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