The life of a mother

I write today feeling completely blessed and excited to be Mia's mother. Even though at one point in my life I may have questioned why a stay at home mother would be "exhausted" at the end of a long day with her children, now I understand. Completely. There are not many other "jobs" that have the same intensity as that of a mother.... where you are constantly concerned and invested in what your child is doing and learning, how they are interacting with others.... not to mention the hundreds of seemingly little things that fill your day. From prying open sleepy eyes to appear "perky" in the morning, playdates, cleaning up food smashed into highchairs and carseats, walks to the park (don't forget multiple snacks to avoid meltdown!), playing peek a boo, getting dressed, and re-dressed after that major spill down the front of her outfit... now dealing with a tantrum... then running to the store for groceries, back home for nap, back to the store (because I forgot the most important thing- milk) and on and on. Now it's almost time for daddy to arrive home and what is there for dinner? Then clean up, fun with daddy, bedtime routine and bam. I'm dead on the couch wondering why I have no energy left.

All of these things are simple, everyday tasks- yet when I think that each event, each conversation, each conflict.... is an opportunity given to me to mold and influence my child's outlook and perspective on God and life.... now that is intense! What an immense priviledge. Thank goodness I rely on the one and only God who supplies me with the strength and wisdom I need to get through each day, to teach and encourage my child. To God be the glory!

These past few weeks I have not been working outside the home and have truly been enjoying my time with Mia.... she is developing into quite a little character. I am so intrigued to hear some of the things going through her head. Some of the phrases I hear lately are, "excuse me mommy (when she's trying to get by me, on her way to feed some tea and cookies to her animals), "right there!' (when she's referring to something important), rocking and singing "jesus, loves me" when in her crib at night.

I have also noticed that she has quite a good little memory. Last week after we got in the car with grandpa to head to the store Mia said... "Get.... ice cream." followed by "piece of choc-o-late." Grandma and grandpa- busted! Mia can now tattle-tale. Oh well, that is what grandmas and grandpas are for! Now we ALL have to be a little more careful, I guess. During our bedtime routine I ask Mia if she would like to pray for anyone in particular... she often has a few particular friends on her mind and says these aloud (recently "Auntie Lesha, Kylia, Maddie-Mae, Finley, Baby Bauer and Baby Maia). When the phone rings she is the first one to say, "Who's that?" All of these little "tidpits" are so encouraging to me, allowing me to begin to comprehend how her brain is working and the particular things she is tuned into.

Enough writing, here are some pics!

Here, we try for a family pic but Mia is too interested in something else

Mia says, "Look, that!"

An interesting way to eat the popsicle....
upside down and with your finger?

The original "horse club"- longtime friends from childhood gather after

4th of July weekend in Bellingham

Mia pretending she is talking to grandma on her cell phone

Riding the swirly tea cup at the park

Busy with rocks on Sunday at Magnuson Park
"Stacking" cups on daddy


Thanks for taking the time to read our updates. We hope you are feeling refreshed and renewed this summer. Have a great week.