Thursday, February 28, 2013

Eighteen Months

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Beckett Lucas,

You are now 1.5 years old (as of a week and a half ago).  I truly, truly cannot believe it.  There are days that I convince myself that you are still a baby, but then I really look at you and realize that you are well on your way to being a little boy.  I love that.  As much as I have tried to soak in your baby days, they have still passed so quickly.  But, I really, really love the little boy you are becoming.  I love watching your obsession with balls and your fascination with airplanes and trains.  Even though you are becoming a little boy by the day, I think you will always be my baby boy in my heart.
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I don't think I could begin to describe all the new things you are doing and have done in the past three months.  It has been full of discoveries and newness and learning, and I seriously love it.  Your language has begun to really take off in the past month, and you are experimenting more and more with different sounds and words.  Hearing you babble and call out the people you see in pictures and say "bye" as people leave makes me smile every time. You are trying to say new things every day it seems, and daddy and I are constantly looking at each other in surprise.  I think language development is one of my favorite parts of watching you grow up.
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You are on the go, all the time.  You are following in your big sister's footsteps and are busy, busy, busy.  I wouldn't have it any other way, and I love that you are constantly exploring the world around you, even if it keeps me on my toes!  If you aren't running, you are almost always walking super fast.  You hardly ever stay in one place for very long, but at the same time, you are great at entertaining yourself.  You can play independently pretty well for 10-15 minute stretches sometimes.  Your favorite thing to do during that time is throw a ball, run to get it, throw it again, run to get it...repeat over and over and over while you giggle and say "ball!"
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{I know this one is blurry...I just loved his little face and his sweet teeth!}
Speaking of balls, you are beginning to recognize not just balls but places where different types of games are played.  You went to your first basketball game a couple of weeks ago, and since then, if you see a basketball goal, you immediately say, "ball."  You also have a book with Elmo playing baseball, so you now recognize baseball fields as well.  You still seem to prefer playing with balls over most other toys, and you have a great arm already.  I know I am biased, but other people have also confirmed our suspicion! You have started to like playing with your trains and cars some as well, and you are beginning to be interested in crayons and markers (and not just putting them in your mouth).  I find myself wondering often what you will love to do as you grow.
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You are still my sweet, sweet boy, but you are definitely becoming more opinionated! You are almost always happy, especially when we are out in public, but at home, you let us know what you want.  Particularly with me. You have even thrown yourself on the floor a couple of times when you didn't get exactly what you wanted when you wanted it.  Even when you do stuff you aren't supposed to, it's hard to be mad at you because you flash that precious dimpled smile.  It gets me every single time.
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I love you so much, and words could not explain how blessed I am to be your momma.  I thank God every single day for the gift of you and the ways that you have already changed my heart. Your gentleness blesses our whole house, and you really do bring all of us so much joy.  I love hearing you and your big sister giggling and playing together.  You have been a ray of sunshine since the day you were born, and I pray that you will always bring light wherever you go and in whatever you do.  I pray that you would learn to love the Lord early and in deep ways that challenge me.  May the Lord bless and keep you, my sweet boy.  Happy 18 months, Becks!

I love you to the moon and back!
Your Momma

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Love Day

I'm a little late posting these thoughts, but they have been swirling in my head since this time last week. 
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I have never probably loved Valentine's Day as much as some girls, but I am a sucker for most things romantic, sappy, or mushy.  So give me an excuse for it or a reason for my guy to indulge me a little more than normal, and I'm all for it.
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Now that I have kids, the lovey dovey part still exists, but the fun comes more in sharing it with them--creating valentines with Micah for her friends, picking a few fun treats for the kids to enjoy, and making the day just a little more special.
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But, it also makes me a little more introspective.
I want my kids to understand love in a deep, deep way--a love that comes from God through Jesus kind of way.  A love that reaches down and covers our souls.  A love that overcomes darkness.  A love that is for everyone.
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While Valentine's Day is a fun, hallmark holiday to celebrate love we have for family, friends, and lovers, I also want it to be a reminder of the love God pours out on us everyday and the love we extend to those around us and what kind of love that is.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
I Corinthians 13:4-7

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Shaken

I had a post formulating in my head for today, but then I read Psalm 34 (yes, Chris, I'm a day behind).
And, I am completely shaken by it in the best way possible--tears in my eyes, nodding my head, speaking out to the Lord, "YES!"
How is it that He knows exactly what we need and supplies us with just that?! These words today were like a salve for my soul, satisfying and soothing and comforting.  They breathe new life into my spirit.
I want to be shaken by the Lord every day.
I want to put these truths in my head and speak them over my heart every day.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.
I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
Psalm 34:1-5

Let it be, Lord.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Sibling Love

I love watching a friendship grow between these two sweet kiddos.  
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The giggles and squeals melt my momma heart.
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With this budding relationship come some squabbles.
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Even though I spend plenty of time mediating already, I am looking forward to watching them learn to love one another and become the best of friends for many more years.
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Blogger's Block

There are lots of things swirling in my head that I want to write about, but I'm not sure I'm ready to put them out there just yet.
This has left me with a bit of writer's block.
Because, to be honest, writing about other things feels inconsequential and trite.
And, I haven't pulled the camera out nearly enough in the past weeks.
I am hoping to change that soon.  
I want to write and document life.
The other stuff will write itself when it's time, I am sure.
The Lord is doing some amazing stuff, but putting it into words is daunting at the moment.
 For now, I am going to try not to put pressure on myself to write clever or deep stuff unless it is on my heart.
I hope to be back soon with some light-hearted glimpses at our every day here at the Fieldhouse.