Beginnings and Ends

This last week has been full of firsts and lasts. So often we commemorate the firsts of life but often times we forget to note the lasts. Here are a few first and a few lasts from recent days.

Wilson took his first steps this last week. They were so wobbling and unsure but he was so excited. His sister was sooooo excited for him. She is so proud of her little brother.
He also nursed for the last time. I don't know that he has cared a bit and although I am excited with my new found freedom I am reminded that my little man is growing up.

We spoke our last words to our dear friend Bart Phillips on Tuesday as he passed away Thursday night. Daniel did his funeral service yesterday and it was lovely. It was so honoring and God's presence just rested in that room. Bart left behind his 3 boys (12 and under) and his amazing wife Suzi. We had planned to have dinner with Bart and Suzi on Sunday night. Suzi's strength in the last few days has been so inspiring to me as well as challenging me and my faith in my Lord.

Wilson had surgery this morning to put tubes in his ears. It was a first for Daniel and I to have to hand our child over to a medical team and trust them to take care of our baby. Although the procedure was quick and uncomplicated anytime a person has anesthesia there is a faith that we must put in professionals and ultimately our Lord.

For the first time this week Lillian talked about not wanting to be apart from her brother because she would miss him. I pray that continues all her life. I was getting ready to leave her at The Playroom and I considered taking Wilson with me but she was not having it because she knew that she would miss him if he was not there with her. I love that!

This week has sure been an emotional one. We've ridden the roller coaster of emotions way up high this week and way down low as well. I thank God that He knows my thoughts and my feelings even before I do! He is not surprised by anything.

It really is the small things

 I am looking out my window watching the trees in my backyard bend from the breeze. These large organisms giving way to something bigger than themselves but yet is unseen. Often in the evening after the kids are in bed Daniel and I love to lay in our hammock. Even though we live in the middle of a neighborhood the trees in our backyard sort of shelter us from the neighbors and it kind of feels like we are in our own world. We dream about what is "out there" in the world around us and remind ourselves of how big our God is and yet how much He cares about each one of us!

There are certain times in life that leave us more reflective and this is one of those times. I want to cherish life, drink it up, love my kids, my family, and my friends. I want to talk to people, get to know their story, have conversations, talk to my kids, I mean really talk to my kids, I also want to listen a lot. I want to serve our God with all I have. I am thankful that I serve a big God. One that holds the world in His hands. Life truly is made up of the small moments.

Here are a few of my favorite moments of late: