Saturday Mornings

There’s something sacred about Saturday mornings. They are typically a day without work and come with a slower pace. Growing up, I loved Saturday morning cartoons and being able to stay up late on Friday night. I’m finding myself today wondering about what future Saturday mornings will look like for my little family. Last week, we walked to the farmers market for breakfast and it did my heart well. Today I’m curled up in bed holding a sweet, snuggly, sleeping boy waiting for the husband to get home. This is just about as perfect as it gets in this season (only thing better would be if the husband was home!).

When I think ahead, I hope my kids will jump on the bed on Saturday mornings and make time to snuggle even when they’re a little older. We will make it a family affair of slow mornings with big breakfasts and lots of play.

Oh sure I realize when I’m in the thick of it that it won’t look as perfect or idyllic as I see it now and that’s okay. There will probably be arguing over who sits where or who gets to eat the first pancake.

And how does all of this tie into my “becoming the beloved” series? Well. Saturday mornings remind me that I love days doing things I love with the people I love even when it’s not perfect. In the same way, being the beloved means I can come to God and show up in this life with all my messes and still find myself having a good Saturday morning curled up in bed eating pancakes. Even on the days where I’ve spilled the syrup or dropped a plate or forgotten to get the juice. I can still come and be accepted and loved. And we can still find joy in it all.

2 Months!

What we’ve learned…this month, we’ve learned how to make our little man smile, that he LOVES a pacifier, some tips and tricks to cloth diapering, to add in a bedtime routine, about how to have him come along to places (he did a great job during the Duathlon races!!), and how we are pretty ridiculous about how cute we think he is.  

What we’re enjoying right now…going on family walks, our bedtime routine, longer sleeping times at night, days where the weather has been just warm enough without being super warm, the kick n play piano, seeing Asher smile, and eating!  I’ve even gotten out on quite a few runs this past month too, which has felt awesome.  I’m excited to keep running this fall!

What our biggest struggles are…finding balance between all the things we want to do!  We’re working on figuring out what we can say yes to and areas we need to cut back.  

Asher’s most exciting milestones are…smiling! Smiling more for us and for other people too!  He’s also sleeping awesome! Lots of cooing and cute little sounds. More head control too!  We are now into size 2 diapers and definitely out of newborn clothes.  Most of our clothes are 0-3 months, but there are some that are 3-6 months.  

What we are looking forward to…our doctors appointment, nice fall weather, and date nights!

Asher’s likes and dislikes…he loves car rides, tummy time and just time on his kick n play piano (but not for too long!), walks, people talking to him, music, kicking, eating, and sometimes he likes bath time.   Dislikes include being hungry, the bright sun, when the stroller stops moving, and being overtired.

What sleep looks like…we are getting up usually between 2-4 and then again at about 6 or 7.  We have a fun little bedtime routine where he gets to take a bath and then get dressed for bed, swaddled, and then eats one more time before going to bed around 9.  He’s sleeping mostly for about 5-7 hours at his longest stretch.  The longest he went was a little over 8 hours.  The hardest part is for me to be able to get back to sleep for a little bit after he wakes up the first time!

What we’re eating…for Asher, still milk and still mostly about every 2 hours throughout the day except for one longer nap in the afternoon.  For the rest of us, we’ve had our share of omelets, sandwiches, pizza, steamed vegetables, quinoa, granola bars, and lots of ice cream!  We ate out at Bistro, Bennigans, Great Hunan, Papa John’s, Papa Murphy’s, Jimmy Johns, and Subway.  I am definitely way more hungry now than when I was pregnant! And thirsty too!

Who we have seen…a lot of people at the baby showers and even more at the Duathlon races!  My brother, Tom, came to visit this last week too!  New places we have been include Bistro, Bennigans, and Discovery school for the races. 

At the last doctor appointment…we learned Asher weighs about 11 pounds.  This was at my 5-6 week appointment.  When Tom was here we did the little scale trick where we hold him and then figure out his weight.  He is probably around 13 pounds right now and seems about 22 inches.  We will find out at the next appointment to see what he really is!

25 Things

I snagged this from my favorite Vizsla loving blogger because it looked so fun!

1. I’m happiest when…. 1) I’m hanging out with my favorite people (my boys! the husband, my little man, and Boaz) 2) when I’m outside. 3) eating delicious food

2. …Especially if it… 1) involves mountains, the beach, or some kind of adventure!

3. I’ve always wanted to….move back overseas.

4. My family and I…love going on walks!

5. I was a terrible…er let’s say I have a terrible time noticing things that need to be cleaned.

6. My first job was….babysitting!

7. I could probably eat ice cream and cake every day!

8. I stole…I’ve got nothing on this one…hm.

9. I was born on the same day as….Brad Pitt

10. My all time favorite film is…I do love the Narnia movies and there are a few others too!

11. I do a pretty mean…forehand while playing tennis.

12. I’m still mad…I didn’t take advantage of post-secondary options.

13. I met my husband…at church!

14. I always knew I wanted…enough books to fill a room/library in my house.

15. I’m not afraid to…climb mountains and jump off cliffs!  Well, I may be afraid at times, but I do it anyway!

16. I make the best…desserts!

17. I have almost no…flexibility.  Sit and reach always messed up my physical fitness awards in school.

18. I always cry when…I’m done using anger as a cover up for being hurt.

19. I’m a Minnesotan with who still calls Africa home.

20. I spent 1 year living in South Africa.

21. I wish my folks…the best 🙂

22. As a child, I was deeply in love with…making up stories

23. I believe if everyone had a better sense of their worth and how loved they are the world would be a better place.

24. I can’t stand…the smell of black licorice.

25. Whenever Amazing Race is on I’ll watch it.  Mainly I love seeing all the amazing places they go!

Your turn!  I’d love to hear your answers to any of these 🙂 

Friday Love

A few of the things I’m loving lately…

1. Walks with puppies.  Can they get any cuter!? Plus, let’s just be honest.  My husband is like the dog whisperer times twenty.  When I took them both on a walk without him, things were a bit crazier! 2. Ellie Holcomb‘s music.

3. Nike+ Training Club App.  Fun workouts that you can do at home–yes, please!

4. Tons of baby kicks and jabs and pushes 🙂 (oh and note the sunglasses on my head…there may be snow, but I’m ready for spring and summer!)

5. I made this fun little reminder with my word for the year.  Now, we’ve got Joy, Trust, Celebrate, Free, and Open around the house!  

 

 

Soul Cravings, Part 2

“There is only one reason for God to come himself, because in issues of love, you just can’t have someone else stand in for you.”

I have never thought of this in quite the same light.  How amazing that God came.  God came because He is love.  

Think on this.  You’re madly in love.  You met, became friends, and started dating.  He brings you flowers for no reason at all.  You take long walks and talk about anything and everything.  He takes you on dates.  He teaches you new things and you learn about each other along the way.  Your community (friends, church, family) actively engage and advise on your relationship.  Everything is going perfectly.  You want to spend the rest of your life together.  

His friend shows up at your door with flowers and a ring.  He proposes to you for your love.  What!? I don’t think so!  I, for one, would not be happy at all if someone else proposed for him.  Even more, I would be sad that he was not there.

So, in all reality, it makes sense that God came.  He came to show His love.