Firstborn Son

Today's post will be all about my

Firstborn Son.

Since the birth of his little sister, exactly 7 weeks ago, Joshua became my "big boy".

I find myself craving alone time with him...

Sometimes I see it in his eyes that he longs for his alone time with mamma too.

"Am I patient enough with him?"

His vocabulary is growing.

We like playing the Mamma-Joshua game (where Joshua says "mamma!" really loud, and I say "Joshua" back... hmm, you gotta be there to understand how entertaining this can be)

I see his hesitation to approach his baby sister - but his growing concern for her distress.

He enjoys the outdoors.

He enjoys books.

He enjoys tractors, trains, trucks, and cars.

He enjoys company.

He prays for Mamma, Daddy, Josh, and "Ah-die" (his version of Elsie) every night.

He possesses the greatest smile!

And the loudest scream when hungry for attention.

But... Oh how I love my Firstborn Son!

Encouragement in Song

I have SERIOUSLY been playing this song in my head throughout the day...

It's kept me going for the past 2 weeks, and I hope it's an ENCOURAGEMENT for you as well.

Do Everything - by  Steven Curtis Chapman

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

OOoh ooooh oooooh

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff big stuff in between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you
To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

Well maybe you’re sitting in math class
Maybe on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you’re working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe you’re dining at a five star
Or feeding orphans in Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don’t ever forget
to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace as you do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

Ooh oooooh
Every little thing you do

The beauty in the routine things of life...

Life's strangely busy when you're transitioning from having a family of 3, to a family of 4...

(If you're a family of "many", you probably KNOW more about this subject than me...)

For the past 4 1/2 weeks, my routine has been surrounded by the basic needs of a 2 year-old boy, and a 4 1/2 week-old precious girl.  OH, HOW I LOVE THEM BOTH... despite the crying, screaming, whining, messy diapers, and more screaming.  

But, really, how can I forget the GOODNESS of my Heavenly Father in moments like these.  God continues to bless me with health and enough strength for each day.  So, here is when I pause to highlight the BEAUTY I'm able to find in the routine of each day...

1.  Sleepless nights 

- extra moments to rely on God's strength and patience.

2.  Nursing a hungry baby 

- moments to memorize her face and praise God for her existence in mine.

3.  Reading books to my 2 year-old son (for the 5th, 6th, 7th time in a row) 

- praise God for a boy who likes books!!!   Right???

4.  House chores (dishes, DAILY laundry, cooking, picking up toys, etc) 

- blessed to have the ability to move.

5.  Dirty diapers 

- hmmm...  no words to follow that.

6.  RESTING when THEY REST! 

- Amen to that!

I'm learning daily that having a routine, rather it's busy, boring, monotonous, tiring, or just plain slow, is a blessing.  I know others who live an unpredictable life... a life that requires constant vigilance due to fear, lack of safety, and continuing chaos.  So, nothing wrong with my routine, I'd say.

So, what did I get to do today?

Rest, feed/nurse, change diapers, read books, eat breakfast with my family, laundry, dishes, pick up toys...  OH... I also got to see a friend and her kids, walk around a nearby local town, check out the local candy store, and even watch an ugly storm approach our house (just to miss it completely!).  

What about you??  Do you see beauty in your routine?