some new pics

I don't have time to write a post, but I want to post a few pictures of Sam for Grandpa Ed, (Joe's grandfather) who is facing brain surgery next week and likely in need of some cheer. These were taken at Rehoboth Beach, where we went for a family day trip last week. I hope this sweet boys face makes you smile, Grandpa.

a quick hello

Stacy and Mark were coming through town, so they stopped by our house for the night. They arrived around 11pm, so of course we had to stay up until 3am talking and laughing together. Then we dragged ourselves out of bed at 9am, so that we could have breakfast at Plato's diner before they had to take off. We really enjoyed seeing them! And I was especially happy that I finally got a nice photo of Sam with his Aunt Stacy. =)

Comforting

Last night, I was quite discouraged about being a mother. I was weary of it's relentlessness...I was exhausted from the sleep deprivation (who would have thought this would go on for 2 yrs?)...In my minds eye, I was a failure as a mother because I forget to ask God for His help, because I often feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, because I'm so impatient with Sam...In that moment, every mom I know seemed like June Cleaver, except me. I knew my feelings were exaggerated, but I was still overwhelmed with sadness and frustration.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful spring day, which made me feel a little more hopeful. But still I struggled with feeling inept. And as I was checking my email, I glanced over at Sam and observed this little scene:

Sam had gone and picked up his baby doll (we got it some time ago, but he rarely plays with it) and began to feed it a bottle. I wish I had a video clip to show you how tender and nurturing this rough and tumble little guy was towards this doll! You can see in the first two photos how carefully he is positioning the baby in order to give him a bottle. As he was playing with the doll, he was asking if he was hungry and offering him a bottle, and referred to the baby as "Sam". I was encouraged by this scene because it made me realize, I have done some things well! I felt, for a moment, like I could see myself as Sam sees me. In the day to day, yes, I have moments of failure and weakness. But overall, I'm a mother who faithfully loves her son. More importantly, I realized that God is gracious in spite of my failures. Who Sam becomes can be affected by my parenting, but it does not depend on my parenting. I'm so glad that at the end of the day, God is the perfect parent that I cannot be. May both my strengths and my weaknesses teach Samuel seek his Father in heaven! And as for me, I will seek His help more often in raising this child. I NEED it!

Apartment therepy!

My friend Becky let me read her copy of the book "Apartment therepy". I got so excited that I jumped right in and rearranged/cleaned our main living area and our bedroom. The book helps you determine your sense of style, and then takes you through an 8 week (1 room per week) process to transform your apartment into a place you find comfortable, useful, and beautiful.

I'm enjoying both the process and the results. I'll keep you posted. =)

My favorite boy!

Who can resist this sweet face?!?!

Exploration, adventure and discovery...

feeling the water

Sam and Mama by the lake
Running with glee by Buddy Attick lake

Sam watching a Robin and saying "Hi Bird!"
The first blossoms of spring!
posed on a stump
"I fix it, tree"
Sam was trying SO hard to get that stick to connect to the tree!
Laughing at peekaboo (I was hiding behind a tree)
Handsome boy!

First visit to NJ

I had the great privilege of spending this past weekend with my sister and her husband at their home in New Jersey. Stacy and I had a grand time talking, eating, and being girly. Mark played video games most of the time, in effort, no doubt, to counteract the estrogen. =) We had a grand time together. I'm so glad to have her in my life.

Me and my sis in front of her pretty house

Delicious "Baba Booey"(pb and choc) cupcake from an local bakery called "crumbs"

This broke my diet. But it was worth it!

Saturday night: dinner and a chick flick =)

Stacy and Mark snuggling. cute tat!

awkward!!! Do we pose alike or what???

ah, that's better.

By the magnolia tree

Sisters