Remembrance

Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. I seemed to have forgotten for a split second that not only were our World Trade Center towers attacked, but our Pentagon as well, and almost our nation's capitol. Seeing the footage again brought tears to my eyes and sadness to my heart. As I was holding Jack watching all this, I kissed him on the cheek and he burst into laughter, so I did it again and again a screech of laughter! I kept doing it and he kept laughing and I realized, that on a day like yesterday, when there really are no words to say, hearing my child's laughter gave me hope that one day there would be peace in the world and until then we are to pray, "Jesus, come quickly."

A new addition to my resume - MOM

Just a quick thought I had while driving Jack all over town the other day - Why can't women put MOTHER as part of their resume?!

Employers have been known to snub their noses at family references on a business document... but as a mom, now, if I had a business and needed an employee or two, I'd be searching for a family gal!

Just think, as a mom, you've been through:
* Baby boot camp - sleepless nights (long work day),
* Managing a crying baby (communication issues), and
* Balancing house work, work work, and the other folks in your life (like your poor neglected husband and puppy) all the while trying to solve the most frustrating problem of all - What the HECK are we having for dinner?! (multitasking to the max)

So, to all you moms out there who wonder if you can ever get back into the working world, if your skills of child-management are worth anything to anyone, please know that YES you can, and YES they are! You are more qualified than anyone I know to do any job you'd like!

With that being said, what great benefits our babies and children receive from having those skills put to work daily for their benefit. My mom used to make it look so easy - dinner ready, chocolate chip cookies when we came home from school, always milk in the fridge, clean house, cars gassed up and oil changed and laundry folded... how did she do that?! I'm not sure, but I know WHY she did it - so I could focus on other things, like being a kid, studying, making friends, practicing piano, and making small victories and big mistakes.

Managing your house is just as important, if not more so, than managing your boss! So put MOM on your "resume" with confidence and when people ask you what you do - make sure you say MOM first and then all the other things (like doctor, lawyer, PR pro, or money manager). After all, you earned it, even the Bible says so!

Proverbs 31:31 "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Amen! ;)

Blessings in Disguise

In honor of Jack's 12 week birthday today and in acknowlegement of my horrible blogging, I decided that today is a good day to start fresh. First things first - Happy Birthday to my precious Jackary! I love you so much and am so happy that I get to spend so much time with you in these early months, what a treat to see you grow and learn and develop.

So just a quick recap - Jack came early - 4 weeks early! We had gifts strewn across the house, nothing put together like a pack n play or swing and no car seat in the car and WHAM my water broke. Turns out there is no turning back when your water breaks. Jack arrived March 21 at 4:32pm at 5 pounds 4 ounces and praise God healthy and strong. The Lord was so gracious to us during that time. His hands orchestrated everything from the doctor on call to the timing of Patrick being home from his fishing trip to our time in special care.

Blessing 1 of many: Jack was immediately put on a schedule, eating every three hours at first, then pretty much going right to sleep. He was too small to nurse and burned too many calories so we bottled fed what I pumped. I look back and see blessings in disguise. My son is now a very predictable baby for the most part and knows a routine.

Blessing 2 of many: He started nursing exclusively at 4 weeks and oh how I love that sweet time and realize what a privilege it is to care for him in this way.

Blessing 3: We got to see him grow and be in a baby stage for a long time. We wore out those newborn clothes most people never even get to see their babies in. We bought premie and celebrated when we outgrew those tiny outfits that would fit inside a salad plate. I nearly cry every time I see those tiny clothes at stores because they look SO small and he was SO small. I used to sing him "Jesus Loves Me". It took on a whole new meaning the verse "they are weak but he is strong". I held on to those words for dear life when he dropped to 4 pounds 13 ounces. But I also say GOD HEARD OUR PRAYERS and helped Jack grow. What a miracle to see.

There are so many more but these are my favorite. God is so good and even though we didn't know what to do or know why Jack came early and we were afraid, GOD knew the plans for us, the exact time Jack would get here and miracles he would allow us to see because of it. I saw this verse on another friend's blog and thought how perfect it fit, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

I wasn't sure where Jack and Patrick would fit in to this blog but Patrick reminded me that this blog really isn't about business or baby, it's about God and his work in my life. I hope that comes across. And speaking of business, Head Start is still working with me on projects and even allows me to work from home. I did my first project when Jack was just 4 weeks :). I felt the Lord saying "let me handle this" and he did. It was a working relationship I only hoped would still be there when I got back and God is good and it is still there.

So happy twelfth week my little love, your smile brightens my day and at this point night too ;) My prayer for you is Luke 2:52, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." I pray Jack grows in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. I hope the Lord doesn't mind. :)

Snow Day(s)

Today is day two of snow day lock down in Dallas. Ice, snow and frigid temperatures make me so grateful for my warm house, warm clothes and warm cup of (decaf) coffee. The last two days I have watched the Lord alter our schedules and change our plans to spend more time with Him and with each other.

At 29 weeks pregnant, the countdown is on to Baby Jack's arrival but also the countdown to life-altering schedules, sleeplessness, lack of quiet, and other things I hear babies bring with them! While we literally can't wait for his arrival, this last extended peaceful and quiet spell has been lovely. It's amazing how God reveals himself to us when we are quiet and listening. He moves our priorities around, loosens our grip on how we feel our life should be, refreshes our souls and gives us strength.

I often wonder... ok worry, about how my business walk by faith will change once baby is here. Perhaps this blog will be renamed "baby by faith" or "business and baby by faith" as I do hope my contracts will remain intact in some way once I come up for air post-baby. I've watched the Lord move Jack higher and higher on my priority list. So what does that mean for me as the reality of being "mother" is setting in? How does the lofty ideal woman/wife in Proverbs 31 fit in? I suppose I'm still figuring that out and will keep you posted. BUT, this I know. God has provided for my every step, surely he will provide for my steps ahead.

Psalm 105:4-5 "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced,"