See what the Lord has done

I have truly missed being able to regularly blog. I enjoy sharing new crafty ideas with you, offering home remodeling tips, recipes for you to try, and just sharing a bit of my weird life.

I know things will get back to a new normal and I will be creating, cooking and remodeling with fervor. But for now, my most memorable times are spent staring at this.

all photos courtesy of Greiman Photography
I’ve realized a few things about parenting that I’d heard from other parents but dismissed as farcical. However, what all those crazy parents have told me is true.

Parenting is the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done. I never thought I would say that. It seemed a necessary task in order to one day have that intelligent conversation with your 25 year old that finally admits you were right about everything. The in between stuff-the spit-up, dirty diapers, messy house, potty training, loads upon loads of laundry-was something that I thought I would have to get through. Instead, I find myself embracing each moment with our daughter, praying over her constantly, smiling while she’s screaming-because she’s finally here and she has a voice.

 

Parenting has made me fall more and more in love with my husband every day. I knew Biceps was ridiculously awesome–that’s why I said “yes” after only four months of dating. What I didn’t know about my sweet man was that he was a natural at nurturing. I’ve watched Biceps hold our baby girl as she spits up onto his arm, and he doesn’t flinch. He’ll scoop the drool from her mouth and wipe it onto his own clean shirt. He joyfully changes her diapers and makes up songs to entertain her while doing so. He rushes home from the fire station so he can hold his baby girl. This man who couldn’t get any better–did.

Parenting has caused me to better understand the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice for me. I would do anything to protect my Birdie. Anything. I would lay down my life if it meant she would live. I don’t think I every fully grasped why Christ did what he did for me until I became a parent. I thought Christ was perhaps a little extreme and slightly crazy to sacrifice himself for someone as flawed as me. Now, I know why. He took on my sin, knowing I would continue to sin and disappoint him. He did that because of his incredible love for me. Have you recognized and understand what the Lord has done for you? What have you learned as a parent?

“Just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

Efficient Baby Rearing

For all of those Mom’s out there that are tired, without makeup, half-starved…I have a pretty easy to follow and “Efficient Baby Rearing” technique.

All of the books that I read before pregnancy were right on. You DON’T have to give up your life because a little one has been added to the fold. You and your mate were there before baby was there. There is no need to make adjustments-the baby will just need to fall in line.

So, here are the techniques laid out for you.

1. Working out.

-The pressure to regain your post-baby  body is warranted. How do you expect to keep your mate if you give yourself recovery time? Continue working out immediately after the baby has been born-prepare for bikini season. If you took care of yourself and you are in good shape, there is no reason that you can’t be back doing double-unders in Crossfit immediately and looking like this….

2. Wear the clothes you love and not the ones that you can easily nurse in/cover up spit-up/are stretchy.

-Why change your wardrobe to suit the needs of your child? They should understand if you have to completely disrobe in a public setting, (i.e. a friend’s birthday party) in order to nurse.

3. Continue “running into” stores.

-The baby should understand that you have 5 errands to run and two hours to do them in. If the baby poops its drawers or is hungry-they will just have to wait. You  are teaching them patience and responsibility.

4. Ensure the baby sleeps only in its crib.

-It’s a bed. They should sleep in it. And unless you’re like me (frugal), you spent several hundred dollars for this bed. There is no reason they should prefer the car seat, the swing, your chest, your bed or anywhere else to their crib. It’s just not logical. Their crib or the highway.

5. Sometimes, babies just cry. Let them.

-Only a namby-pamby woos picks up their kid after they’ve cried for several minutes. Let them cry. They’ll (and you) will be fine.

6. Continue to eat a well-balanced diet–and not some weird, cobbled together reheated-but-now-cold meal.

-What’s stopping you from cooking that well-balanced meal? The baby sleeps around 18 hours a day, according to the books I’ve read. That means you can prepare at least two gourmet meals. What else do you have to do?

7. Nursing is so natural and so easy.

-You don’t really need to know what you’re doing-you were made for this. Embrace all instruction, because it could be right. Don’t worry about the ramifications.

8. As soon as possible, allow the baby to “entertain itself”.

-Babies practically raise themselves. The less you coddle them, the more they’ll learn to be independent. They’re really not that cute. You can walk away.

That’s about it. If you follow these techniques, you’ll do great as a parent. If not…well, you’ve screwed up another entire generation. No pressure.

