You Are #1

Mr. Koleson (aka Chubbs),

Happy Birthday, sweet one. It has been quite a year for you! I still remember the first time I held you, marveling at your tininess and knowing that you were just such a special boy. With your arrival, you have brought such fun into my life. You are just the sweetest thing.

You have given your mama such a pure joy. You are a reminder of the overwhelming kindness and love of our Savior, little one. It has been such a blessing to watch your mommy love and laugh with you. She is just head over heels for you. I don't think she can hardly stand how much she loves you!

And your sister...well, it's no surprise that she thinks you are fabulous. I love when she decides that you like something and your mama tries to intervene because she is doing something rather annoying. You already know to stick up for your sissy, as evidenced by you laughing and encouraging the behavior.

You, Koleson, are a reminder of what is good and lovely in a difficult world. You bring joy just by being you. You don't require anything, you just smile and love.

I can't wait to see how this next year unfolds in your life, little boy. You are simply spectacular.

I love you.

Delighting

There's just something really lovely in knowing you can dial a friend's number late in the night and know they will not even be a little annoyed, just glad that you called.

Just like Jesus.

Delight

Last week, Dareth, our friends K, H, E, Baby A and I got to MEET THE PIONEER WOMAN!!!!

It was so stinkin fun. She's just as sweet as you'd imagine her to be, and she even accidently scribbled in my cookbook. Perfectly cool!

There was some fun to be had. The bookstore was crazy crowded (Ree is a popular girl), and people's emotions were all over the place. One lady started crying when Ree walked out. Which made me, in turn, cry from laughter. I'm just being honest. It struck me as hysterical. Probably because I always tear up at the weirdest things.

The best news of the night was when she announced that Black Heels to Tractor Wheels will be published. It will include all of what's on the blog, plus more!

So how does this all tie into delight? I was just delighted that in a world where kindness can be easily forgotten, kindness and conversation between strangers can still happen. We chatted with some really great people. I also was so delighted to have some time with some really great friends - friends who find it fun to stalk famous bloggers!

Delight - What Day was I On?

Some people who know me know that I am in general opposed to vaccinations for the general population. More specifically, I disagree with a standardized vaccination schedule for babies that weigh 3 pounds or 10 pounds. I also happen to disagree that the CDC has the research that proves all of this is safe for our children and that no one could possibly get the swine flu from the LIVE VIRUS they stick into you. (That is another soapbox for another time).

All of that to say, while I don't agree with some of these things, I also think that there are cases where vaccinations are vital for some. For instance, we have a friend whose son has Cystic Fibrosis. He and his sister got the h1N1 vaccine. OF COURSE I think this is very important for them. His momma is doing the best thing for her son. It really is important for moms to be able to conversate about these things without passing judgement when a mom does or does not opt to do them.

None of that had anything to do with anything I wanted to say.

Motherhood is not for Wimps is one of the first blogs I read. It makes me laugh until I sometimes pee a little. There are probably very few commonalities between us and we have plenty of differing opinions. But this GEM right here is a must read. I may have fist pumped when she called the Proverbs 31 woman a freaking bad arse.

And so today, I am delighting in all I have heard, right or wrong, about the Proverbs 31 woman. I am celebrating her instead of guilting me. And I am thinking that some sweet red boots for me fall under the category of clothing my house in scarlet.

Delight- Day 4

Today, I am delighting in the fact the the Lord brought someone as lovely as K into my life.

K has been dubbed my Surface of the Sun Mom. My parents live out of state, and for the past 9 years, K has taken me under her wing, loved me, and shown me what a Godly woman looks like. She is one of my most favorite people on the planet. I have watched her love the elderly and the newborns alike. She has a heart for people from all walks of life.

K was in the room with me when Brody was diagnosed with autism. It was her birthday, and she still offered to come to a 3 hour doctor's visit. I will never forget the tears of grief she shared WITH me. She completely invests herself in our lives.

K and Brody have such a sweet relationship. She loves him for who he is, prays for him, and has thrown herself into knowing as much as she can about autism. He adores her ~ she is one of the first people he showed preference for.

K has seen the best and worst of what our family of 4 can be, and she loves us anyway. And I love her for that. I never feel like I have to be fake around her.

This evening when I put Brody to bed, I inhaled the scent of K's perfume, still on him from this morning. She just lingers in a persons life, never content to let them get too far away. That K, even when not physical close, always leaves her mark. Much like our Savior.

30 Days of Delight - Day 3

Today I am delighting in the fact that God doesn't require me to know it all today. We review how we "do" Halloween each year at our house. We go back and forth about what the blessings and opportunities are as opposed to what could be dangerous to expose our children to. I am so grateful that the Lord really honors us each year in our decision making. I don't claim to have all of the answers. This is one of those things that I believe Christians can just agree to disagree on.

It's going to be a lovely day! Blessing to you whatever you choose for you and your family. Chris, myself, Snow White, and a Hot Dog are going to enjoy some time at Faith and Family Day.

30 Days of Delight

After attending the Living Proof simulcast this summer, I was encouraged by the Lord to find things to delight in, specifically for a 30-day period. That was in August. And now we are almost in November. It's CRAZY that I have let so much time slip by without committing to delight. However, today I can change that. So I will. For the next 30 days, I am going to focus on 1 thing a day that delights me, is delightful, etc. I have a sneaking suspicion that in a month's time, I will have a shift in not only my focus, but my attitude as well.

Based on Psalm 37:1-9

Day One

Today I choose to delight in You, Lord. I am so delighted that you choose to be in relationship with me. I don't have to wonder whether or not You care for me. You prove it every single day. Even when I can't recognize it as such.