Warrior Moms

Today Rose Marie and I went to playgroup. There, I was privy to a discussion that started me thinking. It made me realize how lazy I have been recently. These wonderful moms of young children were discussing ways to futher the pro-life cause. To the outsider, these seem to be a regular group of women chasing little ones around and probably indulging in local gossip or husband bashing. In reality these women were planning an all out culture war and arming themselves with prayer and community. I was awed at how they were not content to "merely" be raising beautiful, godly children, but wanted to also confront the culture of death head on. Never underestimate the power of prayerful, loving, passionate mothers!

Happy Birthday Rose Marie!

Is it possible? Has a whole year passed us by yet again? Wise people have said, "Cherish your little ones, for they grow so quickly." I know that Rose Marie is only a year, but what a full year it has been and what a wonderous change! When I gathered her up this morning and felt those little arms tighten around my neck, I was taken back to that breathless moment when she was placed, tiny and helpless in my arms for the very first time. I was so excited to get to know the little person who had been actively making her presence known within my womb for nine months. I was so afraid that I didn't know how to take care of her and I was terrified of doing the wrong thing. Now, a year later, she is still here and is thriving.

And...I am here and still learning who this amazing little person is that God has entrusted to my care. Some people travel the world over looking for the "Wonders," seeking after that one amazing, unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime event. I have one little "wonder" sleeping in the next room. The day she was born, was that amazing, unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime moment...but so has all of the other beautiful moments she has given me since. Her first smile, her first laugh, her first tooth, her first solid feeding, her first steps, her first words...each one was precious and exciting.

I look forward to this next year of even more firsts, more cuddles, more laughs and simply, more Rose Marie. Thank you Lord, for entrusting me with such a precious gift. She has given me so much!

Pictures from the Wallace Wedding!

Dinner for three!
Mezas!
Sleeping Beauty!
Mommy and Daddy!

Tears and Kisses

Today was a hard day for Rose Marie and I. For some reason, life was not working out the way Rose would have planned it, and that was cause for great distress and mourning. However, I feel like at certain moments during the day, she tried to tell me, "Mom, it is not you, I am just very frustrated right now and I can't explain why." In those moments, even though she had a little tear in her eye, she would ask for a little kiss, which of course, was very quickly bestowed upon her. So, today was showered with tears and kisses...just another day in motherhood!

Two of Us

Just a random picture of my wonderful husband and I. I am so blest to have married my best friend. I am so proud of him for everything he does! I love you Jake!

Baby Steps!

It has happened. Rose Marie is walking! It is simply amazing to watch her wabble around on two little legs. She is so proud of herself, and we are so proud of her. I love how she just walks up and throw herself in our arms. What a blessing!

Things that made my day...

1) Jacob's amazing breakfast this morning!
2) Rose Marie actually handing me the silverware from the dishwasher instead of throwing it on the floor
3) Watching Rose Marie putting her own headband in after much practice
4) Finding my bookmark in Your Personal Penguin, because that is where Rose Marie had thought to place it.
5) Starting P.G. Wodehouse's book, A Damsel in Distress and laughing out loud at the very first page and then getting into hysterics by page three! I wish we could speak that way always!

Beauty of Touch

I have been thinking recently about the beauty of the sense of touch. Actually, this is something I think about a lot, but more frequently these days. I was thinking what a wonderful language of love it is and how wise God is to have created us with an ability to know things through that sense.

I watch my beautiful daughter and see her know her world through her senses. When she was newly mobile touching things seemed like something novel, she did it simply because she could. Now it is more purposeful. Sometimes when she is nursing, she will reach up and gently stroke my face, point to my eyes or run her fingers through my hair. The other night we were dancing around the living room, her little head resting on my shoulder and I could feel her tiny hands rubbing my back and playing with my hair.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I love watching her develop and fine tune the ability to express her love and affection through touch. Not only is she expressing her little love, but she is trying to know this person she calls "Mama." She is learning so much about communication. She is making me acutely aware of how often I hug and kiss on her because I realize that she is understanding what those touches mean.

I wonder what it must have been like for Our Lady to have been touched lovingly by the hands of the Child Jesus. I cannot even fathom what must have gone through her heart as Jesus maybe twirled her hair as He was falling asleep, or the first time He purposefully wrapped His little arms about her neck, or maybe clumsily planted a tiny kiss on her lips. Did she know that as Man he was trying to learn about His mother and as God, He had known her from all Eternity? What a wonder to imagine the God-Man who had created man with the gift of touch, using the gift of touch Himself in order to make a tangible connection with His world!

A Bad Hair Day!

Yeah...I don't know what to say about the hair or the face! Would you believe me if I said it was a happy face? It is really!

A Prince of her very own!

Today, Rose Marie has decided that daddy is the person she cannot live without. She just wants to be near him, and he loves it! For the first time today she followed him around as he was getting ready to leave, getting very upset as he got closer to the door. As he reached for the door handle, that little lower lip puckered out and the the little tears began. I think Jake had second thoughts about walking out that door! His princess was very sad all because he wasn't taking her with him. Even as I write this, she is sitting in wide eyed wonder as he lifts weights...I think she is jealous of the weights!