All my life I have listened to people say, “Just Wait.”

In Kindergarten it was, “Just wait ’til 1st grade, you learn subtraction and it’s really hard.”

Same goes for 8th grade, “Just wait ’til high school, balancing sports and studies is tough!”

Then it was the “just wait’s” for certain classes in high school and then college.

My personal favorite, “Just wait ’til after college graduation when you’re in the real world.”

I always hated when people said that. Like college isn’t the “real world.” College is freaking hard. I remember thinking that at least when I got into the “real world” I wouldn’t have to go to class all day and study all night.

“The real world” sounded dreamy.

Anyway, after college it was “just wait ’til your married.” Some people were saying this as a positive thing, like, “Just wait ’til your married, it’s amazing,” but more often than not it was, “Just wait ’til your married, then you’ll never be able to do anything again, so go travel and live it up!”

Then, it was “just wait ’til you have kids.” Again, sometimes it was positive and then sometimes negative.

It seems like my whole life people have told me to “Just Wait.”

I regret to inform those peeps that rather than just waiting around I have actually LIVED my life with a positive attitude rather than waiting on something harder, better, MORE.

What’s wrong with just being in the moment?

Granted, if you want a 5 year plan, I’m not your girl. But if you want to have a spontaneous dance party in your living room, you know exactly who to call.

Realizing these things makes me wonder how to instill a spirit of contentment in the now in my little ones. To realize that the future is uncertain, but we have today, so let’s enjoy it.

As I prayed for our family last night I didn’t ask God to make my babies smart, successful or wealthy, I asked Him to make them joyful, positive and to delight in Him. That’s all.

Somewhere along the way our society has stopped looking at today as a gift and has become obsessed with stressing about tomorrow.

So will you join me in delighting in today? Enjoying those around us and being grateful?

Don’t wait.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

When I’m in the midst of a millions beautiful moments I continuously vow to capture them in my mind and lock them in. I can’t imagine ever forgetting the tiny details that seem to make up my every day.

But then, I did and I do.

I forgot all about newborn cross-eyes.

How could I forget this? It’s just about the cutest thing ever. My little sweetheart will be looking around smiling away and the next thing you know his sweet little eyes are crossed.

I forgot all about newborn squeaks.

The yummy sounds of contentment from a precious new life.

I forgot all about spit up.

Yup, I sure did. No worries, now I am very familiar.

I forgot about burping.

The first two weeks of my darlings life I didn’t burp him once. How could I forget this detail? I dunno, but I did.

I forgot about the tininess.

Even though I birthed a big boy, his features are still so tiny. His adorable little toes, fingernails, button nose, and wrinkly little tushy. In fact, Bitzy named him “Tiny” the day he was born. She met him and said, “Tiny Baby” and ever since if you ask her his name she says, “Tiny.”

I forgot about the intensity of the love.

With Bitzy, I have had 20 beautiful months to fall head over heels in love with her. I know her likes and dislikes. I understand her broken English, I can read her moods. I know her. In fact, I know her better than anyone. She is my heart. My precious gift, my miracle.

But with Brother I love him just as hard as Bitzy amazingly enough. How did my heart grow a million times bigger when I met him? Can a heart explode from loving too much? I hope not because I am seriously smitten. Don’t get me wrong, I knew that I would be. But I forgot about the intensity…the amazing gift of a mommy’s love for her new baby…I simply forgot how it felt to experience it.

But don’t worry, it’s all coming back.

Life is so good.

*Thank you to www.kathlynparrottph​otography.com for the beautiful photography!

I have heard many photographers say that they experience life through a camera lens. It’s a cool thought I suppose, but clearly, I am no photographer… (even though the camera is attached to me at all times). Ya see, I am obsessed with soaking in every single moment of this beautiful life. I not only want to experience it, but capture it…to freeze it in time.

As I look at these pictures my cup truly runs over. What  an amazing life God has blessed me with.  It fills me with an urgency to encourage your hearts to truly LIVE today. To soak it up, to breathe in the people around you and to ENJOY life.

I admit, life isn’t fair. Sometimes it seems there is much more bad news than good, and it feels like there aren’t too many beautiful moments to savor…but oh there are. Ya just gotta look…

Do you even remember being so filled with joy? Being completely free to run, dance and to be free? If not, Bitzy will teach you.

When was the last time that you played so hard that you had to change clothes 3 times in one day?  And finally you just said “forget it” and accepted the dirt on your pants as a badge…can’t remember? Bitzy’s got some experience.

Do you recall ever being completely and utterly infatuated with mud? I mean, it is kinda cool if you think about it. It’s all slippery and slimy! No? Spend a mud filled afternoon with Bitzy and she’ll reacquaint you.

Have you held someone in your arms so tight lately that through your laughter and smiles you simply breathe them in and beg God to freeze that moment in time, because you know that in the blink of an eye the moment will be gone, never to come again.  No? Do it. You will never regret savoring precious moments. If you need help, I’m your girl. My soul bursts will treasures that are buried deep in my heart.

