Wonderfully Random

I love to capture life's random moments.

Snapshots of an ordinary day.

Reminders of simple pleasures and chances to choose joy.

Here's a little wonderful randomness from my little man. He makes me smile.

Hope these make you smile, too.

Hey!

What did you say?

Do you smell something stinky?

Hat's off to me!

Taking Productivity off Her Pedestal

I often struggle with measuring the quality of my day by my level of productivity.

I love lists. Even more, I love checking things off my lists. (I've been known to add an item to a list even after it's been completed, just for the satisfaction of drawing a big checkmark in that box and knowing I accomplished one more thing that day.)

And certainly productivity has its merits. Without it the necessary tasks would never get done and many would find themselves in serious coach-potato status. In fact, the Bible affirms the value of productivity when it talks about the woman of noble character in Proverbs 31. "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks...She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." These are good things and part of being a faithful steward of the people and things God has entrusted to our care.

Yet, sometimes, I, and I think others, can put productivity on a pedestal. I can make it an idol of sorts. So that it is my productivity that gives me validation, significance, and worth. At the end of the day I can look at my lists and weigh the checked boxes against the empty ones and say, "Well done, you!" or "You fell short again. Better try harder tomorrow." This is not what God had in mind.

For what my lists don't consider are the unexpected moments, the unquantifiable responsibilities, beauty, feelings, or the Spirit's leading. This is what I'm learning to lean into.

So today, I did not clean the stove or reorganize Noah's closet. I didn't go to Target, call the airline to confirm next week's flight, or prepare an elaborate dinner. I only did one load of laundry instead of three and there are several emails sitting in my inbox waiting for a deserved reply. So many empty boxes.

But this is what I did do: I read my son Dr. Seuss stories and built 20 block towers. I gave Noah uncountable kisses and fed him a healthy lunch. I scoured the kitchen sink and took out the trash. I sang extra songs at naptime, then listened to my body (and my other growing baby) and took a nap myself. I shared a stack of Mini Nilla Wafers with Noah, to our mutual delight. I went to dinner and Home Depot with my two favorite guys.

I like my house to be in order and all my duckies in a row. I like checkmarks, a visible sign of all that I've accomplished. I like knowing that I used my time and energy wisely. But what is wise?

I’m learning to say, “Today was a good day”—not because I was productive but because I was present for my family. I'm learning the wisdom of living for love, not lists.

How about you?

Egg-citing Moments

While we were in Atascedero, Noah enjoyed his very first Easter Egg Hunt! It was so fun watching him find the brightly colored eggs in the grass, excited for each new plastic treasure.

On Easter Sunday, we spent the afternoon with Chris' family at Vellano Park in Chino Hills. (I love this park!) Another family picnicking nearby had a visit from the Easter Bunny and kindly sent their furry friend over to us later for a picture with the kids.

Cousins Caden, Ezekiel, Ezra, and "Baby Noah"

Later, Grandma and Grandpa set up an egg hunt for all the boys. This time Noah was more interested in his new keys from Aunt Sara. (Probably better that he didn't collect more candy that "someone" would have to help eat.)

Two Cows, One Laundry Basket, and Lots of Sand

After leaving Santa Barbara, our grand time continued when we arrived at Mike and Mary's in Atascedero.

Our first adventure led us on a quest for a highly recommended field of wild flowers. I pictured frolicking with Noah among endless spring blooms, encircled by beautiful rolling green hills under a brilliant blue sky. Well...I got my hills and sky. After a solid 40-minute search yielding no such sweeping flower field, we finally decided to turn around and go home. Since Noah was getting pretty antsy at this point, we stopped in front of two friendly cows as our country consolation prize. (Turns out just another mile or two and the wonders of Shell Creek Road would have been ours! Next time.)

When we got home it was Noah's bath time. On our first night at Mike and Mary's, this usually fun night-time ritual was met with screaming and protest. Apparently Noah was craving the security of his blue plastic baby tub and the big white porcelain tub was just too scary. Wanting to avoid another pre-bed meltdown, I racked my brain for a solution. He was really too big for the kitchen sink, not to mention that Aunt Mary's kitchen would surely be drenched afterward. Finally, the mommy ingenuity kicked in. As you can see, the result was a hit!

On Saturday our lovely hosts took us to nearby Morro Bay. We strolled along the boardwalk, perused the cute shops, ate scrumptious halibut tacos and fresh fish & chips, then headed down to the beach.

Noah had a great time chasing waves, playing with his new sand toys, and running like a crazy little man.

Though Chris was close at hand, Noah inevitably took a tumble in the surf. The sunscreen and sand in his hair made a lovely gray paste.

Noah was conked out before we even left the beach parking lot.

It was a lovely day of fun in the California sun!

Santa Barbara Nachos and Gorillas

On Thursday the boys and I packed up the car and headed north.

Destination...Atascadero, to see my sister and brother-in-law.

On our way, we made a pit stop in beautiful Santa Barbara.

And whenever we have a chance to go to SB,

we have to stop at Little Alex's for

the best grilled chicken nachos EV-ER!! Yum!

