Just sending this out in to space....No response needed

Having just celebrated being a mother and about to add another little guy to our family I remember how grateful I am to be in this position. I'm not more or less deserving, I don't work harder or have it easier, I'm not any more or less faithful or morally sound than any one else. I'm not a better or worse mother, more equipped or anything. God doesn't shine any less or more in my life than anyone else's. We all have a testimony because God works through everyone of His children. I'm a woman trying to be the best person she can be just like every other woman. My job is no more hard or easier than any other woman's whether she's single, married with or with out kids.

I believe women comparing ourselves to each other is a lose-lose situation. We either end up feeling superior, judgmental and isolated or defeated, inferior and isolated. Why is it a competition? Why isn't there more of an environment of transparency and learning? Why must we as mothers believe there is ONE perfect way and any one else is wrong? Whether we stay at home or work, whether we nursed or bottle fed, whether our kids watch tv, eat fast food or do sign language. Whether we follow a tight schedule or play it by ear with naps or feeding. Whether we private, public or home educate our children.

Why can't it just be different and we learn from each other. Why not just accept different families, personalities, interests, love languages, past experiences with compassion, understanding and love. Is it not possible that we make the decisions we do with prayer and God's individual leading in our lives and that we all have good reasons for doing/ saying/ thinking what we do. Why must we judge???

That's my pet peeve, please continue with your regularly programmed life now.....

May Celebrations

Back to back Sundays of pampering starting with my birthday and ending with Mother's Day with a welcome brunch for Daniel in the middle made a great start to May. What wonderful family and friends we have to show so much love, support, time and prayers. The people God has placed in our lives truly reflects his investment in both the big picture and the details of the paths He has for us. Here are some of my favorite pictures from this celebratory week!!

Birthday:

Meeting up with family and friends for frozen yogurt.

Playing cards with Billy and his parents.
The next day we said goodbye to my in-laws and it was my sister's birthday!
Also, Rachel and Amy came over to celebrate with Matthew and I during the day. Did I mention it was raining? I can't believe I cut off the rain boots in trying to capture how prepared little Rachel was the rain.
Matthew had a great 18 month check up! 33 1/2 inches tall (95%) and 25.6 pounds (50%)

Spending a few weekday mornings playing in the cool to ward off croup.

Saturday morning was a brunch to welcome Daniel hosted by these good friends (Jessica, Sarah, me, Amy & Christine). More pictures to come later, I didn't take the pictures.

My nieces came :-)
..and my nephew

Matthew reading his big brother gift, a new bible from Nana and Papa

Mother's Day morning, these two handsome faces greeted me with flowers, a card and a gift

I am so thankful to be this little guy's mommy :-)

Matthew has been requesting flowers from the bouquet since then. It's sweet to watch him carrying it around.

Playing with Rachel after church service Sunday morning. Matthew chased her and Isaac E calling their names. (Well a toddler version of 'zik and 'achel', soooo cute!)

He was so wound up , he refused our three attempts at a nap. On the way to take pictures and have dinner, it caught up with him. He rarely ever falls asleep in the car anymore. He'll only ever do it if no one else is in the back seat with him.

Pictures with mommy :-)

and daddy!
His prize for being such a good sport posing

What a great week overall, I love my family :-)

First Zoo Trip

Last weekend Billy and I had the opportunity to take Matthew for his first trip to the zoo. To be honest, I think I was passed over with the animal connection gene, but I was looking forward to watching Matthew experience a first. In the last month he has been doing all of his animal noises with such joy. Extra bonus was that Billy's parents came in from NM and Mike and the kids were able to come along as well.

Nothing like a 67 foot giraffe to welcome us after our 45 minute drive :-)

Totally worth it to see THIS smile all morning!!

This is Matthew's interpretation of signing more. What does he want more of?

This:

So Daddy and Nana took him for a spin. (mommy just couldn't imagine doing that 8 months pregnant) He smiled the WHOLE time!

Mike and the kids took a much faster turn around next....
Not sure which I enjoy more, Matthew's smile or daddy's look of pride:

Lots of walking, glad we went in the morning before it got too hot for this pregnant mama.

A few fun pictures of the cousins:

If there is a slide near, Matthew is on it... So glad the Zoo had a children's section
Koi fish... *glub glub glub*

Happy guy with his Nana and Papa. I am so grateful for them. They drive 8 hours every 2 to 3 months to come out and spend time with all of us. Their commitment to family and sacrifice for us is such a blessing. Thank you for being there for all the little things.

Dad and Lad
2nd favorite picture of the day. The look on both their faces makes me tear up. I love my boys.

What is Matthew leaning far over to see?. This animal made quite an impression as later in the evening, Matthew ran around with his cousin Kyle's plastic toy one saying 'aldegato'. For those rusty in toddlerese, that's alligator :-)
I declare the trip a success no matter if half the zoo was closed down to a pursuit by local police of someone being served a summons. And hey, we got free tickets to go back :-)

Easter Pics

Our friend Jessica took some great Easter pictures of our little family. I treasure this time in our life and am so grateful to her for capturing all of us together.