Where's that darn Staples "Easy Button" when you need it?

Life is so hard sometimes, isn't it? I have some friends who are going through some tough days.

I have one friend who is a sleep-deprived mom to a nine-week old baby girl. This is her first child. She is trying to "learn the ropes" as they say, all while her husband, a PA, works long hours at the hospital. I wish this were all she was juggling. Unfortunately, her father has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and doctors told him last week that chemotherapy is no longer a viable option for him. They are looking into Hospice care options. He lives two hours away, and she is trying to spend as much time as possible with him to soak up every minute she can. All while learning the ropes of parenthood. I simply cannot imagine. The hormones. The lack of sleep. The effort of finding your way as a new mother. All while watching someone you love deeply suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally. Coming to the realization that - short of a miracle that they are praying desperately for - the time left with that someone is likely less than more.

I have another friend who is a stay-at-home mom to a nearly four-month old who seems to like the late night hours and a very - and I do mean very - busy two and a half year old. With a night-owl for a baby, momma's not getting as much sleep as she'd like. Which makes for long days trying to juggle all that comes her way with a baby and a toddler - especially when running on fumes. Sometimes I try not to imagine how hard these days are for her because I know that my time is coming, and I'd like to live in denial as long as possible. But the truth is, I know that she's got days where she's struggling to keep her head above water.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a so-called "easy button" that we could all just push when the going gets tough?

Well, we may not have easy buttons, but we do have a Lord who loves us and whose word tells us:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3)

Fortunately, my two friends have a deep love and knowledge of the Lord, and I know that He will lift them up during their difficult days. They are an inspiration to me. They will rise above their circumstances stronger than ever. And this word is a reminder to me that no matter what we go through in life, God - in His divine power - has given us everything we need. For the good days. For the rotten days. All of it. Easy button? Nah. I'll take promises and encouragement from my God instead.

Counting our Blessings

This Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for this little bit of news:

We are grateful for our newest little blessing that we will be welcoming into this world June 11, 2011 (or thereabouts).

"The Lord is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

– Zephaniah 3:17

Amen, sweet baby. Amen.

Some days you've got it, some days you don't

Yesterday, my friend Lauren and I loaded up our cars with all kinds of props to take Christmas pictures of her daughter Charlotte Ann. At the beginning of our little photo session, Charlotte Ann was not really all that interested in having her picture made. She wasn't interested in the props or sitting still for the camera. So I decided to let her do what all children her age do best - just play around and hope that I could capture some of the sweet moments of her play. By the end, we had some great shots of Charlotte Ann and her sweet smile. And a few with her mommy, too.

This morning I decided I wanted to try to get some pictures of our family for our Christmas card. Let me just say that our session did not go nearly as well as Charlotte Ann's. Of the almost 200 pictures I took, the only one I liked was this one of Alex and his daddy.

What can I say? Some days you've got it, some days you don't. Here's hoping that I am more successful with round 2...

Happy Friday

I haven't picked up the camera too much lately. It's been a busy week. I did do a little photoshoot today with one of Alex's friends though. I'll share pics later. Calling it a night for now. Have a great weekend!

Weekend Visitors

We had very special company this weekend. Our friends Lauren and Greg drove down with their precious little guy Griffin.

Alex and Griffin were born a mere 10 days apart, and they were great play companions. They had an absolute blast together. Alex is going to really be sad now that Griffin has returned to his home.

While Lauren, Greg and Griff were here, we attempted a couple of photoshoots. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Alex joined us for some of the shoots, and Jerry kept him entertained on the side. So occasionally, I snapped a pic or two of them, too.

What a wonderful weekend. Great weather, great friends, great times. Couldn't ask for anything better than that. =)

He's getting so big!

Yesterday I walked into the living room and found this.

Little Man had put on my shoes and was walking around. He was quite pleased with himself. Too funny! We both got a great laugh out of it.

Also, tonight Alex had his first meal where he fed himself with a spoon with very little assistance from me.

A couple of things worth noting...

• He tried hard to scoop the food onto the spoon by pushing it around, but when he couldn't get it on, he decided to pick the food up with the other hand and place it on the spoon and then put it in his mouth
• He became quite distressed by how dirty he was - especially his hands

Needless to say, we went straight to the bath after this little endeavor. 

What in the world?!

This morning, Alex and I were reading one of his Curious George books.

He loved it because of the elephants (he loves making elephant sounds). I loved it because it was short enough to hold his attention.

And then we get to page 9 where the people are having picnics on the grass. "Look, Alex. Isn't that fun? Momma loves picnics on the grass."

"But wait! That's not just food he's inhaling!" That man is SMOKING A CIGARETTE!

Seriously? In a children's book in the 21st century?

Dear Houghton Mifflin Company,

I'm just curious. Were your book editors asleep on the job the day this book was getting ready for the reprint? Please tell me how you think it's acceptable to have an image like this being printed in a children's book these days. 

Taking it off the shelf,
A shocked and disappointed mom

These Hands

These hands have given unending love over the years. They are the ones where I've found much comfort. The ones that have given tough love. They are the ones that have cheered me to success. The ones that have helped me grow.

I love that Little Man gets to know those same things through these same hands. Two very special hands of a very special woman, celebrating a very special day. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you.

Little Man sends his love and birthday wishes, too. XOXOXOXOXO

He's a Hard Workin' Man

"Pop Pop! Is it true what they say? You're having record sales and rising to the top at work?! Well, I do think that calls for a big fat CONGRATULATIONS! Yea for our hard workin' man! Way to go - we're cheering you on! We love you!"