There are moments to be celebrated sweet friends, even in the midst of heartache.

Find them, and celebrate.

Buckle your seat belts folks, I’m gonna get all preachy and serious on you.

This only happens about twice a year, so you better enjoy every second…

As I have said before, the intention of this blog is surely not to stir up political arguments or religious oppression. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. My desire for this blog is to offer you, my readers, a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day and to brighten your spirits with laughter in a world where laughter is sometimes hard to find.

That said, there is something weighing very heavily on my heart and I simply must share it. My fear is that you may disagree and leave me forever and that is the last thing I want. But, real friends share real stories. Hard stories, funny stories and sad stories too.

And regardless of your political affiliations this is a darn good story.

But, it’s not mine to tell.

There is not much more that burns my blood than people who complain constantly about silly things…people are doing anything but living life to the fullest. People who say things like, “How could it get much worse?” or “I can’t wait for this week to be over.” or “I hate my life.” Or even those who wear a smile but through their words and actions prove themselves to negative and ungrateful.

When people say these things my first instinct to defend those who are fighting for their every breath. People who just got a diagnosis that has changed everything. People who would love to live until the end of the week, but they won’t. People who love their families but will die too soon to see their children grow up.

Now, I’m not perfect by any means, quite the contrary, but I do appreciate life and I try very hard not to take one single day for granted. That said, I believe with all of my heart that life begins from conception. I am adamantly opposed to abortion in every instance, making me a die hard pro-lifer.

One of my dear friends is very pro-choice and is vocal about her stance. As we have discussed it time and time again, she always brings the incest and rape victims who become pregnant. Her entire reason for being pro-choice is because of these victims.

I’ve done a bit of research on the subject and found over 20 sources that confirm that rape and incest situations combined, make- up for less than 1% of all abortions. Less than 6% are for medical reasons, leaving 93% of abortions due to social inconvenience. And in case you were wondering there are over 42 million abortions performed per year. That’s over 115,000 per day in case you’re counting.

That’s a lot of babies that are dying.

Part of the tragedy of this fight is that politics come in and blur the truth. This is a fight for life and death, no less. It’s not about being a Republican or Democrat. It’s not about being a Christian or being an Atheist. It’s about valuing human life. Babies are dying every day because people want to defend the rights of the mother. I don’t know about you, but I know a whole lot of mothers who would do just about anything for a newborn baby to be placed in their arms and heart forever. What about their rights? What about the rights of the baby?

I’m also left wondering about the poor mothers who abort their babies. Woman’s activist are quick to hold up their signs and shout for women’s rights, but where do they go after a woman aborts her baby? When she’s crying in the shower and can’t look at herself in the mirror? Where are they then? Who is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart?

When a debate arises about anything ethically questionable I always wonder what a 5 year old would say. Is it okay to hit someone? No. Is it ok to steal something? No. Is it okay to kill a baby inside a mommy’s tummy?  Um, no.

Isn’t protecting life a basic human instinct?

All this to say, I was recently blessed to watch an absolutely amazing video about an abortion survivor. Please watch. I know it’s long, but it is so worth your time and attention. I hope and pray that you’ll take the time to watch this video, because friends, it’s powerful. It’s a testimony to life…and living life to the fullest.

As I said, it’s not my story to tell, so I’ll let Gianna tell it.

It’s a story about life…

Gianna Jessen: Abortion Survivor: Watch Here.

I gotta tell ya, this whole 10 months age is just about the best time I’ve ever had.

My Bitzy is so freaking hilarious.

She belly laughs at the littlest things.

She squeals and squawks and hollers.

She is very generous with her kisses and hugs and high fives.

When she begins crawling she throws her arms down on the floor and it makes her giggle every.single.time.

She often hides behind the massive amounts of toys to play peek-aboo. Sometimes I’m afraid she’s going to get goo on her arms from all of the Fisher Price vomit up in here. It’s a bit ridiculous I realize. But, in my defense, ALL of her big toys have come from consignment stores.

BTW: Total side note. The Dora the Explorer kitchen above retails for $350 on Amazon. Who in their right mind would pay that much money for a plastic kitchen???  The great news? I got it for $20 at a consignment store and it looks brand spanking new.  Score!

Anyway, back to my sweetheart.

She never tires of playing with the puppies. They are her best friends through and through. Well, besides me of course. Duh.

And mostly, she’s just so darn sweet. It’s like she’s as cuddly and snugly as when she was my squishy newborn baby, but is now way more mobile and her personality is just blossoming by the day. I think it’s her laugh that slays me so.  It’s infectious.

This whole growing up thing isn’t so sad and heartbreaking after all…in fact, it’s way fun. Like, way fun.

Enjoy your Labor Day friends…soak it up, take lots of pictures and have the best.time.ever!

Today I was innocently driving my Bitzy and I to our favorite haunt, Target.

We’re addicts, Bitzy and me.

I figure that we’re just contributing to all the bazillions of dollars that they give away every other minute (that’s my justification anyway).

It’s a win-win for all the charities and for our family. Right?

Right-o.