Noah also thoroughly enjoyed Little Alex's.

After our tummies were maxed with Mexican food, we headed over to the wonderfully quaint Santa Barbara Zoo. Chris took me there early in our dating, so it was fun to go back and reminisce about our young love while Noah enjoyed his first zoo experience. 

One hightlight from our time there was a great show from this massive gorilla. We watched as he leisurely strolled across the grounds carrying two burlap sacks. Once he found the perfect spot, he then proceeded to fluff each sack like you would a pillowcase and gently lay them on the grass. Our primate friend then plopped down in the ultra-relaxed position seen here. It was quite a comical site!

It was a lovely day filled with lovely family moments.

More on our trip to come...

Fun with Noah

Here are some fun moments from the last couple months.
I'm so lucky to be this little guy's mom!
The joy he exudes makes every day with him a blessing.

Noah loving that swing.

Playing at the park with his cousins, Charlie and Lucy.
(Lucy off on the big-girl swings)

Noah LOVES his pacifiers!
(affectionately called "foofy" in our house...not sure why)

Warms my heart that my baby loves books.

Hard to believe what a big boy my baby has become.

Noah loves Sid the Science Kid on TV.

Clearly, the live version was not a big hit.

Just one of the boys!
Hanging out with cousins Ezra and Ezekiel.

Happy at Home Depot...what a man!

Changing Dreams

I grew up in a house full of girls—my mom, two sisters, and me. We played dress-up, fought over the bathroom mirror, and got ready for prom. I never imagined myself in a house full of boys. But that's exactly what's about to happen.

Yesterday, we found out that baby #2 is another boy.

I don't want to admit it, but my first reaction to this news was disappointment. I told myself not to get my hopes up, but I was secretly convinced that it was a little girl growing and twirling inside me. I had dreamed of tying pink bows around bouncy pony tails, sipping steamy imaginary tea next to bunny and bear, and teaching my daughter how to make mommy's scrumptious chocolate chip cookies. Fighting back tears, I said goodbye to my dreams.

And then I realized, these were my dreams...

This amazing little person isn't being born just for my joy. He is going to be a wonderful new part of our family. Chris' son and Noah's brother. I started to see glimpses of new dreams. My boys dueling light sabers and building backyard forts. Father-son fishing trips and family mountain hikes. Noah growing up with a constant playmate by his side...two little buddies sharing life's adventures.

Having children is not about fulfilling a parent's dream. It's about welcoming the perfect blessing God has chosen for you. It's about being eager to discover who that child is and how you can come along side to grow them up into the person God created them to be.

Photos like these are helping with my changing dreams.

Fifteen

Noah is fifteen months old today!

Fifteen Things
I Love about My Son
(in no particular order):

1. His light-up-my-life smile
2. The way he leans in to give Daddy kisses 
3. His curiosity and eagerness to explore
4. The way he smells after a bath
5. How he runs with pure joy
6. His ridiculously tiny buns
7. The way he says "nana" (banana) in the voice of an angel
8. His dragon growl
9. How much he loves reading stories with Mommy
10. The way he makes strangers stop and smile
11. His gentle spirit
12. The best giggle I've ever heard
13. The way he snuggles before bedtime
14. His kissable cheeks
15. That he will always be my son and I his mom

 Today's Memorable Moments

            

Mommy's Favorite Little Man

 

This picture of Noah was taken nearly four months ago, but it's one of my favorites. Those adorable blue eyes stare at me from the side of my fridge each day and it always puts a smile on my face. So, just for kicks, I thought I'd share it with all of you.

Melting Moments

On Saturday I had the opportunity to go with my dear friend, Esther, to a mini women’s retreat called, “Make Space for God.” This is a portion of my reflection from the first session of the day.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul;

like a weaned child with its mother,

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psalm 131:2

Noah has been weaned for two months. He no longer needs my physical body for his own physical nourishment. He can now drink from his own Sippy cup and feed himself with his little fingers. Even as a tiny toddler, he is exerting his independence, exercising his own will and wants, and testing his boundaries. But though he wants to adventure and explore new things each day and protests when he doesn’t get his way, still he knows he needs mommy and daddy. Still he clings to me, knows I’m where it’s safe and warm and comforting.

Before naptime and bedtime we rock and sing. Noah melts into me completely. My active, energetic, strong, and wiggly little boy is calm, quiet, peaceful, and still, nestled snuggly in my arms. Usually, he’ll tuck in his arms and curl his small hands in the curve of my neck, just to be that much closer to me, that much more enveloped in my comfort and care. I deeply treasure these moments—these moments of my son surrendering fully to my love.

And so it is with what God desires from us, from me. He has given me the ability, the choice to be loud and busy, to push the boundaries he has set for me. Yes, he enjoys it when in the course of my day I stop and smile at him, ask him a question, have a quick conversation, or check in about this or that. But it’s not unless I stop completely and melt into my Father’s loving arms, surrender fully to his care, that I can really know and enjoy this child-like picture of deep faith and communion with God.