I’ve been thinking a lot about expectations and the life I expected to be living. But honestly, I have been very hesitant to write about it because I feel like anytime you make the statement “life didn’t meet my expectations”, it immediately carries a negative connotation. And, if I am about to make that statement, I didn’t want it to automatically come across that way. Let me try to explain. Read more…
One quiet Saturday morning in April 2011 I took the most important test of my life. A pregnancy test. As shocked as I was to see the positive result, it didn’t take long before I began planning and calculating. One of the first things I calculated was my due date. I wanted to know when this promise of a new life would be on the outside for me to meet in person. My calculations told me I could expect to meet my little love on December 12, 2011. Read more…
My Sweet Girl,
The other day I read to you one of my favorite children’s books. But like many children’s books, the message of the story is so applicable to adults. And I have a feeling it was written in retrospect, when the author was thinking “I wish I had learned this sooner.” The story is “A Hat for Ivan” by Max Lucado. Read more…
My dear Aria,
I tend to think I have the perfect memory. There are so many things I can remember with great detail. And then at other times I am shocked when I try to recall something and the memory seems dim. And I fear the times when memories ultimately fade away into some abyss only to be pulled back up by random happenings. The story of your birth is one of those memories I believe nearly impossible to forget. Read more…
My dear Aria Lynn, I want to share with you how your name was chosen and what your daddy and I are praying over you daily whenever we say your sweet name. Many people hear your name and simply think we chose it because 1- it’s pretty and 2- I used to sing. However, there is so much more to your name. Let me start at the beginning.
Your arrival should be any day now. As it gets closer, my impatience gets intolerable and my excitement to finally meet you is immeasurable. I hope to someday be able to have words adequate to tell you everything you’ve done for me, even in these months leading up to our big face-to-face introduction, but until I find adequate words, I hope these ones give you a glimpse into your significance in my life. Read more…
“The only thing constant in life is change.”
— Francois de la Rochefoucauld
My Little Love, if you can learn this at an early age, you’ll be far better off than me! I actually prefer to paraphrase this quote to say: “ShiFt Happens!” Some people are really good at it; at navigating change. Others, not so much. Your mom, not so much. Read more…
Recently, the Father’s House started a “3 Word” challenge: to publicly express the 3 words you would use to describe what God has done in you since you began your journey at TFH. The challenge is a lot harder than I would have imagined. To try and express everything that has been developed, grown, challenged and birthed in me over the last several years in 3 words is quite difficult. Read more…
“You can’t choose what happens to you. But you do choose how to respond.”
I met Matthew (officially) in the fall of 2002. I fell in love with him just a few short months after. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him almost immediately. He is the most consistent, solid, thoughtful man I know. He’s my stability, my “rock.” The best part is, I know he’s going to be that for our “Little Love” as well. How do I know that? Well, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to watch him as an uncle- and I just know that the love I see will only be magnified once its our own baby we’re talking about. Read more…