Standing Tall

This is a much happier face than I saw early this morning. When I opened the door to her room at 6:30am, the smell of throw-up overwhelmed me immediately. Both her and her bed were covered... Needless to say we didn't make it to VBS but instead spent the morning cleaning up the mess. However, look who I found standing in her crib after her second nap this morning (yes, 2 naps before noon!) I can't believe she's getting so big!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
- Philippians 4:13

Bedtime Prayer

My heart has been somewhat gripped lately. I have cried quite a few tears and although I can't quite pinpoint the cause, it's true that I've thought a lot about Maddox. His 18-month birthday is upon us. I've watched from afar as two families have said goodbye to their precious infants this week. I've been reliving our story as I mentally prepare to write an article for a local magazine about Maddox and Trisomy 18. You're Not Shaken (Phil Stacey) has been playing constantly, in my car and in my mind. All of this and more has caused my mind to wander... not to what should have been, but what is... and also what is not.

There are many things, a lifetime-full, of what is not... but there are many things that were and a very special thing that is. It's not especially deep or profound, but it is something that means the world to me. A special prayer that will always link me to my children. A prayer that I made up and recited over Deacon when he was a baby, the same one that I prayed over Maddox as I cradled his body while his spirit was already with Jesus, and one that I now speak in a whisper over Faith Clare as she drifts off at night.

Just a small, intimate glimpse at a portion of our nighttime routine... and that one special evening we spent with Maddox.

I love you, Lord, with all my heart;
I always have, since the very start.
You bless my life with all I need-
Thank you, Lord. Now take the lead.

Mama and Daddy love you so much... and so does Jesus!

The beautiful thing is that now Deacon will say it with me. Hopefully as he grows he will remember this overly simple prayer and know that the Lord always provides all that we could ever need... and that we are so thankful for His blessings.

"By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life."- Psalm 42:8

Wordless Wednesday

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."- Psalm 23:6

Not Me! Monday

All I have to say is that I certainly did NOT set my daughter inside of playground equipment at church to take a cute picture and then forget that she is crawling and let her lunge forward (or should I say fall) out of it and get into a face skermish with the mulch (and let's just say the mulch won!) That would be SO inattentive of me to worry more about a photo op than about her safety! Geeesh.And YES, the smiling baby pictures were of course before the fall. Scratches and a mulch-covered, crying face just isn't that pleasant to photograph. Poor baby... terrible mama! Good thing she's tough...

If you're up for playing Not Me! Monday, head on over to MckMama's blog to see how to get in on the fun!

"May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice."- Proverbs 23:25