So anyway, we were cruising along our normal route when I may as well have seen a unicorn.

I saw the oldest woman alive mowing her yard.

Seriously.

I’m not talking 75 or 80. She was at least 90, if not 95-100.

I almost wrecked the car I was so shocked. And disturbed. And impressed.

I mean, no sons?  No neighbors?  No service?

I wanted to run up and give her a $20 to pay some kid to mow it.

But then, I realized the coolness of the unicorn.

This chick wanted her yard mowed, so she did it.  She didn’t wait on said son or cousin or uncle (which is good because I’m pretty darn sure that her uncle isn’t with us anymore), or anyone else, she just did it.

I would like to point out for the record, that I am not like that woman. I don’t mow my yard now, nor will I when I’m 95.  I’m sorry.

Granted, I’m totally assuming that the oldest lady alive- aka: unicorn, has some gumption and took it upon her self to mow, but then again, maybe she was delirious and thought she was surfing, or shopping or doing jumping jacks.

Who knows?

The moral of this little story is that unexpected awesomeness can happen at any time of day at any time…ya just gotta look for it.

Happy Thursday!

My Miracle.

There are few things in the world that excitement me as much as new life. The joy of finding out that you or someone else is pregnant is a joy like no other. And then, the feeling of the tiny little critter moving and shaking inside of you, it’s a miracle.

I have often said that I do not understand how someone can get pregnant, carry a child and give birth without recognizing that they have just witnessed an absolute miracle of the Lord. New life is a ministry, a miracle and a gift. It overwhelms me to think that God created such a beautiful plan to populate the earth.  He could have done it any way he wanted, but he has gifted us with an intimate way to have children that are born out of love.

I’m amazed that my Bitzy was born because her mama and daddy are crazy about each other and out of our passion we have received the greatest blessing of our lives. God knows His stuff.

While I write I am filled with gratitude that I have a perfect little crawling bit of joy sleeping in the room next door.  She is truly a delight and I cannot imagine my life without her.  What did I do with all my time anyway?  I should have been sleeping!!!  Lord knows that I have hardly sleep a wink since was born.

Tonight I happened upon this blog and I spent nearly 3 hours devouring every single word. Apparently, I’m a few years behind, as this happened over 2 years ago, but the story is just as cutting and fresh as if happened today.  Please take the time to read it, you’ll not be sorry that you did.

In short, it’s a story of how one little life changed the lives of many. It’s a story of hope and love. A story of being broken and allowing God to heal. A story of how life isn’t always easy or fair, but how God is still good.

As I read the words of a mother who was hurting, I sobbed.  I cried for her, for her family, for her child and somehow in the midst of my tears, my arms ached for the child that I never knew.  For the little person that I didn’t have the opportunity to hold and to rock and to sing to.  I miss that little one. (Need some background? Read this).

Someday I will tell my Bitzy that she has a sibling in heaven and that Jesus is swinging with her and keeping her safe until we all get to heaven.  I hope that my Bitzy will fall in love with her brother or sister as her daddy and I did.  That she will look forward to a heavenly reunion when meet our sweetheart that Jesus has been playing with all this time, just waiting around ’til we all join her.

I hope that my Bitzy will love her heavenly brother or sister just like she’ll love the ones here on earth.

Since my precious Bitzy has been born, the sting of losing a child has been more prominent. I don’t know that I realized what we lost when we miscarried our firstborn. Now that I have experienced the absolutely joy and love of being a mother to the happiest little person on the planet, I realize what we’re missing.

But even in the midst of missing my Poppy and reading about another mothers loss, I see God working. I celebrate that all life has purpose, meaning and value.

So often, when gals talk about their heavenly babies they’ll say, “Well I was just 5 weeks”, or “It was for the best, the baby had so many issues,” or “It was just a surprise baby anyway,” and I know with my mommy heart that they are trying to heal, to digest the injustice of losing a baby, to figure out how to live in a new normal. They can’t find the words, so they dismiss their loss to somehow feel better, and that’s OK.  Healing is a tricky thing, it takes time and it’s not easy.

But ya know what? Losing a baby and then giving birth to my Bitzy has completely changed my outlook on conception, pregnancy and birth. I am in awe. Absolute awe that God would allow us to join him in completing a miracle. Our dirty little paws get to participate in the circle of life, it’s incredible and I’m humbled that I get to have a seat in the audience while experiencing God at work.

All this to say, I am not pregnant. Nor am I trying to be pregnant. (As I say that I’m counting on the calender to the days of my last period to make sure, because honestly, as all you married gals know, do you ever really know that you aren’t pregnant?  Or is it just me?). I don’t think I am anyway. Don’t you worry, if I do have a little peanut inside me, I’ll let ya know.

As I consider these things, I couldn’t help but write to you my dear readers and encourage you to appreciate this day which the Lord has made, to smile a bit more at your babies or pray for the ones that have yet to come. To be uplifted that YOU are a miracle.  That God created you for a specific purpose greater than you could imagine…Remember that today friends…I know that I will.

“Rejoice in the Lord Always, I say it again, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4