Friends. Coffee. Brunch. Encouragement. It’s kind of like MOPS on a smaller scale. If you’d like to hear what we heard last week, check out Kerri’s blog. She did a fabulous job speaking.
**Table decor courtesy the creative and talented Tara Mackrill! I love her eye, and it blesses us moms month after month.
I’m playing catchup from last fall! I shot my friends the Erdmans last October and am now invoking the better-late-than-never clause. I enjoy this sweet family so very much; my time with them is always great and editing their images is a joy for me. I hope you enjoy a few pictures from warmer days!
We went there. And now we’re back again.
Of course there’s more to tell and I’ll share it soon. For now, the daily duties of life call out to me and I find myself firmly settled in normal life once more. I’m grateful for the ability to get away for a few days, as well as the ability to return to mothering and photography and homemaking, etc.
Going to evening church has its perks. Our Sunday mornings start out slow and easy, with cartoons and cereal and cuddles. We spend the day as a family and then head to worship in the evening. Here are a few shots of our day so far, including a moment where Livia said, “Yeah, I got the butt end.” I bet you can figure out when she stated that fact.
There are moments in a mother’s life that she wishes to preserve for all eternity and today we experienced one. This, my friends, is what went down in my house: my child did the dishes. But wait, there’s more. She heard my brief lecture—something about not being able to play right now because there was junk all over the house and I had to put it all away first—and then responded by washing our dishes and scrubbing the sinks. Seriously. She did that without me asking! It was remarkable and precious and thoughtful and so helpful, so so helpful. While she was doing the dishes, I put toys away, dusted, wiped down surfaces, and took out the trash. Awesome.
**Lest you be tempted to look over at your kid who fought you tooth and nail today when you asked him to merely brush his own teeth, take a deep breath. Don’t compare. I realize that sharing good news invites comparisons. For instance, my awesome sister-in-law reports that my niece, age 5, is tying her shoes. My reaction was this: Am I supposed to teach my child to tie her shoes? Whoops! Today dishes, tomorrow shoes, I suppose. ;)
When Shiloh is cute, I wish for another Coton. I imagine two white dogs running around the house, sleeping together in the dog beds and being generally adorable. But then I am forced to consider potty-training (ugh), the spaying/neutering process (double ugh) and pet bills times two (ouch) and for a moment I am content with the one pooch.
I tell you what, though. If another bestie of mine has a baby this week, I just might run to Heartland Classics and pick up a puppy. A woman’s gotta have something little to love!
Clara Mei Morehead arrived, safe and sound, into the world yesterday morning! This baby is a dream. I am absolutely mesmerized by her chubby cheeks that softly roll against her little shoulders. I could trace her sweet round arms and legs all day—or at least until she cries and I hand her back to Jason or Renae. Before she was born I guessed she’d weigh around 7lb. Her brothers, who were born six and four weeks prematurely, were quite small, which makes sense. But boy oh boy was my guess off! Clara, full-term, was determined to skip the newborn clothing all together at 9lb, 5oz.
Congratulations, Renae and Jason, on your amazing and beautiful baby girl! You done good, friends.
Though I didn’t cuddle this little guy last night (Jeremy and Livia were sick on Christmas Day), I did get to see him. And that was satisfaction enough.
Joel is absolutely adorable. And big! What a gorgeous 9lb baby! He was getting plenty of love from his grandma, aunts, cousins and Renae, so I know he wasn’t neglected whatsoever. Renae snuggled him right on top of her own very pregnant tummy, and I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to see Joel and little Clara (ETA: Friday morning!) running around the pews at Redeemer together.
In the face of Joel I see evidence of God’s goodness and graciousness and incredible joy. Thank you, God, for blessings like him that strengthen my faith and keep me turning to you in amazement.
