A month and change

It's been a memorable month.

Jesse was born, and I learned a thing or too about caring for him.

James got sick, and I learned a few more things about caring for him.

James went to San Diego, and mom took us in for the week, and we were cared for.

Jesse got a throat infection and thrush, and still, we were cared for.

There were three weddings this month, all very different, but all involving the same promise-- that partners would care for eachother, and we, the church, would do likewise.

This month I have experienced the care of God.

We have had to turn away meals because our mouths cannot keep up and the freezer is full.

Our son is thriving-- packing on pounds-- and learning to smile.

James had an opportunity to try out for a job at Redeemer, and I'm excited to see what other doors God may want us to walk through in the next couple months.

I just went to a baby shower, thrown by a church we are not yet members of, and received gifts from people whose names I don't even fully know yet.

I have reconnected with old friends because we share a "mom bond"

I have reconnected with friends that don't have kids, because I crave conversation that doesn't revolve around kids.

Letters and gift cards come spilling through our mail slot-- providing no shortage of date nights, and teaching me a thing or two about generosity.

This past Sunday was Jesse's baptism.

As a kid, I didn't quite get it. I snored through the forms, watched the awkward hand-off from grandma to dad, and hoped the baby would scream or something to spice things up. Then I grew up a little, and it began to mean something. Then I became a mom and it really hit me. The forms took on fresh meaning, I hoped James wouldn't drop Jesse during the awkward hand-off, and I really hoped Jesse wouldn't ball his eyes out. Standing there, making a promise to care for Jesse, hearing the church make the same promise, and watching the water pour over Jesse's head and into his eyes, I felt the powerful, inconceivable love of God. God cares.So much so, that He chose to make a covenant with a handful of grimy sinners, a covenant that we can't even keep, so He keeps it all. Jesse has a Parent that knows his needs more than I ever will-- it's a humbling and a reassuring thought.

And so it has been a memorable month.

But not everything has been peachy, rosy rainbows. A more rounded picture of the month would include Ree getting pooped on, multiple times.

Pulling out her back-- also not so great.

Coping with the insecurities of being a mom who can't make her kid stop crying.

Figuring out what a date should look like with the backdrop of a squeeling, squawking infant. Feeling unproductive, despite the full time work of keeping my son alive.

Learning some unpleasant things about myself-- and not liking the learning curve.

The list goes on, but I'd rather end on a high note.

Although it's been raining for about 2 months straight, the sun will come out eventually.

Although Jesse is a "fuss-butt" he smiles for his daddy ( who has coined that term of endearment :)

I just finished an amazing book, "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck. A must read.

Although I'm home alone, I am cared for. This family is cared for.

God is teaching me things, and I am ready to learn.