|| double the blessings ||

I'm typing this at 3:54 am.  :) :)  But really, what a blessing that I've only had to get up once in the night now three days in a row!!!  Wooooohoooooo!  Also, we are on limited internet usage for the rest of the month so now is about the only time I can update quickly in peace until the weekend.

Having two children is: amazing, fun, stressful, hectic, tearful, busy, sweet, grand, fantastic, and busy!  But my goodness, it really is double the blessing.  

Often, mothers of one child will worry before the pregnancy of the second that she will not love the second as much as the first.  A friend gave me such beautiful encouragement before I was pregnant with Jules.  She said, "With each child, it is as if God puts an individual mansion of love in your heart.  Each one has it's own special place of love."  I thought that was such a beautiful illustration and I never worried if I would love my second as much as the first born.

It is true that it is double the blessings but my goodness, my attention is divided.  Woooooooow.  I cannot multi-task!  Yesterday while feeding Jules, Liesl was quietly into all sorts of things.  The other day, she found the dry erase markers to one of her birthday gifts.  It was completely my mistake for leaving them "hidden" in the box yet accessible to her in her bedroom. Well, after I finished getting ready for the day, there was a beautiful masterpiece on her white bedroom wall.  Luckily, dry erase marker comes out very easily.  

I count it such a privilege to be a mother.  It is a responsibility that weighs heavily on my heart.  I feel ill-equipped to guide these precious souls through their childhood years and point them to their Saviour.  

I'm so thankful for the promises in the Bible.  Promises for wisdom when needed (James 1:5), safety through the night (Psalm 4:8), and constancy of the Living Word (Isaiah 55:11).  These are such precious promises I cling to. 

|| Mom ||

Someone just had a birthday!!  My heart was breaking last night because I wasn't there to celebrate with the most special Mother on Earth for her big milestone birthday.  So, I planned to write a little post to honor her.

One of the best things about my Mom's influence in my life right now is how strong she is.  Not once does she ever whine or make me feel guilty that I live on the other side of the world.  Sure, there's times that she says, "Wish I could be there with you." But, she has been nothing but supportive of my life here.  She loves her son-in-law and loves visiting here!  One of the things I determined years ago was that I must have my parents' 100% support in whoever I married.  I got that and it has completely paid off.  I cannot praise God enough for my Mom's encouragement in my life.

I also praise the Lord for her health.   It is a miracle straight from Heaven above that Mom is here to reach her 60th birthday.  Even though we may be 20 hours in a plane away from each other, she is just a phone call away.  On the morning I gave birth to Jules, she was the first one (and only - ha!) I called and said, "Mom?!"  After "Hello" (she might not have even said that!), her words were, "Are you going to the hospital?" :)  I know I can call her day or night if there's an emergency.  How blessed am I.  I have dear friends that I grew up with that lost their mother to cancer.  They can't call her.  It breaks my heart to think of them.  

So, Mom, 11 weeks from today, we will be waiting at the airport with bells on our feet!!  We can't wait to see you and Dad and for you to meet your third grandchild.  Thank you for your love that only a mother can give and I came to more fully appreciate only after I became a mother.  Mwah!!  Love you!