Curious

My pretty princess in profile.

So, I don't have a lot of baby books that I reference. For the most part, I consider parenting to be a lot of common sense... and prioritizing what's best for the baby and not necessarily what's easiest at the time. That is, I believe that a crying baby is not always a bad thing... especially if she has no reason to be crying. She's old enough now to "work the system" if I let her.

All that being said... I do have one book I reference when I'm at a loss for fussiness and general scheduling (mostly sleeping). So this brings me to my curious point... today is the second time I've pulled the book out to reference... and it's the second time in a row that she has done a 180 degree change to fall into "textbook" behavior. Keep in mind, before reading the book she's extremely stubborn and fussy, resisting what we're trying to accomplish with her. But after I pull out the book, it's like she's read it, knows what it says and is now going to do what's expected...

It's crazy to me.

Anyway, just thought I'd check in with you all... and share some of my random observations... and get a post up at the same time.
Hopefully more to come soon.

Prayers...

This past week, I decided to start a form of a prayer journal, but on notecards. I am wanting to really stick with this because I think sometimes in the most discouraging of times it is so great to remember and ponder how faithful God has been in the past - and how He will remain faithful in the present and future.
So all of this to say - as I am writing out notecards with names, dates and specific requests. As I've been doing this, I am realizing that the majority are for children - children under the age of 5. It makes me wonder what the next generation is being groomed for.
The next group is for those who are still in need of Jesus - and really this is the first group if you consider this as a given prayer for all the children I pray for.
The last group is for those needing healing or some form of physical need met.
Just thought I'd share this recent discovery.

Spring Cleaning?

So I feel like I've been spring cleaning for the past 10 years. How is that possible?

When an end appears to be in sight, it's not really where you last saw it. It's a perpetual state for me. Is this true for everyone else?

How did I get so much that needs to be purged? I don't even use half this stuff - let alone have a place for it. I will confess, I usually have a plan for it. Pretty sure that's not a good thing.

Going through my mom's stuff has started me off all over again. I am determined to get rid of everything that I don't need.

The reason that I'm blogging about this is that I'm going to set a time goal. I wonder what would be a reasonable goal, but also one that's not procrastinating (cause I'm a pro at that, too).

I believe I am going to set my goal to be done spring cleaning by the end of spring. Last day of spring is June 20, 2011. There it is. In writing. Feel free to ask me about it. Maybe I should have a house party on the 21st?

My Momma

So today was a hard day. It kind of caught me off guard. Dad brought over stuff from the house that he's been clearing out. I started sorting to things, and it just made me miss my mom a lot.

She was a special lady. I found a note she had written to my brother's third grade teacher. She left the year she would have taught me to go to Japan. It included a note written from me and my brother (who was then a senior in high school). She obviously never mailed it - though it was addressed and stamped. She still had it 15 years later.


I found figurines and souvenirs from travels - multiple sets that she clearly intended to give away - to someone. If I knew who, I'd send them on so they would know that my mom loved them.

I found pillow shams with their tags still on them. They were on sale and not really her style, but I think she was trying to break out of who she was and try new things.

Anyway, I found lots that just reminded me of who she was... I love her so much, and I miss her.

Long time

So I've had lots of great ideas for posts, lots of thoughts to share. I feel like so much has happened in the last 2-3 months I don't even know where to begin with blogging again.
In typical fashion, I'm going to just start. Blog what I'm thinking and learning. Things that occur to me, things that happen to me. At this point, I'm pretty much declaring that I'm going to start sharing (I know, I know, I've said this before).
So to start off my sharing:
I feel like I'm at the beginning of a great adventure. I feel like I'm being given the opportunity to ride and enjoy - or ride hoping for it all to end. I believe that I'm making a conscious effort to enjoy all the ups and downs we're in for.
2010 was all about "expecting big things" - and big things happened - are still happening actually.
I am feeling like 2011 is going to be about "finding joy in the journey" - for as schticky as that sounds. It could also be about generosity, putting my actions to the test and discovering what I really believe. It could be so many things - I'm not sure I'm going to have a nice catch phrase for what this year will hold... I think it's funny I'm writing this in the middle of March.
I guess what I'm saying is that it's promising to be an adventure - and I'm excited about it.
So quick catch up: Maesyn is now over 5 months old. David and I are considering/praying about moving. Dad has moved back to AZ. My brother and his wife now have TWO precious kids. I am missing my mom, but God has been so faithful in his timing and comfort. I am no longer pursuing a master's degree at this time. And I think that's about it.... for now, anyway.

Don't Give Up On Me Becca...

Here is that long awaited post... nothing fancy. I was going to add some pictures, but it's past my bedtime... So here goes nothing!

It's been months since I've written... Many things have changed for me.

My motto over 2010 has been "Expect Big Things." I don't know if this should be called a motto, a resolution or a hope. Regardless, this was something that was given to me/impressed on me sometime in January. This was later than usual, as my excitement usually starts sometime around now for the new year. I will tell you that Big Things have definitely happened this year.

My personal favorite: Maesyn Grace Wylie joined us on October 6th. For as much as it may have seemed to my husband that I complained, I truly loved being pregnant. And for as much as it may seem crazy to some, I'm loving being a mom and am excited to do it again one day. One of the best compliments I've received since Maesyn's birth is that I "look very comfortable in my new-found motherhood." I would say that for all the worries I had before Maesyn was born they vanished over the first few days of caring for her. This experience has by far been one of the best of my life.

This next one is an ongoing lesson for me. I realized in February that "Expect(ing) Big Things" didn't always mean they would be happy or pleasant things. In February, we had to put Brie, my first dog, down. This was just the beginning of tough things for me. This year has found my mother with a disease that doctors say there is no treatment for. She has been given a limited amount of time - much shorter than hopef for - bute we pray for spiritual and physical healing. God is the Great Physician. I pray that God will be glorified in my family's response to this circumstance, that we will be given the opportunity to minister to others through this. Please pray with me.

I love the way that God has moved in the lives of many of my friends and family. So many big things... and the year is not over yet. I am praying for what 2011's motto will be.

I hope to post more, getting back into the swing of things. For your reading pleasure, I am sharing my husband's new blog. He is such a wonderful father and writer, so here he is combining the two: http://smittenfather.wordpress.com. Enjoy!

Oh so irritated...

So I had a full, complete post typed and poof it vanished. So here's just a note for you to know I'm working on something... Don't give up hope!

Until then...