10 Reasons I’ve become a bad friend…blogger…Crossfitter…

It’s amazing how life can change on a dime. Who knew that having a baby would make every single one of my priorities change? This fact is no surprise to those of you who already have children-but to me, it’s earth shattering.

Things that were once super important to me-having my hair done (or at least combed), makeup on, clean underwear…are of little consequence at this point. While some new mothers blissfully nurse, keep a clean house and ultimately win at being awesome…I’m struggling to get Birdie to sleep in her own bed.

And once something like this is in your arms, little else matters. I pretended to understand this when I was childless. However, there is no way I could have grasped the fulfillment I would receive from changing a stinky diaper.

The ginormous amounts of diapers that have flowed through my hands is one explanation to the reason that I’ve become a bad friend, blogger, Crosfitter, daughter, etc…

Here are a few more:

1. Typically, if you call me, I am in the middle of feeling like this. Not the woman with makeup on in the pretty dress. Look a little more to your left. There. The animal with the tail and fur-that’s me.

Moo.

2. This is reason #2 that I’m a bad friend. High-pitched screaming and phone calls do not mix.

3. While I had my hands in this, (literally-it was IN this), you may have called, texted or stopped by. Sanitation must occur before touching anything. I apologize for being unavailable.

4. My house may look like this, sans Whataburger cups. For a self-admitted “neat freak”, letting you see my house in this disarray would have challenged all that I know to be sacred.

5. I’d love to go on a walk, get a cup of coffee, or hang out. However, this is also how I may have appeared. No one should have to deal with this.

6. Crossfit was my oasis before Birdie. It challenged me, pushed me to my limits and physically altered my body. Now, getting a good burp out of Birdie is my victory for the day. A good toot out of her is another.

7. If I have a moment to respond to an email or text, or if I want to blog-I’m doing it all with one hand. The other is occupied holding Birdie, (a job much envied by all grandparents).

8. My brain is half-functioning, sleep is weirdly sporadic, food is scarce and my interpersonal skills are suffering. I apologize for stinking it up in the listening department, dear friend.

9. If I have some downtime, I’d like to do this. It rarely happens, but the thought of it-although it is perhaps unattainable-seems magnificent.

10. However, if I have any downtime at all, you may find me instead staring at this. Can you blame me?

4 Days and Counting to Baby G.

All at once, it seemed as if the weeks disappeared and we’re only left with a few days. One by one, I’ve ticked off the days approaching our “due date”. Of course, only God truly knows when this precious little one will arrive.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

These guys showed up on my doorstep late last night, looking for a place to stay. Of course, I invited them in, gave them a glass of water and sent them off to bed. They’re making some claim to be here for me and baby, but I truly know it’s because they like my cooking and our spring here in Tulsa.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

The preparations over the past nine months for Baby G.-both physically and emotionally-have allowed me enough time to think, adjust, process and become excited over this major life change. It’s just been Biceps and I for 13 years, and now we are bringing a helpless child into this world. A world that demands Jews to be registered in Russia, killers get to walk free because of technicalities and Justin Bieber is still an “artist”. It’s a scary place.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13

However, I have hope for the next generation. (Or else I wouldn’t have spent an inordinate amount of time making things like this for my next generation to enjoy.) I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my unborn baby-one with a hope and a future.

“From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.” Psalm 71:6

And as Baby G. grows, this is where he/she will rest and contemplate the deeper meanings of life:
1. Do I really like brussel sprouts more than twizzlers as mom keeps insisting?
2. Is a book really better than an Ipad?
3. Will swimming right after eating really cause cramping?
4. Are cats really superior to dogs in every way?
5. Etc., etc.

“…and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze.” Exodus 35:30-32

As this baby continues to stay housed within me, I have a keen sense of their needs and wants. However, I know that this is nothing compared to them “being on the outside”, when they are no longer prisoner to amniotic fluid and my whims of donuts vs french fries vs broccoli. I have spoken love to this baby, I have prayed for this baby, I have clung to my Father over its health. This child has caused my faith to grow in Him.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see…By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:1, 3

Just four more days of me looking like this. Then, you’ll see me covered in spit-up, carrying around a pink, fleshy, fat-rolled Baby G. And, I don’t know if I could be happier than that.

Just four more days.

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31