Dear Gabby

Dear Gabriella, 

I regret not writing you a letter before you were born. You were my second child, so I was so much busier while pregnant with you. I treasured being pregnant with you, but I neglected to do some of those sweet little things. 

 

Your labor was a gift. You made it easy on me. My water broke at 5 AM, only 2 days after your due date. You were born after only about 1/2 hour or less of pushing at 6 PM, the same day. When you entered this world, and they placed your body on top of mine, the midwife jokingly called you "fat". I spoke up saying simply "She's beautiful!" and no one could argue that. Your chubby cheeks were absolutely irresistible! 

You were truly the absolute perfect baby. The sound of you crying was a foreign one. You constantly dawned contentment and a smile, sleeping through the night from infancy. Everywhere you went you drew smiles from every face. Even the sourest dispositions couldn't resist your charm.

As you've grown so has your spark. Your beauty increases with each day, and so does your independence and "spunk".  You are my pint sized comedian, "double stuffed" with personality. You love to laugh and you adore the spot light. The spot light, of course, comes easily to someone with your kind of charm. 

I often wonder if you will pursue art. You spend hours, every day, drawing and singing. You have a deep fascination with  music. One of your favorite phrases is "I want my song!", which is your toddler way of telling me that you would like to hear some some music. 

My wish and prayer for you is that you are wiser than your mother. Don't ever compromise your standards. You deserve the best. Always allow your decisions to be your own. Don't swim with the current because it's easy and don't swim against it to be difficult. Make your own current and let it take you to your dreams. 

Love,

Mommy

Dear Gideon

Dear Gideon, 

I remember writing you a letter, before you were born. I was a ball of pure anticipation. I was naive and I had no clue what being a mom really meant. All I knew is that I'd love you and do my best by you. I had no idea what love was until I looked into your tiny face. 

I planned on an all natural labor and delivery. I imagined exactly how it would be, planned out every detail. Then reality happened, and it all changed. It was the most difficult experience of my life. I had to be induced, you were wrongly positioned, and no matter what the midwives did, you just didn't want to come out! Eventually, after nearly 3 days of hard labor, they had to "suction" you out.  I just praise the Lord that you were healthy, and you didn't end up being a c-section. 

When they finally got you out all the nurses and midwives gasped.

"He's Huge!" they said. 

You were 9 lbs 7 oz. In the world of first babies you might as well have been the incredible hulk. All I could think was, 

"I am a Mommy!!!" as tears overflowed down my cheeks. I held you to my bare chest and whispered into your ear, over and over, "I am your mommy!"  Daddy, by my side, crying and stroking your cheek. Marveling at the incredible perfection that was you. A person. A whole person.

Everyone warned me about how much work being a mom, could be, but what they left out is how worth it, it all is. I had never been so exhausted as when I was struggling to keep my new big baby boy fully fed; constantly either nursing or pumping. It never really felt like work, though. I just remember feeling this new level of strength, because I was doing it all for you. 

Life with you has been such a blessing. I have had the indescribable joy of watching your personality unfold. You are such a distinct individual who has known who he is since that very first day, in my arms. Each day growing and expressing new levels of yourself. 

You are brilliant and kind. You have always expressed a sense of empathy that isn't supposed to exist in babies and small children. Placing your chubby little hand upon my cheek when you would see me cry, and even before you had words, you do what you could to comfort me. Other children crying inspired you to wish to care for them. You beam bright with a nurturing spirit. A mind for control and order, but a heart to love! 

When you're sister came along you didn't once exhibit jealousy. You didn't claw for my attention or resent her. You assume the brother role with strength and grace. It's inevitable that you don't always display patience, or self control. You and Gabby spend a great deal of time together, which leads to good days and bad days in your relationship. You, however, on a whole, have this way of teaching her and helping her that brings a proud tear to rest in the corner of my eye. 

I often wonder what you will accomplish in your life. 

Will your mechanical strength lead you to a career in engineering or architecture? 

Will your love for guiding and helping lead you into teaching? 

Will your compassion draw you to medicine? 

I do know one thing, what ever you choose, you will be great. Not because of anything that I've done, but because of the spirit the Lord has blessed you with.  You are a fighter!

I am honored to be your mother and I look forward to spending the rest of my life as such. I am so proud of you, Gideon. With any luck, you will grow to be a man of great integrity and strength, just like your dad. 

Love, 

 Mommy

Guilt ridden!

So. I am a terrible friend. 

It's absolutely true. 

Please for the love of everything good and holy, don't take it personally!!! 

If you have known me, well, for more than about 5 minutes you've realized that I never call my friends... I rarely plan or attend get-togethers, and if I do get a hold of you, it's likely through texting or facebook. 

I have no excuses for myself. 

I'm not anti-social, and I DEFINITELY don't dislike you!!! I just forget to exit my personal little bubble. (and I don't do well in crowds)

I also, ironically, believe that people don't value me as much as I value them. 

I'm not trying to sound pouty!!! I don't fuss about this, it's just something I assume. 

I think about you, often, and I'm sorry that I'm not a better friend. 

I do have your back!!

Sticky Kitchen

I have a grape vine in my backyard. Last year it produced almost nothing, but this year, after a little fertilizing, produced an INSANE amount of grapes!!!!! 

So naturally I underwent the messy task of making lots of homemade grape juice.

I don't have a juicer... so my methods were questionable. I put the grapes in the blender than put them through a very fine strainer (I didn't have cheese cloth at the time) 

(we had about 6 more of these bags, by the way)

After all was said and done. Purple hands, and sticky kitchen... can I tell you... it was so worth it. Store bought grape juice does NOT hold a candle to homemade. My family pounded 3 gallons of juice in a matter of days!!! 

Moral of the story: if you get the opportunity to make your own grape juice. DO IT! Even if you think you don't have the stuff to do it. :) You won't regret it! 

Freedom

Galatians  5:1

 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

What does this mean? 

After all... aren't you more free without the rules and restrictions of religion?

To answer this you must first understand what God wants for/from us. (not "religion", but God) 

Love. Love. Love. 

Love for him and love for others. 

If love is the root of who you are than God can lovingly work with the rest of you. 

Secondly

"...yoke of slavery"

what does that mean?

Everything that is not of God is prone to enslaving of body and soul. 

Hate

Pornography

Drugs

Greed

Pride/arrogance

etc

These things imprison your thoughts and actions. 

When we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, than we have accepted forgiveness and are free of all of these things.

We are no longer a slave. 

We are free. 

Jesus wouldn't have died on the cross for ultimate forgiveness only to wait for the first opportunity to condemn you!!! 

He wants to set you free of all that means to enslave you!! 

WARNING

This is a very serious post. It's not a joke of any kind. Please take it seriously!!!

Deer this season are showing strong signs of aggression! 

My parents own a small dog. When I say "small dog" I mean slightly bigger than a chihuahua. It is a Yorkie Mix. 

She was playing in our backyard and she saw a deer in the neighbors yard. She squeezed through the fence to check it out. She didn't bark or show aggression... just sniffing. The deer attacked her. It trampled her. We don't know if she'll live, but it's unlikely at this point. She has a fractured skull, partially collapsed lung, broken ribs, and a missing eye. If she lives, it will be a miracle. 

When my parents took her to the vet they said that the deer have been a problem, this season... attacking dogs and other pets. The nurse there said that deer on her property have been aggressive to her TWO pitbulls (unprovoked). She has to bring her dogs inside if she's not out there with them, to keep them safe. 

I tell you this as a cautionary tale!!! If you have dogs, be careful... if you have small kids that would ever  be outside without you, be sure to tell them to never approach ANY wild animal!!!