite all of this gratitude, I'm also afraid. I'm afraid that I will NEVER be on time ever again. The average time of day that I've gotten the two of us ready to step foot out the door is around 1:30 p.m. I'm going to have to wake up EARLY, and I don't do well with sleep deprivation. Not to mention, I'll have 1 million things to pack and carry every day (this from the parent who first went 30 minutes away without Nora's diaper bag and then, practically the next day, brought the diaper bag along sans diapers...).
Also, I get emotional thinking that someone else will be spending the most time with my daughter and, as a result, probably know her better than me :-( I'm terrified that I'll miss her firsts: first word, first time rolling over, etc. I hope someone else doesn't get her best. I'm equally terrified of the germs she'll encounter on a daily basis.
But, all that said, I'm ready for grown up time. I'm ready for a routine. I miss my friends at work and all the ministry opportunities. I'm grateful that my schedule is Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 3:30. On Fridays, I plan to continue working from home for Life Training Institute, and Nora will hopefully be with her grandparents for the most part, which is really close by.
Please pray for me as I make this transition. Pray that Nora starts sleeping a little later in the morning so I'm not so sleep deprived. Pray that we figure out her eating schedule, since I plan to continue breastfeeding for as long as I can (or until I can no longer stay away from dairy, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, etc.). Pray that the breastmilk will keep her well despite her new and sudden exposure to germs. And, most importantly, pray that mommy and daddy would be okay with this next step and that we'd trust the able caregivers who will be watching her during the day :-)
Ok, wish me luck.....
I am so grateful that I could enjoy 10 whole weeks with Nora. What a sweet baby girl she is. It has been a blast watching her transition from newborn to baby. I have savored every smile, every cuddle, every coo. I am also thankful that I have a job that has allowed me to take this time. Thankfully, I will be bringing Nora to work with me since the parents at the school fund a childcare/preschool co-op.
Despite all of this gratitude, I'm also afraid. I'm afraid that I will NEVER be on time ever again. The average time of day that I've gotten the two of us ready to step foot out the door is around 1:30 p.m. I'm going to have to wake up EARLY, and I don't do well with sleep deprivation. Not to mention, I'll have 1 million things to pack and carry every day (this from the parent who first went 30 minutes away without Nora's diaper bag and then, practically the next day, brought the diaper bag along sans diapers...).
Also, I get emotional thinking that someone else will be spending the most time with my daughter and, as a result, probably know her better than me :-( I'm terrified that I'll miss her firsts: first word, first time rolling over, etc. I hope someone else doesn't get her best. I'm equally terrified of the germs she'll encounter on a daily basis.
But, all that said, I'm ready for grown up time. I'm ready for a routine. I miss my friends at work and all the ministry opportunities. I'm grateful that my schedule is Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 3:30. On Fridays, I plan to continue working from home for Life Training Institute, and Nora will hopefully be with her grandparents for the most part, which is really close by.
Please pray for me as I make this transition. Pray that Nora starts sleeping a little later in the morning so I'm not so sleep deprived. Pray that we figure out her eating schedule, since I plan to continue breastfeeding for as long as I can (or until I can no longer stay away from dairy, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, etc.). Pray that the breastmilk will keep her well despite her new and sudden exposure to germs. And, most importantly, pray that mommy and daddy would be okay with this next step and that we'd trust the able caregivers who will be watching her during the day :-)
Ok, wish me luck.....
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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