My best friend is a 6 month old.

Don't get me wrong. I have friends that are adults. I have best friends that are adults. But I also have a best friend that is 6 months old. 

Short and sweet. I know we are best friends because I just spent the past 45 minutes joking around and laughing with her. She may not be able to talk, but she likely knows every part of my life. In fact, she's the kind of friend that could wake up at 3 AM and need me, and I would come running. She's pretty much my favorite person. My heart could explode from the love I have for her. I know I post too many pictures and I know I'm totally "that mom." I wish I cared. These days, social media is like a photo album. I love looking at her change from day to day. She's the coolest kid I know. And I'm a teacher, so that's a bold statement. I'm a better person just knowing her. I'm blessed because God chose me to be her mom. God chose me to be her best friend for ever and ever. That's exciting. I can't wait until she knows. ☺️

Philippians 1:3-4, NIV I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Things I want to say...

These 6 months have quite literally flown by. I'm scared not to put my thoughts into words because I don't want to forget these feelings. So to my new mamas or to the mamas that are yet to be or to the women who aren't mamas but are aunts, friends, cousins... Here is my tiny bit of "I know you won't listen to me" advice...

#1. Don't take advantage of the time you have with your significant other. Babies are hard. Babies take time... All of it. And you give it to them because they are awesome and you know that your husband or your person won't really mind... But the quality time you have with them before baby arrives is precious. Remember that. 

#2. Opposite of what this blog is about, don't worry about what Google, or your best friend, or the blog you follow says. Babies do not come with a handbook. GOOGLE IS NOT A HANDBOOK. You figure it out because God made you and He wouldn't let you just struggle for the fun of it. Babies are hard. They can't speak. I try to tell Mollie all of the time to "use her words" and I'm not sure why but she doesn't listen to me. She just grunts. Which means she's tired. No one else would know that. But you would if you were her mom. Because that's your job.  Instructionless.

#3. Pray. Like I said in a previous blog, praying is a hard task for me. But it is the only thing that will help you. Think of it like this... God is your owner's manual for the baby. Visit the FAQ often. It's okay, I promise. 

#4. Now that baby is around, take time for you and your significant other. It may not be a lot of time. In fact it may just be after the angel goes to sleep. But take time to laugh. Or to plan. Or to nap. It doesn't matter...just take the time.

#5. Enjoy every freakin' second. There are mamas out there who aren't mamas and not by choice. Don't take advantage of your miracle. Don't wish away your time. All of the stages are not easy. No one said they would be. The 4 month sleep regression is real. Don't freak out. It will pass. Just like all of the other struggles for the next 80 years. And when it does, your baby will be sitting up. And that's awesome. And sad. Because you love that they are doing these awesome things and turning into a little person, but at the same time, you want them to stay little. That won't change. 

#6. Say thank you...To God, to your family for their help, to your friends for their prayers, and to your kid for being friggin' awesome. 

It goes by too fast. This is the reason people miss the baby stage. You go through some sort of mom coma and forget any worry you ever had. You want more love. You want to give more love. And that makes you a hell of a mom. 

Kudos mama, friend, aunt... You rock. You are what makes the world go 'round. 

Well, you and that sweet baby. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
—Proverbs 31:25

Blessings

Baby blessing day...

This past Sunday was baby blessings day at our church. We don't baptize our children at this young of an age in the church I attend. We bless them. We, as parents, get blessed. We went to the front of the church with several other families (a small group as early service sometimes is) and we were challenged with the commitment to raise our daughter in a Godly manner. We were challenged to teach her Gods words and pray with and for her each and every day. 

Our church was challenged as well. To help lead us so that we may lead her. You've heard the saying.. "It takes a church..." 

I have to be honest, I struggle with prayer. Not because I don't believe in it whole heartedly, because I do and not because I don't want to pray. I do. It's something I battle with to improve on a daily basis. 

You see, if you were to look into my heart as God surely can, you would see thankfulness, love, and passion coming from all angles. The problem is, I don't always take the time to say or show these things to my God. He knows that I am thankful for the blessing He has given Ben and I. He knows that I feel a love like none other. But He wants to hear it from my mouth to His ears. And sometimes, life beats me. I get too tired, or too busy, or I simply forget. How silly is that? He doesn't forget to make my heart beat, I shouldn't forget to thank Him for it. 

Luckily, we serve such a forgiving God. He understands that we are sinful and forgetful humans, moms, dads, and everything in between. He still loves us. And I'm sure God is on the edge of His big ole' throne just waiting to hear a simple thank you. 

My prayer is to pray and to teach Mollie to pray. Because we are oh so blessed. And we should say thanks to the one who blesses us. 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

—Psalm 100:4