Books Continued

Just like everything else in my life over the last year...I have had good intentions to keep you posted on ALL the books I would read, but unfortunately, the older Noah gets, the harder it is to find time to read!

So my last post I was just starting to read, Divine, by Karen Kingsbury, which was an amazing read! A little longer than some of her other reads but so worth it! It really touched home for me since I work at a Rehab/Recovery Center for Women!

The last book I read was the start of a series called, the Sunrise Series by Karen Kingsbury, and it took me a ridiculous 4 months to finish it! I really loved it an

d can't wait to start the next one called, Summer today! It is a continuation of the Firstborn series; you really get attached to the characters in a series like this! I found myself crying almost every time I would read! Yes, I know, I am a sap! :)

Nate and I have also started reading Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins...although very controversial, we wanted to find out for ourselves what he is really trying to say! We have been a fan of Rob for many years and have read several of his other books, seen many Nooma's and saw him in person last year in Dallas on his Drops like Rain tour! We have finished the chapter on hell and are about to start the chapter on heaven! I don't have a solid opinion yet so I am waiting until I have read the whole book! It is certainly challenging me to figure out why I believe what I believe, like all of his materials do, but I am not sold on his belief yet! Regardless of our decision, we believe that we will still follow Rob Bell...you will not find a single soul who agree with 100% of the time...we believe that He is a man of God and the bottom line is, we believe in God and what the Bible teaches, not in a man...he is simply a messenger and we, as believers, are called to find things out on our own, not just trust a man!

Anyway, enough of that soapbox! :) I'll keep you posted!

Mothers Day

I don't know why I always let so much time pass between posts...oh yeah, i'm a mom!

I can't believe it's mothers day again...last year, I had just had Noah...he wasn't even 1 month old yet!

What have I learned over the last year about being a mother...

#1 Sleeping in does not exist anymore

#2 Time goes faster than it ever has before

#3 Right when you think you have them figured out, they change

#4 I don't have all the answers

#5 It's OK that I don't have all the answers

#6 God is my ever present help in time of need

#7 Being a mother is the most fulfilling job i've ever had

#8 I truly would die for my child

#9 Everything about Noah melts my heart and makes me a better person

#10 All I have to do is look at Noah and he puts life in perspective

#11 As long as he is safe and happy, i'm good!

#12 It's not about me anymore...I never realized how selfish I was before

#13 Finding quality conversation is hard to come by

I could go on and on and can't begin to put into words what I have learned in this 1 year being a mother but God has shown me that I am NOT in control, just in case I had any misconceptions after waiting 3 years for Noah! He has shown me that He loves Noah even more than I do, even though it doesn't seem possible, but His love really is unfathomable, and as long as I place Noah in His hands each and every day, I don't have to worry...God's got him!

Things I used to worry about are so pointless now that I have Noah...all I have to do is look at him and everything else goes away!

Watching him grow into each new phase has been so exciting and fun and exhausting and scary!

It is truly a miracle and a blessing to watch a child grow from a little bean in my belly to a walking, talking little man! It still fascinates me when I see something about him that looks like me or looks like Nate...it's still hard to believe that God took 2 imperfect people and made such an amazing child! I know every mother feels this way, but Noah really is special! I can't wait to see the plans God has for him and I pray every day that they will be Gods plans...not Nate or mine's plan...that we teach him to listen to God and not man!

I am taking some much needed "me" time tonight and I am completely alone and although I am loving it....I miss him so much!

I am so thankful for my mother... those of you who know her, know she is a special lady!

A woman of God who has devoted her life to her husband and children! She has always been there for me, encouraged me, prayed for me and over the last year has helped me more than ever before! There is no such thing as a perfect family or a perfect relationship but I am truly blessed and overwhelmed at how God has formed and shaped my family into what we have now!

Father help me to keep the proper perspective when I am frustrated, tired and overwhelmed...my cup overflows! Thank you Jesus!