22 months.

This little boy has been such a means of grace in my life. Being a mama of an almost two-year-old is challenging, at times, for me. There is so much real life happening inside this home and I am often times brought to tears by it's beauty. Motherhood is very different than I thought it was going to be-- and a very good different. I remember thinking it would be all art-work, kisses and play-dates. While there is some of that happening, most of our little life consists of a very different picture. Most of our life consists me seeing my need for Jesus and learning how to trust and rely on him in a very real and tangible way. God is using Elliot to teach me how to care less about what other people think and care more about being a faithful wife and mom, he is teaching me to care less about myself and give more freely to my family, he is teaching me that it is good and right that my body is different because it has bore these two beautiful boys (Romans 12:1) and their future siblings, that even though the days seem long and hard and tiresome, there is real refinement and sanctification taking place, and I am blessed. I am beyond blessed by this boy. Yes, motherhood is challenging but my goodness, it is rewarding! This little boy brings me more joy than I ever imagined. Every single day he is helping to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude in this mama. Every single day he makes me laugh and sing and pray and see the world in a new way. Elliot boy, you are a delight and a gift.



"Blessings, like children, are not ethereal and weightless. Sometimes they feel like they come at you like a Kansas hail storm--they might leave a welt! But if you accept your lot and rejoice in your toil, God will give you the kind of overwhelming joy that cannot remember the details. Motherhood is hard work. It is repetitive and often times menial. Accept it. Rejoice in it. This is your toil. Right here. Those are their faces. Enjoy things like this. But joy is not giddy. It is not an emotional rush--it is what happens when you accept your lot and rejoice in your toil. So rejoice in your children. Look them in the eyes and give thanks. You will not even remember the work of all this planting when the harvest of joy overwhelms you." An excerpt from "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic

january.

January was good to us. Normally we dread this month around here but this year wasn't so bad. I felt like we were able to calm down a lot after the busyness of the holidays. We spent a lot of time snuggled up together, reading, playing lots and lots of games, being outside (it has been so sunny), eating healthy, spending time with our new church family, taking mini vacations, watching family movies, and just being with each other. 

"I hear it in the rushing breeze;

The hills that have for ages stood,

The echoing sky and roaring seas,

All swell the chorus, God is good.

Yes, God is good, all nature says,

By God’s own hand with speech endued

And man, in louder notes of praise,

Should sing for joy that God is good.

For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,

But chiefly for our heavenly food;

Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,

These prompt our song, that God is good."

January 2014. from Adam & Megan Triplett on Vimeo.

a new year.

I cannot believe that 2014 is here-- this past year went by quicker than any other has. What a wonderful year it was! And not because it was all good and wonderful things happening... but because it was hard and stressful and painful (and yes, of course good and wonderful, too) and it made us learn, in a whole new way, how to cling to Jesus. As we have reflected we have realized that our life is not as lovely and perfect as we may have portrayed (or even thought). We see ourselves more clearly today than we did one year ago and in turn, we see more evidently, our need and dependence on God. And that this is okay and it is good. The point is not to become sinless, perfect, happy people but to repent and trust and see our need for Christ; and to see just how good and loving He is. And what a grace that he has shown me in the ways that he has! He could have chosen awful, crazy, circumstances but He chose this little life that we are living. Oh, we are grateful for His kindness and gentleness to us. Through pregnancy, parenting a toddler, marriage, the birth of our second son, friendships, family quarreling, car problems, moving, seminary, death, financial troubles, bouts of depression, stress, changing churches, lots of love and so, so much grace, we can honestly say that 2013 was the best year yet.

2013, according to instagram from Adam & Megan Triplett on Vimeo.