The Best Part of Me

I wake up this morning exhausted. Another bad night with Kendall. 2 hours of sleep isn't enough. I have no patience, yet I have a full day ahead of me with two small children. I want to sleep. I want to escape.

But I can't. And really, I don't want to. These two precious girls are mine. I don't want anyone else to take care of them.

Most of the time, being a mom overwhelms me. Like my friend Jana wrote so beautifully here, I often wonder if I'm cut out for this mom thing. Did I make the right decision by quitting my career? I was much better at that.

I worry. All the time. My girls consume my every thought, my every move. They come first.

Not just because that's "my job" now, but because it comes naturally. For some reason, we mothers are built that way. We are built to sacrifice everything for our children. No matter how much we long to be selfish, most of the time, we can't. It is in us to give. And give. And give.

I admit that often makes me frustrated. Frustrated that I can't just let stuff go and be me first. Frustrated that my dear husband -- and honestly, all men -- do not have this problem. Not because they are insensitive, but because that is how they are built.

During my devotion time today, I come across this verse:

"It is true that he was weak when he was killed on the cross, but he lives now by God's power. It is true that we are weak in Christ, but for you, we will be alive in Christ by God's power." 2 Corinthians 13:4

God is so powerful, that he gave up His power. He became weak. For me, for you, for all of us. He sacrificed Himself so that we might know and experience His love.

And then it occurred to me: Isn't that what we moms do? We sacrifice ourselves so that our children may know and feel our love. Not only because it is "our job," but because there is literally something inside of us that makes us this way.

That frustrating part of us that wakes upon the smallest cry from our child, and now we can't fall back asleep. That part of us that for some unexplainable reason, misses an exhausting toddler only 30 minutes after she has fallen asleep. That part of us that needs a break so badly, yet finds the energy, the patience, and the love to make it through the day. Every day.

That part of us? That's God love. Unconditional and ever-giving. A characteristic planted in mothers by Him to give us just a glimpse of what His love is like.

Yeah, I'll take that over me any day.

Fashion Friday: My Heart in Motion

Let's Talk About It: Bible Stories

Emma is loving this whole living with Grandma thing, especially their special morning time when Grandma reads her Bible stories. She has known a few of the basic stories for a while now, but these morning "devotions" seem to really be sticking. Even the smallest details.

Here is what I overheard today during a "shopping trip" with Baby...

Emma: "Come on, Baby, let's go to the birthplace. We can go pay our taxes!"

The only thing missing? A baby Tigger in her belly of course!

Fashion Friday: Double Take

This outfit is one of my favorites. I'm so glad I got to use it twice! I actually found it at a gently-used resale shop when Emma was Kendall's age. If you ask me, they both look adorable in it! Not that I'm biased or anything.

**Emma's in the hat; Kendall is the baldie!**

Let's Talk About It: No Glory

Mommy: Ma-ma, Ma-ma

Kendall: Da-da, Da-da

Mommy: Ma-ma, Ma-ma

Kendall: Ba-ba, Ba-ba


Yup. That's about right.

First Tooth!

I just felt Miss Kendall's first tooth popping through. That makes me feel a little better about the total lack of sleep from last night (and the last week for that matter). Now I 'm just hoping we have a few nights off before tooth #2 shows up!

Fashion Friday: In the Midst of Chaos

...Emma managed to look as cute as ever. Me, on the other hand, well let's just say showers are a luxury, and makeup is totally out of the question.

Happy Friday!

Getting There...

Things are finally starting to feel normal. Yes, we have invaded my parents' home, but I am personally loving it -- and so are my girls.

While I am far from organized, I did manage to get the girls to the park the other day, and it felt so good. No packing, no stress, just a fun hour at the park. All three of us needed it!!!

Temporary Insanity

Both, yes BOTH, of my kids are sitting in front of the TV right now so I can get some very overdue work done. I feel like the most horrible mom ever and swore I would never do this.

And I just ate a Krispy Kreme.

Thank goodness we are only doing this moving thing once!

Fashion Friday: 7 months

Here are a few of Kendall's "6-month photos," taken at 7.5 months.
(*List of excuses for tardiness: Lack of sleep, a very busy and emotionally draining toddler, runny noses, random scratches and other visible markings, selling our house, moving, work, and well, no sleep.)

Anyway, they are okay, but could have been better. Miss Kendall's morning nap was a bit short, so she wasn't her usual cheerful self. Of course, I still think she is cute as a button.


I like this sweater shot, but her foot is doing something funky. Maybe she's double (triple?) jointed...




This one is cute because it's just so her. Sweet, but VERY vocal.




And this one just makes me smile!

We Moved!

Hence, the lack of posts the last few weeks.

It's all happened a little fast, but we are excited to start building our dream home.

Until then, we are at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a few months. Our townhome is no longer ours as of next week, so the never-ending stuff needs to be packed for good. I swear I am packing in my sleep, yet our house still looks pretty full...

Here are the only two valuables I didn't mind packing. (Of course I say this as they sleep!)